Of Fredericksburg. Here we are, starting the month of June already!

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1 Collective Remarks VADAF s Own VADAF Clinics Chapter Challenge Upcoming Clinics, Licensed and Schooling Shows Schedule of Events Licensed Show Committee Notes VADAF & VADA Meeting Minutes Advertisements & Special Interest Sponsorship Forms Volume 11 Of Fredericksburg 6:30 p.m. Dinner / Social Time (Optional) 7:00 p.m. Meeting Agenda: Last Meeting Follow-Up Approval of Meeting Minutes New Business Location: Bravo Spotsylvania Towne Center Captain s Room Here we are, starting the month of June already! Just yesterday it seemed like the cold was never ending and spring would never be upon us. Of course, the new season means many of you are out showing or just otherwise enjoying your horses. One of these days, I will see you at the show grounds again (besides Rose Mount, of course!). I know everyone is busy and time is short, so thank you for helping make our club endeavors such a great success. The regular business meetings and especially the horse show meetings have had consistently good turnout. From the news I hear and posts I see on social media, our club members that are out competing are doing great! Congratulations! It is the month of June. The month of leaves and roses. When pleasant sights salute the eyes and pleasant scents, the noses. Nathaniel Parker Willis 1 Please make sure you check out the clinic information in the newsletter. We have some very good clinicians at fabulous prices. Remember, if you are a member, the club is picking up part of your lesson fee. Riding with these trainers on your own would be much costlier, plus you wouldn t have the support and camaraderie of your club mates. As we head into summer, our licensed show looms closer. We are using Horse Show Office for entries this year and the show is listed on the site, but it s not open for entries just yet! We are looking for members to help with acquiring sponsorships. The forms are available on the website, the Facebook page, and this newsletter. Lorraine was also gracious enough to send out an (continued on next page)

2 VADAF is a Chapter of the Virginia Dressage Association (VADA). VADA is a U.S. Dressage Federation (USDF) Group Membership Organization (GMO); all VADA members automatically become USDF Group Members. The 2018 membership year runs from December 1, 2017 through November 30, Membership Form: pdf VADAF Members Sharon Ackley Page Allen Sharnette Atkinson Christine Balasi Catherine Bednar Debbie Bowman Debra Carter Teresa Crater Doug Crooks Barbara Ellis Anna Fox Rachel Gannaway Sarah Grady Margaret Gutermuth New Members Hannah Bowers Megan Irby Britta Johnston Molly Judge Sharon Kipping Lorraine Klepacz Denise Lennon Kate Lepree Gracelynn M. Martinez Pat McGovern Nancy Mendonca Peggy Minnich Ashley Noble Karen Rice Tara Schillumeit Lee Scott Rachel Sigler Barbara Snapp Joanne Collins Kristine Slovis Alison Thompson Sara Worsham Collective Remarks cont. with the forms and some information on why donating to our club would be beneficial. Take time to look at the and then visit your favorite local store. Of course, feed stores and other horsey places are great, but our competitors and members use all sorts of products and services. Don t hesitate to ask non-horsey businesses or individuals. The more sponsors we have, the more money we have to supplement club expenditures, and the more money we have to spend on you, later. I hope to see you all at the next meeting and remember to sign up for those clinics before it s too late! Officers & Committee Chairs President: Anna Fox Vice President: Barb Ellis Secretary: Alison Thompson Treasurer: Sharon Ackley Membership: Sharnette Atkinson Awards: Sharnette Atkinson Licensed Competition: Casey Longerbeam Education & Clinics: Megan Irby Volunteer Coordinator: Sharon Kipping 2 Youth Team Coordinator: Anna Fox Adult Team Coordinator: Karen Rice Sponsorships/Publicity: Lorraine Klepacz Website: Ashley Noble Newsletter: Nancy Mendonca Website: Ashley Noble State Board Representatives: Anna Fox, Alison Thompson and Barb Ellis

