Half-halt. The Newsletter for the Southeastern Chapter of the Virginia Dressage Association. Volume Number 27 Issue Number 6 June 2015

Transcription

1 Half-halt The Newsletter for the Southeastern Chapter of the Virginia Dressage Association Volume Number 27 Issue Number 6 June 2015 PRESIDENTS LETTER June 2015 ALPHABET SOUP OF THE USEF r JUDGES PROGRAM With our small 140 member chapter of VADA we currently have one esteemed USEF r judge in our membership (Margaret Little) and 3 members who have recently been accepted into the USEF r program (Sandy Toby, Danielle Rowland and Tristin Hardy). My hats are off to those who seek this high standard of licensure and I wanted to review for everyone the high standards that they are pursuing. I also want to recognize Margaret Little who has been a USEF r (who we have been honored to judge our SVDA schooling shows as well as USEF Licensed shows in several states) and to close by USEF r judges like Helen George, Lee Ann Hansen (Richmond area)and Deri Jeffers (Eastern Shore) who have judged for SVDA for many years. I m afraid that sometimes as new competitors to the sport, many people don t recognize the high standard that our USEF judges have attained. Dressage is only 1 of about 3 total sports that require that you compete above the level that you are pursuing to judge. World-wide, the USEF training for dressage judges is recognized as the STANDARD yes nations like Germany, Holland and the UK seek to emulate the USA standards! Most nations don t even come close Many nations are just barely getting something like our USDF L program in place now. Before even applying for your USEF r program a candidate must be a USDF L grad with Distinction which means that they have achieved a score of over 80% in the written and 70% on the practical (not an easy task to start with and it will be raised 72% as of April 2016). If it s been longer than 5 years since the individual passed the L program, they must audit Part 1 (Sessions A, B & C) again. The L program embodies the highest standard and requires 6 full weekend sessions including the examination plus additional sitting and scribing time. Additionally, all USEF r applicants must demonstrate knowledge and experience by earning 5 riding scores of 65% or higher at Fourth level or above from 4 R or S judges at USEF licensed shows freestyles do not count. Never easy to attain! Once this is fulfilled, an applicant can make their application to the USEF Licensed Official Committee for approval to enter a program. An application must contain 15 references, 12 of which must be from USEF licensed Officials like USEF Dressage or Eventing judges and TDs. Each official will receive an evaluation which must be returned to the USEF for review before the application can be reviewed by the USEF Dressage Committee. If everything is in order the applicants will be approved to enter a program. And then the fun begins! Before the first formal program our candidates will need to take on line quizzes on topics on like: Apprentice and Regulations, Biomechanics of the horse, Dressage Seat Equitation, Freestyle Judging and PARA-Equestrian judging. The actual Educational Program consists of three days of classroom sessions and structured training with competitions.

2 2015 Board of Directors President: Kathy Rowse Vice President: Robyn Nunnally Secretary: Danielle Rowland Treasurer: Shari Cutahin Awards: Carol Gonyo Clinics: Janice Mumford Licensed Shows: Katie Jenkins Membership: Reeta Edmundson Newsletter: Sarah Miller Scholarship: Sandy Toby Schooling Shows: Russ Burns Ways & Means: Grace Williams Webmaster: Wendy Murray Juniors: Tristin Hardy Members at Large: Julie Spence Cindy Lang VADA Reps:Robyn Nunnally Beth Ripple Sandy Toby Then there is almost a year of group and individual apprenticing. The final culminates 8-10 months later with a written, oral and practical examination over 2-3 days. The applicants must also attend a USEF National Level Judge s clinic during the year that they are attending the training program. It s an intimidating program but one that Margaret has passed and that our 3 candidates are well prepared for! While it is a daunting undertaking, passing the USEF r program is just the start of the USEF judge s career. Next there are educational and judging requirements to maintain your license and hopefully judges will be able to apply, test and upgrade to their R and S licenses in the next years. It is a labor of love! But in the long run the Judge s horses, students and the sport all win. The successful judge will always be better able to teach and train according to the training scale and in the horse s best interest. Ultimately it is always said that more than anyone the judges influence the future of our sport. If the judges approve - everyone will follow. If the judges disapprove with their scores then trainers and students will change their path. So judges are entrusted with guiding the pathway for the future of our horses and riders. This also hold true for our local trainers and judges and for those L grads and USEF judges that judge SVDA Schooling Shows. Take the feedback on your tests to heart and realize that your SVDA Schooling Show judges (L grads or higher) have come through a long and difficult training and testing. They are the experts and you will learn if you read every comment and implement what they recommend! Kudos to Margaret Little and best wishes for a successful program to Sandy Toby, Danielle Rowland and Tristin Hardy! We are all proud of you! Kathy Rowse President, SVDA This is the Critter Corner If you have a special critter at the barn or that just make you smile here s a place where you can share them with the rest of SVDA. Send a picture of your Critter with a couple of sentences about them. This is Little T, when he moved in he was 4 weeks old, I was worried that the Great Dane would eat him. Instead he rules the Great Dane. Now when I need to find him I look for the Dane

