Morgan Dressage Association Awards of Excellence Information

Morgan Dressage Association Awards of Excellence are given to registered Morgans who have earned the five highest averages from two scores at each level in United States Dressage Federation recognized competitions; who earn the highest average from two scores in one of three divisions in Musical Freestyle; or who earn the highest score in one of four divisions in Sport Horse Breeding classes during the competition year (Nov. 1 through Oct. 31).

Individual Level Awards:
The top horse in each level (Open and Junior/Young Rider) receive a special award. The top five will receive a certificate honoring their achievement. In addition, a special award will be given to the top adult amateur rider at each level. To qualify, the horse must be an AMHA Registered Morgan. To be eligible for the special adult amateur or junior/young rider awards, the rider must be an MDA member. To participate in the open or the sport horse breeding divisions, either the rider/handler or owner (not both) must be a MDA member. The following must be submitted:

Two scores in the level from two different judges from tests in USDF recognized dressage competition.
At least one of the scores submitted must be from the highest test of the level.
Not more than one of the scores may come from a Morgan breed horse show.
Morgan shows that offer a dressage division that is open to all breeds may count as an open show. You must note that the division is open on the entry form.
Scores may come from a single open competition, two open competitions or one open competition and one breed competition.
The two scores will be averaged for the final score.
To qualify for an award at each level, the average of the two scores must meet or exceed 55%.

Awards will be given in both an Open and Junior/Young Rider division (a competitor is a Junior/Young Rider until the end of the calendar year in which he or she reaches age 21.). The Junior/Young Rider must be a member of MDA to be eligible for this division.

In addition, a single award will be given to the high-score adult amateur rider at each level. To qualify for the adult amateur rider award, the rider must be a Morgan Dressage Association member.

New Awards for 2006:

Musical Freestyle Awards in three divisions:

First and Second Levels
Third Level and Fourth Levels
FEI.
Awards given first through fifth; special trophy for first place.

To qualify, the horse must be an AMHA Registered Morgan and the owner OR rider must be a member of MDA and the owner/rider should submit:

Two scores from two different judges in USDF/USEF recognized dressage competition.
Not more than one of the scores may come from a Morgan breed show.
Scores may come from a single open competition, two open competitions or one open competition and one breed competition.
Morgan shows that offer a dressage division that is open to all breeds may count as an open show. You must note that the division is open on the entry form.
The two scores will be averaged for the final score.
To qualify for an award in that division, the average of the two scores must meet or exceed 55%.
Competitors may mix levels within a single division, ie one score could be from first level and a second score from second level to qualify for the First and Second Level division. However, competitors may not mix scores from levels outside that division (ie they may not use a score from second level and a score from third level to qualify for either the first/second level division or the third/fourth level division.
The owner or the rider (not necessarily both) must be a member of the Morgan Dressage Association.

Dressage Sport Horse Breeding Awards in four divisions:

Young Horse (3 and under) Colts/Geldings and Fillies.
Stallions 4 and over
Mares 4 and over
Geldings 4 and over

Awards given first through fifth; special trophy for first place.

To qualify, the horse must be an AMHA Registered Morgan and the owner OR handler must be a member of MDA. The owner/handler must submit:

One score earned from a USEF/USDF recognized Dressage Sport Horse Breeding Division/Show, Open or Individual Breed Class.
Sport Horse Suitability or in-hand classes at Morgan Breed Shows DO NOT qualify.
To qualify for an award, the score must meet or exceed 58%.
The owner or the handler (not both) must be a member of the Morgan Dressage Association.

To apply for any of these awards:
1. Fill out the MDA Award of Excellence Application (or MS Word format) completely AND legibly for each division submitted. (Make a copy of the form if more than two divisions/levels are entered).
2. Make a copy of the outside of the score sheets, making sure that the test cover includes the judge's name, judge's signature, competition name, date of the competition, horse's name, rider's name and test score. Alternatively, a copy of an official USDF Scores Check Sheet with the scores you wish to enter for the MDA Awards circled or highlighted will suffice for an entry.
3. Send both (the application AND outside copy test /USDF Scores Check Sheet) to address on the application.
3. Remember, to qualify for any Award of Excellence the owner or the rider/handler MUST be a current member of the Morgan Dressage Association at the time the entry is submitted. Additionally, to participate in the junior/young rider division or for the adult amateur award, the rider MUST be a MDA member. Your membership number is included on your MDA newsletter mailing label. If you have any question as to your membership status or need your membership number, please contact members@morgandressage.org (preferred) or call (540) 822-5718. Entries from non-members will not be eligible and will be returned.

To be considered for the award, all entries MUST be POSTMARKED by November 1, 2006. (Forms can be sent at any time during the year.) For multiple entries, download or copy extra copies of the application form.

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