By Sarah E Coleman

Each year, the Mid-South Eventing and Dressage Association hosts a plethora of year-end awards.  Detailed information about all of the award categories and eligibility and qualifications are listed in the Rules and Guidelines. Below is a brief overview of the award categories, and special awards that MSEDA offers each year at the awards banquet.  To be eligible for any MSEDA awards, members must take note of the following:

1. The Competition Year begins on November 1 and runs through October 31 of the following year.
2. The rider must be a member in good standing and fulfill the minimum volunteer hours: 8 hours total, 4 of which must be completed at either the Mid South Dressage Show or Mid South Team Challenge.
3. Complete a membership form the horse/rider combination. Points accrue only after activation date is in effect.

The MSEDA awards include:

Horse Trial Awards
Horse Trial Awards are given through fifth place (MSEDA reserves the right to combine sub-classifications if there are fewer than five qualifiers). They are offered in the following categories:

HORSE TRIALS/EVENTS

a) Starter - Junior

b) Starter - Senior

c) Starter - Master

d) Beginner Novice - Junior

e) Beginner Novice - Senior

f) Beginner Novice - Master

g) Novice - Junior

h) Novice - Senior

i) Novice - Master

j) Training - Junior

k) Training - Senior

l) Training - Master

m) Preliminary - Young Rider

n) Preliminary - Senior

o) Preliminary - Master

p) Intermediate

q) Advanced

Additional horse trial awards are given that recognize the following:

* Eventing High Point Award - Midnight Sam Memorial Trophy - Awarded to the horse who has amassed the highest number of points in eventing during the competition year. ** This award consists of a perpetual trophy as well as an individual trophy.

* High Point Eventing Mare - The Philosopher Trophy - Awarded to the mnare who has amassed the highest number of points in eventing during the competition year. ** This award consists of a perpetual trophy as well as an individual trophy.

* Eventing High Point Junior Rider - The Craig Bryant Memorial Trophy - Awarded to the rider under age 18 who has amassed the highest number of points in eventing during the competition year.

* Eventing High Point Young Rider - Awarded to the rider aged 18 to 21 who has amassed the highest number of points in eventing during the competition year.

* Eventing High Point Senior Rider - The Bennet Trophy - Awarded to the rider age 22 - 49 who has amassed the highest number of points in eventing during the competition year.

* Eventing High Point Master Rider -- The Helmut Gratz Trophy - Awarded to the rider age 50 and over who has amassed the highest number of points in eventing during the competition year.

* Outstanding Horse Trials/Event - Must be sanctioned by MSEDA. This award is determined at the annual awards banquet by nomination and vote of the general membership.

The Grasshopper Trophy – Awarded annually to the high point MSEDA offtrack thoroughbred in the eventing division. The horse must be tattoed and nominated for eligibility to MSEDA prior to the end of the competition year. It is the responsibility of the member wishing to be considered for this award to notify the points secretary of eligibility. The award is based on eventing (not Combined Test) points. The member must also meet the volunteer hours requirement in order to be eligible.

*Pony Club Award - Given to the MSEDA member in good standing who accumulates the highest number of points and is also a member of a recognized pony club. It is the responsibility of the member wishing to be considered for this award to notify the points secretary of eligibility. Points begin accumulating upon notification of the points secretary.

* Hall of Distinction Award – Awarded to any MSEDA member in good standing who has completed an FEI competition. A trophy will be presented in the initial year of induction. Any subsequent FEI completions will be recognized at the Annual Meeting. It is the responsibility of the member to notify the points secretary and provide proof of each FEI completion.

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Combined Test Awards

Combined Test Awards are given through fifth place (MSEDA reserves the right to combine sub-classifications if there are fewer than five qualifiers). They are offered in the following categories:

COMBINED TEST

a) Starter - Junior

b) Starter - Senior

c) Starter - Master

d) Beginner Novice - Junior

e) Beginner Novice - Senior

f) Beginner Novice - Master

g) Novice - Junior

h) Novice - Senior

i) Novice - Master

j) Training - Junior

k) Training - Senior

l) Training - Master

m) Preliminary - Young Rider

n) Preliminary - Senior

o) Preliminary - Master

p) Intermediate

q) Advanced

Dressage Awards
Dressage Awards are given through fifth place (MSEDA reserves the right to combine sub-classifications if there are fewer than five qualifiers). They are offered in the following categories:

a) USDF Walk Trot - Junior Rider
b) USDF Walk Trot - Senior Rider
c) USDF Walk Trot - Master Rider
d) Training Level - Junior Rider
e) Training Level - Senior Rider
f) Training Level - Master Rider
g) First Level - Junior Rider
h) First Level - Senior Rider

i) First Level - Master Rider
j) Second Level
k) Third Level
l) Fourth Level
m) Fifth Level
n) FEI
o) Musical Kur

Additional dressage awards are given that recognize the following:

* Dressage High Point Award - Awarded to the horse/rider combination who have amassed the greatest number of points competing in dressage during the competition year.

* Dressage High Point Junior Rider - Awarded to the rider under age 18 who has amassed the greatest number of points competing in dressage during the competition year.

* Dressage High Point Senior Rider - Awarded to the rider age 22 - 49 who has amassed the greatest number of points competing in dressage during the competition year.

* Dressage High Point Master Rider - Awarded to the rider age 50 and over who has amassed the greatest number of points competing in dressage during the competition year.

* Dressage High Point Adult Amateur - Awarded to the amateur rider over age 21 who has submitted a copy of his/her USEF amateur card to the Dressage Points Chair and amassed the greatest number of points competing in dressage during the competition year.

* FEI Certificate of Achievement - Awarded to any rider who has achieved a minimum score of 57% at the FEI level at an USEF/USDF- recognized competition. A copy of the qualifying test, including judge's signature, must be submitted to the MSEDA Dressage Points Chair in order to be eligible.

* Dressage High Point Mare - The Tundra Memorial Trophy - Awarded to the mare who has amassed the greatest number of points in dressage during the competition year. ** This includes a perpetual trophy as well as the individual trophy.

* Dressage Company's Musical Kur - Awarded to the horse who has amassed the greatest number of points at musical kur competitions during the competition year.

* Outstanding Dressage Show - Must be sanctioned by MSEDA. This award is determined by nomination and vote of the general membership at the annual awards banquet.

* Pony Club Award - Given to the MSEDA member in good standing who accumulates the highest number of points and is also a member of a recognized pony club. It is the responsibility of the memberwishing to be considered for this award to notify the points secretary of eligibility.

* Hall of Distinction Award – Awarded to any MSEDA member in good standing who has completed an FEI competition. A trophy will be presented in the initial year of induction. Any subsequent FEI completions will be recognized at the Annual Meeting. It is the responsibility of the member to notify the points secretary and provide proof of each FEI completion.

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