ESDCTA MAGAZINE
COLLECTIVE REMARKS
WWW.ESDCTA.ORG April 2019
Cover Photo: by Meredith Rogers of Leo
3President’s Message
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Fix A Test with USDF “S” Judge: Marilyn Payne 2019 USDF Dressage Tests
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Amateur Riders Make It in the Olympics of Real-Life
11 A Tribute to the Schoolmaster 15
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Fun, Education… Volunteer!
23 News from Outside the Ring
Horse Treats
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The Amateur Dilemma
Announcement: Renew Your Membership A new competition year began in November. You probably have already renewed your memberships to US Equestrian, USDF, and USEA. It’s also time to renew your ESDCTA membership. Please go to: www.ESDCTA.org. It’s easy and can be done online. If you are not a member at the time you show, those scores will not count towards year-end awards or for qualifying for Championships. We are always looking for people to help with shows. Not only will you receive volunteer hours for year-end awards, but we feed you and provide gas money. It’s also great way to learn more about what you can do to help yourself when it’s your turn enter the ring. Plus, you’ll meet a whole new crew of horsey friends! We need volunteers for both dressage and eventing shows throughout the year. Please contact dressage@esdcta.com (dressage) or janmpel@msn.com (eventing) for more information. No experience necessary. 2
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President’s Message Ok, Spring is really here!!! I have been able to ride outside, and take some much needed walk abouts on the horses I am privileged to ride. And, I am constantly misplacing the winter outer wear I have to start the day with but then shed as the sun comes out. The March 9 Fix-a-Test with LVDA at the Horse Park of NJ was great. The auditors and L grads got to participate with their own score cards, and the riders received valuable feedback and training from Marilyn Payne. We are very fortunate to have Marilyn as an active member of our community. The Lilo Fore Symposium is April 6 and 7 at the Horse Park of NJ, and is being organized by Kem Barbosa and Willette Brown. We have a talented group of demo riders and horses. This will be an inspiring day to get us all ready for show season, so come out and join us! The omnibus has been mailed to members who renewed by February 18. If you renewed after this date, you should be receiving it shortly. Remember to check the online calendar at https://www.esdcta.org/ for updates and new additions, and open that Constant Contacts email we send out on a regular basis with all of the latest show information. Have a wonderful April!
Heidi Lemack President
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Board of Trustees OFFICERS President
Heidi Lemack
president@esdcta.org
Vice President
Holly Cornell
vicepresident@esdcta.org
609.758.4918
Secretary
Ruth McCormick
secretary@esdcta.org
Treasurer
Betty Audduci 260 Betty Lane Gilbert, Pa 18331
treasurer@esdcta
Dressage at Large
Eliza Banks
MAL@esdcta.org
Eventing at Large
Miina Rafinski
MAL@esdcta.org
Dressage Competitions
Dr. Lisa Toaldo
dressage@esdcta.org
Eventing Competitions
Janice Pellegrino
eventing@esdcta.org
Marketing
Erin Gale
marketing@esdcta.org
Membership
Tamara Purdy
membership@esdcta.org
Finance
Gary Maholic
finance@esdcta.org
Education
Victoria Shilton
education@esdcta.org
Youth
Jill Kuc
youth@esdcta.org
570.977.1406
Ellen Brindle-Clark
youth@esdcta.org
609.351.1054
Executive Board
NJEAB Representative
Could this be you?
Awards
Debra Tomajko
awards@esdcta.org
Calendars/Activities
Could this be you?
esdcta.org
Grants
Debra Tomajko
grants@esdcta.org
Equipment
Wilma Pfeffer
dressage@esdcta.org
Newsletter
Meredith Rogers
newsletter@esdcta.org
Nominating
Susan Lax
chivalryhillfarm@aol.com
Omnibus
Mia Zimmerman
Show Results
Jean Goetz
201.874.0373
215.489.1557
OFF BOARD COMMITTEE CHAIRS
609.466.4178
results@esdcta.org
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Become a friend of the ESDCTA on Facebook Follow us on Twitter @ESDCTA 4
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CROSS COUNTRY... News Across Our Region COMMUNITY NEWS
Milestone
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’re working on 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!
