Upcoming Events
| Sat May 18 @08:00 Greystone Riverdale Memorial May Days |
| Sun May 19 @08:00 Greystone Riverdale Memorial May Days |
| Sat Jun 01 @08:00 Schooling Show at Traveler's Rest (CTDA sanctioned) |
| Mon Jun 03 @18:30 CTDA Monthly Board Meeting |
| Sat Jun 08 @08:00 CTDA's Tennessean Express (USEF/USDF) |
Mission Statement
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Spring Fling Results
RESULTS! RESULTS! Thanks to all the competitors and supporters who came out for our second annual Spring Fling at Old Hillsboro Manor. You can use the link below to download the results.
CTDA's TENNESSEAN is HERE!
It is time to enter the Tennessean Express and Tennessean Dressage Shows. We have made several improvements and it will be a lovely weekend. Closing Date (in Hand) is May 21, 2013. See the Entry form link below or you can enter on line at www.equestrianentries.com
· The show will take place in a beautiful farm environment at Brownland Farm in Franklin TN. This a major change from the Coliseum in Murfreesboro, but one we feel will relax young riders and especially young horses.
· This is an official Qualifying Competition for several Young Rider and Young Horse Championships
· The Tennessean is a part of The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program…So bring those Thoroughbreds for lovely ribbons and prizes
· USDF/ Dover Saddlery Amateur Medal is offered each day
· Master’s High Point award is offered each day for competitors whose Horse & Rider combined ages equals at least 65 years
· Both shows are AQHA approved
· Footing is beautiful and well maintained
· All stabling is in permanent barns
· The facility is compact, shady and beautiful!
Click here for Prize list and entry form
If you have any questions about the shows or the prize list please feel free to contact show secretary, Sandy Donovan at 901-218-0613 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Helpful Hints to Navigate the New Site
CTDA has a new website – helpful hints to find your way!
Yes, we have a new website and if you read on, this article may help you to find what you need, and to learn about our new site at the same time.
Where do I find info on shows and events? Our calendar is populated with all the schooling and recognized shows conducted by the CTDA. In addition, we are listing the Dressage at Greystone series hosted at Riverdale Farms in Lafayette, TN, and any other shows or clinics we know about and have been asked to list. CTDA sanctioned shows will carry this designation on the calendar so you will know that your scores count to CTDA year-end awards. Hovering over the calendar entry with your mouse will give more information on that event, and if you click on the event, you can get even more.
So where is the show entry form? Entry forms for schooling shows and recognized shows will be under the ‘Resources/Form Listing’ tab. Hover over ‘Resources’ and then click on ‘Form Listing’. This resource has all CTDA forms – Membership (online and printable pdf); Awards requirements and Rider Report form; Shows and Clinics entry forms and State Championship requirements; Education/CTDA’s Annual Scholarship form and requirements, and Advertising and Sponsorship rates.
I need to renew my membership; what do I do? Glad you asked! Clicking on the ‘Membership’ tab will get you all the information you need about the benefits of being a CTDA member, in case you didn’t already know. (This is the place to point new members so they can find out the great benefits of being part of our GMO too!). Click on ‘Complete your membership form now’ to get to the online form. Shortcut: If you hover over ‘Membership’ and then click on ‘Membership Form’, you will see the new online membership form. Just complete the online form, type the two anti-spam keywords at the bottom, hit ‘Send’, and “Voila!” your form is on the way! You can also continue to use PayPal for membership fee payment.
I have a pretty good saddle for sale; how can I advertise to the Club? Click on ‘Advertising’; all CTDA’s rates for show programs, and newsletter and web rates and info are here. Send your ad to the contact person, and we will get your ad posted appropriately. Our Classified Ads are divided into sub-categories of Horses, Tack, Farm Equipment, and Riding Apparel. Detailed information on rates and ad listing may be discussed with the CTDA Advertising contact.
I missed the last issue of Transitions; where can I find a copy? Past issues of Transitions are posted under ‘About’. Again, hover over the tab and you’ll see links for ‘Newsletters’ and for ‘CTDA Bylaws’. Read about our GMO from great personal articles in Transitions, and also learn more about how the GMO is governed by reading through the Bylaws.
So, what else is new on this site? Wow, you’re asking some great questions! New to this site:
- a photo gallery. Send us your favorite pix of your horses, ponies, foals, riding/equestrian accomplishments, cute pet shots, and we’ll review for posting. Your photos help tell the story of our GMO; they answer the question: “who is” CTDA?
