October 2019 Newsletter

October Newsletter

President's Letter

Dear Members,

We made it through another WDAA World Championship Show (well, mostly… I did leave on crutches following an unfortunate run-in with a corner seat in the bleachers...).

As you know, we at WDAA work hard to make each year’s World Show better than the last. We are anticipating results from the participants’ survey, but initial reactions were very positive, I really believe our show staff outdid itself this year. For the first time, the World Show was a day longer, with all four tests offered at each level. We added Intro Freestyle, several new award categories, and a wonderful color guard presentation of our Nation’s flag and national anthem. Entries went up by over 33 percent. We even got compliments on the bathrooms at the show and that has never happened before!

We are already preparing for next year’s show. 2020 will be the last year without a qualification requirement for World Show entries.

To enter the 2021 WDAA World Championship Show, horses must have been shown in any WDAA recognized show at least once in 2021. There will be no minimum score or placement, just that the horse competes. We feel this requirement will benefit members because it should result in more opportunities to show closer to home. In order to further support grassroots show managers, local clubs, and affiliates, WDAA will publish a guide for putting on a Western Dressage Show. It will be available for members on our website and explain the differences in requirements for:
-Schooling Shows,
-WDAA recognized shows,
-USEF Lite shows and
-USEF regular shows.

As we plan for the future, WDAA’s board and staff are committed to serving our membership to the best of our abilities. We will host an open Western Dressage Committee meeting as part of the USEF Annual Meeting in January. Details and registration information can be found on the USEF website: https://www.usef.org/annual-meeting

I hope to see you there!

Cindy Butler, Your President

Western Dressage Association of America


2019 WDAA World Show

2019 WDAA Western Dressage World Championship Show was a huge success! For the first time the show was 5 full days. Oct 2nd was a very full day of rail classes many of which had to be split then the top 10 horses were invited back to compete for the World Championship. Between Oct 3rd -6th, 238 horse and rider teams rode 1093 WDAA tests! 37 different breeds of horses and ponies were shown representing 27 US states and 3 Canadian provinces.

Exhibitors and enthusiasts were celebrated at no less than 5 parties over the 5 days of competition, the wonderful compliments we received in the WDAA office kept everyone in a very festive mood all week! We had a lot of happy horses and happy exhibitors. It has been said before and it needs to be repeated often, Western Dressage people are the absolute BEST!!!

Here are a few highlights from the Sunday Night Awards Celebration and Farewell Party.

Overall High Scores:
· Open – Joann Williams on Gallod Ffantastic – 86.111%
· Amateur – Nance McManus on Sheza Hot Pistola – 83.75%
· Junior – Laure Sheets on Fort Knox – 82.222%

Reserve Over All High Scores:
· Open – Scot MacGregor on Extra Daring – 80.6%
· Amateur – Cindy Rau-Sobotka on KBs Timepiece – 79.074%
· Junior – Haley Whittaker on Peppers Temptress – 80.37%

Special awards -

Silver Spur Award - Highest scoring horse and rider team that equals 75 years in age combined - Joann Williams and Gallod Ffantastic

High Score Greenhorn Award - For the rider and horse competing for the first time at the World Show - Junior Rider Laura Sheets and Fort Knox.

High Score Military Veteran Award – Cindy Rau-Sobotka and KBs Timepiece

For all World Show results please visit https://www.wdaaworldshow.org/2019-wdaa-western-dressage-world-championship-show-division-awards


2019 Honors Dinner

The 2019 WDAA Honors Dinner was held in the Roper’s Cantina at the Lazy E Arena, the first night of the World Show, Wednesday, Oct 2nd. Over 70 people attended and enjoyed a great dinner and celebrated their horse’s achievements in the WDAA Horse Lifetime Points and Awards Program. Over 100 awards were presented including plaques, halters, stall guards, Bronze, Silver and Gold Medallions plus a Supreme Champion Buckle! A few of the big winners proudly receiving their awards were Gallod Ffantastic and Joann Williams, bringing home the Gold Medal and were the second to win the coveted Supreme Champion Buckle! Another was Cynthia Collins taking home I’ll Be a Scarlet Moon’s Register of Merit, Achievement and Excellence, plus the Bronze, Silver and Gold Medals, there was so much to present we had to recruit the USEF’s CEO Bill Moroney to help!!!

