Educating, Recognizing Achievement, and Promoting the Art of Dressage

The WPDA is a Group Member Organization (GMO) of the United States Dressage Federation (USDF). We strive to uphold the mission of the USDF of educating, recognizing achievement, and promoting the art of dressage.

WPDA BOARD

AWARDS BANQUET - FEBRUARY 2024

WPDA Board Members

Jan Bauman - President and Education Chair

I enjoy being on the WPDA Board and am honored to be the President. I am able to meet so many equestrians and make new friends, learn about all parts of the sport, in addition to riding and bringing information and tools to the WPDA community.

My daughter raised me from being an intimidated mom on the sidelines watching her daughter ride to becoming a passionate equestrian. Calypso “Clippy” is my 28-year-old Clydesdale/thoroughbred cross who continues to teach me every time I ride. Terry (aka Terry Bradshaw the blonde bomber) is my new 7-year-old Haflinger. He is giving me the opportunity to learn groundwork and what it means to be the confident leader of a young horse.

In December 2022, after more than a decade of boarding at Greenmoor Equestrian Center and half of that time working there, I became the tenant of the property and business manager. Together with Jackie Marshman as the barn manager, we strive to provide the best quality full care board, putting the horses first in all we do.

I encourage you to volunteer for the club in any way. Think about what you like to do, what you are good at, and take the first step. If you have as little as an hour or two to help at a horse show or you want a voice in board decisions, or anything in between, you are WELCOME! I got involved because someone asked me; now I am asking you.

Barbara Wozniak - Treasurer and Banquet and Awards Chair

Hi, I’m Barbara Wozniak and I am the club treasurer responsible for maintaining the bank accounts; recording all income and expense activity; and managing online credit/debit card transactions. Previously, I’ve served as secretary; board director; and show secretary for numerous WPDA shows. I’ve also served as the banquet and award chairperson several times.

Volunteering for these positions has given me many opportunities: to learn more about working with board and club members; to be more involved in our equestrian community; to meet many exciting people who love to talk about everything horses; and personally, to grow as a rider and horse lover.

I’ve been a WPDA member for at least 20 years and have enjoyed being active in our club to meet other dressage riders and to help implement the shows and educational events we offer which are truly beneficial to all of us in our “never-ending” quest and challenge to become better horse owners and riders.

I own my Welsh pony, Rivendell (better known as Seven) who is incorrigible in the cross ties, but super under saddle. He’s now 20 and I’ve had him since he was 5 – and no improvement in his manners.

Rachel Moody - Secretary and Sponsorship Chair

As a longtime WPDA member, I value the opportunities that the club provides to its membership. I'm excited to serve as the Sponsorship Chair, connecting premier companies and services to our members and helping to make high-quality education and competition opportunities attainable to riders of all levels.

I am deeply honored to be the 2024 Keystone Merit Award recipient and looking forward to putting it towards upcoming clinics and schooling shows with my paint draft cross, Jack.

Jody Basso - Board Director and Membership Chair

Hello, my name is Jody Basso and I am the new WPDA Membership Chairperson. I get to welcome new and renewing members and enroll everyone in the WPDA and the USDF participating rosters.

My daughter Mia and I have been WPDA members for over 6 years. We have both volunteered at numerous WPDA shows and events and where we have met many new friends and have become part of the horse community. I’ve taken on the responsibility of the Membership chair to become more active in the Club.

I enjoy riding my beautiful horse Sisi and take lessons to improve my horsemanship. I’m not up to competing yet, but I really enjoy going to shows to watch my daughter and friends compete, being around other horse-minded people, and sharing experiences.

For me, volunteering for the WPDA is a great way to stay connected to the horse community and at the same time learn more about the wonderful equines in our lives.

Jennifer Cunningham - Board Director

Hello, my name is Jenn Cunningham and I am a newer WPDA member, joining in 2022. WPDA sponsored events and shows taught me how much fun pure dressage could be: I left eventing and haven’t looked back! I joined the board to become more active in our equestrian community and to continue to learn and develop as a rider. I have two OTTBs. My long time eventing partner, Owen, is living his very best life in retirement. Cricket is 7 and has decided that she is indeed a Dressage Queen. I hope to see you at a WPDA event soon. Please stop by and say hi!

