Nebraska:
The birthplace of organized dressage in America

The central governing agency of dressage in America, the United States Dressage Federation (USDF) was founded in 1973 right here in Nebraska, alongside the Nebraska Dressage Association (NDA), a charter GMO.

Both organizations were founded by Lowell Boomer, the "Father of Dressage" in the United States. Boomer established his Great Plains Equestrian Center (the site of which is now Middle Cross Stables) just outside Lincoln, NE, teaching and training riders in jumping, eventing and dressage. He made regular trips to Fort Riley to watch future USDF Hall of Famer Col. Hiram Tuttle and Col. Isaac Kitts school their horses, and he would return home and try to copy what he'd seen. His growing interest in dressage led him to found both NDA and USDF in 1973.

He was regarded as one of the most influential figures in the equestrian world after founding USDF and operated the organization at his print shop in Lincoln for 16 years before the national headquarters were moved to Lexington, KY. USDF now has more than 30,000 members.
On founding the USDF:
"A number of us interested in dressage saw the need for a single organization to represent the various regional organizations which had developed. There was considerable discussion whether we should meet on the East Coast or on the West Coast. I suggested that middle America (Nebraska) would be better as a neutral location and made appropriate arrangements for the first meeting."
–Lowell Boomer
The Boomer Family
The Boomer family, dressed in the equestrian fashion of the 1940s, and ready to ride in the Family Class at the Nebraska State Fair Horse Show. From left, Lowell Boomer, aboard Royal Eclipse; Gladys Boomer riding Bugle Boy; John Boomer on the jumper Anchors Aweigh; and Jim Boomer on Miss Toots.

Past Presidents of NDA:

1973–1977      Freeman (“Bud”) Godfrey
1978–1979      Lyle A. Petersen
1980                 Lowell Boomer
1981                  Susan Wiedman
1982                 Rikki Beck (Haberlan)
1983–1984      Barbara Petersen
1985                 Rikki Haberlan
1986                 Clyde Hudson
1987–1988      Mary Wickenkamp
1989                 Debbie Sedlacek
1990–1991      Clay Teske
1992                  Cecile Perry
1993–1996       Sandy Reiber
​1997                   Missy Ellison
1998–2000     Mike Smith
2001–2002     Diane Usher
2003                  Felice Rose
2004–2005    Cynthia Johnson
2006                  Beth Wood
2007                  Margo Rehm
2008                  Suzanne Eggert
2009                  Gillian Howell
2010–2011        Sydney Ash
2012–2013        Heidi Helmer
2014                   Katie Miller
2015-2016        Melissa Ward
2017-2018        Jane Fucinaro
2019-2020      Melissa Ward
2021-Present   Carrie Cross

NDA today...

Today, NDA is the sole GMO for all of Nebraska. With over 150 members and 5 types of memberships, the nonprofit organization is the primary resource for dressage riders in the state.

NDA currently sponsors and manages two nationally-recognized Level 3 shows (one weekend, two separate shows) per year, and the year-end Schooling Show Championship. Additionally, we partner with local barns to recognize several quality schooling shows throughout the year.