Annual Awards Program

(01/05/09)

Annual Awards Annoucement Schedule
Annual Awards Program Application Form   | Dressage All-Breeds Declaration
Awards Winners   |   Membership Form   | Rider Awards Permission Form


Hall Of Fame Horses -
These recognized successful horses have earned this honor through one of the following:

  • Won a USA National Championship in one of the AWS recognized Disciplines
  • Competed in the World Championships
  • Competed in the Olympics
  • First AWS Horse to earn all stars in 5-Star recognition program
  • First AWS Foundation Stallion
  • First AWS Horse to be Registered
    If you would like to view all Hall of Fame Horses click     Hall of Fame Horses

    Annual Awards Benefits and Requirements

    Breeder of the Year -
    Breeder of the Year must have been listed as the breeder of at least five AWS registered horses or ponies in current year and their average inspection and/or In-Hand scores were the the highest for the year. Breeder must be a current member.
    If you would like to view past Breeders of the Year winners click     Past Breeders of the Year

    Director of the Year -
    Director of the Year is selected by the National Office as the Director or Representative that exemplifies a well-respected, hard working member willing to share, educate and assist other members, breeders and non-menbers to become more accomplished horse or sport pony people.
    If you would like to view past Directors of the Year winners click     Past Directors of the Year

    Volunteer/Organizer of the Year - Volunteer/Organizer of the Year is selected by the National Office as the one that exemplifies a well-respected, hard working member willing to share, educate and assist other members, breeders and non-menbers to become more accomplished horse or sport pony people.
    If you would like to view past Volunteer or Organizers of the Year winners click     Past Volunteer of the Year or Past Organizers of the Year

    Horse and/or Sport Pony Awards -
    All registered, recorded or nominated American Warmbloods can enroll in the annual or Lifetime AWS awards program. To be eligible for any AWS awards (except Inspection) ) the horse or pony must be currently enrolled in the AWS annual awards program and the owner and rider must be current members. The awards program is optional. The annual awards program/ membership card is provided for horse or pony enrolled in the awards program. The annual awards program card must be presented at all local and regional competitions. The awards program is offered at recognized competitions for the following:

  • Local (pre-approved competitions)
  • Area Championships (advance request required)
  • Regional Championship
  • USA National - Year End
  • Foreign - by country
    These awards are intended to recognize and promote American Warmbloods at every level and in all divisions for AWS supported disciplines. The AWS annual awards program recognizes over one thousand horses/ponies in our sports. More than any other known Sport Horse or Sport Pony breed registry in the world.

    General Requirements for Awards offered
    Local awards may be provided by the AWS to pre-approved local recognized competitions for all of our sports. The Gold, Silver and Bronze neck medals are offered by the show secretary or an AWS Representative. The requirements for winning local awards are:
  • The owner and rider must be current AWS members and present their current membership/award card at the competition.
  • The AWS Horse or Pony must be currently enrolled in the annual awards program and the current awards program card must be presented at the competition.
  • The horse or Pony must be entered in competition with the breed designation " American Warmblood" or AWS. Other registry affiliations may also be listed.
  • ADS, USDF, USEA, & USEF horse numbers must be provided to the AWS prior to year end awards (1 time only).


    Dressage - Local (Pre-Approved Competitions)
    Local awards may be awarded to the the highest scoring three qualified AWS horses or ponies by the show secretary or AWS representative at pre-approved competitions. Gold, Silver & Bronze neck medals are presented or mailed to the top three scoring AWS horses or ponies. All AWS awards requirements must be satisfied prior to the local competition.

    Regional Dressage
    The Regional Championship Class scores are obtained through the USDF results. Only the three highest scores from the "Championship" scores will be used for awards. The AWS Regional Champion is awarded or mailed a Special $50 valued award. Three top scoring registered, recorded or nominated horses or ponies, regardless of level, are awarded or mailed the Gold, Silver & Bronze neck medals. All AWS awards requirements must be satisfied by November 15th of the award year.
    (    See Past Regional Dressage Winners).

    USA National - All Breeds Dressage
    All AWS horses and Ponies must have been declared as AWS qualifying horses with USDF before September 30th of the award year. Median Scores are accumulated by the USDF. The median scores are provided to the AWS National Office from the USDF. At the annual awards banquet of USDF the AWS Gold & Silver medals are presented to the two top scoring AWS qualified horses and/or ponies at all levels in Open Dressage, Freestyle, Adult Amateur Rider, Junior Rider and Vintage Rider. One Special $100 valued award is given to the highest median score in Freestyle, Adult Amateur, Junior, Vintage. Open division receives two Special $100 valued awards - one for Training thru 4th Levels and one for FEI Levels. All AWS National awards requirements must be satisfied by September 30th of the award year.
    (See Past USA National Dressage Winners).

    USA National - Materiale Dressage
    All Materiale class scores are obtained through the USDF results. Only owners that are current AWS members and their horse/pony is in the current years AWS awards program qualify for AWS awards. AWS awards are offered to the five top scoring registered, recorded or nominated horses and/or ponies in these classes. Gold, Silver and Bronze neck medals are given to the top three horses or ponies. Special $100 valued awards are given to the highest median score. All AWS awards requirements must be satisfied before September 30th of the award year.
    (See Past Materiale Dressage Winners).


    Eventing
    All scores must represent competitions completed without withdrawal, retirement or elimination. All national points are accumulated through the United States Eventing Association (USEA). Horses or ponies and owners must satisfy the USEA awards program criteria for national AWS awards which are obtained from the USEA results. USEA Horse numbers must be provided to AWS prior to November 15th (1 time only).

    Local or Area (Pre-Approved Awards)
    Awards may be offered (if pre-approved) if a current AWS member or Show secretary will be the responsible "Area AWS awards representative". At the annual awards meeting of the Area (whenever possible), the AWS awards are presented or mailed to the top scoring registered, recorded or nominated horses or ponies. Gold, Silver and Bronze neck medals are given to the top three horses at every level. A Special $50 valued award is given to the "Area Horse/Pony of the Year". All AWS awards requirements must be satisfied before November 15th of the award year.

    USA National Eventing
    Points are accumulated by the USEA. The AWS awards are mailed to the top scoring registered or nominated horses at all levels. Gold, Silver and Bronze neck medals are given to the top three horses at every level. A $100 valued award is given in to the highest scoring "Horse of the Year". All AWS awards requirements for National awards must be satisfied by November 15th of the award year.
    (    See Past National Eventing Winners).


    Show Jumping
    USEF horse registration number must be provided to AWS (1 time only). All show results will be reported to the AWS national office through the USEF year end points results. All national points are accumulated through USEF. AWS Jumper award year ends December 15th.

    USA National Jumping
    Gold, Silver and Bronze neck medals are given to the top three horses or sport ponies for Sections/Classes (may be combined). Special $100 valued awards are given to the highest scoring "Horse or Sport Pony of the Year". Awards are mailed to the winners from the AWS National Office. All AWS awards requirements for national awards must be satisfied by December 15th of the award year.
    (See Past National Jumping Winners).


    Sport Horse and Sport Pony In-Hand
    In-Hand Scores are obtained from the USDF results for Horses/Ponies that are entered in the current year AWS Annual Awards Program and their owners are current AWS members. The AWS awards are presented or mailed to the top scoring registered, nominated or recorded horse/ponies in categories depending on the number.

    Local - USEF Recognized Competitions (pre-approved)
    If an Individual breed class for AWS (IBC) is also offer an additional set of medals will be offered. The Gold, Silver and Bronze neck medals are presented or mailed to the three top scoring registered, recorded or nominated qualified horses or ponies from the AWS National Office. All horses or ponies must be AWS qualified for awards at the time of the show.

    Regional - USDF Breeders Finals Championships
    Scores from the USDF Breeders In-Hand Finals Championship classes will be used for the AWS Finals (Regional) awards. The AWS USDFBC In-Hand Finals Champion (highest scoring) is given a $50 valued award. The Gold, Silver and Bronze neck medals are presented to the three top scoring registered, recorded or nominated horses or ponies. Awards are presented or mailed to the winners from the AWS National Office.

    USA National In-Hand
    The AWS Sport Horse and Sport Pony In-Hand awards are presented or mailed to the top scoring registered, nominated or recorded horses and ponies for all award categories. Categories are based on the number of participants. Awards are presented at the AWS annual meeting or mailed to the winners from the AWS National office. Special $100 valued awards are given to the AWS "In-Hand Horse and Pony of the Year" and the "In-Hand Stallion of the Year". All AWS awards requirements for national in-hand awards must be satisfied by September 30th of the award year.
    (See Past National In-Hand Winners. (See Past Pony National In-Hand Winners).


    Combined Driving
    Local
    Dressage test scores are used from recognized ADS combined driving events, completed without withdrawal, retirement or elimination. Gold, Silver and Bronze neck medals are offered to the top scoring registered, recorded or nominated horses or ponies. All AWS awards requirements must be satisfied at the time of the competition.

    USA National
    Dressage scores are obtained from ADS results. The AWS national office will mail the Gold, Silver and Bronze neck medals to the top scoring registered, recorded or nominated horses or ponies. A special $100 valued awards is given to the "Combined Driving Horse of the Year". All AWS awards requirements for national awards must be satisfied by December 31st of the award year. ADS member numbers must be provided to the AWS prior to December 31st of the award year (1 time only).
    (See Past National Combined Driving Winners).

    Canadian National Dressage, Show Jumping and In-Hand
    All AWS horses/Ponies must submit copies of the score sheets (both sides) to the AWS National Office by December 31st of the award year. Gold, Silver and Bronze neck metals are given to the top three horses/ponies. A special $100 valued award is given to the Canadian Sport Horse of the Year.
    (See Past Canada National Winners).

    Inspections
    Local
    Any Inspection score less than 5.0 will disqualify the horse from any Medals - Local or National. The Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals are presented at the Inspection to the top three scoring AWS horses or ponies, regardless of age. Ribbons and awards are presented according to the following designations:
  • 80% & Higher - Supreme, Horse/Pony Neck Ribbon
  • 75% - 79.99% - Blue Preferred Ribbon
  • 67% - 74.99% - Red Preferred Ribbon
  • 62% - 66.99% - Certified Ribbon
    (See Past Local Quarterly Inspection Winners).

    USA National Inspections
    The year-end National Inspection awards are the Gold, Silver and Bronze medals and are presented or mailed to the top scoring horses/ponies in award categories. Categories are based on number of participants. Special $100 valued awards are given to the "Inspection Horse of the Year", "Inspection Pony of the Year" and to the "Inspection Stallion of the Year".
    (See Past National Inspection Horse Winners). (See Past Pony National Inspection Winners).

    Canadian National Inspection
    All award requirements must be current beforeDecember 31st of the award year. Gold, Silver and Bronze neck metals are given to the top three horses/ponies. A special $100 valued award is given to the Canadian Inspection Horse/Pony of the Year.)
    (See Past Canada National Winners).