Please Contact Linda Marciante if you know any ESDCTA members who have achieved any Milestones e-mail: lindalbbf@gmail.com
WHAT’S YOUR TALENT?? Let us know what you would like to help us with in 2019. 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 HOURS FOR EACH STORY!
MEMBERSHIP QUESTIONS For membership questions including updating physical or e-mail addresses please contact: Tamara Purdy membership@esdcta.org
2019 ADVERTISING RATES
MEMBER NON-MEMBER FULL PAGE $100 $130 HALF PAGE $65 $85 QUARTER PAGE $40 $60 BUSINESS CARD $20 $30 CARD FOR 3 MONTHS $45 $65 CLASSIFIEDS $10 $15 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 266 Betty Lane Gilbert, PA 18331 Email: treasurer@esdcta.org
OPEN BOARD POSITIONS • Eventing at Large • Calendar
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Amateur Riders Make It in the Olympics of Real-Life By Jessica Barreto
Charlotte Dujardin, Laura Graves, Carl Hester, Denny Emerson, and Ingrid Klimke are all names that I am sure you are very familiar with. These of course are world renowned riders and more importantly horseman that many of us admire. If you are a typical adult amateur like me you may spend countless hours watching their videos or reading their books. Maybe you want to ride like them. Maybe you want your horse to go like the talented mounts they compete with, earning top scores. But how did they get so good? More importantly how did their horses get so good? I certainly don’t have the exact answers but I can only guess it is the passion and devotion that they all share for the sport of dressage and the love of horses. Don’t you have that love and passion for the sport too? Why wouldn’t you be able to be a world class rider or own that super horse? Truth be told most of us don’t have the time or money to achieve that type of world class success or notoriety.
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On my way to the farm where I board my horse I was thinking about this very same topic. I have a young horse, but before you get excited, he isn’t Olympic material. I don’t have to worry about a sponsorship or obtaining an FEI passport anytime soon. However, he does have 3 lovely gaits, he is willing to learn (although that’s debatable at times), and probably the most important characteristic to me – he has a great temperament. I too, am not Olympic material. In fact, this year we will dabble at some recognized shows with much encouragement from our trainer and friends but I won't be wearing the USET team jacket anytime soon; that’s for sure. I consider myself an ok rider. Faults- yes of course I can name tons- mostly my hands and at times my legs could be more engaged (I'm considering a new tattoo "inside leg to outside hand" perhaps in neon orange), but I do have pretty solid basics, and a definite willingness to learn. I am also very committed to improving. Perhaps considered a nerd (sorry not sorry), I read just about everything I can get my hands on. I soak in every word my trainer speaks and I ask for homework to practice from each of my riding lessons. I am a "present" rider meaning I don’t just say "yes" but then get lost in a daydream and not do what I am instructed to do. I know that every minute and within every step I am training my horse – whether or not I want to or mean to be. I watch all kinds of videos. I attend clinics as an auditor or participant from all different clinicians and all different disciplines. Don’t get me wrong- dressage is my number one love, but I am not too proud to admit I've learned a lot from racetrack trainers (yikes I know and I said it), cowboys (not many left), and hunterjumper trainers (I heard you gasp- it’s ok). I strongly believe that every one of us can learn from another regardless of riding/training style. I can't tell you how many times I have heard "oh who's the trainer or the clinician?" and then once the answer is given, I am not shocked to hear "oh well I don’t jump, or drive, or oh I won't be riding those levels, or I've never heard of that person or rider before". Heartbreaking, that’s what these answers are to me. Why would you want to limit yourself? Ok so granted not everyone is a fit with a particular trainer or clinician. Trust me, I get that and it was made quite evident to me specifically during a recent clinic I participated in with a well-known German dressage trainer. I was being instructed to ask my horse to do something he wasn’t physically or mentally ready to do- and I knew better but I wanted to be the polite clinic participant. Needless to say, my horse was also polite but for only for so long and a firm scrape of my leg against the indoor wall was his way of telling me that we were asking too much too fast. That was definitely something learned for sure! But even with all of the learning and having a decent horse I have to be realistic. I am not just a rider/owner. I am a Mom. I run a household. I have two very active teenager boys who will always come first. Most Saturdays I am “Mom's taxi service,” have a game to go to, a concert, or school function. Laundry, groceries, house cleaning are
