ESDCTA Collective Remarks - April 2023

COLLECTIVE REMARKS

WWW.ESDCTA.ORG

April 2023

8 9

Horse Treats Learning Happens On and Off the Horse: Another Great Clinic with Felicitas von Neumann-Cose

Spring has sprung, well almost, so it’s time to clean out the brush box, throw out all those unused icky leftover peppermints, donate stuff you haven’t used in five years, and wash all those disgusting blankets. The competition season is starting to get underway, so check your email for the “Look Ahead” list of shows coming up in the next couple of months, or check the website for a complete list: https://www.esdcta.org/shows-events/ If you’re looking at the calendar, there’s a tiny icon on the right side that allows you to switch between Calendar and List display.

For all of you who volunteer extra time beyond what you need for year-end awards, don’t forget about the Grants that are available for clinics, conferences, regional championships, etc. Go to the Grants page on the website for all the information:

https://www.esdcta.org/education/grants/

Speaking of Volunteer opportunities, check the list of activities where you can volunteer to accumulate hours for year-end awards or grants, or volunteer bucks for logo wear:

https://www.esdcta.org/volunteer/esdcta-volunteering-opportunities/

If you have any questions about anything ESDCTA, feel free to email me at president@esdcta.org. If I don’t know the answer to your question, I’ll direct you to the right person. If you ride, occasionally take your horse for a quiet hack, give them a gentle rub down, some soft pats, lots of praise, and the occasional gooey treat, all of which goes a long way towards forming a partnership. Patience is the key!

Enjoy your horse!

President

Jena Rondinelli Jennifer Duelfer

Lisa Toaldo

Janice Pellegrino

Zimmerman

Lemack Gary Maholic

Shilton

datlargeMAL@esdcta.org eatlargeMAL@esdcta.org dressage@esdcta.org

fi nance@esdcta.org

NJEAB Representative crunner141@comcast.net Awards

OFF BOARD COMMITTEE CHAIRS Calendars/Activities Grants

Equipment Newsletter Nominating

Omnibus Show Results

Carolyn Montgomery awards@esdcta.org

Becky Kuc

Mia Zimmerman

Wilma Pfeffer

Meredith Rogers Vacant

activities@esdcta.org grants@esdcta.org dressage@esdcta.org newsletter@esdcta.org nominations@esdcta.org

Mia Zimmerman Lori Kelly calendar@esdcta.org results@esdcta.org

COLLECTIVE REMARKS

CROSS COUNTRY...

News Across Our Region

COMMUNITY NEWS

If you’re reading this, you are probably a member of ESDCTA, but I’m sure you know of someone who rides dressage or events who is not a member. You know all about the wonderful things offered like educational programs, clinics with big name trainers, horse shows, year-end awards, and not least, that sense of being part of a community of likeminded people. The more members ESDCTA has, the better the programs we can offer. Our membership numbers are also important considerations when state and local governments decide on legislature that affects us (like open space), and we advocate for our sports (We helped get better footing at the HPNJ). Please reach out to your equestrian buddies and tell them about all of the benefits of membership and have them sign up. The more the merrier!

WHAT’S YOUR TALENT??

Let us know what you would like to help us with in 2023. All skills and interests wanted. Have an idea? We want to hear about it. Remember, this club is what YOU make it. Contact president@esdcta.org if you are interested.

NEWSLETTER COMMITTEE

Have a great article that you would like to share?

Please send article to: Meredith Rogers: newsletter@esdcta.org

All submissions are due by the 15th of the month. Due to space considerations, the editor reserves the right to edit submitted articles. If necessary, articles will be edited and returned for your review.

AND YOU GET VOLUNTEER HOUR FOR EACH STORY!

Milestone

Please Contact this newsletter if you know any ESDCTA members who have achieved any Milestones. Success at a show, regional/national/international award, new horse, or anything else you want to celebrate.

e-mail: newsletter@esdcta.org

MEMBERSHIP QUESTIONS

For membership questions including updating physical or e-mail addresses please contact:

Heidi Lemack membership@esdcta.org

2023 ADVERTISING RATES

Deadline: 15th of prior month Email: newsletter@esdcta.org

Please have electronic ads in Adobe PDF or .jpg format You will receive an invoice for ad via email.

