Half-halt. The Newsletter for the Southeastern Chapter of the Virginia Dressage Association. Volume Number 27 Issue Number 12 Dec.

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1 Half-halt The Newsletter for the Southeastern Chapter of the Virginia Dressage Association Volume Number 27 Issue Number 12 Dec SVDAS PRESIDENTS LETTER DECEMBER 2015 What a great November SVDA has had! The 3 day clinic with Bruno Greber was well received and our members all enjoyed being able to attend at different farms in different convenient locations. We were 3 rides short of a full clinic and SVDA paid for $25 of each member s ride. What a wonderful discount or an exceptional clinician! Thanks very much to our 3 host farms. Our General Membership meeting and educational program on Nov 21 had over 45 people and including many juniors attending along with 2 prospective members Our 5 panelists did an outstanding job discussing everything and everything from the steps they have taken in their education process as USDF L Grads, Candidate USEF Judges, Candidate USEF Technical Delegate and USEF Western Dressage Judges. Thanks for all the great questions from our members and the wonderful interaction between our members and the panelists. An important date coming up is the SVDA Awards forms MUST be received by our Awards Chairman Carol Gonyo by Monday Dec 7, Awards forms are on the SVDA website. Be sure to look in our membership manual for additional awards. The Nomination process was closed at our General Membership Meeting and now the voting begins. WE have several positions with multiple candidates this year. Everyone is so qualified and you will find their Bios on the voting page. Voting will run for 2 weeks and be completed on December 7 th. The form will be in this newsletter but electronic voting is available at the following link: Remember that every director on the board needs able bodied assistants. Please volunteer early for 2016! And remember to join for You can also join on line through Paypal. Looking forward to January: January 10 th will be our Juniors and Young Riders meeting from 4-6 at the Deep Creek United Methodist Church. Tristin Hardy, Cindy Lang and Colleen Naphan are working to bring a long list (Folder for each junior attending) of the opportunities in competition, awards, medals, equitation, FEI Juniors and Young Riders, SVDA Juniors and Young Riders, USDF and USEF awards. Bring your parents of course but this really is for our kids! Pizza provided by SVDA! Our Annual Banquet will be Sat January 30 th at the Hilton Garden Inn in Suffolk, VA. Look forward to seeing everyone there! The CIRCUS IS COMING! I m sure our popular low cost clinic series will start up early in 2016 and Russ Bruns will be putting together the show dates early as always! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone! Kathy and everyone from SVDA

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 Save the Date!!!!! 4 th Annual VADA Chapter Challenge August 7, Morven Park, Leesburg, VA Critter Corner: VADA Reps:Robyn Nunnally Beth Ripple Sandy Toby

3 2015 SVDA Silver Whiskers PERPETUAL AWARD History: The Silver Whiskers award is in loving memory of Cherokee Night Prowler who came out of retirement at the age of 22 to teach an 11 year-old junior rider the basics of dressage. Despite his age and being blind in one eye, Cherokee loved competing and earned scores up to 77% and was awarded the title of Reserve Champion in both SVDA and VADA Introductory Jr/YR divisions against much younger horses with an average of over 70% for both titles. Sadly, Cherokee succumbed to a very aggressive cancer in July 2014 but he instilled the love of dressage so deeply in his junior rider that she has now devoted her riding career to dressage. Awarded to: The Silver Whiskers horse and rider with the highest average of 4 scores at schooling shows, licensed shows, or a combination of those may apply. This award is to honor the senior horse that loves to compete in traditional, western AND/OR gaited dressage. Requirements: *Horse must be 20 years of age or older (validated by copy of registration papers or Coggins) *Owner OR all riders must be SVDA members *Owner AND/OR riders must have 8 volunteer hours (collectively) *4 tests scores (schooling and/or licensed shows) from any test level (can be multiple levels and multiple riders) from the current award year. Limitations: *Musical freestyles, opportunity classes and rider test scores are not eligible *The same horse can NOT win in consecutive years *If no rider and horse (meeting the age requirement) apply, the award will not be issued that year.

