The ATAA Awards Program

The ATAA Awards Program aims to recognize ATAA members and ATAA registered horses for their achievements, involvements, and activities which help to promote and preserve the Akhal-Teke breed, and grow the ATAA community.

Guidelines & Rules:

  • The awards outlined below are for ATAA members and ATAA registered horses (purebred and crosses) except if stated otherwise.
  • All awards will be chosen based on nominations from ATAA members (a paragraph or more explaining why the individual person and/or horse should be chosen for that award). An owner may nominate their own horse.
  • A current board member may be asked to step in for a tie-breaker (that is not personally involved with a particular category).
  • Individualized awards will be given out to each award recipients (1 recipient per category).
  • Award categories can change each year depending on what people want to see.
  • Nominations are due on September 15th by midnight (MST) and will be announced in the last ATAA Newsletter of the year.
  • Send nominations to: betsysee@gmail.com

2022 ATAA Award Recipients and Nominees

Achievement Awards

Junior Achievement Award: A youth (<18) who participates in promoting the breed and/or the registry. The youth must be a member OR horse owner must be a member AND horse must be registered.

Nominees: Elizabeth Wandler

Award recipient: Elizabeth Wandler

Publicity Achievement Award: Any registered horse or member who brings the breed and/or registry into the public eye (example: magazine article, newspaper, television, etc).

Nominees: Sabine Desper/Adamek, Eve Deering/Raindancer

Award Recipient: Sabine Desper/Adamek

Volunteer Achievement Award: A member that donates their time by helping out in any way to promote the breed and/or the registry.

Nominees: Kevin Matthews, Betsy Wandler, Katrina Ardiel, Yorke McGillivray

Award Recipient: Kevin Matthews

Golden Achievement Award: A member >60 years old that has actively promoted, volunteered, or somehow contributed to furthering the breed or registry.

Nominees: Jas Shearer-McMahon

Award Recipient: Jas Shearer-McMahon

Leadership Achievement Award: A member in the registry that shows great skills in leadership, ambition, promotion, and teamwork amongst fellow members.

Nominees: Betsy Wandler, Sabine Desper

Award Recipient: Betsy Wandler

Discipline Awards

Long-Distance Discipline Award: A member that actively competes in AERC or CTR rides on a registered horse.

Nominees: Dean Miller/Damscus, Erin Hafla/Silver Hill Seyrek, Jas Shearer-McMahon/MV Patrickhan and Merdan, Amber Erickson/Lia, J***/GED, Giles Ardiel/Drogo, Morgan Reilly-Anson/Halla

Award Recipient: Dean Miller/Damascus

Dressage Discipline Award: A member that actively competes in schooling shows and/or USDF recognized shows on a registered horse.

Nominees: Sabine Desper/Adamek, Kathy Thode/Kazimir

Award Recipient: Kathy Thode/Kazimir

Eventing Discipline Award: A member that actively competes in schooling shows and/or USEA recognized events on a registered horse.

Nominees: none

Jumping Discipline Award: A member that actively competes in schooling shows and/or USEF recognized shows on a registered horse.

Nominees: Katrina Ardiel/Hendrick, Laura Spear/Diesel

Award Recipient: Laura Spear/Diesel

Open Show (Discipline) Award: A member that actively competes in open shows (any discipline) on a registered horse.

Nominees: Eve Deering/Raindancer, Sarah Schumann/Midas Touch, Cathy Leddy/Alamet, Eleana Woods/Gala

Award Recipient: Eve Deering/Raindancer