The Central Vermont Dressage Association

What The Central Vermont Dressage Association does

The Central Vermont Dressage Association, Inc. (CVDA) is a 501(c)(3) Vermont non-profit organization founded in 1979 that promotes the art and sport of dressage by providing educational and competitive opportunities to riders across Northern New England. It serves a horizontal customer base of individual dressage riders — from juniors under 18 to adult competitors and horse enthusiasts — through an annualized program of 12-13 events that includes three schooling shows (drawing 75-100 riders each), three development days, three clinician-led clinics featuring nationally recognized instructors, three winter educational webinars, and an annual meeting. CVDA operates as a Region 8 Group Member Organization (GMO) of the United States Dressage Federation (USDF), allowing it to bundle USDF Group Membership benefits such as Rider Awards eligibility, USDF University credits, and Dressage Foundation grant access into its membership.

CVDA is governed entirely by a 12-member volunteer board of directors (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and eight representatives) with no paid staff, and its revenue is generated from four streams: recurring membership dues, pay-as-you-go event and clinic fees (with member discounts of 20-45% versus non-member pricing), tax-deductible donations, and sponsorship from a small set of equestrian-related sponsors. There is no proprietary technology platform — the organization runs on Wild Apricot membership management software and communicates through its website (cvda.org), a quarterly PDF newsletter ("Half Halt"), and a Facebook page with 1,000+ followers. Venue operations are anchored at the Green Mountain Horse Association (GMHA) grounds in South Woodstock, VT for competitive events, with clinics hosted at partner farms including Foxwood Farm (Charlotte), Waterman Hill Farm (Norwich), and East Hill Farm (Plainfield).

Name

The Central Vermont Dressage Association

Legal name

Central Vermont Dressage Association, Inc

Website

https://cvda.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Central Vermont Dressage Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1979 that serves 170+ dressage riders across Northern New England through 12-13 annual events — schooling shows, development days, clinician-led clinics, and webinars — while bundling USDF Group Member benefits via its GMO affiliation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Equestrian Education and Competition Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Racehorse Training & Conditioning Operations (AFAEAGAE)

Keywords

• Equestrian education
• Dressage competitions
• Horse riding clinics
• Youth equestrian programs
• Dressage association membership

Headquarters

HQ city

Rutland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership dues that include Group Membership in the United States Dressage Federation (USDF), reduced fees for shows and clinics, free audit access to clinics, and eligibility for year-end awards
2. Event Fees: Revenue from schooling shows, development days, and clinics. Entry fees vary by membership status and event type.
3. Donations: Tax-deductible donations from members and supporters to support educational events and horse shows
4. Sponsorships: Financial and in-kind support from sponsors who receive logo display on website, events, emails, and newsletter recognition

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

CVDA is a non-profit equestrian organization that provides dressage education and competitive opportunities across Northern New England. It conducts 12-13 events annually including schooling shows, development days, and clinics with nationally recognized clinicians, while membership includes Group Membership in the United States Dressage Federation (USDF).