To participate in this great program visit https://westerndressageassociation.org/wdaa-horse-lifetime-points-and-awards-program/ 

 Joann Williams - Gallod FfantasicJoann Williams - Gallod Ffantasic

 Cynthia Collins - I'll Be a Scarlet Moon
Cynthia Collins - I'll Be a Scarlet Moon


Welcome Jenny McBurnett of Austin,TX to the WDAA team!

Jenny will be the WHLPAP Program Administrator, she will be customizing and maintaining the WHLPAP software as well as handling the day to day management of the points program. Giving Kathy Newcomb some much-needed assistance with running the inner workings of WDAA programs and membership. (Jenny is pictured center).

 

 


USEF Youth Sportsman's Award WDAA Nominee is  - Korbin Eckert

Every year WDAA nominates a youth member to be considered for the USEF Youth Sportsman’s Award. Applicants submit a 9-part submission packet to be considered, they go to quite a bit of effort just to apply to be nominated! Korbin and the other applicants receive a free WDAA youth membership.

 

 


USEF $1500 Youth Sportsman's Award Grant presentation!

WDAA is thrilled to announce that the USEF Youth Sportsman's Grant of $1500 has been awarded to Operation Wild Horse-Veterans R&R and their wonderful youth outreach program! The purpose of the program is to involve children of Veterans & Active Duty Military in learning horsemanship and riding skills utilizing Western Dressage as the platform. Additionally, they work with Active Duty Military that are under the age of 22 and also include "Poolee's" (individuals under the age of 22 who are going into the Military). This program concentrates on the therapeutic attributes of horse riding, ground work and the comradery that accompanies the equestrian community atmosphere.

This no fee annual program has been in place since February of 2017 but participants were limited due to the shortage of equipment. The grant will allow OWH to implement the curriculum on a larger scale as proper equipment can be purchased to provide the safest atmosphere possible for participants ages 2-21.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Operation Wild Horse, a program offered by Veterans R&R
https://veteransrandr.org/


WDAA membership renewals will be sent Nov 1st.

Make sure to join ASAP to enjoy the new member benefits!

The new Video Education Portal contains an ever-growing library of Western Dressage test videos, some of which have commentary from the actual judges! Other benefits include an invitation to the Facebook group Social Corral, a free USEF Fan membership the ability to attend educational events, participate in the WDAA Horse Lifetime Points and Awards Program, plus direct input on important topics by way of monthly surveys. To see all benefits and join WDAA if you aren't already a member go to https://wdaa.memberclicks.net/wdaa-member-benefits-public


Attention, TTT Announcement!

The WDA of Georgia affiliate is excited to announce they are hosting Train the Trainers™ with Francis Carbonnel and Cliff Swanson in February 2020!!  This non-mounted, lecture-based clinic covers everything western dressage from beginners to advanced.  The clinic will feature demonstration rides from both gaited and non-gaited World Champion horses and provide discussions on Freestyle dressage.  The cost is $375. Information and registration can be found on the website http://wdageorgia.org/ The host farm is a fully indoor facility in north Georgia about 2 hours from the Atlanta airport.  We are already filling up so Register TODAY!  Contact Kim Stayton at 770-655-1734 or [email protected] for more information. 

https://wdageorgia.org/


Attention, WHLPAP Announcement!

In the past we have accepted retroactive submissions of tests for 1 year previous as long as all Annual Submission fees were paid. Retroactive submissions create quite a bit of extra staff work so beginning Jan 1st 2020 if you would like to submit 2019 points you will be charged a $100 Annual Recording fee.



CLINICS AND SHOWS

Looking for a Schooling Show or Clinic to brush up on your skills. Stop by the Events Calendar on the WDAA website where you will find lots of events happening all over the USA!


FIND A PROFESSIONAL

The Western Dressage Association® of America is proud to offer an ever-growing list of dedicated Western Dressage professionals. Use this directory to help further your Westen Dressage experience and education.


WDAA HORSE LIFETIME POINTS & AWARDS PROGRAM

The WDAA Horse Lifetime Points and Awards Program (WHLPAP) tracks points achieved by a horse with their riding partner throughout their Western Dressage career.

WDAA Website | Member Portal | Event Calendar | Social Corral


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