Great New Sponsors for the Club

December 2013 2013 Done and Dusted S H O A L H A V E N D R E S A G E C L U B I N C Arena Talk Well, that year went fast, here we are again looking at Xmas. Newsletters are back due to the overwhelming requests, so here it is. It has been a very busy year for our riders. Congratulations must go to Alycia Targa for her sensational year aboard Jane Bruce s lovely CP Dresden. Alycia has travelled I think, to every major event and has figured prominently at the pointy end of the results in every class entered. Her best result was State Novice Champion. At the States a huge contingent of South Coast riders attended and did very well, especially the first timers to a big event, I could imagine that the butterflies were in over-drive. Cathy Chittenden had a big drive to Brisbane with her lovely boy Solly to compete at the Brisbane CDI, and her journey was not with out incident, (see Cathy s story on our blog page), but they both made it home safe and sound. Cathy was our TV star for the year too, with her little grey pony having to be rescued from the floods in June, it made all the national news programmes, our own celeb!! Jayne Unterweger has had quite an impressive year with her Welshy mare Lon, seeming to have taken home more rugs than she needs from everywhere. Everyone seems to be going from strength to strength, with the scores improving every time out. So here s to all the 80% ers in 2014, may everyone have plenty. Take care over Xmas and have a safe New Year. Gayle Great New Sponsors for the Club IGA St. Georges Basin 1300 Convey Go Steel See inside this issue for all our sponsors

Our Sponsors are just the Best We can not run a Championship without our sponsors and on behalf of all Club Members a huge thank you for supporting our club. Rosevale Angus - Lisa Neaves and Graham Welsh Milton Agistment- Barb Vial Cathy Chittenden Merry Gully- Kerry Walker and Pete Dobson Foxwood Warmbloods - Maxine Fripp Neversfelde Performance Horses - Jane and Maurice Bruce Page 2 NEWS LE TT ER TI T LE

Our Competition Dates for 2014 Mark these dates on your calendar Especially the Closing Date Sunday16th Feb Sunday13th April Saturday 21st June Saturday 2nd Aug Sunday 14th Sep C.D. 5th Feb C.D 2nd April C.D 11th June C.D 23rd July C.D 3rd Sep Champs w/e 1st & 2nd Nov C.D 17th Oct 17th Jan 2014: Test Practice Day @ Worrigee 12th April 2014: Judges Clinic A Bit of History Whilst cleaning up some old boxes I recently found I came across some old score sheets from 1994: The judges for the day were Pam Dalrymple and Chris Fowles for the Official events and some of the scores are: Ros Quist was in the Prelim 1.5 riding Tallyho Maderia winning the class with 62.61%, the Novice 2.3 sees Maxine Fripp aboard Ellesmere Estelle for a score of 56.59% 1st place, Elementary 3.5 has a host of names you would all know Pat Bluel riding Darwin, Denise Tiyce riding River Rossi, Jo Pulver (now Simon) riding Westminster, Lauren Ogle riding Mister O Malley. The Club was then called Shoalhaven Horse Activity Club Inc or SHAC for short and had a total of 15 official tests ridden for the day. Mrs Bev Starkey was the then Secretary and I believe Judy Sweeny was President. Come a long way since then. DECEMB ER 2013 Page 3

Where you entry money goes Recently seen over the social network pages has been the discussion of the price of entry fees/ground fees that different clubs charge for events held at the same venue and that the dressage club was charging heaps more than other clubs to use Worrigee. As we don t have enough volunteers to set up arenas and score we pay people to do this service for you. Let me give you the break down of our income against our outgoings. Before going into this I would like to remind all members that the minutes and financial records are available at all times for your perusal. I am also able to give you the running costs of the WEC with my other hat on as President of the Management Committee. Now the figures I will quote will not include our last competition, so to Sept 30th 2013 our income comprises of: Entry Fees $14,989 M/Ship $1,843 Sales $30 Sponsorship $3,400 Interest $29.78 Total $20,291.78 I have not included refunds for competitors, or the dishonoured cheques we sometimes get disappointing, and the other little expenses such as the Dept Fair Trade returns etc. So as you see the profit the Club makes is minimal as every effort is made to keep cost low and put back to the members. And our expenses: Advertising $330 Arena Setup $1210 Catering $1,010 Clean/Maint $527 Compt. Exps $88 Ground Hire $1200 Camping Fees $395 Insurance $1492 Judges Gifts $247 License Fees (EA) $538 M/S Admin Fees $151 Freestyle Nite $220 12 Preso nite costs $1792 Post/stationary $145 Ribbons/Rugs/Trophies $2628 Judges Travel/Accom $5694 Total $17,668 The WEC income is made up of the ground hire and camping fees from all the events held there. The day hire rate is at present $240 for constituent members (those that attend WEC meetings) and camping is $15 per site per night. All the money is use to pay for petrol, to mow the grounds with, rubbish collection, gas, and electricity (the rubbish collection just for the month of October was over $700 alone), and all repairs, ie the yards when rails are broken, when taps need replacing, doors need fixing and upgrading of the Clubhouse like the new carpet and the now much loved air conditioner. Ground improvements such as fertilizer, top dressing and aerating Some of you are under the impression that the council looks after and maintains the grounds, well, let me put you right, the grounds are wholly and solely maintained and looked after by volunteers. The only input the council has is telling the management committee what they can and cannot do, especially when its frog season!!! So when you arrive at WEC and the grounds look great, think about those who made it that way just so you can have a great day out and before you throw that drink can on the ground and walk away from it, I would like you to think that it will probably be me or one of our very few hard working volunteers will have to come and pick it up. I hope this helps you to understand the costs involved in running our Club. Gayle Page 4 NEWS LE TT ER TI T LE

