A High-​​Point Award Program for the Orig­inal Equine Athletes of the Arabian Desert

• Committed to breeding in the tradi­tion of the Bedouin
• Honoring the Desert Arabian as athlete, performer and competitor
• Recog­nizing the Desert Arabian in a wide array of perfor­mance disciplines

What Horses are Eligible?

The Insti­tute is primarily concerned with horses that are presumed to derive entirely from asil stock of the historic Bedouin horse-​​breeding tribes of Arabia Deserta. For this award, horses regis­tered with AHA or CAHR that are marked on Data­Source (an on-​​line service of the Arabian Horse Asso­ci­a­tion) as “The Pyramid Society: Straight Egyptian” or “Al Khamsa, Inc” or that meet the pedi­gree criteria to be so-​​marked are eligible. Ques­tions about eligi­bility should be referred to the Award Secre­tary, whose deter­mi­na­tion is final.

What Does It Cost to Enroll?

The program is open without cost to owners, riders, and drivers of Desert Arabian horses. Partic­i­pa­tion in the program is not based on any qual­i­fying level of finan­cial support for The Insti­tute for the Desert Arabian Horse. To enroll, complete the enroll­ment form and mail it to the Award Secre­tary as noted on the form.

How is the Program Funded?

The program depends solely on the generosity of owners, riders, breeders and other enthu­si­asts of the Desert Arabian. Contri­bu­tions are solicited annu­ally by The Insti­tute for the Desert Arabian Horse.

What Cate­gories of Perfor­mance are Included?

Perfor­mance disci­plines including English, Dres­sage, Driving, Eventing, Hunter (Plea­sure and Working), Western (Plea­sure and Working), Compet­i­tive Trail, Endurance, and Sport Horse Under Saddle are recog­nized. A detailed list of eligible show-​​sponsoring orga­ni­za­tions and classes is shown below. Contact the Award Secre­tary for ques­tions regarding class eligi­bility or to make recom­men­da­tions for addi­tions or corrections.

What Points are Eligible for Recognition?

1. All points must be earned at an approved show of a recog­nized orga­ni­za­tion (see list below) in North America. Shows that operate under sepa­rate approval count as sepa­rate shows. Points are awarded to the horse, so different riders/​drivers may show with the same horse during the year.
2. Points are tabu­lated from January 1 ­ December 31 of a given year.
3. All points earned for the current year to be applied to the Drinkers of the Wind Award must be submitted to the Award Secre­tary within 30 days after each eligible compe­ti­tion, with final submis­sions by January 15 of the following year. Carry-​​over points are not allowed.
4. The owner/​rider/​driver of any given horse holds sole respon­si­bility for the submis­sion of entries, including any modi­fi­ca­tion in points orig­i­nally submitted before the closing date of January 15, along with such docu­men­ta­tion as may be requested by the Award Secre­tary. Late entries are not accepted.
5. Results of the Drinkers of the Wind Awards are published on the website of The Insti­tute for the Desert Arabian Horse and may be published in any of the Institute’s occa­sional publications.

Recog­nized Governing Organizations*

Eligible Classes and Designations

Western Plea­sure Classes:

Western Plea­sure, Ladies Sidesaddle
Open, AOTR, AAOTR, JOTR, ATR, JTR, Gentlemen and Ladies

English Perfor­mance Classes:

Country English Plea­sure, English Plea­sure, Park, English Show Hack Ladies Sidesaddle, Country Plea­sure Driving, Plea­sure Driving
Open, OTR(D), AOTR(D), JOTR(D), ATR(D), JTR(D), Gentlemen and Ladies

Dres­sage Classes:

All levels from training through Grand Prix
Open, AOTR, AAOTR, JOTR, ATR and JTR

Driving Classes:

Country, Open, Road­ster, Endurance, Obstacle
Open, AOTD, AAOTD, JOTD, ATD, JTD, and Novice

Eventing Classes:

All classes as recog­nized by Equine Canada or the United State Eventing Asso­ci­a­tion
Prelim­i­nary through Advanced

Hunter Plea­sure Classes:

All Hunter Plea­sure
Open, AOTR, AAOTR, JOTR, ATR and JTR

Working Hunter/​Jumper Classes:

Working Hunter/​Jumper, Hunter Hack
Open, AOTR, AAOTR, JOTR, ATR and JTR

Working Western Divi­sion Classes:

Trail Horse, Reining, Freestyle Reining, Working Cow Horse, Cutting
AOTR, AAOTR, JOTR, ATR and JTR

Sport Horse Classes:

Sport Horse Under Saddle, Sport Horse Show Hack, Road Hack
Open, AOTR, AAOTR, JOTR, ATR, and JTR

Compet­i­tive Trail and Endurance Ride

All points earned in Compet­i­tive Trail, Endurance Ride or Ride and Tie are recog­nized if the ride is sanc­tioned by a recog­nized governing orga­ni­za­tion (see list above). Rides iden­ti­fied as AHA Regional Cham­pi­onship or Cana­dian National Cham­pi­onship rides carry the same number of points as any other AHA Regional or Cana­dian National Cham­pi­onship class. Rides sanc­tioned by other recog­nized orga­ni­za­tions and deemed as National Cham­pi­onships carry the same points as a National Cham­pi­onship Class.