3 Junior Team page Jr. Team car wash raised over $ and was buckets of fun. Jennifer Scott posted: Thanks for making my car all clean and shiny. Lory Lagoyda posted: Gus and I were impressed with their energy and enthusiasm. JR. Team Fundraiser Paint Nihgt, raised over $ for the Jr. Team and we had a bunch of fun. The painting is the one Tristin did and she said she can t even draw a stick figure!!!! (Horses are a stamp) Jr. Rides at Dressage at the Meadow in Doswell, May 2 and 3 Erianna Curran on Trevo Third Level test % 2 nd Place Caitlin Couch on River Run Training test 1 Training test 3 Training test 1 Training test % 2 ndp place 66,36% 4 th Place 69.13% 1 st Place 62.96% 2 nd Place Ave Neff riding Timo Second level test % 1 st Place Second Level test % 2 nd Place Erianna Curran on Trevo at Doswell Second Level test % 3 rd Place

4 VADA 5/6/15 Meeting Minutes via teleconference The meeting was called to order at 8pm. Present were Alison Head (NOVA), Meredith McGrath (SWVADA), Angela Stanaway (NE), Alison Thompson (F burg), Judith Harroun-Lord (ShenVADA), Tina Longaker (C ville), Robyn Nunnally (SVDA), Beth Rippel (SVDA), Jane Palmer (ShenVADA), Susan Ellis (NEVADA), Sheli King (NOVA), Dianne Boyd (NOVA), Sherry Booye (C ville), Anne Draine (NEVADA), Kathy Rowse (SVDA), Sandy Johnson (SVDA) Beth Rippel made a motion that we approve the minutes from the March board meeting. The motion was seconded by Alison Thompson and was passed unanimously. The treasurer s report noted a balance of approximately $154,000 with not that much activity at this time of the year. There will an update on the fall show at the June board meeting. There was board discussion regarding dates for We are looking to move into a September date. This has implications for our GMO and the chapters regarding loss of viable shows. The board discussed writing letters to USDF expressing our concerns. Meredith McGrath reported on the Chapter Challenge. The manager and secretary are in place. There are a few things to settle with the venue. Chapters please put a save the date notice in your newsletters. (August 15 th ). Tina will update the website. Committee will meet again to finalize details. This is the 25 th anniversary show for the Youth Team. Chapters are asked to help get the word out. More information can be found at region1yt.info Kathy Rowse gave an update on the L program. The first session went well and all 10 candidates are still on board. The next session will be held in June at the VADA/NOVA show and Janice Mumford will run it. The next meeting will be held via conference call at 8:00 pm on June 24 th. The meeting was adjourned at 8:46 pm. Respectfully submitted, Alison Douglas Toxic Plants Corner Stink weed is the common name for this plant that grows in this area. It is toxic to horses and is not listed in the Horse Owner s Field Guide to Toxic Plants. It is not a member of the mushroom family but a member of the Venus Fly Trap family, a carnivorous plant. If you find a plant in your field and would like to know about it just a picture to TTCCorporation@aol.com and Keith Miller will try to tell you what you have.

