2026 LVDA Schooling Show Series Year-End Awards
Our 2026 program looks quite similar to 2025, with the exception of some changes in Volunteer Hour Requirements.
Any rider may have a parent/friend/etc volunteer with or for them. All of these hours are accrued FOR the rider, these are NOT considered transfer hours.
If you need additional hours at the end of the season, there are three options:
Transfer hours: riders are allowed to transfer up to a total of FOUR hours from
Sponsor or secure a Sponsorship: for example, $250 Sponsorship = 8 volunteer hours (link to Sponsorship Page)
We are continuing our Volunteer Buy-Out Program, $10 for 1 hour with a maximum of 2 hours - this money is donated to the Bucks County Horse Park.
LVDA will be hosting FIVE shows this year, and has many affiliated shows to give our membership more opportunities to get scores for Year-End Awards.
For 2026 Schooling Show Year-End Awards - THERE IS NO APPLICATION PROCESS. As we did in 2025, we're keeping track of all LVDA hosted and affiliated show results, so you can track your progress throughout the year!
LVDA 2025 YEAR-END AWARD SPREADSHEET
2026 LVDA Schooling Show Series Year-End Awards
Year-End Award Criteria
Attend at least 3 shows (2 of which must be LVDA hosted shows)
Obtain 5 scores (3 of which must come from LVDA hosted show)
2 scores must be of the highest test of the level
Eight volunteer hours required for each award
Median of top five eligible scores will be used to calculate placings
School Horse Division
To qualify as a School Horse a horse must be used in lessons and riders leasing horses must have no more than a half-lease (please note, we are using the honor system)
Riders are required to attend two shows - there is no LVDA hosted requirement, any two affiliated shows are sufficient
Riders may have two scores from any test at their level: there is no "highest test" requirement
Any horse/rider combination applying for a School Horse YEA may not apply in any other YEA division (the rider may still apply for Medals, Achievement Ribbons, Dressage Seat Equitation Awards)
Members will be given the opportunity to declare for School Horse Awards at the end of the season; their scores will have been tracked on Year-End Award spreadsheet.
Eight volunteer hours required for each award
USDF Recognized Show Division
Riders for this division will need to send in a copy of their USDF Show Record.
Eight volunteer hours required for each award
Achievement Awards and Dressage Seat Equitation Medals
Achievement Awards, Rider Achievement Awards, and Dressage Seat Equitation Medals remain the same (see below for details).
Eight volunteer hours required for each award
Please note: once a horse and rider pair have been awarded a YEA Champion at Second Level or below, they are no longer eligible for YEA at that level. Third Level and Above, Musical Freestyle, and Western Dressage, are eligible for multiple Year-End Awards.
Questions? Please direct them to Katelyn Krumanocker, thank you!
Year-End Award Details
2026 Schooling Show Year-End Awards:
Riders are required to be members prior to scores counting toward YEA; you may join LVDA at any point in the show year, but only scores achieved after you have joined will count toward YEA.
LINK TO USDF ROSTER - CHECK YOUR STATUS HERE
Divisions will be split: Jr/YR, AA, Open (Open riders not eligible for Intro or Pre-Training divisions). Intro Division will be split age 10 and under if warranted
5 scores from 3 shows are required
Riders must have a minimum of 3 scores from 2 LVDA hosted shows (exceptions for higher levels listed below).
The remaining 2 scores may be from LVDA hosted or affiliated shows.
Riders are required to have 8 Volunteer Hours for each award.
Champion/Reserve and placing to tenth place for each of these levels:
Intro (5 scores, 2 at Intro B)
Pre-Training (5 scores, 2 at Training 1)
Training-Second (5 scores, 2 at the highest test of level)
Third/Fourth (3 scores, 1 at the highest test of level)
FEI (3 scores, TOC)
Musical Freestyle (3 scores)
Western Dressage (5 scores)
Leadline (3 scores, scores do not have to be from an L judge)
FEI Children's and Juniors tests will be equivalized as follows:
- Prelim B Junior 2-1
-Children's Team 2-2
- Children's Individual 2-3
- Junior Team 3-2
- Junior Individual 3-3
Volunteer Hours from LVDA hosted shows will be tracked by LVDA; volunteer hours from Hidden Creek and Heart's Journey will be tracked by Show Managers. For additional volunteer hours with affiliated shows, please contact: Katelyn Krumanocker.
