Equine Studies Program
IDA Dressage Team

The CF Dressage Team began competing in the Intercollegiate Dressage Association in the fall of 2009.  IDA is the national governing body for college dressage shows. Its purpose is to promote the sport of Dressage in colleges and universities and to provide students with the opportunity of team competition. 

Teams are composed of four members that compete at Introductory, Lower Training Level, Upper Training Level, and First Level. At intercollegiate competitions, the hosting school provides horses for all the competitors.  Essentially, riders arrive at the show with only their show attire and compete on horses that they have never ridden. They are only given a ten minute warm up ride prior to entering the ring. In the ten minutes allotted, the student works with the team coach to figure out the horse and formulate a strategy for a successful test. 

The CF Dressage Team has experienced much success since its development, including several Team and Individual High Point Champion and Reserve placings.  The team is comprised of riders from all levels of experience and riding backgrounds, including dressage, three-day eventing, hunters, jumpers, and pleasure.  Dr. Judy Downer’s extensive dressage training and experience as a professional horseperson make her a highly qualified coach.  Her lists of accomplishments include USDF Gold Medalist, USDF Regional, National, and Year End titles and USEF “r” dressage judge.  Dr. Downer is also the head of the CF Equine Studies Program.

The CF Dressage Team:

2010-2011 was a great season. College of Central Florida finished reserve high point team and Elliott Blackmon was high point individual rider at First Level. Elliott represented CF at the IDA National Championships on May 1, 2011 and paced fourth.

Contact the coach at downerj@cf.edu for more information.