ASHA Youth Awards
The American Saddlebred’s style, good looks and reliable disposition have long made him a popular choice for children and youth. For more than a century, small children have taken their first riding lessons on Saddlebreds, soon competed on Saddlebreds in a variety of disciplines, and remained devoted to the breed for a lifetime. It is no accident that many of today’s breeders, trainers and owners are second-, third-, fourth- and fifth-generation American Saddlebred devotees.
The American Saddlebred Horse Association has developed a number of youth awards that are designed to increase participation, encourage good sportsmanship and allow youth to enjoy competing with Saddlebred enthusiasts.
Academy Awards Program
The American Saddlebred Horse Association Academy Awards program encourages and recognizes juveniles and adults participating in academy classes at horse shows throughout the country. Academy classes create an opportunity for beginning saddle seat riders to develop and fine-tune their horsemanship skills, sportsmanship, and appreciation for the American Saddlebred.
An Academy class is any class offered at a local tournament in which two or more stables are participating, or any class at an open show that is designated "academy." Participants compete on horses designated as school horses, or horses that are regularly used in riding lesson program instruction. Acceptable riding attire is jodhpurs or dark pants, boots and dress shirt or a sweatshirt bearing the stable’s logo. Riding suits are unacceptable, and hard hats are optional.
Academy Awards Rules
- Points accumulate between October 1 and September 30 of each year and are tabulated by riding instructors. Points are kept on an official point sheet and must be signed by BOTH the rider and the instructor or youth club advisor.
- The point sheets are to be sent to ASHA by October 31 of the award year for verification.
- One (1) point is given for participating in an academy riding or driving class. One (1) point is given for placing 2nd – 8th in an academy riding or driving class. Two (2) points are given for placing 1st in an academy riding or driving class.
- ASHA membership is required in order for the points to count.
- A bronze medallion will be awarded for earning 15 points in the first year of competition, a silver medallion for 15 points in the second consecutive year, and a gold for 15 points in the third consecutive year.
- Download the ASHA Academy Award Official Points Report
ASHA Academy Master Medal Award
ASHA is proud to offer this award, which goes beyond the ASHA Academy Awards program. After participants in the Academy Awards Medal Program attain their first gold medal, they then have the option to continue with the Academy Awards program by earning gold medals on a yearly basis or enter the Academy Master Medal Awards Program, which encourages participation in promotion, education, and continued involvement with the American Saddlebred.
ASHA Master Medal Activity Report
Download the Master Medal Activity Report.
The Frank Ogletree Youth Award
The Frank Ogletree Youth Award honors ASHA Youth Members who have exhibited a true sportsmanlike attitude throughout their show careers. All nominations must be in writing and include a brief description of why you feel this person qualifies for the award. The deadline for submissions is November 30.
Showmanship at Halter
Showmanship at Halter, an official ASHA Youth Program, is designed to give junior exhibitors the opportunity to exhibit a well-groomed and properly fitted horse from the ground. The skills associated with Showmanship are designed to teach exhibitors overall horsemanship, safety and sportsmanship, as they focus on results through control, proper form, attention and style.
Awards will be presented to a National High-Point Winner and High-Point Regional Champions. The National High-Point Winner will receive a plaque from ASHA and an award donated by Bonny and Shannon Koffler of Spring Grove,Illinois, and will be awarded at the ASHA Youth Conference. The High-Point Regional Champions will receive a plaque, and those placing first through sixth will receive ribbons.
Download the Rules and point-keeping form.
ASHA/USPC Annual Awards Program
Areas in which participants can earn points include: Attending USPC lessons, clinics or preps Participating in USPC Rallies or Championships. Remind your Pony Club friends who ride American Saddlebred or Half-Saddlebred Horses to register for this exciting program. Download the ASHA/USPC Annual Awards Program.
