Mid-Ohio Dressage Association (MODA)

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: 1978

Locality: USDF Region 2, Ohio

Website: www.midohiodressage.com

How many members does your GMO have annually, on average?  

100 

Tell us about your GMO.

Mid-Ohio Dressage Association was formed over 40 years ago by four founding members – one of which, Nancy Wentz, still serves on our board of directors. Our biggest event every year is The Mid-Ohio Classic, which celebrated its fortieth year in 2019. At its peak, this USEF/USDF recognized show was seven rings. In recent years, horses from all over the country have traveled to compete at this four-ring show, currently located at Brave Horse just outside of Columbus, Ohio.

Does your GMO offer unique classes or activities that cater to youth, adult amateurs, or professionals? If so, please provide a brief description.

In 2017, MODA surveyed its membership and received an overwhelming call for low-cost, low-level clinics to help build the grassroots of the sport. In 2018, we offered a low-cost winter clinic series. In 2019, we offered a new test clinic free to all. There was a follow-up of two fix-a-test clinics in the months after the new test clinic. In October 2018 and October 2019, MODA was able to bring in Martin Kuhn for weekend long clinics. All of our clinics are free to audit with free lunch to all who attend. These events have largely been focused on and attended by adult amateurs.

What type of educational events does your GMO offer?

Our focus for the last few years has been on providing opportunities for mounted clinics at as low a cost as possible with free auditing for everyone.

What type of “fun” events does your GMO offer?

In recent years, MODA has included a tack sale at our schooling show in mid-March. When this schooling show is on St. Patrick’s Day, we have held stall decorating and costume contests. Last year, our youth committee hosted a pizza party at The Mid-Ohio Classic and invited all youth both at the show and in the community to attend. During the party, there were horse-themed crafts, a raffle, and a young rider performed her freestyle to help interest and educate youth about the sport.