Great idea from KCDS. Maybe it will spread?
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Posted by the Kansas City Dressage Society:
Oh friends! We have an exciting announcement ~~ and KCDS Communications Chair, Sara McConnell, is bringing us all the news!
Sara writes:
KCDS was one of the founding members which started the United States
Dressage Federation. Once again we look to be the founding group to launch a
recognition of mature riders through the Kansas City Dressage Society’s
Vintage High Point Award for riders 55 and over.
Teresa Boss is the master mind behind encouraging KCDS to include this
division in our horse shows. Teresa points out that many of us over 55 have been
committed to this sport for decades and as we age, we should be recognized for
our long term commitment.
Another view point is that many adults come to ride Dressage later in life. It will be nice to have a division that recognizes their age,
giving them a chance to be recognized separately from the younger riders who
just aged out of their junior years.
Other disciplines such as amateur hunters can have up to three age groups
divided, 18-35, 36-49 and 50 and over. Granted there are more riders in these
divisions but the dressage community could learn from their example.
In an article titled “Ideas for Growth” in the USDF Connection March/April 2024,
George Williams mentioned that there have been some discussions at the
regional levels about adding a division for the “mature rider.”
The article went on to say that “dressage shows are allowed to offer other divisions, and so perhaps interest could be gauged through shows’ offering a division for an older group.”
And THAT is exactly what KCDS is going to do. 
KCDS has named it the “Vintage Award”because it goes along with the Adequan/
USDF Vintage Cup Award given out each year.
This award recognizes adults and
professionals over 50. They give awards in each division with scores over 60%.
“Riders may declare to be eligible during the current award year via the USDF
website and must do so by September 30th.”
KCDS is taking baby steps starting with this division by recognizing only amateur
adults at this time. As the division gets traction they hope to expand to
professionals like the USDF does in their year end award.
To be eligible for the KCDS Vintage Award, Amateur Adults at the age of 55 and
over, will be automatically eligible for the award at the KCDS schooling and
recognized shows.
**The only requirement will be to include a birthdate in the entry for Schooling and Recognized Shows (2 each weekend).
Awards are given in 4 Categories at each show. Training and 1st level, 2nd and 3rd level, 4th and PSG and I1 through Grand Prix. Culminating with an end of the year award in
each division given out at the yearly awards banquet.
Brandi Sangster, KCDS Horse Show Organizer, explained, “The Date of Birth is
on the bottom right of the entry form, under the Rider portion. If they use their
USDF number they should check to see if it’s already there , otherwise they may
have to enter it. **To ensure DOB is entered, the riders should enter it manually
which will update the record.”
As an interesting sidebar, Teresa shared that the current KCDS Membership
consists of 70% over the age of 55 and 62.5% over the age of 60, so these
divisions can be competitive! The challenge is just spreading the word so riders understand the division.
That said, if adding a Mature Division to the USDF’s qualifying and year end
awards is of interest to you, please let us know! You can email:
Region 4 Director Anne Sushko
gandasushko@hotmail.com
USDF Competitions Director Krystina Wright
at kwright@usdf.org
