Awards and Standings

SWVADA Awards and Recognition Program

SWVADA offers a variety of year-end awards and recognition programs to reward and encourage members in good standing.

General Eligibility Requirements for All Programs

1. Only current Individual or Family SWVADA members in good standing are eligible. The competition year for all SWVADA awards is December 1-November 30.

2. Once a horse/rider team has received Championship Horse of the Year, that team is no longer eligible for the Champion award at that level, except those competing at FEI Levels.

3. To qualify for awards, competitors must volunteer four (4) hours of service at SWVADA sponsored events or projects. Members who perform jobs requiring service (Board members, webmaster, show managers/secretaries, etc.) will be considered qualified. Volunteer hours must be completed by the last SWVADA schooling show of the competition year. Hours earned after this date will count toward the following year. Event managers MAY elect to turn in volunteer names as a group, but it is ULTIMATELY THE COMPETITOR’S RESPONSIBILITY to see that volunteer requirements are documented and reported using appropriate forms.

Submitting Scores:

1. Only the results from the SWVADA schooling shows will be sent to the Standings Chairperson by show management. For all results other than SWVADA’s yearly schooling shows, please send a copy of your test(s) with cover sheet to the Standings Chairperson by December 1.

2. Scores earned at open US Equestrian/USDF licensed shows will count toward SWVADA year-end award eligibility, but it will be the responsibility of the rider to submit scores on an Award Validation Form (found on www.swvada.org) All scores must be in by December 1. Alternatively, copies of tests (both front and back) or a copy of the USDF printout showing scores may be mailed or emailed to the Standings Chairperson.

3. If a class is officiated by multiple judges, only the recorded class score is valid for submission.

4. Please save all of your tests throughout the year for verification. Original tests can help resolve any reporting errors or discrepancies.

5. All forms needed for score documentation, volunteer hours, etc., are provided online at www.swvada.org.

6. Standings will be posted and updated periodically on www.swvada.org. It is the rider’s responsibility to check this site for discrepancies.

7. Scores must be from two different judges at two different shows.

8. All scores submitted must be 55% or higher.

Schooling Show Horse of the Year Awards

Introductory through Second Level:

1. Each horse/rider team must have a minimum of four scores from SWVADA schooling shows or any other schooling shows that have a USDF “L” Graduate or US Equestrian Dressage or Eventing Dressage r, R or S Judge.

2. To qualify for Champion Horse of the Year, scores must include one test from the highest test of the level (that score must be submitted and will count in the four scores for the awards even though it may not be in the “top four” scoring rides) ridden.

3. Scores from licensed shows will not count for schooling awards with the exception of Introductory Level tests only, where a combination of scores from schooling and licensed shows may be used. Competitors must submit scores from licensed shows to the Standings Chairperson.

4. The average of the four required scores will be used to determine year-end placings. Up to ten placings will be awarded.

5. USDF/US Equestrian tests ridden as part of a combined test or horse trials may be used. It is the responsibility of the individual submitting the scores to make the conversion from penalty points to a dressage score.

6. Virtual shows or fix a tests may not be used.

Musical Freestyle-Intro through Second Level (one award):

1. Each horse/rider team must have a minimum of three scores.

2. The Average of the three required scores will determine year-end placings. Up to ten placings will be awarded.

Licensed Show Horse of the Year Awards

Training through Fourth Level, Prix St. Georges, Intermediare I, Intermediare II, and Grand Prix:

1. Each horse/rider team must have a minimum of four scores from OPEN shows licensed by USDF/US Equestrian

2. Rides from classes with multiple judges (e.g. Championship Finals) will count as one score.

3. To qualify for Champion Horse of the Year, one score must be from the highest test of the level ridden. This score must be included even though it may not be in the “top four” scoring rides).

4. The average of the four required scores will determine year-end placings. Up to ten placings will be awarded.

USDF Musical Freestyle - Training through Fourth Level (one award):

1. Each horse/rider team must have a minimum of three scores from OPEN shows licensed by USDF/US Equestrian.

2. Rides from classes with multiple judges (e.g. Championship Finals) will count as one score.

3. Scores from schooling shows will not count for licensed awards.

4. The Average of the three required scores will determine year-end placings. Up to ten placings will be awarded.

FEI Musical Freestyle (one award):

1. Each horse/rider team must have a minimum of three scores from OPEN shows licensed by USDF/US Equestrian.

2. Rides from classes with multiple judges (e.g. Championship Finals) will count as one score.

3. The Average of the three required scores will determine year-end placings. Up to ten placings will be awarded.

FEI 5 & 6 Year-Olds (one award):

1. Each horse must have three) scores from at least two open shows licensed by USDF/US Equestrian and from at least two different judges.

2. Scores may be earned under more than one rider.

3. The average of the three required scores will determine year-end placings. Up to ten placings will be awarded.

McDonald Farms Amateur Rider Award

Created by Teresa McDonald and awarded to the high score Adult Amateur at Training Level or above as determined by the highest Average score (schooling or licensed) in Horse of the Year division. All requirements for Championship, referenced above, must be met to be eligible for this award. Up to ten placings will be awarded.

Junior/Young Rider Award

This award is for riders who are 21 years of age and under. Four scores earned on any mount at any level in schooling and/or licensed shows will count toward the award. The median of the four scores will determine the winner. Up to ten placings will be awarded.

SWVADA Medals

These awards are awarded to the competitor and therefore, more than one horse may be used to meet the criteria. There is no time limit. The competitor is responsible for completing the Award Validation Form indicated qualification(s) for a medal.

Bronze Medal: Four scores of 60% or higher at Training and/or First Level. Two or more of the four scores must come from First Level. Two of the scores must be from licensed shows with at least one (1) of these from First Level.

Silver Medal: Four scores of 60% or higher at Second and/or Third Level. Two or more of the four scores must come from Third Level. One Second Level score may be from a schooling show, but all other scores must be earned at licensed shows.

Gold Medal: Four scores of 60% or higher at Fourth and/or FEI Level. Two or more of the four scores must come from FEI Levels. All scores must be from licensed shows.

Barcelli Award

Will and Jean Barcelli were instrumental in developing the sport of dressage in Southwest Virginia; they created this award to honor outstanding SWVADA members. The Barcelli Award is awarded by vote from the entire membership. Criteria include outstanding dedication, cooperation, and enthusiasm for the sport of dressage and SWVADA. Members may submit nominations to any Board member. The Board will review all nominations and select as many as three for voting by the membership. Biographies of each nominee will be available online and/or in mailing prior to the vote. The vote will take place prior to the annual banquet.

For additional information on eligibility requirements for SWVADA Year-End Awards and SWVADA medals, click here.

For additional information on general eligibility and score submission click here.

SWVADA began offering Schooling Show Series awards in 2019. Unfortunately this program was suspended for last year as so many shows were canceled due to COVID-19, but it will resume for the 2021 show season.