2013 Championships by Cathy Chittenden The Shoalhaven Dressage Club held its annual club championships on the weekend of the 28 th and 29 th of September. The Saturday was for club members only whilst Sunday was an open competition. Saturday s club members championships certainly rewarded only the bravest riders, with gale force winds doing their best to not only turn our well watered sand arena into a dust bowl, but also to tear down arena surrounds even as riders were trying to compete. Eventually most of the arenas had to be placed flat on the ground, and the beautifully set up marquee was quickly dismantled before it did an impersonation of a kite. However just to show how tough dressage riders can be, the show continued and despite the windy conditions some great tests were ridden. One impressive rider was Angus Fripp riding Reveller in his first Medium level test. He not only came away with the Medium Champion, but also won the Presidents Encouragement Award, a beautiful painting donated by the painter Catherin McMillan. Junior Champion was Daniella Rehab and Reserve Junior Champion was Sarah Williams. Champion Junior under 13 years was Daniella Rehab and Gabriella Ross was the Champion Junior 13 years and over. Prep Champion was Jean Egan and Stoneage Armstrong, reserve Lisa Joyce and Whinona. Prelim Champion was Kaleena Matthews and Bellingara Fletcher, Carolyn Heron and LV X Factor were reserve. Novice Champion was Cathy Chittenden and Neversfelde Springbok, Jayne Unterweger and Greenwood Wilona were reserve. Elementary Champion was Jeff Adams and Weejazzper, Tibby Barbour and Dancing Angelina Ballerina were reserve. Angus Fripp won Medium Champion on Reveller, Tempe Lees won Advanced Champion on Lets Jazzaround and Ros Quist won Small Tour Champion on Valhalla Flemmingh. Sunday s weather was much kinder for the open competition. I arrived early to help reassemble the arenas, however the Moruya fairies had worked their magic early in the morning and every arena was up and ready for the day s competition. Once again some very impressive tests were ridden. Newly crowned State Novice Champion, local rider Alycia Targa and CP Dresden stepped up to Elementary and took out the championship in fine style. Kim McDonald was in amazing form to win both the Medium Champion on Warburton Regatta and the Advanced Champion on Reveller. Robyn Targa finally had her reliable campaigner Northern Rinaldo back in work to take out Small Tour Champion. Ann Berhinger rode the beautiful Rosehill Rhythm to win Novice champion and local rider Jim Collin took out Preliminary Champion on Dadirri Songline. In the pony competition, Carolyn Heron had a super day riding both the champion Puff N Stuff and reserve X Factor. A new event for the Shoalhaven club was for Para Equestrians, this was won by Victoria Davies on her lovely stallion Andaluka Elegido. The Supreme Club Champion award for the highest 2 percentages of the weekend went to Sue Rayner and LP Vincent Van Gogh. V O LU ME 1, ISS UE 1 Page 5