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never ending chores that can't be ignored (I've tried trust me), and let's not forget time for hubby- poor guy is lowest in the food chain. Additionally, I work full time, but not only do I work full time I have a prominent executive position where I have multiple responsibilities. My career comes second after my family of course, but it is still more important than my equestrian life (geesh that was hard to type – hate being an adult). So even if I were to become the most educated rider with a nice horse, I still wouldn’t be sharing the warmup ring with Isabelle Werth. Why? Money. Much like most things in life it all boils down to money. Don’t get me wrong, I know that I am very blessed to be able to own a horse. Do I want more? Heck yeah I do! I'd like a mini donkey, fainting goats, some chickens, and my own farm too. Now back to reality. Did you know that few top riders (as in maybe less than 1%) actually bought, own, and have trained their world class mount? Most of the riders we admire have sponsors (aka the sugar daddy) since as you and I both know there is not much money to be made in the horse world. These can even be complex groups of wealthy individuals that have formed a partnership covering a horse or rider. Top horses are often franchised or syndicated. Once doing well at the top levels of course there is additional money to be made with equipment/tack sales, supplement endorsements and other paid branding. Money goes to money, right? Mind boggling really. So where does all this leave me and you? Honestly it's hard not to be deflated. But if you take a look at yourself, you may soon realize you have many of the same characteristics of these top riders. We still have the passion, devotion and the love of horses. We shuffle meetings, arrange car pools, pinch a penny here to enter a show there, and do our best to get in our riding/barn time. We buy tack and clothes on clearance. We do the best we can with the horse that we can afford. We are eager to learn and advance. Maybe we didn’t earn an 85% on a WEG freestyle, but we did design and ride a freestyle beautifully with our own horse at a local show. Maybe top level to us means having finally saved enough for that dream saddle you have always wanted, or taking that equestrian themed vacation foxhunting in Ireland. We make it all happen and without a sponsor! Let that sink in! So the next time you are admiring the top riders or horses in our sport, make sure you include yourself and your horsey in that list. Take pride in that perfect 20-meter circle, that square halt and that terrific trot lengthening, etc. While we may never ride at the Olympics we are still pretty bad assed and are doing much of the same things but just on a different scale.
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Medical care so advanced it almost makes you wish you were a horse. We offer every type of medical care your four-legged athlete could ever need. With board-certified specialists in all fields we provide everything from upper airway, arthroscopic and laparoscopic surgeries, to internal medicine, complex fracture fixation and advanced diagnostic imaging, including bone scans and MRIs — all in one place. It’s enough to make a human jealous. 800.724.5358 • 40 Frontage Road Ringoes, NJ 08551 www.midatlanticequine.com
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ESDCTA Youth Fix-A-Test Clinic With Ann Forer, R May 4, 2019 All proceeds benefit future ESDCTA Youth Activities Location:
Hidden Creek Equestrian Center 315 Mountain View Drive Kunkletown, PA 18058
Opening Date: March 26, 2019 Closing Date: April 26, 2019
Organizer:
Jill Kuc 570-977-1406 esea@ptd.net Fax 610-681-6031
ESDCTA Members: $40 Non-Members: $50
Through the generosity of our member facilities, judges and L graduates, the Youth Committee is able to offer Fix-A-Test Clinics throughout the year. Not only are these clinics a great way to prepare for the competition season, but they give youth riders across our region the opportunity to meet each other. The clinics are open to all youth riders ages 21 and under. Adults will have the opportunity to fill any clinic spots not filled by youth riders. This is a perfect opportunity to practice the new 2019 tests with an amazing judge and clinician. Ann provides wonderful feedback to help you improve your scores and training. Riders ride a dressage test of their choice (eventing tests included) and receive a score as they would at a competition. The clinician discusses the test results and works with the rider on ways to improve their test. Afterwards, riders have the opportunity to re-ride the test, or another test of that level, and have it scored. We will also have a pizza lunch with a presentation on concussions and concussion protcols by Christina Coxe. This is a presentation that we encourage all participants and their parents to attend! Anyone who audits the full clinic (whether or not they ride in the clinic), will receive 10 Education Credits towards the ESDCTA Youth Education Award. Auditors are welcome, but they must pre-register and contribute $5 towards lunch. Send your entry and payment to the clinic organizer and address listed above. The entry form can be found on the ESDCTA website. Ride times are available by phone or email by May 2, 2019.
