The CDWCO Point System
The CDWCO Point System seeks to reward Members for their participation in events and their hard work with their equine partner. We have two point systems that riders can accumulate points towards at CDWCO-approved events. The details on both of these systems are listed below.
Harmony Points
These are based on your Harmony with the group and fellow competitor, to reward participation and involvement.
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Ride in a clinic: 20 points
Audit a clinic: 5 points per day
Volunteer at a CDWCO event: 5 points/1-hour shift
Attend a CDWCO playday: 5 points per day
Host a play day : 10 points per day
Ride in a CDWCO schooling show: 15 points per day
Ride in a CDWCO Regional Gathering: 25 points per day
Attend a CDWCO Board Meeting: 10 points per meeting
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First through Fifth Places in the Harmony Division will be awarded special prizes at our Year-End Awards Banquet! Past prizes have included buckles, custom chinks, custom headstalls, embroidered jackets, hoodies, water containers, and buckets.
Partnership Points
These are based on your Partnership with your horse, which allows you to succeed in the show ring. These are tracked by horse and rider pair. Here's how it works:
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--You must be a member of CDWCO to be eligible for year-end awards.
--You must ride tests at a minimum of three of our four shows (two-day shows at the same venue count as one show), on the same horse.
--Scores are tabulated for each horse/rider pair
--The top nine riding test scores will be used to determine a rider/horse pair's year-end score. The highest and lowest of those nine scores will be set aside (not counted) and used for breaking ties. No more than three scores may be used from each show.
--POTG/Liberty scores will not be counted toward Partnership Year-End Awards. There will be separate POTG/Liberty High Point Awards. For the POTG/Liberty High Point Award, the top six POTG/Liberty test scores will be used to determine a rider/horse pair's year-end score. The highest and lowest of those six scores will be set aside (not counted) and used for breaking ties. No more than two scores may be used from each show.
--Freestyle scores will not be counted toward year-end High Point Awards.
--In the event of a tie, the highest scores will be added to break the tie. If there's still a tie, the lowest scores will be added.
--The more tests and shows you ride, the more scores we'll have to choose from!
--If a rider has only eight scores, then the highest score will be used as a tie-breaker.
--If a rider has seven scores, then all scores will be averaged, and no additional scores will be available for a tie-breaker.
--If a rider has six scores or less, then zeroes will be substituted for the missing scores to make seven scores.
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First through Fifth Places in the Partnership Division for Youth, Amateur, and Open classes will be awarded special prizes at our Year-End Awards Banquet! Past prizes have included buckles, custom chinks, custom headstalls, embroidered jackets, hoodies, water containers, and buckets.
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We'll also give the following special Year-End High Point Awards:
--Partnership on the Ground/Liberty High Point Awards (1st & 2nd place)
--Rookie Award: For the Amateur Rider who is in their first calendar year of competing in Cowboy Dressage and has the highest score using the system/qualifications above (riding tests only; no POTG or freestyle)
--Silver Award: For the Amateur rider, 65 years or older, who has the highest score using the system/qualifications above (riding tests only; no POTG or freestyle)
--Youth Award: For the Youth Rider who has the highest score using the system/qualifications above (riding tests only; no POTG or freestyle). Youth riders must be 17 or younger as of December 31st of the current year
Final 2023 Standings: Partnership
Final 2024 Standings: Harmony
Point System FAQs
Can I show in English tack?
You may complete "exhibition rounds" in non-legal tack at the show management's discretion. However, rounds completed in tack that does not meet the standards of the Cowboy Dressage rulebook will not be counted towards show placings or year-end awards.
What if I want to show more than one horse?
You are absolutely welcome to show more than one horse towards show and year-end awards. Please note that the horses' points will be tracked separately, as the goal of the point system is to reward individual partnerships.
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How many classes can I compete in per show?
For the welfare of the horse, Cowboy Dressage World requires a maximum of 5 ridden tests and 4 in-hand tests per horse, per show. However, if the rider is showing two or more horses, the rider may compete in more than 9 classes.
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How can I host a show?
We would love to help you get a Cowboy Dressage schooling show up and running. Cowboy Dressage World has published a lot of helpful information on hosting a show on their website, located here. We can provide a banner, and also have a full Cowboy Dressage court for rent for ($50/day). We can advertise your show, and offer year end points for approved events. Please let us know if there's anything we can do to help your event be a success!