Our Annual Presentation of Awards for 2013 and Masterclass With Roger Fitzhardinge. By Cathy Chittenden On Saturday the 7th of December Shoalhaven Dressage Club held their annual presentation of awards to the best performed club members for the year. In the past we have held a night time dinner, but increasingly instead of this being an opportunity for club members to get together and socialise, only a dedicated few and the actual award winners showed up. This year we decided to try something new and held a Masterclass with Roger Fitzhardinge, followed by a spit roast lunch and then a presentation of awards. Participants in the masterclass were all winners in our annual pointscore, from juniors to Small Tour. They got to strut their stuff in front of an appreciative audience, and we all learnt heaps from Roger s informative and entertaining presentation. Many thanks must go to Maxine Fripp for allowing us to use her beautiful property and indoor arena. For once it didn t pour rain as it often seems to do when we gather at Maxine s. The day started with 2 junior riders, Jessica Steward and Rachel Heron. Rachel on a tiny cute pony and Jess on a huge Clydesdale cross. Both horse worked beautifully for their riders as Roger explained that whilst not all horses are potential Olympians, they can all be improved with correct training. Roger focussed on getting the girls to concentrate on their leg aids, no constant nagging with their legs but taking their leg off and only using it when they wanted a forward response, and then the response had to be quick. It was lovely to see 2 beautiful calm horses being so well ridden by 2 young riders. Next on were the ponies Carolyn Heron riding Puff N Stuff and Angus Fripp and Toby, standing in for Jayne Unterweger who unfortunately was called in to work and could not attend. Angus amazed everyone with the transformation he has made with Toby, once he was a fat hairy pony who was never anywhere near engaged. Now Angus has him looking sleek, fit and perfectly on the bit at all times. Toby is a real credit to Angus s development as a rider. Carolyn s pony can be a little spooky, so Roger had her riding him really forward and up to counteract this. Puff N Stuff likes to look down at anything scary so Roger had Carolyn keeping him up to counteract this. He is certainly a very impressive mover. Next on were Sue Rayner on Vincent Van Gogh and Jim Collin on Dadirri Songline. Sue s Vinnie is a huge 18hh and a big moving horse. However Roger though he could do more and had Sue really motoring around the arena. Wow this horse can move! Roger loved Jim s horse Songline who won the club Horse of the Year, but thought he could improve in his contact with the bit. Songline tends to play with the bit, so Roger had Jim keep his hands quite still and once again go forward to try and improve this. Forward riding helps so many things. Our Elementary riders were Tibby Barbour and Alycia Targa. Alycia was riding the State Novice Champion CP Dresden and they beautifully demon- Page 6 NEWS LE TT ER TI T LE

strated how correct training can really improve a horse. Dresden was in beautiful self carriage and moved with great energy and engagement. Roger even had them showing a few steps of baby piaffe. This combination will surely go far. Tibby s mare Dancing Angelina Ballerina, was another talented moving horse but a little trickier in the contact. Angelina tends to raise her head when spooking so Roger had Tibby riding her very deep and only bringing her up when confident in the contact. Angus was back again for the Medium/Advanced session with Kim McDonald and Warburton Regatta. Angus was to ride the club s Advanced champion Reveller but a last minute change saw him riding his grandmother s mare Honey, and he rode her very well. Maxine may have to watch out or she may find herself riding Toby whilst Angus waltzes off on Honey. Roger focussed Angus on riding as accurately as possible which meant Angus had to be more positive in his riding. The end picture was very impressive. Kim worked initially on getting Regatta really equal in both reins then finished off by showing some world class medium trots. Full of power and engagement, Regatta s lengthened trots amazed everyone. Last session of the day saw Roz Quist on Valhalla Flemmingh and Jim Collin on Southerly. Roz s horse was showing signs of wanting to play up if pressured too much so Roger was quick to encourage Roz to take off the pressure by rising to the trot or asking for an easier exercise so they could keep the forward impulsion. Flemmingh soon relaxed and showed some lovely advanced work. Southerly is only new to Prix St George but shows lots of talent for the higher levels and showed some lovely transitions into and out of passage. Roger was again looking for quick reactions to the aids and forward, ever forward. It was a great day, many thanks to Roger Fitzhardinge for an informative and entertaining presentation and thanks to all the riders who presented themselves so beautifully and bravely let us join them in what Roger called a truthful training session. V O LU ME 1, ISS UE 1 Page 7

And the Winners Are. Stressed Out Strapper for 2013 Rod Targa Volunteer of the Year Adele Porter Rachel Heron - Mac Award Most Consistent Junior Horse and Rider Combination Veteran Horse of the Year Toby ridden by Angus Fripp Secretary s Award Joint Winners - Cathy Chittenden and Kaleena Matthews for outstanding service as committee members throughout the year. Senior Lady Rider - Ros Quist Champion Junior Rider of the Year Jessica Steward Reserve Champion - Lucy Williams Most Improved Rider 2013 - Jayne Unterweger Page 8 NEWS LE TT ER TI T LE

