Award Program

United Sidesaddle Society

This is not your grandmother's sidesaddle riding

Award Program

The USS Award Program is just a little different than what you might be use to. Your membership with USS automatically registers you in the program. There are no additional fees for the awards currently offered. We do not feel it is fair to link a horse with a rider in regards to earning points. Riding two different horses does not have to mean, on paper, you rode fewer times than a person only riding one horse. Another example is the school horse that carries a variety of riders at shows and expos deserves to have all of his or her points added together. We feel this gives a more accurate picture of both riders and horses. Although they are called Equine Members, your equine member does not need to be a horse or pony. We welcome zebras, camels and long horn steer alike. Contact the Awards Committee if you have an unusual mount. Please read on for awards offered and their descriptions, Awards Committee contact information and point accumulation rules.

Current Awards Offered
(As we expand more awards will be offered)

USS Competitive Sidesaddle Rider World Champion

USS Competitive Sidesaddle Rider Reserve World Champion

USS Competitive Sidesaddle Horse World Champion

USS Competitive Sidesaddle Horse Reserve World Champion

USS Non-Competitive Sidesaddle Rider World Champion

USS Non-Competitive Sidesaddle Rider Reserve World Champion

USS Non-Competitive Sidesaddle Horse World Champion

USS Non-Competitive Sidesaddle Horse Reserve World Champion

USS High Point Unmounted Sidesaddle Associate - The Unsung Hero Award

USS Sidesaddle Horse Breed Champions

USS Fund Raiser of the Year Award

USS Cast Award

USS Affiliated Club Challenge

Foxhunting

Description of Awards and Point Accumulation

USS Competitive Sidesaddle Rider World Champion & Reserve World Champion
What better way to promote sidesaddle than to compete? Competition displays sidesaddle as a modern method, not only as performance art. We understand there are very few sidesaddle specific classes, but don't let that deter you. Find out the rules pertaining to sidesaddle at any event you would like to participate in, and then do it!

Point will be accumulated as follows:

Participation Points
1 Participation point will be awarded for riding in any competition.

Although you may not place, we feel points should be awarded for the attempt. Competing is one of the most visible ways to draw attention to sidesaddle.

Placement Points

1 Placement point will be awarded for each entry you are placed above.

Example 1: You have competed in a horse show class with 12 other riders. You are placed 3rd. You will be awarded 9 placement points and 1 participation point. 10 points total.

Example 2: You have competed in an endurance ride against 40 other competitors. You place 3rd. You will be awarded 37 placement points and 1 participation point. 38 points total.

Example 3: Your daughter rides sidesaddle in a leadline class. Miraculously, the judge is unable to make a decision and all of the riders are awarded 1st place. Since your daughter did not place above any other riders she receives 1 participation point and no placement points.

We feel this is the most equitable way to tally placement points. While the endurance rider might be able to earn many points for one event, it is only one event. The show rider could earn just as many points in one weekend of showing. Horses and riders may also cross divisions, compete in an endurance ride one weekend then ride at a horse show another time.

USS Competitive Sidesaddle Horse World Champion & Reserve World Champion

Let's give credit where credit is due. Without our equine members we would look pretty foolish sitting around on our sidesaddles with nowhere to go. Competitive points are accumulated the same as for the competitive rider.

USS Non-Competitive Sidesaddle Rider World Champion & Reserve World Champion

There are many mounted non-competitive activities that can be accomplished sidesaddle. Some examples are mounted sidesaddle demonstrations, riding in a sidesaddle clinic, public sidesaddle practice sessions, fox hunting sidesaddle and riding sidesaddle in a parade. Sidesaddle lessons are an example of an activity that would not earn points. If you are not sure if something qualifies, please submit the activity and the Awards Committee will make a decision.

1 point will be awarded for each non-competitive event, performance etc.

Example 1: You are at a weekend horse festival. You ride sidesaddle in the opening ceremonies parade, 2 public practice sessions, 3 demonstrations, 1 drill team performance and 1 solo performance. You would earn 8 points

Example 2: You are at a horse festival and ride sidesaddle around the festival grounds in full view of the public for 1 hour & 40 minutes. You will earn 1.5 points, .5 points for each half hour

USS Non-Competitive Sidesaddle Horse World Champion & Reserve World Champion

Again, where would we be without our horses? Equine members will earn non-competitive points the same as riders.

USS Sidesaddle Horse Breed Champions

If a breed is suitable for riding, it is suitable for sidesaddle. This award not only recognizes our purebred equine members, but also can serve as a catalyst to promote sidesaddle to various breed groups.

There is only a one horse minimum required for a breed category to be opened. It is not required for the owner or rider to be a member of the breed association the equine member belongs to. It is, however, required that the equine be registered with its breed association. There are very limited exceptions to this requirement. An example would be a rescued Morgan that was removed with a herd of Morgans from a Morgan breeding facility. The papers are currently unattainable but documentation is available through the rescue society.

If your equine member has extraordinary circumstances (let's say he or she is a Zebra) please submit a letter requesting an exception. The Awards Committee will inform you of their decision. Points may be accumulated during the deliberations. Upon acceptance, the points may be submitted to the society.

Don't worry; we haven't forgotten the many mixed breed equine members. There is an award for them too.

USS Affiliated Club Challenge

This award is an accumulation of mounted and unmounted points. Please details under Unmounted Awards.

