2024 Year End Awards

• Rider and owner of the horse must be current ADA member(s) BEFORE scores are earned. (Scores from Regional and State Championships classes are not included.)
• If Horse is owned by a Business, then an Individual person from that Business must have a current membership with ADA. Please notify the Awards Compiling Chairman of the ADA member/owner’s name. Email: scores@azdressage.org
• Volunteerism and/or Service to the organization is required.
  • 4-hour minimum.  Volunteer opportunities >
  • In addition to periodically posting Volunteer Hours on this website and in the newsletter, you can also check you current volunteer status with the ADA Volunteer Tracking Coordinator >
• ALL current ADA members who meet the volunteer/service requirement are automatically eligible for Year End Awards.
• Scores must be earned during the Membership Year – December 1st through November 30th.
• Scores can be earned at any Arizona open dressage shows hosted by or recognized by the ADA.  Check Omnibus for qualifying shows.
• All Horse Awards – Scores may be earned by more than one Rider.
• All Rider Awards – Scores may be earned riding more than one horse. The average of the Rider’s scores must be greater than or equal to the AZ State Championships qualifying score for the respective division and level.
• Musical Freestyle tests are only eligible for Musical Freestyle awards.
• Sandra Kale Award: Open to all horses registered at least 50% Arabian blood. Owners must provide a one-time copy (annual submission not required) of horse’s registration papers to the Awards Compiling Chairman to be eligible.  Email: scores@azdressage.org.
• Cameo Award: Open to all FEI horses trained and ridden by an Arizona resident from 2^nd Level on.  Owner must fill out a one-time “Training History” and return to Awards Compiling Chairman.  Email: scores@azdressage.org
• Pantano Award: For each USDF-recognized open show held in Arizona, the riders who earn the highest scores in each division at each level and who meet all criteria* become eligible for an annual drawing.  Once a rider has won this award, they are no longer eligible for further drawings.
  • Riders must be Individual ADA members or the Primary Member of a Family Membership.
  • Riders must reside in Arizona (ADA hopes the winner will spend the money in AZ!)
  • Scores count only after both rider and owner of the horse pay ADA dues.
  • Scores must be equal to or greater than the current USDF qualifying score for the level and division.
  • Once a rider has won the $1,000 Pantano Award, that rider is no longer eligible for further drawings.

• Horse/rider combinations may have scores in more than one level.
• AA status based on USEF rules.
  • If a horse/rider combination becomes ineligible for the AA category during the Competition Year, the rider must notify the Year End Awards Compiling Chairman in writing.  Email:  Scores@azdressage.org

You can sign up for events  by contacting Kathy Smith at ksmith@azdressage.org.  While we do need your help at our shows and events, the volunteer requirement can be met in a variety of  ways that serve our membership as a whole, like:

• $50 Volunteer Donation (used to spoil our volunteers!) and/or $50 Show sponsorship (class sponsorship, ring, etc. used toward reducing show fees and funding educational events) (4+ hrs credit)
• Donating your facility to host an ADA event (schooling shows, clinics, etc.) (4+ hrs credit),
• Writing articles for our Centerline newsletter (1-2 hrs credit)
  • Submitting Barn News (1/4 –  1/2 hour credit) or
  • Training Nuggets (1/4 hour credit)
  • Organizing a fundraiser for our JR/YRs (4+ hours credit)
  • Serving on an ADA Board or committee, (hours contributed) etc.

AND Volunteering also makes you eligible for ADA Scholarships and Travel Grants!