Special Awards
These awards are in remembrance of MDA members and their horses that were known for their knowledge, experience and dedication to the world of dressage. They worked hard to earn the respect of their clients, trainers, friends, owners and barn members. MDA members in good standing who meet the required criteria are eligible for these awards.
Jean Brown Memorial Award
Criteria amended in 2016
Jean Brown served as the editor of the Midwest Dressage Association newsletter from November 1971 through July 1979. To stop here, however would be committing a disservice to this tireless worker on behalf of dressage. "No" was not a word in her vocabulary. Following her untimely death, Jean's family chose to honor her name. A perpetual trophy to be awarded annually to individuals for distinguished service to the Midwest Dressage Community.
This award is intended to recognize the invaluable contributions of our active members who graciously volunteer their time and skills to support the Midwest Dressage Association and its activities. To honor Jean's memory and her distinguished service, this award will be presented annually to the MDA member who has the greatest number of recorded volunteer hours in the current year.
Criteria amended in 2016
Jean Brown served as the editor of the Midwest Dressage Association newsletter from November 1971 through July 1979. To stop here, however would be committing a disservice to this tireless worker on behalf of dressage. "No" was not a word in her vocabulary. Following her untimely death, Jean's family chose to honor her name. A perpetual trophy to be awarded annually to individuals for distinguished service to the Midwest Dressage Community.
This award is intended to recognize the invaluable contributions of our active members who graciously volunteer their time and skills to support the Midwest Dressage Association and its activities. To honor Jean's memory and her distinguished service, this award will be presented annually to the MDA member who has the greatest number of recorded volunteer hours in the current year.
- The volunteer must be a member in good standing with the Midwest Dressage Association to earn credited hours that are applied towards this award.
- Examples of eligible volunteer hours include volunteering to staff MDA booths at Expos, horse shows, and other events, participating in the operations of any MDA committee's function, volunteering to MDA events, and other activities that the Board determines are necessary to the functioning of the organization.
- This award will be presented to the MDA member who has the highest number of documented volunteer hours in the current year.
- For the purposes of this award, the year begins September 1st of the preceding year and ends on October 1st of the current year.
- No member may earn this award more than once during a five-year cycle.
- No MDA officer or Board of Director member is eligible for this award while they are actively on the board.
- In the future there may be a required minimum number of hours to be eligible for consideration.
Vi Hopkins Trophy
This trophy was donated by Chris Snow in 2003 to honor Ms. Violet Hopkins for the significant role she played in the development and growth of the sport of dressage not only here in Michigan but across the country. Vi was a longtime dressage enthusiast, charter member of the MDA, judge and instructor who has served the dressage community in many capacities. Many of today's top dressage professionals were brought along via her unyielding commitment to the classical training of both horse and rider. She generously established a trust fund for the endowment of the USDF/Hopkins Dressage Seminar for instructor's that eventually evolved into the USDF Dressage Symposiums. The annual instructor's symposium that included lectures, mounted sessions and demonstrations was held at Ms. Hopkins' Tristan Oaks Farm in Union Lake, Michigan.
Internationally known instructors including Major Andres Lindgren of Sweden and Sally Swift of the United States made up the prestigious panel of instructors.
The Vi Hopkins Trophy is presented annually to the MDA Adult Amateur Training Level rider who has the highest average percentage from scores ridden in recognized competitions. This award can only be won once by the same horse and rider combination.
This trophy was donated by Chris Snow in 2003 to honor Ms. Violet Hopkins for the significant role she played in the development and growth of the sport of dressage not only here in Michigan but across the country. Vi was a longtime dressage enthusiast, charter member of the MDA, judge and instructor who has served the dressage community in many capacities. Many of today's top dressage professionals were brought along via her unyielding commitment to the classical training of both horse and rider. She generously established a trust fund for the endowment of the USDF/Hopkins Dressage Seminar for instructor's that eventually evolved into the USDF Dressage Symposiums. The annual instructor's symposium that included lectures, mounted sessions and demonstrations was held at Ms. Hopkins' Tristan Oaks Farm in Union Lake, Michigan.
Internationally known instructors including Major Andres Lindgren of Sweden and Sally Swift of the United States made up the prestigious panel of instructors.
The Vi Hopkins Trophy is presented annually to the MDA Adult Amateur Training Level rider who has the highest average percentage from scores ridden in recognized competitions. This award can only be won once by the same horse and rider combination.
Rosemary Herman Memorial Award
This award has been created in memory of Ms. Rosemary Herman who passed away in December 2010. Rosemary was one of the founding members of the Midwest Dressage Association and served as its first Treasurer. She was on many subsequent boards and served as Vice President and as Chairman of the Rules Committee. She became an American Horse Show Association steward in 1966 and later became a Technical Delegate in 1973 which fit into her interest in rules for organization and competitions. She strongly believed in this calling because as she stated, "There was a need because so many people seem uninformed about the rules." We will always have memories of her sitting at the Win-A-Gin Farms "In Gate" snack bar during the MDA Schooling Shows with a smile on her face enjoying every minute of the competition.
This award will be presented annually to a Midwest Dressage Association member and will be determined by the following criteria:
This award has been created in memory of Ms. Rosemary Herman who passed away in December 2010. Rosemary was one of the founding members of the Midwest Dressage Association and served as its first Treasurer. She was on many subsequent boards and served as Vice President and as Chairman of the Rules Committee. She became an American Horse Show Association steward in 1966 and later became a Technical Delegate in 1973 which fit into her interest in rules for organization and competitions. She strongly believed in this calling because as she stated, "There was a need because so many people seem uninformed about the rules." We will always have memories of her sitting at the Win-A-Gin Farms "In Gate" snack bar during the MDA Schooling Shows with a smile on her face enjoying every minute of the competition.
