Prizes for year-end champion and reserve. What would you want?

[Elouise]

Prizes that I still have and adore…
A high quality brush box with an engraved name plate
A high quality (think Walsh) leather lead shank with brass chain with name plate.
Leather grooming halter
Not as high as a director’s chair but more of a ‘tail gate’ sized chair (seat is about knee high and folds in on itself so fits in something a tad bigger than a yoga mat bag) that has a cover/bag with carry handle and both the chair and cover have embroidery. I keep this in the back of my car whenever I need a chair or seat.
A canvas tail gate bag (of goodies) (blanket, seat cover, rain poncho, water bottle etc.).
Monogramed Yeti Cup or cooler. Love the Yeti stuff!
Ice tendon boots/wraps
Fly sheet

i always like the type of trophy I won’t go out and buy myself type stuff.

Hope this helps.

[GoodTimes]

For champion prizes I like coolers and scrim sheets.

Brush boxes, engraved brushes, a leather halter or lead with a plate would be nice too.

For reserve I like the travel mug or water bottle idea. C4 belts would be cool too.

[erinmeri]

I have been out of this a long time, but I will say that coolers are limited in utility… I would much prefer an engraved brush set or bathing tote like those from Saucy Paiffe or similar. I can use a million brushes… but I only need a cooler (or quarter sheet) or two.

[Renn_aissance]

@erinmeri

I have been out of this a long time, but I will say that coolers are limited in utility… I would much prefer an engraved brush set or bathing tote like those from Saucy Paiffe or similar. I can use a million brushes… but I only need a cooler (or quarter sheet) or two.

Two horse people, three opinions- I have won a couple of coolers and also have my own that I purchased. I am at the point of using my fine china for breakfast and wearing “good” coolers around the barn instead of keeping them for best, and I like having three weights to rotate in and out in winter.

And when we hosted an IEA show during a cold snap one year, my wool cooler collection outfitted half the barn. I will say it’s the one time that one of my awards coolers has ever gotten used. The size I won (this was a finals prize, not an end of year) is an 84. The size my horse wears is a 76. :lol:

Speaking of coolers, this might be interesting for champion. My sister once won a class sponsored by a local organization. That organization had asked the show about common prizes given for a horse show, and the show said “Winners often receive a cooler.” Well, the organization wasn’t horsey. There’s my kid sister in the winner’s circle on her fat children’s pony, so excited to win “a cooler,” and out comes the sponsor wheeling an enormous Coleman tailgate cooler, stuffed to the brim with drinks and snacks on ice. Poor kid was disappointed that she didn’t win a “real cooler” but it has been hands down the most useful thing that either one of us ever won- it’s gone to hundreds of horse shows since.

[erinmeri]

@Renn/aissance

Two horse people, three opinions- I have won a couple of coolers and also have my own that I purchased. I am at the point of using my fine china for breakfast and wearing “good” coolers around the barn instead of keeping them for best, and I like having three weights to rotate in and out in winter.

And when we hosted an IEA show during a cold snap one year, my wool cooler collection outfitted half the barn. I will say it’s the one time that one of my awards coolers has ever gotten used. The size I won (this was a finals prize, not an end of year) is an 84. The size my horse wears is a 76. :lol:

Speaking of coolers, this might be interesting for champion. My sister once won a class sponsored by a local organization. That organization had asked the show about common prizes given for a horse show, and the show said “Winners often receive a cooler.” Well, the organization wasn’t horsey. There’s my kid sister in the winner’s circle on her fat children’s pony, so excited to win “a cooler,” and out comes the sponsor wheeling an enormous Coleman tailgate cooler, stuffed to the brim with drinks and snacks on ice. Poor kid was disappointed that she didn’t win a “real cooler” but it has been hands down the most useful thing that either one of us ever won- it’s gone to hundreds of horse shows since.

Ha!! I would have been sad about it too when I was a kid! That’s hilarious… but I agree, useful! I haven’t shown in ages, but I remember awards coolers gathering dust (but I was in California). If I had Georgina Bloomberg’s trophy room (and bank account!) then I would probably love a nice cooler myself… at my age and budget, I would prefer the Coleman (or better yet, a Yeti!)

[findeight]

Since you have a decent budget to work with. I liked directors chairs, halter with nameplate and a cooler. Also have gotten things like a fleece vest and a couple of jackets I really liked, that club published the final points well before the banquet so had the sizes. I think a nice, wood grooming box with big brass champion plate would be nice as well. Oh, got a hand painted ceramic table lamp with painting and name of my horse on the base. That’s in my dining room still 18 years later.

