2020 has been a strange and challenging year for all of us. Like so many other groups across the country, NDA has been forced to make some difficult changes to our regular plans and put some of our goals on hold.

It is with a heavy heart that the NDA Board of Directors made the difficult decision to cancel our yearly Year-End Awards Banquet, with the safety of our members in mind. There was no reliable way to safely conduct an in-person event in November, so we have opted for virtual solutions for all aspects of the event—details below!

NDA Annual Meeting

While we cannot gather together in person for this year's year-end banquet, we will still conduct our annual meeting, open to all NDA members, on November 15, 2020, at 1:00 pm via Zoom videoconference.

Members are invited to join the meeting to hear reports from all our officers, the results of the 2021 Board of Directors election, the discussion of any old business and any new business, and the results of the 2020 NDA Virtual Show Awards Series.

A link to the Zoom videoconference will be posted on the NDA website well in advance of the meeting, and it will be also communicated to our members via email. If you have any questions about this videoconference, please contact Melissa Ward.


Year-End Awards
After a lengthy discussion of the best course of action for NDA Year-End Awards under the unique and limited circumstances of showing in the 2020 show season, the Awards Committee has concluded that it is best that we defer our awards season to 2021. The committee came to this conclusion because:

1. There have not been many horse shows at any level at which members can earn scores.
2. A desire to keep the standards for earning Year-End Awards consistent across the years (not making confusing one-time changes to the awards program).
3. Many members made a conscious decision NOT to show because of concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic.

For those who have been competing at in-person horse shows at any level this year, the Awards Committee (with the full support of the NDA Board of Directors) will apply scores earned in 2020 to the 2021 Year-End Awards season. Scores earned between 10/01/2019–9/30/2021 will all count for awards in November of 2021.

This does not affect the 2020 Virtual Show Awards Series. This program is separate from the NDA Year-End Awards Program. Results from this series will be announced at the NDA Annual Meeting videoconference on November 15, 2020.

If you have any questions about year-end awards, please email the NDA Awards Committee.


Board of Directors Election
Since we don't have the opportunity to cast in-person written ballots at this year's Annual Meeting, NDA will be conducting this year's election online.

Prior to the election, as we do every year, NDA will send out an email containing the biographies of all candidates running for the 2021 NDA Board of Directors. Then, on November 1, the election will open for voting, and all NDA members will receive an invitation to participate with a link to online election software. You'll vote for your favorite candidates, or—like always—you may write-in a candidate. Votes may be cast up to the date of the NDA Annual Meeting, November 15, at which point the election will close and results will be announced at the meeting.

If you would like to run for the 2021 Board of Directors, please send us your biography (2-3 paragraphs and a photo) by October 20.


Silent Auction
In lieu of an in-person silent auction, NDA will be going virtual this year! We are currently putting together an online auction that will be open to all NDA members for 2-3 weeks of bidding. It will be a great way to get some holiday shopping done, all while supporting NDA and your dressage community!

We are currently gathering donations for this auction! If you would like to donate an item or service to the auction, please contact Margo Hamilton!

More information will be coming in October, along with a link to the auction so you can start your bidding.


Renewing your NDA membership
We know that many of you rely on the NDA Year-End Awards Banquet to renew your NDA membership for the following year. This year, we encourage you to renew your membership online at our website. There, you can either fill out your renewal and make your payment online, OR you can download the membership and mail it in, along with a check.

Reminder: your 2020 NDA membership will expire on November 30, 2020, and your 2021 NDA membership will begin on December 1, 2020.

As you know, the Cornhusker Classic was unable to take place this Memorial Day weekend as planned due to COVID-19 and a USEF/USDF moratorium on score reporting through the month of May.

Nebraska Dressage Association has been hard at work over the past several weeks exploring options for a rescheduled show later in the year. Our Competitions Committee worked tirelessly with our venue, health officials, USEF, and show management to find a way to make it happen. But ultimately, we were unable to find a new date and scenario that the NDA Board of Directors was comfortable with, so it is with heavy hearts that we announce that the Cornhusker Classic will not take place at all in 2020.

NDA’s commitment is to now focus all our energy on creating other opportunities for our members, like educational events and virtual shows, to help our community find ways to celebrate our horses together this season.

Thank you for your support, and we hope to all ride together at the Cornhusker Classic in 2021.

Thank you so much to everyone who came out to the banquet in November. Congratulations to all our award winners! It was wonderful brunching with you all, catching up on horse stories, seeing your families, and celebrating your achievements.