4 Member In Good Standing Definition: Member in good standing shall mean a member who has paid the annual dues, submitted all required forms for membership, and is not delinquent in any amounts owed to the SVDA for any clinic, show, or other event. Policy: Only members in good standing may participate in organization activities, including but not limited to clinics, shows, volunteer hours, meetings, year end awards, and events. All applications or requests for participating in such events shall not be processed until the person is a member in good standing. If a check is not deposited by SVDA until after a show, and if the check does not clear due to insufficient funds, then any scores earned at that show shall not count towards year end awards, high score awards, or any other SVDA activity, unless the owed funds and any returned check fees are made good within 5 business days of an . The date at which a member shall be considered not in good standing shall be retroactive to the date the insufficient funds check was received by SVDA. This policy is not applicable to sanctioned shows where payment is tendered to a group other than SVDA. USEF Equine Vaccination Rule From the USEF Communications Department Lexington, Ky. - In January, the USEF Board of Directors approved an addition to the rule book, which outlines equine vaccination requirements at licensed competitions. Beginning December 1, 2015, all horses entering the grounds of a Federation-licensed competition must be accompanied by documentation of Equine Influenza Virus and Equine Herpes Virus (Rhinopneumonitis) vaccinations within six months prior to entering the stables. Due to several high profile Equine Herpes (EHV) outbreaks in recent years that have involved the neuropathic strain of the virus (equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy-ehm), some competitions have placed vaccination requirements on their competitors that go beyond most accepted medical opinions and raise concern that unnecessary requirements can potentially put a horse at risk. The intent of this rule is to ensure that all licensed competitions comply with the vaccination guidelines for Equine Influenza and Equine Herpes (Rhinopneumonitis) published by the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP). These guidelines are reviewed by infectious disease experts regularly, and recommend vaccinating competition horses at six-month intervals for both equine influenza (flu) and rhinopneumonitis (EHV-1 and EHV-4). There is not a vaccine that protects against EHM. Intended to promote proper vaccination protocols, this rule does not anticipate an increased workload for competition management. The flu vaccination information can be added to the documentation already required by most competitions: a horse's health certificate and a negative coggins test. Read GR845 in its entirety If you have questions regarding GR845 please contact the USEF Drugs & Medications department at medequestrian@aol.com or

5 Classified Ads Pasture board available in Suffolk - feed and hay included, Hot/cold wash, dressage ring with footing, grass riding area. very quiet no pressure setting. Call for more info. Sandy Boarding stall available in Holland area for a pampered horse/pony. Daily turn out in private pasture. Ample hay and bedding. Round pen and large dressage arena, both on grass. Possible transportation to local shows, and lessons available from USDF Bronze Medalist, L Graduate with Distinction and NCSU Certified Open Horse Show judge. Small, private barn with excellent care. Contact Robyn Nunnally for additional information or robynnunnally@gmail.com Scholarship report Clinic with Rebecca Vick On August 29th of this year I was able to participate in a clinic with Rebecca Vick hosted by Silverleaf farm. I want to thank Kathy Rowse for hosting this clinic at her wonderful farm and to the SVDA for giving me the oppurtunity to ride with such a good instructor. Rebecca was wonderful at getting right to the heart of the problem with not just me, but with all of the horses she worked with. She mainly focused with me on getting more engagement of the hindquarters with Lilly to develop more jump in her canter. We worked on a good suppling exercise which started with a canter on the quarter line and then leg yielding to the track, boxing the corner to a 10m circle at C. Lilly had quite an opinion of this move at first, but after a few rounds she really started to come under herself much better! We also concentrated on getting Lilly to stay more honest in her connection which of course started with me not getting so "wiggly" with my reins. She worked with me on getting more pelvic thrust without freezing my elbows so that Lilly stops training me! This combined with the easing of my legs on her sides to receive the jump and not grip it equaled a much improved ride at the canter. Thank you to Rebecca and to the SVDA for this great learning experience. Bruno Greber clinic On November 13 I had the wonderful experience of riding in the SVDA sponsored clinic with Bruno Greber. A big thank you to Kathy Rowse for her hospitality and for the use of her great facilities! I was really looking forward to this clinic and I was not disappointed. Bruno started in with me right away fixing what I call the "ride by yourself to much syndrome". He concentrated on my upper body postioning, encouraging a taller and more open ribcage without to much forward tilt. This has always been a bad habit of mine and I was glad we worked on this and to see so much improvement in Lilly after we did. We concentrated on down transitions from trot and canter, working with me to not forget to create a walk energy with my seat bones, sitting her down and into my hands, not just halting back by a closing of the hands, but more of a feeling of her hind leg coming into my receiving hand with the walk steps. This in turn created a much steadier connection at the same time. He did a wonderful visual with a lunge whip that was so helpful that I doubt I will ever forget it! We spent a lot of time on proper flexion and rhythm in all three gaits and using the warm-up more effectively to achieve this sooner in the work. He emphasized that you need not collect your horse right away but the sooner you establish the correct frame the easier and more honest the horse's reaction will be. This really became apparent when Lilly became more reactive to me using more of a driving leg aid rather than so much of a driving seat aid to establish engagement and connection. I truely felt like I was on a different horse by the end of the session and I can't thank the SVDA enough for the opportunity to ride with such a wonderful clinician. Nancy Pettet

