Kansas City Dressage Society

Horse of the Year, Rider Medallion & Performance Certificates

In 2007, KCDS will offer Horse of the Year Awards for Open, Junior/Young Rider and Non-Professional Adult divisions from Training through FEI.  Please do not cross enter between divisions (i.e., enter First Level Open and First Level JR/YR)  KCDS continues to offer the Rider Medallions and Performance Certificates.  To qualify for yerar-end awards, 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).  There are two exceptions: Scores for Horse of the Year must be from an open show, and Scores from KCDS Awards eligible schooling shows count toward the Performance Certificates only.
5. Scores will be accumlated during the award year, November 1, 2005 through October 31, 2006.  Riders must furnish scores to the Awards Chairman.  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 Rider Award form signed by the show secretary.  These forms may be obtained from www.usdf.org
6. 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.
7. In order to qualify for any KCDS award, five hours of KCDS horse show related work and five hours of non-horse show KCDS related 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.  The competitor may do this work or may have an acceptable subsitute, as determined by the show manager, for the competitor.  Each competitor assumes the responsibility for the quality of work done for meeting the work requirement.

In addition to the foregoing, please note any additional requirements listed under the individual award categories.  Each level is registered separately at a cost of $10 per level.  A rider can nominate his/her horse for two consecutive levels (i.e., Training and First Level, Third and Fourth Level, etc.)

Horse of the Year

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 firth 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%
• FEI Levels - 50%

Special Awards

KCDS is proud to award the following Perpetual Trophies:

High Point Adult Rider donated by Mr and Mrs John Ingram-Eiser

High Point Jr/Young Rider donated by Dr and Mrs John Arnold

Betsy Coester Memorial First Level Champion donated by Jennifer Williams

Mackey's Hope Second Level Champion donated by Valli Williams

David R Woodhead Memorial Award Third Level Champion donated by David Woodhead

Junior of the Year

Adult Amateur of the Year

Open Rider of the Year

Classic Challenge donated by Dick and Wanda Anderson

KCDS Horse of the Year

KCDS Award Series 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
• Non-Professional Adult
• 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.  Qualification for these awards is based on the following criteria:

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 Non-Professional Adult 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 Melissa Hervert-Allen
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. 

New Award Program Recognizes 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 submit to the Membeship Chair for tracking.