Salute Aloha Spirit USDF Member of Distinction Martha McDaniel helped to put Hawaii on the dressage map
O
n May 20, 2021, the Hawaii equestrian community and the USDF lost a faithful volunteer and enthusiastic supporter with the passing of Martha Derby McDaniel, 83, of Kāneohe on the island of Oahu. Named a USDF Member of Distinction in 2018, and honored with the Aloha State
horses followed by a successive trio of Trakehners. She earned her USDF bronze (1998) and silver (2014) medals, her bronze (2011) and silver (2014) freestyle bars, several USDF Master’s Challenge Awards spanning Training through FEI levels, and numerous ASDS year-end awards. She trained two of her horses
and to bringing quality educational opportunities to Hawaiian equestrians. She organized many ASDS clinics and other learning opportunities for both adult and youth riders. Her volunteerism brought her a number of additional ASDS honors, including the Val Forwood Memorial Trophy, presented to an ASDS volunteer who has contributed significantly throughout the year; and the Junior/Young Rider Council Contributor of the Year, for a person who has contributed a great deal of time and effort to that group. Very active in the governance of her USDF group-member organization (GMO), McDaniel served on the ASDS board of directors for many years, culminating in her being designated an ASDS director emerita. “I witnessed firsthand her dedication to our club and efforts to bring the Pony Club community to dressage,” says current ASDS president Lisa Webster. “She was in charge of membership cards and would go out of her way to help people become members so that they
THE GODMOTHER: Dressage and equestrian sport in Hawaii wouldn’t have become what they are without the late Martha McDaniel
Dressage Society’s (ASDS) inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016, McDaniel earned both accolades for her efforts in promoting participation in equestrian sport and in fostering dressage education in Hawaii. A lifelong equestrian, McDaniel rode actively into her late seventies, competing with two Arabian
through Prix St. Georges. McDaniel also competed in hunters, jumpers, eventing, and Western riding. She participated in a number of parades with her horses and enjoyed trail riding with friends.
The Consummate Volunteer McDaniel was passionate about introducing others to equestrian sport
24 September/October 2021 | USDF CONNECTION
NOT JUST DRESSAGE: McDaniel relished practically every equestrian pursuit, including hunter/jumper, Western riding, and even riding in parades
COURTESY OF THE ALOHA STATE DRESSAGE SOCIETY
By Kim MacMillan
