Journey to Becoming an R
By Missy GillilandI consider myself fortunate to have grown up in an area where I saw successful professionals that were great riders and also judges (Ellie Stine-Masek, Bev Rodgers, Julie Sodowsky, Dorie VlattenSchmitz). That made a big impression on me very early on. I wanted to be good at different aspects of the sport, not just riding.
The L program was hands down the most educational thing I’ve done in my whole career. I’ve even audited it a second time because I love the material so much. Whenever possible, I make the time to take horses to demo ride for L programs as well. This program needs to be supported. It’s invaluable, in my opinion.
Luckily, I graduated with distinction from my L program and had all the riding requirements met, so it was just natural to move on with an r program. I actually enjoy being challenged and having goals. It energizes me, so I just went on with it.
The r program was very different than the L. Less educational and more of a “sink or swim” feeling to it. It was also INCREDIBLY expensive and time consuming to meet all of the apprentice requirements.
Next step is trying to get my R license. I just applied for a program but probably won’t get into one until next year.
The thing I enjoy the most about judging is going to different places and observing different trends in the areas riding. Strengths and weaknesses. I think it’s hard to look at your own work (horses and students) and see holes. It’s easier when you’re looking at a horse/rider for the first time. It helps me to then go home and try to communicate more clearly with my horses in my own riding, and to my students when I teach.
I strongly encourage everyone to do the L program, even if you have no interest in judging. For people considering becoming a judge, I would say that it only really makes sense to do it if you have a stubborn personal goal about it. Not only is it expensive to go through the programs, but I lose money when I’m judging a day vs working at my barn, so it doesn’t make business sense for me. It's just a standard of professionalism that I aspire to and that’s enough for me.
FEBRUARY VOLUME 23, ISSUE 2 THE CENTERLINE | 1
Arizona Dressage Association
ADA Board
President: Tania Radda 480.235.7654 t.radda@azdressage.org
1st VP: Kathy Smith ksmith@azdressage.org
2nd VP: Amy Burnett
Secretary: Nicole Zoet-Oostermyer ozranch3@aol.com
Treasurer & Trustee of Records: Cynthia Ganem cganem@azdressage.org
Maeike Zoet mzoet@yahoo.com
Michell Combs
Susan Skripac
Alanna Almgren
Heather Lynch
Kadriya Musina-Sallus
Jarred Sallus
Committees
Awards: Maeike Zoet-Javins m-zoet@yahoo.com
Centerline Editor: Beth Martinec centerline@azdressage.org
Webmaster: Sue Leutwyler webmaster@azdressage.org
Education: Pam Polydoros
Finance: Cynthia Ganem
Fundraising: Kay Lorenzen
Futurity: Susan Skripac
Juniors/Young Riders: Heather Lynch
Membership: Michell Combs
Scholarship: Ann Damiano a.damiano@azdressage.org
Recognized Shows: Kathy Smith
Scores Compilation: Sue Leutwyler
Vendors: Michelle Scarzone
ADA Board Attorney: Wendy Riddell w.riddell@azdressage.org
Earn Volunteer/Service Hours
Contribute to The Centerline Today!
Letters to the Editor: Submit your comments, suggestions, or opinions relating to the sport of dressage, to centerline@azdressage.org
Barn News:
Trainers would you like to let us know about the recent accomplishments of your clients or introduce new clients and horses? Would you like to update readers about barn improvements, or talk about any other news of interest to the membership. Send submissions to centerline@azdressage.org
Member Submissions to The Centerline: Submit an article and photo of you and your horse on a topic of interest, a clinic or show experience. Submit your favorite barn and horse care tips, or review clinic. We’d love to hear from you! Send to centerline@azdressage.org
If the photo is a riding photo, a helmet is required. **Product Endorsements/Advertising**
In most cases, products and services are considered paid advertising. Articles that are negative in nature concerning a particular product will not be considered for publication.
