*** NEW **** BEGINNING 2025 ALL USDF/USEF RECOGNIZED, OPEN DRESSAGE SHOWS HELD IN ARIZONA WILL COUNT TOWARD YEAR END AWARDS!
**AT LEAST ONE QUALIFYING SCORE MUST BE FROM A GMO-HOSTED SHOWS (ADA/TDC)**
AWARD DESCRIPTIONS:
NOTE: Rider AND owner of the horse must be current ADA member(s) BEFORE scores are earned. Scores from Regional (when held in Arizona) and State Championships are now included.
- Horse of the Year: Training, First, Second, Third, Fourth, & FEI (PSG, Intermediate, Grand Prix combined)
- Rider of the Year: Open, Adult Amateur (AA), Junior/Young Rider (JRYR) to three places in each level/category – Training, First, Second, Third, Fourth, FEI-A (PSG/I-1), FEI-B (I-A/B/II) and FEI Grand Prix.
- Freestyle Award: Open, Adult Amateur (AA), Junior/Young Rider (JRYR) to three places in each category – First-Fourth combined & FEI (PSG, Intermediate, Grand Prix combined)
- Sandra Kale Award: Champion Arabian Dressage Horse of the Year
- Cameo Award: Champion Arizona-trained FEI Dressage Horse of the Year
SCORES CRITERIA (final average score must meet or exceed AZ State Championships qualifying score for the respective Division/Level).
SUMMARY of requirements for ADA Year End Awards
Based on Membership Year (Dec 1 - Nov 30) | Levels | Scores | Different Shows | Different Judges | At Least One Test 3 Score | Volunteerism | Service | Sponsor/Donate (see options below) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Horses of the Year | TL, 1L, 2L, 3L, 4L Each | 3 | 3 | 3 | yes | yes |
FEI Horse of the Year | PSG/Int/GP Combined | 3 | 3 | 3 | no | yes |
Riders of the Year (AA, JR/YR, Open Each) | TL, 1L, 2L, 3L, 4L, Each | 4 | 3 | 3 | yes | yes |
FEI Riders of the Year (AA, JR/YR, Open Each) | PSG/Int I Combined | 4 | 3 | 3 | no | yes |
Freestyle Pair Award (AA, JR/YR, Open Each) | 1L thru 4L Combined | 3 | 3 | 3 | no | yes |
Sandra Kale Award | Level 1 thru GP Combined | 4 | 3 | 3 | no | yes |
Cameo Award | PSG/Int/GP Combined | 3 | na | 3 | no | yes |
Volunteer of the Year | Must have minimum of 8 hours volunteer time, no payment of volunteer time and donated hours must not exceed 25% of total volunteer time. | na | na | na | na | Yes! Open to members and non-members. ADA Members may nominate a person by submitting their name to any member of the ADA Board. If no one person has more than one nomination, the top three (determined by number of volunteer hours) will be submitted to the ADA Board for a vote. If after all nominations and board votes there is still a tie, preference will go to an ADA member. |
- Both the rider and the horse owner must be active ADA members prior to earning any scores.
- 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: [email protected]
- 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.
- You need at least one qualifying score from an ADA/TDC-hosted show. Other scores can be earned at any USDF/USEF recognized, open dressage show held in Arizona. Check the ADA website for qualifying shows.
- Scores from Regional and State Championships shows are NOW included.
- Final average score must meet or exceed AZ State Championships qualifying score for the respective Division/Level.
- 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: [email protected].
- Cameo Award: Open to all FEI horses trained and ridden by an Arizona resident from 2nd Level on. Owner must fill out a one-time “Training History” and return to Awards Compiling Chairman. Email: [email protected]
DIVISION SELECTION:
- 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: [email protected]
VOLUNTEERISM/SERVICE:
You can sign up for events by contacting Kathy Smith at [email protected]. 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!
ADA Year End Awards and AZ State Qualifiers, Similarities and Differences
Year End Awards | AZ State Qualifiers |
|
|---|---|---|
Show Year | Dec 1 – Nov 30 | Oct 1 - Sep 30 |
| Eligibility | ADA Members Only | Rider must be a member of any Arizona GMO as of Sept 1 of the Championship Year |
| Scores from Shows | All USDF/USEF recognized, open dressage shows held in the State of Arizona. At least one score from GMO hosted shows (ADA/TDC) | Same as Year End Awards plus open Dressage classes from ADA/TDC-recognized shows |
| Classes not Included | Introductory, Young Horse, Developing Horse, Dressage Seat Equitation, Para Dressage, Opportunity, Pas de Deux, 1st Level Futurity, Brentina Cup, FEI Pony classes | Same as Year End Awards |
| Scores Count | After both owner and rider of horse have paid ADA dues. | After horse nomination fee has been paid |
| Requirements | Requirements differ by award. See “Summary of Requirements for ADA Year End Awards” Table | Two AZ State qualifying scores, Two different judges; at least one score from a GMO-hosted show |