In December 2017, more than three months into the new show season, the CDS Executive Board announced the decision to change the structure of the 2018 Annual Championship Show without input from its membership. CDS bylaws provide that members can request the Executive Board to discontinue this action. Signing this petition indicates support to request the Executive Board to rescind these changes.
These are the changes to the 2018 CDS Annual Championship Show:
-CDS Horse of the Year Classes will now consist of ONE ride judged by THREE judges.
This means you no longer have the benefit of averaging the two rides if your first ride doesn't go as planned, and the cost of the one ride will be the same price as the previous year, or higher.
-There will be a NEW Nominating Fee of $25 per Horse/Rider/Level for all divisions.
This change means in addition to your normal fees there will be an ADDITIONAL FEE of $25 for each qualifying class you enter per level AND division.
-The CDS 4, 5, and 6 year old Futurity Adult Amateur Division WILL NO LONGER EXIST. There will be ONE group per age level, all combined in the Open Division.
This change means Adult Amateurs will have to ride their young horses in the same class as an Open professional rider. All nominating fees paid will now be combined. *They have added an Amateur rider award.
-The NEW Qualifying score needed for Freestyles First-Fourth Levels has INCREASED from 62% to 64%.
This change is one percentage point higher than USDF currently requires (63%) nationally.
-CDS will NOT host the USDF Breeders Championship-West Coast Final.
This change means there WILL NOT be a breed show to showcase California's home bred young horses.
-CDS has added an increase in prize money from $1000 to $1500.
*This increase will go into effect pending Budget and Finance Committee approval.
Membership Initiative (CDS Bylaws)
Section 1. Whenever ten percent (10%) of the Active Members indicate by written request to the Executive Board that any action be taken, or that any action being taken be discontinued, the Executive Board shall submit such request to the active membership of the Society by mail or electronic ballot. Such ballot shall be mailed or created online no less than fifteen (15) days prior to the last day on which the voting must be completed.
Section 2. If votes are cast by at least twenty-five (25%) of the Active Members who are entitled to vote, and if a majority of the votes returned declare approval of such a request, then the Executive Board shall fulfill the request.
The Petitioners believe alternative changes can be implemented that will not lessen the Annual Show experience for competitors and volunteers. We request the Executive Board to fully explain the issues requiring these changes, and ask for member input on any necessary changes to the Annual Championship Show.
Please sign if you are a 2018 CDS Member and support our goal.