And then—you voted for your new board leadership! Please welcome your 2020 NDA Board of Directors:

• Melissa Ward (President)
• Margo Hamilton (Vice President)
• Lana Erickson (Treasurer)
• Jane Fucinaro (Secretary)
• Mia Newman (Junior Rep)
• Heidi Helmer
• Gracia Huenefeld
• Angie McClelland
• Michaela Schieffer

This group of dedicated ladies is excited to serve you—our valued community—in 2020.

The 2019 NDA Banquet is coming up!

When: November 17, 2019, 10:30 am
Where: Ashland Golf Club

You've worked hard all year. Now it's time to come together with your dressage community for a fun party to celebrate your achievements and elect a new board of directors. Enjoy brunch, cocktails, and a wonderful silent auction fundraiser—and of course, the annual meeting and awards ceremony.

10:30 am - Coffee, Cocktails and Conversation
11:00 am - Brunch and Silent Auction
12:00 am - Annual Meeting, Board Election and Awards Ceremony

You can now register online!In addition to the usual mail-in registration form, you can also now register and pay conveniently online. Just fill out the online form, and then submit your payment via Paypal—super easy. Find both methods of registration on our website, on the Year-End Awards Banquet page.

Get registered by November 9!

Plus—are you interested in running for the Board?

If you've ever thought about becoming more involved in NDA outside of volunteering at horse shows, we'd love to have you! We have FOUR board seats coming available in 2020.

There is an Elections FAQ on the Banquet page of our website. Check that out for more information about what it means to be on the board, how the election works, and what you need to know.

Then, if you're interested, please send us a short bio describing yourself and your history with dressage or NDA, and why you think you'd make a great board member. These bios will be shared with the membership in advance of the election.
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Please send your bio to Melissa Ward at president@nebraskadressage.org by November 9—we can't wait to welcome you!

​And finally—can you contribute to the Silent Auction?

Our year-end silent auction fundraiser is going to be AMAZING. We are so excited to bring fantastic items and services to our membership from local businesses and shops. Members will be able to get a ton of holiday shopping out of the way—or treat yourself to something special!
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If you (or your business) have items or services you'd like to donate to help NDA raise funds to better serve your dressage community, please contact Margo Hamilton or Jane Fucinaro. They'd LOVE to talk to you (and thank you for your generosity).

Congratulations to our newly elected 2018 NDA Board members! Welcome new member Angie McClelland to the board, and welcome back returning board members Heidi Helmer, Gracia Huenefeld, and Miya Higgins.


Your 2018 NDA Board:


Jane Fucinaro—President
Heidi Helmer—Vice President
Margo Hamilton—Secretary
Kathy Hanford—Treasurer
Miya Higgins—Junior Representative
Gracia Huenefeld—Board member at large
Kathy Lewis—Board member at large
Angie McClelland—Board member at large
Judy Seward—Board member at large

The first meeting of the 2018 board will be January 8, 2018, at 7:30 pm, at Misty's Steakhouse (Havelock) in Lincoln, NE. All NDA members are welcome to attend. 

We look forward to serving you!

The annual banquet was a rousing success, and congratulations on the election of your new 2017 Board of Directors:

Jane Fucinaro, President
Laureen Van Norman, Vice President
Heidi Helmer, Secretary
Kathy Hanford, Treasurer
Miya Higgins, Junior Rep
Margo Hamilton
Gracia Huenefeld
Kathy Lewis
Judy Seward

Your new board will be meeting for the first time Monday, January 9, 2017. They are eager to serve you, and welcome your suggestions, comments, or questions. Please feel free to contact us any time.

Every year at the NDA Annual Meeting (held this year on November 14 at Parker's Smokehouse in Ashland), the NDA membership elects new board members to serve terms of varied lengths. This year, we have 3 board positions to fill—this is an excellent opportunity for you to get involved if you've been thinking about joining the NDA Board of Directors. The positions that will be opening up effective January 1, 2016, are:

1. Term expires in 1 year (through 2016): This Junior Representative position, currently held by Jenae Tilford, is up for election every year. If you are under the age of 21, you are eligible to run for this office. In the event that there is no junior member nominated for this position, it may be filled by an adult member.
2. Term expires in 3 years (through 2018): This position, currently held by Dara Liss, is a 3-year term, up for election as scheduled. The member elected to fill this position is committing to serve 3 years. (Thank you, Dara, for 3 wonderful years on the board!)
3. Term expires in 3 years (through 2018): This position, currently held by Emily Johnson, is a 3-year term, up for election as scheduled. The member elected to fill this position is committing to serve 3 years. (Thanks, Emily, for serving on the board for the past year!)