6 2015 SVDA Awards Program SVDA HONORS THEIR MEMBERS... Please mail in your ballot. It is that time of year for all members to vote for two special awards: EXCELLENCE IN SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD Throughout the year you likely interacted with many SVDA members at schooling shows, clinics, meetings, etc. and perhaps observed one particular member who demonstrated traits associated with good sportsmanship. Please take a few moments to recognize that person by entering their name in the ballot below. MOST IMPROVED RIDER AWARD Hopefully you watched fellow riders compete throughout the year. Or maybe you know someone who has not competed but has made significant progress this year. This is your opportunity to pay tribute to their hard work and commitment to learn. Again, please complete the ballot below: Please return ballots to: Carol Gonyo 1502 Hawick Terrace Chesapeake, VA CLOSING DATE January 20, 2016 All ballots MUST be in my possession by that date. ****************************************************************************** Your Name: Your Signature: Voting ballot for the Sportsmanship Award and Most Improved Rider Award 2006 SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD MOST IMPROVED RIDER AWARD

7 2016 Slate Presented by the SVDA Nominations Committee President: Kathy Rowse USEF S Judge, USDF L Faculty, USDF Youth committee member representing Region 1 for 4 years, Professional trainer, USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold Medalist, President of SVDA for 5 years, formerly served as Newsletter and Clinics Chairman, previous USDF Region 1 Delegate. Oversees yearly update of the Membership Manual and updated SVDA policies, originated the SVDA Scholarship Program, Co-organizer of 2 L programs for VADA, Retired 30 years Senior Executive Federal Accounts Representative with major Pharmaceutical Company, Certified Personal Trainer with ISSA, SVDA Steel Magnolia member. Vice President: Robyn Nunnally USDF L Grad with Distinction, USEF TD Candidate, USEF Western Dressage Judge Candidate, USDF Bronze medalist, professional trainer, NSCU Certified Open Horse show judge (western, hunter, saddle seat and gaited), Vice- President of SVDA and VADA Representative for many years, volunteer coordinator for all SVDA schooling shows, Assistant Manager of 2015 Region 1 GAIG Championship show, member of VADA Chapter Challenge Committee, assisted with VADA L program, manager and secretary of SVDA licensed shows, Program Technician for US Department of Agriculture for 29 years. Is always the SVDA go to person and an expert on USEF, USDF and SVDA rules. Treasurer: Julie Shilling Adult Amateur, Master s Degree in Business Administration with Accounting Emphasis. Has worked in public accounting sector performing audits including not for profit entities. Currently working as a Controller in private sector. Would be her first year on the board, has volunteered every year for SVDA in schooling shows and at clinics. Secretary: Danielle Rowland Professional trainer, USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold Medalist, Secretary of SVDA for 4 years, former membership chairman for 2 years, USDF L Grad with Distinction, USEF candidate in USEF r judges license program, has participated in the Hassler Young Horse clinic, has a Doctors of Physical Therapy (DPT) from ODU, originated the Fit to Ride program. Awards: Carol Gonyo Adult Amateur, Awards Chairman for 12 wonderful years of fabulous awards banquets. Originator of the Steel Magnolia Award, Only SVDA member of the USDF Century Club, High School Chemistry Teacher. SVDA Steel Magnolia member. Schooling Shows: Russ Bruns Schooling Shows Chairman for 2 years: hiring judges, coordinating farms and contracts. D.C. of James River Pony Club for 2 years, father of highly competitive pony clubber in both dressage and eventing. Manages several SVDA Sanctioned shows and PC Events. Professional Engineer. Licensed Show: (choose 1) Katie Jenkins - SVDA Licensed show Chairman for 1 year, manages SVDA Ribbons for 2 years. Current USEF Adult Amateur, former SVDA Awards Chairman for 4 years, SVDA Schooling Show Chairman for 2 years, Former Assistant Trainer to the late Ray Norman, Former C-level Pony Clubber, Nationally Certified Equine and Canine Sports Massage Therapist. Ann Jacobson Adult Amateur, Would be first year serving on SVDA board, Owns and runs her own business which is Jacobson Saddlery both fitting and selling saddles, Both eventing and dressage rider, BS in Mechanical Engineering, major volunteer experience with animal shelters, events and dressage shows including gate keeper, jump judging, office secretary, scribing. Would like to explore possibilities of re-instituting SVDA Licensed shows including the possibility of co-sponsoring with another VADA chapter. Clinics and Programs: Toni Meranda - Adult Amateur, would be first year serving on SVDA board, active SVDA member for 7 years serving as entry secretary, scribe, ring steward, runner and ring transportation at schooling shows. Worked on VADA L program for 2 years, including being co-organizer this past Sept at the exam. Works on weekends at Three Rivers Farm. Adjunct faculty member at Thomas Nelson Community College (TNCC), teaching IT courses. 30 years of experience as a systems analyst and IT project manager, planning, designing, developing, and implementing efficient business, financial, and mission support systems for NASA Langley Research Center. Brings proven leadership, communication, interpersonal, analytical, and problem-solving skills to the Clinics position with SVDA. Membership: Reeta Edmundson Adult amateur and owner, SVDA Membership chairman for 4 years. Teacher in Special Education for 39 years, retired in May Loves being involved with SVDA Membership has grown from approximately 120 to 150 members per year under her guidance.