5 SVDA School Show - May 10, 2015 Merry Oaks Farm Bob White Road Windsor, VA Judge: Sandy Toby, "L" Graduate Ride Time Number Rider Horse Points Percentag e WDAA Basic Test Nancy Slack AA SF Annarosa % Fourth Level Test 2 9 Sarah Miller AA Alexander % Second Level Test 2 73 Danielle Rowland O Strehla % Introductory Level Test B Group A 23 Deb Sweetman AA Newsboy MEAS Eliminated 74 Stephanie Sperling AA SS Smooth Flight % 77 Krista Bryant AA Justin Time To Bid % WDAA Basic Test Nancy Slack AA SF Annarosa % Fourth Level Test 3 9 Sarah Miller AA Alexander % Second Level Test 3 73 Danielle Rowland O Strehla % Introductory Level Test A 72 Lyndy Soboleski Rolex % 74 Stephanie Sperling AA SS Smooth Flight % 23 Deb Sweetman AA Newsboy MEAS % 53 Ainsley Yard JR Left Is White % Introductory Level Test B Group B 18 Louise Murray JR Naomie % 78 Holly Holbrook JR Two Beet Chloe % 53 Ainsley Yard JR Left Is White % 75 Shannon Holloway JR JoJo % Third Level Test 1 48 Nancy Pettet O Whirlwind % Introductory Level Test C 18 Louise Murray JR Naomie % 75 Shannon Holloway JR JoJo % 78 Holly Holbrook JR Two Beet Chloe % 77 Krista Bryant AA Justin Time To Bid %

6 First Level Test 1 33 Susan Aiken O Melody % 34 Savannah Werner AA Gianni's Gold % 68 Gary Tilghman Yevtushenk % 230 Cyndi Osborough AA Cassidy % Third Level Test 3 48 Nancy Pettet O Whirlwind % First Level Test 2 34 Savannah Werner AA Gianni's Gold % 261 Raymond Penland II JR Fuego % 68 Gary Tilghman Yevtushenk % MFS Third Level 48 Nancy Pettet O Whirlwind % First Level Test Cyndi Osborough AA Cassidy % 261 Raymond Penland II JR Fuego % Training Level Test 1 85 Danielle Rowland O Denali TCF % 12 Christie Cherry Cifelli O RH Silver Stardust % 1 Brian Deal AA Vidona % 82 Allison Spanka AA MDRS Big Leeaguer % 56 Leah Bachus Newman/The Egotist % Training Level Test 2 Group A 12 Christie Cherry Cifelli O RH Silver Stardust % 1 Brian Deal AA Vidona % 36 Lillian Leonard AA Left Is White % 89 Katharine Owens AA ML Condes Celtic Miracle % Training Level Test 2 Group B 70 LeeAnne Mathews A Too The Max % 82 Allison Spanka A MDRS Big Leaguer % 56 Leah Bachus A Newman/The Egotist % 11 Emily Esposito JR Bubba % Training Level Test 3 85 Danielle Rowland O Denali TCF % 89 Katharine Owens A ML Condes Celtic Miracle % 11 Emily Esposito JR Bubba % SVDA would like to thank Judge Sandy Toby, Merry Oaks Farm and all of the volunteers for their service and making this show possible.

7 SCHOOLING SHOW VOLUNTEER POSITIONS 2015 Date: June 21, 2015 Location: Bridlewood Estates in Suffolk Entry Secretary: Sarah Miller Courthouse Highway, Smithfield, VA 23430; ; Show Secretary A.M.: Betty Johnson NEED ONE MORE Show Secretary P.M.: Darla Holbrook NEED ONE MORE Ring Transportation to: not needed Ring Set up: Lorna Thielen Chaya Woods Ava Neff Hannah Foote Lunches & snacks: Allison Spanka Scribe A.M.: Scribe P.M.: Debby Brock (for Aubrey Vande Brake) Ring Steward A.M.: Mary Winchell Ring Steward P.M.: Emily Holloway (for Shannon Holloway) Runner A.M.: Shannon Holloway (Emily Holloway if Shannon is riding) Runner P. M.: Kayla Ruffin Ring Take Down: Allison Spanka Hannah Foote Ava Neff Lorna Thielen Ring Transportation from: SVDA Rep : a.m. Tristin Hardy Butler p.m. -

8 SCHOOLING SHOW VOLUNTEER POSITIONS 2015 Date: 7/5/2015 Location: Terra Ceia Entry Secretary (1): Eileen Darland, 720 School House Road Chesapeake VA 23322; (757) ; Show Secretary A.M. (1): Debbie Bowden Show Secretary P.M. (1): Debbie Bowden Ring Transportation to (1): Ring Set up: Nancy Petit Lunches & snacks (1): Nancy Petit Scribe A.M. (1): Scribe P.M. (1): Ring Steward A.M. (1): Allie Hemphill Ring Steward P.M. (1): Mary Winchell Runner A.M. (1): Mary Winchell Runner P. M. (1): Jennifer Freeland Ring Take down (4): Ring Transportation from (1): SVDA Rep: a.m. Kathy Rowse p.m. Kathy Rowse (?)

