What is an Amateur Owner Rider?
An Amateur Owner Rider (AOR) is a dressage rider who trains and competes their own horse while earning their living outside professional riding, training, coaching or breaking activities. AORs balance this pursuit with work, family and everyday life — and the AOR division exists to recognise and support them, creating a community where amateur riders can learn, improve and connect with others who share their love of the sport.
The AOR division is open to riders aged 21 years and over who meet the eligibility requirements set out in the AOR Rules (see link below).
Our Aims
To create a welcoming and supportive community by:
- Encouraging greater participation by making dressage more accessible and rewarding for amateur riders of all experience levels.
- Creating a supportive community where AORs can connect with one another, build confidence and feel part of the wider dressage community.
- Providing access to quality education, coaching and development opportunities to help riders achieve their personal goals.
- Recognising and celebrating the achievements of amateur riders through leaderboards, awards and dressage championships.
What Does AOR Offer?
In Victoria, eligible AOR riders have access to a range of opportunities including:
- AOR Development Weekends
- AOR Leaderboard
- Victorian AOR Squad
- State & National AOR Dressage Championships
What is the AOR Development Weekend?
The AOR Development Weekend is exactly what the name suggests – a weekend dedicated to helping Amateur Owner Riders develop in and out of the saddle.
Weekends are open to ALL Victorian AOR riders and are held at either Boneo Park or Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre, offering an opportunity for AORs from across Victoria to come together with other riders who share the same passion for dressage.
Each weekend brings together quality coaches and industry experts to provide ridden lessons as well as unmounted educational sessions. Depending on the program, topics may include horse health, saddle or bit fitting, rider fitness, competition preparation, nutrition, sports psychology, rider pilates and much more.
Development Weekends are often subsidised through the fundraising efforts of the Victorian AOR Committee to make them as accessible as possible for all riders.
Whether you are attending your first Development Weekend or your 10th, the focus remains the same: creating a positive learning environment where every rider can improve, ask questions and enjoy being part of the AOR community.
What is the AOR Leaderboard?
The Victorian AOR Leaderboard recognises the highest-performing Amateur Owner Riders at each dressage level over the competition year (1 July to 30 June).
Riders submit their six highest official competition scores achieved during the year. The average of those six scores determines the final leaderboard placings.
Leaderboards are conducted at Preliminary, Novice, Elementary, Medium, Advanced, Small Tour, Medium Tour and Big Tour.
What is the Victorian AOR Squad?
The Victorian AOR Squad is a development squad for AORs who have earned a place through their competition results while also meeting the AOR eligibility requirements. It recognises riders who have demonstrated a commitment to their dressage and provides opportunities for further education and development.
The AOR Squad has two intakes each year, in January and July. Applications open prior to each intake, with dates published on the EV calendar.
To be eligible to apply, horse and rider combinations must have achieved 3 qualifying scores at official dressage competitions in the preceding 12 months.
If selected, horse and rider combinations have access to a variety of clinics, protocol days and education for the following 12 months.
Being part of the Squad is about more than attending training sessions. Squad members become part of a group of motivated riders who train and compete together, support one another, share ideas and encourage each other’s success, while developing lasting friendships with like-minded rider
What are the State & National AOR Dressage Championships?
The Victorian and National AOR Dressage Championships bring eligible Amateur Owner Riders together to compete for State or National dressage titles across all levels of dressage, from Preliminary through to Grand Prix.
They are the pinnacle events on the AOR dressage calendar, bringing riders together nationally to compete, connect and celebrate amateur dressage.
Costs:
Provided you meet the AOR eligibility criteria, being an AOR is included as part of your annual EV membership. The only costs are for the events and activities you choose to participate in, many of which are subsidised through the fundraising activities of the AOR Committee.