8 Juniors: Tristin Hardy Professional Trainer, USDF Bronze and Silver medalist, USDF L Grad with Distinction, Candidate in USEF r Judges Program, USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist, Coach of Christopher Newport University dressage team, freestyle designer, has coordinated SVDA Juniors for 10 years, officially on the board as Junior Chairman since 2008, originated the SVDA Junior chairman position. Coordinates fund raising, team recruiting and team building, entries and coaching for the Junior team. Manages many SVDA Sanctioned shows. (In Kathy s words NO ONE is more dedicated to SVDA Juniors than Tristin!) Ways and Means: choose 1 1) Krista Bryant adult Amateur, would be first year serving on SVDA board, BS from VT in Animal Science (Equine emphasis) and minor in Leadership, works in Compliance Department of Mutual Funds Investment Company. Worked as a Large Animal Vet tech at Oaks Vet clinic. Volunteered for SVDA as Schooling show Secretary, Ring Stewart and assisted with the VADA L Program in 2015, competed since 1999, part of the VT Equestrian Club for 4 years including webmaster for the VT Equestrian club for 2 years, rode for VT Equestrian Team for 2 years. Did fundraising for VT Equestrian Team merchandising would like to expand merchandising with SVDA logo clotheswear and horsewear. 2) Ally Hemphill adult Amateur, would be first year serving on SVDA board. Has served on other horse show boards including local SHSA as a general member. Has served for the dressage association back in Michigan and Mississippi. Volunteered for Gulf Coast Winter Classic Series, volunteer experience with hunter shows, dressage shows, eventing, and western. Served on parent committees and fund raising committees for USPC in Michigan, assisted in organizing fundraising for Crescent Bay Pony Club. Scholarship Sandy Toby Professional, has served on SVDA board for 15 years, coordinates both Scholarship and Foundation Fund, SVDA representative to VADA for 10 years, USDF L Grad with Distinction, USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist, Candidate for USEF r license in 2016, served as Region 1 delegate to USDF for 3 years, Volunteer and Organizer for USDF/VADA L program in 2013/2014. Warmblood breeder, Law enforcement officer. VADA Representative: Beth Rippel Former SVDA and VADA President. Has served on SVDA board since Serves as Award coordinator for VADA and re-check on Awards for SVDA, works for VADA at Fall (BLM or ABIG) championship every year, manages family owned business. An expert and mentor to all board members on SVDA bylaws and policies. Website: Wendy Murray - Adult Amateur, IT Professional. Has served as SVDA newsletter chairman and website for multiple years, Wendy and her daughter both compete and volunteer frequently in every capacity (secretary, scorer, manager, runner) for SVDA and also volunteered for the VADA L program in Does