Year-End Awards Program

About the Florabama Chapter of DSDCTA's Year-End Awards Program

Members the Florabama Chapter of DSDCTA are eligible for Year End Awards within the competition year, which is from October 1st of one year to September 30th of the following year. All Levels will be awarded Champion through Sixth Place. Simultaneous competition in multiple divisions (i.e. Adult Amateur and Masters) is not allowed. All Year-End Awards will be based on a Median Score. When there is an odd number of scores submitted, the median is based on the middle number. When there are an even number of scores submitted, the median is the average of the two middle scores.

To be eligible for awards:

Participants must be a Florabama DSDCTA member in good standing at the time scores are earned.

Participants must volunteer a minimum of 4-hours at any Chapter event, show, and/or function or **buy out fees paid on or before October 15. **see Volunteer page for volunteer requirements and (or) buy out details.

All Scores must be submitted within 30 days of the show date. No scores and/or corrections will be accepted after October 15 of the award year.

Division recognized by the chapter:

JUNIOR/YOUNG RIDER

Open to juniors and young riders who must meet the USEF Dressage definition of JUNIOR or YOUNG RIDER. A competitor is a JUNIOR RIDER until the end of the calendar year in which he/she reaches age eighteen, and a YOUNG RIDER until the end of the calendar year in which he/she reaches 21.

ADULT AMATEUR

Open to AMATEURS who meet the USEF Dressage definition of ADULT.
For competition purposes, in Dressage Division, competitors shall compete as Adults from the beginning of the calendar year in which they reach the age of 22.

Masters

Open to Members 50 years or older. Members must declare intent to compete in the Master’s division at the beginning of the competition year.

Open

OPEN to all. There are no restrictions based on the horse (age, breed, sex, size, residence, or membership of owner) or rider (experience, qualifications, sex, residence, or membership.)

All divisions will be awarded separately and no Horse/Rider combination will be considered for awards in more than one division per competition year.

Each horse/rider combination winning a Championship at any given level will NOT be eligible for further competition awards at that level or below in any division again.

Competition Awards

Dressage Awards:

Scores must be earned at a minimum of two (2) Shows, with two (2) different Judges (judge(s) must be an "L" graduate or higher). A minimum of four (4) Scores are needed for Second Level and BELOW. A minimum of three (3) scores are needed at Third Level and ABOVE. To be eligible for awards at Introductory through Second Level, one (1) score must be earned at the HIGHEST LEVEL test for that level. To be eligible for awards at Third Level and higher, scores can be earned from ANY test in that level.

Combined Training Awards:

A minimum of three (3) scores required in Pre-Amoeba through Preliminary Divisions. A minimum of two (2) scores are required for the Intermediate and Advanced Divisions. Dressage Test must bu judged by an "L" graduate or higher.

Pre-Amoeba Division - Intro A, >18” cross country jumps and stadium consisting of cross rails
Amoeba Division - Intro B, 18” cross country jumps and 18” stadium jumps
Tadpole Division - Intro C, 2’ cross country jumps, and 2’ stadium
Bullfrog Division - USEF Beginner Novice Test A, 2’4” cross country jumps, and 2’4” stadium jumps
Beginner Novice Division - USEF Beginner Novice Test A or B, 2’7” cross country jumps and 2’7” stadium jumps
Novice Division - USEF Novice Test A or B, 2’11” cross country jumps, and 2’7” stadium jumps
Training Division - USEF Training Test A or B, 3’3” cross country jumps, and 3’3” stadium jumps
Preliminary Division - USEF Preliminary Test A, B, 3’7” cross country jumps and 3’7” stadium jumps
Intermediate Division - USEF Intermediate Test A or B, 3’9” cross country jumps and 3’11” stadium jumps
Advanced Division - USEF Advanced Test A or B, 3’11” cross country jumps and 4’1” stadium jump

Special Awards

Gerard Kirsch Memorial Instructor Award:

This award is in honor of Gerard Kirsch. Gerard was a competitor, instructor, and trainer who influenced so many riders in our area. This award, for an outstanding instructor, is given each year in memory of Gerard Kirsch. It will be awarded at the Florabama Chapter Year-End Awards Banquet.

Criteria for the award:

This person must be a current Florabama Chapter member, be supportive of the students and efforts regardless of goals, have broad variety of experience in training students at different levels, be continuing their own education in dressage, be involved locally and/or regionally in the horse community, attend and support students in their competitions, retain students over a period of years, and show leadership in the dressage community.

How the winner is determined:

Nominate an instructor by writing a letter describing why this person deserves the award and mail or email it to the Florabama Awards Chair. The board will then review the submissions and determine the awardee. Nominations must be received by October 15 of each year.

Notable Support Person Award:

This award is to recognize those who work hard behind the scenes helping competitors ride and show.

Criteria for the award:

This person must be a current Florabama Chapter member. To be considered they must not receive any pay for their work. Do you know someone who fits the above criteria?

How the winner is determined:

Submit a nomination by writing a letter describing why this person deserves the award and mail or email it to the Florabama Awards Chair. The board will then review the submissions and determine the awardee. Nominations must be received by October 15 of each year.

Horse of the Year Award:
Recognizes performance excellence by awarding the horse with the highest average after submitting five scores for consideration. Scores must be sent on or before October 15 of each year. The five scores can be any level and/or test combination.

Athlete of the Year Awards:
Recognizes performance excellence in three categories – Junior, Amateur and Open. The awards are based on the average of five scores submitted for consideration. Scores must be sent on or before October 15 of each year. The five scores can be any level and/or test combination.

Sportsmanship Award:

This award is presented to individuals who embody the integrity and true spirit of good horsemanship toward their equine partners, and good sportsmanship toward their fellow competitors.

Criteria for the Award:

This person must be a current Florabama Chapter member and be involved locally and/or regionally in the horse community.

How the winner is determined: