What is NDA?
The Nebraska Dressage Association is a Charter GMO (Group Member Organization) of the United States Dressage Federation (USDF), established in 1973. Its guiding purpose is to promote dressage by providing educational materials and sponsoring clinics, workshops, and horse shows. NDA is the only GMO in the state of Nebraska.
Why should I become a member?
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NDA is committed to cultivating a positive learning environment, providing top-notch show opportunities, and serving our community here in Nebraska. (Learn more about our mission.)
As a member of NDA, you'll receive all these benefits and more:
Plus, you'll be part of a growing family of equestrian enthusiasts in the heartland—the birthplace of organized dressage in the United States! Join NDA today and welcome to the family! |
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WHAT KIND OF USDF BENEFITS COME WITH MY NDA MEMBERSHIP?
By joining NDA, you will automatically receive Group Membership in USDF. In addition to your NDA perks, these benefits include:
- e-TRAK, USDF’s online learning center for dressage and equine education. Through one convenient location, access hundreds of educational resources, engage in structured learning activities, and earn USDF University Program credit!
- Ten issues of the award-winning USDF Connection magazine
- Access to the online version of USDF Connection
- Eligibility to compete as rider and/or owner at USEF-licensed/USDF-recognized shows
- Eligibility for rider awards (Rider Performance Awards, Bronze, Silver and Gold Medal, Freestyle Gold, Silver and Bronze Bar, Master’s Challenge). Rider receives patch, pin, or picture frame, personalized certificate, honorary presentation at USDF’s Annual Awards Banquet, publicity in the Annual Award Banquet program, listing on the USDF website, (both current year and historical lists), and will be listed in the yearbook issue of the USDF Connection
- Eligibility to compete for Adequan/USDF Pas de Deux year-end awards
- Access to “members only” section of the USDF website
- E-newsletters sent by USDF, which helps Group Members stay in touch with what is happening at USDF and in the sport of dressage
- A USDF Group Member card which can be used at USDF competitions and an online membership card available for printing, at any time, free of charge
- Discounted rates at USDF educational events
- Discount in the USDF store
- Discount on memberships and subscriptions with USDF’s educational partners
- Eligibility to earn USDF University Program credit Representation at the BOG through the GMO delegate
- Eligibility to receive a Ruth Arvanette Memorial Fund grant, which funds convention attendance
- Eligibility for the Regional GMO Volunteer of the Year Award
- GMO youth members (21 and under) are eligible for the USDF Youth Volunteer of the Year Award, USDF Shining Star Awards, and USDF Arts and Creativity Contest
- Eligibility for the “L” Education Program
- Grants funded by The Dressage Foundation are available to USDF Group Members
When does the Membership Year start and End?
NDA's membership year runs from December 1 to November 30 of the following year.
Can I join at a horse show?
If it is an NDA-run show (ex: Cornhusker Classic, Schooling Show Championships) then yes, definitely! If it is an NDA-sponsored horse show (ex: Shaggy Show, Providence Farm, etc) and there is an NDA representative on site, then yes. If you are unsure, please contact [email protected] to make sure. As always, though, you are welcome to join online anytime here on the website.
REMEMBER: In order for your scores to qualify for NDA year-end awards, you AND your horse must both be registered with NDA before you ride. It's always better to be safe than sorry, so remember to renew BEFORE you get to the show!
REMEMBER: In order for your scores to qualify for NDA year-end awards, you AND your horse must both be registered with NDA before you ride. It's always better to be safe than sorry, so remember to renew BEFORE you get to the show!
How do I participate in the Year-end award program?
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The full rules and qualifications for the NDA year-end awards program can be found in your Member Handbook (which you can find here). Here's a quick outline of the major points:
TO BE ELIGIBLE:
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SCORES YOU NEED TO EARN:
SUBMITTING SCORES:
TYPES OF AWARDS: (see handbook for details)
- For Intro–Fourth Level: a minimum of 4 scores at a given level; for FEI and Prix Caprilli: a minimum of 2 scores at a given level
(the above is for all awards except Freestyle Awards, Rider Rosettes and Qualified Riding Member Certificates) - Median score must be 55% or higher, with at least 1 score of 55% or higher from the highest test of the level
- Scores must be from two different judges, and two different NDA-recognized competitions (see handbook for details)
- Scores must be earned between between Oct 1 of the previous year and Sep 30 of the current year.
SUBMITTING SCORES:
- Competitors must submit ALL SCORES they have earned in a competition year
- Scores must be submitted by Oct 5
- Use the score report form found on the Forms & Documents page
TYPES OF AWARDS: (see handbook for details)
- Horse Awards
Ribbons through fourth place at every level & division; Horse of the Year trophy for the highest adj. median score at all levels (except Intro) - Rider Awards
Ribbons through fourth place at every level & division - Schooling Show Medal Series
Gold, silver, and bronze medals for NDA schooling shows only - Rider Test Medal Series
Gold, silver and bronze medals for Training, First and Second Level rider tests only - Freestyle Awards
Ribbons for champion and reserve; at every level; Freestyle Horse of the Year trophy for the highest adh. median freestyle score at all levels - Rider Rosettes
Blue for 3 scores of 65% or more at a level, red for 3 scores of 60% or more at a level, white for 3 scores of 55% or more at a level - NDA Qualified Riding Member Certificate
Earned the first time rider earns a score of 55% at Training or First Level - Special Awards
Sedlacek-Rose Swedish Warmbloods Award, Peter Rose Memorial Trophy, David Funk Memorial Award, The President’s Award, David Funk Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award, FEI Jr/YR Award, FEI Young Horse Award, NDA High Score of the Year Award, Western High Point Award
How can I volunteer for NDA?
