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VADA State Year End Awards Program
 

General and Volunteer
Requirements 
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Schooling Shows
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Licensed  Shows
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In-Hand/Dressage
Sport Horse Breeding Class
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Special Awards
Applicant Packet Submission
Online

 
Competition Year:
1 December - 30 November

Rider must be current 2024 VADA Chapter Member.

Year End Awards Timetable

Application Deadline

1 December 2024

 

Preliminary Listing of Rider Awards Standing Posted for Review (Published on the VADA website)

12-15 December 2024

 

2024 Final Year End Award Recipients Published

(Published on the VADA website)

16 December 2024

 

Award Recipients Selection of Awards (Published on the VADA website)

16-21 December 2024

 

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The Virginia Dressage Association recognizes rider and horse achievements (schooling and licensed), In-Hand/Dressage Sport Horse Breeding (DSHB), volunteers for their hard work throughout the year at a Chapter and State level, "Trainer of the Year", "The High Score Adult Amateur Award" and "Breed in Virginia" which goes to the rider, not breeder or owner. Other VADA Awards include the "Chapter Volunteer of the Year Award", "Chapter President's Award", and "Chapter Newsletter Editor's Award".

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Applicants complete the online form (link to the right/below) and attach all supporting documents to dressagevada@gmail.com Application and supporting documents must be submitted electronically to Joanne Collins, VADA Year-End Awards.  The deadline for Year-End Awards submission is 1 December 2024.  Riders will receive notification of the receipt of the award package. 

A preliminary listing of rider award standings will be posted around mid-December for review on the VADA website "Year-End Award Recipients and Selection".  The final rider award recipient results will be posted no later than 16 December 2024.

 

Schooling and Licensed Champions/Reserve winners at each level have the opportunity to select the award of their choice.  Awards are personalized with VADA logo and level. The timeframe to select awards is 16-21 December 2024.  

Saddles
Shel Gafford Memorial Award
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"Shel Gafford Memorial Award for "EXCELLENCE IN SPORTSMANSHIP" 

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Travel back 40 years...

In 1983 Shelton Gafford and Why Jump enjoyed a victory gallop at the American Continental Young Riders’ Championship in South Hamilton, Mass., after winning individual gold and team silver in dressage for Region 1. Cappy Jackson Photo

Reprinted from the Chronicle of the Horse

Shel Gafford Timetable

 

Chapter Nomination Submission

7-14 December 2024

 

Slate of Nominations Forward to Chapter Presidents for Review and Selection

16 December 2024

 

Chapter Selectee Submission to Shel Gafford Coordinator, Laura Nelson

15 January 2025

For anyone not fortunate enough to have known Shel, he was not only a gifted horseman and successful competitor but also a truly good sport and dedicated advocate to VADA. Shel was a seasoned competitor, having won the Gold and Silver Individual Medals in his last two years as a Young Rider at the NAYRC. He always rode to win, but never at the expense of his horse or another rider. Rather than “psyching” his fellow competitors, Shel was more likely to offer a helping hand or wish them luck. Furthermore, Shel was a tireless supporter of VADA. He served as President during some of our Association’s most difficult and trying times. It is largely due to his diplomacy and tenacity that VADA exists as it does today.

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It is this spirit of unselfish good sportsmanship and generous volunteerism, which were so much a part of Shel’s nature, that VADA wishes to encourage and reward. If you are aware of a VADA member who is: 

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  • Actively involved in any aspect of competition and/or VADA activities (e.g. rider, owner, trainer, coach, show mom/dad, spouse, offspring, VADA Board Member, VADA volunteer);

  • Who consistently exhibits the characteristics of good sportsmanship and unselfish support of VADA and,

  • Has not received the Shel Gafford award within the past 10 years.

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Nominations should include the following:

  • Nominee's name and Chapter affiliation.

  • Nominator's name.

  • Brief statement (200 words or less) explaining why nominee is deserving of this award.

The slate of nominations will be sent to the President of each Chapter. Chapters MUST report their selections to Laura Nelson at galliard.laura7@gmail.com. The recipient will be notified that he/she will receive an award at the VADA luncheon. The recipient will receive a special award and a check for $250.00. 

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Award Recipients

1995 - Debbie Bowman and Bettina Longaker (CH)
1996 - Ann Edwards (SVDA)
1997 - Nancy Lowey (CH)
1998 - Catherine Sutton (CH)
1999 - Molly Layfield (Cent)
2000 - Marilyn Leonard (SVDA) 
2001 - Alison Head (Nova)
2002 - No Nominations
2003 - No Nominations
2004 - Barbara Ellis (FR)
2005 - Jessie Ginsburg (Nova) 
2006 - Peggy Minnich (FR)
2007 - Janice Mumford (SVDA)
2008 - Robin Dannels (Nova)
2009 - No Nominations
2010 - Sharon Ackley (FR) and Gardy Bloemers (CH)
2011 - Candy Allen (Nova)
2012 - Debbie Marriott (Nova)
2013 - Nicky Vogel (FR)
2014 - Alison Douglas (Cent)
2015 - Barbara Wiefelstede (Cent)
2916 - Robyn Nunnally (SVDA)
2017 - Sherri Booye (CH) and Beth Rippel (SVDA)
2018 - Michelle King (NOVA)
2019 - Bettina Longaker (CH)
2020 - Melyni Worth (CH)
2021 - Nancy Doody (CH)
2022 - Laura Nelson (SWVADA)
2023 - Heather Escobar
2024 - 
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