Kansas City Dressage Society

The KCDS Awards Program for 2009 has been enhanced to reflect feedback from our membership. 

The Perpetual Awards have been redesigned to recognize accomplishments across a broader range of our membership.  Most notably, three new perpetual awards distinguished by rider division – Open, Amateur Adult and Junior/Young Rider - have been added to recognized accomplishment at KCDS Awards Eligible Schooling Shows

KCDS will offer Horse of the Year Awards for Open, Junior/Young Rider and Amateur Adult divisions from Training through FEI (PSG/I-1 and I-2/GP) at Recognized shows as well as Horse of the Year Awards for Open, Junior/Young Rider and Amateur Adult divisions for Intro, Training and First levels at KCDS Awards Eligible Schooling shows. 

KCDS continues to offer the Rider Medallions and Performance Certificates. 

KCDS Recognized Show Awards

To qualify for year-end awards based upon RECOGNIZED SHOW SCORES , the following criteria must be met:

1. The rider must be a current member of KCDS.
2. The horse must be registered with the Awards Chairman for all divisions except Rider Medallion.
3. Horse registration fee must be paid by the last day of a show in order for scores from that show to count towards year-end awards.
4. Any score earned at a USDF recognized competitions in a regular USEF or FEI test may be used (freestyle scores do not count).  Scores for Horse of the Year must be from an open show.
5. Scores will be accumulated during the award year, November 1, 2008 through October 31, 2009.  Riders must furnish scores to the Awards Chairman. 
6. Only the highest score from each judge at each level should be submitted.  It is the member's responsibility to report scores from all dressage shows, including those sponsored by KCDS.  The rider may photocopy the front of the test or submit the USDF Score Check Summary for each horse/rider combination. 
7. Members must include the Score Qualification Form, which will be published in the KCDS Extension newsletter and includes the following information: a) rider's name and horse's name, b) name and date of competitions, c) name of judge, d) the test, test score and percentage, and e) indicate for which award(s) the rider intends the scores to be applied.
8. In order to qualify for any KCDS award, ten hours of volunteer work is required during the award year.  No more than 10 hours is required, regardless of the number of horses owned, or ridden by the individual.  At least five hours must be horse-show related volunteer work.  The competitor may do this work or may have an acceptable substitute, as determined by the show manager, perform the work for the competitor.  Each competitor assumes the responsibility for the quality of work done for meeting the volunteer work requirement.

Each level is registered separately at a cost of $15 per level.  A rider can nominate his/her horse for two consecutive levels (i.e., Training and First Level, Third and Fourth Level, etc.)

KCDS presents an award to the horse at each level with the highest average percentage of the horse's three highest scores, from three different judges during the award year.  Scores must be from an open show.  AT LEAST ONE SCORE FROM THE HIGHEST TEST AT THAT LEVEL MUST BE INCLUDED TO QUALIFY FOR HORSE OF THE YEAR AWARD.

KCDS presents a prize and a ribbon to the Champion and Reserve Champion in each category.  The horses finishing third through fifth place in the standings will be recognized.  All the above placings will be published in the newsletter following the Annual Awards Dinner. 

The following minimum averages will apply for all divisions:

• Training Level - 55%
• First Level - 55%
• Second Level - 50%
• Third Level - 50%
• Fourth Level - 50%
• PSG/I-1 - 50%
• I-1/GP – 50%

KCDS Schooling Show Awards

This is a year-end award program geared to allow horses and riders who would like to gain experience and confidence before going to the USEF competitions.  This award program is based on scores earned only at designated KCDS Awards Eligible schooling shows.  The categories in which one can enter are:

• Junior/Young Rider - has not reached 21st birthday by December of the previous year
• Adult Amateur
• Rider with a Disability - requires Certificate of Dispensation with the USEF
• Open

Awards are given at Introductory, Training and First Levels.  The test scores can be from ANY test in the level.  In other words, a score from the highest test in the level is NOT a requirement. 