- Online payment for schooling shows. Pay for your classes/shows as you enter, using PayPal. Our schooling show secretary will get notification of your entry and payment, then all you’ll need to do is show up at the event, and sign in as you pick up your number. A signature will be required to complete your entry. **Online PayPal option is for CTDA schooling shows ONLY at this time.**
- Calendar Quick Reference – the Home page has a list of the next 5-6 weeks of events on the CTDA calendar for your reference.
- Quick Ref Banner – See the top of the Home page; our next show will be listed here and with a click of your mouse you can get the most current information AND register/enter if you care to. In the case of shows not run or organized by the CTDA, you will be directed to the appropriate contact for that event.
"It's the Law!"
It's official: As of April 1, 2013, all riders of all ages and at all levels, including noncompeting riders and horses, MUST wear ASTM/SEI-certified protective equestrian headgear with harnesses fastened while mounted on show grounds. 
This rule applies to all USEF-licensed/UDSF-recognized dressage competitions. Read the complete, revised rule DR120 at usef.org/documents/ruleBook/2013/08-DR.pdf.
New Tests, New Shows
The CTDA has updated our dressage show calendar to include new tests and the show formats that are most popular with competitors.
A new addition to the 2013 recognized shows are Dressage Rider Tests designed by a joint working group of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and United States Dressage Federation (USDF). These tests are
available for Training, First and Second Levels and will evaluate the skills of the rider without giving extra credit for the horse’s gaits, impulsion, and submission.
CTDA schooling shows will include nontraditional dressage tests for Gaited Horses and Western Dressage.
The first CTDA schooling show is scheduled for April 6 at Walnut Trace Farm in Nashville and other schooling shows in Middle Tennessee are on the calendar for July, August, September, and October. Schooling shows are an affordable, low-key opportunity to compete. See our calendar tab for dates and locations.
The one-day, USDF-recognized show at Old Hillsboro Manor in Franklin was well-received by competitors in 2012, so we’ve named the show “Spring Fling” and moved it to May 4 at the same farm.The Tennessean show weekend moves to June 8-9 at Brownland Farm on Hillsboro Road in Franklin.
The June date was selected to avoid schedule conflicts with the Kentucky Dressage Association show, which is another USDF-recognized event that attracts competitors from our region. The Tennessean shows are moving to Brownland because Miller Coliseum in Murfreesboro isn’t available on the selected weekend. We hope the location in Franklin will be more convenient for competitors and volunteers alike.
The Ole South Prelude, Ole South Classic and Tennessee State Dressage Championships return to Miller Coliseum on August 23, 24 and 25. Show secretaries are Sandy Donovan (
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
) for the Tennessean and Ole South shows and Sherry Pride (sp4horses.com) for CTDA Schooling Shows.
From Our President
Spring is a great time for dressage in Middle Tennessee. I welcome you to come to CTDA dressage shows this Spring and Summer, whether you are a competitor, volunteer or spectator.
I’m especially excited about the Tennessean Express and Tennessean Dressage shows on June 8-9 at Brownland Farm in Franklin. We moved the show date from April to June to avoid conflicts with other USDF-recognized shows in the region, which resulted in our relocating the show from Miller Coliseum to Brownland.
If you haven’t seen Brownland Farm recently, I expect you’ll be impressed with the facility. Brownland Farm is under new management and features state-of-the art footing.
I did a site inspection at Brownland this winter after several days of rain. I walked down centerline in several dressage rings to test the footing. The drainage was so good that there was no standing water or puddles. My footprints barely made an indentation!
Brownland also has nice stabling, an on-site restaurant and a convenient location on Hillsboro Road near Mack Hatcher Parkway and I-65 in Franklin. And just as important, Brownland Farm management is excited to host our show and eager to ensure the show is a success.
If you have questions related to competing in the Tennessean dressage shows, feel free to contact show secretary Sandy Donovan at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . If you’d like volunteer, contact Beth Huff at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Other events for your calendar include the Spring Fling, USDF-recognized dressage show at Old Hillsboro Manor in Franklin on May 4, and the Ole South Dressage shows and Tennessee State Dressage Championships at Miller Coliseum in Murfreesboro on August 23-24. Visit our calendar oage to get a full schedule of our popular dressage schooling shows. And don’t forget to join CTDA if you aren’t already a member!
As always, feel free to contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with questions or suggestions. I look forward to seeing you at a CTDA show this year!
Sincerely, Chris Saia