Awards & Programs

All active members in good standing of the California Dressage Society are eligible to earn CDS Awards. Rider AND Owner must be members in order for scores to count. The CDS Central Office automatically records scores earned by members during the current show season at CDS recognized shows. It is recommended that each competitor keep his or her own yearly show record to verify against CDS records at the end of the show year.

California Dressage Society Awards include a Year End Award with Certificates and Plates, which are are awarded on a yearly basis, October 1 to October 1.

CDS Certificates
A certificate is earned by CDS members who achieve scores of 60% or better at Training Level or above in a single show season (not to exceed 4 scores).

CDS Plates
A plate is awarded to a CDS member the first time he/she earns five (5) or more scores of 60% or better at Training Level or above in a single show season. Recipients will continue to receive plates every year thereafter. The plate is engraved with the horse's name, level of competition and number of scores. A personalized wall plaque is available for purchase for mounting the plates. Download order form here.

CDS Pony Award
The CDS Pony Award is a ribbon that goes to the high scoring pony at each CDS recognized show. The shows identify the high scoring pony in their results and the CDS Central Office will send out the awards to  the pony and pony rider. All pony riders must inform show management  that they would like to be eligible for the pony award and to be designated on the results cover sheet if they are the high score pony. To be eligible, all ponies must have a current USEF Pony  Measurement Card. CDS will also offer a Year End Award for the overall highest scoring pony Training and above.

Regional CDS Chapter Adult Amateur Competition

The mission of these competitions is to provide an opportunity for all CDS Adult Amateur riders to qualify and compete against others of similar skills and experience. The regional nature of these shows will help provide our membership with a developmental path to gain competitive experience, to promote excellence and increase awareness of and support for CDS Chapters.
Goals:
#1 – For the riders: These competitions will provide a positive show experience at the Regional level, AND for some, a stepping stone to bigger things. They will offer the more experienced amateur riders a warm-up for the Championships Show.
#2– For the Chapters: These regional or “mid” level adult amateur competitions are designed to promote and enhance awareness and participation in CDS Chapters, provide State level support in funding and advertisement and offer a chance to generate funds at the Chapter level.
#3 – For the whole organization, these competitions will bridge the gap between the local Chapter shows with individual year end awards programs and the top caliber competition found at the Annual CDS Championship Show.
1. Three Regional CDS Chapter Adult Amateur Competitions will be held each year. There will be one in the North, Central and South regions as defined in the CDS Standing Rules.

Two divisions offered:
1) Elite Adult Amateurs for riders that have competed in a CDS Championship Show.
2) Novice Adult Amateurs for riders who have never competed in a CDS Championship Show.
All competitors will ride once at the highest test of the level.
This competition will feature Training Level through Fourth Level classes. A total of 10 classes will be held in each of the 3 regions, north, central and south.
Eligibility:
a. Amateur Riders must be current members of CDS and must have a USEF Amateur Card. (USEF Amateurs cards are available to anyone without being required to join).
b. The horse owner must be a current member of CDS.
c. Qualification is for an amateur rider and horse combination.
d. Qualification period: will be cut-off date to cut-off date. In 2008, because of the start-up of this new program, all scores received on or after September 3, 2007 will be qualifying. DETAILS FOR 2008.
e. Amateurs who qualify MAY compete in ONLY ONE Regional Competition, either North-Central-South.
f. Qualification scores must be earned at CDS recognized or *** recognized shows and are as follows:
3 scores from 2 different judges at Training Level test 3 or 4 of 62% or higher
3 scores from 2 different judges at 1st Level of 60% or higher
3 scores from 2 different judges at 2nd Level of 60% or higher
3 scores from 2 different judges at 3rd Level of 60% or higher
3 scores from 2 different judges at 4th Level of 60% or higher
4. Fees: Adult Amateurs who wish to participate in the Regional Chapter Adult Amateur Competition will pay to the Central Office a $25.00 registration fee.
a. This fee will be used to purchase awards for the shows, pay for advertising, etc.
b. The registration fee can be paid at any time during the show year up to close of business on the last qualifying day for the Regions’ show in which the amateur will compete.
c. Scores earned before paying the fee wil count provided the payment is received prior to close of business on the last qualifying date for the Region in which the competitor will participate.

