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Terms & Conditions

Junior/Young Rider Competition Scholarship

A large component of this scholarship is giving back. Upon receiving your scholarship, you are asked to write an article for the NCDCTA quarterly newsletter. Your article should be submitted to the Jr/YR chair no later than 7 days after the show (cojryr@ncdcta.org). The scholarship committee will review your article and provide timely feedback prior to publication in the NCDCTA newsletter.

In your article, please include the following:
a) Briefly describe your show experience that this scholarship was provided for. 
b) Referring to the training scale, where do you feel you succeeded and where do you feel you need improvement.
c) Include a photo from the competition. Provide name of rider, horse, class (test ridden) and photo credit. 

Additional rules to be applied: 
a) An applicant may only receive one (1) scholarship per year (Dec 1 - Nov 30).
b) An applicant may only receive a scholarship two (2) consecutive years in a row.
c) Applicant must be an active NCDCTA member.

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To be eligible, applicants must indicate enthusiasm, thoughtfulness in the application, and dedication to competition as part of ongoing education in dressage. All qualified applicants will be put into a pool for each show. Winners will be drawn at random. Winners will be ineligible for other scholarships in that competition year unless there are fewer new applicants than slots to be filled.

 

Recipients will be responsible for the cost of classes beyond four, as well as the office fee, the USEF drug fee, and any other applicable fees, including but not limited to the USDF/GAIG qualifying fee and non-member fees. Decisions and entry procedures will be announced before the show's closing date. Within a reasonable time after the show each scholarship recipient is expected to submit a short article and photo of their experience for the newsletter.

AH–Horse of the Year Awards (HOY)

The North Carolina Dressage & Combined Training Association offers the following awards as part of the Horse of the Year (HOY) program. 

Dressage

Dressage Track 1 (D1) – USEF/USDF Recognized (Jr/YR, AA, Open)

  • USDF Introductory Level

  • USDF Training Level

  • USDF First Level

  • USDF Second Level

  • USDF Third Level

  • USDF Fourth Level

  • FEI Junior/Young Rider

  • FEI Prix St. Georges

  • FEI Intermediate I

  • FEI Intermediate II/A/B

  • FEI Grand Prix

  • USDF/FEI Musical Freestyle

Dressage Track 2 (D2) – NCDCTA Recognized (Jr/YR, AA, Open)

  • USDF Introductory Level

  • USDF Training Level

  • USDF First Level

  • USDF Second Level

  • USDF Third Level

  • USDF Fourth Level

  • USDF Musical Freestyle

Tests such as FEI Jr, Pony, Young Horse, etc will be counted/recognized in accordance with USEF equivalencies per DR 119.

Western Dressage

Western Dressage Track (WD) – NCDCTA Recognized (Jr/YR, AA, Open)

  • WDAA Introductory Level

  • WDAA Basic Level

  • WDAA Level 1

  • WDAA Level 2

  • WDAA Level 3

  • WDAA Level 4

  • WDAA Level 5

Eventing

Eventing Track 1 (E1) – USEF/USEA Recognized Horse Trials (Jr/YR, AA, Open)

  • Starter

  • Beginner Novice

  • Novice

  • Training

  • Modified

  • Preliminary & Above

Eventing Track 2 (E2) – NCDCTA-Recognized Horse Trials (Jr/YR, AA, Open)

  • Green as Grass

  • Starter

  • Beginner Novice

  • Novice

  • Training

  • Modified

  • Preliminary & Above

Eventing Track 3 (E3) – NCDCTA-Recognized Combined Test (Jr/YR, AA, Open)

  • Green as Grass

  • Starter

  • Beginner Novice

  • Novice

  • Training

  • Modified

  • Preliminary & Above

General Guidelines & Requirements

  • Competition/Membership year runs from December 1 through November 30, annually.

  • All memberships/registrations are for one year only and end on November 30, regardless of the date membership was purchased.

  • Rider must be an active member of NCDCTA at the time results are earned.

  • Owner/Lessee (if other than rider) must be an an active member of NCDCTA at the time results are earned.

  • Horse must be registered with NCDCTA for the competition year at the time results are earned.

  • Horses registered by January 31 (with active NCDCTA membership) will be awarded results from the beginning of the competition year. Horses registered after January 31 (with an active NCDCTA membership) will be awarded results from the date of receipt.

  • All NCDCTA HOY points must be earned at NCDCTA-recognized competitions and events. Exceptions:

    • Out-of-state Eventing results for USEA/USEF/FEI recognized events (horse trials only)

    • Out-of-state Dressage CHAMPIONSHIP results (e.g., Regional, National & CBLM championships)

    • Out-of-state results must be reported within 10 days from the end of competition

    • Out-of-state results earned after November 1 must be reported within 3 days of the end of competition

    • Report out-of-state results online at NCDCTA.org

  • First place HOY winning teams (horse & rider) are ineligible to win the same division again. Exceptions:

    • FEI Grand Prix Dressage

    • Musical Freestyle Dressage

    • Junior/Young Rider FEI Dressage

    • Preliminary and Above Eventing

    • Level 5 Western Dressage

    • If horse ownership/lease has changed

  • Rider status (Junior/Young Rider, Adult Amateur, Open) determines the division in which points are accrued. Rider status must be stated as part of the membership application. A change in status must be sent directly to the membership secretary in writing. Points will accrue in the new division from that date forward. If a status correction is necessary for any reason, all points earned will be placed into the corrected division. Status Corrections must be approved by the HOY Committee.

  • Junior/Young Riders are members who are 21 years of age or younger as of December 1 of the award year. Junior/Young Rider birthday must be stated as part of the membership application.

  • Points will be posted periodically throughout the competition year on the NCDCTA website (NCDCTA.org).

  • Awards and Prizes will be awarded at the annual Horse of the Year (HOY) banquet.

    • Ribbons: 1 through 6 in each division

    • Prizes: 1 through 3 in each division

  • Qualifying Scores - Valid tests must meet all applicable general requirements and meet minimum/maximum scores.

    • Minimum Test Requirements – Dressage:

      • Introductory through First Level – 60.000 or higher

      • Second Level through Fourth Level – 58.000 or higher

      • FEI Levels – 55.000 or higher

      • Musical Freestyle – 55.000 or higher

    • Minimum Test Requirements – Western Dressage

      • Intro, Basic and Level 1 – 60.000 or higher

      • Level 2 through Level 5 – 58.000 or higher

      • Freestyle – 55.000 or higher

    • Maximum Requirements – Eventing

      • Green as Grass and Starter  – 55 penalty points or fewer

      • Beginner Novice through Modified – 60 penalty points or fewer

      • Preliminary and above – 70 penalty points or fewer

  • Equivalencies are applied to Eventing Dressage Tests of Choice and are determined by USEF Rule DR119. Equivalencies will wrap up under the applicable dressage track.

    • USEA Starter = USDF Introductory Level

    • USEA Beginner Novice and Novice = USDF Training Level

    • USEA Training, Modified and Preliminary = USDF First Level

    • USEA Intermediate = USDF Second Level

    • USEA Advanced - USDF Third Level

  • Team is one rider and one horse

  • Dressage, Western Dressage & Eventing competitions within North Carolina must seek NCDCTA recognition to participate.

  • Dressage & Western Dressage competitions and Eventing schooling competitions outside NC must seek NCDCTA recognition.

  • Competition organizers seeking recognition must be active NCDCTA members.

  • USEF/USEA CT results are not accepted.

  • Virtual Tests are not accepted.

Score Self Reporting

  • Submission of results is the sole responsibility of the rider/owner. Any questions regarding points should be directed to the NCDCTA Membership Secretary at membership@ncdcta.org.

  • Verification and Accuracy: It is the competitor’s responsibility to verify the accuracy of their points by checking NCDCTA.org throughout the year.

  • Scores for all HOY awards must be submitted within 10 days of competition at NCDCTA.org.

  • HOY Reporting Requirements. Submission must be through the HOY Reporting Form at NCDCTA.org:

    • Rider name and NCDCTA number

    • Horse name and NCDCTA number

    • Competition name and date

    • Type of test (Dressage, WD, HT, CT, Breed)

    • Test Name (E.g., Training 1; Preliminary; Level 2-1, etc.)

    • Score

      • Dressage/WD/Eventing Dressage TOC format ##.###

      • HT/CT format ##.#

    • Dressage Judge

    • Verification Upload

  • Verification Upload for all tests, including out-of-state, must be submitted as part of the HOY Reporting/Out-of-State forms and include the following:

    • Event name and date

    • Rider name

    • Horse name

    • Division and Test

    • Judge (Optional)

    • FINAL SCORE (Eventing tracks must include all penalties!)

