HomeAward Information

CSDEA Year End Awards

Recognizing Growth, Commitment, and Achievement in Dressage & Eventing

The Central States Dressage and Eventing Association Year-End Awards program celebrates riders across the Upper Midwest who dedicate their time, energy, and partnership to the sports of dressage and eventing. These awards are designed to recognize progress, consistency, and achievement throughout the competition season.

Whether you’re just starting out or actively competing at higher levels, our awards program is a way to celebrate your journey with your horse and stay connected to a broader community of riders working toward similar goals.

Explore Award Categories & Sign Up for Awards

What Are Year-End Awards?

Year-End Awards recognize the accomplishments, dedication, and progress of riders and horses throughout the competition season across a variety of divisions and levels. Throughout the year, riders accumulate points based on their performance at eligible competition. At the conclusion of the season, those points are tallied to determine award standings, recognizing top-performing horse-and-rider combinations within their respective categories.

But our year-end Awards are about much more than rankings and ribbons. They celebrate the countless hours spent training at home, the lessons learned along the way, and the commitment required to pursue goals both large and small. Every score, every completed test, and every competition experience contributes to a larger journey of growth and development.

For many riders, these awards serve as a meaningful reflection of the progress they've made throughout the year. Whether that progress is winning a championship, achieving a personal best, moving up a level, gaining confidence in the competition arena, or simply enjoying a successful season with a trusted partner, the CSDEA year-end Awards help recognize the effort behind those accomplishments.

How Points Are Earned

Dressage Awards

Dressage Year-End Awards are based on points earned at CSDEA-affiliated competitions. Year-End awards recognize riders and horses for their dedication, consistency, and achievements over the course of the competition season. Whether your goal is to earn a championship title, achieve a personal best, or celebrate a season of growth with your horse, the CSDEA Awards program recognizes the commitment, progress, and partnership that make dressage such a rewarding journey.

To be eligible for Year-End Award standings, scores must be earned at approved CSDEA-affiliated shows. To be CSDEA affiliated, a dressage show must be a USDF recognized show within the CSDEA geographical area of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, or Wisconsin. These competitions are part of the official CSDEA competition network and provide riders with opportunities to accumulate points while competing alongside fellow members throughout the region.

Eventing Awards

Eventing Year-End Awards recognize results earned at United States Eventing Association (USEA) recognized competitions throughout our region ND points earned at CSDEA-affiliated eventing competitions. These affiliated shows play an important role in supporting regional participation and development within the sport. To further encourage engagement within our community, CSDEA-affiliated eventing shows award double points, providing added recognition for riders who choose to compete and grow within our regional network of events.

Year-End awards highlight the consistency, effort, and achievement of horse-and-rider combinations over the course of the season. Whether you're gaining experience, stepping up through the levels, or competing at an established level, the CSDEA Awards program celebrates the progress, partnership, and dedication behind every round and every cross-country effort.

Eligibility & How to Participate

Participating in year-end awards is simple and ensures your results are tracked throughout the completion season.

To sign up and be eligible for awards:

Review the current year’s award rules for dressage and eventing to understand eligibility and requirements
Register your horse-and-rider combination through our online system
Compete in eligible CSDEA-affiliated or recognized shows throughout the season
Track your progress as points accumulate and look forward to celebrating your results at the end of the year

We encourage riders to register early to ensures your results are counted and you can make the most of every qualifying opportunity throughout the year.

Rules & Guidelines

Before registering, please take a moment to review the full award rules to ensure eligibility and understand how points are calculated throughout the season.

These documents outline division structure, eligibility requirements, scoring systems, and additional details that govern the Year-End Awards program.

CSDEA-Affiliated Shows

CSDEA-affiliated shows are a key part of both our awards program and our broader community. These events are officially recognized within the CSDEA system and play an important role in supporting rider development, competition opportunities, and organizational programming throughout the region.

Affiliated shows:

Are recognized competitions within our geographic region
Pay an affiliation fee to support CSDEA programs
Contribute directly to year-end award eligibility

View All Affiliated Shows

Questions?

We’re here to help.

For questions about award rules or eligibility, please contact the Awards Committee Chair:
Heather Salden

For questions about registration, submissions, or technical adjustments after signup, please contact the Web Committee:
Rachel Whitcomb

Past Results

Year-End Awards have been a long-standing part of CSDEA, reflecting years of dedication, progress, and partnership within our community. Each season tells its own story of training at home, learning through challenges, and showing up for each ride with purpose.

These results recognize more than placements; they reflect the commitment of riders, horses, and the broader community that supports them throughout the year. We are proud to celebrate that continued effort across every level of competition.