ESDCTA Collective Remarks - August 2023

COLLECTIVE REMARKS

WWW.ESDCTA.ORG

August 2023

3

President’s Message

News from Outside the Ring

11

HorseTreats Amateur Dilemma

8

6 Summer School with Felicitas von Neumann-Cosel

17

Show Results

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer with their horses, and beating the heat the best you can. Now is a great time to watch videos and work on a training program or figure out your next adventure. There are so many opportunities for fun and challenging activities to engage in with your horse, from shows to trail rides to hunter/trail paces, to just grooming and being around horses.

With the competition year in full swing, check the Calendar frequently for updates and changes to the schedule. ( https://www.esdcta.org/calendar-of-events/)

Always remember why you engage with horses – they’re smart, they try their darndest to figure out what you’re asking them to do, they’re lovable (most of the time), caring, friendly, majestic, and provide a great source of exercise. I wish everyone a very successful competition or funfilled year, in whatever way you choose to enjoy your horse – try not to lose sight of the reasons why you are involved with horses!

I hope you enjoy the rest of your summer.

President

Quote of the month: “On the back of a horse, you will find paradise.” Stella Walker

Be kind to your horse – give them a nice rub down, cooling bath, and plenty of attention.

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 written here before about how aging has been difficult for me. While I have not quite come to terms with my mortality, I do think I’ve gained some wisdom along with these aching joints. One of the best pieces of this great knowledge that I will share with you youngins is: “Buy the purple shoes.” I believe it was originally said about red boots or something like that but my favorite color is purple and you can substitute whatever color you like. Despite its brevity, it actually carries a lot of meaning.

First, it means if you want to wear purple shoes, go for it no matter what you think other people will say about them. If they make you happy that’s all that matters. A more profound perspective on this quote is to be confident in your life choices. Don’t try to please others; do what’s in your own heart. Second, it means go for it, whether that be purchasing purple shoes or taking that job or going on that date, or in my case, buying the baby horse. Life is too short.

I had (and still have) dressage goals. Six and a half years ago, I felt that it was now or never to try to accomplish those goals, and I started it all with the purchase of a feral coming 3-year-old that showed talent running around a muddy field. Since then I have been fortunate in that Leo has enabled me to exceed all expectations, and hopefully we’re not done yet. However, for every triumph, there have been numerous setbacks. Although some of these setbacks turned out to be minor bumps in the road, at the time they seemed unsurmountable. It has taught me that since you never know when the next hurdle will become a roadblock, you need to take every opportunity you can when it presents itself. There may not be a next show or next season; there are no guarantees even if the odds look good.

Taking my mantra a little more literally, I recently purchased a custom watercolor of Little Leo. I saw on Facebook the work of an artist that just spoke to me. However, due to…stuff, it became a bad time to frivolously spend money. I hemmed and hawed about it, but ultimately decided to get it. In large part, because Leo and I have currently hit one of those bumps in the road and the future isn’t as certain as it used to be. Now or never.

I couldn’t be happier with the results. The artist is Michelle Clarke (https://www.facebook.com/michelleclarkephotography). She’s out of New Zealand and paints more than just horses, and she’s also a rider. I sent her a bunch of photos and told her what I was looking for (it was based on another work she had done). She even got his little underbite! Every time I look at it I feel both nostalgic for all we’ve experienced together and sad at the current situation, but also hopeful for our return. And that’s exactly what art is supposed to do.

Summer School with Felicitas von Neumann-Cosel

By, Paige Zimmerman

From July 14-16, Olivia Steidle Dressage welcomed Felicitas von Neumann-Cosel for yet another fantastic clinic! I rode Ducati in one lesson. He is currently almost all the way recovered from one of those bumps in the road. He is now sound and feeling good, and the clinic ride was really helpful for both of us to get back in the groove.

In my lesson we worked mostly in-hand and at the walk, with short bursts in trot and canter. We focused on his relaxation and ability to listen to the aids without tension. This meant that he needed to go forward when asked, off of the lightest possible aids, but also slow down and rock himself back onto his hindquarters when asked by the lightest possible aids. This forward and back on the ground and under saddle really helped focus him, since sometimes (especially warming up) I have a hard time getting him in front of my leg, and then by the time I get him where I want him, I lose the brakes. Finding that middle ground is a challenge, although things have improved lately, especially in the last few months.