  • Dressage/WD Verification: Submit the front face of the test with the above information. If all information is on the front of the test there is no need to submit the other side of the test.

  • HT/CT Verification: Submit a snapshot of the FINAL results (including all penalties) from a website or onsite scoreboard.

  • Out-of-State Eventing Horse Trial results accepted via the online form within 10 days of competition and must include verification upload.

  • Out-of-State Dressage CHAMPIONSHIP (only) results accepted via online form within 10 days of competition and must include verification upload.

NCDCTA HOY Awards Tracks

NCDCTA is a USDF General Membership Organization, and as such, our primary purpose is to assist our members in competing in USDF/USEF/USEA recognized competitions. NCDCTA supports and recognizes schooling competitions as a means of preparing members to compete at recognized competitions.

1.     Competitors may only win one award per Level. Competitors may not win both Recognized and Schooling track at the same level.

2.     The Recognized Track will always supersede the Schooling Track, regardless of placement.

a.     Example 1: If a competitor meets the minimum requirements at Training Level in both tracks and places 2nd in schooling and 5th in recognized, the 5th place recognized will be awarded and no award will be given in the schooling track.

b.     Example 2: If a competitor meets the minimum requirements at Training Level in the Schooling Track and ranks 2nd, and does not meet the minimum requirements in the Recognized Track, no award will be given in the Recognized Track and 2nd place will be awarded in the schooling track.

Two Track Dressage Awards

Dressage Track 1 (D1) – USEF/USDF Recognized (National)

  • Dressage Levels Recognized

    • USDF Introductory

    • USDF Training

    • USDF First

    • USDF Second

    • USDF Third

    • USDF Fourth

    • FEI Junior/Young Rider

    • FEI Prix St Georges

    • FEI Intermediate I

    • FEI Intermediate II/A/B

    • FEI Grand Prix

    • USDF/FEI Musical Freestyle

    • or Equivalent Tests (Tests such as FEI Jr, Pony, Young Horse, etc will be counted/recognized in accordance with USEF equivalencies per DR 119)

  • Maximum number of levels awarded per team

    • Two (2), Excluding Musical Freestyle

  • Levels awarded

    • 2 highest

  • Minimum number of competitions

    • Three (3)

  • Minimum number of Judges

    • Three (3)

  • Minimum number of tests

    • Six (6) – USDF Introductory Level through USDF Fourth Level

    • Three (3) – FEI Levels and Musical Freestyle

  • Rolling Average

    • Top six (6) tests – USDF Introductory Level through USDF Fourth Level

    • Top three (3) tests – FEI Levels and Musical Freestyle

  • Awards

    • Ribbons: 1 – 6 (Jr/YR, AA, Open)

  • Prizes

    • 1 – 3 (Jr/YR, AA, Open)

  • Division Champion

    • Horse/Rider Team that has won a division is not eligible to win that division again. Exceptions are FEI Junior/Young Rider, FEI Grand Prix and Musical Freestyle.

Dressage Track 2 (D2) – NCDCTA Recognized (Schooling)

  • Dressage Levels Recognized

    • USDF Introductory

    • USDF Training

    • USDF First

    • USDF Second

    • USDF Third

    • USDF Fourth

    • USDF Musical Freestyle

    • or Equivalent Tests (Tests such as FEI Jr, Pony, Young Horse, etc will be counted/recognized in accordance with USEF equivalencies per DR 119)

    • FEI tests are not recognized in this track.

  • Maximum number of levels awarded per team

    • Two (2), Excluding Musical Freestyle

  • Levels awarded

    • 2 highest

  • Minimum number of competitions

    • Three (3)

  • Minimum number of Judges

    • Three (3)

  • Minimum number of tests

    • Five (5) – USDF Introductory Level through USDF Fourth Level

  • Rolling Average

    • Top five (5) tests – USDF Introductory Level through USDF Fourth Level

  • Awards

    • Ribbons: 1 – 6 (Jr/YR, AA, Open)

  • Prizes

    • 1 – 3 (Jr/YR, AA, Open)

  • Division Champion

    • Horse/Rider Team that has won a division is not eligible to win that division again. USDF Fourth Level and Musical Freestyle (Rule suspended for 2023)

 

