Member and Volunteer Coordinator, Paula Gregory, writes about the USDF Rider Awards in our first "From the In Gate". 
June 26, 2025

https://www.usdf.org/EduDocs/Competition/RiderAwardsRoundup1.pdf

Not every rider aspires to earn a Rider Medal (Bronze, Silver or Gold); however, many of us may already qualify for other USDF recognition awards. Of note, you do not have to keep up with your scores for these awards, when you sign in to the USDF site your eligibility will show up on your USDF Member Dashboard.

Rider Performance Awards

USDF offers rider performance awards at Training, First, and Second Levels. Requirements are as follows:

•  Four scores of 60 percent or higher at the respective level
• At two or more different competitions
• From four different judges
• From four different rides
• From any test of the level.

*if two or more judges score one ride, then the average of their scores counts as a single score.

Master’s Challenge Awards

Master’s Challenge awards, which are offered at Training through Fourth Levels and as a single FEI-level award, are for riders aged 60 and older. Scores used to earn Master’s Challenge awards may also be used toward rider performance awards and medals. To be eligible for Master’s Challenge awards, a rider must be age 60 or older at the time scores are earned. Submit your birth date to USDF before September 30 of the award year. Scores must have been earned after January 1, 1990.

Training, First, and Second Level award requirements:

• Four scores of 60 percent or higher:
• From four different judges
• From four different rides.

Third Level, Fourth Level, and FEI-level award requirements:

• Three scores of 55 percent or higher.

Award Recognition

Rider performance award winners each receive a patch, a certificate of achievement, and a letter of recognition. All rider-awards recipients are listed on the USDF website and in the annual yearbook issue of USDF Connection.

USDF Master Awards.pdf