The Centerline is the official monthly newsletter of the Arizona Dressage Association (ADA), a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization. Material in the newsletter may not be reproduced, with the exception of forms, without the written consent and credit of the editor and/or author. The Centerline welcomes your articles, barn news, artwork, and especially, your photographs. Submissions, news, and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the ADA. Acceptance does not constitute an endorsement. Accuracy of materials submitted is the sole responsibility of the author. The Editor reserves the right to accept, reject and edit submitted material. The deadline for submission is the 20th of the month. Email: centerline@azdressage.org
VOLUME 23, ISSUE 2 FEBRUARY
Show season is well underway in the southern part of our region and I hope everyone in our northern states are staying warm and getting a little horse time this winter while we get quite a bit more snow than usual!
We are accepting bids for the 2024 Great American/USDF Region 5 Championships through February 6th. If anyone is interesting is placing a bid for the Regional Championships or has any questions about the process, please contact myself or the USDF office and we’ll be happy to help! The final date for a Regional Championship to be held in 2024 will be October 13th in order to fit into the National Championship time frame, so please keep that in mind when looking at facilities and possible weekends. The Finals will be held in Lexington, Kentucky in 2024.
If you have an educational activity that your barn, group or organization is doing, please let me know so I can add it to the Region 5 educational activity calendar that is sent out with the monthly Regional updates by USDF. We would love to keep everyone as informed as possible. We can also post events on the Region 5 website. Please feel free to send me an email reminder for anything you’d like to see posted.
If you intend to qualify for Region 5 teams to the North American Youth Championships, then please make sure you take note of the application structure for 2023. The application and fee should be turned in to the USDF office by March 14, 2023 in order to avoid stiffer fees. If you apply by March 14th, the fee is only $50 per application. Applications submitted between March 15th and April 25th are $100 and the final application deadline is May 9th, but it will cost you $300 to apply between April 26th and May 9th. At this point in time, absolutely no applications will be accepted after May 9th. If you plan to compete for NAYC, please also be sure to contact Joan Clay, our Region Coordinator for the FEI Juniors and Young Riders and let her know your intent. Her email address is jnclay@comcast.net and her phone number is 970.420.0887. The 2023 NAYC will be held at the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival, Flintfields Horse Park, Traverse City, Michigan – August 7-13, 2023.
Till next month!
Heather PetersenRegion 5 Director
FEBRUARY VOLUME 23, ISSUE 2 THE CENTERLINE | 3
Interview with USEF ’S’ Judge Shirley Rector
By Michell CombsQ (ADA): What started you on the path to becoming a judge?
A (Shirley Rector): Linda Woodward was starting a program in conjunction with the Pantano events. It sounded fun so why not? I never intended to take it to the S level for over 20 years but here I am.
Q: What was the USDF L Program experience like for you?
A: Never had to do it. It started after I got my large R.
Q: Why did you decide to continue the judge training to become a USEF licensed judge?
A: I just like learning everything I can about dressage and I found I actually really enjoyed the judging part. It gave me a whole different perspective. To be a good knowledgeable judge takes a great deal of effort and concentration. Judges really are trying their best to help the rider whether they realize it or not.
Q: What was the USEF small r/large R or S program like?
A: Small r made me feel like a Las Vegas hustler trying to get enough shows in to meet requirements. Almost nobody really needs or wants a small r. The large R was more worthwhile, but I longed to do the FEI levels since I had ridden and shown them both in the US and Europe with several horses. I had experienced, at one time or another, most of the problems people face at those levels.
Q: Now that you are a USEF licensed judge, what next?
A: I have been a judge for over 30 years so I will most likely retire my license.
Q: What is the best part of being a judge?
A: The best part is meeting new people and visiting places you might otherwise not visit. The worst part is the travel. I think I have spent my last night in an airport sleeping with my head on my purse.
Q: What advice do you have to anyone thinking about becoming a judge?
A: It is a long hard road and lots of work. I detested the S program.
VOLUME 23, ISSUE 2 FEBRUARY | THE CENTERLINE 4
Barn Tips
Everyone loves a fresh set of leg wraps, but the challenge of maintaining those wraps and storing them is not so loved. Here are several tips to make life with leg wraps easier.