One Track Western Dressage Awards

Western Dressage (WD) – NCDCTA Recognized

  • Western Dressage Levels Recognized\

    • Western Dressage Basic, Intro, Levels 1 through 5, and Freestyle

  • Maximum number of levels awarded per team

    • Two (2)

    • Excluding Musical Freestyle

  • Levels awarded

    • Two (2) highest

  • Minimum number of competitions

    • Three (3)

  • Minimum number of Judges

    • Three (3)

  • Minimum number of tests

    • Five (5)

  • Rolling Average

    • Top 5 Tests

  • Awards

    • Ribbons 1 - 6

    • Jr/YR, Adult Amateur, Open

  • Prizes

    • 1 - 3

    • Jr/YR, Adult Amateur, Open

  • Division Champion

    • Horse/Rider Team that has won a division is not eligible to win that division again. (Rule suspended for 2023)

    • Exception is Western Dressage Level 5 and Freestyle

Three Track Eventing Awards

  1. Competitors may only win one award per Level. Competitors may not win both USEF/USEA and NCDCTA track at the same level.

  2. The USEF/USEA Track will always supersede the NCDCTA Track, regardless of placement.

    1. Example 1: If a competitor meets the maximum requirements at Training Level in both tracks and places 2nd in NCDCTA and 5th in USEF/USEA, the 5th place USEF/USEA will be awarded and no award will be given in the NCDCTA track.

    2. Example 2: If a competitor meets the maximum requirements at Beginner Novice in the NCDCTA Track and ranks 2nd, and does not meet the maximum requirements in the USEF/USEA Track, no award will be given in the USEF/USEA Track and 2nd place will be awarded in the NCDCTA track.

  3. NCDCTA-Recognized Combined Tests will be awarded separately. A competitor may receive an award at both the NCDCTA-Recognized HT Track and the NCDCTA-Recognized CT Track at the same level

 

Eventing Track 1 (E1) – USEF/USEA Recognized HT

  • Eventing Levels Recognized

    • Starter, Beginner Novice, Novice, Training, Modified, Preliminary and Above

  • Maximum number of levels awarded per team

    • Two (2)

  • Levels awarded

    • Two (2) highest

  • Minimum number of venues

    • Two (2)

  • Minimum number of tests

    • Three (3)

  • Rolling Average

    • Top 3 rides

  • Awards

    • Ribbons 1 - 6

    • Jr/YR, Adult Amateur, Open

  • Prizes

    • 1 - 3

    • Jr/YR, Adult Amateur, Open

  • Division Champion

    • Horse/Rider Team that has won a division is not eligible to win that division again. (Rule Suspended for 2023)

    • Exception: Preliminary and Above.

Eventing Track 2 (E2) – NCDCTA Recognized HT

  • Eventing Levels Recognized

    • Green as Grass, Starter, Beginner Novice, Novice, Training, Modified, Preliminary and Above

  • Maximum number of levels awarded per team

    • Two (2)

  • Levels awarded

    • Two (2) highest

  • Minimum number of venues

    • Two (2)

  • Minimum number of tests

    • Three (3)

  • Rolling Average

    • Top 3 rides

  • Awards

    • Ribbons 1 - 6

    • Jr/YR, Adult Amateur, Open

  • Prizes

    • 1 - 3

    • Jr/YR, Adult Amateur, Open

  • Division Champion

    • Horse/Rider Team that has won a division is not eligible to win that division again. (Rule suspended for 2023)

    • Exception is Preliminary and Above.

Eventing Track 3 (E3) – NCDCTA Recognized CT

  • Eventing Levels Recognized

    • Green as Grass, Starter, Beginner Novice, Novice, Training, Modified, Preliminary and Above

  • Maximum number of levels awarded per team

    • Two (2)

  • Levels awarded

    • Two (2) highest

  • Minimum number of venues

    • Two (2)

  • Minimum number of tests

    • Three (3)

  • Rolling Average

    • Top 3 rides

  • Awards

    • Ribbons 1 - 6

    • Jr/YR, Adult Amateur, Open

  • Prizes

    • 1 - 3

    • Jr/YR, Adult Amateur, Open

  • Division Champion

    • Horse/Rider Team that has won a division is not eligible to win that division again. (Rule Suspended for 2023)

    • Exception is Preliminary and Above.

Dressage Sport Horse Breeder HOY Awards

Goals of this Program:

  1. To increase attendance at North Carolina Dressage and Combined Training Association (NCDCTA) recognized dressage competitions that offer Dressage Sport Horse Breed (DSHB) classes.