SVDA e-blasts and takes care of all IT matters. Her experience and dedication is incomparable and irreplaceable (Kathy s words), SVDA volunteer of the year in Newsletter: Sarah Miller Adult Amateur, USDF Bronze medalist, competing at 4 th LL and PSG, has previously served as SVDA Schooling Show chairman for 2 years, Newsletter Chairman for 2 years previous plus assistant to Awards Chairman for 6 years and stepped up to fill open spot for Newsletter in early Always volunteers for anything that is needed including at the last minute. Members at Large (Choose 3) Cindy Lang Attorney for City of Norfolk, 2015 was first year on SVDA board, Mother of FEI Competitor in NAJYRC Juniors and Young Riders, expert on NAJYRC rules and Junior Opportunities as well as Emerging Athlete Young Rider Program, served as Co-chairman of Region 1 NAJYRC fundraiser in 2015, Advises SVDA on all legal matters. Pam McGeough Professional Trainer, competes in Western Dressage, Would be 1 st year on SVDA Board. Owns and manages Glen Briar Riding Academy which teaches Dressage, Western Dressage and Hunter. Donates lessons to Isle of Wright Fall Festival Silent Auction and to the Education Fund for the Isle of Wright Public Schools. Holds a General Contractors License. BS from the University of Rhode Island. Military family, was a DC of Pony Club for 5 years at a previous location. Janice Mumford Former SVDA President (2 years) and served as Clinics and Programs chairman for 5 years, Professional Trainer, USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist, USDF L grad, USEF Candidate for Western Dressage Judges License, certified with Train the Trainers in Western Dressage, NSCU Certified Open Horse show judge (western, hunter, saddle seat and gaited), Warmblood and Pony breeder. Takes care of SVDA insurance for all events and serves as the checks and balances on the SVDA bank account and credit cards. SVDA Steel Magnolia member.

9 Ray Penland Father of SVDA Junior Rider, position with SVDA. Father of Junior Rider, Assistant District Commissioner and District Cub Scout Leader Trainer with Boy Scouts, has held numerous other volunteer positions in Scouting, Retired Naval Officer (24 years Active Duty), professional musician, manages family tree farm, past member of Virginia Beach Gifted Education Community Advisory Committee. Would be first year with SVDA Board. Would give Russ Bruns male support on an otherwise female Board! The Horse Make Over Challenge It s time to vote!! We have three candidates. Please your votes to Carol Gonyo at tullagonyo@cox.net Buddy, a 5yr old TB/ Clydesdale cross. This is his before pictures. This is the after pictures. WeeMan, the miniature horse. The before pictures The After pictures Hiti, the pony, the before.. And the after Members, please check your hours and notify Robyn Nunnally (robynnunnally@gmail.com) immediately of any discrepancies. Thanks, Robyn