What Point System is Used?

Regular Shows/​Rides
Regular Classes:
1^st = 6 points, 2^nd = 5 points, 3^rd = 4 points, 4^th = 3 points, 5^th = 2 points, 6^th = 1 point

Championship/​Stakes Class:
1^st = 10 points, Reserve (2^nd) = 8 points, 3^rd = 7 points, 4^th = 6 points, 5^th = 5 points, 6^th = 4 points, 7^th = 3 points, 8^th = 2 points

Regionals, Western Cana­dian Breeders, Eastern Cana­dian Breeders, East Coast Cham­pi­onships, Pacific Slopes Cham­pi­onships, Cal-​​Bred, Scotts­dale:
Cham­pion = 20 points, Reserve Cham­pion = 18 points, Remaining Top Five = 15 points

Cana­dian and US Nationals or similar national cham­pi­onship level in a recog­nized orga­ni­za­tion:
Cham­pion = 30 points, Reserve Cham­pion = 25 points, Remaining Top Ten = 20 points

Endurance rides will receive points for comple­tion, placing, and Best Condi­tion:
One point for every five miles for any comple­tion at 25 miles or longer. Addi­tional points for placing using the multi­plier factor of AERC (1^st — 2.0, 2^nd — 1.5, 3^rd — 1.2, 4^th — 1.0, 5^th — 0.8, 6^th — 0.6, 7^th — 0.4, 8^th — 0.3, 9^th — 0.2, 10^th — 0.1).
A Best Condi­tion Award is consid­ered the equiv­a­lent of “Cham­pion” or 1^st place and points will be awarded in addi­tion to any awards for placing.

Dres­sage (ridden and driven):
Training level will receive points as for regular shows. For higher levels, points will be multi­plied, according to level (First level plus 25%; Second level plus 65%, Third level plus 100%, Fourth level plus 125%, Grand Prix and higher plus 200%).

Eventing and combined driving:
Points will be given for comple­tion (2-​​day 5 points; 3-​​day 8 points) Addi­tional points for placing are 1^st = 20 points, 2^nd = 15 points, 3^rd = 12 points, 4^th = 9 points, 5^th = 7 points, 6^th = 5 points.
Horses competing above Beginner/​novice will receive addi­tional points using the following formula: Training level — add 50%; Prelim level — add 100%

Is There Any Recog­ni­tion for Partic­i­pating in Local or Unrated Shows?

Yes. The Insti­tute wants to recog­nize all owners, riders, and drivers who make the effort to present their Desert Arabians in compe­ti­tion. This includes local unrated shows, youth events (Pony Club, 4-​​H), entry-​​level distance rides, etc. Complete the enroll­ment form and send it to the Award Secre­tary. After each compe­ti­tion, fill out an event form; be sure to check the “OTHER” under Governing Orga­ni­za­tion and list the spon­soring orga­ni­za­tion. Sepa­rate awards will be given to recog­nize those who partic­i­pate in such shows (see below).

What Awards are Presented?

All partic­i­pants will receive a certifi­cate after completing their first compe­ti­tion of the year and submit­ting an Event Report form. High Point Awards are awarded to the Top Five horses earning the greatest number of points as calcu­lated using the point system described above. Award deter­mi­na­tions are made within 60 days following the end of the compe­ti­tion year. Deter­mi­na­tion of Awards shall be by The Insti­tute of the Desert Arabian Horse, which deci­sions are final.

A Perpetual Trophy (1^st Prize), plaque, certifi­cate, ribbons, and/​or cash prizes are awarded as announced for each year of compe­ti­tion. In the event cash prizes are announced, the prizes may vary from year to year depending upon the funds avail­able from spon­sor­ships and/​or other dona­tions. The Perpetual Trophy is retained by the winner for the succeeding year and returned to the Insti­tute for awarding to the next year’s recipient.

Sepa­rate awards (ribbons, certifi­cates) are awarded for those competing in unrated shows.

Drinkers of the Wind Awards are featured on the website of The Insti­tute for the Desert Arabian Horse and in the Institute’s occa­sional publi­ca­tions, as well as in industry-​​wide press-​​releases. Owners who enroll their horses agree to allow photographs and infor­ma­tion about partic­i­pants and award winners to be used on the Institute’s web site and in related publicity.

Enroll­ment form