ABOUT US

The mission of the SGSDS shall be, as an educational organization, to:

Promote among its members and the public a better understanding of horsemanship with emphasis on dressage and sportsmanship.

Sponsor lectures on riding, training and care of horses and other educational activities.

Sponsor competitions and other activities for the purpose of supporting and encouraging organizations and/ or individuals in furthering the cause of dressage.

The Southern Garden State Dressage Society:

People who are involved in, or interested in, the world of dressage are usually familiar with famous horses and famous riders. We read about successful competitors in the newsletters of the national and international organizations. However, these publications are often the only contact many ‘grass roots’ dressage riders have with these big organizations.

The term ‘grass roots’ generally refers to people who have a real interest, or even a passion for dressage, but are limited to taking lessons, reading books, watching videos, and showing only in local shows, or showing only in the lower levels of dressage. Their interest in dressage may be to understand what they see and hear about those famous rider/horse combination, to improve their trail riding, or their barrel racing, or maybe they have far away, or secret dreams of riding in the Olympics, but it all comes down to improving communication between human and horse.

The ‘grass roots’ dressage enthusiasts are the ones who are mainly responsible for the support of the large organizations, and those organizations are definitely important. However, learning, and understanding comes faster and easier when people gather in small groups where discussion and research can be fueled by questions that will not be put forward through glossy magazines, and from relating and discussing personal experiences, both positive and negative, and getting immediate and varied feedback. The Garden State Dressage Society was formed to promote such a ‘fireplace talk’ learning situation.

During it’s earliest years, when membership was very small, each month a different member would do research on a topic of interest to them, and then present it as the program for that month. It was an exciting and wonderful way to learn.

Large organizations are important, but so are small intimate organizations where goals are shared, and competitive attitudes either do not exist, or are not allowed to interfere. The Garden State Dressage Society continues to fulfill these needs for it’s members.