10 VADA 10/18/15 Meeting Minutes The meeting was called to order at 8:00 pm and was held via conference call. Present were Alison Head (NOVA), Jessie Ginsburg (NOVA), Alison Douglas (Central), Angela Stanaway (NE), Tina Longaker (C ville), Robyn Nunnally (SVDA), Beth Rippel (SVDA), Susan Ellis (NEVADA), Sheli King (NOVA), Sherri Booye (C ville), Dianne Boyd (NOVA), Kathy Rowse (SVDA), Debbie Howard (Central), Anne Draine (NE), Tracey Smith-Oliver (SWVADA), Amanda Harper (Central), Judith Harroun-Lord (ShenVADA), Sandy Johnson (SVDA) Beth Rippel made a motion that we approve the minutes from the August board meeting. The motion was seconded by Sheli King and was passed unanimously. Treasurer s Report- Jessie reported via that our balance is $180K but we will have expenses coming out for yearend awards and the banquet. Fall Show Update and FOHA Donation- There is no final show report for finances. FOHA- We are donating $1000 to FOHA from donations from Sheli King and Kem Barbosa, collections during the show, and a contribution from VADA of show fees. Sheli made the motion. It was seconded by Anne Draine and passed unanimously. Dianne reported that we had over 430 horses- one of our largest shows ever. The show ran smoothly and was well received. Chapter Challenge Show- Sheli made the motion, it was seconded by Alison Douglas to approve NOVA as host chapter and was passed unanimously. Date will be August 7 th, a Sunday. Show will be open to non-vada members if space is available who will not be on the VADA teams and will be a two ring show. Nonmember fees for classes will be higher. DAL- Negotiations are continuing. Clinic for Suggestion was made for a L program freestyle clinic. Committee formed of Jessie Ginsburg, Kathy Rouse, Alison Head, Anne Draine, Tina Longaker, and Amanda Harper. VADA Awards Banquet- Date is set for February 7 th, Year-end awards- Jessie will look into a more practical horse use awards this year. Anyone with ideas, please contact her. Region 1 Meeting report- The Charlottesville chapter is interested in hosting the Adult Team in 2016 at the Charlottesville show in August. This would state volunteer hours and will be voted on at the next regional meeting. USDF Convention- Gifts for the basket should be sent to Alison Head by November 28 th. GMO delegates will be given $500 for expense reimbursements. VIP Awards- We need a new coordinator for looking for volunteers and we need responses you don t have to be on the board, counts for volunteer hours but we need a new person by the time we publish the Purple Book for next year i.e. shortly.. New Business- Tracy Smith-Oliver discussed a clinic geared towards JR-YR for next year. The proposal would include an event rider because most of their juniors prefer to jump. Any JR-YR committee members from other chapters, please contact her. The next meeting will be held via conference call on December 16 th at 8 pm. The meeting was adjourned at 9:22 m. Respectfully submitted, Alison Douglas

11 2015 SVDA Volunteer Hours Leah Backus 10 Laurie Baggett 5 Karen Barnard 2 Alma Blythe 4 Tina Bodnar 4 Debby Brock (Aubrey Vande Brake) 7 Russ Bruns 13 Krista Bryant 8 Victoria Bryant 12 Linda Cannon 8 Una Clancy 9 Jennifer Cobb 9 Ashley Coffell 8 Caitlin Couch 8 Cathy Couch (for Caitlin 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 12 Brian Deal 12 Ashley DeWeese 5 Reeta Edmonson 12 Evelyn Eidem 5 Madison Elliot 6 Susan Erb 12 Emily Esposito 10 Jennifer Freeland 12 Denise Foote (for Hannah Foote) 4 Hannah Foote 5 Katherine Gardner 8 Cheryl Gaylord 12 Stacey Golden 6 Allan Gonyo 4 Carol Gonyo 19 Tristin Hardy 57 Amanda Harper 48 Matty Harrell 9 Allie Hemphill 8 John Hemphill 5 Natalie Hemphill 6 Darla Holbrook 9 Emily Holloway (for Shannon Holloway) 5 Shannon Holloway 5 Ann Jacobsen 13 Katie Jenkins 29 Betty Johnson 12 Whitney Kelso 8 Connie Killian 8 Amy Klutz (for Madison Elliot) 5 Cindy Lang 13 Martha Marquette 4 Amelia Matson 8 Rhea Matson 5 LeeAnne Matthews 8 Pamela McGeough 18 Toni Meranda 24 Sarah Miller 18 Janice Mumford 43 Louise Murray 33 Wendy Murray 44 Collen Nabhan (for Lili) 22 Lili Nabhan 34 Amy Neff 4 Ava Neff 7 Laurel Neff 2 Jamie Nicolato 28 Robyn Nunnally 34 Cyndi Osborough 4 Katherine Owens 8 Lorna Parsons 8 Candy Penland 11 Ray Penland 8 Raymond Penland 2 Amanda Petroski 8 Nancy Pettet 20 Sonja Reuter 16 Beth Rippel 18 Mary Rombs 8 Danielle Rowland 31 Kathy Rowse 102 Alexa Rudis 4 Kayla Ruffin 9 Scott Sarkozi 12 Anna Schriebl 42 Julie Shilling 26 Nancy Slack 8 Liz Smith 5 Lyndy Sobeleski 19 Allison Spanka 7 Julie Spencer 18 Stephanie Sperling 8

