awards

What are the requirements for being considered for the Year End Awards?

All performance awards require a minimum of a four hour volunteer commitment from both owner and rider and also that both the owner and rider must be FWDC members at the time scores are earned. Individuals may donate all or a portion of their volunteer hours to another individual in order to the meet the volunteer hour requirements. 

How many Year End Awards are there and what are they?

Year End Awards are divided into two categories, including 1) performance awards for showing based on test scores earned, and 2) involvement/contribution awards including the Vanhoozer Sportsmanship Award, the Golden Muck Rake Award, the Most Improved Award, the Stayed In, Stayed On, Got Schooled, and Came Back Again Award, the Volunteer of the Year Award, and the Jane Athey Brown Memorial Scholarship Award. The involvement/contribution awards can vary from year to year, but the memorial awards and the Volunteer of the Year award are perpetual annual awards.

How are the winners for each of the involvement/contribution awards determined?

·     Kaitylyn Vanhoozer Sportsmanship Award:  The Kaitlyn Vanhoozer Memorial Sportsmanship Award is given annually to an FWDC member who most exemplifies the characteristics shown by Kaitlyn of selflessness, good sportsmanship, and excellence in horsemanship in all its many forms. It is given by the Hacketts (Nicole, Tia, and Luci) in partnership with the Vanhoozer family with input from members of FWDC. 

·     Jane Athey Brown Memorial Scholarship Award: The Jane Athey Brown Memorial Scholarship Award is given annually to a member who has continued to pursue their goals in horsemanship while facing some personal or professional difficulties and doing so with grace. The award is determined by a subcommittee of the Board including the President, Vice-President, and Awards Chair.

·     Golden Muck Rake Award: The Golden Muck Rake Award is given annually to recognize the contributions made by a spouse, significant other, family member or friend of an FWDC member throughout the year to support the member in their life with horses. The award is determined by the Hospitality Chair.

·     Most Improved Award:  An FWDC member who has shown marked improvement in their riding throughout the year - whether or not they show. The award is determined by a subcommittee of the Board including the President, Vice-President, and Awards Chair.

·     Stayed In, Stayed On, Got Schooled, and Came Back Again Award: You ever have one of those shows or one of those years where you feel like you get up only to get trampled? We've all had 'em and this award recognizes in a humorous way that we see you, we know what you're going through and we know you're not going to give up. The award is determined by the Hospitality Chair.

·     Volunteer of the Year Award:  The member who has given many hours to the Club to make our events and activities the successes they are. This is a perpetual trophy, given by Cathy Alexander (a past member) and it is kept by the winner for a year until it's time to pass it on to the next recipient. The award is determined by a subcommittee of the Board including the President, Vice-President, and Awards Chair.

What are the performance award categories?

The categories are Adult Amateur, Open and Junior/Young Rider (following the categories in recognized USDF shows). The levels are the ones recognized by the governing bodies and freestyle scores are a separate category within the divisions.

Are test scores considered for both recognized and schooling shows?

Yes, there are separate award categories for schooling shows and recognized shows. The scores can be earned in Western dressage, gaited dressage, eventing, and traditional dressage, with separate award categories for each. Currently we do not have any requirement that a person must show in FWDC-sponsored shows.

What is the timeline for the show season for year-end performance awards?

The "look back" period for scores follows the USDF competition year, i.e. October 1st 20XX to September 30th of the following year (e.g., 2024 awards will be given for scores earned between October 1 2023 and September 30 2024).

How are the scores figured for performance awards?

The highest score at a level is taken. We do not have a requirement for multiple scores at a level to be considered or averaged.

If someone else rides my horse in a show, will the scores count towards my end-of-year performance award?

No. Only the physical rider of the horse in a test may use the scores for Year End Awards. However, in the Open category both owner and the professional rider must be current FWDC members at the time the scores are earned and as the horse is considered to have "won" the award, it is given to the horse's owner. Adult Amateurs and Junior/Young Riders may ride a horse belonging to another but for the purposes of year-end awards, the horse will be considered to belong to the rider.

Do my test scores automatically go to the Awards Coordinator?

No, scores must be submitted to the Awards Chair by either the rider or the owner within the time period specified. Watch this page for instructions for submission of 2024 scores.

Are board members eligible for year-end awards?

Yes, board members are eligible for performance awards if they meet all volunteer and membership requirements. They are also eligible for involvement/contribution awards. 

When are the awards distributed?

The awards are distributed at the FWDC Year End Banquet. Typically the banquet is held the second Saturday in January of the year following the competition year.