Horse of the Year - American Vaulting Association

The Technical Committee created the AVA Horse of the Year Award in 1994 to honor the organization's most outstanding vaulting horse that year. A unique bronze horse-head sculpture, donated by AVA sustaining members Gail Ostendorf and Colette Garrison (in memory of Halali and Dimple) serves as the perpetual trophy. Click here for award criteria.

2006
Lorino owned by the Divita Family

2005
Griffindor owned by Julie Keville

2004
Jacky, owned by Garrod Farms

2003
Designer Socks, owned by Beth Grippenstraw

2002
Lascar, owned by Joan Williams

2000
Sir Anthony van Dyck, owned by Sydney Frankel

1999
Jacky, owned by Garrod Farms

1998 (tied)
Lady Lightfoot, owned by Woodside Vaulters
and
Jonas C, owned by Phoebe Hearst Cooke

1997
Denis, owned by Phoebe Hearst Cooke

1996
Denis, owned by Phoebe Hearst Cooke

1995
Sandorian, owned by Phoebe Hearst Cooke

1994
Miss Holly B'Golly, owned by Patti Skipton

1993
Miss Holly B'Golly, owned by Patti Skipton

Horse of the Year Award Criteria

Horses at all AVA recognized competitions will be assessed by competition judges based on the following criteria:

Horse's "way of going" will be weighted two points. This includes purity and quality of gaits, balance, steadiness of temp, and lack of stress.
Horse's "attitude" will be weighted two points. This category includes absence of kicking, bucking, pinning ears, switching tail, spookiness or shying, and a willingness to keep going; staying out on the circle without pulling or cutting in, etc.
Horse's appearance/turnout will be weighted one point. This includes cleanliness of tack and horse, neatness of braiding, harmony with the team turnout, and proper adjustment of equipment such as bridle, side reins, surcingle, longe line, etc.

Each AVA judge will receive a complete list of all horses and teams competing at the recognized competition. Using the prescribed criteria, they will each select one horse as the "Best Horse of the Competition." Each horse selected by a judge at a competition will receive one point toward the Annual Horse of the Year Award. If two judges at a competition select the same horse at a competition, that horse will receive two points for that competition, and so on.

The horse with the most points at the end of the year will receive the AVA's Annual Horse of the Year Award.