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12 Dressage in the Sandhills Adriene and Kathy celebrate a USDF Gold Medal at Dressage in the Sandhills Adriene Alvord and Mondavi F Owners Kathy Rowse and Janice Mumford U-25 Grand Prix st U-25 Grand Prix st Brettina Cup st Adriene wins her USDF Gold medal! Adriene Alvord and Filadelphia owner (Irene Cromer) Young Rider Team st Young Rider Individual st Young Rid er Freestyle 72% 2nd Liliana Nabhan and SB Heritage Dressage in the Sandhills Training test Training test First level test 1 First level test th rd First level test

13 Stacey and Lori Nelson Dani, Stacey, Don and Yolanda REPORT ON STACEY HASTINGS CLINIC AT SILVERLEAF FARM May 23/24, 2015 From Maryland, the Eastern Shore of Virginia, Virginia Beach, Elfenridge Dressage, Silverleaf Farm and Glen Briar Riding Academy, everyone came to ride with Stacey Hastings! Stacey was one of only 4 trainer/instructors INVITED to test for the new USDF FEI certified instructor rating. It was a huge honor to just be invited to test! After teaching and riding FEI horses and riders as well as written and oral tests, Stacey passed as one of the first 4 USDF certified trainers this spring from exalted examiners Hilda Gurney, Lilo Fore and Kathy Connelly. Silverleaf Farm was excited and proud to host Stacey! Though-out the clinic, Stacey reminded riders that on the bit involves the entire horse! If you want your horse to seek the contact, you must take the contact and ride the hind legs up to it. It s not about a heavy contact but it is about a consistent contact. She helped many riders to be both steadier and more elastic in their contact. She advised riders to be diligent and stick with their aids if you apply the aids and the horse doesn t melt into it right away (they probably won t), then continue to stick to your guns with your aids and be consistent. Don t drop the horse just because he does ½ of a 20 m circle correctly. When he goes around the ring 30x and stays through to the contact, then you can drop him and see if he holds it himself just from your seat. Everyone needed to be more diligent and stay on top of their aids. She advised riders to always have a consistent and gentle conversation with the rein and their horse. Make effective corrections and then ride your horse quietly. Regarding energy she wanted the horses to be quicker in the hind leg without adding miles per hour. It s easy to get the horse to run but harder to get the horse to be quicker and bigger with more connection. If you use the hand you must use the leg never say WHOA without the GO or visa-versa. If you want to flex and supple your horse you must also drive him. Many horses wanted to quit as soon as they felt contact and when the riders pushed they braced and ran through the contact. No aid should ever go ignored! Horses and riders will make mistakes. Learn from your mistakes. Failure is your best teacher! Everyone had many praises for Stacey s teaching. We are grateful that she would take time out of her busy schedule to come Silverleaf Farm and we look forward to welcoming her back! Elfenridge Dressage Team

14 Lexington Spring Dressage Danielle Rowland on Denali Training Level test st Training Level test nd Training Level test st Danielle Rowland on Strehla Owner Toni Meranda Second Level test Second Level test Second Level test nd 1st 1st Second Level test st Danielle Rowland on Denali TCF at Lexington Spring Dressage Owners Don and Yolanda Williamson VADA Youth Team Link

