The purpose of the WNYDA Awards Program is to recognize member achievements during the competition year.  Awards will be presented at the Annual WNYDA Awards Banquet.

I.  AWARDS CRITERIA

COMPETITION YEAR: The WNYDA 2008 competition year runs from September 16, 2007 to September 15, 2008.

ELIGIBILITY FOR ALL AWARDS

·          The owner(s) and rider of the horse must be a WNYDA member in good standing. A WNYDA member who leases a horse is considered to be the owner.

·          The owner or rider must work eight hours for a WNYDA show, program or committee during the competition year.  The Required Volunteer Hours Form (found in the forms section at the back of this Omnibus or on our website at www.wnyda.org) must be signed by the Show/Program Manager, Committee Chair or Board President and mailed (postmarked) to the Scorekeeper by September 15, 2008.

SCOREKEEPING AND SCORE REQUIREMENTS

·          It is the rider’s responsibility to submit scores to the Scorekeeper, for WNYDA and non-WNYDA show scores.  Only scores submitted to the Scorekeeper by September 15 of the current competition year count toward awards unless otherwise stated.  You must use the WNYDA Score Reporting Form found in the forms section at the back of this Omnibus or on our WNYDA web site at www.wnyda.org  to report your scores. You must send copies of the front pages of tests clearly showing the judge’s signature and the final score to the Scorekeeper with your Score Reporting From to be eligible for Awards.  Scores will not automatically be submitted to the Scorekeeper on the rider’s behalf, except for the WNYDA Challenge Series Shows.  It is your responsibility to submit scores for award qualification. 

·          The age of the rider must be recorded with the WNYDA Scorekeeper if the rider is competing for Junior/Young Rider, Vintage Cup Awards and Junior and Senior Challenge Series Show Divisions.

·          Challenge Series Show scores count for the WNYDA Challenge Series awards only. 

·          Only scores from U.S. Equestrian/USDF Recognized Competitions count toward awards for Rider Achievement, Horse of the Year, Rider of the Year, Novice Rider/Horse of the Year. Breeding Division score must be from a Breed Recognized Judge.  At least one of the scores submitted must be from a WNYDA Sponsored Recognized Competition (except for the Breeding Division Award).  A WNYDA Sponsored Recognized Competition is one with the WNYDA name and logo in the prize list.

·          Classes restricted in any way, i.e. Breed, Novice, etc. do NOT count unless otherwise noted. Scores from Amateur Classes DO count toward WNYDA awards, except where noted otherwise.

 COMPUTATION OF SCORES 

·          Awards are based on a median score, which is the middle score when all scores are placed in numerical order.

·          Awards will only be presented to median scores of 55% or higher (except for Challenge Series & Novice Rider/Horse of the Year).

 PERPETUAL TROPHIES

·          Awards for Horse of the Year, Rider of the Year, Novice Rider/Horse of the Year, Challenge Series and Breeding Division are Perpetual Trophies.

·          Perpetual trophies are generously donated to WNYDA and will be in the possession of the Award winner for a period of approximately 11 months.  The Award winner takes possession of the trophy upon signing a legal contract drawn up for the protection of the trophy.

 II.  AWARDS OFFERED:  WNYDA offers Awards in the following categories:

A.      Rider Achievement

B.       Rider of the Year

C.       Horse of the Year

D.      Novice Rider/Horse of the Year

E.       Challenge Series

F.       Breeding Division

A.  RIDER ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

These awards recognize the achievements of a rider, regardless of the horse(s) ridden.  No rider may win an award in a given category more than once.  Scores are cumulative year over year.  The categories are:

                Training Level                         4 scores of 60% or higher

                First Level                               4 scores of 60% or higher

                Second Level                           4 scores of 60% or higher

                Third Level                             4 scores of 60% or higher

                Fourth Level                           4 scores of 60% or higher

                FEI Combined Levels             4 scores of 60% or higher from any FEI  Level

Qualifying Requirements: (see rules re “scores” in I. AWARDS CRITERIA, under SCOREKEEPING AND SCORE REQUIREMENTS.)

·          For each category, a minimum of 4 scores of 60% or higher must be recorded from 2 different competitions and 3 different judges.  At least one score must be from a WNYDA Recognized Sponsored Competition.

·          For Training through Fourth Level, one score for each level must be from the highest test at that level.

·          Riders are responsible for submitting their scores to the scorekeeper on the Rider Achievement Award Form (found in the forms section at the back of this Omnibus or on our website at www.wnyda.org), along with the required volunteer hours form.

B.  RIDER OF THE YEAR

These awards recognize the achievements of the rider in a given competition year regardless of level.  Awards are determined based on the scores submitted for the Horse of Year awards.  No additional scores need be submitted to qualify for Rider of the Year awards.

Qualifying Requirements: (see rules re “scores” in I. AWARDS CRITERIA, under SCOREKEEPING AND SCORE REQUIREMENTS.)

·          Awards may not be won by the same rider/horse combination at the same level more than once.

·          Only those Riders qualified for a Horse of the Year Award will also qualify for a Rider of the Year Award.

The Rider with the highest median score regardless of level is presented with a perpetual trophy as noted below. 

C.  HORSE OF THE YEAR AWARDS

These awards recognize achievements of the horse, regardless of the rider in a given competition year.   Awards are given at each level for Training through Fourth, one award for FEI levels and one Musical Freestyle Award. 

Qualifying Requirements: (see rules re “scores” in I. AWARDS CRITERIA, under SCOREKEEPING AND SCORE REQUIREMENTS.)

