Virginia Dressage Association
Building and Sustaining a Strong Dressage Community
2024 VADA
State Board of Directors
Michelle King, President
Bettina Longaker, Vice President
Alison Douglas, Secretary
Jessie Ginsburg, Treasurer
Beth Rippel, State Membership Chairperson
Beth Ripple, Grant Coordinator
Nancy Doody, Webmaster
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VADA Licensed
Show Management Committee
Dianne Boyd, Show Manager
Bettina Longaker, Show Secretary
Rachel Rice, Volunteer Coordinator
Michelle King, Awards
Nancy Doody, Awards
Nancy Lowey, Sponsorship Team
Nancy Doody, Sponsorship Team
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​USDF Region 1 Director:
Bettina Longaker
State News
VADA State Board
Zoom Meeting scheduled for Wednesday.
19 December at 8:00 pm
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Dressage at Lexington
11-13 July 2025
Virginia Horse Center,
Lexington, VA
Great American Insurance Group/USDF Reg 1 Championships and VADA Fall Show
2-5 October 2025
Virginia Horse Center, Lexington, VA
2025 US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan®
30 October – 2 November 2025
World Equestrian Center (WEC) Wilmington, OH
VADA 2024 Membership Directory Online
Password Protected
Email Nancy Doody (link below) include name, chapter, and cell phone number to request access.
State Announcements
Latest News and Announcements
Resources
L Education Program
VADA’s “L” Program is full for both Participants and Auditors! Our first weekend kicks off December 14-15 with both classroom-style learning and live horse demonstrations. Attendees will learn how the horse’s gaits and movement affect scores and will begin to understand the methodology dressage judges apply to arrive at consistent scores. Check back here for information about auditor openings at our next session in February.
The deadline for Year End Awards submission - 1 December 2024.
VADA recognizes the achievements of riders and horses (schooling and licensed), In-Hand/Dressage Sport Horse Breeding (DSHB), and volunteers for their contributions throughout the year at both Chapter and State levels. Awards include "Trainer of the Year," "The High Score Adult Amateur Award," and "Breed in Virginia," which is awarded to the rider. Other VADA Awards are the "Chapter Volunteer of the Year Award," "Chapter President's Award," and "Chapter Newsletter Editor's Award."
Preliminary Listing of Rider Awards Standing Posted for Review
(Published on the VADA website)
12-15 December 2024
2024 Final Year End Award Recipients Published
(Published on the VADA website)
16 December 2024
Award Recipients Selection of Awards
(Published on the VADA website)
16-21 December 2024
For anyone not fortunate enough to have known Shel, he was not only a gifted horseman and successful competitor but also a truly good sport and dedicated advocate to VADA. Shel was a seasoned competitor, having won the Gold and Silver Individual Medals in his last two years as a Young Rider at the NAYRC. He always rode to win, but never at the expense of his horse or another rider. Rather than “psyching” his fellow competitors, Shel was more likely to offer a helping hand or wish them luck. Furthermore, Shel was a tireless supporter of VADA. He served as President during some of our Association’s most difficult and trying times. It is largely due to his diplomacy and tenacity that VADA exists as it does today.
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It is this spirit of unselfish good sportsmanship and generous volunteerism, which were so much a part of Shel’s nature, that VADA wishes to encourage and reward. If you are aware of a VADA member who ...​
Chapter Nomination Submission
7-14 December 2024
Slate of Nominations Forward to Chapter Presidents for Review and Selection
16 December 2024
Chapter Selectee Submission to Shel Gafford Coordinator
15 January 2025
Year End Awards Luncheon
2 February 2025
Greencroft Club Charlottesville, VA
Luncheon: $40.00 Adult and $18.00 Child
Reservation Opening Date: 17 December 2024
Closing Date: 20 January 2025
Buffet Serving Station
The 2024 Year End Awards Luncheon will be held at the Greencroft Club in Charlottesville, VA. It is set to begin at 11:00 am and should end by 2:00 pm. We strongly encourage you to make your reservation early and not wait until the reservation closing date. Once we reach maximum capacity, (regardless of reservation closing date) we will no longer accept reservations.​​​
Silent Auction at Year End Awards Luncheon
Let's organize an outstanding silent auction with a diverse array of enticing items! Chapters could donate a basket or perhaps offer a discount certificate for a schooling show or clinic. VADA trainers, your donation of a lesson gift certificate would be highly valued. We also invite our artistic members to contribute their artwork, pottery, or handmade crafts—a delightful contribution!
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To make a silent auction donation, kindly complete the donation form and submit it in PDF format to Nancy Doody at ndoody15@gmail.com by January 27, 2025. Additionally, please bring your auction item(s) to the luncheon.
2024 State Board Minutes
December 2024
2023 VADA
State Board of Directors
Michelle King, President
Bettina Longaker, Vice President
Alison Douglas, Secretary
Jessie Ginsburg, Treasurer
Beth Rippel, State Membership Chairperson
Beth Ripple, Grant Coordinator
Nancy Doody, Webmaster
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VADA Licensed
Show Management Committee
Dianne Boyd, Show Manager
Bettina Longaker, Show Secretary
Rachel Rice, Volunteer Coordinator
Michelle King, Awards
Nancy Doody, Awards
Nancy Lowey, Sponsorship Team
Nancy Doody, Sponsorship Team
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USDF Region 1 Website:
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USDF Region 1 Director:
Bettina Longaker
About VADA
Virginia Dressage Association (VADA) is a Group Member Organization (GMO) of the United States Dressage Federation (USDF). VADA is committed to building and sustaining a strong dressage community through educational opportunities and programs, scholarships, licensed and schooling shows for its members. VADA recognizes rider achievements through the Year-End Awards Program. By joining a VADA Chapter you automatically become a dues-paying group member of USDF.
The Association is made of up eight (8) chapters: Central (VADA-CC), Charlottesville (VADA-CH), Fredericksburg (VADAF), Northeast (VADA-NE), Northern Virginia (VAD/NOVA), Shenandoah Valley (ShenVADA), Southeast (SVDA), and Southwest (SWVADA).
Virginia Dressage Association Membership
Virginia Dressage Association (VADA) is a Group Member Organization (GMO) of the United States Dressage Federation (USDF). VADA is committed to building and sustaining a strong dressage community through educational opportunities and programs, scholarships, licensed and schooling shows for its members. VADA recognizes rider achievements through the Year-End Awards Program.
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The Association is made of up eight (8) chapters: Central (VADA-CC), Charlottesville(VADA-CH), Fredericksburg (VADAF), Northeast (VADA-NE), Northern Virginia (VAD/NOVA), Shenandoah Valley (ShenVADA), Southeast (SVDA), and Southwest
(SWVADA). Individuals join VADA by joining the chapter of their choice. You can find out more information on each chapter by going to https://virginiadressage.org/vada chapters and clicking on the link to each chapter’s website. Once you join a VADA chapter, you automatically become a member of VADA as well as a dues-paying group member (GM) of USDF.
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Virginia Dressage Association
Chapters
Area Legend
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Central (VADACC) - Hanover, Caroline, Louisa, King Willima, Goochland, Powhatan, Chesterfield, New Kent, King and Queen, Essex, Richmond, Northumberland, Lancaster, Middlesex, James City, Charles City, Prince George, Petersburg, Dinwiddie, Wakefield, Ivor, Nottoway, Cumberland.
Charlottesville (VADA-CH) -City of Charlottesville and Albermarle, Buckingham, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Madison, Nelson and Orange Counties.
Fredericksburg (VADAF) - Fredericksburg, Stafford, Spotsylvania, Prince William, Culpeper, Fauquier, King George, Westmoreland, Caroline, Orange, Madison, Louisa.
Northeast (NEVADA) - North and East of Richmond to the Chesapeake Bay, including Norther Neck, Middle Peninsula and the Williamsburg Region.
Northern (VADA/NOVA) - Northern Virginia area - Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William, Clark, Culpeper, Rappahannock, Stafford, Warren, as well as DC, MD, PA and WV.
Southeast (SVDA) -Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Hampton, Newport News, Williamsburg, Gloucester, Isle of Wright.
Shenandoah Valley (ShenVADA)- Shenandoah, Warren, Frederick, Rockingham, Page, Augusta and parts of eastern West Virginia.
Southwest (SWVADA) - All of Southwest extending to Staunton and Waynesboro and east to Lynchburg, Amherst, Altavista and Danville. Most members are from the New River Valley, Roanoke, Lexington and Lynchburg areas.
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Charlottesville
Southwest
Central (VADACC)
Southeast
Shenandoah
Northern
Fredericksburg
Northeast (NE-VADA)
Richmond
Leesburg
Virginia Beach
Fredericksburg
Blacksburg
Staunton
Williamsburg
Click on Logo/Icon to visit Chapter sites
Central (VADACC)
Virginia Dressage Association
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Board Members
President: Heather Escobar and
Christina Arrington
Vice President: XXX
Secretary: Heidi Gayle
Treasurer: Alison Douglas
Webmaster: Michele Whalen
Newsletter Editor: Michele Whalen
Membership Coordinator: Patty Howell
VADA State Chapter Representatives
Alison Douglas
Christina Arrington
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Board Members
President: Eleszabeth McNeel
Vice President: Erin Fitzwater
Secretary: Shaleena Arreguin
Treasurer: Bettina Longaker
Webmaster: Nancy Doody
Newsletter Editor: Nancy Doody
Membership Coordinator: Sandy Worley
Volunteer Coordinator: Nancy Doody
VADA State Chapter Representatives:
EleszabethMcNeel
Nancy Doody
Bettina Longaker
Charlottesville (VADA-CH)
Virginia Dressage Association
Fredericksburg (VADAF)
Virginia Dressage Association
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Board Members
President: Anna Fox
Vice President: Karen Rice
Secretary: Hannah Bowers
Treasurer: Sharon Ackley
Webmaster: Cambray Walmer
Newsletter Editor: Karen Rice
Membership Coordinator: Sharnette Atkinson
VADA State Chapter Representatives:
Anna Simmons
Karen Rice
Board Members
President: Diann Carpenter
Vice President: Judy Grass
Secretary: Michelle King
Treasurer: Lisa Rice
Newsletter Editor: Veronica Gogan
Membership Coordinator: Michelle King
Volunteer Coordinator: Rachel Rice
VADA State Chapter Representatives:
Jessie Ginsburg
Rachel Rice
Michelle King
Northern Virginia (VADA.NOVA)
Virginia Dressage Association
North East (NE-VADA)
Virginia Dressage Association
Board Members
President: Sheryl Wyatt
Vice President: Sam Kambeck
Secretary: Sam Kambeck
Treasurer: Margie Brown
Communications: Lisa Powers
Membership Coordinator: Margie Brown
VADA State Chapter Representatives:
Anne Draine
Sheryl Wyatt
Angela Stanaway
Shenandoah Valley Association (ShenVADA)
Virginia Dressage Association
Board Members
President:
Vice President:
Secretary:
Treasurer:
Webmaster:
Newsletter Editor:
Membership Coordinator:
VADA State Chapter Representatives:
Jane Palmer
Polly Capanski
Board Members
President: Lorna "Cookie" Parsons
Vice President: Beth Rippel
Secretary: Deb Sweetman
Treasurer: Shari Cutchin
Webmaster: Wendy Wilde
Newsletter Editor: Sarah Miller
Membership Coordinator: Susan Gaston
VADA State Chapter Representatives:
Beth Rippel
Robyn Nunally
Sandy Toby
Southeast (SVDA)
Virginia Dressage Association
Southwest (SWVADA)
Virginia Dressage Association
Board Members
President: Lindsey Carr
Vice President: Laura Nelson
Secretary: Judy Altizer
Treasurer: Annie Harris
Webmaster: Elizabeth Irons
Facebook: Lindsey Carr
Membership Coordinator: Candi Hylton
VADA State Chapter Representatives:
Laura Nelson
Muffin Smith
Katie Kelly