If you are participating in the year-end awards program, you are required to volunteer at least 6 hours* at an NDA event. But even if you're not competing for awards, we would LOVE to have you volunteer at our events! It's always fun and often a fantastic learning opportunity.
Horse shows need a whole bunch of volunteers in order to make the show happen, and most showrunners are eager for new volunteers. Just contact the show's manager for any show and they'll be able to point you in the right direction. Make sure to sign up to volunteer ahead of time instead of just turning up on the day. This way, volunteer coordinators know how to schedule all the volunteers.
Clinics and other educational events also often need volunteers. If you see an event coming up on our calendar that you'd like to volunteer for, just contact the Volunteer Committee and they'll be glad to hear from you!
If you're interested in volunteering for NDA on a more general level (rather than at an event), consider joining a committee or the NDA Board of Directors. See our committees here, and please feel free to email any of the committee Chairs or [email protected] for more details.
*see handbook for details
Horse shows need a whole bunch of volunteers in order to make the show happen, and most showrunners are eager for new volunteers. Just contact the show's manager for any show and they'll be able to point you in the right direction. Make sure to sign up to volunteer ahead of time instead of just turning up on the day. This way, volunteer coordinators know how to schedule all the volunteers.
Clinics and other educational events also often need volunteers. If you see an event coming up on our calendar that you'd like to volunteer for, just contact the Volunteer Committee and they'll be glad to hear from you!
If you're interested in volunteering for NDA on a more general level (rather than at an event), consider joining a committee or the NDA Board of Directors. See our committees here, and please feel free to email any of the committee Chairs or [email protected] for more details.
*see handbook for details
What is the NDA Board of Directors?
NDA's Board of Directors is the governing body of NDA. It's a group of nine people who are elected to the board by the NDA membership, and who are dedicated to shaping NDA into the best, most educational, most successful dressage organization it can be. Every year, an election is held in November at the Annual Meeting and Year-End Awards Banquet, and board members are voted in to alternating three-year terms.
The NDA Board meets once a month to discuss NDA business, rule changes, finances, events and general management. All NDA members are welcome to attend board meetings (find the next one on our calendar), and minutes from the meetings are posted on this website for members to review. If you have any concerns, suggestions, ideas, or other feedback for the NDA Board, they would love to hear from you! Find their contact information here and drop them a line.
Are you interested in joining the board? Learn more here.
The NDA Board meets once a month to discuss NDA business, rule changes, finances, events and general management. All NDA members are welcome to attend board meetings (find the next one on our calendar), and minutes from the meetings are posted on this website for members to review. If you have any concerns, suggestions, ideas, or other feedback for the NDA Board, they would love to hear from you! Find their contact information here and drop them a line.
Are you interested in joining the board? Learn more here.
Where can I find financial information for NDA?
NDA's finances are discussed at every NDA Board meeting, and fully disclosed in the minutes of each meeting, posted here for members to review.
What shows and events are coming up?
Check out our Calendar for all the events that are coming up in our horse community! Or, find out more specifically about NDA-recognized dressage shows, educational events, or the year-end banquet.
Is there a newsletter or mailing list I can join?
Issues of our quarterly e-newsletter, The Contact, can be found here. The Contact will be emailed directly to you as part of your membership to NDA. You can also join our email list to opt in for all the latest news, updates, and local opportunities from NDA. For a taste of the kind of emails we typically send out, check out our email archives here.
I'm looking for a dressage trainer or want to take lessons. Can you help?
While NDA does not offer riding lessons directly, we are proud to have lots of fantastic trainers amongst our members. Check out our Area Trainers page for a listing of most of the dressage trainers currently working in Nebraska. (Want to add yourself to the list? Please email the webmaster!)
I have a question about the rules at a dressage show.
Are you wondering if your equipment/apparel/training method/etc is "show legal" for a dressage show? NDA shows follow the USEF Rule Book for all our shows (both USDF-recognized and school shows). Make sure to consult the rule book for any questions you might have before show day. We also include a couple of helpful links to recent rule changes on our External Resources page, so check that out, too.
If you have questions about a specific show which you cannot find addressed in the USEF Rule Book, please contact the show's manager directly. Better to ask than assume...especially in advance of the show.
If you have questions about a specific show which you cannot find addressed in the USEF Rule Book, please contact the show's manager directly. Better to ask than assume...especially in advance of the show.
I can't remember if my horse is registered with nda.
When you register your horse with NDA, it is a Lifetime Membership. So if you've ever registered your horse in the past, you don't need to do it again. If you're not sure if your horse is already registered with NDA, please email our Membership Coordinator to double-check.
What is my NDA membership number?
It's the same as your USDF membership number. But if you're not sure, please just email our Membership Coordinator to ask.