Send Payment to: Betty Adduci 3340 Curley Ct, Mullins, SC 29574

Email: treasurer@esdcta.org

Amateur Dilemma

By, Meredith Rogers

I’ve talked a lot about goals in this column. There are short-term and long-term goals. They should be “SMART”: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timebound. I want to score above 60% at second level this year is an example of a SMART goal. It’s specific. It’s measurable. It’s time-bound. But if you don’t even have a horse, it’s not very attainable nor relevant. There are also aspirations (dreams), which is where all of our goals start from. My dream is to float across the ring at Grand Prix. The problem is that I don’t have a timeframe on it, so it’s not yet a real goal. It’s specific, measurable, and relevant. I’m doing everything I can to make it attainable (a great horse, lots of lessons, studying), but it’s too early in the process to know if it is attainable because there are so many obstacles that could arise (eg, horse goes lame). Achieving goals takes a lot of effort. Luck plays a small part, but planning can often overcome luck.

I wrote in my birthday post that one of my goals was to publish a book. I had already written a few that no one wanted to read, but to have one out in the world had been a dream of mind since childhood. Two years ago I decided to make it a goal. I switched gears a little and came up with a children’s story about Leo. My nieces are both excellent artists (for real, not just the opinion of a biased aunt), so I thought it would be fun to have them do the illustrations. The SMART goal became publish a children’s book by the time my oldest niece entered college. The writing, rewriting, and illustrating took a lot of work but was finally completed. The problem was getting it published. I sent it off to a few publishers and a bunch of literary agents and either got outright rejections or crickets. Since my niece is entering college this fall, I had limited time, so I went with Plan B and decided to self-publish. I researched the best way to do this and then the mechanics of laying it out and getting it into circulation. Well, last month, I met that goal. The book was launched on Amazon.

Some things to note about this journey. It only really started when I changed the dream into a goal. The goal I chose was different than the original dream, which was to write the next great American novel. I spent many, many hours on this project. I needed help to do it. My nieces jumped on board but this was not their dream, so it took some compromising on my end because their motivation waxed and waned throughout the process. I had to pivot from “real” publishing to self-publishing.

The same elements apply to our riding. We create a plan. We work hard. We get help. We adapt to change. And, if it’s really a goal, meaning it’s important to us, we do what we need to do to get there. I hope everyone reaches their goals this year!

New Children’s Book

If you are looking to get a little one into riding, this is a great introduction to English equestrian sport (all other children’sbooksareWestern). Perfect for the horse-crazy kid in your life!

Little Leo's First Big Show is a “true” story about a young horse’s first dressage show, with the lesson being that trying new things can be fun if you have people you trust to help you. Little Leo is scared with all the new experiences that come with going to a competition, but he tries his best with the help of his girl (the author), his teacher (his trainer), and all the new friends he meets at the show.

Available on Amazon as a Kindle book or soft-cover:

https://www.amazon.com/Little-LeosFirst-Big-Show

News from Outside the Ring

Protect your melon

On February 9, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (UPSC) and English Riding Supply issued a fast track recall on Ovation Protégé equestrian helmets because they failed to meet ASTM impact requirements. The recall involves those helmets manufactured between December 2020 and December 2022. The helmets came in multiple colors and finishes. If you have one of these helmets go to the retailer from which you originally purchased it or to any Ovation authorized dealer for a refund or replacement. You could alternatively bring in proof of destruction of the helmet or email a photo of the destroyed helmet and a photo of the interior manufacturing label, clearly showing the manufacturing date and serial number, to helmets@englishridingsupply.com. To destroy the helmet, cut off the harness straps. The manufacturing label is located on the interior foam liner underneath the comfort liner, so you will need to remove the comfort liner to access the manufacturing label. For more information see: https://www.ovationriding.com/ProtegeRecall/.

