2026 Rookie of the Year Award Program
The WDAGA Rookie of the Year Awards Program was created to honor WDAGA members in their first year showing Western Dressage EVER. We recognize a Rookie Youth and a Rookie Amateur at our Year End Awards Banquet. This award is to encourage new people to participate in our sport. The rules are simple, and there is no fee to enter. The Rookie of the Year Award applies only to Live (In Person) shows held in Georgia or at the Tri-State Exhibition Center in McDonald, TN.
1. You must be a current WDAA and WDAGA member.
2. It must be your first year showing Western Dressage and you must never have competed and received a Western Dressage Score in a live or a virtual show. You must check the box stating that you certify to be a first-year rider in Western Dressage as an Amateur or Youth.
3. The award is based on the rider only regardless of what horse is shown.
4. There is an enrollment form for the Rookie Award but no annual fee for this award.
6. You must ride in at least 8 tests under 2 different judges “L” or higher English judges, or a USEF licensed WD “r” or “R” judge.
7. Participants will turn in their top 8 scores from at least 2 separate judges AFTER THEIR FINAL SHOW OF THE 2026 SHOW YEAR but prior to November 15, 2026.
(A) Each submission must include the following information: name and date of show, judge’s signature and the score (the lower half on the backside of your test should include all this information).
(B) All scores must be turned in by November 15, 2026 to count toward our year-end banquet held at a date determined by the officers. The awards year runs from December 1, 2025 to November 30th, 2026. You can submit scores earned in qualifying shows from December 2025 as long as you were a WDAGA member in good standing at that time.
8. You can enter the Rookie program anytime prior to November 15, 2026, but only tests ridden after you’ve registered to be in the Rookie program will count toward year-end calculations.
Tests should be submitted to wdagahighpoint@yahoo.com.
