The U.S. Dressage Federation and U.S. Equestrian Federation have announced that USDF will become the USEF recognized affiliate association for the sport of para-dressage beginning Jan. 1, taking over the role from the U.S. Para Equestrian Association.
Leading up to the transition, representatives from the USPEA, USEF Para-Equestrian Sport Committee and USDF formed a task force that worked to identify necessary changes and additions to USDF policies and bylaws to assimilate para-dressage into the USDF. With the support of USPEA, USEF approved the USDF request to become the recognized affiliate, and the motion was approved by the USDF board of governors over the weekend at the Adequan/USDF Annual Convention in Houston.
“The logical combining of para and able-bodied dressage representation under the USDF umbrella is just one more step forward in USDF’s mission and to make even more clear the parallels between both disciplines,” USDF President George Williams said. “We are so grateful to have the support of both USPEA and USEF in this affiliate change and believe it will allow USPEA to shift their focus to fundraising and education efforts related to para-equestrian sport, in accordance with their recently updated mission and vision.
“USDF is primed to incorporate para-dressage fully into the USDF fold, represent its interests with USEF, and fulfill all associated responsibilities with this official designation,” he continued. “We look forward to the opportunity to represent and support para-dressage and grow recognition and participation in the sport going forward.”
USPEA President Ellie Brimmer agreed.
“USDF taking over the affiliate position has been a goal since the founding of USPEA,” she said. “We believe that this will be an opportunity to grow para-dressage sport on a national level. I’m excited as an athlete to see how para will hold space in such a respected organization as USDF, I think it will be beneficial to both able-bodied and para riders.
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“As an organization, USPEA is excited to be continuing our relationship with USEF as an educational partner,” she added. “This new role will allow us to provide education about para-dressage on an individual and organizational level. We already offer several grants to new athletes, and we are hoping to be able to expand those opportunities in the future with our new focus and see more riders find success and joy in para-dressage sport.”
The role of USDF will be to represent para-dressage in the same national context as dressage, with USEF retaining responsibility for high performance and Fédération Equestre Internationale representation.
“We are very supportive of the U.S. Dressage Federation taking on the role as the official discipline affiliate for the sport of para-dressage,” said Hallye Griffin, USEF director of FEI sport. “Especially coming off the great success of the 2024 U.S. Para Dressage Team at the Paris Paralympics Games, this is the perfect opportunity to provide further structure, governance, and success for this growing discipline in the United States. Working directly with USDF staff and leadership will be a tremendous benefit to the discipline’s growth and governance. We believe that this partnership will not only enhance the visibility of para-dressage but provide new opportunities and recognition for the para-dressage discipline and the athletes and stakeholders committed to ensuring its success here in the U.S.”
As of Jan. 1, the newly established USDF Para Dressage Committee will begin work on its mission to foster, encourage, and advocate for the full integration of para dressage into the USDF structure and mission in a way that effectively embraces and represents the true parallels of dressage and its benefits, as well as serving as a resource to outside entities on para-dressage related topics and opportunities.
For more information about USEF Recognized Affiliates and their roles, click here.