Congrats. It’s a girl!

Who says you can’t have it all? Not Charlotte Dujardin, who gave birth to a baby girl on March 6. Named, Isabella Rose, she’s sure to be a future dressage star (or not). Charlotte was introduced to her husband, Dean Wyatt Golding, by Carl Hester in 2007. Dean publicly proposed to her twice, the first time at the 2012 Olympics and again at the 2016 Olympics. Then they broke up and got back together, and now they will hopefully live happily ever after.

Horse Treats

By, Meredith Rogers Horse Treats

I can’t take credit for these but here’s a bunch of horse one‐liners to lighten up your day.

 What do you call a horse who lives next door?

o A neigh‐bor!

 Why did the farmer give his pony a cough drop?

o Because he was a little hoarse!

 Why was the horse so stressed?

o He was saddled with responsibilities!

 Why did the man stand behind the horse?

o He was hoping to get a kick out of it!

 When the horse fell over, what did he say?

o I’ve fallen and I can’t giddyup!

 How much money does a bronco have?

o A buck!

 What is black and white and eats like a horse?

o A zebra!

 Why are horses always so fit?

o Because they eat a stable diet!

 When do horses get depressed by the weather?

o When it reins!

 How long should the legs of a horse be?

o Long enough to reach the ground!

 What is the most hairy side of a horse?

o The outside!

 What kind of story is about a runaway horse?

o A tale of whoa!

 What do you call a horse who likes to stay up late?

o A night mare!

 What kind of food do racehorses like to eat?

o Fast food!

 Why are horses bad dancers?

o Because they have two left feet!

Learning Happens On and Off the Horse: Another Great Clinic with Felicitas von Neumann-Cose

By, Paige Zimmerman

From March 24-26, Olivia Steidle Dressage hosted another clinic with Felicitas von Neumann-Cosel at Bailey Ridge Farm in Pittstown, NJ! This was one of the biggest clinics yet, with more than 30 rides over 3 days. It was fabulous to see everyone again and watch the improvements in every horse and rider throughout the weekend.

I rode Ducati on Sunday, after auditing all weekend. It was helpful to have watched Felicitas work with all of the other riders prior to my own ride, because I felt I was primed and ready for my lesson. Often, at least for me, learning is just as much watching as it is doing. Throughout the clinic, Felicitas utilized a neck rope often, which I found very interesting. It was comparable to when we used the polo wrap or the piece of baling twine in the previous clinic in January: she had the riders use the neck rope as an aid to the half-halt. By applying pressure (and a subsequent release) to the rope at the base of the neck, the rider encourages the horse to lift the base of their neck and engage the trapezius muscle. It aids the half-halt so that the rider doesn’t just pull on the reins and get tight. Rather, they focus on their body. I didn’t use the neck rope during my ride, but having that visual of a more mindful half-halt was extremely helpful.

In the first half of my lesson, we focused on the canter work and preparation for the flying changes. Felicitas had me first ride a 20-meter circle, bending Ducati to the outside and yielding his body off of my outside leg towards the inside. It was difficult to get him to yield without throwing either his shoulder or his haunches over Felicitas really had me make sure that he was bending and moving off the outside leg evenly, paying special attention to his shoulders and making sure that they were not yielding less than the haunches. Essentially, I was

to create a counter-bend to the outside of the circle rather than a true bend, while also ensuring that he didn’t stiffen up and get rigid on either side of his body. Bending to the outside didn’t mean just throwing the body in the other direction: it still had to happen in balance. The purpose of this exercise (which we first did in the walk) was to ensure that whenever I eventually wanted to ask for my flying change, he was actually supple on both sides, especially in the direction of the new bend.

