Welcome! |
The Midwest Dressage Association (MDA), Inc is a charter group member of the United States Dressage Federation (USDF).
Founded in 1969, our purpose is to promote and encourage a high standard of accomplishment in dressage in the midwestern United States, primarily through educational programs. Whether you are an MDA Member or a fellow horse enthusiast, we encourage you to attend any of our events. We welcome anyone interested in contributing to our mission to consider membership, whether you ride or not! We are one of the largest Group Member Organizations (GMOs) of USDF Region 2, and joining our ranks introduces you to a community of 26,000 horse enthusiasts across 121 GMOs in the United States. We are strictly a volunteer run organization headed by a Board of Directors. We hold monthly board meetings which are open to everyone. Our committees, chaired by board members, welcome all MDA members to participate. Volunteers are a very valuable resource to MDA as it takes a whole stable of workers to ensure that our shows and events remain successful. |
our philosophy
The Midwest Dressage Association (MDA), Inc is an organization whose purpose is to promote and encourage a high standard of accomplishment in dressage in the general area of the Midwestern United States, primarily through educational programs. Dressage is the gradual harmonious development of a horse's physical and mental condition with the aim toward improving its natural gaits and perfecting its understanding and communication with its rider.
The Midwest Dressage Association (MDA), Inc is an organization whose purpose is to promote and encourage a high standard of accomplishment in dressage in the general area of the Midwestern United States, primarily through educational programs. Dressage is the gradual harmonious development of a horse's physical and mental condition with the aim toward improving its natural gaits and perfecting its understanding and communication with its rider.
Our Goals
- To improve the general understanding of dressage for Association members and any non-members expressing an interest therein through educational clinics, forums and seminars and to promote these and other activities to affect this goal.
- To assist and cooperate with other regional or national dressage organizations in matters of common concern.
- To offer a framework in which individuals can progress with the schooling of themselves and their horses.
Our History
The first general meeting of MDA was held at Centaur Farm Stable on February 16, 1969. Our first officers included: Jim Jones, Lillian Zimmermann, Judith Franklin, and Rosemary Herman. Dorothy Wagner designed our logo using Vi Hopkins riding her horse Dark Warrior as her model. MDA had 51 members in their first year of existence. During the early years of our existence, MDA helped forge the path for what was to become USDF. When Lowell Boomer placed an advertisement in The Chronicle of the Horse, asking "all those interested in the advancement of dressage" to come to Lincoln, NE in February of 1973 to start a national federation, representatives of MDA were on hand. This earned MDA the distinction of a Charter GMO of USDF.
Throughout its existence MDA has held many educational clinics with world renowned clinicians and riders. Some of our more recent clinics have been with Lisa Wilcox, Karen Robinson of Applause Dressage, Dr. Jenny Susser, Trip Harting, Maryal Barnett, and Sylvia Loch, Carol Lavell, Charles de Kunffy & Walter Zettl. In 1984 the Midwest Dressage Association received tax exempt status as a 501(c)3 non profit educational organization. This means that when you donate to MDA, the value of your donation is considered a charitable contribution for tax purposes.