1. To keep the velcro clean, make sure you close the tabs together before you throw the wraps in the laundry. This makes it easier to untangle the knot of wraps as them come out of the dryer too.
2. If the Velcro does get full of fuzz, you can use a shedding dog brush or one end of a set of clipper blades to clean it.
3. Roll the wraps against your leg to keep enough tension on the wrap as you roll it. This works much better than a mechanical roller and makes the wrap have the right amount of tension through it so that it wraps properly.
4. After you’ve rolled the wrap up, prevent it from unrolling by tucking the ends in to the roll.
FEBRUARY VOLUME 23, ISSUE 2 THE CENTERLINE | 5
Adult Amateur
FEI - A
FEI - GP
Open
FEI - A
2022 YEAR END STANDINGS
FEI Riders of the Year
Criteria: 4 Scores | 3 Different Shows | 3 Different Judges | Volunteerism
68.787 Tobie, Jennifer
57.132 Ganem, Cynthia
59.299 Hope-Reese, Theresa
65.110 Undabarrena, Miguel
Riders of the Year - Training through 4th Levels
Criteria: 4 Scores (1 Highest Test) | 3 Different Shows | 3 Different Judges | Volunteerism
Adult Amateur Training Level
65.883 Evans, Shepherd Allison
First Level
70.972 Musina-Sallus, Kadriya
62.847 Kolstad, Kimberley
62.842 Robinson, Jaye
Second Level
61.042 Lipton, Mary
Third Level
65.907 Damiano, Ann
64.171 Lepire, Michele
62.875 Hitchcock, Cindy
59.344 Cahill, Courtney
Fourth Level Volunteerism Yes 62.882 Radda, Tania
JR/YR
First Level Volunteerism Yes 66.354 Valentine, Nicola
Open Training Level Volunteerism No 68.526 Lindsten, Taylor
Volunteerism No 65.086 Bryan, Almgren Chelsey
First Level Volunteerism No 73.889 Martin, Molly Volunteerism No 72.635 Lindsten, Taylor
Third Level Volunteerism No 66.969 Lindsten, Taylor Volunteerism No 62.745 Dietzgen, Tasha
VOLUME 23, ISSUE 2 FEBRUARY | THE CENTERLINE 6
Freestyle Rider / Horse Combination
Criteria: 3 Scores | 3 Different Shows | 3 Different Judges | Volunteerism
Adult Amateur
FS (TL- 4th)
73.222 Kadriya Musina-Sallus / Facetime
69.300 Michele Lepire / Stonewall Good Deal Lady
66.572 Wendy McLaughlin / Jordan WRF
65.589 Stacey Lent, DVM / Galante Da Prata
Open FS (TL- 4th)
72.667 Molly Martin / R U 4 Me
FEI
FEI Horses
Criteria: 3 Scores | 3 Different Shows | 3 Different Judges | Volunteerism
68.578 SRC Adriana Tobie, Jennifer Tobie, Jennifer
66.275 Gunipre Hacal Undabarrena, Miguel Undabarrena, Miguel
62.304 Casterly Rock LaCroix, Ray LaCroix, Ray
60.294 Marbella LaCroix, Cindi LaCroix, Cindi
59.696 Orive Yet Hope-Reese, Theresa Hope-Reese, Theresa
57.598 Miguel Al Vida Ganem, Cynthia Ganem, Cynthia
Horses - Training through 4th Levels
Criteria: 3 Scores (1 Highest Test) | 3 Different Shows | 3 Different Judges | Volunteerism
Criteria: 4 Scores | 3 Different Shows | 3 Different Judges |
FEBRUARY VOLUME 23, ISSUE 2 THE CENTERLINE | 7
Level 66.901 Nicodemus Evans,