15 2015 SVDA Volunteer Hours TOTAL Debby Brock (Aubrey Vande Brake) 2 Russ Bruns 8 David Christiansen 8 Una Clancy 4 Jennifer Cobb 9 Ashley Coffell 8 Cathy Couch 9 Amy Curran 2 Anna Curran 2 Beth Curran 2 Dan Curran 6 Debra Curran 4 Ellie Curran 2 Shari Cutchin 8 Eileen Darland 8 Brian Deal 4 Ashley DeWeese 5 Reeta Edmonson 12 Evelyn Eidem 5 Susan Erb 12 Jennifer Freeland 4 Hannah Foote 1 Stacey Golden 2 Allan Gonyo 4 Carol Gonyo 12 Tristin Hardy 16 Amanda Harper 16 Matty Harrell 6 Darla Holbrook 4 Ann Jacobsen 2 Katie Jenkins 16 Betty Johnson 2 Connie Killian 8 Cindy Lang 13 Martha Marquette 4 Sarah Miller 10 Janice Mumford 27 Louise Murray 29 Wendy Murray 32 Collen Nabhan (for Lili) 16 Lili Nabhan 16 Amy Neff 4 Ava Neff 3 Laurel Neff 2 Jamie Nicolato 10 Robyn Nunnally 8 Cyndi Osborough 4 Katherine Owens 8 Candy Penland 11 Ray Penland 6 Raymond Penland 2 Nancy Pettet 7 Sonja Reuter 8 Beth Rippel 14 Mary Rombs 4 Danielle Rowland 8 Kathy Rowse 42 Alexa Rudis 4 Kayla Ruffin 4 Anna Schriebl 16 Julie Shilling 6 Nancy Slack 8 Liz Smith 5 Lyndy Sobeleski 6 Allison Spanka 3 Julie Spencer 12 Stephanie Sperling 4 Emily Staadecker 4 Brenda Stevens 4 Lorna Thielen 4 Sandy Toby 8 Aubrey Vande Brake 2 Grace Williams 8 John Wood 2 Lori Wood 3 Chaya Woods 4 VADA Youth Team Link

16 Spotlight on a Member Gabrielle Fleming Veterinarian and Chiropractor Gabrielle has been a member of SVDA for a number of years. She has ridden a number of horses, her present mount is Rioja Reserva. She is riding Grand Prix when not furthering her education at the Acupuncture School at The Chi Institute in Reddick, Florida. Gabrielle has earned her USDF Silver Medal and is now working towards her gold medal. She lives in Va. Beach with her red Doberman Pincer named Diarado. Gabrielle works on a number of horses that show with SVDA, here she is pictured with one of her bigger patients. She uses lazier therapy, acupuncture and chiropractic work to help her patients deal with the rigors of dressage. I asked Gabrielle what were three things she thought rides should know but don t often ask about. She said Feed, teeth floating and saddle fit. Feed, meaning that, as most of us know, feed can make a horse hot and ill mannered, or dual and sluggish in its work. But that feed can dry a horse out or moisturize them as well is something most riders don t know. Having your horse s teeth floated on a regular basis will help the chiropractic work last longer. And lastly, proper saddle fit will reduce the need for chiropractic adjustments and help the horse move better overall. A poor fitting saddle can pinch the shoulder and shorten the reach of the front end, or stop the horse from coming over his back. That is why many upper level riders have their saddles check at least twice a year and have chiropractic work done every month.

17 Schooling Show Schedule Date Location Judge Opening date Closing Date 6/21/15 Bridlewood Estates W. Escobar 5/25/15 6/8/15 7/5/15 Terra Ceir Farm H. George 6/8/15 6/22/15 8/2/15 Bridlewood Estate M. Little 7/6/15 7/20/15 9/6/15 Sterling Meadows D. Rowland 8/10/15 8/24/15 10/11/15 Merry Oaks D. Jeffers 9/14/15 9/28/15 SVDA Sanctioned Shows 6/7/15 Bridlewood Estates TBA 5/11/15 5/26/15 6/14/15 Sterling Meadows TBA 5/18/15 6/1/15 7/19/15 Sterling Meadows TBA 6/22/15 7/6/15 8/16/15 Bridlewood Estates TBA 7/20/15 8/3/15 9/6/15 Sterling Meadows TBA 8/10/15 8/24/15

