On July 11, 1989, the Houston Dressage Society established the Joe R. Bushager Memorial Grant to encourage talented, promising and dedicated riders in their pursuit of training in Dressage. Traditional avenues of training such as clinics and intensive work with recognized experts as well as unique competition experience are viewed as appropriate, but not limiting activities. The scholarship is intended for any activity involving both horse and rider (the applicant) that will make a significant impact on the horse/rider’s level of understanding of the principles of dressage as well as their level of achievement. The goal of the Grant shall be to award at least one $500 scholarship each fiscal year. Funding for the Grant shall come from $5.00 of each Horse/Rider registration. These funds shall be placed in an interest bearing money account. Any funds in excess of those required for the annual scholarship shall remain in said account to be applied to future additional and/or larger scholarships at the discretion of the HDS Board. Should HDS become defunct, the monies in the account shall be donated to USDF Region 9 for use as scholarships for Young Riders competing in National Competitions. Applications will be accepted from September 15 through December 31 for the following year’s Grant. The Grantee shall be announced at the Annual Awards Banquet. Applicants will be notified of their status prior to the Banquet. Additional application information: http://houstondressagesociety.org/wpcontent/uploads/2017/12/Bushager-Grant-Guidelines-andApplication-to-2018.pdf

A customized certificate featuring all five Region 9 states with the Youth’s state highlighted will be e-mailed at no cost. In addition, an embroidered patch can be purchased for $15 if desired. Requirements: -Region 9 Youth are eligible for one certificate per level per year (December 1-November 30) - Must be under 21 during the current membership year in which scores were earned - Must be a current member of a Region 9 Group Member Organization (GMO) or live in Region 9 and be a member of a GMO in another region if that GMO is closer to the youth’s home. - Scores must be earned in one membership year - Scores may be earned on one or multiple horses per level - Four (4) minimum scores from schooling shows only with at least one score being from the highest test of the level from three different judges (L graduate or above) -Levels and minimum scores: Intro 64% Training 62% 1st 60% 2nd and above 58% How to apply: Send copies of front of each test showing Youth name, date, location, score, and judge’s signature to the Region 9 Youth Programs representative. The tests must be from schooling shows, not recognized shows. The tests can either be sent by mail or scanned and e-mailed. A separate form must be sent for each level achieved. Contact information for the Region 9 Youth Programs representative can be found on the Region 9 webpage www.usdfregion9.org . If a patch is desired, send a check payable to Region 9 Youth Fund to the Region 9 Youth Program representative along with the application. Please send application by December 31 or notify the Region 9 Youth Programs representative if application will be coming shortly afterwards. Application: http://arkansasdressage.org/wpcontent/up

This award is given in honor of Burnis Foy, a founding member of HDS. Burnis competed off-the-track thoroughbreds, and this award will be given to the Adult Amateur with the highest score competing an off-the-track thoroughbred at HDS Schooling Shows during the competition year. In order to be eligible, the rider must be an HDS member and must notify the Schooling Show Chair of their eligibility by submitting proof of the horse's race record and their highest score received at an HDS-approved schooling show.

Rider Achievement Certificates are awarded at the end of the competition year, which begins with the open show of the HDS Schooling Show Championships and ends with the last HDS-approved schooling show prior to the Championships, by request if a rider meets the following criteria: • Premium Rider Achievement Certificates will be awarded to riders who have earned three (3) scores of 70% or higher in HDS-approved Schooling Shows per level during the competition year • Rider Achievement Certificates will be awarded to riders who have earned three (3) scores of 60% or higher in HDS-approved Schooling Shows per level during the competition year • Riders must be HDS members to receive a certificate. To request a certificate, please email the HDS Schooling Show Chair at: schoolingshows@houstondressagesociety.org Certificates are awarded at the HDS year-end awards ceremony.

auto calculated General Qualifying Rules The HDS competition year for Recognized Shows now corresponds to the USDF competition calendar. Schooling shows remain on the calendar year format extending from the PREVIOUS year’s championship show to September of the current year. To be eligible, the rider must be an HDS member in good standing and must have a current Horse and Rider Registration on file with the Membership Chair. Recognized Show riders are required to complete 4 hours of HDS volunteer service during the membership year to be eligible for HDS Year End Awards. For details click here. Qualification is based on same horse/rider combination. A committee of HDS members that are not eligible for the awards will compute the winners from the list of eligible members. An average score of 58% or above is required to be eligible for awards at the National levels and 55% at the FEI Levels. Judge Panel: A judge panel will be considered to be different if at least one member of the panel is changed. Scores earned in classes restricted to horses of a particular breed, or age (“restricted classes”) will not be eligible for HDS year end awards. This includes restricted classes at dressage shows and dressage classes at breed‐restricted shows, regardless of USDF/USEF recognition of those classes and shows. Recognized Show Classifications USDF/USEF Recognized Shows Training Level thru Int I Int II thru Grand Prix Freestyle a) Opena) Opena) 1st – 4thb) Amateurb) Amateurb) FEIc) Junior Recognized Show Awards for Training Level Through 4th Level are based on the average of the highest five (5) scores under four (4) different USEF judges at each level. Freestyles require three (3) scores from three (3) different judges. National levels will be combined in an open division to determine Freestyle winners. Recognized Show Awards for FEI levels are based on on the average of the highest four (4) scores under three (3) different USEF judges at each level. Freestyles require (3) scores from three (3) different judges. FEI levels will be combined in an open division to determine the winners. Scores may be earned at non‐HDS sponsored shows (including out of state shows), but at least one score must be earned at an HDS‐sponsored show. Scores earned in championship classes (and other classes with more than one judge) can be applied toward year‐end awards; however, when two or more scores are earned for one test, only the average will be used for year‐end award calculations. A horse/rider combination can only receive awards for a maximum of two Levels. HDS-Recognized Local Schooling Shows Prix CaprilliGreen as GrassUSDF IntroTraining thru Seconda) Opena) Amateura) Opena) Openb) Juniorb) Amateurb) Amateurc) Juniorc) Junior Schooling Show Awards for Prix Caprilli, Green As Grass and USDF Introductory Divisions are based on the average of the highest three (3) scores under three (3) different HDS‐approved judges. Schooling Show Awards for Training Level through Fourth Level are based on on the average of the highest four (4) scores under three (3) different HDS‐approved judges. Schooling Show Awards for Freestyles are based on a combination’s on the average of the highest (3) scores under two (2) different HDS-approved judges. A horse/rider combination can only receive awards for a maximum of two Levels. NOTE: All scores will be verified by the Awards Chair against official show results submitted by the show secretaries and/or USDF Official results. Questions? Contact HDS Awards Chair awards@houstondressagesociety.org Qualified Volunteer Sheet HERE

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