Discipline-based Performance Awards - Most Performance Awards are awarded by discipline (known as a CATEGORY) and then by multiple DIVISIONS within each category. Divisions may be based on jump height, type of competition, level and/or Zone (see below for Zones). For a list of all categories and divisions, click here.
- Category and division is based on the class actually competed.
- CHECK YOUR DIVISIONS AND ZONES CAREFULLY - ANY POINTS IN THE WRONG DIVISION MAY NOT BE COUNTED.
- Each class placing is eligible for one Category/Division only.
A few notes on divisions and categories:
- Jump Heights: For Hunter and Jumper classes and divisions, select the division according to the height actually jumped. CHECK DIVISION HEIGHTS CAREFULLY!
- Hunters:The over fences and under saddle classes in a Hunter division must be included in the Hunter category, along with any division placement. If you only participate in the under saddle class, you may opt to include that in English Pleasure instead, but in no event should a division be split between two categories.
- English Pleasure may include any flat class in English tack judging the horse, including pleasure classes, hack classes, and command classes, as well as pleasure classes with jumps and Hunter Pleasure classes without jumps and not otherwise part of a Hunter Division.
- Equitation classes are only eligible for the Equitation division (this includes equitation medal classes) UNLESS the equitation class is part of a hunter or pleasure division, in which case it may be included with the rest of the classes in that division in the appropriate category.
- Dressage Equitation may be included as "Dressage - Other" if a score is given for the horse's performance. If no score is awarded, the Dressage Equitation class should be included under the Equitation Category.
- Western Equitation should be included in the Equitation category.
- The General category is only for classes and disciplines that do not fit in another category. Examples of disciplines to include in the General category include: leadline, side saddle, working equitation, mounted archery, hunter pace, paper chase, liberty and trick training.
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- Examples of classes that should NOT be included in the General category are any eventing, dressage, hunter, or pleasure-type classes.
- Eventing, CT and Eventing Derbies:
- Hybrid divisions (T/N, P/T, etc.) can be included in either of the included divisions, but not both.
- Any level below Beginner Novice should be entered as Pre-BN. This includes Amoeba, Tadpole, Green as Grass, Goldilocks, Elementary, Intro, Starter, etc.. They should NOT be included in Eventing – Other.
- YEH/FEH/NEH should be included as "Eventing - Other".
- Eventing Derbies and Combined Tests should be placed under the applicable Eventing level (e.g., Modified Eventing Derby is Eventing - Modified)
- In Hand: Any class shown with the horse in hand is only eligible for the Halter/Model/In Hand category, except for 6 feet on the ground classes where a score is given for the horse's performance. 6 feet on the ground classes where a score is given may be included in the Dressage-Other Division. If no score is awarded, 6 feet on the ground classes should be included under the Halter/Model/In Hand Category.
- Trail: Under saddle trail classes at shows must be included in the "Western - Trail" Division, regardless of tack. In-Hand trail classes at shows may be included in the Trail Division, or the In Hand Division, but not both.
- All Games (mounted games, gymkhana, flags, poles, key hole, stake race, etc.) must be included in "Western - Games" Division, regardless of tack.
Junior Rider – Junior Rider Awards will be offered in the categories listed below (Champion and Reserve Champion awarded). Riders 18 or under as of January 1 of the Performance Award year are eligible for the Junior Rider Awards. To apply for the Junior Rider Award, you must include the rider’s date of birth on the hardcopy form or in the online system. If multiple riders rode the horse, each Junior Rider’s Performance Award Application must be submitted by itself on one hard copy form with the rider's date of birth so the appropriate points can be counted for that rider. If multiple horses are included for the Junior Rider Award, fill out one form for each horse and indicate that the Junior Rider is applying with multiple horses.
- Dressage
- In Hand and General (points combined)
- English Pleasure
- Equitation
- Eventing/CT
- Hunter
- Jumper
- Western
- Western Dressage
- Endurance/Obstacle Mileage
Hunter – Amateur Owner (All heights) – This award is for Amateur Owner riders and is calculated based on points earned in Hunter classes only when the horse is owned and ridden by the Amateur Owner or an amateur member of the owner’s immediate family. Leased horses are not eligible. Equitation, jumper and English pleasure classes do not count toward this award. To apply for this award in the online system, enter your results in the appropriate hunter division by height then (i) mail or email a printout of your results with the cover page indicating which classes should be included for Amateur Owner OR (ii) submit a duplicate result entry online with a division of Amateur Owner. Beginning in 2023, the AO Hunter award will be offered in Zones.
Zones – Where indicated, some awards are offered in Zones as follows based on the submitting owner’s or rider’s state of residence:
- East – Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia and Puerto Rico
- Central – Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin, and Ontario, Quebec, Atlantic Provinces
- West – Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming, Washington, and Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia
State Bred or Residing Awards – Awards based on the horse’s state bred or state of residence may be available if sponsored by the state breeders’ organization or another organization. Awards will be calculated based on all points for eligible horses unless otherwise requested by the sponsor.
Thoroughbred Charities of America Green OTTB Categories and Divisions – These awards are for horses that raced in the three years prior to the awards year. Calculated from all eligible entries.Sponsored by Thoroughbred Charities of America.
TAA Accredited Organization Adoptee Award – This award is for horses adopted from a Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Accredited Organization. All points count toward award. Please check thoroughbredaftercare.org to see if the organization is TAA accredited. You must report the adoption organization on the form or online. Adoption will be verified. Horses obtained through a listing service are not eligible. Sponsored by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.