Things I didn’t like were the leather shanks with nameplate. Never used them and those who did found the plate didn’t flex with the leather and worked its way loose. Personally didn’t care for the assorted bags, they are still in my garage unused. Used the picture frames but they never leave the house…and some were odd sizes that didn’t fit any of my pictures,

Picking awards isn’t easy when not everybody owns their horse either. Some things useful to horse owners aren’t to those who don’t and may never own a horse. That can be true of halters too…especially if it’s a full sized halter for a kid who rides Ponies.

[King_Creole]

findeight just reminded me of something.

the local QH circuit sent out a list with options. I got to pick what prizes I wanted from 6 or so choices. I was able to chose the size and color of a fleece vest and what I wanted monogrammed on it (circuit champion vs actual class champion, etc). I also chose a bridle back and a collapsible shelf from Schneider’s. I think hat boxes (since it was QH after all), cash ($40) and another rack of some sort were other options. That was something I hadn’t encountered before but I did like being able to pick what I would use.

[PintoPony]

What ever you decide on, don’t forget a big, shiny, super fancy rosette to go with it!

[costco_muffins]

This year I THINK LWSC is doing custom paintings for each champion, then logo polos for the reserves. We have a budget of $50 and $35, so fairly comparable.

Our most talked about prize was the wood grooming totes made by my hubby with custom name plates (we asked recipients with many horses if they wanted the horse name, farm name, or their name. The name plates had the LWSC logo on them.

The adults on the board liked the embossed flasks that came pre-filled

[Calvincrowe]

For what it’s worth, I’m a member of this association and have received a fair number of the champion/reserve awards over the years. I have more than enough coolers, though they are impressive and often expected. I was not a fan of the backpacks that were given out-- not “rider friendly”, weird color and faded with use. If they are chosen, make them riding style instead of “boho chic”.

For something fresh, vests or, since it’s the PNW, Columbia Raincoats (like the ones that were given out at Huntercreek for champion) would be awesome! Since we know far in advance who wins, customizing sizes would be easier. These are practical and can be used outside of the horse show setting too.

I still love a quality halter with a plate, very useful (more so than a cooler).

Chairs are ok, but many show set ups already have chairs and might not need 3-4 more from a group added to it.

[Displaced_Yankee]

@Renn/aissance

Is it not possible to ask your winners for their T-shirt sizes? Embroidered or screen-printed jackets or fleeces have been a hit around here.

Ugh…we avoid sized awards at all costs. We have about 6 weeks between our show year end and our awards banquet. You will be surprised the number of people (who won an award) who do not get back to you with their horses blanket size (for coolers), halter size or jacket/vest size.

Within 6 weeks we need to: total all show points (who may not turn them in promptly), get responses from all winners, order said prizes and have them engraved/monogrammed. Heaven forbid a winner decides the trainer/rider should get the jacket and not her (we always do awards to the owner of record) after the fact.

[jacquieoncourse]

I have one item that I treasure. For a Year End Championship our association had small wood and plexiglass ribbon boxes made with brass plates saying Champion and the year and division. As an Adult Amateur rider I put it on my desk at work and filled it with all my championship ribbons. Not only was it a conversation piece but although I have photos of my horse in the office half the company did not even know I rode! It was about 12” x 12” so not too big and made me smile each day I came to work! Of course I have no idea where they had them made, but I loved it!

[Renn_aissance]

@jacquieoncourse

I have one item that I treasure. For a Year End Championship our association had small wood and plexiglass ribbon boxes made with brass plates saying Champion and the year and division. As an Adult Amateur rider I put it on my desk at work and filled it with all my championship ribbons. Not only was it a conversation piece but although I have photos of my horse in the office half the company did not even know I rode! It was about 12” x 12” so not too big and made me smile each day I came to work! Of course I have no idea where they had them made, but I loved it!

Oh, I would love this.

[gottagrey]

when i was involved in our year end awards - the one thing we did was divide the awards- so hunter or jumper winners would get something for the horse like quarter sheet, leather lead shank, halter, equitation winners - picture frame, fleece vest, tote bag etc. This worked out well as often with the series you might have 1 person winning say the Jr. Hunter, Jr. Equitation and High point Jr. Rider - so they got the same awards but having 1 horse related and 1 human related mixed it up a bit.

