How Dressage is Organized in the U.S.

 

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is the only national membership organization dedicated to dressage, a method of horse training in existence since ancient Greece and an Olympic sport since the inception of the modern Olympics in the late 1800s.

 

Established in 1973 and headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky, the USDF is dedicated to education, recognition of achievement, and promotion of dressage. USDF is a tax-exempt 501(c)3 organization with more than 30 different educational programs, 175 affiliate local or regional clubs and more than 2000 annual awards for excellence in competition. USDF works closely with the bodies that govern equestrian competition -- the U.S. and the international equestrian federations. The national levels of dressage (Training through Fourth level) are governed by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF). The international levels (Prix St. Georges through Grand Prix) are governed by the Federation Equéstré Internationale (FEI).

 

Individuals may join the USDF as a Participating Member (PM), which provides full USDF membership benefits including eligibility to compete in USDF recognized shows and qualify for championships and year-end USDF awards. Individuals may join the USDF as a Group Member (GM) by joining a local Group Member Organization (GMO), which provides USDF membership benefits including eligibility to compete in USDF recognized shows but NOT qualify for championships or year-end USDF awards.

 

The USDF is composed of a governing body, the Board of Governors (BOG), which is supported by an Executive Board (EB), Councils and Committees, and USDF Staff. The USDF is organized into nine USDF Regions, each of which has a variable number GMOs.

 

• The BOG is composed of PM delegates and GM delegates. PM delegates are elected by each region and GM delegates are appointed by each GMO President. The PM and GM delegates votes on major decisions, including carrying the votes for Regional Director elections, at the yearly USDF Symposium.

• The EB is composed of nine Regional Directors (RD) and four Officers. The RDs are elected by the PM and GM delegates in each regions. The officers are elected by all the USDF PM and GM delegates. The EB manages the day-to-day USDF operations and councils & committees that oversee specific functions and areas.

• The nine USDF Regions are headed by a RD, who is elected by the region’s PM and GM delegates. The Regions organize regional dressage activities.

• The GMOs are the local dressage groups that sponsor local dressage activities, including USDF recognized dressage shows, local schooling shows, clinics, etc.

 

USDF Region 6

The USDF has divided the country into nine regions for competition purposes. Region 6 is comprised of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Western Montana.

 

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