About Maryland Dressage Association
Member Benefits
MDA's Schooling shows provide the opportunity to ride before USEF licensed Judges and Learner Candidates (judges in training) and have your skills tested and evaluated. MDA Schooling Shows are run by USEF, USDF and MDA rules
MDA members receive discounts at MDA Schooling Shows and clinics. MDA has a classified section on its web site where members can advertise their lesson, boarding, and training businesses or sell horses, tack, and clothing - anything equine related.
MDA holds a USEF and USDF Licensed Dressage Show known as Dressage at Heavenly Waters. MDA holds an average of 12 schooling shows a year.
MDA members receive USDF’s dressage magazine USDF Connection, MDA's Newsline via e-mail, and e-mail information blitzes.
MDA Shows
MDA’s shows are held in Maryland’s Harford and Baltimore Counties. Results of MDA’s shows are posted on our website. MDA offers Young Rider (21 and under) Senior and Novice Divisions at every show.
Awards
MDA offers numerous Year End Awards to recognize the accomplishments and contributions of its members. Prizes are awarded for High Scores, Rider Achievement, Writing and Volunteerism and more!
Meetings
Are held seven or more times a year and all members are welcome to attend. All members may vote at general meetings and the annual meeting held in November of each year. Check the calendar for meeting dates and locations. Meeting minutes are posted online.
History
The Maryland Dressage Association (MDA) was charted in 1982 by a handful of dressage enthusiasts. Since that time, MDA has offered dressage enthusiast plentiful opportunities to associate with fellow-minded horse lovers.
Whether you are new to the art of dressage or a seasoned professional, MDA has something to offer you.
MDA’S Mission
The object of the Maryland Dressage Association, Inc, as a non profit, educational organization (corp.), shall be to:
What is Dressage?
From the USEF:
“The word dressage comes from the French word dresser, to train. To the untrained eye it looks easy, but like many equestrian sports, it serves the needs of a diverse range of horse lovers. It's an Olympic equestrian sport; yet a basic training discipline for the backyard horse.
Dressage teaches a horse to be obedient, willing, supple and responsive. The horse freely submits to the rider's lightest "aids" or body signals, while remaining balanced and energetic. The object of dressage is the harmonious development of the horse in both mind and body, and every horse, regardless of its type or use, can benefit from this training.
Dressage principles are a logical, step-by-step progression from simple to increasingly complex movements. More and more is asked of the horse as it becomes mentally and physically ready to respond to these demands.
The graceful movements performed in competition may look effortless, but are the result of years of training. The aids should be virtually imperceptible. A squeeze of the calf, a closing of the fingers, a shifting of the rider's weight in the saddle should be all that is necessary to tell the horse what is required.
Dressage requires the horse and rider to combine the strength and agility of gymnastics with the elegance and beauty of ballet. The result is truly the best blend of sport and art. The highlight of a dressage competition is the Musical Freestyle in which the rider creates and choreographs to music an original ride of compulsory figures and movements.”
MDA's Schooling shows provide the opportunity to ride before USEF licensed Judges and Learner Candidates (judges in training) and have your skills tested and evaluated. MDA Schooling Shows are run by USEF, USDF and MDA rules
MDA members receive discounts at MDA Schooling Shows and clinics. MDA has a classified section on its web site where members can advertise their lesson, boarding, and training businesses or sell horses, tack, and clothing - anything equine related.
MDA holds a USEF and USDF Licensed Dressage Show known as Dressage at Heavenly Waters. MDA holds an average of 12 schooling shows a year.
MDA members receive USDF’s dressage magazine USDF Connection, MDA's Newsline via e-mail, and e-mail information blitzes.
MDA Shows
MDA’s shows are held in Maryland’s Harford and Baltimore Counties. Results of MDA’s shows are posted on our website. MDA offers Young Rider (21 and under) Senior and Novice Divisions at every show.
Awards
MDA offers numerous Year End Awards to recognize the accomplishments and contributions of its members. Prizes are awarded for High Scores, Rider Achievement, Writing and Volunteerism and more!
Meetings
Are held seven or more times a year and all members are welcome to attend. All members may vote at general meetings and the annual meeting held in November of each year. Check the calendar for meeting dates and locations. Meeting minutes are posted online.
History
The Maryland Dressage Association (MDA) was charted in 1982 by a handful of dressage enthusiasts. Since that time, MDA has offered dressage enthusiast plentiful opportunities to associate with fellow-minded horse lovers.
Whether you are new to the art of dressage or a seasoned professional, MDA has something to offer you.
MDA’S Mission
The object of the Maryland Dressage Association, Inc, as a non profit, educational organization (corp.), shall be to:
- Encourage, promote, educate, and participate in the art of classical dressage on a local, state and national level.
- Promote good sportsmanship among MDA members, friends, and other associations.
- Provide a means of association for those interested in the art of dressage.
- Engage in any lawful activity which may be necessary, useful, or advantageous to the association and its members.
What is Dressage?
From the USEF:
“The word dressage comes from the French word dresser, to train. To the untrained eye it looks easy, but like many equestrian sports, it serves the needs of a diverse range of horse lovers. It's an Olympic equestrian sport; yet a basic training discipline for the backyard horse.
Dressage teaches a horse to be obedient, willing, supple and responsive. The horse freely submits to the rider's lightest "aids" or body signals, while remaining balanced and energetic. The object of dressage is the harmonious development of the horse in both mind and body, and every horse, regardless of its type or use, can benefit from this training.
Dressage principles are a logical, step-by-step progression from simple to increasingly complex movements. More and more is asked of the horse as it becomes mentally and physically ready to respond to these demands.
The graceful movements performed in competition may look effortless, but are the result of years of training. The aids should be virtually imperceptible. A squeeze of the calf, a closing of the fingers, a shifting of the rider's weight in the saddle should be all that is necessary to tell the horse what is required.
Dressage requires the horse and rider to combine the strength and agility of gymnastics with the elegance and beauty of ballet. The result is truly the best blend of sport and art. The highlight of a dressage competition is the Musical Freestyle in which the rider creates and choreographs to music an original ride of compulsory figures and movements.”