Virginia Walking Horse Association

The purpose of this award program is to allow participants to earn high point awards from the Virginia Walking Horse Association, to encourage participation in horse shows, to promote the Tennessee Walking Horse, and to expose the breed to the general public. In making the awards, the Association honors these animals that have accumulated the greatest number of points during the year from those shows that affiliated with the Virginia Walking Horse Association.

The competition year will run from January 1 through November 30, with winners being those horse which score the highest number of points during this time. 1st though 3rd places will be awarded in all divisions except Youth which will award 1st though 6th.

Trainer of the Year	trainer whose horses accumulate the greatest number of points
Amateur Sportsperson of the Year	nominated persons are voted on by membership
Youth Sportsman of the Year	nominated youth are voted on by membership
VWHA Show of the Year *One Night Show, Multi-Night Show*	nominated shows are voted on by membership

The Virginia Walking Horse Association High Point Committee will determine those divisions in which awards will be offered each year. There will be no minimum number of entries required in these divisions. New divisions may be added to the program, if at least 3 participants request the addition in a given year.

To be eligible, a horse must be a registered Tennessee Walking Horse with the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeder's and Exhibitors' Association and be recorded with the Virginia Walking Horse Association in each division in which he chooses to compete. The recording fee is $10 annually for each division entered. Point will not begin to accumulate until the horse is properly recorded and the necessary fees are paid.

The Horse must also be owned by a current (2006) VWHA member(s) in good standing. If a horse is owned by more than one person, the ALL the owners must be members of VWHA. IN addition, the rider must hold current membership in VWHA as an individual, a youth, or must qualify under family membership. No points will be credited until the owner(s) and rider(s) apply for membership and the necessary fees are paid.

Recording applications and membership applications may be completed at a horse and turned in directly to the POINT REGISTRAR. As long as forms and fees are in the Registrar's possession prior to the end of the show, points for that show and all future shows for that calendar year will be credited.

Ownership of a horse may be transferred during the year without affecting the animal's point score, PROVIDED that the Registrar is notified in writing, by the new owner. The new owner(s) and rider(s) must be members of VWHA in good standing or immediately remit fees to become members. Points will not accumulate under the new ownership until membership fees are paid. All High Point awards will be made to the owner of record at the time the horse wins his lasts points in competition.

If a horse does not offer the specific class for which a participant is recorded, then the participant may compete in another similar class in the division and the points will be counted for the division for which the animal is recorded provided the animal is exhibited by its respective class exhibitor.

The Virginia Walking Horse Association will affiliate horse shows that submit a prize list for approval and a $25 affiliation fee. The show must offer 50% or more of the VWHA High Point divisions to be affiliated. Acceptance into the High Point Program will be made by the VWHA High Point Committee. If a show is not approved, the affiliation fee will be returned to the horse show along with a full explanation for denial.

Show results must be submitted to the registrar within 30 days of the last day of the horse show.

Shows will be rated according to the amount of prize money offered only in Walking Horse classes.

The Following Rating Scale Will Be Used:
Up to $2,500	1
$2501 - 7500	2
7501 - 12,500	3
12,501 - 17,000	4
17,001 and up	5

Points Will Be Awarded in the Following Manner:
1st	10
2nd	9
3rd	8
4th	7
5th	6
6th	5
7th	4
8th	3
9th	2
10th	1

Point received for the placing will be multiplied by the show rating. Scores will be tallied directly from show results submitted by affiliated horse shows to the Registrar within 30 days of the last day of the show.

After a horse is recorded, each horse's owner will receive a supply of Submitting Forms from the registrar. If an affiliated horse show fails to submit official show results to the Registrar with the 30 days limit, points will still be accumulated IF the participant correctly completes the entire form, signs the form, obtains a verifying signature from the horse show secretary, and submits the form to the Registrar within 45 days of the last day of the horse show. It is strongly recommended that each exhibitor take responsibility for his points by completing the Submitting Form for each show and sending it directly to the Registrar.

The Virginia Walking Horse Association High Point Committee will make the final decision on any questions or disputes that may arise concerning this program.

For recording applications or answers to any questions regarding the VWHA High Point Program please contact: