Mid-Ohio Dressage Association Becomes an OQHA Affiliate

The Mid-Ohio Dressage Association (MODA) is honored to become an affiliate of the Ohio Quarter Horse Association. Through our affiliation with OQHA, MODA hopes to promote dressage to the owners and riders of the more than 40,000 AQHA horses in Ohio through clinics, shows, and educational opportunities.

With both Classical and Western Dressage now being AQHA approved classes and being offered at the AQHA World Championship show, now is the time to learn more about the sport of dressage!

A pop-up clinic, Dressage 101, will be held on Saturday, May 8, at Southwind Stables in Pataskala. Amy Rothe-Hietter will lead this afternoon of demonstration and lecture to introduce riders to classical and western dressage. From 3:00-6:00, attendees will learn about protocol, geometry, and the elements of the beginning levels of dressage. Attendees should bring a chair and a mask as well as any questions. Dessert will be served. Pre-registration is required for this free event to comply with Covid protocol, and space is limited. Additional information will be available on the Facebook page of the Mid-Ohio Dressage Association. Register no later than May 5 to Karen Kent at either skent@columbus.rr.com or 419-468-6435. Please put Dressage 101 in the subject line and indicate the names of those attending.  

In addition to the above clinic, we also plan to host a ride-a-test event for those who want to critique their test and instruction before attempting a test at a show. Further details will be on the Facebook of the Mid-Ohio Dressage Association.

If you are ready to show, riders of both classical and western dressage will have the opportunity to compete at our annual schooling show.  Mid Ohio Dressage: East Meets West will be held at the Delaware County Fairgrounds on August 28-29. This schooling show is for any breed of horse, and no memberships are required. However, the show is WDAA approved on both days for riders looking for a qualifying score for the WDAA championship in October.  

East Meets West will be a massive opportunity for AQHA exhibitors. Our show is currently pending AQHA Special Event approval for one day only, Sunday, August 29. Watch our Facebook and Website as well as the OQHA website for confirmation of this approval by AQHA. For exhibitors interested in AQHA points through western dressage, the AQHA rulebook page 280, SHW 682-685.6 will be your reference. Classical horses will need a competition license as per AQHA page 279, SHW 680-681. Entry information will be available on showsecretary.com by the end of May.

In addition to the schooling show, MODA will be hosting two USEF/USDF recognized shows in 2021. The Mid-Ohio Classic has a rich history and will celebrate its 42nd year on July 16-18 at Brave Horse Equestrian Center in Johnstown, Ohio. This Level 3 USEF/USDF is one of the oldest USDF recognized shows in the country and typically has participants from more than eight states.

New this year is Mid-Ohio Dressage 1 & 2, a Level 1 USEF/USDF, at the Madison County Fairgrounds September 18-19. Both the Classic and Mid-Ohio Dressage 1 & 2 are for Classical dressage horses and riders. AQHA horses have the opportunity to earn points in compliance with the rules as outlined in the AQHA rulebook page 279, SHW 680-681. Entry information will be available on showsecretary.com

MODA was incorporated on June 8, 1976, and is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit. As a Region 2 group member organization (GMO) of the United States Dressage Federation, members have many USDF benefits.  

MODA membership meetings are held at least six times per year and are under the direction of a nine-member Board with leadership by four key officers and the support of an army of loyal volunteers. Members can compete for year-end awards at both MODA-hosted shows and local schooling shows recognized by MODA. Besides, educational opportunities through clinics and seminars are offered several times throughout the year.

We look forward to our affiliation with OQHA and continued growth in the sport of dressage for quarter horses. Learn more about MODA on Facebook and at www.midohiodressage.com.