One exercise we worked on was asking him to halt without using the reins, only using my seat and leg. Then I was to wait for him to chew and maybe take a breath, then ask him to rein back without using my hands. From there I could ask him for a few steps of turn on the forehand and then to either walk, trot, or canter off, maintaining the bend and suppleness that I’d just created with the inside leg and turn. We kept the trot and canter short, focusing mostly on the transitions and making sure he didn’t slam on the brakes or rush off. We also worked on this exercise on a square rather than a circle, since the straight lines gave me much more to work with regarding checking his straightness and focus. Then on the turns I could rebalance him with the halt–rein-back–turn exercise.

When we went into the trot and canter, Felicitas said that I should try to rise the trot a little less high, but more quickly. Ducati has a very big, bouncy trot, so it is easy to rise the trot super high and then get stuck in the air with no time to sit back down. Thinking of making my rising a little shallower and quicker helped me encourage him to

take a quicker, more engaged stride that was more in front of my leg as opposed to a long and strung-out stride. As Felicitas said in another lesson, “don’t ride the trot he gives you, ride the trot you want”.

In the canter, Felicitas had me think of bouncing him up with my lower leg and calf, so that he lifts his back instead of getting flat and resistant. She also showed me on the ball of my foot where the point of balance is. It is that joint where the middle toe connects to the rest of the foot! She said that this is the point on which the rider balances, and it is where the stirrup should sit so that our foot and leg can stay in position, thus stabilizing the rest of our body. If we are unbalanced, our legs will be in front of us or out behind, and the horse will not be able to balance themselves. In the canter, this image was especially helpful, since Felicitas told me to imagine bouncing on the ball of my foot to create the jump and suspension while maintaining collection. I really liked this visual!

Thank you Firecreek Farm, Sara Schmitt Dressage, and Bailey Ridge Farm for opening your facilities for riders and auditors alike. Thank you Olivia Steidle for organizing the busy schedule and keeping us all in line, and Brenda Curnin for continuing to share Ducati with me to learn on. I always look forward to working with Felicitas. She leaves us with such innovative tools to add to our collection. This was a fantastic learning experience, as usual.

News from Outside the Ring

Important Helmet News

Wearing a helmet

EVERY time you sit on a horse is important. Now you have more options in choosing what you wear. The USEF has amended their helmet rule to expand the list of acceptable international testing standards for approved equestrian headgear. In addition to the US standard ASTM F1163, you can have a helmet that meets the British standard PAS 015 or the European standard VG1 01.040. These standards are either comparable or exceed US criteria. The rule went into effect August 1. What this means to you is that you can now take advantage of any good exchange rates to shop online or when traveling internationally, have fun going on a shopping spree. Here’s the complete list of acceptable standards: https:// www.usef.org/forms-pubs/wGqEFLaPc60/list-of-applicable-international?utm_ source=SilverpopMailing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Industry%20 News%20-Helmet%20Rule%20Change-%2007.25.23%20(1)&utm_content=

Science Rules

It has long been suspected that there is a genetic component to kissing spine disease, as it is more frequent in Thoroughbreds, Warmbloods, and stock-type breeds, and also in taller horses. Although level of work, discipline, and saddle fit have been shown to contribute to the development of kissing spine, previous research established a hereditary cause. New research has further narrowed down the gene to a single nucleotide polymorphism on chromosome 25. Despite tall height being a risk factor, this gene was not linked to height but it was known in other species to be associated with cartilage proliferation, which is a problem sometimes seen in horses with kissing spine. It should be noted that the gene isn’t causative for kissing spine, but instead increases the risk and potential severity of the disease in a horse with the gene, with a greater rink in those with two copies of the gene. Someday a test may be available to assist with breeding decisions, as well as the training of horses with the defective gene. See here for the original article: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/ S0034528822001606?via%3Dihub

Horse Treats

By, Meredith Rogers

Whether it’s the summer blockbuster season or it’s too chilly to spend much time outside, who doesn’t like a good movie? Since horses are our favorite topic, here’s some cinematic equine trivia. There are no spoilers here, so read on and then go watch!

The Horse in Motion (1878): You’ve probably seen this galloping horse (above). It was the first motion picture ever and was created by stringing together a series of still photos in 1880 when the photographer, Eadweard Muybridge projected the images onto a zoopraxiscope disc. It was produced to settle a bet by former California Governor, Leland Stanford, about whether or not all four hooves left the ground when a horse galloped. Here’s an interesting article about it and the photographer, with a backstage video when they filled it: https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/what-was-the-first-movie-ever-made/.

The Derby (1895): One of the first movies about horses and one of the first movies in the UK. It is actually a silent black-and-white documentary featuring the end of the May 1895 Epsom Derby. It’s more just a video of the horses at the finish, some police officers running onto the field, and audience members moving around. You can see it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iS98WZH4A18

The Black Stallion (1979): Based on the 1941 children’s novel by Walter Farley, this movie is about a shipwrecked boy and a black Arabian stallion. It is definitely one of the best horse movies of all time. Kelly Reno, the actor who played the boy, was 12 years of age at the time and while he knew how to ride, he didn’t know how to swim. He took on the role because he wanted to learn. The film was shot all over the world, including Toronto, Sardinia, and Rome. It grossed $38 million, which is pretty good considering it cost $4 million to make.

National Velvet (1944): A true equestrian classic, it is the story of a girl who falls in love with a horse and together they do amazing things. It’s based on a 1935 book by Enid Bagnold. Elizabeth Taylor was only 12 years-old when she played lead character, Velvet Brown. Although she rode quite well and did most of the riding scenes herself, she fell during the shooting of one scene and broke her back. She recovered enough to finish the film but it was an injury that plagued her later in life. Mickey Rooney also starred in the film but he only had one month to shoot all his scenes because he had to report to basic training during WWII.

War Horse (2011): This is the story of Joey, a horse who grows up to become a cavalry mount for the British Army in WWI. It was based on the 1982 book by Michael Morpugo, and became an amazing stage play in 2007 that used life-size horse puppets instead of live animals. Directed by Steven Spielberg, the movie was filmed over a period of 63 days in England, and used a total of 300 horses and 5800 extras, including the author and his wife. Most of the props used in the film were real; the swords used against the Germans in the cavalry charge were the last swords issued to the British cavalry in real life.

Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002): This children’s animated film is based on a real stallion, Donner, a Kiger Mustang that Dreamworks purchased to teach its animators how horses move and behave. He was fully domesticated even though the movie is about a wild stallion. It is unique for a children’s move in that the horses don’t talk and only use whinnies and body language to tell the story. Interestingly, the first draft of the script did have the horses speak but the producer wanted it to be more realistic, so he requested a rewrite. Matt Damon was reportedly paid $2.3 million to narrate the story. There’s a paint mare in the movie named Rain, who was given honorary registration papers (#100,000) by the American Paint Horse Association, because as they said, she “exemplified the breed standards people have come to recognize in a Paint Horse.”

SHOW RESULTS

Hidden Creek Dres sage and Combined Tra ining

June 1 1, 2023 - Results

Introductory Level Test A - Judge: Maggie O’Leary, L

Introductory Level Test B - Judge: Maggie O’Leary, L

Introductory Level Test C - Judge: Maggie O’Leary, L

Training Level Test 1 - Starter - Judge: Maggie O’Leary, L

Second Level Test 1 - Judge: Cheryl Ash, L*

Third Level Test 1 - Judge: Cheryl Ash, L*

HJS Dressage & Combined Training Schooling Show

BIT O WOODS FARM 7/15/23 SHOW RESULTS

HJS Dressage & Combined Training

HJS Dressage & Combined Training Schooling Show

Hidden Creek Dres sage and Combined Tra ining July 9, 2023 - Results Introductory Level Test A - Judge: Peggy Hipple, L

Introductory Level Test B - Judge: Erin Laurent, L*

Introductory Level Test C - Judge: Peggy Hipple, L

Training Level Test 1 - Starter - Judge: Erin Laurent, L*

Champion Starter Division: Katie Ochs and Cheese On Reserve Champion Starter Division: J essica Pioli and George

Training Level Test 1 - Open - Judge: Erin Laurent, L*

Training Level Test 2- Judge: Erin Laurent, L*

Training Level Test 3- Judge: Erin

Champion Training Level: Kaylee Shoenberger and Walking With Grace

Intermediare I - Judge: Erin Laurent, L*

Special Olympics Walk Test 1 - Judge: Peggy Hipple, L

Aspire Trot Test 1 - Judge: Peggy Hipple, L

Special Olympics Walk-Trot Test 2

Level Test A - Judge: Peggy Hipple, L

Introductory Level Test B - Judge: Peggy Hipple, L

Therapeutic Division: Audrey Seyler and George

d Level Pas de Deux - Judge: Erin Laurent, L*

Dressage Seat Equitation Walk/Trot - Judge: Peggy Hipple, L

Dressage Seat Equitation WTC - Judge: Peggy Hipple, L

Applewood Farm Dressage, Combined Test & Clear Round Show

Wednesday, July 12, 2023

Applewood Farm Dressage, Combined Test & Clear Round Show

LVDA SCHOOLING SHOW III AT HIDDEN CREEK EQUESTRIAN CENTER 7/23/2023

LVDA SCHOOLING SHOW III AT HIDDEN CREEK EQUESTRIAN CENTER 7/23/2023

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/