Champion Young Rider of the Year Brittany Shipton Prep HOTY Boston - Shelly Rinaldi Reserve - Misty Mountain Wovoka Dawn Spicer Prelim HOTY Dadirri Songline - Jim Collin Reserve - LP Vincent Van Gogh - Suzy Rayner Novice HOTY Neversfelde Springbok - Cathy Chittenden Reserve - Rosehill Rhythm - Ann Behringer Elem HOTY Dancing Angelina Ballerina - Tibby Barbour Reserve - Mr Tintagic - Brit Shipton V O LU ME 1, ISS UE 1 Page 9

Medium HOTY Warburton Regatta - Kim McDonald Reserve - Jaybee Calliope - Alycia Targa Advanced HOTY Reveller - Kim McDonald Reserve - Lets Jazzaround - Tempe Lees FEI Small Tour HOTY Valhalla Flemmingh - Ros Quist Reserve - Reveller - Kim McDonald Horse and Rider of the Year Dadirri Songline and Jim Collin, Jim also took home the Maurice Bruce Trophy for Male Rider of the Year, a hotly contested trophy amongst the fella s Page 10 NEWS LE TT ER TI T LE

Club Info Don t forget New Dressage Tests for 2014 Sit and learn them with your mate Club Position on the Hendra Policy The committee have decided that until there is some direction from EA on how clubs will register, police and record required information, we will continue as normal. It will be owners choice regarding vaccination. Please keep all your records of vaccination in a safe spot in case we need this information in due course. If you are planning on just competing with us vaccinations are not required at present. Memberships are now due for 2014 V O LU ME 1, ISS UE 1 Page 11

Dear Club Members It has been brought to committee s attention that some individuals throughout the membership have been using foul language during the course of normal conversation with their co-competitors Due to complaints received from some competitors who may be easily offended, this type of language will no longer be tolerated. We do, however, realize the critical importance of being able to accurately express your feelings when communicating with co-members. Therefore, a list of 18 New and Innovative 'TRY SAYING' phrases have been provided so that proper exchange of ideas and information can continue in an effective manner. Number 1 TRY SAYING: I think you could use more training.. INSTEAD OF: You don't know what the f you're doing. Number 2 TRY SAYING: She's a competitive rider. INSTEAD OF: She's a f ing bit. Number 3 TRY SAYING: Perhaps I can ride late. INSTEAD OF: And when the f do you expect me to do this? Number 4 TRY SAYING: I'm certain that isn't feasible. INSTEAD OF: No f ing way. Number 5 TRY SAYING: Really? INSTEAD OF: You've got to be sh ing me! Number 6 TRY SAYING: Perhaps you should check with... INSTEAD OF: Tell someone who gives a sh. Number 7 TRY SAYING: I wasn't involved in the project. INSTEAD OF: It's not my f ing problem. Number 8 TRY SAYING: That's interesting. INSTEAD OF: What the f? Number 9 TRY SAYING: I'm not sure this can be implemented. INSTEAD OF: This sh won't work. Page 12 NEWS LE TT ER TI T LE

Number 10 TRY SAYING: I'll try to schedule that. INSTEAD OF: Why the f didn't you tell me sooner? Number 11 TRY SAYING: He's not familiar with the issues... INSTEAD OF: He's got his head up his a. Number 12 TRY SAYING: Excuse me, please INSTEAD OF: Eat sh and die. Number 13 TRY SAYING: So you weren't happy with your score? INSTEAD OF: Kiss my a. Number 14 TRY SAYING: I'm a bit overloaded at the moment. INSTEAD OF: F it, I'm a volunteer Number 15 TRY SAYING: I don't think you understand. INSTEAD OF: Shove it up your a. Number 16 TRY SAYING: I love a challenge. INSTEAD OF: This f ing test sucks. Number 17 TRY SAYING: You want me to take care of that? INSTEAD OF: Who the f died and made you boss? Number 18 TRY SAYING: He's somewhat insensitive. INSTEAD OF: He's a pr_ck. Thank You, Your Committee VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 Page 13

AGM for 2014 will be held Tuesday 4th February Your committee are having a break over Xmas and will not meet back till the AGM, no Jan meeting. You will all be sent the nomination and proxy forms early next year to your current email address, if they need updating please do it by emailing to me: sdcinc@shoal.net.au with your new address. If anyone has any concerns before the next meeting feel free to email or phone me with those concerns, the committee is staying in touch with one another and we can deal with anything collectively via email/phone. Have a safe and wonderful Xmas/New Year and see you all back in the saddle in 2014.