Karen Pool - Board Director and Social Media Communications and Website Co-Chairperson

For the past two years, I have been a WPDA Board Director and the Social Media Communications & Website Co-Chairperson. Volunteering to handle the club’s communications with Jessica Kendlick has been a rewarding experience. I have made great friends and met so many amazing people. I love that through the WPDA I can be active in the equestrian community and help facilitate learning opportunities through our events.

I decided about 10 years ago to start taking regular dressage lessons. I learned from many horses along the way. For the past four years have enjoyed a partnership with a handsome, tolerant OTTB, Lucky.

I have participated in many WPDA events including clinics, the year-end banquet and schooling shows. I would recommend joining the WPDA in any way you can. We are a fun group!

Additional Board Bio’s Coming Soon!

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March 2023

I would just like to give all of you a BIG COMPLIMENT by saying that all of you at WPDA have been so exceptionally nice, professional and A JOY to be around! I cannot wait to start volunteering with your group. You make me feel so great and want to belong!

- Charlotte, 2023 WPDA Member

”

Thank you to our sponsors…

Our Programs

Leg Up Grant Program

For 50 years, the Western Pennsylvania Dressage Association (WPDA) has been dedicated to promoting and fostering the art of Dressage through education, competition, recognition, and fellowship. To help make all WPDA educational programming and competitions more financially accessible, we are proud to introduce the WPDA Leg Up Grant Program.

The new Leg Up Grant will be offered for every fee-based WPDA-hosted program, including clinics and shows.

Before completing an application for a Leg Up Grant, please read the Leg Up Grant Conditions.

Leg Up Grant Conditions

Eligibility:

Everyone—any age, any level—is eligible.
No proof of financial need is required. This is an expensive sport and we all experience budget limitations at some point.
WPDA membership is NOT required.
For mounted events, the horse MUST meet all current WPDA eligibility, safety, health and vaccination-related criteria, as outlined in that event's registration form (including but not limited to proof of current vaccinations, negative coggins, record of owner’s permission to use horse if not rider-owned, etc…). Riders and owners are responsible for all costs related to these requirements.

Grant Coverage:

The Leg Up Grant only applies to WPDA-hosted event costs. WPDA Sanctioned or Sponsored shows and events that are hosted by other organizations are not eligible, including rated shows.
The Leg Up Grant can be used to cover clinic entry fees, clinic stabling fee, show entry fees, and show stabling fees only.
The Leg Up Grant does not cover incidentals (e.g. trailering fees, shavings, grain, hay, hotels, meals, vet fees, etc…)
Each Leg Up Grant is for one horse/rider combo. The grantee will be responsible for fees related to a second horse at an event. (e.g. Class and stabling fees would be covered for Grantee and Horse “A” only. Any fees for Grantee and Horse “B” at the same event would not be covered by the Leg Up Grant. Alternatively, if a rider is sharing a horse with another rider, the Leg Up Grant would cover the Grantee & Horse fees – including stabling – but not entry or other fees for the other rider.)

Grantee Selection:

All Leg Up Grant applications received for an event must be received by the Leg Up application date for that event (in most cases, this will be approximately one week ahead of registration closing date). Leg Up application dates will be included in registration information for each event.*
The WPDA Board will collect all entries and, with at least two (2) Board Members present, a Grantee will be selected at random.
The Grantee will be contacted via their provided email address immediately upon selection.
A new Leg Up Grant application must be submitted for each event.
An individual can be awarded up to three (3) Leg Up grants in one year.

* The WPDA reserves the right to expedite the grant deadline for any event by posting to that Event’s Facebook Event page, Registration Site, and posting notice on the WPDA Facebook page. This will only be done if an event is on track to ‘sell out’ and allows us to ensure that we have space to accommodate our Grantee.

Application