This award will be presented annually to a Midwest Dressage Association member and will be determined by the following criteria:
- A MDA member during the year for which the award is given
- A rider at least 50 years of age (as of January 1 of the award year)
- Test scores achieved from October 1st through September 31st
- Determined by averaging the three highest scores, from three different judges, from three participating dressage schooling shows on separate dates.
- If a tie occurs, the award will be given to the individual with the highest single score.
- Scores may be earned at any level (final average percentage to be determined by using a "weighting factor" of 1% added to the average score as level increases.
- Award is given only once to the same horse and rider combination at a given level.
Sonet Award
This perpetual frame and cash award is given to the Adult Amateur rider who has the highest average percentage from scores, First through Fourth levels, from MDA participating dressage schooling shows or recognized competitions. The cash award is to be used for continued education.
This trophy was sponsored by a MDA rider in honor of her late dressage mount "Sonet". His owner state, "He was a great friend who allowed me to train and ride through Grand Prix and save my life." Sonet lived to the age of 37.
This perpetual frame and cash award is given to the Adult Amateur rider who has the highest average percentage from scores, First through Fourth levels, from MDA participating dressage schooling shows or recognized competitions. The cash award is to be used for continued education.
This trophy was sponsored by a MDA rider in honor of her late dressage mount "Sonet". His owner state, "He was a great friend who allowed me to train and ride through Grand Prix and save my life." Sonet lived to the age of 37.
Encore Award
Awarded annually to the OTTB with the highest cumulative average percentage at the end of the competition season, October 1 through Sept 30
Awarded annually to the OTTB with the highest cumulative average percentage at the end of the competition season, October 1 through Sept 30
- Riders will need to complete and send in a completed Encore Award Application. They should be mailed/emailed to the Awards Chairperson. Applications can also be sent electronically. Scores will not be tracked until application has been received, reviewed and verified. It is suggested that the application be sent in early in the season.
- Scores from either "Participating Schooling Shows" or "Recognized Shows" may be used.
- Scores tabulated, must be all from the same type of show -Participating"/Recognized.
- Scores from Schooling "Participating "Shows and Recognized Shows cannot be combined.
- Scores from each type of show will be weighted equally.
- All scores regardless of the level must be higher than 58.000% to be used
- All levels from Intro to Grand Prix may apply.
- If enough applicants, sponsor will provide Reserve and Honorable Mention awards.
- The applicant must provide a copy of the horses' Jockey Club papers, lip tattoo or Jockey Club name that can be verified through the registry.
- The rider must be a current MDA member in good standing during the time that the scores were earned.
- A Rider cannot win the award twice on the same horse.
- A rider can win the award again if the scores earned were on a different horse.
- Score requirements that will be tabulated:
- Levels Introductory through 4th must have one (1) score from the highest test of that level, i.e. Test C, Test 3. etc.
- Scores from these levels must be a minimum of 58.000%
- Levels Prix St. George, Intermediate I & II, Intermediate A & B, Grand Prix & Grand Prix Special are one test levels. All tests scored will qualify.
- Three (3) scores from three (3) shows held on three (3) different dates
- The three (3) scores used must also be ridden under three (3) different judges.
- Scores from Equitation, WDAA (western dressage), Freestyles, and Hor Concur rides/classes will not be used.
Midwest Dressage Association Life Members
Section 1 - Purpose
To recognize and honor those individuals who in years past have shown a lifetime of dedication to the dressage community with distinguished service to the Midwest Dressage Association.
Section 2 - Nominations
Nominations shall be made by the general membership. Candidates will not be limited to riders, trainers, and instructors, as there are many instances of substantial contributions to dressage and the MDA by persons who have competed in the show ring. Consent of the nominees must be obtained.
Section 3 - Voting
Voting for the recipients shall be determined by a simple majority vote of the Board of Directors.
Section 4 - Notifications
This recognition may be made annually, if the Board of Directors determines that worthy candidates are available.
The recipient(s) shall be notified by mail or in person.
Section 5 - Benefits
Recipients will be given Life Membership status, which entitles them to be members in good standing for the rest of their natural lives.
Recipients of the Life Member Status
Gabor Foltenyi (deceased)
Lillian Zimmerman (deceased)
Maryal Barnett
Sue Hughes
Rosemary Herman (deceased)
Carolyn Van Cice (deceased)
Tom Bird
Dallas Bradbury
To recognize and honor those individuals who in years past have shown a lifetime of dedication to the dressage community with distinguished service to the Midwest Dressage Association.
Section 2 - Nominations
Nominations shall be made by the general membership. Candidates will not be limited to riders, trainers, and instructors, as there are many instances of substantial contributions to dressage and the MDA by persons who have competed in the show ring. Consent of the nominees must be obtained.
Section 3 - Voting
Voting for the recipients shall be determined by a simple majority vote of the Board of Directors.
Section 4 - Notifications
This recognition may be made annually, if the Board of Directors determines that worthy candidates are available.
The recipient(s) shall be notified by mail or in person.
Section 5 - Benefits
Recipients will be given Life Membership status, which entitles them to be members in good standing for the rest of their natural lives.
- Dues will no longer be expected or accepted from Life Members.
- Life Members are free to attend any and all clinics, seminars, Annual Banquets and Meeting as a guest of the MDA.
- Life Members shall receive monthly copies of the MDA newsletter.
- Life Members shall receive specially designed membership cards.
Recipients of the Life Member Status
Gabor Foltenyi (deceased)
Lillian Zimmerman (deceased)
Maryal Barnett
Sue Hughes
Rosemary Herman (deceased)
Carolyn Van Cice (deceased)
Tom Bird
Dallas Bradbury
