New Era for WDCTA as it Becomes...WDEA!
After more than a year of planning (starting around May 2024), asking for member input through a survey sent out in July 2024 and numerous board discussions, we made the decision earlier this year to change the name to Wisconsin Dressage & Eventing Association (WDEA).
The reasons for the name change were many, including that we wanted our name to reflect the current state of the eventing discipline, which changed its name from combined training to eventing 24 years ago.
Another reason was our logo was old and very difficult to use because we didn’t have usable logo files (the website, newsletter and any materials we create had to limp along with the poor quality files we have), so we would have had to invest in finding a designer that could recreate our current logo, which would cost us money. Since we would have to put money into updating our logo, we decided to do both things at once.
Sandra Malott and Caryn Vesperman took the lead of working with a designer, and after discussions and minor tweaks, the board selected a logo. Depending upon the medium and/or space, two options are available for the logo: vertical and horizontal. (Please contact the board president or webmaster if you need the logo for a state or chapter activity.) A branding guide has been developed for how to use the logos, the organization’s main color (Pantone 193C—a maroon like you see in this month’s newsletter), and the typeface for all of our materials (Helvetica Neue—again, the typeface used in the newsletter), plus other guidelines. A WDEA Style Guide has also been developed to help with using AP style for reference to age, numbers, capital letters, horse vocabulary. and more. This will be available on the WDEA website.
Work also got underway such as getting the name change approved with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, using the logo “in commerce,” and beginning the update of myriad of WDCTA’s documents, newsletter, website (including the website’s URL), email addresses and Facebook pages with the new name and logo. Other work includes informing our state board and chapter financial institutions about the new name and meeting any requirements they may have. (Thank you to our state treasurer, Morgan, for her guidance and work on this.)
Our goal is to go “live” on Dec. 1. That means, for example, we can’t accept checks or payments with our old name, WDCTA, after that date. Prior to then, you’ll see the changes to the new name and logo in this newsletter, membership form—now available in a fillable PDF. (Thank you, Stephanie Severn, our webmaster for updating the website, working for the next few weeks to update our Facebook pages and making all our forms become fillable PDFs.)
Stay tuned! It’s an exciting time, as we take steps to keep our organization relevant and prepared for the future.
We Need You!
image copyright Shorthorse Studios, used with permission.
WDCTA (WDEA) is looking for volunteers to serve as president, vice president, secretary and the Wisconsin Horse Council representative. To see what the responsibilities for these roles are, go to our policies document (section J) on our website, and if interested, then contact our current president here.
Help us continue to inspire and support our members' dressage and eventing dreams!
Chet Thomas
July 20, 1942 — October 16, 2025
Chester “Chet” Bruce Thomas, a long-time, former member of our organization, died at home in his sleep on the morning of Thursday, October 16, 2025. He and his wife, Donna, were fixtures in the Madison area as they volunteered for many of the former Southwest Chapter events. At the Southwest chapter meetings, it almost became a game who could beat Chet to making the second on a motion. His sense of humor was lowkey, but infectious. Dr. Judy Batker, a founder of Country View Equine Clinic, said that nearly every time she saw Chet and asked how he was doing, he’d say, “Well, I hate to brag…” If you knew Chet, you knew he was not a braggart by ANY stretch. Member Erin Chelstrom wrote, “I have such good memories of him. He was always so kind to me.” Megan McIsaac agreed, saying he was “such a wonderful person.”
Chet was passionate about driving. Says eQuester Newsletter Editor, Caryn Vesperman, "Personally I will never forget sitting beside Chet as he drove his beloved mare, Trina. Then he generously turned over the reins to me. It was challenging—Chet made it look so easy! Trina was so responsive, well-trained and happy in her work. It was fun, and I think if I ever get to the point where I can’t ride astride, I would enjoy driving—except for what looks like a very complicated procedure to hook everything up correctly! What we can remember from Chet is how to be someone who helps and teaches others and to enjoy our horses and take pride in our accomplishments with our partners."
Chet was born in Oakland CA on July 20, 1942, a fourth generation native Californian. Chet served in the Peace Corps in Turkey from 1965-67, earned a degree in Veterinary Medicine from UC Davis in 1972, then practiced small animal medicine in the San Francisco Bay Area until 1977. He then returned to UC Davis for a Masters of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, followed by a PhD. From 1983-2010, Chet was a veterinary epidemiologist in the Pathobiological Sciences department of the UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine. Chet is survived by his wife of 54 years, Donna; his son Ross (Sarah); his grandchildren Kolby, McKade, Calton, Catherine (Nick), and Veronica; nieces Marci (Dave) Gomez and Jennifer Moore; nephew Mark Guyer; and brother-in-law Jack Moore.
Marie Caldwell sums up what lot of us are thinking in a few simple words: “He will be missed.” Our hearts go out to his wife of 54 years, Donna, his children, grandchildren, extended family and his many friends who, as Marie said, will miss him.
The family requests no flowers. Gifts in Chet’s memory may be made to the Chester Thomas Food Animal Veterinary Medical Scholars Program Fund at the UW-Madison Foundation, the International Crane Foundation in Baraboo WI, or Agrace Hospice Care.
It's Time to Renew!
Now Accepting 2026 New Members & Renewals!
WDEA is now accepting new members and membership renewals for 2026. Be an "early bird" and renew now to ensure uninterrupted membership benefits with WDEA and USDF, and of course delivery of WDEA's eQuester newsletter! WDEA's membership term mirrors that of the United States Dressage Federation: December 1 - November 30 annually.
You may join or renew online and pay with Paypal via our online Membership Form.
Business Members may also renew online or via our online Business Membership form. If you would prefer to mail in your membership with a check, the 2026 Membership form is available for download (for a printable PDF please visit our FORMS page).
Those Members wishing to renew their Stable, Instructor, Breeder, or Business (SIBB) listing may also do so either online or via our printable form. SIBB listings are for WDEA members only. Business Listings are for Retail Businesses such as Feed Stores, Tack Shops, Truck or Trailer sales, Insurance, Fencing companies, and others not covered by our Stable, Instructor, or Breeder listings.
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