Foxhunting

Fox hunting is an individual mounted award. For each mounted outing 1 point will be awarded. Points may be accumulated for hound exercises as well as hunting. USS Member riders and USS Equine Members are both eligible for points. If a club becomes an USS Affiliated Club, it will become eligible for the USS Affiliated Club Challenge. See details below under USS Affiliated Club Challenge.

Unmounted Awards
Not only mounted activities are honored at USS. There are many unmounted activities that go a long way to promote sidesaddle and USS. These awards say, "Thank you," for all of the hard work put forth by enthusiasts of all riding capabilities and opportunities.

USS High Point Unmounted Sidesaddle Associate - The Unsung Hero Award

There are many activities that fall under this category. Examples of are booth sitting, parade out-walker and sidesaddle clinic auditor.

1 point will be awarded for each activity participated in.

Example 1: One day at a weekend horse festival you booth sit for 2 1/2 hours, groom horses for 1 demonstration and walk around the festival for 1 hour handing out fliers regarding stall location of sidesaddle horses. A total of 4.5 points would be earned.

Example 2: You are the leader or out-walker for a leadliner who is riding sidesaddle, 1 point will be earned.

If you have participated in an activity with the purpose to promote or learn more about sidesaddle, but aren't sure, please submit to USS. If accepted, the points will be assigned.

USS Cast Award

In fox hunting when the Huntsman casts hounds he or she disperses hounds from the pack in search of a scent. This is an award for the person who is credited with sniffing out the most referrals of new paid members for the year. 1 point is earned per documented referral.

USS Fund Raiser of the Year Award

This is an important award to USS. It is awarded to the person who has raised the most money for USS for the year. This award is based on US Dollars raised for the year. No points are assigned.

Each member will receive back 10% of their funds raised for the year. The person who raises the most US Dollars for the year will also receive 1% of the funds received by USS as a direct result of fund raising efforts by all members.

Some examples of fund raising activities are online auctions, raffles, direct sales and direct donations. In the case of a group effort, USS will be happy to assist in deciding how to most equitably divide dollars between individuals. We are not, however, able to actually divide the dollars ourselves.

Please check the laws in your area regarding solicitation, sorry but USS will not be posting your bail.

USS Affiliated Club Challenge

This award is open to affiliated clubs and is good natured competition between each other. The Affiliated Club Challenge is awarded annually to the affiliated club earning the most points as a group. Points are awarded both for mounted and unmounted sidesaddle specific activities, with the exception of foxhunting where only mounted points are eligible. Point accumulation is governed by the same rules as for an individual. The difference, of course, is the points are accumulated for the group's efforts. The group is defined as members in good standing with their club as listed on the club's application. Additional points may not be added from Equine Members toward the total accumulation.

When submitting point sheets some type of proof must be provided demonstrating this was an effort made by the named group. Photos of group members and/or banner with event name in evidence, newspaper clippings naming the group or a schedule listing the group's name are examples of acceptable forms of proof.

Group members who are also USS members, including Equine Members may accumulate individual points concurrently with the group points.

The USS Affiliated Club Challenge is only open to groups registered, paid and in good standing with USS.

Please Note
If you have an idea for an award or would like to personally sponsor an award listed, please let the Awards Committee know.

For questions or to contact the awards committee
E-mail: awards@unitedsidesaddle.com

Download Application, Additional Equine Application and Point Sheet HERE.

Awards Anticipated for the Future

Awards of Excellence (Human & Equine)

Lifetime Achievement Awards (Human & Equine)

English (Human and Equine)

Western (Human & Equine)

Equitation (Human)

USS Point Accumulation Rules

1.   Members must be registered, fully paid and in good standing with USS.
2.   Equine members must be registered, fully paid and identified.
3.   Riding points will only be counted if riding an USS Equine member.
4.   It is not required that an Equine member be owned by an USS member. However, all Equine member owners must sign saying that they agree to allow their Equine to participate in the USS Awards Program. See USS Membership Application.
5.   Breed point accumulation will not begin until a completed copy of the USS Membership Application or USS Additional Equine Membership Application and a copy of the Equine's breed registration papers are received by USS.
6.   Mixed breed point accumulation will not begin until a completed copy of the USS Membership Application or USS Additional Equine Membership Application is received by USS.
7.   There is a one horse minimum to open a Breed category.
8.   Points are not transferable.
9.   For simplification purposes reference to mounted activities will be referred to as "activities".
10. Points will only be recorded from dated signed, and verified USS point sheets.
11. Copies of the USS point sheet are acceptable.
12. Participation in an activity must be signed (verified) by an event's official representative.
13. Event's representative contact information must be completed. Contact information is the person's name, phone number and/or e-mail address. The same contact information must be added to and highlighted on form of proof. See #'s 14 & 15.
14. For competitive points, a copy of the class list, with classes ridden in highlighted, must accompany USS Point Sheet.
15. For non-competitive activities some form of proof of the existence of the event must be provided. Newspaper account, advertisement, schedule or handbills are acceptable. Name of event and date(s) must be on submitted proof. In the case of a single photo being sent, photo must have event name and dates pictured.
16. USS Point Sheets must be filled out completely and accurately. Those that are not will be returned without points registered with USS.
17. Complete and accurate USS Point Sheets must be received by USS within 60 days after activity.
18. In the case of activities that take place in the month of December, USS Point Sheets must be received by USS no later than January 31st of the following year.
19. Points will only be awarded by USS in conjunction with sidesaddle activities. All riding must be done in a sidesaddle. The only exceptions are riding aside bareback or with a bareback pad.