3 VADAF 2018 Clinics Nicki Carson - Domenique (Nicki) Carson is a Maryland based FEI Dressage Trainer. USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist. Date: TBD Location: Old Chapel Farm, Tatum Rd, Unionville, VA Rain location Heron Way, Spotsylvania, VA (some stabling is available at Old Chapel Farm) Contact: Megan Irby phone or text (540) Fees: Members - $40 Non-members - $80 Michael Bragdell Michael is originally from Gothenburg, Sweden. Michael has handled hundreds of horses at breed shows around the country and frequently wins top Championships with them. In 2008, Michael captured his first Nation- Championship aboard Selten-HW in the FEI Four-Year Old division and captured this championship again in 2012, this time aboard Hemmingway. He has won four US Dressage Finals National Championships as well and is a USDF Bronze, Silver, & Gold Medalist. Michael is a USDF Certified Instructor and is available for lessons at Hilltop Farm as well as offering limited clinics. Date: June Location: Old Chapel Farm, Tatum Rd, Unionville, VA Rain location Heron Way, Spotsylvania, VA (some stabling is available at Old Chapel Farm) Contact: Megan Irby phone or text (540) Fees: Members - $100 Non-members - $150 al Lisa Hellmer & Erin Sweeney Date: Lisa Hellmer July 21 & Erin Sweeney July 22 Location: Old Chapel Farm, Tatum Rd, Unionville, VA Rain location Heron Way, Spotsylvania, VA Contact: Megan Irby phone or text (540) Fees: Members - $40 Non-members - $75 Please bring your Coggins and vaccination certificate Schooling show dress is appreciated, polo wraps optional Water and light snacks are available for you and your horse Helmets are to be worn when mounted Lisa Hellmer: USDF Bronze and Silver medalist and is an assistant trainer at Sprieser Sporthorse. Worked at The Hanoverian Verband in Germany learning about the breed and training. Currently working toward Grand Prix. She uses cavaletti training to enhance collection and strength Erin Sweeney: Erin Sweeney is a USDF bronze and silver medalist and a USDF Certified Trainer/Instructor. She delights in teaching riders of all ages, disciplines and experience levels. As an instructor she emphasizes classical dressage principles, horse and rider confidence, and balanced partnership. She is also a yoga instructor and uses this training to help riders of all ages find their correct seat and position and use logical and effective aids. During her 30 year career as a professional dressage trainer, she has started and sold over one hundred horses and rehabilitated multiple horses with behavior and confidence problems. Britta Johnston Date: Aug 4-5 Location: Mountain Vista Farm, 67 Hackly's Mil Rd, Amissville, VA Indoor with some stabling available Contact: Megan Irby phone or text (540) Fees: Members - $50 Non-members - $100 Britta Johnston: She is the owner and head trainer of Britt Johnston International Sport Horses. USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold medalist. Classically trained in Germany with Rudolf Zeilinger. Uses ground work for teaching movements which is then translated to your riding performance. 3

4 This is a nonrecognized show with a low-key atmosphere. Come on VADAF members, let's win again this year! Karen Each VADA Chapter has been asked to provide a volunteer or two to help with the Chapter Challenge which is on August 11th at the Wakefield Airfield Conference Center in Wakefield. Please contact Barb Ellis if you are able to help. Thank you. 4

