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United States Dressage Federation

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Rider Award FAQs

  1. What kind of membership is required to be eligible for USDF Rider Awards?
  2. Does my horse need to be registered with the USDF?
  3. Can I earn scores on more than one horse?
  4. Do scores need to be earned in one year?
  5. What type of competition and classes will count?
  6. Do the scores have to be earned from the highest test of level?
  7. What if there were two judges officiating one class?
  8. How old can my scores be?
  9. When all the required scores are earned, does the USDF automatically award the rider award?
  10. May I receive an award more than once?
  11. When and how should I submit my scores to the USDF?
  12. Is there a fee?
  13. I submitted an application for a USDF Rider Award a while ago but I am not showing up on the current list of rider award recipients. Why?
  14. When is the award presented?
  15. When should photos be submitted?
  16. When my I order my lapel pin?
  17. Can I order a replacement medal or certificate?

What kind of membership is required to be eligible for USDF Rider Awards?

All USDF group and participating members are eligible for rider awards. Rider must be a group or participating member of USDF at the time the scores are earned.

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Does my horse need to be registered with the USDF?

Your horse does not need to be lifetime registered with USDF at the time the scores are earned but must meet minimum requirements for competition at the time of the ride.

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Can I earn scores on more than one horse?

Yes, because this is an award for the rider, not the horse, scores may be earned on one or more horses.

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Do scores need to be earned in one year?

No, the scores are cumulative and need not be earned in one year. You can take as long as you need.

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What type of competition and classes will count?

Any score earned at a USDF-recognized/USEF-licensed competition from a regular USEF, USDF or FEI test may be used (freestyle and hors de concours scores do not count for non-freestyle rider awards).

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Do the scores have to be earned from the highest test of level?

No. For purposes of the Rider Awards program scores may be earned at any test of level.

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What if there were two judges officiating one class?

If two or more judges are scoring one ride, the average of their scores will count as one score.

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How old can my scores be?

As long as the rider has a copy of the test sheet, can prove the competition was USDF-recognized/USEF-licensed and can prove they were a member at the time the scores were earned, there is no limit on how old the scores may be (exception: Master’s Challenge Award scores must be earned after January 1, 1990).

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When all the required scores are earned, does the USDF automatically award the rider award?

No, in order for USDF rider awards to be awarded, the rider must apply for the award.

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May I receive an award more than once?

No. You may only be awarded the same award once

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When and how should I submit my scores to the USDF?

Once all the required four or six scores have been earned for a particular award, you may apply online. Do not send your scores in one at a time. There is no time limit on earning USDF rider awards; however, for an award to be included in the current award year, the rider award application must be received by USDF by September 30th of the award year.

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Is there a fee?

Yes, effective October 1, 2009 a $25.00 processing fee for all USDF Rider Award applications will apply.

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I have earned all of the scores required for a USDF Rider Award but the online application says that I have not met the award requirements. Why?

In order to submit an application for a USDF Rider Award, all scores must be entered into the USDF database. If you have recently earned the scores required to receive an award, the scores may not yet be available in order to process the application. Depending on the time of year, it may take up to six weeks from the end date of the competition before the scores are entered into the USDF database.

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When is the award presented?

Certificates and patches for rider performance awards are mailed when applications are processed. Rider award medals, freestyle bars and Master’s Challenge Awards are presented at the USDF Salute Gala held during the Adequan®/USDF Annual Convention or can be mailed to the recipient during the middle of December. Riders MUST notify USDF if they plan to pick up their award at the USDF Salute Gala.

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When should photos be submitted?

Current USDF medalists, freestyle bar and Master’s Challenge recipients may submit photos in September of the competition season for multimedia presentations at the convention and/or the annual yearbook issue of USDF Connection. Photos must be submitted digitally and a completed USDF Photo Release Form must accompany each photo.

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When my I order my lapel pin?

Once your application has been processed and you appear on the current list of recipients for rider awards, you may purchase your lapel pin thru the USDF store.

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Can I order a replacement medal or certificate?

Yes, replacement certificates, medals and freestyle bars are available for a nominal fee. To request a replacement certificate, medal or freestyle bar please contact the Awards Coordinator.