When one thinks of USDF’s competitive opportunities, we often imagine a horse and rider pair entering the ring at A, halting and saluting at X, then performing a set test scored by a judge seated at C. This image discounts all of the horses too young to be backed yet, as well as broodmares and stallions who are no longer competing. We’ve rounded up some of the competitive and awards opportunities for young horses here!
ProElite/USDF Breeders Championship Series
The ProElite/USDF Breeders Championship Series is designed to promote breeders and showcase quality sport horses. This competition series consists of qualifying events held in designated geographical areas of the United States, culminating in a final championship event in each series.
The Breeders Championship Series consists of in-hand classes for current-year foals, fillies, colts/geldings, four-year-old prospects (Sport Horse Prospects), and mare and stallion divisions (Sport Horse Breeding Stock), in which the horse is judged on conformation and movement “on the triangle.” The Breeders Championship Series also holds Materiale classes.
Materiale Classes
Instituted in 2016, USDF hosts a materiale championship division at each of the ProElite/USDF Breeders Championship Series competitions. Materiale classes are separated by age (one division for three-year-olds, and one division for four- and five-year-olds), offering an opportunity for dressage prospects to gain in-ring experience without the pressures of performing a dressage test. These classes are designed to build confidence in the show ring.
Materiale classes differ from other show ring experiences due to all of the competitors being evaluated in the ring at the same time. The horses are evaluated under saddle at the walk, trot, and canter, as well as for their suitability to dressage relative to the other horses in the class. The group mentality of the classes and the flexibility of not being asked to perform specific movements in test format offer a greater opportunity for positive experiences and confidence in young horses.
In a materiale class, the overall score comprises 30% of the walk, trot, and canter scores, and 10% of the general impression. The gaits are judged on regularity, elasticity, and balance, among other criteria. General impression scores are made up of rideability, demonstration of character, presence and temperament, harmony, athleticism, and development related to age and training.
Materiale classes can be hosted at either USEF/USDF Dressage Sport Horse Breeding (DSHB) competitions or at USEF-licensed/USDF-recognized dressage competitions, and these scores can be used to qualify for one of the ProElite/USDF Breeders Championship Series competitions.
Year-End Recognitions
Participation in the ProElite/USDF Breeders Championship Series also allows horses who are too young to perform under saddle, or new to their under saddle competitive career, the opportunity to be eligible for several year-end awards offered by USDF. Several of these awards are recognized at the Annual Awards Banquet and Salute Gala held in conjunction with the Adequan®/USDF Annual Convention, while other champions are crowned at the ProElite/USDF Breeders Championship Series Finals.
The Adequan®/USDF Dressage Sport Horse Breeding Horse of the Year Awards are often a highly competitive awards group, recognizing the highest-scoring horse of each age and sex category for the in-hand DSHB classes. The highest scoring champion will also have their name engraved on the perpetual trophy, Travelin’ Trot, housed at the USDF National Education Center, and will be recognized at the Annual Awards Banquet and Salute Gala.
Those participating in materiale classes with their young horses are eligible for the Adequan®/USDF Materiale Horse of the Year Awards, which recognizes four age categories each year: Three-Year-Old Fillies, Three-Year-Old Colts/Geldings, Four- and Five-Year-Old Mares, and Four- and Five-Year-Old Stallions/Geldings. Horses must be at least 36 months of age to participate in materiale classes, and they must earn three scores from three different judges at three separate competitions with a median score of 65% to be eligible for this prestigious year-end award. The highest-scoring champion is engraved on the Sunshine Sport Horse Association perpetual trophy, also housed at the USDF National Education Center.
Also recognized at the Annual Awards Banquet and Salute Gala are the Adequan®/USDF USEF Four-Year-Old, and FEI Five- and Six-Year-Old Awards. These awards recognize the horse who earned the highest median score in each age group from scores earned by four judges at four different USEF-licensed/USDF-recognized competitions.
The newest addition to the awards opportunities for young horses is the Four-Year-Old Prospect Award, announced in late February 2024. Like its Three-Year-Old Prospect counterpart, this award recognizes the horse who earns the highest combined score from their respective in-hand and materiale classes at each of the ProElite/USDF Breeders Championship Series Finals.
I show my young horses in hand in these DSHB classes to get them show experience and for feedback from the judges. Unfortunately, opportunities to show in these classes are becoming fewer and fewer in the Midwest and North Central regions as shows who previously offered them have dropped them from their prize lists because of light participation and the expense of holding them. Qualifying for a year end award requires a minimum of 3 scores from 3 judges and 3 shows. It’s difficult to plan one’s show schedule when officials aren’t listed and there are so few breed shows.
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