Year End Award Criteria

Schooling Shows Criteria

Open to Youth, Adult Amateur and Open CDA members who compete within a CDA calendar year, in:

1) CDA-sponsored schooling shows.
2) Schooling shows whose prize lists appear in the current year CDA OMNIBUS.
3) Schooling show prize-lists that are published in the CDA Newsletter “Centerline” or on CDA’s website.

Awards are for dressage tests and Freestyle for Open, AA, and Youth

  • Riders must be current CDA members before entering the show or may join the same day of a show but before riding in their first class. Scores earned prior to becoming a current CDA member will not be considered. Scores must be earned while a member is in good standing. All ties will be decided by the highest individual score submitted
  • The official CDA score submission form must be used to document show names, dates, level/test within the level, judges, scores, etc. The required submission forms for Schooling Show will be available on line, click here to fill in the form
  • We do not require the show secretary to sign the form. We will require the rider to attest via his or her signature (or a parent’s signature if the rider is a Youth) that the scores submitted are genuine. Electronic submissions include a statement of truth filing.
  • All scores submitted are subject to auditing for accuracy.
  • All scores submitted must be a minimum of 55%. • At least one score must be from a CDA sponsored schooling show. The other scores may come from schooling shows whose prize lists appear in the CDA Omnibus or in the CDA Centerline or on CDA’s website.
  • The judge must be (L) judge or higher.
  • If the schooling show is in a ride-review-ride format, the rider will submit the score earned prior to the judge’s review. For example, You earn 55% on your first ride in a class and the judge suggests improvements. You then re-ride the test and earn 62%, you must submit the 55% score for awards consideration.
  • Three scores from at least two different shows must be earned. Scores from at least two different judges per level.
  • Awards will be given in Youth, Adult Amateur, and Open divisions. Please be sure to specify your division on the submission form.
  • Awards for each level will be based upon the average of the three scores submitted. • Awards will be awarded only to the same horse/rider combination.

Recogonized Show Criteria

Recognized Show Competitions Awards Criteria 

  • Awards are for dressage tests and Freestyle for Open, AA and Youth
  • Riders must be current CDA members before entering the show or may join the same day of a show but before riding in their first class.  Scores earned prior to becoming a current CDA member will not be considered. Scores must be earned while a member in good standing.  All ties will be decided by the highest individual score submitted
  • Riders must submit their scores at the end of the competition season.  The deadline for submission will be the 8th  day of November. Any and all submissions after this date will not be considered.  Hand deliveries of submissions to the awards coordinator will not be accepted.
  • The official CDA score submission form must be used to document show names, dates, level/test within the level, judges, scores, etc.  The required submission forms for Recognized Show can be accessed here 
  • We do not require the show secretary to sign the form.  We will require the rider to attest via his or her signature (or a parent’s signature if the rider is a Youth) that the scores submitted are genuine.  Electronic submissions include a statement of truth filing.
  • All scores submitted are subject to auditing for accuracy.
  • Open to all current CDA members who compete in USEF recognized dressage shows of CDA membership yea
  • CDA membership requirements apply to riders and horse owners. Both must be current members prior to earning scores for submission.
  • The rider may count as owner if he or she is competing with a leased horse.
  • Awards will go only to the same horse/rider combination.
  • All scores submitted must be a minimum of 55% for Training through FEI.
  • Four scores at the same level from at least two different shows must be earned for Training through Second Level. Scores must be from at least two different judges per level.
  • Three scores at the same level from at least two different shows must be earned for Third Level thru FEI. Scores must be from at least two different judges per level.
  • Note: Scores from FEI and Regional Championship tests with more than one judge will be averaged.
  • Awards for Training through Second Level will be based upon the average score of the best four tests.

Awards for Third Level thru FEI will be based upon • the average score of the best three tests.

  • Awards for FEI Freestyle and USDF Freestyle Training – 4th will be based on the average of the best three tests.
  • Awards will be given in Youth, Adult Amateur and Open divisions.

Please be sure to specify your division on the submission form.

  • Levels and divisions maybe combined at CDA’s discretion.