·          No horse may win Horse of the Year at the same level more than once.  At FEI and Freestyle, a horse may win Horse of Year more than once if qualified at a higher level. 

·          All scores must be from recognized U.S. Equestrian/USDF Competitions.  Scores must be submitted on the WNYDA Score Reporting Form along with copies of the fronts of the tests and postmarked to the WNYDA Score keeper by September 15 of the competition year to be eligible, along with the required volunteer hours form.

·          The highest median score (which is the middle score if you list your scores in numerical order) will be used to determine the winner.  Submit your scores following the criteria listed below.  Note that one of the scores submitted must be from a WNYDA Sponsored USDF/U.S. Equestrian Recognized show.  This score is used as part of the determination of your median score :

a.     Training, First and Second Levels – submit 5 scores only from at least 2 shows, 4 different judges. One of the scores submitted must be from a WNYDA Sponsored USDF/U.S. Equestrian recognized show.  Two of the scores submitted must be 55% or higher from Test 4 of that level. 

b.     Third and Fourth Levels – submit 3 scores only from at least 2 shows, 3 different judges.  One of the scores submitted must be from a WNYDA Sponsored USDF/U.S. Equestrian recognized show.  One of the scores submitted must be 55% or higher from Test 3 of that level.

c.     FEI and Freestyle (all levels) – submit 3 scores only from at least 2 shows, 2 different judges.  One of the scores submitted must be from a WNYDA Sponsored USDF/U.S. Equestrian recognized show. 

The Horse with highest median score at each level noted, is presented with a perpetual trophy. 

D.  NOVICE RIDER / HORSE OF THE YEAR AWARD

These awards recognize less experienced riders and their horses that qualify as a team in a given competition year.

Qualifying Requirements: (see rules re “scores” in I. AWARDS CRITERIA, under SCOREKEEPING AND SCORE REQUIREMENTS.)

·          A novice rider is one who has not competed above training level and is not a professional (someone who receives remuneration for having or sharing the responsibility for instruction, teaching, schooling or advising a rider on the training of a horse at any time prior to or during the competition.)

·          Scores must be submitted on the WNYDA Score Reporting Form along with copies of the fronts of the tests and postmarked to the WNYDA Score keeper by September 15 of the competition year to be eligible, along with the required volunteer hours form.

·          A minimum of 4 Training Level test scores from at least 2 different competitions and 2 different judges from the WNYDA Novice Rider / Horse Division offered at WNYDA Sponsored U.S. Equestrian/ USDF Recognized competitions.

·          At least one of the scores must be from Training Level test 4.

·          A rider may not compete in this division a second year.

The rider/horse combination with the highest median score, is presented with a perpetual trophy. 

E.  CHALLENGE SERIES AWARDS

These awards recognize rider achievement, regardless of the horse(s) ridden in a given competition year, at the WNYDA CHALLENGE SERIES shows.

Qualifying Requirements: (see rules re “scores” in I. AWARDS CRITERIA, under SCOREKEEPING AND SCORE REQUIREMENTS.)

·          Every Challenge series show will have JR and SR divisions.  A Junior is 18 and under, a Senior is over 18.

·          Minimum of 3 scores for any test at the same level at a WNYDA Challenge Series Show is required to qualify. Riders may qualify at more than one level if the minimum of 3 scores per level is met.

·          Award champion and reserve champion for JR and SR at each level.  All other qualified riders get a certificate of recognition.

·          The median score will be used to determine award winners – all scores from WNYDA Challenge Series shows will be used in calculating the median.  Challenge series secretaries will submit scores on behalf of all riders. Riders do not need to submit scores.

·          Riders must provide proof of eight volunteer hours worked by sending a completed and signed volunteer hour form to the Scorekeeper by September 15 of the competition year to be considered eligible for this award.

The rider with the highest median score, is presented with a perpetual trophy. 

F.  BREEDING DIVISION

These awards recognize the qualifying colt, gelding or filly from 1 to 3 years of age, in a given competition year.

Qualifying Requirements: (see rules re “scores” in I. AWARDS CRITERIA, under SCOREKEEPING AND SCORE REQUIREMENTS.)

·          A Conformation Class score from any U.S. Equestrian Breed Recognized Judge will be eligible. Scores from a non-recognized breed show can count if the judge is U.S. Equestrian Breed Recognized. 

·          Only one score should be submitted.

·          Score must be submitted on the WNYDA Score Reporting Form along with copy of the front of the test and postmarked to the WNYDA Score keeper by September 15 of the competition year to be eligible, along with the required volunteer hours form.

·          Horse must be owned by a WNYDA member in good standing, but may be shown (handled) by a non-WNYDA member.

The young horse with the highest Breed Score from a U.S. Equestrian Breed Recognized Judge, is presented with a perpetual trophy. 

III.                 THE DARLA TROPHY

The Darla Trophy is a perpetual trophy donated in 1999 by a group of friends in memory of Darla Schwark, a former Mendon Pony Clubber who went on to major league dressage in the Gladstone, N.J. area until her untimely death in 1998, at the age of 30.  While still living in this area, she was involved with many of us, training and teaching both horses and riders.  After moving to N.J., she made frequent return trips to visit family, and continued to teach and inspire.  This trophy will be awarded to the rider with the highest FEI score (not including Musical Freestyle) at the Dressage at Paduka Run show who is an active WNYDA member at the time of the competition.  Darla competed successfully at these levels. 

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