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A Tribute to the Schoolmaster By Paige Zimmerman
“Schoolmaster” is a commonly used phrase in the equestrian community. But what exactly is a schoolmaster? Everyone seems to have their own definition and if you look on horse sales pages, the term is everywhere. My first pony was a very old rescued school horse from New York City. I could walk, trot, and be led around on him bareback and bridleless when I was Charlie, Paige and Mom as young as a year old. I could grab his mane and make noise and flop around on him and he didn’t care at all. Charleston (Charlie for short) was between 25 and 35 years old. Nobody knew for sure. As a small child, I got pure joy from being with him. This, of course, fueled my passion for horses beginning at a very young age. Even though I couldn’t tell at the time (I was having too much fun), Charlie taught me the basics of riding. My mom attached reins to a halter and I learned how to sit properly and hold the reins, steering, basic aids for walk and trot transitions, etc. His calm and forgiving nature gave me the opportunity to learn horsemanship and horse care as well. Charlie passed away many years ago, but he will always live in my memory. My second horse was an OTTB thoroughbred mare named Campfire Girl (Campie) who had a very sketchy background and also had been a school horse. She was not happy as a school horse so my mom bought her for practically nothing and we started working with her to make her less tense and more agreeable both under saddle and on the ground. It took years, but eventually she came around. We never could get her to the point where trailering and showing were acceptable to her, but I did manage to earn my ESDCTA bronze medal with her. She taught me everything about riding with proper COLLECTIVE REMARKS
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Millie and Paige
position, in balance, and with tact. The slightest change to what she found acceptable would result in objection. I have to credit this opinionated little mare because she really did teach me to be the rider I am today. She is retired now at 19 with navicular and a heart condition but we still see her every day and I love her like a sister.
When I was ready to graduate from training level, I had the wonderful opportunity to ride a 28-year-old Thoroughbred mare named Silver Mill (Millie for short). She had the most lovely, floppy ears you’ve ever seen, and she was an incredibly sweet and willing horse. On her, I learned how to ride the basic movements of first and second level with ease and without any worry of messing up. She responded to my mistakes with patience and allowed me to figure out the more complex ideas of shoulder-in, haunches-in, counter canter, simple changes, and walk-canter-walk transitions. When she really got going, she had spunk and power even at her age. Everyone said she was a force to be reckoned with! I was able to get all but two of my scores for my ESDCTA silver medal with her as my partner before she passed away in late 2016 from a pasture injury. I will be applying for my silver medal this year and I will most definitely be using scores she gave me. She truly tried her heart out and she deserves the award as much as I do. In more recent years, I’ve been privileged to ride the 20-year-old Thoroughbred gelding named A Year in Time (aka Buddy) whom I’ve written about here many times. With him, I recently earned those last two scores for my silver medal! Olivia Steidle has graciously let me ride him and learn on him for the past 2 years, and I can honestly and assuredly say that he has taught me more than any other horse. He and Olivia have taught me how to achieve throughness by riding off of my seat. And, since his trot is so bouncy, 12
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Buddy and Paige
he’s taught me how to really sit a big trot. With him, I was able to get the hang of using my seat and core to absorb the motion of the gaits. He has such a unique personality too and I know when I’m doing things right because he voices his opinion with loud groans and what we call “Tarzan yells” (oftentimes right in front of the judge’s box at shows). Watching videos of how I rode him even just a year ago and how I ride him now is pretty astounding to me, because during just one year my riding has gone through some major transformations. I have Buddy and Olivia to thank for the improvements I see. So, what exactly is a schoolmaster in your eyes? My answer is that a schoolmaster is not only a horse that teaches you patiently, is dependable, and is relatively forgiving to mistakes, but also one that has such personality or has been so influential in your riding that you could never forget them. A schoolmaster can be an older horse that still has some occasional freshness in them because they can teach you to use that energy. A schoolmaster is a professor ‒ their personality, talent, energy level, and so on vary from horse to horse, just like in people. But, just like their human counterparts, an equine schoolmaster’s purpose is the same: to teach their students specific skills, to convey knowledge, to teach patience and tenacity, to give students confidence, to foster a greater love of learning, and to keep you coming back for more. So, cheers to the schoolmasters in all our lives!
