By Megan Pater
While many are pondering what’s coming in 2025, seven GMOs are reflecting on the past in honor of their 25th or 50th anniversaries. As the tradition continues, these GMOs will celebrate reaching such a milestone at the 2024 Adequan®/USDF Annual Convention, to be held in Houston, Texas. From their charter memberships in 1999 or 1974, to now in 2024, let us take a look at what these organizations are all about.
Celebrating 25 Years
Michiana Dressage Club, Inc.
The Michiana Dressage Club is headquartered in Union, Michigan (Region 2). Their mission is to promote and support the art and sport of dressage in the equestrian community, foster individual and collective growth by providing leadership, education, publications, and competition opportunities, and enhance greater public awareness, understanding, and appreciation for the discipline of dressage. The club also hosts a variety of horse shows and clinics throughout the year.
Celebrating 50 Years
Deep South Dressage & Combined Training Association
Located in Region 3’s sunny Laurel Hill, Florida, the Deep South Dressage & Combined Training Association (DSDCTA) is dedicated to fostering growth and understanding in the dressage and combined training communities through leadership, education, exhibitions, publications, and competitions. DSDCTA consists of two chapters, the Gulf Coast Chapter, dedicated to the western portion of the Florida Panhandle and southeastern Alabama, and the Emerald Coast Chapter, which is centered around the Ft. Walton Beach/Niceville/Destin, Florida, area. The two chapters host a variety of clinics, as well as USEF-licensed/USDF-recognized shows and schooling shows.
Equestrians’ Institute
The Equestrian’s Institute (EI) is located in Redmond, Washington (Region 6). They are a nonprofit organization with five decades of experience managing equestrian education and competitive events in dressage, driving, eventing, and sport horse breeding. EI has grown into a busy GMO that offers numerous shows, clinics, and educational opportunities in the Pacific Northwest.
Georgia Dressage & Combined Training Association, Inc.
The Georgia Dressage & Combined Training Association (GDCTA) is one of USDF’s larger GMOs. Located in Alpharetta, Georgia (Region 3), GDCTA hosts events year-round. Their mission is to further dressage and eventing through education and conducting shows for members to achieve their goals. Though originally formed by a group of dressage enthusiasts in metro Atlanta as the Greater Atlanta Dressage Association, in 1984, they voted to expand its focus to include combined training and eventing to address the growing statewide interest in those disciplines. They host a variety of competitions and clinics for their membership.
Long Island Dressage Association
The Long Island Dressage Association (LIDA) is located in Sag Harbor, New York (Region 8). Their mission is dedicated to promoting the sport of dressage on Long Island and recognizing the achievements of their local riders and horses. LIDA offers various opportunities through clinics, schooling shows, and recognized shows.
Oley Valley Combined Training Association
The Oley Valley Combined Training Association (OVCTA) is located in Region 1’s Spring City, Pennsylvania. Their mission is to inform and educate its members and the general public on horsemanship and horse care, and to promote the equestrian disciplines of combined training and dressage. OVCTA offers various opportunities through clinics, educational seminars, and horse shows.
Western Pennsylvania Dressage Association
The Western Pennsylvania Dressage Association (WPDA) is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Region 1). Their mission is to uphold USDF’s mission of education, recognition of achievement, and promotion of the art of dressage. WDPA holds schooling shows, clinics, and educational opportunities across Western Pennsylvania.