What are a board member's responsibilities?
You may be wondering, "If I am elected, what exactly will I be expected to do?"

Primarily, you are committing to attend regular NDA Board of Directors meetings in which the board discusses and votes on regular NDA business, rule changes, finances, events, and general management. These meetings are typically once a month and last approximately 2 hours, though special meetings may be called if necessary. Please make sure you are available to attend as many meetings as possible; attending less than half of the meetings in a year will result in automatic removal from the board. There may be other business conducted by the Board of Directors in between meetings via email. (For full details, check out the NDA Member Handbook.)

Basically, this is your chance to help shape NDA into the best, most educational, most successful dressage organization it can be. If you've got ideas, we want to hear them!

How do all the different board positions work?
At the annual meeting, the NDA members will hold a general election to select our 3 new members for the Board of Directors. 
The newly elected board will confer about which board members are seeking or would accept an officer position (President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary).

• If there are any contested offices (more than one board member seeking an officer position), a written vote will be taken for that position.
• Otherwise, if only one board member is interested in an officer position, a hand voteby all members will be taken in order to approve each office.

I don't know...I've never done anything like this before.
It's okay—we're friendly! You don't have to have any previous experience working on a Board of Directors—though if you have, that's great, too! Whether this is your first time, or you've run for (or served) the NDA Board in the past, you are completely and totally welcome. We're looking for people who have great ideas and a desire to promote dressage in our community.

Okay, I want to throw my hat in the ring!
How do I do it?Great! We're super-excited to have you! To nominate yourself, all you have to do is send us a short bio describing yourself, your history in the dressage community, and what you might bring to NDA. Before the annual meeting, we will email the bios to the NDA membership to review. At the annual meeting on November 1, you'll be asked to introduce yourself (if you're unable to be present, please arrange to have someone else introduce you on your behalf), and then the election will be held. If you are elected, your term will begin on January 1, and your first NDA meeting will be during that month. And remember—you must be an NDA member in good standing to be on the board, so make sure you renew your membership for 2016! You can do so at the annual meeting or online.

I don't want to run for the board, but I do want to vote.
What do I need to know?First, if you know anybody you think might make a good board member, PLEASE share this information with them and encourage them to nominate themselves! Then, make sure that you are at the NDA Annual Meeting and Year-End Awards Banquet so that you can cast your vote during the election. If you can't be there, you may assign another NDA member to vote on your behalf (by proxy). Your proxy must be an NDA member in good standing and must be present at the annual meeting. Just fill out the proxy box on the Banquet Registration form. Make sure you get your registrations in before October 24!
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Also, make sure you review the proposed bylaw changes that we wil be voting on during the Annual Meeting.

If you're coming to the year-end banquet, get your registration in NOW!
The deadline is Saturday, October 24!
If you're planning to come to the year-end banquet and awards ceremony, you MUST send in the registration form and payment! Contact Jane Fucinaro right away if you have not sent yours in!

At the 2015 Annual Meeting on November 14, 2015, we will be voting on two proposed changes to the language of the NDA bylaws. (The bylaws can be found in the NDA Member Handbook for your reference.)

Please review the explanation and proposed language in the document below so that you can come to the Annual Meeting prepared to vote!

​Thank you!

The NDA Board is pleased to announce that $1,500 has been awarded to three deserving NDA Members. Each of the following have been awarded $500 for an educational opportunity of their choosing:

• Stella Uiterwaal (Jr./YR)
• Suzanne Eggert (Adult Amateur)
• Sheila Purdum (Professional)

Stella, of Lincoln, NE, will be riding in a clinic with local trainer Shan Lawton. Suzanne, of Lincoln, NE, will be participating in the upcoming local, long-format clinic with Colorado's Sarah Martin. Sheila of Bennet, NE, will be attending the WDAA Train the Trainers Clinic in Oklahoma.

Stay tuned for more updates regarding the NDA Educational Scholarship, and look for the training reports that these fine riders will be submitting to The Contact in the upcoming months! We encourage all members to apply, or reapply, and get a head start for next year.

Congratulations from all of us at NDA, and happy riding!