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EVENT DATES
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Horse Treats By, Meredith Rogers
Modern medicine has nothing compared to how being with our horses makes us feel. But there are some folk medicine cures involving the horse (or parts of the horse) that have never been approved by the American Medical Association – with good reason! Eating a hair from a horse’s forelock is a cure for worms. Whooping cough can be cured by inhaling a horse’s breath. Of course if that doesn’t work, you can try placing three hairs from a donkey’s shoulders in a muslin bag and wear it around your neck (may also be a cure for measles). Got bit by a snake or have a toothache? Just sit backwards on a donkey. Pregnant women who just see a donkey will have wise and well-behaved children. A horse’s chestnuts were believed to be a cure for cancer if dried, ground, and drunk frequently with new milk. It used to be thought that warts could be cured by circling them in horse hair. To lesson the pain of a toothache, rub the tooth of a dead horse over your jaw.
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The Amateur Dilemma By, Meredith Rogers
I hate winter. I hate being cold. I hate the snow that stops me from getting to the barn. I hate the snow that falls off the roof of the indoor. I hate wearing so many layers I can’t move. But…(you knew there had to be a “but”) the winter is when the training happens. With no immediate pressures, I can take my time in figuring things out.
Meredith and Leo
I hate the fact that I’m a naturally timid rider, and after all of these years, I know I’m not going to change that about me. However, I have overcome a lot of my fears (in large part to PJ), which means I have the ability to continue to improve in this area. That was my mission this winter – if not to totally become fearless, to at least be on the journey to riding with more confidence. The first thing I did was a Google search “overcoming fear in riding”. I was amazed with how many articles and videos are on this topic, and how many people feel the same as I do. In and of itself, that helped immensely. I found a few experts who I particularly connected with and watched and read everything they put out there on the world wide web. These internet gurus often have more extensive programs for which they charge. I didn’t go as far as that but I did buy a book from one of them and I’m in the middle of reading it for the second time.
In case you are struggling with this same issue, the book is called FearLESS Riding Success by Natasha Althoff, a Grand Prix rider from Australia. She is very generous with her free videos, with about a hundred of them on Youtube (reach out to me if you want the names of the other people I followed). One theme of the book is that you need to look at what you are really afraid of. You can say you’re afraid of cantering but that’s not really what you’re afraid of. What you’re really afraid of is losing control at the canter and falling off and getting hurt. For me, I am worried about being able to ride Leo, my baby horse, who is currently with the trainer. From reading this book, I 16
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realized that it’s not that I’m afraid to ride him, per se. I’m afraid he’s going to pull a baby move and I’m not going to be able to handle it, and…1) I’m going to teach him to be naughty and never have a good horse I can enjoy, and 2) I’m going to get bucked off and hurt. Okay, so that meant that I had two things to address. The first, was not to teach him to be bad. The best way I thought to address this was to gain a better understanding about how to handle fractious horses (even great baby horses are still babies). I went back to the internet and consumed every video I could about how to address spooky, resistant, explosive, and tense horses. I gained a ton of insight and exercises that I felt increased my knowledge base and my skills. The second was to avoid hitting the ground. To stay in the saddle, you need a good seat. I thought the best way to get a good seat would be to ride without stirrups, and I went one better and got on PJ bareback one day. I dedicated whole rides to working on position, instead of doing things like perfecting the shoulder-in. I figured fixing my position could only help riding PJ too. Lastly, I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase “practice doesn’t make perfect; perfect practice makes perfect,” or maybe “practice makes permanent.” Another theme of the book is that your brain cannot tell the difference between real practice and imagined practice. So, one thing I did was imagine riding Leo in a show how I want it to be and not how I expect it to be – meaning a well-behaved horse doing all of the movements as best as we can and not a beasty eyeballing the judge’s stand who can’t get the canter depart. This trains the brain not to be nervous (actually changing your neuropathways) because you’ve practiced so many times in a calm state of mind in your head. As spring is coming and along with it show season, I’m hoping all of this homework pays off.
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Fix A Test with USDF “S” Judge: Marilyn Payne 2019 USDF Dressage Tests By: Erin Gale
Early in March, ESDCTA and LVDA co-hosted a Fix- A- Test clinic with USDF “S” judge, Marilyn Payne at the Horse Park of New Jersey to review the new 2019 USDF tests. From past experiences, a clinic with Marilyn is always sure to be fun and interactive with the group, and this event was no exception. As an auditor, we each received score cards from 1 to 10, and the same score sheets the judge gets for each test. As each rider rode their test, the auditors scored each movement and wrote their comments on their score sheet. We had demo riders ride from Training Level to Third Level. After each ride, Marilyn broke the test down by each movement and reviewed how she felt the rider/horse performed. Auditors were asked to hold up their score cards to compare how they scored each movement, as well. This opened the floor for a lot of discussion and it was very interesting to hear the different perspectives. As a rider, it really rang true to me that judging is based so much on personal opinion, and also, the angle at which you sit relative to the ring! Not all of the tests for each level changed this year. Most of tests 1 and 2 for each level had minor revisions, except maybe second level, but test 3 for each level seemed to have the most changes. The biggest change to Intro level was that test C is now shortened, horses do not have to trot for as long, and the final halt is at X instead of continuing on to G. Training Level saw some changes that most will agree are for the better. Test 1 stayed the same, and test 2 had one change to the medium walk transition. Test 3 now has a 3- loop serpentine instead of the previous shallow loop. Marilyn was very helpful with explaining this new movement to everyone 18
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and pointing out where the serpentine is supposed to be. Being a current Training level rider, I really appreciated this part of the clinic! First level’s changes were subtle, but I think much more friendly for the horse and rider. Changes to Tests 1 and 2 were to the trot lengthening in that they now all start at the corner letter instead of R, S, V, or P. Everything else stayed the same. Test 3 had more substantial changes and Marilyn helped riders improve on their trot lengthening and 15-meter canter circles. It was really interesting to see how much the horse and rider improved after just a few suggestions from Marilyn! We had a few riders try the Second level tests 1 and 2, as well as Third level test 2. For Second level test 1, the serpentine canter work and simple change requirements have been removed from test 1 and put into test 2. Instead of doing a true simple change, Marilyn explained that the new test 1 has a canter-to-trotto-walk transition that allows for a counter canter for a few short strides. Marilyn worked with the riders to perfect the serpentine and the changes and discussed the importance of the shape, position, and bend of the movement. Third level tests 1 and 3 had no movement changes. Our rider for Third level test 2 gave us a good demonstration of renvers, and again Marilyn focused on the importance of the bend and seeing a clear definition of the movement. As an auditor, I think this was one of the harder movements to judge because if you sat on the opposite side of the movement or you were right behind the horse (at H or M), you could not appreciate the bend. Just another example of how ring position is so important! After this clinic, I definitely left fired up and ready to get home and practice! Hearing a different perspective, especially from someone as experienced as Marilyn, is so encouraging and helpful, even when it’s some-
