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WDAA Year End High Point Program Rules YEHP

Updated March 2026

Free to all active WDAA members and enrolled horses

Objective: To reward Western Dressage horses for their performance across various classes throughout the competition year, encouraging broader and more competitive participation in WDAA-recognized shows.

Effective Period: 2026 competition year (January 1st) through December 31st of each year, resetting annually.

WDAA Championships and Regions Information

Point Allocation

  • Based on Entries: Points are awarded based on class placing and the number of entries in each class and division. The horse placing first receives points equal to the number of entries, up to a maximum of ten points. Eliminations, Excusals, or Scratches are not counted in the total entries.
  • Based on Placing: Points are awarded based on class placement, starting with the highest for first place and decreasing by one point for each subsequent position. For example, in a competition with ten participants, the first place receives 10 points, second place receives 9 points, continuing down to 1 point for the tenth place.
  • Online Shows Adjustment: Points for online shows earn half points to account for the differing competitive environment.
  • WDAA Online International Challenge is hosted by WDAA and earns full points for YEHP.

Eligibility

  • Points can only be accrued at WDAA-recognized shows.
  • Horses must be linked to an active WDAA membership (Owner and Exhibitor) and have a registered WDAA Horse Number (free from WDAA) or WHLPAP Number. Points begin accumulating only after the horse’s WDAA enrollment date. Results from before membership activation and horse enrollment are not eligible for YEHP or IYEHP.
  • All Exhibitors must have an active WDAA membership.
  • Show management must submit official WDAA show results with required information to WDAA for YEHP points to be applied within 14 days of the show.

Award Categories

Determined by country of WDAA registered horse owner

  • United States Program – YEHP
  • International Program – IYEHP

Award recipients will be grouped by Level and Division as follows:

Awards

Award Certificate to the top 10 placings in each Level – Division Digital commemorative certificate sent by email

Optional Award Buckle available for purchase February 2027 for winners:  A portion of proceeds funds 2026 Point Program Enhancements

WDAA Dressage Tests and Freestyles

  • Introductory Level, Basic Level, Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 Level 4 and Level 5 ❖ Junior ❖ Amateur ❖ Open
  • Gaited Horse All Levels ❖ Gaited Amateur ❖ Gaited Junior ❖ Gaited Open
  • Exceptional Rider ❖ Physically Challenged ❖ Therapeutic Rider

Freestyle tests are not awarded in separate divisions. They are scored and placed within the corresponding standard WDAA Dressage level, alongside regular level tests. No dedicated freestyle divisions are currently offered.

Rail Classes and Patterns

  • Suitability, Hack, Equitation on the Rail Classes, Western Dressage Seat Equitation Pattern Classes
    • Hack ❖ Junior ❖ Amateur ❖ Open ❖ Gaited Amateur ❖ Gaited Junior ❖ Gaited Open
    • Suitability ❖ Junior ❖ Amateur ❖ Open ❖ Gaited Amateur ❖ Gaited Junior ❖ Gaited Open
    • Equitation on the Rail  Walk-Jog ❖ Junior ❖ Amateur ❖ Open ❖ Gaited Amateur ❖ Gaited Junior ❖ Gaited Open
    • Equitation on the Rail  Walk-Jog-Lope ❖ Junior ❖ Amateur ❖ Open ❖ Gaited Amateur ❖ Gaited Junior ❖ Gaited Open
    • Horsemanship Levels: Walk | Walk-Jog-Lope | Intermediate | Advanced ❖ Junior ❖ Amateur ❖ Open ❖ Gaited Amateur ❖ Gaited Junior ❖ Gaited Open

For Show Management

How We Assign Points from Your Results WDAA pulls key data from your official show results to calculate YEHP points:

  • WDAA Horse & Rider Numbers
  • Class Number
  • Class Title
  • Level & Division (If no division is specified for a class/placing group, it will be assigned as OPEN.)
  • Placing (or scores to determine it)
  • Eligible Entries (completed, scored rides only—include results for scratches, eliminations, excusals and withdrawals but do not include in class total entries count.)
  • Classes that combine placing Amateur or Juniors with Open Riders will be applied as OPEN points.

Exception: We offer an Amateur/Junior combined division where points are assigned based on the rider’s reported status (Amateur or Junior). 

Critical: WDAA Recognized Shows that do not submit official show results data to WDAA will not be eligible for WDAA Point Programs including YEHP.

Full submission requirements and data specs: WDAA Show Recognition Rules Results must be submitted to WDAA within 14 days of the show end date.

WDAA Year-End High Point Program (YEHP) Eligibility Note All 2025 show results must be received by WDAA no later than January 15, 2026 to count toward 2025 YEHP awards. YEHP processing begins January 20, 2026. Results submitted after January 15, 2026 will not be eligible for the 2025 program.

Awards Presentation

Tie Breaking

  • Ties broken only for Champion and Reserve Champion (1st & 2nd places) in each Level/Division
  • Tiebreaker order:
    1. Most shows participated in
    2. Most 1st-place scores, then 2nd, and so on
    3. Earliest WDAA Horse Enrollment Date(earlier date wins)
  • Places 3–10: Ties stand. No tiebreak.

How Points Are Calculated

WDAA software applies points from official results submitted from WDAA recognized shows. Results must be submitted within 14 days of the show end. Points are typically posted on the website within 2–4 weeks after receipt. WDAA is not responsible for any errors or omissions in results data.

Official Results & Compliance Review

WDAA reserves the right to review and adjust submitted results to ensure alignment with recognition standards and program rules. Adjustments maintain fairness and accuracy across all programs.

YEHP FAQ