To qualify for year-end awards based upon KCDS SCHOOLING SHOW SCORES , the following criteria must be met::

1. You must be a member in good standing with KCDS
2. Each horse/rider combination must be registered and the fee paid in advance of any show in which a score from the show is to be used
3. Registration is $5 per level.  State whether you are a Junior/Young Rider, a Adult Amateur or an Open rider.  If you are a rider with a disability, check that box in addition to one of the above. 
4. Scores must be from the same horse/rider combination
5. Scores will be accumulated from January through October 31.  It is the riders responsibility to furnish scores no later than November 15th to the Awards Chairman.
6. The rider is responsible for sending in copies of the fronts of their three best tests showing 1) the name and date of the competition, 2) the name of the horse and rider, 3) the name and signature of the judge, and 4) the score. 
7. Scores must be from at least two different judges
8. These awards are based only on scores from KCDS Awards Eligible schooling shows.  The KCDS Extension newsletter and KCDS website calendars contain the dates and locations for these shows. 
9. KCDS Award Series Schooling Show scores may be used for Performance Certificates. 

KCDS presents a prize and a ribbon to the Champion and Reserve Champion in each category.  The horses finishing third through fifth place in the standings will be recognized.  All the above placings will be published in the newsletter following the Annual Awards Dinner. 

The following minimum averages will apply for all divisions:

• Intro – 55%
• Training Level - 55%
• First Level - 55%

KCDS Perpetual Trophies

The weighted scoring system to allow for the greater difficulty at the higher levels is the adjusted average score:

• Training Level average score adjusted by 1.0
• First Level average score adjusted by 1.01
• Second Level average score adjusted by 1.02
• Third Level average score adjusted by 1.03
• Fourth Level, Jr. Team & Jr Individual average score adjusted by 1.04
• Prix St. Georges & FEI YR tests average score adjusted by 1.05 or Intermediare I average score adjusted by 1.06
• Intermediare II average score adjusted by 1.07 or Grand Prix average score adjusted by 1.08
• Grand Prix Special average score adjusted by 1.09

Rider Medallion

KCDS presents a medallion to riders who have earned three scores of a certain percentage from three different judges at various levels given below.  These scores may be accumulated from year to year.  The horse does not have to be registered in the award divisions.  Riders may use scores from more than one horse.  Riders are responsible for submitting their scores to the Awards Chairman.  Each medal may be earned only once.

• Bronze Rider (Training and/or First Level) - 60%
• Silver Rider (Second and/or Third Level) - 57.50%
• Gold Rider (Fourth and/or above Levels) - 55%

Performance Certificates

In order for all riders to have a chance for recognition, this category will allow scores earned at KCDS Awards Eligible schooling shows as well as Recognized Shows.* 

The following certificates will be awarded.  Please note the different requirements for Training through Third Level and Fourth Level and above.  These scores may be accumulated from year to year but a rider and only earn a Performance Certificate once.

Awards and required scores for Training - Third Level

• Blue Level - Three scores of 65% or better earned at the registered level
• Red Level - Three scores of 60% or better earned at the registered level
• Yellow Level - Three scores of 55% or better earned at the registered level

Awards and required scores for Fourth Level and above

• Blue Level - Three scores or 60% or better at the registered level
• Red Level - Three scores of 55% or better at the registered level
• Yellow Level - Three scores of 50% or better at the registered level

* In order to qualify as a KCDS Awards Eligible schooling show, the show management is encouraged to follow general USEF rules.  A $50 fee will be payable to KCDS prior to the show.  Management must be a KCDS member. 

All applicable scores must be sent to the Awards Chairman no later than November 15, 2009.

Cindy Fletcher  

awards@kcdressage.com

Recognizing Outstanding Volunteerism

In 2006 KCDS introduced a new program recognizing the fantastic group of volunteers that ensure that all KCDS programs, shows and events come off without a hitch.  The Volunteer Recognition program is open to all KCDS members.  There are three levels of recognition based upon the total number of hours volunteered during the membership year.  The award levels are

Gold - 101 or more hours

Silver - 51 - 100 hours

Bronze - 25 - 50 hours
 

The winners will be recognized at the Annual Awards Banquet. 

The volunteer coordinator for each event is responsible for tracking the number of hours each person volunteers and submits to the webmaster for tracking and posting on the website.