Product overview

The Central Vermont Dressage Association (CVDA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit equestrian organization, not a technology company. It does not offer a software product or technology platform. CVDA provides in-person dressage educational and competitive opportunities including schooling shows, development days, clinician-led clinics, and winter webinars, powered by Wild Apricot membership management software for its website operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CVDA Annual Membership Annual membership open to individual dressage riders and supporters across Northern New England, providing reduced fees for shows, Development Days, and clinics; free audit access to clinics; free winter educational webinars; eligibility for Year End Member High Point awards; and Group Membership in the United States Dressage Federation (USDF) from December 1 through November 30.
• Schooling Dressage Shows Three annual schooling dressage shows held at Green Mountain Horse Association (GMHA) grounds in South Woodstock, VT, each drawing 75-100 riders. Open to CVDA members and non-members with tiered pricing based on age and membership status. Includes office fees, stabling, and shavings add-ons.
• Development Days Three annual educational Development Day sessions held at GMHA grounds in South Woodstock, VT, providing structured learning opportunities for riders of all skill levels. Each session priced at $60 for CVDA members and $80 for non-members.
• Angela Jackson Clinic Two-day clinician-led clinic with nationally recognized dressage clinician Angela Jackson, hosted at Foxwood Farm in Charlotte, VT. Offers 45-minute private lessons priced at $135 (CVDA member 1-day) to $400 (non-member 2-days).
• George Williams Clinic Two-day clinician-led clinic with nationally recognized George Williams, hosted at Waterman Hill Farm in Norwich, VT. Offers 45-minute private lessons priced at $180 (CVDA member 1-day) to $580 (non-member 2-days).
• Ruth Hogan Poulsen Riding in Harmony Clinic One-day musical clinic with USDF Gold Medalist Ruth Hogan-Poulsen, focused on using music in dressage to create harmony between horse and rider. Includes group sessions (2-3 riders) and private 45-minute sessions, priced from $80 (member group) to $200 (non-member private).
• Winter Educational Webinars Three annual winter educational webinars providing ongoing learning opportunities for members, free for CVDA members. Conducted as part of the 12-13 annual events hosted by CVDA.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3 schooling shows per year each drawing 75-100 riders
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Green Mountain Horse Association (GMHA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCVDA rents the GMHA grounds in South Woodstock, VT for its schooling shows and development days. GMHA requires proof of vaccinations and provides stabling facilities for competitors. This is the primary venue for CVDA's competitive events.
• United States Dressage Federation (USDF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCVDA is a Region 8 Group Member Organization (GMO) of USDF. CVDA membership includes Group Membership in USDF, providing access to USDF benefits including Connection magazine, USDF University credits, member discount rates, and eligibility for USDF Rider Awards and Dressage Foundation grants.
• Foxwood FarmminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for Angela Jackson Clinic in July 2026, located in Charlotte, VT
• Waterman Hill FarmminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for George Williams Clinic in August 2026, located in Norwich, VT
• East Hill FarmminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for Ruth Hogan Poulsen Clinic in September 2026, owned by clinician Ruth Hogan-Poulsen, located in Plainfield, VT
• Sweet Hearts Horse TreatsminorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 CVDA sponsor
• Pirouette FarmminorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 CVDA sponsor with Facebook presence
• WLF Solutions OnlineminorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 CVDA sponsor
• Sue Berri QuestrianminorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 CVDA sponsor

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• Green Mountain Horse Association (GMHA): Regional equestrian organization also based in South Woodstock, Vermont, and CVDA's primary venue partner. GMHA runs recognized dressage shows and broader equestrian programming for Northern New England members, directly overlapping CVDA's audience and event calendar.

Direct peers

• National Reining Horse Association (NRHA): National association governing reining, an FEI-recognized Western equestrian discipline. Operates an affiliate-based structure with member benefits, approved competition venues, and youth programs analogous to CVDA's dressage-specific model.
• The Dressage Foundation: National nonprofit that funds dressage education, research, and grants. Listed by CVDA as a grant resource for members and serves the same dressage community through funding of clinics, instructor certification, and youth programs.
• United States Dressage Federation (USDF): National governing body for dressage in the U.S. and CVDA's parent affiliation. Both organizations serve dressage riders through education, competition, and awards; CVDA is a Region 8 Group Member Organization of USDF, and USDF benefits (Rider Awards, grants, USDF University) are embedded in CVDA's membership value proposition.
• American Saddlebred Horse Association: National membership association for the American Saddlebred, offering shows, educational programs, and youth initiatives. Comparable structure to CVDA as a volunteer-governed nonprofit serving a specific equestrian community with competitive and educational programming.
• US Eventing Association (USEA): National organization serving U.S. eventers through education, competitions, and awards programs. Operates with a similar GMO-style affiliate structure and provides analogous member benefits to a different but adjacent equestrian discipline with overlapping rider demographics.
• American Morgan Horse Association: National breed and sport association for Morgan horses with significant New England membership. Operates shows, educational programs, and youth awards in a similar volunteer-driven, membership-funded structure serving overlapping regional equestrian enthusiasts.

Broad incumbents

• United States Equestrian Federation (USEF): National governing body for all U.S. equestrian sport, including dressage. USEF sanctions recognized shows where CVDA riders compete and accredits the broader competitive structure; analogous role as CVDA but at a national, multi-discipline scale.
• American Horse Council: National broad-based trade association for the U.S. horse industry, advocating on legislative, regulatory, and welfare issues. Sits at a different layer of the equestrian ecosystem but represents the same broader community CVDA's members participate in.
• American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA): Largest equine breed organization in the world, with a comprehensive show, education, and awards program. Shares the membership-club model with CVDA but operates at a vastly larger, multi-discipline scale across the broader Western and English riding community.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xfacebook.com/PirouetteFarm
• Facebookfacebook.com/centralvermontdressageassociation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Central Vermont Dressage Association