Scores are calculated as follows: Median score of the highest scores (median score must be 60% or above).
School Horse Rider Schooling Show Award
Riders are required to be members prior to scores counting toward YEA; you may join LVDA at any point in the show year, but only scores achieved after you have joined will count toward YEA.
This is a Rider award for Adults and Youth who show School Horses. There is no cross-registration for this division: riders who declare for the School Horse Award category will not be considered in the regular YEA division.
A “School Horse” is defined as a horse that gives lessons; horse may be no more than half-leased by a rider, but may not be owned or full-leased (we will use the honor system).
Riders are required to ride in 2 shows (affiliated or hosted) and have scores from 2 tests. There no requirement for highest test of the level.
Riders are required to have 8 Volunteer Hours for each award.
Champion/Reserve and placing to tenth place for each of these levels:
Intro
Pre-Training
Training and First
Scores are calculated as follows: Average score of two highest scores.
USDF Recognized Show Rider Awards
LVDA Members who show at Recognized Shows may apply for LVDA YEA as follows:
Competition season is November 1, 2025 to Oct 31, 2026
Send in a copy of USDF show record for the year, including 3 shows, 5 scores, 3 different judges, with 2 scores at the highest test of the level (exception: FEI and Musical Freestyle only requires 3 scores)
Riders are required to have 8 Volunteer Hours for each award.
Champion, Reserve, through tenth place will be calculated at each level (Training thru FEI)
Please note: once a horse and rider pair have been awarded a YEA Championship at Second Level or below, they are no longer eligible for YEA at that level. Third Level and Above and Musical Freestyle are eligible for multiple YEA.
Scores are calculated as follows: Median score of highest scores (median score must be 60% or above).
LVDA Achievement Ribbons
There are two ways of receiving an LVDA Achievement Ribbon Award:
An LVDA member can apply for an Achievement Ribbon Award if he or she does not have enough qualifying scores to apply for a Year-End Award (but has sufficient volunteer hours).
An LVDA member will automatically receive an Achievement Ribbon if he or she has otherwise qualified for a Year-End Schooling Show Award and does not place for that award.
If an LVDA member has received a Year-End Award for a specific level, they are no longer eligible to apply for an Achievement Award at that level with the same horse.
Achievement Ribbon Requirements if you need to apply:
Submit one (1) score from any LVDA hosted or registered show:
Intro A/B, Pre-Training, Training through Second Level - minimum score of 60%.
Third Level and Above - minimum score of 58%.
8 Volunteer hours are required for each award.
LVDA Rider Achievement Medals
Bronze Medal: 6 scores at Training Level, 60%+
Silver Medal: 3 scores at First Level and 3 scores at Second Level, 60%+
Gold Medal: 3 scores at Third Level and 3 scores at Fourth Level, 60%+
To be eligible, submit a copy of the front of 6 tests from LVDA hosted or affiliated events, each with the minimum score of 60%. Riders may receive scores on more than one horse, however, each rider may qualify for the award only once.
Riders are required to have 8 Volunteer Hours for each award.
Application deadline: October 31, 2026
Dressage Seat Equitation Medals: for both Youth and Adult Amateurs
Qualifying Requirements:
Scores must be accrued from 2023 to present. Riders can acheive DSE medals once for each level.
Submit 3 scores at each level:
Elementary: 65%
Accomplished: 70%
Elite: 75%
To be eligible, submit three scores from LVDA hosted or affiliated events.
Riders are required to have 8 Volunteer Hours for each award.
Application deadline: October 31, 2025
Header Photo Credit:
2023 Year-End Awards Banquet, Jennifer Peters