What are your goals for the 2020 show season? USDF offers a variety of awards for riders of all levels. Here are 5 awards you can work toward this year!
1. Rider Awards
USDF Rider Awards are based on the scores the rider achieves over time, so they don’t need to be earned in one competition year. In additional to bronze, silver, and gold in rider medals and freestyle bars, awards are also available for Dressage Seat Equitation, Rider Performance Awards at Training, First and Second Levels and Master’s Challenge. Rider medals, freestyle bars and Master’s Challenge awards are presented at the Salute Gala and Annual Awards Banquet at the Adequan®/USDF Annual Convention in the fall. You can learn more about USDF Rider Awards here.
2. All-Breeds Awards
What breed of horse do you ride? Check out the USDF All-Breeds Participating Organizations on the USDF website to see if you could qualify for Adequan®/USDF All-Breeds Awards. If your breed registry doesn’t currently participate, you can ask them to sign up. All-Breeds Award winners are recognized at the Salute Gala and Annual Awards Banquet at the Adequan®/USDF Annual Convention in the fall, as well as in the USDF Yearbook edition of USDF Connection magazine. You can get more information about All-Breeds Awards here.
3. USDF Regional Schooling Show Awards Program
Brand new for 2020 is the USDF Regional Schooling Show Awards Program! It will offer regional recognition to USDF Group Members competing in non-USEF licensed/non-USDF-recognized competitions. Four award divisions, including open, junior/young rider, adult amateur and non-professional will be recognized per region. The open division will offer six levels of recognition (Training, First, Second, Third, Fourth and FEI), with the junior/young rider, adult amateur and non-professional divisions offering an additional seventh level (Introductory). Learn more about this exciting new program here.
4. Horse Performance Certificates
Like Rider Awards, Horse Performance Certificates are based on the scores the horse achieves over time, so it is not restricted to a competition year. They may be earned at every level, Training through Grand Prix. You can get more information about these certificates here.
5. Special Awards You Can Ask Competitions For
Ask competitions to host a USDF Benefit class and specialized awards will be available for the class. You can also ask shows to offer breed awards at individual USDF-recognized competitions.