5 Clinics June Unionville, VA Michael Bragell Dressage Clinic Tatum Road See page 3 of this newsletter 21 & 22 July Unionville, VA Lisa Hellmer & Erin Sweeney Dressage Clinic Tatum Road See page 3 of this newsletter 4-5 August Unionville, VA Britta Johnson Dressage Clinic 67 Hackly s Mill Road See page 3 of this newsletter August 12 Nokesville, VA Lisa Eagley Dressage Clinic Hickerson Lane TBD Unionville, VA Nikki Carson Dressage Clinic Tatum Road See page 3 of this newsletter Licensed Shows July Lexington. VA VADA Dressage at Lexington September 8-9 Spotsylvania, VA VADA Fredericksburg July 21 (Evening) Midland, VA Mitchell Dressage Series August 4 Leesburg, VA VADA Dressage Schooling Show August 9 Warrenton, VA CDCTA Thursday Evening Dressage Schooling Show Aug 25 (Evening) Midland, VA Mitchell Dressage Series September 15 Haymarket, VA Compass Rose Schooling Show Sep 23 Midland, VA Mitchell Dressage Series October 6 Haymarket, VA VADA Nova Schooling Show October 7 Haymarket, VA Compass Rose Schooling Show Oct 28 Midland, VA Mitchell Dressage Series Schooling Shows June 3 Catlett, VA Homestead Horse Farm June 16 Powhatan, VA Saddlebrook Stable Schooling Show June 23 Haymarket, VA Compass Rose Schooling Show June 24 (Rain date) Midland, VA Mitchell Dressage Series June 24 Catlett, VA Homestead Horse Farm July 12 Warrenton, VA CDCTA Thursday Evening Dressage Schooling Show Other Events October 21 Homestead Horse Farm homesteadhorsefarm.com/shows-clinics/ July 15 (Tent) Midland, VA Working Equitation Play Day Mitchell Dressage Working-Equitation- Virginia / November Upper Marlboro, MD USDF Region 1 Adult Team See the handbook for details about being on the VADAF team. Catlett, VA Dressage at Lexington July 2018 VADA Fall Show/ 2018 Great American Insurance - USDF Region 1 Dressage Championships October wp/vada-shows/ 5

6 To: All VADAF Members From: Lorraine Klepacz Please help me continue to build our show sponsorship list! I really need some brave people who are willing to visit businesses in Fredericksburg. With my new job I m not in the Fredericksburg area on a daily basis. I do have some suggestions for places to visit, will provide the forms, and help with a sales pitch if needed. I am happy to talk to people by phone/ if they have any questions, but often, visiting in person is more effective to get people committed to your cause. Please say you can help and contact me at: eventingfox@gmail.com or Thank You! Lorraine Licensed Show Update Everyone is making progress in preparation for the show. We are listed on the Horse Show Office site, entries are not open yet. Lorraine would like help acquiring more sponsors and someone to visit local businesses in Fredericksburg as she is not often in the area now. Sharon Kipping has contacted people who volunteered last year and people who expressed an interest on their membership forms. Night security is going to be covered by Kathryn Parkinson who also braids and offers a detailed night watch for exhibitor's horses. Chris has vendors lined up and is not actively looking for more. The food vendor has lots of options and is pairing with a baker for sweet treats! June 12th Monthly Meeting Location: Bravo, Spotsy Towne Center July 10th Monthly Meeting Location: TBD August 14th Monthly Meeting Location: TBD Sept 8-9th Rosemont Show Location: 9601 Courthouse Rd. Spotsy September 11th Monthly Meeting Location: TBD October 9th Monthly Meeting Location: TBD November 13th Monthly Meeting Location: TBD Dec TBD Membership Meeting Location: TBD TBD Awards Banquet Location: TBD Show season is beginning right along with Spring, and before we know it, September and the VADAF Rose Mount Show will be here. Now is the time to get signed up for the position you would like to help with. This show provides the VADAF the funds to be able to offer members the fantastic clinics that we do so please sign up. I am this years volunteer coordinator, so please contact me, Sharon Kipping, at sharon@diamondkfarm.com ( ), text or call to let me know what vacancy you'd like to fill. We have openings for all positions. Scorers, Runners, Ring Stewards, Setup/ Take down, Scribes, Awards Table, Volunteer Table, Tack Sale and Parking. Waiting to hear from you! Sharon 6

7 Meeting Minutes May 8th 2018 Meeting Minutes - Tuesday, May 8, pm Bravo Cucina, Spotsylvania Towne Centre Or Dial In Phone number , Access Code: # Meeting Facilitator: Anna Fox, President meeting called to order 7:05 p.m. Present at meeting: Anna Fox, Barb Ellis, Chris Balasi, Sarah Grady, Sharnette Atkinson, Sharon Kipping, and Megan Irby. On the phone: Teresa Crater Last Meeting Follow-up A. Approval of minutes from April meeting motion made to approve minutes without reading them. Approved unanimously. B. Serenity Equine Sanctuary - Barb, feed store info. Barb indicated that the $ that VADAF sent to the feed store to be credited to Serenity Equine Sanctuary s account is being used for a new horse that just came into the rescue who had a body condition score of 1. C. Any issues with Handbook updates? Due 5/15 to Rachel G. No issues indicated by those present. Adult team criteria? Anna indicated that Karen Rice would like for the criteria for the Adult Team to be reviewed. Currently the criteria requires 16 Volunteer Hours in order to participate on the Adult Team. After discussions a motion was made to remove the volunteer hour requirement from both the Adult Team as well as the Youth Team Competition criteria. Motion passed unanimously. New Business A. Committee Chair Reports Membership: Sharnette reported that there are currently 31 Individuals, 1 Youth, 2 Affiliates and 1 Youth Affiliate for a total of 35 members. There were 5 additional members who joined since the last meeting. Awards: Sharnette does not plan to change any of the awards for the licensed show. However, she is still looking at ideas for year-ends. The business who did our logo items will not release the digitized file to the club. Sharnette indicated she may be able to get the VADAF logo file digitized for free by downloading an app and will provide a report in the future if it is successful. Newsletter: Nancy Mendonca. Anna stated that Nancy had nothing new to report on the newsletter. Education: Megan indicated she still needs 2 rides for this weekend s Nicki Carson Clinic. Sharnette will generate a flier and post to the VADAF FB page. Michael Bragdell Clinic will be held June 23 rd and 24 th and only has 3 (possibly 4) rides for each day so far. Sharnette will generate a flyer and post to the Facebook page. Anna will send Sharnette the.pdf version of last year s flyers as Sharnette can convert them to Word Documents so they can be updated for this year. Anna suggested uploading the clinic form to the Facebook page as well. Website: Ashley Ashley is still requesting pictures from members. Sponsors/Publicity: Lorraine. No report provided. Sharnette asked for clarification on whether Lorraine would be doing publicity for just the show or for the entire club. Anna stated it should be for the entire club. Volunteers: Sharon Kipping Anna provided Sharon with the name of a youth who is interested in volunteering for the show and may be interested in becoming a member either this year or next. Adult Team: Karen. No report other than discussion referenced in Last meeting follow-up item C above. Licensed Show: Casey/Barb Date for next meeting: The next licensed show meeting will be held at Bravo on Tuesday, May 29 th. Anna indicated the cost to use Horse Show Office is.9% per entry. Anna will request that she be provided with login information so that someone else has the login information should an emergency arise. Sharnette discussed the night watch services that have been provided at the VADA CH and VADA CC shows by Kat Perkinson. She charges $10.00 per horse and the club would not be responsible for any cost associated. She also provides braiding services. All present agreed this would be good to have for our show. Discussion was made on whether she would be interested in providing night security. Sharnette will reach out to her to discuss. Look over VADAF by-laws for possible changes. Anna asked attendees to review by-laws and provide suggestions for changes/improvements/updates. By-laws can only be changed by vote at the General Membership Meeting in November but Anna would like for members to make suggestions ahead of time so we can be prepared for a vote in November. Some specific concerns are: Should the Board of Directors be made up of the Officer s (as currently indicated) or should it also include the Committee Chairs? Should the by-laws discuss the process of how to remove a member from the club should a member s actions warrant such? Next meeting June 12, Meeting adjourned at 8:02 p.m. 7

