CDS Horse of the Year Championships Qualifying Requirements
CDS / USDF CHAMPIONSHIPS
SEPTEMBER 18-21, 2025
Murieta Equestrian Center, Rancho Murieta, CA
Last day to qualify August 25, 2025
CDS will require a $25 nomination fee PER HORSE/RIDER COMBINATION - for CDS Championship classes. Nomination fees can be paid at any time during the show season but must be paid before the closing date.
OPEN Horse of the Year classes will consist of ONE RIDE of the highest level, judged by two judges
CDS Overall Adult Amateur Championship Classes
Amateur riders will compete in two classes to determine the CDS Overall Adult Amateur Champion in Training – Fourth Level. The first test will be awarded ribbons 1st – 10th. The second test will be awarded ribbons 1st – 10th.
The CDS Overall Adult Amateur Championship will be determined by combining the percentage of the two tests. The top three Riders of the combine tests will come back for honor rounds.In case of a tie for the AA Overall Championship the rider with the highest percentage in the second test will determine the winner.Prize Money will be divided 1st – 30%, 2nd – 25%, 3rd – 20%, 4th – 15%, 5th – 10 %.
CDS JR/YR Overall Champion
JR/YR riders will compete in two classes to determine the CDS Overall Junior/Young Rider Champion in Training – Fourth Level. The first test will be awarded ribbons 1st – 10th . The second test will be awarded ribbons 1st – 10th. The top three riders in the combined tests will come back for honor rounds and be name the Overall Junior/Young Rider Champion. The First place winner will receive the Champion rider jacket. The top three of the combine tests will come back for honor rounds. No prize money is awarded in the for the CDS JR/YR Championships classes. In case of a tie for the Overall Junior/Young Rider Championship the rider with the highest percentage in the second test will determine the winner.
Three divisions are offered at the CDS Annual Show: Open and Adult Amateur at Training through Grand Prix Levels and JR/YR Divisions at Training through PSG. Competitors under the age of 22 are eligible for the JRYR divisions. Freestyle classes are open divisions.
Lower Level Freestyle Champion. The Lower - Level Freestyle Champion will be determined by the top 5 scoring horses in the Freestyle classes 1st – 4th level. The Highest scoring horse/rider will be named Lower Level Freestyle Champion and will receive the Champion jacket and prize money. Reserve Champion will receive prize money. 3rd - 5th place will receive prize money. All Freestyle classes 1st – 4th Level will receive their own set of ribbons 1st – 6th.
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.
Junior Young Rider Division: Open to competitors under 22 years of age.
Levels
| Level | Scores / Percent (or better) | Number of Different Judges |
|---|---|---|
| Training Level* | 5 / 65% | four |
| Training AA* | 5 / 63% | four |
| Training JRYR* | 5 / 63% | four |
| Level I | 5 / 64% | four |
| Level I AA | 5 / 62% | four |
| Level I JRYR | 5 / 62% | four |
| Level II | 5 / 63% | four |
| Level II AA | 5 / 61% | four |
| Level II JRYR | 5 / 61% | four |
| Level III | 5 / 62% | four |
| Level III AA | 5 / 60% | four |
| Level III JRYR | 5 / 60% | four |
| Level IV | 5 / 62% | four |
| Level IV AA | 5 / 60% | four |
| Level IV JRYR | 5 / 60% | four |
| Prix St. Georges | 3 / 62% | two |
| Prix St. Georges AA | 3 / 60% | two |
| Prix St. Georges JRYR | 3 / 60% | two |
| Intermediare I | 3 / 62% | two |
| Intermediare I AA | 3 / 60% | two |
| Intermediare II | 3 / 60% | two |
| Intermediare II AA | 3 / 60% | two |
| Grand Prix | 3 / 60% | two |
| Grand Prix AA | 3 / 60% | two |
| Freestyle 1st - 4th | 2 / 64% | two |
| Freestyle Int-1 - GP | 2 / 62% | two |
Notes
For training level, the horse must be at least 4 years old.
For all levels, the scores may be earned from any test of the level.
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 Training and First are no longer eligible to compete at those levels for CDS awards. Freestyles are exempt from this restriction. They may, however, compete for USEF and USDF awards at those levels.