After working on the counter-bending and suppling exercise in the walk, we worked on it in the canter. On a 15 meter circle, Felicitas had me counter-bend him and focus on his balance on either side of his body. Then, when I was ready and he felt prepared, I was to depart from the circle, go across the short diagonal (maintaining that counterbend), and ride a flying change to the new direction, maintaining the bend after the change. What had been a counter-bend before the change thus became a true bend. This exercise of encouraging the suppleness on both sides of his body was super helpful in making the changes more rideable and “smooth” rather than him stiffening against my aids. It also helped my timing become more clear, so that the changes happened when I wanted them to, without him anticipating, which he often does. Whenever he would try to anticipate, I could just increase the counter-bend, which encouraged him to listen to my aids more closely. However, at first, my changes were a bit short behind. In other words, his new inside hind leg was not coming all the way underneath his body when jumping through the flying change. So, Felicitas encouraged me to ride the changes with conviction. I often feel myself hold my breath for a split second through the change, which I am sure Ducati feels as hesitation. Once I began to ride the changes with a more forwardthinking attitude, we got a really nice and clean one in Ducati’s more difficult direction!

In the second half of my lesson, we worked on the trot. By this point in the lesson Ducati was getting excited, especially after working on the changes. In the beginning of the trot work, he was a little tight and short in his neck, so it was easy for him to get a head of steam and it was hard for me to be effec-

tive with my half-halts. To help this problem, Felicitas had me do an exercise that we had worked on a bit during the previous clinic. She had me stand in the stirrups to ask for a downward transition from trot to walk, and then as soon as he walked I was to sit in the saddle and proceed in sitting trot again. At the same time, I was to ask for more stretching of his neck and let the reins out longer. I could still touch his mouth if needed, and I maintained contact, but Felicitas wanted me to be able to ask him for a downward transition without needing to shorten his neck and use too much rein. The goal was to get him to listen more to my body and have him stretch his neck out to a longer contact, maintaining power in the trot but staying focused and relaxed. This challenged me to really use my core as I stood in the stirrups to ask for the downward transition, and it required a lot of fine tuning to the aids, as I couldn’t “cheat” and just use the reins to ask. It felt a little counterintuitive, but the final product is worth the effort. It was interesting to feel Ducati figure it out, and then by the end when I stood in the stirrups and asked for a halt-halt from my core, just slowing my rhythm down, he would walk, and then I could sit and he was ready to trot off. The feeling of the longer neck was great too, since he couldn’t just curl and get stuck, as he has the tendency to do. It was a very interesting exercise and produced great results!

Thank you Olivia Steidle for organizing this wonderful clinic opportunity, and always for your education and support! And also as always, thank you Brenda Curnin for sharing your wonderful and talented Ducati with me. Thank you to Ingrid and Bailey Ridge Farm for hosting us once again. Your hospitality is ever-appreciated. And of course, thank you Felicitas for all of your excellent exercises and vast wisdom. My rides after the clinic have improved in all ways, especially the flying changes, which I am able to ride with more conviction and correctness now. It is so nice to be feeling a breakthrough in our progress and I am excited to keep working.

Jersey Palms Farm

177 S. Stump Tavern Road Jackson NJ, 08527 609.213.5745

KWLYNX@comcast.net

www.jerseypalmsfarm.com

Irish Manor Stables

718 Sergeantsville RoadStockton, NJ 08559 908.237.1281

info@irishmanorstables.com

www.irishmanorstables.com

Good Times Farm

278 Jackson Mills Road, Freehold, NJ 07728 732.409.2882

gtts@optonline.net

www.GoodTimeFarm.com

Rhythm and Blues Stables

108 Old York Rd. Hamilton, NJ 08620 609 306-8221

RBLStables@aol.com www.rhythmandbluesstables.com

Anjelhart Equestrian Center

38 Millers Mill Rd, Cream Ridge, NJ 08514 609.758.7676

lacavacreations@aol.com www.Anjelhart.com

Heart’s Journey Stable

425 Kromer Road Wind Gap, PA 18091 610.730.8016

mmorehouse07@gmail.com www.heartsjourneystables.com

Equisential Equine LLC

111 Snyder Ave Bellmar NJ 08031 717.649.4799

bryner.2@gmail.com

https://www.esdcta.org/home/omni-calendar/