In reading the ideas (all good) I’m thinking maybe its time to bring back the shiny stuff? Over the past couple of years I’ve donated a couple of trophies which were high polished stainless steel trays. They weren’t that expensive, can engrave and who doesn’t want something shiny displayed on a bookshelf or mantle, or to serve cheese and crackers on at tailgate. The link is to what I’ve donated for some horse trials over the years and it’s a really nice tray. And there’s something to be said about items that don’t take up a lot of space… Grand Champions = directors chair or something. Sam’s Club/Costco have nice chairs or some of the promotional places -and can get the back embroidered. I also like insulated totes- great for snacks and keeping drinks cold or hot.

https://www.hodgesbadge.com/rectangu…les/p/CWSD254/

[541hunter]

Another member chiming in, though I’m not picking up any prizes this year so I’m at least somewhat unbiased? I love the coolers and really haven’t gotten sick of them, despite having a pretty large collection at this point. I think especially for some of the more local show folks, the coolers have an air of prestige about them. Though obviously those who win coolers every weekend up and down the west coast probably feel differently lol. I also really love pewter/shiny platters and things these days—easy to display and nice to have around the house. Though they’re less fun for the kids I suppose. Quarter sheet is a fun idea. Or Team NW got those lovely wool pillows for derby prizes last year (year before?) and those were well-received!

[SFA]

coolers are great if you live somewhere cold enough to use them aka not wellington, we just donate them all at this point.
Love getting leather halters with division and year on the name plate theyre always useful.
one year the local circuit did nice wooden saddle racks with name plates and a small tray beneath but thats probably out of the price range similar to this https://www.etsy.com/listing/478868276/all-in-one-travel-saddle-standrack-and?gpla=1&gao=1&utm_campaign=shopping_us_LamBamWoodworking_sfc_osa&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_custom1=0&utm_content=13973219&gclid=Cj0KCQjwrMHsBRCIARIsAFgSeI2UJCbGwEzXB21JycXOrwMU9L-DK75BQjvkSn6yM066bxQ-V0ehthIaAka9EALw_wcB

leather leads /w chains and plates are great too and i personally prefer the shorter chairs because when we set up a table w/ snacks or food if you sit in a tall chair you cant reach

imo i dont like backpacks/bridle bags / garmet bags. simply because most people have them already or have a set that matches or in the case of the bridle bags dont use them they kinda take up space unless you are working out of your own personal trailer.

[Janet]

@Displaced Yankee

Ugh…we avoid sized awards at all costs.

Me too. I have been giving out the year end Volunteer gifts for years, and anything sized was more trouble than it was worth.

Getting people to give you their size.
Discovering the vendor doesn’t have the sizes you need in stock.
Differences between the recipient’s idea of their size, and the actual size.

It always seems to lead to bad feelings. So now I don’t give anything where size matters.

[Raine]

![](y trainer discovered these for our barn and they are the bomb! So useful. We had them all embroidered with farm logo and our initials. I think we all paid less than $20 for them…the embroidery probably cost more.
[IMG]https://cdn.horseloverz.com/5-509728.jpg?h=400&w=400)

[poltroon]

Our fairs give out an embroidered jacket to the Round Robin champion. Since they don’t know who will win, there is a sample jacket at the awards ceremony, and the winner gets a card with instructions for sending in their sizing info and getting it shipped to them. Since it is embroidered to order, there is also the possibility of getting the winner’s name on it.

This strategy could be useful for letting people pick their item as well.

I have also really loved the custom decorated ceramic plates that my daughter has won at the fairs.

In general, it’s good to be sensitive about who your winners are and whether they’re likely to be repeat winners. For people who are winning their very first award, their wants are going to be different than those winning their 20th or hundredth. If your winners are the same every year, and you give the same prize to each category, it’s more important to be rotating the prize that you give.

You might consider, if possible, ordering a range of items and then assigning them after you know who the winners are.

I still treasure and use the embroidered boot bag that I won like 25 years ago. So (a) that was a great prize but (b) there aren’t many people who need more than two or three, tops.

[Jamie.S]

A unique award I received and still use was a stool/grooming box with an engraved plate saying what I won set into the top. Sort of similar to this - https://www.sstack.com/dura-tech-grooming-stool-box/p/37165/?key=FS-75-799&gclid=Cj0KCQjw8svsBRDqARIsAHKVyqEuJpGljy3gFBd_LnsClS5dw7O6kV54m7n6VuyLPT75zCezwWP284IaArWwEALw_wcB
It’s super handy to have in the trailer as a little step stool and to hold some brushes or whatever. Mine is black and looks nice.