Members of the U.S. Dressage Federation decided to make the awards count just a little bit more at the USDF convention, held Nov. 30-Dec. 4 in Burbank, Calif.

Last year, members of the Awards Council suggested an amendment to raise minimum qualifying scores for the Great American/USDF regional championships, and that motion passed by a small margin.

This year, they proposed raising the minimum median score requirements for eligibility for the all-breed awards to 60 percent for training through fourth levels and 58 percent for FEI levels.

Predictably, heated debate erupted, as members discussed whether raising the percentages would discourage or encourage riders. But the motion finally passed by a two-thirds majority.

Less paperwork is always a good thing, and U.S. Dressage Federation officials are working with U.S. Equestrian Federation representatives to make double-registry a thing of the past.

President Sam Barish announced that USDF participating members will have a single co-branded dressage membership card showing memberships in both organizations.

“For recognized dressage competitions, the USDF number will become the one visible number,” said Barish in his opening address to the Board of Governor\’s meeting.

When members renew their membership to USDF online, they\’ll be directed to the USEF renewal form as well. It will also be easier for show secretaries as USDF will become the sole collector for dressage show results following a standard submission requirement.

And cooperation between the USDF and the USEF will just get easier as the new USDF headquarters will open in April 2006 next to the USEF headquarters at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky.

Prior to the convention, they\’d raised almost half the money necessary for the construction, but enthusiastic fund-raising dominated the convention.

Executive Board members Barish and George Williams, as well as executive director Stephan Hienzsch, even auctioned the t-shirts off their backs for the organization\’s benefit. Efforts like that raised more than $100,000 at the meeting.

Other important topics discussed at the convention included a debate over funds for a national dressage championship. For several years, $2 from every entry fee for regional championships has gone toward a national championship fund, but with almost $400,000 in that fund, there are still no immediate plans for a championship.

So the Competition Management Council proposed using the money from next year\’s entries to give more awards and to supplement the organizing costs. The delegates rebelled, though, insisting that they really want a national championship. Consequently, the issue was tabled.

But there will be a junior championship next year as the Federation Equestre Internationale has approved adding a junior dressage championship to the North American Young Riders Championship, which will be held in Lexington, Va., next July.

The late addition had some show managers worried about providing qualifying classes, but almost everyone was enthusiastic about the new opportunity. “We\’d like to go forward with it,” said Barish. “We\’ll get the ball rolling now and do a good job in 2007.”

Seldom Seen, the 14.2-hand Thoroughbred-Connemara pony Lendon Gray rode to the USDF Horse of the Year title at every level from fourth level to Grand Prix, was inducted into the USDF Hall of Fame.

Col. Clarence Edmonds won the lifetime achievement award for his outstanding contributions to the growth and development of the USDF. Paul Cormier was named the USDF volunteer of the year.

Barish was re-elected to his position of president of the Executive Board. Williams was re-elected vice president. Janine Malone was re-elected as secretary, and Barbara Tuohino Funk was re-elected as treasurer.