18 Thank you to SVDA for awarding me a Foundation Fund grant to help defray expenses in the USDF L Program, Part 2. This part of the program requires candidates to travel to Morven Park in Leesburg, VA for three weekends over the course of several months. The first two weekends focus on practice judging, ensuring candidates correctly address basics, criteria, modifiers, use current vocabulary, that comments and scores match, that collectives match the body of the test and final summaries are relative. Each session progressively emphasizes the final testing session, which occurs on the third weekend. During the final testing session, candidates must judge a number of tests from Training to Second Level. These tests are then compared to the evaluating judge s tests to assess for all the elements mentioned above, plus correct placings. Additionally, candidates must also accumulate twelve scribing hours and ten sitting hours at a minimum, both under R or S judges. More overnight travel is involved to complete these requirements. I was very fortunate to be accepted into VADA s L Program, Part 2. We have completed one session, our next session will be the first weekend in June and our final testing is in September. I have completed my sitting and scribing requirements, so now I can concentrate on additional educational opportunities to further sharpen my eye. I am grateful and appreciative of the Foundation Fund grant to ease the expenses of this program. Regards, Robyn Nunnally Caitlin Couch on River Run was JR/YR High Score at Doswell Kathie Jenkins on Soldier at Doswell This was her very first Licensed show Wanted: Working student/barn Assistant at Sunset Bay Training Centre on Va. Eastern Shore! FREE Board; FREE apt; FREE lessons with USDF Associate Instructor & USEF Judge, Deri Jeffers; in exchange for Barn help. call or e mail for details:: deripiaffe@aol.com or

19 SVDA at NCDCTA Capital Dressage Classic Raymond Penland scored a 62% at his first licensed show at First Level test 2 in Raleigh. Anna Curran riding Tristin s Trevo scores a 67% & 68% on their Third Level Musical Freestyle first time out. Ava Neff and Timo were the Jr/YR Third Level Division Champion at Capital Dressage Classic in Raleigh Tristin s Team Elfenridge Sarah Miller and Alexander The Great earn their second score needed at Fourth Level for their silver medal at the Capital Dressage Classic in Raleigh. It's on to PSG for this pair! Anna Curran and Trevo: USDF MFS 3 rd Level 68.33% 2 nd Place USDF MFS 3 rd Level 67.50% 1 st Place Ava Neff and Timo: Third Level test % 1 st Place Third Level test % 1 st Place Third Level test % 1 st Place Third Level test % 1 st Place Raymond Penland and Fuego: First Level test % 5ht Place Sarah Miller and Alexander: Fourth Level test % Fourth Level test % 2 nd Place 2 nd Place

20 JUNIORS Achieve USDF Bronze Medal Anna Curran riding Trevo earns her Bronze medal at March Magic in Williamston earlier this spring. Ava Neff on her horse Timo, earns her Bronze medal at Capital Dressage Classic in Raleigh Etiquette Corner This is where I will post things that we should be aware of when we are showing. Some of these things may seem trivial, others are important. Please send me anything you think should be noted First: This was recently posted to facebook, thanks to Margaret Freeman for it. Dropping one hand from the reins is required during a salute. Two: When coming around the back of a horse trailer please say hello or something to let the horse know you are there. Three: We do not clean our trailers out at the barn where we are showing, we take our horse s poop home with us.. Anna Curran and Ava Neff congratulate each other on earning their USDF Bronze medals! Four: When approaching or leaving the show area, if you have to drive by the ring and there is a rider doing their test, please wait until the rider is finished their ride and saluted before driving past the ring. Juniors check with Tristin on the date for the next Junior Team meeting!!

21 The Silverleaf Team was in fine form at the Classic Pizza Party at Raleigh Dinner at the Spirits Pub and Grill, playing beer drinking games.yeehaw Julie Shilling and Rough Cut Katie Lang and FA Patriot HIGH SCORE AA at 2 nd Level FEI Young Rider Test st Place First Level st Place FEI Young Rider Test st Place First Level st Place Second Level st Place Lauren Levy and Ultairs Bailey Second Level st Place First Level st Place First Level th Place Kate Knick and Bayllisimo First Level nd Place Owner Brenda Steven First Level First Level rd Place Second Level t rd Place Liliana Nabhan and SB Heritage Training Level nd Place Training Level nd Place First Level nd Place First Level th Place Silverleaf Trainer Kate Knick, Randy Bliefernich and Athena Elise Atwood and Siam Owner Patti Farless Third Level th Place Third Level st Place Colleen Nabhan & Brenda Steven Julie and Ron Shilling