12 Emily Staadecker 4 Brenda Stevens 28 Deb Sweetman 10 Allison Taylor (for Mary Winchell) 5 Lorna Thielen 8 Gary Tilghman 8 Sandy Toby 8 Aubrey Vande Brake 2 Grace Williams 13 Donald Williamson 7 Yolanda Williamson 12 Mary Winchell 8 John Wood 2 Lori Wood 3 Chaya Woods SVDA Show Year End of Year AWARDS BANQUET January 30, 2016 At Hilton Garden Inn Suffolk Riverfront 100 East Constance Road, Suffolk,Virginia Save the date! Mark your calendar! Theme: Circus - Night at the Big Top

13 Spotlight on a Member Pam McGeough! By Katie Jenkins with contributions from Katherine Gardner, Lynn Carreiro, and Debbie Bowden. If you ve been to any of the SVDA schooling shows (or any of the sanctioned shows), you ve probably seen the always smiling face of Pamela McGeough. Pam has been in Hampton Roads for 6 years and has been working her butt off in the horse industry for 31 years while raising her two kids, being a Pony Club District Commissioner and coaching PC teams to Nationals twice, in addition to other things. Her equestrian journey started in Rhode Island when she taught herself to ride a blind pony bareback as a young child and progressed through Western, Hunters, Pony Club, Eventing and, finally, Dressage which lead her to interning for PanAm rider, Luis Denizard. Most recently, she has been successfully competing Debbie Bowden s Promise to Cut in Western Dressage and has been an important part of SVDA s growing percentage of Western riders. Cattle sorting is a great way to test your Western Dressage training and Pam puts her training to the test in the cattle pen as often as she can. She is the owner, operator and head trainer of her life s ambition, Briar Glen Riding Academy, in Windsor, VA where she has over 50 students with 30 of those students under the age of 18. Wowsa! That s one heck of a junior program! In addition to her love of teaching, she has a passion for rescuing horses and there are several rescued horses and ponies that have found their way to her loving care along with some 40+ horses that reside at BGRA. Pam s big heart can easily be seen during her lessons, training sessions, and even at shows where she is always willing to lend a hand calling a test for a fellow competitor even if they re not from her barn. She also frequently donates lessons to various educational fundraisers for schools in Isle of Wight County. Pam works with riders of all ages and skill levels and her popular, high energy and positive lessons always end in a hug or a high 5. Where ever this lady goes, fun is sure to follow!

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17 VADA Annual Awards Banquet Sunday, February 7th, 2016 Boar s Head Inn Charlottesville, VA Reception starts at 11 am with buffet lunch (there will be a vegetarian option) beginning at noon $30 per person Banquet reservations must be received by January 27th, 2016 More information and a complete list of awards are available on the VADA website. Name(s) of attendees Contact address Contact Phone/ (Important in case of inclement weather) Total number of people X $30 = Amount enclosed Interested in volunteering at the banquet? YES/NO Make checks payable to VADA Send your check and reservation form to: Alison Douglas Halcyon Way Prince George, VA (804) cell We would like chapters to bring small giveaway items to use as door prizes. We will still have the regular silent auction. The form is on the website. Please fill out to bring with your item(s) or me the information before hand.

