Explain the rules/requirements of breed awards

[RTF]

I am starting to plan out next years show season, and I have thought of possibly trying to pursue the USDF breed awards. I have a horse that should be competitive. If I am not mistaken, does the horse need a total of eight scores/tests, with four of those being at the highest test of the level? Do those scores need to be from four different shows? Does the horse need a USEF number on top of her USDF number? I will go back through my rule book.

Silly question too, do you get anything for it? A medal/plaque/ribbons… do they come through USDF or the breed registry. Trying to decide if it’s worth the time/money, or if I should just focus on qualifying for our region championship.

[Silverbridge]

I think, but do not have the Member Guide in front of me, that only two of the eight tests over the fiscal season have to be at the highest test of the level. They do have to be from four different shows. And you do have to have a median of 60% as a minimum, to qualify.

As far as the prizes, there are separate prizes from both USDF and typically from your registry also. The USDF are standard medals of different colors for First (Gold) Second (Silver) and Third (Bronze). They don’t send anything for placings below Third. They are stamped medals, about 2" across or so, and they come on a looped, lanyard-type ribbon, in different colors of ribbon for the placings.

What your registry sends out, though, is entirely up to them. Some send ribbons for placings First thru Fifth, some only First thru Third, and I think a couple of the very large breed registries go to Sixth or even Eighth places. In my case it’s always been a large, rosette ribbon with really long tails.

Many also send gifts/prizes, typically for First Place only, though sometimes First/Champion and Second/Reserve. Some send out trophies, some send useful items, some send a small token such as a stamped grooming tool, some send ribbons only. It just depends.

I’ve received an embroidered turnout sheet of very nice quality, saddle pads with the registry logo, an embroidered down vest, and (my favorite) a really nice, embroidered nylon and fleece helmet carrier. The embroidery on the items lists all the honors we earned for that season.

In my case because I was riding a somewhat rare/unusual breed in competition, my interest was primarily in “making” the lists in order for another example of the breed to be seen on the various lists. Online, and in the Connection magazine’s annual yearbook issue. The awards when they did come were a thoughtful and welcome bonus to having recognition for just being out there in the public eye.

[Dutchmare433]

8 scores, 4 different shows, 2 scores must be at highest test (and must be over 60%), median at least 60% (FEI is 4 scores, 4 different shows.

Horse needs a USDF Lifetime registration, I don’t know for sure about USEF, I don’t think you need it, but mine came with lifetime reg with USEF so I never looked into it.

Owner needs USDF participating membership, and a membership with the breed organization.

You need to send in a one-time declaration to the breed registry, which is maybe $35?

If you end up with more scores, I believe they count all scores, not just the top 8. (My GMO does year end awards and they do it differently.)

[Cowgirl]

My horse has won All Breeds at every level (except the current one, grand prix). You have to join your breed organization and pretty much qualify for USDF HOY and pay those memberships Each breed organization gives (or doesn’t) their own prizes. We have won jackets, day sheets, quarter sheets, leather halters, saddle pads from North American Danish Warmblood Association. My favorites was a toss up between the Perris leather halter (and they inscribed a nameplate on it) and the quarter sheet (they put her name and level on it). USDF gives medals on ribbons for champion and reserve.

[yaya]

@Dutchmare433

8 scores, 4 different shows, 2 scores must be at highest test (and must be over 60%), median at least 60% (FEI is 4 scores, 4 different shows.

Horse needs a USDF Lifetime registration, I don’t know for sure about USEF, I don’t think you need it, but mine came with lifetime reg with USEF so I never looked into it.

Owner needs USDF participating membership, and a membership with the breed organization.

You need to send in a one-time declaration to the breed registry, which is maybe $35?

If you end up with more scores, I believe they count all scores, not just the top 8. (My GMO does year end awards and they do it differently.)

Once you’ve met the minimum requirements, hey only count the top two scores from any individual judge/judge panel (so you can’t load up on Santa Claus scores), and if you still have more than the required number after that, they drop the one lowest score, so the median is based on what’s left.

Here’s where to get started: https://www.usdf.org/awards/all-bree…rtant-info.asp

[NJRider]

On top of the information provided, be sure and read your breed organization’s rules for eligibility. Some require an annual “award fee”, some require current horse, rider and/owner annual membership. you can spend all this money and yet many Associations do not award any prizes. Make sure the breed organization is current as to their fee paid to the USDF. They can be on the list of eligible organizations then at the 11th hour be removed because they did not pay. Ask me how I know (after spending tons of $ getting the scores for All breeds only to have this happen)

[RTF]

Great points on all of the above. I definitely would want to make sure my breed does participate as I now remember them possibly dropping a few programs.

[Edre]

@RTF, there is a page that the USDF has (I’ve linked it here) that lists participating organizations (basically, breed registries). I did this back in 2015 and won (all I got was a medal and a print-out with our achievements - basically a commendation thing), no special extras like someone else mentioned above) and that was through the North American Thoroughbred Society. That said, I enjoyed doing it and I am glad to have those things now especially as the horse I won them on has since passed.

If my memory serves me, I needed eight scores from four separate shows & 4 separate judges (so basically if each show had a different judge, you’d be good), and I needed two scores at the most advanced test of the level to be above 60%. Your median score did need to be over 60% as well.

I think back when I did it we just needed the USDF lifetime horse registration, and I needed to be a USDF member. I also had to submit a form with appropriate papers to declare intent (which there was also a fee for). I feel like I had to go through my participating organization for which there was also some sort of fee, but I can’t remember that clearly enough to say more than that.

[Belowthesalt]

@Edre

@RTF, there is a page that the USDF has (I’ve linked it here) that lists participating organizations (basically, breed registries). I did this back in 2015 and won (all I got was a medal and a print-out with our achievements - basically a commendation thing), no special extras like someone else mentioned above) and that was through the North American Thoroughbred Society. That said, I enjoyed doing it and I am glad to have those things now especially as the horse I won them on has since passed.

At the time when they didn’t restrict you to one registry, my (then) horse was registered with both ApHC and ApSHA and got awards from USDF in both categories. Nothing but a yearbook mention from ApHC. ApSHA gave it’s own separate awards, based on the USDF scores, but not part of the All Breeds program, per se. From them I got a sheet, a halter, an etched crystal vase, etc. From USDF: For a couple of years I got the little medals on a lanyard and a certificate. Mostly, just a certificate. And the certificates got cheaper and cheesier each year. At first they had a gold seal and little ribbons; at the end, I was told to print the certificate off the internet. shrug It’s basically the achievement, not the actual award and I was pleased and satisfied in that regard. But it does rankle that you pay more and more for less and less. Whatevs. My horse is semi-retired now due to injury, so I haven’t even looked at the new tests. Getting bitter and cynical in my old age. …I think I’ll go look at a Valegro video so I can feel better. ;0)