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thing as simple like a reassurance that you CAN switch your whip hand during your test! Thank you ESDCTA, LVDA, our brave riders, volunteers, and of course Marilyn for a wonderful day of learning. If you need me, I’ll be in the ring practicing
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Fun, Education… Volunteer! By Meredith Rogers
I had a great time volunteering at the Marilyn Payne Fix-A-Test clinic, March 9, 2019, at the Horse Park of New Jersey. I got to connect with friends I hadn’t seen since last year’s show season, met new people who share my passion for dressage, and learned a lot. Here’s a recap of my experience, so you can see that it’s a totally worthwhile experience. I emailed our fabulous ESDCTA Education Chair, Victoria Shilton about 2 weeks before the event to ask if she needed volunteers. She responded right away that yes, she could use some help and would get back to me with the details closer to the clinic, and sure enough, a few days beforehand I received an email with the schedule and what time I should arrive. As requested, I showed up at 8am (later than many a horse-show ride time) and was put right to work cleaning off the chairs for the auditors – easy-peasy. After that, I manned the registration desk where I got to greet everyone – it was fun to hear people’s stories. Once everyone was registered and seated the fun started, and since all of the prep work was done, I got to watch. Read Erin Gale’s report in this issue on the clinic, which provided invaluable insight into the new tests and how to ride them. At lunch time, I kept and eye on the registration desk, offered to help set up lunch, but they had that covered, and cleaned up the poop of one horse. That was it, and I got to enjoy the lovely lunch and chat with fellow equestrians. After lunch, I enjoyed the rest of the program. Bottom line, I got to participate in a wonderful educational opportunity for free, got volunteer bucks, ate a tasty lunch, and didn’t The Registration Desk
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have to do all that much work. Granted, this ratio of work-to-reward was unusually weighted to the reward side of things, and other volunteer opportunities will most likely be more labor, but I have never volunteered and not been able to participate or listen-in enough to make it a valuable experience.
Our Great Volunteers I hope that my story entices you to volunteer. Volunteers are what make our equestrian world go round, but you definitely get something out of it too. Here are some tips in case you see something on the ESDCTA website or in the newsletter and want to be a part of it. • Contact the organizer as soon as you can commit to the time so they can plan to have enough coverage. Don’t worry that you can’t volunteer all day; just be honest with the amount of time you can dedicate. • Don’t cancel at the last minute. If you say you will be there, follow through. Lot’s of people are counting on you. • Be on time. Be early if you can, as there is always something that needs to be done. • Dress should be appropriate for the weather (this is important), but look clean and neat. You are representing the ESDCTA. • Be open to doing different jobs. You may learn something new or gain a new perspective. • Have fun. This is an easy one.
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News from Outside the Ring The FEI Has Been Busy There are some new rules effective January 1 for horses competing at FEI competitions (all disciplines). The first is that horses are no longer allowed to have their legs clipped while on site at the competition. They believe this will help combat hypersensitive and hyposensitive areas of the horse’s body. Any horse with evidence that “hair on their limbs have been clipped and/or shaven at any point during their presence at an FEI event site” will not be permitted to compete. If you do need to clip due to a veterinary procedure at an event, you must get prior permission by the veterinary commission or delegate. You can still clip your horse’s legs before you get on site. Second, dressage riders at 1* and 2* competitions, and junior/youth riders can use a snaffle instead of a double bridle. The rule change does not apply to CDI 3*, 4*, 5*, U25, or Championships and World Equestrian Games. You still can’t ride in a bitless bridle, and some form of a noseband is still required. So, if you are entering an FEI competition, check the star level before choosing your tack. It Was a Bad February and March A fire at the Rothenberger family’s Gestut Erlenhof, Bad Homburg, Germany, killed 5 horses and destroyed the indoor and other buildings. Around 6am on February 28, the barn owners, Sonke Rothenberger and his sister, Sanneke Rothenberger, were alerted to the fire by their dog. Thankfully, 30 of the other horses were able to be saved, although 2 mares are still in critical condition. Sonke and Sanneke suffered burns and smoke inhalation, and 2 firefighters were injured. The cause of the fire remains unknown. On February 9, a fire killed 8 horses at Centerline Farm, Union Bridge, Maryland. The owner, Joyce Moxley, is a fixture in the driving community, and the horses who died were driving horses: 4 teams of 2. Arson has been ruled out but the cause is still under investigation. Also on February 9, tack was stolen from trainers Ashley Glica’s and Jack Stedding’s locked tack rooms at the Winter Equestrian Festival, Wellington, Florida. Saddles, bridles, girths, and other tack, as well as rider gear were taken. The perpetrators are still at large, so keep your eyes out for tack for sale. Breaking news on March 14 with another barn fire. This one in Wellington, Florida, at the barn of Kelli Cruciotti, an emerging show jumping star. Three horses died in this fire, while 18 were saved. It is too early at the time of this writing to know the cause.
