Group Member Organizations (GMOs) are the foundation of USDF and integral in bringing dressage and dressage education to the masses.
Stay connected with your local dressage community and support dressage at the local level by joining a GMO in your area today!
USDF GMO Established: 1979
Locality: USDF Region 2, Kentucky
Website: https://www.kentuckydressageassociation.com/
How many members does your GMO have annually, on average? 250
In 500 words or less, tell us about your GMO, and what your GMO is most proud of (example: history of GMO, special benefits offered to members, charity events hosted by your GMO, etc.) The Kentucky Dressage Association is proud to represent not only Kentucky but the surrounding states of Tennessee, Illinois, Ohio, Virginia, and Indiana, in addition to members from Florida, California, and Michigan. We offer a vast array of benefits to our members through clinics, scholarships and grants, discounts, monies for sponsored classes at our USEF-licensed/USDF-recognized spring show series and several schooling shows throughout the year. All of our shows offer classes for Junior, Amateur, and Open riders. Our board works hard to provide education to all levels of riders, by providing opportunities to ride with nationally recognized clinicians and unmounted instruction for riders and volunteers alike. We are very fortunate to have a wide base of fantastic volunteers. We are also proud to have a growing number of active Junior/Young Riders among our membership. KDA has sponsored several youth who attend the FEI North American Youth Championships (NAYC), all of who have placed in the top ten. This past year, the overall winner in the Young Rider division was a KDA member. We also recognize the number of Open and Amateur riders who represent KDA in the ribbons each year at the US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan®.
Does your GMO offer unique classes or activities that cater to youth, adult amateurs, or professionals? If so, please provide a brief description. We offer three $750 Adult Amateur grants each year, one $750 to Open riders and one $750 scholarship to a Junior/Young Rider. In addition, our Junior/Young Riders are eligible for one $5000 grant, for those aspiring to NAYC, and one $500 scholarship for our college-aged riders.
What type of educational events does your GMO offer?In the winter, we offer a free clinic to educate volunteers on bit checking, ring stewardship, scribing, and scoring. It helps not only our volunteers in their role, but gives riders, who are encouraged to attend, a better understanding of show expectations and an appreciation of the duties of the volunteers. Members are also invited to audit all our clinics without a fee. We put on no less than two schooling shows each year, to give riders the opportunity to gain show experience without the pressure of a large, competitive show. Our members like being able to get judge feedback in a slower, quieter setting. KDA publishes a newsletter, The Impulsion, that includes feature articles covering all areas of interest to its readers.
What type of “fun” events does your GMO offer?We always have a good time at our Year End Awards Banquet, held each fall, with well over 100 people in attendance. Members and guest are able to bid on a variety of items at the silent auction. Our youth participate in bake/tack sales, supported by show attendees, and a pizza party during recognized shows. They are able to interact with our professional riders, who share their knowledge and experiences. At both our Spring Series and Fall Classic shows, we invite our riders to a competitor party followed by the Friday night vendor party. Riders and guests are able to meander through the vendor tents, enjoying wine and appetizers offered by the businesses.
Additional Comments: Our purpose is to promote and strengthen the art and sport of dressage. We provide leadership to our members to assist them in fostering individual and collective growth through education, publications, competitions, and exhibitions. We pride ourselves for having a collaborative, all inclusive environment for show exhibitors, owners, trainers, volunteers, judges, and spectators.
