The Possibility of Awards



Spring has definitely sprung here in Maryland, and show season is rapidly approaching. I've had an eye turned towards new GMOs here in the DC area, with the consideration that we may try to go for some awards this year.
More blues please!
Of course, I ride a distinctly non-fancy thoroughbred with a serious aversion to pressure. As such, my expectations towards winning anything are incredibly low. I'm always happiest to have a fairly relaxed test free from major flaws and above 60%. That caveat spelled out, let's take a look at what I'm aiming Pig and I for this year:

GMO Awards: Potomac Valley Dressage Association
Logo shamelessly pulled
via PVDA.

  1. The Thoroughbred Placement Resources High Score Schooling/Licensed Show Award
    • Two awards: 1 for highest score in a PVDA recognized show, 1 for highest score in a PVDA schooling show.
    • Qualify: Horse must be full thoroughbred, score must be received during current competition season (qualification deadline: Nov 15th), rider must be member of PDVA when score is earned.
  2. Year-End High Score Awards
    • Only scores earned at a PVDA recognized or schooling show will be counted.
    • Season through Oct 31.
    • Average score tabulated after highest and lowest score are dropped. Average score must be above 55%.
    • Awards are split into divisions, mine being AA. Further split by level category.
    • 8 volunteer hours with PVDA required for eligibility.
    • Minimum of 7 scores from same rider/horse combo, and at least 2 different tests in the level.
    • Rider must be a PVDA member.
  3. Rider Achievement Awards
    • Rider must be PVDA at time of earning scores, and proof of membership is required.
    • Scores must be earned at a PVDA schooling show, or any recognized show.
    • Qualifying scores: USEF First Level – 62%; USEF Second Level and above – 60%
    • Four Qualifying Scores are required for each award.
    • Scores must be earned from at least 3 different judges from at least 2 different shows.
    • Schooling show judges must be at a least "L" level.
    • Scores may be earned across multiple years.
    • Scores may be earned on multiple horses.
    • Rider may be awarded once only at each level in both the schooling show and recognized show categories.
    • Rider is responsible for reporting scores.


National Awards: The United States Dressage Federation (USDF)
Logo shamelessly pulled via USDF

  1. Bronze Medal (Need two 3rd level scores only)
    • Rider must have a GM or PM USDF membership at time score received.
    • Horse must meet minimum competition eligibility requirements (HID okay) and be registered with the USDF with the owner under which it is exhibited.
    • Scores must be from USDF/USEF licensed shows only.
    • Scores may be recorded on multiple horses.
    • Scores must be submitted all at once, not as earned.
    • Two scores of 60% or above needed at each 1st, 2nd, and 3rd levels.
    • Scores must be from two separate rides at each level.
    • Applications and $25 fee must be submitted by September 30 to receive award in calendar year.
  2. Rider Performance Award (One score needed at 1st and 2nd)
    • Rider must have a GM or PM USDF membership at time score received.
    • Horse must meet minimum competition eligibility requirements (HID okay) and be registered with the USDF with the owner under which it is exhibited.
    • Scores must be from USDF/USEF licensed shows only.
    • Scores may be recorded on multiple horses.
    • Scores must be submitted for each level all at once, not as earned.
    • Awards given at Training, 1st and 2nd level only.
    • Each level is a separate award and must be applied for separately.
    • Four scores of 60% or above are needed from the level being applied for.
    • Scores needed from four different judges at level being applied for.
    • Scores needed from four separate rides at level being applied for.
Award eligibility is so complicated! But, being only two scores away from my Bronze feels really good. I hope we actually manage to knock that goal out this year!
Photo by Jen.
Are any of you aiming for any of these awards? Do you have your own GMO awards (or similar) that you are aiming for? How do you keep your scores and eligibility straight?!

Comments

  1. I am TOTALLY gunning for GMO awards this year. I can win one from both the Oklahoma Dressage Society and the Green Country Chapter of ODS; they're awarded in a way similar to the way PVDA does things, except ODS and GCC use the median score instead of an average. I've never won any sort of year end award, so I am SUPER jazzed about it lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have gotten a few ribbons before, but that's all. Honestly, though. I'm just hoping to finish my bronze!

      Delete
  2. I heard about PVDA's TB award!! I was going to look into it for Mikey this year... I'm right up there with you for the first level rider performance award (I need 2 more scores since 2 of the 3 first level tests I've ridden were for the same judge). I'm going to try to get Penn his first level horse award (10 60%+ rides at first level, insane compared the requirements for the rider!), which shouldn't be an issue based on the shows I plan on going to (as long as I don't screw him up!). I'm really hoping that if I spend this year showing first, schooling second at home and teaching him flying changes when he's ready this year, that Penn will be ready to step out next year at 2nd and then 3rd by the end of summer, because I want my Bronze medal already!! I would totally join PVDA association if I actually lived down there- they host a lot of things in that area that seem fairly clustered together.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh, I have already narrowed down my show list to TIP participating shows only because I also ride a non-fancy Thoroughbred averse to pressure. Bring on those TB ribbons!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm 99% sure the May 21/22 show at Morven is a TIP participating show. I love the big TB ribbons!

      Delete
    2. Not going to lie. I really want a TIP ribbon.

      Delete
  4. You are a kick ass chick who can rule the world. I believe in you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'll settle for just not crashing and burning... ;)

      Delete
  5. Yay awards!! That's so cool you can earn them by doing schooling shows. I'm not sure that CDS offers schooling shows, at least not around here. Here we mostly get private barns that offer schooling shows, lots use L judges but one uses their crazy trainer so we avoid that one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sometimes an L judge is a crazy trainer too... ;)

      My last GMO did scores as schooling/recognized too. But travel costs were too damn high for it to be worth doing schooling + recognized. Some of these have too many shows required, too. There's no way I'm hauling my stressed out pony to that many events!

      Delete
  6. Another pressure-averse OTTB here. I'm trying not to think about year end stuff--all I want is my two bronze scores. And ALL THE PRIZES.

    But I can't think about the prizes without psyching myself out in about 5 minutes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Just do what I do. Figure out your qualifications and get those set way ahead of time. Then just ride the horse you have on the day and think about the awards later. No point in making awards another stress point, especially for me since I end up not winning them most of the time anyway. :)

      Delete
  7. Sounds so exciting!! Good luck.

    ReplyDelete
  8. how cool how many awards you have! we: none! the only thing that you can climb is the license ladder...but no awards..and for the licenses you always need scores > 62%...will be exciting for us to hit that at 3rd level (easy third level to start with)... good luck!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Omg. I would absolutely die if I managed a 62% at 3rd! Good luck!!

      Delete
  9. Win alllll the things!!! At least, that's what I kinda wanna do too haha. Let's find a show where you can finish your bronze while I start mine;)

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment