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VADA/Nova Year-End Performance & Special Awards


Each year, VADA/Nova recognizes our members at an annual social event.
We come together to celebrate achievements by our schooling and licensed show competitors as well as to recognize our volunteers.

Deadlines for form submissions:
November 15 - Volunteer Time Donation Form (for family members or owner/student to trainer ONLY)
December 1 - Mandatory Annual Awards Form & Nancy Stover Award Nomination Form

Contact Us With Questions          Mandatory Annual Awards Form          Nancy Stover Award Nomination Form           Volunteer Time Donation Form

2024 Volunteer and Schooling Show Tracking


Deadline for corrections:
November 15- Corrections to Schooling Show Scoreboard and Volunteer Tracking Sheet
You can also check your volunteer time on your profile!
For Volunteer corrections, please email volunteers@vadanova.email (Sheet does not include donated hours)
For Scoreboard corrections, please email schooling.shows@vadanova.email

2024 Volunteer Tracking Sheet- AS OF 12/1- FINAL          Schooling Show Scoreboard- AS OF 12/1- FINAL          




Past Years
2023 Final Year End Awards


Process

  • To be considered for VADA/Nova Year End Awards you must submit our Mandatory Annual Awards Form. This form is essential for determining eligibility for certain special awards, including the Trainer award. No package will be considered complete without the submission of this form.
  • Members are responsible for making sure their scores for licensed shows are in the USDF system and that scores for VADA/Nova and its partner schooling shows are in the VADA/Nova scoreboard. Any scores missing from the VADA/Nova Scoreboard and/or your USDF record by December 1 will not be used in the calculation of final awards.
  • All Mandatory Annual Awards Form submissions must be RECEIVED BY December 1. Combinations that have not submitted a form by the December 1 deadline will not be eligible for awards.
  • Preliminary Awards will be posted by December 15.
  • Corrections to the Preliminary Awards that are not received by December 22 will not be considered.
A Complete Package RequiresCompleted Mandatory Annual Awards Form, Performance Record (USDF record  for licensed shows Schooling Show Scoreboard), AA verification/self-certification and proof of horse age and/or gender, if applicable, Volunteer time completed or Volunteer Time Donation Form.

Scores, Membership & Category Requirements

  • For Schooling Shows, the competitor must be a VADA/Nova member at the time of the competition. For Licensed Shows, either the owner or the competitors must be a VADA/Nova member. (Note: membership forms received within 7 days of a competition will allow scores from that competition to count).
  • All awards are calculated by adding the top qualifying horse/rider scores together and then dividing by the total number of required tests ridden to result in an average score.
  • The awards year runs from December 1 — November 30. 
  • For licensed shows, scores must be earned from at least 2 different judges.
  • For all awards, scores must be earned from at least 2 different shows.
  • Scores  will not be counted if the test is ridden Hors de Concours (HC).
  • At each category or level, ribbons are divided into Junior/Young Rider (rider 21 or under as of January 1 of the award year), Open, and Adult Amateur (AA)Ribbons are awarded to 8 places in all categories.
  • To qualify as an adult amateur (AA), you must have a US Equestrian AA card on record. If you are not a USEF member (i.e., submitting only for schooling shows or based only on scores for opportunity classes), you need to self-certify to VADA/Nova that you meet the US Equestrian AA criteria.

Volunteer Requirements

  • One day of volunteer time at a VADA/Nova event or for VADA/Nova Board approved activities. The VADA/Nova website tracks volunteer time in hours, so 1/2 day is 5 hours and one day is 10 hours.
  • Competitors must presumptively complete their own volunteer time.
  • Competitors may receive a donation of volunteer time only from a family member, the horse’s owner, or the competitor’s student.    
  • Donated time must be coordinated with the donor and the VADA/Nova Volunteer Coordinator by November 15 using the Volunteer Time Donation Form.
  • Volunteer time may only be earned at VADA/Nova events. Shows run by VADA, another VADA chapter, partner shows, or other organizations will not count toward this requirement. 
  • A competitor does not have to do multiple days of volunteer time to submit for awards with multiple horses, at multiple levels, or for both schooling and licensed divisions.
  • In the case of Pas de Deux or Quadrille awards, ALL riders of the team must satisfy volunteer requirements for the whole team to be eligible for award(s).

Schooling Shows Performance & Special Awards
Licensed Shows Performance & Special Awards
Service Special Awards

Additional Requirements 

  • Tests must be judged by a USDF L graduate or a US Equestrian r, R, or S judge.
  • Scores from virtual shows or fix-a-tests may not be used.
  • Scores cannot be counted if the competitor’s trainer is the judge.
  • The competitor must be a VADA/Nova member at the time of the competition. (Note: membership forms received within 7 days of a competition will allow scores from that competition to count).
  • One or two scores (depending on the level, per the chart below) must be earned at a VADA/Nova hosted show or VADA/Nova Partner show.
  • For Introductory Level only, scores earned at licensed shows MAY BE SUBMITTED, in addition to scores from schooling shows.

Submission of Scores 

  • VADA/Nova will maintain a running scoreboard tracking scores from VADA/Nova hosted shows as well as VADA/Nova Partner shows.
  • Riders who are only using scores from VADA/Nova hosted or Partner shows only need to submit the Mandatory Annual Awards Form and, if applicable, the Volunteer Time Donation Form.
  • To use scores from other schooling shows, riders should submit the front page of the test electronically to schoolingshowawards@vadanova.org. These scores must be submitted within two weeks of when they are earned, but no later than December 1, so they can be included on the scoreboard.
  • Introductory level riders who want to use scores earned at licensed shows must submit those scores to schoolingshowawards@vadanova.org, either by sending a printout from USDF Scores or the front page of the test. These scores must be submitted within two weeks of when they are earned, but no later than December 1, so they can be included on the scoreboard. 
  • Combinations that have not submitted the Mandatory Annual Awards Form by the December 1 deadline will not be eligible for awards.
  • Scoreboard corrections that are not received by December 15 will not be used in the calculation of final awards.

Scores Required

Ribbons will be awarded at USDF Introductory; USEF First, Second, Third, and Fourth Level; FEI PSG, Intermediare I, Inter A/B, Intermediare II, and Grand Prix; MFS, Pas de Deux, and Quadrille; and Para Equestrian.

VADA/Nova does NOT offer schooling show awards for Young Horse tests, Materiale, Breed or In-Hand classes, Dressage Seat Equitation, Western, Eventing, or Gaited dressage.

 

Intro

Training through Fourth

FEI, Freestyle, Pas de Deux Quadrille

Para Equestrian (Novice, Intermediate, Grand Prix)

# of Scores

4

4

3

3

Minimum Score

55%

55%

55%

55%

VN or VN Partner Scores

2

2

1

1

# Scores at Highest Test of Level

1 Intro B or Intro C

1

N/A

At least 1 score fromNovice B

 

Schooling Show Performance Awards

Compass Rose Farm

Sponsored by Judith Grass and Mike O'Dell

 

Training & Above - highest average score earned by an AA (Musical, Pas de Deux, Quadrille & Para not eligible)

 

The Anky Van Weltevreden Mare Challenge

Sponsored by Diann Carpenter

 

Training through Grand Prix - rider/mare combination with the highest average score (Musical, Pas de Deux, Quadrille, Para, & DSE not eligible)

The Rataxes Memorial

Sponsored by Debbie Mariott Rock

 

Rider with the highest average schooling show score at any level competing a horse aged 18 or older (Musical, Pas de Deux, Quadrille & Para not eligible)

Must submit verification of horse's age or birth date with award package (e.g., registry papers with birthdate, copy of Coggins, or other)


Additional Information 

  • Either the owner or the competitor must be a VADA/Nova member at the time of the competition. (Note: membership forms received within 7 days of a competition will allow scores from that competition to count.)
  • Scores from all open shows (those without breed restrictions) will count toward awards.
  • If a test has been scored by more than one judge (i.e., judge at C and E), the combined average score as calculated at the show will count. The tests may not be counted individually.
  • Two or three scores (depending on the level, per the chart below) must be earned at a VADA/Nova show. DAL, GAIGS, and BLMs are considered VADA/Nova shows (regardless of which organization is hosting them).
  • Year-end awards are not offered for Eventing tests, Materiale, Breed Show/In Hand, or Young Horse tests.
  • There is no year-end award for Intro at licensed shows, but riders may submit Intro scores earned at licensed shows for schooling show awards.
  • Opportunity classes will count for the level being ridden and may be mixed with non-opportunity classes for purposes of achieving the required number of scores.
  • Scores earned in FEI developing horse or youth rider tests may be submitted in accordance with USEF equivalency rules:

·       FEI Pony Rider and Children’s Tests = Second Level.

·       FEI Junior Tests = Third Level.

·       FEI Young Rider Tests = PSG.

·       Developing PSG = PSG.

·       USEF Brentina Cup, FEI U-25 GP, and Developing GP = I-2.

  • For Grand Prix, scores can be submitted for either the standard GP test or the Grand Prix Special.
  • Any scores missing from your USDF record by December 1 will not be used in the calculation of final awards.

Scores Required

Ribbons will be awarded Training through Fourth; FEI (PSG, I-1, I-A/B, I-2, GP); Freestyle, Pas de Deux, Quadrille; Para Equestrian (Team, Individual, MFS); and Dressage Seat Equitation.

VADA/Nova does NOT offer licensed show awards for Eventing tests, Materiale, Breed Show/In Hand, or Young Horse tests.

 

Training through Fourth

FEI (PSG, I-1, I-A/B, I-2, GP)

Musical Freestyle

Para Equestrian (Novice, Intermediate, Grand Prix)

Dressage Seat Equitation

# of Scores

4

3

3

3

3

Minimum Score

55%

55%

55%

55%

65%

VN/VADA Scores

2

1

1

1

1

# Scores at Highest Test of Level

1

N/A

N/A

At least 1 scores from Novice B

N/A

 

Licensed Show Performance Awards


  

The Anky Van Weltevreden Mare Challenge

Sponsored by Diann Carpenter

 

Training through Grand Prix - rider/mare combination with the highest average score (Musical, Pas de Deux, Quadrille, Para, & DSE not eligible)

One award for USEF levels (Training - Fourth)

One award for FEI levels (PSG - GP)

The Highest Average Adult Amateur

Sponsored by Donna Gatchell

 

Adult Amateur with the highest average score (Musical, Pas de Deux, Quadrille, Para, & DSE not eligible)

One award for USEF levels (Training - Fourth)

One award for FEI levels (PSG - GP)

Must submit proof of Adult Amateur status (copy of USEF Amateur card or USDF printout indicating AA status)

The Rataxes Memorial

Sponsored by Debbie Mariott Rock

Rider with the highest average licensed show score at any level competing a horse aged 18 or older (Musical, Pas de Deux, Quadrille, Para & DSE not eligible)

Must submit verification of horse's age or birth date with award package (e.g., registry papers with birthdate, copy of Coggins, or other)


The Awards below are based on personal commitment and service to VADA/Nova. 

The Nancy Stover Distinguished Service Award requires nominations to be presented to the Board of Directors.  Please submit your nominations using the Nancy Stover Award Nomination Form by January 12.

The Above and Beyond Awards are based on the volunteer hours each person performs in a given competition year.  If you have any questions on your status, please contact volunteers@vadanova.email.

Nancy Stover Distinguished Service Award

Sponsored by Michelle & Al King

This award in honor of our beloved Nancy Stover is awarded for outstanding contributions to VADA/Nova and its mission over a long period. These contributions may include: volunteering on a regular basis at VADA/Nova licensed and schooling shows or clinics; serving as a school show secretary and/or manager; spearheading special projects and activities; and/or serving as a member of the VADA/Nova Board of Directors or as an officer.

Above & Beyond Volunteer Awards

Sponsored by VADA/Nova

For those volunteers who truly go above and beyond to support VADA/Nova activities the organization has special volunteer awards that are given out annually.

There are three award levels: Prix St. Georges for 2 days of volunteer time; Intermediaire for 2.5 to 4.5 days of volunteer time; and Grand Prix for 5 or more days of volunteer time.

Instructor of the Year

Sponsored by VADA/Nova

Given to the instructor with demonstrated success by students who are VADA/Nova members at licensed and/or schooling shows. The highest three student score submissions from licensed and/or schooling shows will be averaged (per the Requirements).

  • Instructor must be indicated on the student's Year-End Cover Sheet as the primary instructor
  • Instructor must have a minimum of three student/horse combinations and at least two discrete students who submitted for year-end awards at schooling or licensed shows.

- At least one student/ horse combination must be riding First level or above

- No more than one student/ horse combination at Intro level can be counted

- Musical freestyle, Pas de Deux, Quadrille, Para and DSE scores are not eligible.

  • Each student/ horse combination can only be counted once regardless of number of year-end award submissions; the highest average year-end award of each student/ horse combination will be used.

Instructor does NOT need to be a VADA/Nova member. The winning instructor will be awarded a free VADA/Nova membership for one year; if the winning instructor is a current VADA/Nova member, their membership will be extended for a year.

Youth Volunteer Award Sponsored by Rachel Rice  The Youth Volunteer Award willbe presented tot he Volunteer with the most hours, whose age is less than 18 years at the end of the competition year (Nov 30). Hours earned at VADA events and VADA/Nova events will be added together to create the standings. At least one full day must be completed at a VADA/Nova event. There is no requirement to compete.
If you are thinking about signing up with your child, we often encourage parent/child volunteer pairs to take on running tests, a great task for underage volunteers, as the parent drives the golf cart or stewards a nearby ring. If you have any question about volunteering with an underage volunteer, please contact the volunteer manager for the show.