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The WDAA achieved 501(c)(3) tax exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service as a recognized educational organization. It is an affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF). It has established Alliance relationships with a number of breed organizations including the American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA), the International Freisian Show Horse Association (IFSHA), the American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA), the Andalusian and Lusitano Show Alliance, and the Pinto Horse Association of America (PtHA). The WDAA has State Affiliates, both licensed and in the application process, in more than 20 states and an International Alliance with the Western Style Dressage Association of Canada (WSDAC). Other international Alliances are also in process in Great Britain, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and a large number of European countries.
In 2011, both the Friesian and the Morgan World Championships offered Western Dressage. In 2012, the Pinto World Show and Color Breed Congress joined the line up with an equally overwhelming response. This year, in addition to each of these events, the WDAA adds the Western Dressage OPEN World Championships which will be held in conjunction with the Color Breed Congress in Tulsa, OK.
The new WDAA Western Dressage Rules & Tests which took effect for the 2013 competition year were crafted by professional horseman with an in-depth background in both western and dressage, to provide a platform for exhibitors and shows ranging from local schooling shows which offer Western Dressage to World Championship Shows for USEF and non USEF breeds. They were adopted by the USEF for use in the Morgan Breed division at the USEF Convention held in January 2013.
The WDAA, and its local Affiliate, Western Dressage Association® of Colorado, completed a two-day seminar in October 2012, of Train the Trainer™, guiding thirty-one equine professionals from across the nation through classroom and arena demonstrations of and discussions about the sequential curriculum of Western Dressage training. The first of the 2013 Train The Trainers™ events will also be held in Colorado on May 7 & 8, 2013 with additional offerings being planned in conjunction with State Affiliates across the country.
WDAA has a commercial partnership with Horseshow.com which provides a wide spectrum of opportunities for WDAA members to receive on-line coaching from a wide spectrum of experts in Western Dressage and the opportunity to compete in on-line competitions. Horseshow.com has committed its significant resources to partner with WDAA in its educational mission by creating a wide variety of educational materials for the emerging discipline of Western Dressage.
The majority of these successes and achievements have been realized through the generous contribution of time, funding, and talent of its members, affiliates, and volunteers. Their devotion to the organization brings a passion and enthusiasm to the discipline of Western Dressage. The WDAA has been guided throughout by the leadership, strategy, and policies of its Board of Directors, Advisory Board, and its newly formed committees, all of which are volunteer positions and provide their services without funding. Each is comprised of distinguished professionals from all facets of the equine industry.
Each of the many distinguished professionals has contributed to the mission, vision and direction of Western Dressage. These horsemen and women have given their time, talent and advice to the WDAA to help in its growth. We are grateful for their commitment to the educational mission of the WDAA. With their support, the WDAA, as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization continues to serve its members and to work to fulfill its educational mission.
The equine world, in this country and internationally, is diverse. It encompasses individuals and professionals as well as disciplines, businesses, breed organizations, and educational organizations that all are part of a grand mosaic.
After all, it really is “… about the journey!” So, let’s ride!
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