1 st Dec Results Prep A MG Max Kerry Walker 74.737 Allengreen Showgirl Ijesha Goerlach 73.947 Gazom Meikah Belinda Radcliffe 71.053 IG Lonely Knight Lucy Williams 70.0 Brandi Kristen Cowell 67.632 Shalingos Spirit Jill Perusic 67.368 Boston Shelley Rinaldi 67.105 Greenbrook Lucinda Sarah Williams 66.842 Prep B Junior IG Lonely Knight L Williams 72.105 Rose Eden Scout R Heron 62.89 Prep B Misty Mountain Wovoka Dawn Spicer 70.0 Boston Shelley Rinaldi 68.684 MG Max Kerry Walker 68.158 Tom Catherine McMillan 59.211 CR Prelimin 1A Junior Hayes Park Willow Jessica Steward 73.0 Greenwood Lucinda S Williams 60.0 IG Lonely Knight L Williams 60.0 Rose Eden Scout R Heron 58.75 CR Prelim 1A Dadirri Songline Jim Collin 75.25 Allengreen Showgirl Ijesha Goerlach 71.5 Mikey Peter Robinson 68.25 Misty Mountain Wovoka 65.0 Galaxy Melinda Norton 58.75 CR Prelim 1B Dadirri Songline Jim Collin 74.0 HP Willow Jessica Steward 70.4 Misty Mountain Wovoka D Spicer 64.4 Furst Fling Robyn Targa 63.6 Mikey Peter Robertson 62.4 OC Prelim 1A LP Vincent Van Gogh Sue Rayner 72.0 De La Torre Amanda Cameron 69.5 Alistair Lisa Swan 68.25 Koora- Lyn Serena Pamela Bice 68.0 LV X Factor C Heron 67.5 OC Prelim 1B LP Vincent Van Gogh Sue Rayner 65.2 LV X Factor C Heron 64.4 2. Neversflede Sachin Alycia Targa 64.4 4. De La Torre Amanda Cameron 61.4 4. Koora- Lyn Serena Pamela Bice 61.4 6. Alistair Lisa Swan 56.4 Junior Novice 2A Toby Angus Fripp 68.148 Waverly Frederick Jessica Steward 65.185 CR Novice 2A Ted Joanne Simon 62.778 Rossellini J Ahling 59.815 OC Novice 2A Neversfelde Springbok Cathy Chittenden 70.556 Greenwood Wilona Jayne Unterweger 66.111 NP Puff N Stuff Carolyn Heron 61.296 Jirrima Cruise Control Belinda Douglas 60.185 EBL Jitterbug Belinda Douglas 58.148 OC Elemen 3A Rosehill Rhythm Ann Behringer 66.143 Dancing Angelina Ballerina Tibby Barbour 64.0 Aussie Hit Jen Symes 60.714 Mr Tintagic Brittany Shipton 59.286 Junior 3B Lac La Biche Dynamique Lilly Hatwelll 59.118 OC Elementary 3B Callum Park Freya Denise Rogan 61.765 Aussie Hit Jen Symes 60.882 Dancing Angelina Ballerina Tibby Barbour 60.441 Mr Tintagic Brittany Shipton 58.971 OC Medium 4A CP Dresden Alycia Targa 69.028 Jaybee Calliope Alycia Targa 66.25 Warburton Regatta Kim McDonald 64.306 Callum Park Freya Denise Rogan 61.25 OC Medium 4B CP Dresden Alycia Targa 69.236 Jaybee Calliope Alycia Targa 63.542 Warburton Regatta Kim McDonald 62.292 Mr Tintagic Brittany Shipton 51.944 OC Advanced 5A Amerigo Roger Fitzhardinge 67.0 Grandioso Gill Rickard 66.625 OC Advanced 5B Amerigo Roger Fitzhardinge 68.049 Grandioso Gill Rickard 67.073 OC Prix St George Virtual 1 Denise Rogan 65.461 Rosthwaite Tinkerbell Pamela Bice 63.816 Southerly Jim Collin 61.842 KW Liason Katrina Burgh 59.145 Prix Caprilli Greenwood Lucinda S Williams 71.25 Greenwood Wilona Jayne Unterweger 67.188 Alistair Lisa Swan 64.375 CR Novice 2B Rossellini J Ahling 54.848 Ted Joanne Simon 54.545 OC Novice 2B Rosehill Rhythm Ann Behringer 68.636 Neversfelde Springbok Cathy Chittenden 66.97 NP Puff N Stuff Carolyn Heron 61.212 Greenwood Wilona Jayne Unterweger 59.545 EBL Jitterbug Belinda Douglas 57.424 Jirrima Cruise Control Belinda Douglas 54.242