RECOGNITION & AWARDS
Annual Banquet
Each year an Annual Awards Banquet is held to honor and recognize outstanding youth for their accomplishments in the prior year.
Personal invitations are sent to all youth placing in the year-end top ten in any class, and/or versatility competition. Any youth who may be receiving his/her youth Superior Achievement Award is also invited. Though invitations are mailed to the specifically aforementioned people, all members of the AYA are welcome (and encouraged) to attend the annual youth awards banquet.
The Year End Youth Awards Banquet will take place in conjunction with the Youth World Show. To purchase tickets, or find out more contact (208) 882-5578 ext. 224.
Certificate of Recognition
The Certificate of Recognition is awarded to deserving youth for outstanding accomplishments using an Appaloosa Horse.
The accomplishments should be of major importance, indicating proficiency in such areas as promotion of the breed, education, social activities, leadership, and community service.
Nominations must be made by someone other than the youth themselves or his or her parents.
Honor of Merit
The Honor of Merit award is open to individuals who have previously been awarded the Certificate of Recognition.
It was designed for a limited number of youth who have progressed far beyond the average and who have obtained the highest degree of horsemanship. The recipients of this award shall have displayed outstanding leadership, sportsmanship, promotion of the Appaloosa breed and character development as well as accomplishments in the show ring. Applicants must be nominated by a Regional Club.
Year-End Exhibitor Awards
There are a variety of awards and recognitions youth can work toward each year including:
- High Point Youth Awards: The person earning the most national points in each of the youth events during one year is named the year’s high point youth for that event.
- Youth Achievement Roll: The person must win at least 30 points with a minimum of 10 points having been earned in each of at least two categories of performance. This is a point-accumulative award over the lifetime of the individual as a youth competitor.
- Youth Achievement Award: Fifty points are to be earned for this award, with points accumulated in five or more shows under five or more different judges. Of the 50 points, a minimum of 10 must be earned in Showmanship at Halter, a minimum of 20 in performance events, with a minimum of 10 having been earned in each of at least two categories of performance. The remaining 20 points may be earned in elective youth activity events. This is a points-accumulative award over the lifetime of the individual as a youth competitor.
- Youth Achievement Champion: To receive this award, 175 points are to be earned in a minimum of five shows under a minimum of five judges. Of the 175 points, a minimum of 35 points must be earned in Showmanship at Halter, a minimum of 70 points must be earned in performance classes, with a minimum of 18 points earned in each of three categories other than showmanship. The remaining 70 points may be won in elective youth activity events. This is a point-accumulative award over the lifetime of the individual as a youth competitor.
- Youth Superior Achievement Champion: For this award, 350 points are to be earned in a minimum of five shows under a minimum of five judges. Of the 350 points, a minimum of 105 points must be earned in Showmanship at Halter, a minimum of 140 points must be earned in performance classes, with a minimum of 35 points earned in each of three categories other than showmanship. The remaining 105 points may be won in elective youth activity events. This is an accumulative award over the lifetime of the individual as a youth competitor.
- Youth Versatility Award: A year-end award is given to the youth who earns the most points with one horse in youth activity events in each of the three age divisions excluding Novice classes. Points must have been earned in both showmanship and performance with a minimum of five points earned in the lowest division.
Horse Awards
AYA’s year end horse awards recognize the outstanding achievements of individual mounts in competition. The awards presented each year include:
- Youth Horse Register of Merit: Horses must earn at least 10 points in youth performance and halter classes excluding showmanship and all equitation classes. Five points must be earned under three or more judges.
- Youth Champion Horse: A horse must earn 50 points with at least 15 of these earned in halter and at least 35 points in at least three different performance classes. At least 10 of the halter points and 10 of the performance points must be earned under three or more judges.
- Youth Superior Event Horse: A horse must earn 50 points in a youth halter or performance class.
- Youth Versatility Champion Horse: A horse must earn five youth ROM’s.
- Youth Supreme Champion Horse: A horse must earn at least 100 points, with at least 30 points earned in halter classes and at least 70 points earned in performance classes. No more than 10 points can be from one performance class, and the horse must have at least one ROM in each of four categories of performance classes. A minimum of five different judges is required.