Allison Lindsten, Taylor 65.402 PA Vaquero Kid Bryan, Almgren Chelsey Bryan, Almgren Chelsey 63.997 Violet's Rose Coleman, Cynthia Lindsten, Taylor First Level 4.306 R U 4 Me Martin, Molly Martin, Molly 70.741 Facetime Musina-Sallus, Kadriya Musina-Sallus, Kadriya 6.759 Baryshnikov Valentine, Nicola Valentine, Nicola 62.685 Quill GHA Lindley, Deborah Kolstad, Kimberley Second Level 61.773 Galante Da Prata Lent, Stacey Lent, Stacey 60.913 Logan Lipton, Mary Lipton, Mary 59.861 Sir Renity GHA Lindley, Deborah Lindley, Deborah 58.770 Donna Bella Beall, Victoria Elena Beall, Victoria Elena Third Level 67.431 #Hashtag Riddell, Wendy Riddell, Kali 63.792 Tango - S Parmentier, Mary Jane Dietzgen, Tasha 63.017 Stonewall Good Deal Lady Lepire, Michele Lepire, Michele 62.667 Rubiana MSF Hitchcock, Cindy Hitchcock, Cindy 59.417 Khaleesi Cahill, Courtney Cahill, Courtney Fourth Level 63.334 Imperio Do Castanheiro Radda, Tania Radda, Tania
Kale
Training
Shepherd
Sandra
Sir Renity GHA Anglo Arabian Lindley,
Lindley,
Volunteerism 59.423
Deborah
Deborah
VOLUME 23, ISSUE 2 FEBRUARY | THE CENTERLINE 8
FEBRUARY VOLUME 23, ISSUE 2
2023 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
JANUARY
13-14: CARA Champagne I & II
FEBRUARY
MARCH
12-13: TDC March Madness: Pima Country Fairgrounds, Tucson
APRIL
15-16: ADA Spring Celebration: WestWorld, Scottsdale
MAY
JUNE
3: NAC of ADA Show, American Ranch, Prescott
9-11: Roadrunner I: Pima Country Fairgrounds, Tucson
17-18: ADA Summer Heat: WestWorld, Scottsdale
JULY
29: NAC of ADA Show, Venue TBD, Prescott
AUGUST
18-19: Roadrunner II: Pima County Fairgrounds, Tucson
SEPTEMBER
9: ADA Schooling Show
16: NAC of ADA Show, American Ranch, Prescott
29 - October 1: ADA Oktoberfest & USEF/USDF Regional Championships: WestWorld, Scottsdale
OCTOBER
14: ADA Schooling Show
NOVEMBER
4-5: ADA Fall Fiesta: WestWorld
11: ADA Schooling Show
18-19: TDC Fall Festival I/II & AZ State Championships, Pima County Fairgrounds, Tucson
DECEMBER
2: ADA Schooling Show
VOLUME 23, ISSUE 2 FEBRUARY | THE CENTERLINE 10
~ ADVERTISING ~
The Centerline is not responsible for, nor does it endorse any claims made by advertisers. All advertisements must be paid at the time of submission.
Ad Formats – JPG, TIFF, PDF - 300 dpi
Full Page (7.5”x10”) ………….$90
1/2 Page .................................$50
1/3 Page .................................$35
1/4 Page .................................$20
Business Card ……………..…$15
Classifieds:
Have something for sale? For rent? Want something? Put your ad in the classifieds to see if someone has what you want, or wants what you have. Send to centerline@azdressage.org
$5 for up to 50 words; $5 per photo; $5 nonmember fee
Web Site:
The ADA Website is www.azdressage.org
You can advertise on the site for $50 per year, or $30 for six months. Non-members please add $5. Newsletter Deadline: 20th of the previous month
Email to: centerline@azdressage.org Please be sure that your payment accompanies your ad. To make a payment go to https://azdressage.org/ advertisement-submission/
Hey Readers -
The Centerline is always in need of great photos to go along with our articles or just to fill the world with more cute pony pics. So if you have some you'd like to share, please send them to us at:
centerline@azdressage.org
FEBRUARY VOLUME 23, ISSUE 2 THE CENTERLINE | 11
ARIZONA DRESSAGE ASSOCIATION
PO Box 31602
Phoenix, AZ 85046-1602
VOLUME 23, ISSUE 2 FEBRUARY | THE CENTERLINE 12