18 Directions: 200 Ednam Drive Charlottesville, Virginia We will be in the Grand Ballroom From the North Travel Route 29 South into Charlottesville. Exit onto the Route 250 West bypass (Lynchburg, Staunton, Richmond). Travel to the third exit, Route 250 West. At the traffic light, turn left onto Route 250 West and drive for one mile. Turn left onto Ednam Drive at the third stoplight. The entrance to the resort will be on your left. From the South Travel Route 29 North to Charlottesville. Pass under the I-64 junction, continue for 1.5 miles and take the exit for Route 250 West. Turn left onto Route 250 West and drive for one mile. Turn left onto Ednam Drive at the fourth stoplight. The entrance to the resort will be on your left. From the East or West Travel I-64 to Exit 118-B (Charlottesville, Culpeper). Continue for 1.5 miles and take the exit for Route 250 West. Turn left onto Route 250 West and drive for one mile. Turn left onto Ednam Drive at the fourth stoplight. The entrance to the resort will be on your left. Advertise with SVDA Classified Ads All ads must be submitted as they are to appear in the newsletter. SIZE PER ISSUE PER YEAR FULL PAGE $15.00 $ HALF PAGE $10.00 $ QUARTER PAGE $7.50 $75.00 BUSINESS CARD $5.00 $50.00 CLASSIFIEDS $5.00 $50.00

19 The importance/impact of equitation pt.1 Liliana Nabhan This article is about my past year with my green horse Cricket, how I discovered more about my riding, and the impact equitation has on your ride and your horse. Since there are so many different aspects to equitation I will be creating a series directly looking at individual subjects like; hands/shoulders/arms, seat/legs/calf, and upper/ lower body position. Equitation is a hard thing to master, I am still figuring it out and learning new ways I can help impact my horse in a positive way. For this article I will be describing the importance of equitation, if you are not stable and not there for your horse, your horse will feel like he/she has nowhere to go, or, nothing to support him/her. In my case especially since I have a green horse that I am training up it can be difficult to worry abut myself and what he is doing. I take it upon myself to think about what my horse is doing and ask myself, am I impacting my horse in a good way or in a way that is not being affective and/or making it harder for the horse? These three subjects will be the future of the equitation article series, here is a preview: Hands, Arms, and Shoulders Your hands, arms, and shoulders play a major role in your riding, they can greatly affect your horse, whether it s are good or bad. This is something that took me a long time to understand and, I have barely even scratched the surface. You should use your triceps in your arms, but, be carful not to brace your arms and elbows. Your arms/hands should create a straight line to the horses head. Carry your arms not to high,but, don't rest your hands on the saddle. If you rest your hands/arms on the saddle your horse will have no place to go and therefore will not have a correct connection. Your shoulders should be straight, relaxed, and tall. One of my biggest weaknesses is that I slouch my shoulders. Your core plays a big part in your shoulders, which ultimately affect your seat bones, which then affects your horse! These are difficult things to master, but, I will cover in-depth the wrong s, right s, and how s for your dressage equitation, in hands, arms, and shoulders. Seat Bones, Core and Hips The seat bones, core, and hips are definitely very important in riding. They can maintain your horses straightness, suppleness, and so much more! You should use your seat bones (and core) for making the horse soft and round, but, a big part of riding is the half halt. Without half halts I don't know what I would do. It is an amazing tool/test to see if your horse is on your aids, it can check the balance, it also can make sure that you aren't going one hundred miles an hour. Your hips can dictate which way you want your to go for example like, in a ten meter circle or even a leg yield. Upper and lower leg, Leg impact, and Effect Legs are very important they re like a side kick, something you use all the time whether its little or big, an aid or correction. Your thigh area is important, you can use it for help with a half halt a, downward transition, and so much more! Have you ever heard a trainer say I want you to squeeze the tooth paste? I know I have! These are just some of the examples of what we use our legs for in our day to day riding. I will share more information and tips/examples in the legs impact and effect article. What to expect in the future Expect more equitation articles about how to improve your riding, impact your horse in a positive way, and ways to help your personal equitation from training to the show ring. Liliana Nabhan

20 It has been suggested that SVDA include the abbreviations for Scribes in the newsletter. This page is copied from the USDF Guide For Scribes text. I hope this is a help to those of you who would like to scribe.

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