  2. To support and promote North Carolina (NC) Breeders.

  3. To increase membership in 3 ways

  • Breeders/Owners

  • Breeders

  • Owners that participate in DSHB classes, but not dressage under saddle classes.

  • Horse Registrations

Score Requirements

Minimum of three scores

1.    From at least three different judges.

2.    At three different USEF-licensed / USDF-recognized / NCDCTA-recognized competitions.

3.    Scores must be a minimum of 65% to count towards NCDCTA DSHB Award.

Eligibility

  1. Owner must be an active NCDCTA member at the time points are earned.

  2. Horse must be registered with NCDCTA for the competition year at the time points are earned. 

  3. Rider for DSHB Materiale Classes must be an active NCDCTA member at the time points are earned.

  4. This program will be retroactive for the 2022 Competition Season.  Owners and Riders must be active NCDCTA members by September 30, 2022.  Horses must be registered with NCDCTA as of September 30, 2022.

  5. For competition purposes the age of the horse is one year old on       January 1st following the date of foaling. 

  • A “young horse” is a horse: foal to 3 years of age (fillies, colts, and gelding 3 years of age and younger compete only as “sport horse prospects”).

  • A “mature horse” is a horse that is 4 years or older.

  • Mares and stallions may only show in breed stock classes, 4-year old Prospect classes, and Materiale Classes. 

  • Gelding aged three and under may only show as sport horse prospects and never in breed stock classes.  Gelding may be shown in Material Classes.

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Recorded Scores

  1. Scores must be from the same age/sex category.

  2. Scores must be from USDF DSHB most current score sheet, including USDF Breeders Championship Series final in-hand class.

  3. Top three scores will be averaged for award placing 

  4. (i.e. 4 shows entered in 2022 Fillies with scores of 72%, 70%, 79% and 75%.  Top 3 scores of” 72%, 75% and 79% are averaged to get a final score of 75.33%).

  5. Amateur/Junior Handler classes, breed restricted classes, under saddle and group classes are not eligible for recording. 

  6. Championship scores from Devon  must be submitted via the online form at NCDCTA.org within 10 days of the event.

Recognition

The following 6 categories will be recognized: (top 6 placings will be recognized)

Foals & Yearlings

  • Fillies of Current Year

  • Colts/Geldings of Current Year

  • Yearling Fillies

  • Yearling Colts/Geldings

Two Year Olds & 3 year olds

  • Two Year old Fillies

  • Two Year old Colts/Geldings

  • Three Year old Fillies

  • Three Year old Colts/Geldings

Four Year old and older Breedstock Mares 

  • Four Year old or older Maiden/Yeld Mares

  • Four Year old or older Broodmares w/ Foals

Four Year old and older Stallions

  • Stallions Four Years old or older

Three Year old Materiale

  • Three Year old Colts/Gelding Materiale

  • Three Year old Fillers Materiale

Four Years old or Older Materiale

  • Four Years old or older Fillies Materiale

  • Four Years old or older Geldings/Colts Materiale

High Point Breeder Award

Score Requirements

  • Minimum of 2 and maximum of 4 horses in the standings to qualify.

  • Breeders with more than 4 horses to qualify, only points from the top four will be counted.

Eligibility

  • Breeder must be an NCDCTA member

  • Horses in Breeders portfolio have the same requirements as HOY. 

  • Owners, riders and breeders must be active members of NCDCTA, and horse must be registered for the competition year at the time points are earned. 

  • This program will be retroactive for the 2022 Competition Season.  Owners, Riders and Breeders must be active NCDCTA members by September 30, 2022.  Horses must be registered with NCDCTA by September 30, 2022.

Award Determination

Top 2-4 horses in breeders portfolio will be averaged.  For example:

Horse #1 - 80.5%.              Horse #1 - 78%                 Horse #1 - 79%

Horse #2 - 77.7%               Horse #2 - 80.5%              Horse #2 - 69%

Horse #3 - 84%         Or     Average of 79.25%   or    Horse #3 - 80%

Horse #4 - 75%                                                               Horse #4 - 76%

Horse #5 - 70%                                                               Average of 76%

Drop the lowest score (70%)

Average the rest = 79.3%                    

                        

Breeder with the highest average will be awarded the High Point Breeder Award

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