National Awards Programs open to Morgan Dressage Competitors

The American Morgan Horse Association recognizes Morgans competing in events against all breeds with two special award programs -- AMHA High-Point Open Competition Awards and Morgan Medallion Awards. Contact the American Morgan Horse Association for more information about these programs. The following information is a summary of AMHA-sponsored programs.

The AMHA High-Point Open Competition Award presents a year-end award for outstanding performance by a Morgan horse in each of the program's 25 divisions, including Dressage. Plaques are awarded to the champion and reserve champion of each division. Certificates are awarded third through sixth place. Overall Junior High-Point winners receive championship plaques in four divisions.

The Morgan Medallion Award is a lifetime award presented to each Morgan meeting medallion requirements. Morgan horses may take as many years as needed to earn Medallion points. Each participant receives an official bronze, silver, or gold medallion when they have accumulated the necessary points in their division. Medallions are presented in six areas: Carriage Driving, Combined Training, Competitive Trail, Dressage, Endurance Riding, and Show. Open Competition participants automatically are entered in both programs when they submit results.(Contact AMHA for more information about these awards programs in other disciplines and for entry forms)

General Guidelines

To be eligible for Open Competition High Point and Medallion awards, horses must be registered with the AMHA. Both the owner and all riders of the horse must be current AMHA members. Both the event (show) and the class entered must be open to all breeds. Morgan shows and classes do not count. Results must be submitted on the appropriate entry forms (available from AMHA). Entry forms may be duplicated by the participants. AMHA will not accept event results from prior years or incomplete entry forms. Results will be audited. If there is a significant difference between the number of points reported by the owner and the results reported by the show secretary, the entry will not be accepted and the horse will not be eligible for the program the following year. All Open Competition entries must pay a registration fee of $15 per horse per year, or a one-time fee of $40 good for the lifetime of the horse. The registration fee must accompany the first set of results sent for the horse. A horse may be entered in Open Competition at any time during the competition year prior to Nov, 30. Points may be added to the horse's file as they are earned.

Morgan Dressage Medallion Awards in Dressage

Dressage medallions are earned at the following levels:

Bronze: Eight scores coming from at least five competitions at Training, First or Second level. At least four scores must be from First or Second level. The final average score must be at least 55%.

Silver: Eight scores in Third and Fourth Level coming from at least five competitions. At least three scores must be at Fourth level. The final average score must be at least 55%.

Gold: Eight scores Prix St. Georges through Grand Prix from at least five shows. At least two scores must be at the Grand Prix level. The final average score must be at least 55%.

To date, six Morgans have earned the AMHA Gold Medallion in Dressage:

1991 - Ten Penny Action, Janet Moulding
1991 - Browns Fiddle Dee, Deborah Gyulay
1992 - Beckridge Patrex, Deborah Doughtery
1992 - TRM ADandy, Marilyn Anderson
1999 - Whippoorwill Ebony, Catherine Echternach
2000 - E F M Desperado, James and Laura Smith
2001 - Mehrs Eloquince, Sally Radtke Anderson

High-Point Awards

Open Competition High-Point Award recognize horses compiling the most points during the year in seven divisions, including dressage. Each division offers a championship, reserve championship, and four honorable mentions. Award plaques are given to the overall high score junior exhibitor in four divisions. The champions in each division are recognized at the annual AMHA Awards Banquet. Awards for those unable to attend are mailed after the convention.

Dressage Awards are given at each level, Training, First, Second, Third, Fourth, Prix St. Georges, Intermediare I, Intermediare II and Grand Prix. To be eligible for the yearly high-point dressage awards, five scores from the same level must be submitted. These scores must be from at least four competitions and be from at least four different American Horse Shows Association dressage judges, but the competitions do not need to be USDF recognized. The Morgan obtaining the highest median percentage from its top five scores will be the winner of the level. To find the median of five scores, list the scores in order of percentages earned, from highest to lowest. The middle, or third score, is the median average. Therefore, be sure to send the five highest scores the horse earned during the year that meet the above requirements. Entries should list all five scores on the appropriate AMHA Entry Form (Contact AMHA) and have a copy of the cover page from each of the five tests attached. This page must include the name of the competition, horse's name, date of competition, judge's name, and the percentage score. Do not send the actual test, only a copy. AMHA will confirm that each judge is AHSA recognized. Scores from non-recognized judges will not count toward year-end high-point or Medallion Awards. Please be sure the judge's name is readable. Owners of horses who are not able to submit scores from at least four different competitions may still submit scores as earned and accumulate them to count toward the horse's Medallion.

Junior Exhibitor High-Point

A junior exhibitor championship plaque is awarded based on the points accumulated by each junior exhibitor in these high-point divisions, including Dressage. There is no limit to the number of divisions in which a junior exhibitor may compete. The rider/driver must list his or her age on the entry blank to be eligible. A junior exhibitor is an individual who has not reached his or her 18th birthday as of December 1 of the current competition year. The age of an individual on December 1 will be maintained throughout the following competition year.

See AMHA Open Competition Awards for 2000
See AMHA Open Competition Awards for 1999

Dressage Scholarships
offered by the American Morgan Horse Association

The American Morgan Horse Association, through the American Morgan Horse Institute and because of the generosity of private individuals, offers two dressage scholarship awards: An annual $1,000 award named for classical dressage trainer Dr. H.L.M Van Schaik and a $2,500 Dressage Achievement Award. Contact AMHA for more information and entry forms.

Van Schaik Award

The Van Schaik Award is given to a Morgan individual wishing to further his or her skill, knowledge or proficiency in classically ridden dressage. In selecting a candidate for this scholarship, emphasis will be placed on helping a rider move from the lower levels of dressage (Training to Third Level) to Fourth Level and above. The scholarship may be used for instruction, travel and living expenses, instructional materials, etc. To apply for the Van Schaik Dressage Scholarship contact AMHA to receive an application. The annual award recipient will be chosen by representatives from the AMHA and AMHI. Past recipients are not eligible to be chosen again.

Dressage Achievement Award

The American Morgan Horse Institute also sponsors the $2500 Dressage Achievement Award available to amateur Morgan riders who compete at the Grand Prix level. To be eligible for this award, riders must have earned at least five Grand Prix scores with a median of 60% or better while riding a Morgan. The scholarship may be used for instruction, travel and living expenses, instructional materials, etc. Contact AMHA to receive an award application. The award recipient will be chosen by representatives from the AMHA and AMHI. Past recipients are not eligible to be chosen again.