Sport Horse Awards Programs
Showing an American Saddlebred or Half Saddlebred?
The American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association (ASHBA) offers Sport Horse High Point Awards for horses registered with the ASHBA or with the Half American Saddlebred Registry (HASRA).
Wing Tempo Award
An American Saddlebred or Half-American Saddlebred receiving the Wing Tempo Award has achieved excellence of the highest order in disciplines and venues not typically considered within the standard breed show structure. This award is a recognition of a lifetime of achievement / extraordinary accomplishment in the horse’s chosen discipline(s).
For more information visit Wing Tempo Award.
Saddlebred Record Sport Horse Champion (CH-SH)
CH-SH is a champion program for American Saddlebred and Half Saddlebred Sport Horses. The current program includes Dressage, Endurance and Eventing. In addition, any winner past or future of the Wing Tempo Award, will automatically be awarded their own CH-SH.
The forms below can be completed electronically by saving the file and then submitting by email to competitions@saddlebred.com or printed and faxed to (859) 259-1628 or mailed to ASHBA, 4083 Wing Commander Way, Suite 50, Lexington, KY 40511.
High Point Awards Program
The High Point Awards Programs seeks to recognize the achievements of all horses registered with the American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association competing in all disciplines at all levels. Additional goals include:
- Improve competition opportunities for every Saddlebred owner
- Provide incentives for additional registrations and transfers
- Identify and attract new members
Please review the full rules and program guidelines, and FAQ, for more information:
American Saddlebred Select
American Saddlebred Select strives to acknowledge and honor the achievements of registered American Saddlebred horses in all recognized competitive events. Points are earned at competitions approved by an organization regarded as the national or international sanctioning group for that equine activity in divisions recognized by that organization.
Horses enrolled in the program earn points toward three levels of achievement: bronze, silver and gold. There are four different sections of competition where points may be accrued, dressage, eventing, carriage/combined driving and endurance/competitive trail riding.
Each level of achievement is distinguished with a certificate and noted in the horse's permanent ASHBA Registry file.
For more information please download the American Saddlebred Select Rules and Application to apply for the program. The application can be completed electronically by saving the file and then submitting by email to registry@saddlebred.com or printed and faxed to (859) 259-1628 or mailed to ASHBA, 4083 Wing Commander Way, Suite 50, Lexington, KY 40511.
ASHBA Sport Horse of the Year
Criteria for winning: An American Saddlebred or Half-American Saddlebred receiving the Sport Horse of the Year award is a horse that has shown consistent performance in their discipline throughout the competition year. This horse has demonstrated its ability to contend successfully in the discipline of choice at recognized competitions and presents itself as an ambassador for the Saddlebred breed. To receive consideration for this award, the horse must be a registered American Saddlebred or Half American Saddlebred with ASHBA. Nominations must include photos and official show records, with video submissions encouraged.
Nominations will be reviewed and voted on by the ASHBA Sport Horse Committee. Recommendations will be submitted to the ASHBA Board of Directors for approval and will be presented at the annual convention.
ASHBA Sport Horse Owner and/or Breeder of the Year
Criteria for winning: The person(s) who receive the ASHBA Sport Horse Owner and/or Breeder of the Year award have demonstrated dedication to the promotion of the Saddlebred breed in the sport horse disciplines. The ideal owner/breeder of the year candidate has invested time and resources into the development and presentation of registered American Saddlebreds and/or Half-American Saddlebreds in recognized sport horse competitions. Nominations are encouraged to include photos, official competition records, and video submissions.
Nominations will be reviewed and voted on by the ASHBA Sport Horse Committee. Recommendations will be submitted to the ASHBA Board of Directors for approval and will be presented at the annual convention.
ASHBA Emerging Sport Horse of the Year
Criteria for winning: An American Saddlebred or Half-Saddlebred receiving the Emerging Sport Horse of the Year award is a horse that demonstrates exceptional potential in their chosen discipline and potential to become an excellent representative of the Saddlebred breed in open (to all breed) competition. Nominations for this award are open to horses in their first or second year of recognized competition outside of the traditional breed show ring. To receive consideration for this award, the horse must be a registered American Saddlebred or Half American Saddlebred with ASHBA. Nominations must include photos and official show records, with video submissions encouraged.
Nominations will be reviewed and voted on by the ASHBA Sport Horse Committee. Recommendations will be submitted to the ASHBA Board of Directors for approval and will be presented at the annual convention.
Adequan®/USDF All-Breeds Awards
Designed to recognize the accomplishments of specific breeds in dressage, these awards are presented to horses declared for a participating registry/organization (PO) with USDF.
The requirements of the American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association (ASHBA) as a Participating Organization are as follows:
The horse must be registered with the ASHBA or with the Half Saddlebred Registry of America. The owner must be a member of the American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association.
USDF Connection magazine, article is reprinted by permission of the United States Dressage Federation.
Distance Horse National Championships
The ASHBA is once again partnering in the Distance Horse National Championships for 2024 to recognize American Saddlebreds and Half Saddlebreds. For more information, please contact Paige Lockard at 303-696-4535 or paige.lockard@arabianhorses.org.
The 2024 Distance Horse National Championships ride will be held in Cripple Creek, VA, August 23-25, 2024. For more information, visit www.arabianhorses.org.
Ride Schedule
The Distance Horse National Championships is the overhead titled event hosted by the Arabian Horse Association which include Open Owl Hoot Rides along with breed National Championships. Partnered breeds are the American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association (ASHBA), the Appaloosa Horse Club (ApHC), the Paso Fino Horse Association (PFHA), the Performance Shagya-Arabian Registry (PShR), the American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) and the Akhal-Teke Association of America (ATAA).