WDAA Horse Lifetime Points & Awards Program Rules

Rules in Effect as of January 2025

ELIGIBILITY & ENROLLMENT

Participation in the WHLPAP requires current WDAA membership for both the horse owner and all exhibitors.
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• Eligibility: Open to all horses, ponies, and mules, regardless of breed, type, or age.
• Enrollment Requirements:
  • Submission of a Horse Lifetime Enrollment Form.
  • A one-time enrollment fee of $100 (non-refundable).
• Deadlines: To qualify for the current season’s awards presentation, enrollment must be completed by July 1st.
• Participants must be WDAA members in good standing (membership dues are current, and there are no compliance issues).

EARNING POINTS

• Points can only be earned at WDAA Recognized Shows judged by USEF-licensed Western Dressage judges:
  • “r” Judges: Approved for Intro, Basic, and Level 1 tests, as well as Suitability, Hack, and Equitation rail classes.
  • “R” Judges: Approved for all levels of tests and rail classes.
  • L Graduates: Not eligible to judge WDAA Recognized Shows.

ELIGIBLE COMPETITIONS

• WDAA Recognized Shows, including:
  • Online shows recognized by WDAA
  • Live shows recognized by WDAA
  • WDAA-USEF Licensed Shows
  • WDAA-hosted shows, such as:
    • WDAA Online International Challenge
    • WDAA Western Dressage World Championship Show

POINT ACCUMULATION

• Points can be earned by multiple exhibitors for the same horse, provided all exhibitors are current WDAA members.
• Points are cumulative and do not need to be earned in a single competition year.
• Points are calculated within the WDAA Points system for:
  • WDAA Tests
  • Rail Classes
  • Western Dressage Seat Equitation Patterns
• The Point Calculation Charts display the actual earned points based on show type (e.g., live, online, WDAA-USEF Licensed Shows, or World Championship).
  View the Point Calculation Charts

IMPORTANT POINT RULES

• Minimum Test Score: Points cannot be earned for scores below 60%.
• Rail Classes and Patterns Placement Limit: No points will be awarded for:
  • Classes with fewer than three competitors.
  • Please see the Rail and Equitation Class Calculation page for point calculations based on placing for Rail and Equitation classes.

Points Awarded by Show Type

• 0.5 points are awarded for Online Shows
• Single Points earned at WDAA Live Shows
• 1.5 Points: Earned only at the WDAA Online International Challenge.
• Double Points: Earned at WDAA-USEF Licensed Shows when judged by a current USEF-licensed Western Dressage judge.
• Triple Points: Earned only at the WDAA Western Dressage World Championship Show.

POINTS SUBMISSION RULES

Previous Year Points: Previous competition years from 2025 onward are available for purchase via Smart Points.

• • Pay all Applicable fees.
  • Submit An Annual Recording Form and fee for the specific competition year.
• Horse Transfers: If a horse is sold, its points stay with the horse. Submit an Update Horse Information Form with the required fee.

SUBMISSION DEADLINES

• Awards Banquet Eligibility: Horses must be WHLPAP enrolled by July 1st. Achievements must be earned by July 31st of the current year.
• Annual Recordings and Point Submissions must also be approved by July 31st.
• Points submission approval depends on competition management providing official show results data.

ADDITIONAL PROGRAM DETAILS

Official Show Results

Points are awarded based on official show results provided by competition management. This includes verified digital results and post-show reporting requirements.

Dispute Resolution

Disputes related to WHLPAP point calculations or eligibility must be submitted within 30 days of notification and include all relevant documentation.

Inactive Membership

If a participant’s membership lapses, the horse’s enrollment and accumulated points will be considered inactive until the membership is renewed.

Awards Presentation

Awards will be presented at the annual Awards Banquet during the WDAA World Championship Show. Participants unable to attend may request shipping for physical awards. Awards will ship late September – October.

Refund Policy

Enrollment fees are non-refundable, except in cases of administrative error.

Program Updates

Program rules, fees, or deadlines may be updated annually. Participants will be notified of any changes via the WDAA website or email.

Participant Responsibility

Participants are responsible for ensuring the accuracy of their submissions. Incomplete or incorrect submissions may result in delays or disqualification.