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BUSINESS MEMBERS Blue Bridle Insurance Agency
Windy Hollow Hunt Club Sussex County Fairgrounds 37 plaines road Augusta NJ
PO Box 27 Pittstown, NJ 08867 1.800.526.1711 Nancyh@BlueBridle.com www.BlueBridle.com
AMY HOWARD DRESSAGE LLC
www.WindyHollow.org
Anjelhart Equestrian Center
338 Rileyville Rd Ringoes, NJ 08551 1.908.310.9384 Ashoward@hotmail.com www.AmyHowardDressage.com
Pleasant Ridge Farm LLC
Cheret Dressage
122 Barn Swallow Lane, Cresco Pa. 18326 570.856.4977 Brily17@ptd.net www.PleasantRidgeFarmllc.com
Good Times Farm
Flying Change Farm
425 Kromer Road Wind Gap, PA 18091 610.863.6616 mmorehouse@epix.net www.heartsjourneystables.com
Stone Horse Farm
60 Sutton Road, Lebanon, NJ 08833 908.797.2634 fcfnj@aol.com www.flyingchangefarm.com
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75 Back Brook Road, Ringoes, N.J. 908.208.6686 Cheretdressage@gmail.com www.CheretDressage.com
Heart’s Journey Stable
278 Jackson Mills Road, Freehold, NJ 07728 732.409.2882 gtts@optonline.net www.GoodTimeFarm.com
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38 Millers Mill Rd, Cream Ridge, NJ 08514 609.758.7676 lacavacreations@aol.com www.Anjelhart.com
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35 Sutton Road, Lebanon, NJ, 08833 1.570.460.5184 StoneHorseFarm@me.com www.stonehorseequestrian.com
Jersey Palms Farm
NJ Equine Imaging
177 S. Stump Tavern Road Jackson NJ, 08527 609.213.5745 KWLYNX@comcast.net www.jerseypalmsfarm.com
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Red Tail Farm
Family & Cosmetic Dentistry 502 Pennsylvania Avenue Matamoras, Pa 18336 570.228.1921
125 Hacklebarney Rd Chester NJ 07930 201.919.8959 lindadietz.redtailfarm@gmail.com www.redtailfarmnj.com
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Suds and Duds
Rhythm and Blues Stables
8 Midland Drive Hackettstown NJ 07840 800.816.3882 info@horsedudsandsuds.com www.horsedudsandsuds.com
12 Hill Rd. Allentown NJ 08501 609 306-8221 RBLStables@aol.com www.rhythmandbluesstables.com
Schleese Saddle Fit4Life
Stacies Saddles
34 Centiennal Ave Holand Landing DC
1-905-898-8335 sabine@schleese.com www.saddlefit4life.com
Stacies Saddles
136 Springfield Meeting House Road Jobstown NJ 08041 732-208-2760 StacieSaddles@comcast.net Stacies Saddles
The Black Pony 1 Canterbury Lane Lebanon NJ 08833 908 507 8929 redroan1202@yahoo.com www.blackponytackshop.com
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