CLICK HERE FOR HOST APPLICATION

Qualifying Program/Horse of the Year Competition
A horse-rider combination must achieve the following for qualification at the various levels for the CDS Annual Show. Qualifying dates run from cut-off date to cut-off date.

Two divisions will be offered at the CDS Annual Show: Open and Amateur at First through Intermediare I Levels. Intermediare II, Grand Prix and Freestyle classes are open divisions.

• Open Division—Open to all competitors
• Amateur Division—Open to competitors holding a US Equestrian (USEF) Amateur card.

Juniors and Young Riders
Juniors and Young Riders, please note the change in the rules regarding Juniors and Amateurs. Below is the new USEF Rule and how it affects CDS Championship and CDS Futurity Amateur Classes.

Due to the fact that USEF will not allow CDS to include anyone under 22 in the CDS Amateur Classes, it forces CDS to only be able to only offer the Open classes to riders under 22.

CDS has opened the Junior Championship, to include Juniors (under 18) AND Young Riders (16 - 21) at ALL levels, Training through FEI. CDS hopes that by expanding the CDS Junior to a Junior / Young Rider Championship we can offer Championship classes to the riders within their age groups.

New USEF Rule - Art. 808. Amateur Status. In the Dressage Division, individuals are only eligible to compete as amateurs from the beginning of the calendar year in which they reach age 22. See Art. 1919.3.

CDS Horse of the Year Championships. Two divisions are offered at the CDS Annual Show: Open and Adult Amateur at Training through Intermediare I Levels. Intermediare II, Grand Prix and Freestyle classes are open divisions. Competitors under the age of 22 are only eligible for the open divisions at all levels. Juniors and Young Riders must qualify at the open level. Open Division: Open to all qualified competitors. Adult Amateur Division: Open to qualified competitors holding an US Equestrian Amateur card who are 22 years of age and older.

Notes

• For training level tests, the horse must be at least 4 years old and the scores must be from Test 3 or Test 4.
• For first level tests, the scores must be from Test 3 or Test 4.
• Scores must be earned during the current show season.
• When two (2) or more judges score a single ride, the combination of judges counts as one judge and the average of their scores counts as one score.
• The CHAMPION and RESERVE horse-rider combinations that have competed in the CDS Horse of the Year Championship Competition at Levels I & II are no longer eligible to compete at those levels for CDS awards. They may, however, compete for US Equestrian and USDF awards at those levels.
  

CDS Junior Championships
A horse/rider combination must achieve the following for qualification at the various levels for the CDS Junior Championships. Qualifying dates run from cut-off date to cut-off date.

Note
Previous Junior Championship winners may not compete at the Junior Championship at the same level with the same horse at Training, First or Second Level.

Qualified Riding Member

A CDS member becomes a Qualified Riding Member the first time he/ she earns a score of 50% or better at Level I or above at a CDS- recognized show, and is awarded a QRM Certificate and an asterisk (*) after his/her name in the CDS Roster. It is the responsibility of the rider to apply directly to CDS Central Office for recognition as a Qualified Riding Member of CDS. Application must include show name, date, judge, and score (a xerox copy of the test is acceptable).

Note
You must be a current Active Member in good standing of CDS to qualify for the awards program. Scores acquired before payment of dues for the year will not be counted.

Pony Award

The high scoring pony in Training Level through FEI at each CDS recognized show will receive a high score pony ribbon. The shows identify the high scoring pony in their results and the CDS Central Office will send out the awards to the pony and pony rider.

All pony riders should inform show management that they would like to be eligible for the pony award. To be eligible, all ponies must have a current USA Equestrian Pony Measurement Card. CDS will also offer a Year End Award for the highest scoring pony.