Christmas is back in the boxes and down the basement for another year.  I hope your New Year is off to a great start.  Snow is somewhat fun in December with a white Christmas but by January, it is starting to get a little old for me.  Some of you have had truly dreadful weather.  I send hopes that you and your horses are warm and well.

January means travel for me.  I attended the USEF Annual Meeting in Lexington, KY in mid-January.  I arrived to hear that the CEO of USEF was gone and that Bill Moroney would serve as the Interim CEO.  I have had the pleasure of knowing Bill and serving with him on USEF committees and the USEF Board for several years.  He is an outstanding individual whose commitment to horses, their welfare and horse sport is unparalleled.  He has long been a supporter of Western Dressage.

I attended a number of meetings in Lexington; I serve on several USEF committees as well as representing WDAA and I tried to attend other meetings that might be of interest to WDAA.  I was overwhelmed and delighted with the enthusiasm for Western Dressage.  I spoke with competition organizers, breed representatives, USEF staff, and all were excited by the growth this wonderful discipline.  I was proud to announce that our World Championship show would be a USEF competition in 2016.  At the same time, I told all the Breed and Discipline representatives and the staff of USEF that we would need help providing education for our members about USEF.  I have their promise and will hold them to it.

I will try to write a least one article for each newsletter about USEF and its culture.  USEF is dedicated to the welfare of our horses, which echoes our commitment to “Honor the Horse.”  The rules that fill the USEF Rule Book make this determination to protect our horses very clear.  USEF has a Drug and Medication Department that focuses on both education and enforcement of rules, protecting horses from the dangers of inappropriate and forbidden medications.  The Veterinary Committee is constantly looking for mechanisms to limit dangers to horses and their health while at competitions.  Both of these groups have committed to be active participants in our educational efforts.

USEF is also committed to providing a fair and level playing field for all equine sport on every level from those just entering up through international competition.  There is a knowledgeable and professional staff at USEF who are happy to answer our questions.  The USEF website at USEF.org is a wealth of information.  You will find information about current rules, pending and proposed rules, information about Licensed Officials, information for shows about health alerts and much more. 

I will start packing for our 2016 Judges’ Seminar in the next day or so.  Dini Swanson has been working with Joyce Swanson, Debbie Riehl-Rodruguez, and Cliff Swanson to revise and improve this program.  WDAA offers this two-day program to educate applicants for Western Dressage judging credentials.  This is a first step on a challenging process that is designed to ensure that our Western Dressage competitors have well-prepared judges to adjudicate in our discipline.  This year, Samantha Kline of the USEF Licensed Officials staff will also attend our Seminar.  I am proud of the uncounted time and effort that our clinicians have put into to developing and constantly improving the Judges’ Seminar. 

Go hug a horse and make our day better!
Ellen

World Show Update

We are thrilled to announce that starting in 2016, the World Championship Show will be organized and hosted under the WDAA brand. This change includes a new venue, management team, date, and show format. The Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, OK will be our new host facility for 2016. With stabling for 500 horses, a park-like setting with a large pond, RV park, and indoor facilities large enough for five show arenas with warm-up, the facility offers plenty of room to grow. The Lazy E Arena is located a few miles from Edmond, OK and Oklahoma City is close by.

The show will be managed by Horse Show Consulting with Nora Wert serving as Show Manager and Stacia Wert-Gray serving as Show Secretary. Their website, www.horseshowconsulting.com, will offer complete information regarding sponsorship, prize list, entry blanks, online entry, exhibitor lists, stabling charts, spectator information, and additional features. The new show format will include many exciting changes designed to enhance the competitor, spectator, and sponsor experience; four days of classes, a $1,000 freestyle stake, expanded awards, exhibitor’s party, silent auction, welcome party, and much more.

 

In order to better accommodate competitors traveling long distances, the show will be moved six weeks forward in the calendar. The specific dates are for the next 3 consecutive years are:
 

• September 29 – October 2, 2016

• September 28 – October 1, 2017

• October 4 – 7, 2018

Judges' Seminar - February

The Western Dressage Association of America is hosting a Judge’s Seminar as part of the International Equine Judging Seminar (IEJS) at the Hyatt Regency in Tulsa, OK on February 1st and 2nd, 2016. This seminar is an integral part of the Judge’s Education program offered by the WDAA and is considered the first step in the process to attain USEF Western Dressage judge’s licensing.

The clinic is taught by Joyce Swanson, Debbie Riehl-Rodriguez and Cliff Swanson. Samantha Klein, USEF Director of Licensed Officials will also be in attendance. Early bird registration fee of $350.00 is valid up until Dec 25th. Registration increases to $375.00until Jan 25th, and $400.00 after that. Auditors are welcome.

If you’d like to learn more or register for this program, click here: http://www.westerndressageassociation.org/western-dressage-judges-education-program/

 

Horse & Rider of the month

Our Horse and Rider of the Month for January is Hannah Whray and her handsome gelding, Rowdy. At just 12 years old, Hannah and her self-made horse competed at the 2015 World championships to bring home three World Champion titles and two Reserve Champion titles.

Read their story here: http://www.westerndressageassociation.org/news-events/january-horse-rider-of-the-month-hannah-whray-appotobe-rowdyote/

New State Affiliates Council

The Executive Board of WDAA voted to approve the creation of a State Affiliates Council at its November meeting.  This council will include a representative of each State Affiliate organization as voting members as well as a representative of each pending state affiliate.  The Executive Board has provided a number of challenges to this new Council.  This group is charged with reexamining the current state affiliate model and making suggestions about potential changes to this model.  The council will also be asked to create a "best practices" list for pending affiliates and for recognized affiliates and to provide mentoring for these pending affiliates.

 

The most important challenge for this Council will be to provide timely and focused communication with the Executive Board.  WDAA must have informed and accurate communication from the membership to ensure that the board makes informed decisions for every member of WDAA.