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.
Akhal-Teke Association of America
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.
Nominations
Guidelines & Rules
The awards outlined here are for ATAA members and ATAA registered horses (purebred and crosses) except if stated otherwise.
Send a nomination- 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
Previous Award Categories
Achievement Awards
Volunteer Achievement Award
A member that donates their time by helping out in any way to promote the breed and/or the registry.
Leadership Achievement Award
A member in the registry that shows great skills in leadership, ambition, promotion, and teamwork amongst fellow members.
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).
Golden Achievement Award
A member >60 years old that has actively promoted, volunteered, or somehow contributed to furthering the breed or registry.
Previous Award Categories
Discipline Awards
Long-Distance Discipline Award
A member that actively competes in AERC or CTR rides on a registered horse.
Eventing Discipline Award
A member that actively competes in schooling shows and/or USEA recognized events on a registered horse.
Open Show (Discipline) Award
A member that actively competes in open shows (any discipline) on a registered horse.
Dressage Discipline Award
A member that actively competes in schooling shows and/or USDF recognized shows on a registered horse.
Jumping Discipline Award
A member that actively competes in schooling shows and/or USEF recognized shows on a registered horse.
Honor roll
2025 ATAA Achievement Award Results
ATAA Competition Excellence
Autumn Dream
(Dream Along x Gergi) 2016 partbred mare, owned by Sabine Desper
The ATAA Competition award celebrates an individual pure bred or part bred Akhal-Teke who has exemplified the breed through sport. This award praises their talents and rider partnership as they’ve embraced challenges and achieved success in their discipline or across multiple disciplines. Whether this horse is competing at a low or high level, their performance has demonstrated the athleticism, versatility, and excellence of the Akhal-Teke breed. This horse must be ATAA registered and have competed within the 2025 competition year.
AwardEmbroidered stall banner, the book “On Horsemanship” by Xenophon
ATAA Ambassador Award
Arlie
(Gerald x Azeri) 2018 purebred gelding, owned by Morrigan Reilly-Ansons
The ATAA Ambassador award praises the influential impact of an ATAA registered Pure or Part bred Akhal-Teke who has been an outstanding representative of the breed in our community in the current 2025 year. This horse has made a positive impact in the lives of others, inspired involvement with the breed, supported education and outreach for the breed, or have gained admiration through their presence and actions. This horse champions the breed through their character, appearance, or achievements.
AwardPlaque, the book “The Gymnasium of the Horse” by Gustav Steinbrecht
ATAA Legacy Leader Award
Gerald
(Arim x Gekla) 2006 stallion, owned by Giles and Katrina Ardiel
AwardPlaque, the book “Working Equitation Training Manual” by Ali Kermeen
ATAA Junior Rising Member
Kelly Heinz
The ATAA Junior Award recognizes a young ATAA member under 18 years of age for their community engagement or achievements. This member inspires others through their enthusiasm and dedication to the Akhal-Teke breed. They may be an apprentice, volunteer, or tireless supporter, and their presence enriches the community. This member has shown great promise for a bright future with the breed. The recipient of this award does not have to be a current member, but does have to be working/leasing an ATAA registered Pure or Part Bred Akhal Teke or working closely in some capacity under an ATAA member in the current year.
AwardEmbroidered backpack, the book “The Faraway Horses” by Buck Brannaman
ATAA Community Impact Award
Yorke McGillivray-Columna
The ATAA Community Impact Award commends a current ATAA member who has enriched the community through their actions and advocacy in 2025. They have been a passionate contributor of time and effort to ensure the ongoing success and development of the Akhal-Teke breed and its people in North America. They may have inspired others to get involved and have set an example of commitment others can aspire to.
AwardEmbroidered beach towel, the book “École de Cavalerie” by François Robichon de La Guérinière
ATAA Beacon Award
Betsy Wandler
The ATAA Beacon Award acknowledges a dedicated ATAA member for their long time stalwart service to the Akhal-Teke breed and its community. The recipient may be an unsung hero who has engaged in countless hours behind the scenes or be a constant presence who tirelessly works to further realize our organization’s mission. Through their leadership and mentorship, the breed has been improved, empowered, and grown in its reach. They are a pillar of the community.
AwardEmbroidered beach towel, the book “True Unity” by Tom Dorrance
ATAA Golden Spark Award
Katrina Ardiel
The ATAA Spark Award is gifted to a ATAA or VNIIK registered horse or any individual who has been an inspiration, teacher, motivator, or supporter to others. Their personality, story, or presence has been a positive influence and the community is richer for having them in it. They are one worth meeting and one who feels special to know or have be a part of your Akhal-Teke journey.
AwardEmbroidered beach towel, the book “Academic Art of Riding” by Bent Branderup
Honor roll
2022 ATAA Achievement Award Recipients and Nominees
Junior Achievement Award
Nominees: Elizabeth Wandler
Award recipient: Elizabeth Wandler
Publicity Achievement Award
Nominees: Sabine Desper/Adamek, Eve Deering/Raindancer
Award Recipient: Sabine Desper/Adamek
Volunteer Achievement Award
Nominees: Kevin Matthews, Betsy Wandler, Katrina Ardiel, Yorke McGillivray
Award Recipient: Kevin Matthews
Golden Achievement Award
Nominees: Jas Shearer-McMahon
Award Recipient: Jas Shearer-McMahon
Leadership Achievement Award
Nominees: Betsy Wandler, Sabine Desper
Award Recipient: Betsy Wandler
2022 ATAA Discipline Award Recipients and Nominees
Long-Distance Discipline Award
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
Nominees: Sabine Desper/Adamek, Kathy Thode/Kazimir
Award Recipient: Kathy Thode/Kazimir
Eventing Discipline Award
Nominees: none
Award Recipient: none
Jumping Discipline Award
Nominees: Katrina Ardiel/Hendrick, Laura Spear/Diesel
Award Recipient: Laura Spear/Diesel
Open Show (Discipline) Award
Nominees: Eve Deering/Raindancer, Sarah Schumann/Midas Touch, Cathy Leddy/Alamet, Eleana Woods/Gala
Award Recipient: Eve Deering/Raindancer