8 VADA Telcon Meeting Minutes May 23rd 2018 Participants: Alison Head (NOVA)- Pres, Tina Longaker (C vlle)-v-pres, Alison Douglas (Central) Sec y, Jessie Ginsburg (NOVA) -- Treas, Meredith McGrath (SWAVDA), Nancy Lowey (C ville), Angie Stanaway (NE), Marie Taylor (VADACC), Sheli King (NOVA), Robyn Nunally (SVDA), Susan Ellis (NE), Alison Thompson (VADAF), Judith Harroun-Lord (ShenVADA), Sandy Toby (SVDA), Barb Ellis (Fred), Dianne Boyd (NOVA), Nancy Doody, The meeting was called to order at 8:03pm The motion to approve the minutes from the March 11 th meeting was made Nancy Lowey and seconded by Sheli.. It was approved unanimously. Treasurer s Report- Jessie reported that the combined balances are $81,406. She s paid a couple of horse show bills but not many. Clinic Update: Jessie reported that we lost around $2900, but there a good number of auditors which is good. It was difficult to pull together at the last minute but overall well received. The L grad judges expressed praise. DAL Update: Dianne reported that the committee met last night and clear rules were put together for the SHAC. We talked about how much money that VADA is willing to pony up for prize money classes that don t get sponsored. There was a motion made by Alison Douglas to support up to $1000. It was seconded by Jessie Ginsburg and approved unanimously. The premise is to keep this show a step above a normal shows. We are asking the chapters to make sure they send in sponsorships. Dianne reported that the facility is in pretty good shape. We need to get an update on volunteers from Penny Hawes and will get information out shortly. The committee decided that the giveaway to competitors this year will be limited to the T-Shirts. The committee also decided that awards will remain downstairs because of the complexity and number of awards. We will work on the arrangement so it s not so cramped. Sheli came up with an idea to keep the upstairs vendors happy with giving competitors, volunteers and spectators a card that they can get stamped by the vendors. If they visit all the vendors, a fully stamped card puts them in a drawing for a special prize. We also decided to discontinue the dog show and make that a focus for the Fall Show. All chapters- please stress that we need volunteers. Chapter Challenge: Robyn has finalized the prize list and will send out and we will get it posted. Reminder to chapters that we need the prizes for the special awards and money for the musical freestyle and quadrille. There is a tab on the VADA website that provides info for the show. Next meeting will be held on Thursday June 21st at 8:00 pm. The meeting was adjourned at 8:43 pm. Respectfully, Alison Douglas VADA Standing Committee Members Chapter Challenge- Susan Ellis (chair), Marie Taylor, Robyn Nunnally, Anne Draine, Paige Stewart, Jane Palmer, Alison Thompson, Sheli King. Banquet/Silent Auction/Awards Alison Douglas (chair) Jessie Ginsburg, Nancy Doody, Jane Walker, Alison Head, Beth Rippel, Susan Ellis Licensed Show- Alison Head, Dianne Boyd, Sheli King, Tina Longaker, Nancy Lowey, Penny Hawes Sponsorship/Publicity- Nancy Lowey, Nancy Doody, Penny Hawes, Alison Thompson, Gardy Bloemers the goal of this committee is to figure out ways to promote the VADA brand 8

9 My McDonald Clinic Adventure by Kathy Curtis I was lucky enough to be chosen as a rider for the VADA clinic From Training to FEI: The Inside Perspective from FEI judge Jeanne McDonald for judges, trainers, auditors and riders over the weekend of April 21 & 22, The clinic was originally planned to be held at the Morven Park Equestrian Center Swiss American Indoor arena but that facility was out of consideration when some needed repairs ran longer to complete than expected. So Alison Head and the entire Looking Glass Farm team welcomed us riders and the auditors/students to their farm, not too far from Morven Park. They let us move in with our horses for those who wanted to stable over and other riders hauled in. The weather was a bit cool but it was otherwise clear and nice. The clinic was organized with riders at the lower levels beginning with training level at the start of the day up to Jenny Spain who was working on putting together the movements for a Grand Prix test. The indoor arena at Looking Glass has fantastic footing and lots of mirrors. I brought my 7 year- old Friesian gelding Jimi or Hynder fan Dijkmaniastate as one of the two second level horse and rider combinations. There was a typical assortment of horses you would see at a horse show including various warmbloods, Thoroughbreds and other crosses. For anyone who has ever ridden their horse in a clinic setting, it can be a bit intimidating. For this clinic, the riders were all the demo s to ride for the judges in the audience and for Jeanne to ask them what score they would give and why for what we as the riders just performed. This was a bit of a feeling under a microscope from all of those judges as we all heard the scoring and their commentary immediately right after riding a movement. No privacy of reading your test scores as at a show! But Jeanne was simply great at turning the running commentary of what was a score of 5 to what we could do to make it a 7 or better for example, and why it was a 5. Or conversely if something was ridden really well to the goal for that movement, then why that was the case. Jeanne worked really hard to make the experience of learning for the next group of competition judges challenging and supportive, as well as for us riders and what we could do to make a certain outcome of a ridden movement better. I thought Jimi might be a bit spooky as he can sometimes be but he settled right down and was simply great. This was the first place I d taken him off his home farm in almost a full year and he went right to work for me trying his best. He has recently decided that challenging me at every turn to just say no when I ask for a trot or canter much less a halfway decent leg yield or shoulder in was the behavior of a juvenile and he did really well to be obedient despite my rusty pilot errors! A few of the takeaway notes I made from Jeanne s advice of training for both the judges and riders includes the following. I know there were a lot more little pearls I missed while caring for Jimi, but here are a few comments that I m she as judge wishes she could impart to riders who ride tests for her. Value harmony over brilliance; do not expense harmony for brilliance. In training, never go more than 20 meters without changing something, a circle, a bend, shoulder in, haunches in, don t bore your poor horse to death! Doing something different keeps your horse interested and helps to keep him supple. Pretend to hiccup to ride a half halt, don t mostly use your hands. When training for flying lead changes, don t let the horse learn it is ok to trot between leads, this is very difficult to unlearn later. Better to canter to walk then pick up the new lead. Bend to the new lead, walk, then pick up the new lead. The transition to walk will turn into the half halt for the change. In the rein back, never ever pull the horse with your hands. The halt before the rein back does not need to last 3 seconds. Line up the rider s stirrup or horse s front leg at the letter then rein back. If the horse stops the rein back after too few steps, it is often better to go forward than to try for a few more steps and get resistance. Read your test comments! If you show in front of the same judge on the second day s/he remembers what was said the day before. You should learn from the comments the judge made for the first test and apply the needed changes for the next ride. When training piaffe go out in trot, never walk. The horse needs to think in a two beat rhythm, then let the horse rest. The weekend sped by and all of a sudden, we finished our ride and it was time to take Jimi back home. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon and I knew everyone would be out on the roads soon. Sure enough, I heard on the radio when I was back safe at the farm that the 2 lane road I had to go through had an accident so while I know I missed more valuable instruction, at least I wasn t stuck on the road with my horse waiting for traffic to clear. I highly recommend riders and auditors attend an instructional clinic like this that is focused on helping new judges develop their ability to score tests. With a sense of humor and an open mind, you can learn a lot and have a positive experience for you and your horse. 9

10 Farm/house sitting available for your horses, cats & or dogs. Call Barb Ellis, Available in the Fredericksburg area. Full board at a dressage barn in Locust Grove Va. Large outdoor arena, individual turnout, ceiling fans, trailer parking, very pampered. $600/monthly Ashley is looking for pictures to place on our updated website. They can be horses, farms, people; anything that represents the club. The pictures just can't have any copyright restrictions. Please forward them to Ashley Noble's . Thank you! Anna From Jessie, here is the financial info from the VADA Jeanne McDonald clinic: INCOME $ Rider fees (including stabling) Auditor fees $ TOTAL INCOME EXPENSES $ Clinician fee & travel Facility & stabling Portapotty USDF & postage Food & misc. expenses TOTAL EXPENSES Are you a Super Steward? A Sensational Scribe? A Remarkable Runner? Show off your skills and help make Dressage at Lexington 2018 a great event! In exchange for your time, we offer the best volunteer food anywhere, a great chance to catch up with your VADA friends, hours to qualify you for VADA Year End and VIP Awards, and the perfect venue for watching your favorite riders and horses. Penny@TheHorseWriter.com or visit our Dressage at Lexington Facebook Page to sign up! $ LOSS 10

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