I hope everyone is enjoying their summer with their horses. There are so many opportunities for fun and challenging activities to engage in with your horse, from shows to trail riding to hunter/trail paces to just grooming and being around them. Take advantage of the nicer weather now that the heat waves of 2024 have hopefully past.
The next ESDCTA-run activity is the Horse Trials on September 28-29. As with most horse trials, volunteers are essential to running an event of this size, and many are needed. Please consider helping out in some fashion: fence judge, ring steward, scribe, etc. It’s a great way to learn about Eventing and get in your volunteer hours for year-end awards. If something sounds intriguing but you haven’t done it before, never fear, we’ll gladly train you, so don’t be shy – step right up and learn something new!
Progress with Adelaide, my new 7-year-old green Thoroughbred, is steadily moving in the right direction. Most days she trots when asked without dashing for the start gate, and comfortably goes over poles on the ground and small jumps. I’ve always been a tense rider, and I’m learning that the key to Addie is relaxation and subtleness in all things. She’s quite sensitive, much more so than my previous horse, Sunny, so it’s been a learning curve, but I’m so pleased with my ability to be patient with her, and her willingness to adapt to my less-thanperfect riding style. Too many years of uncorrected bad habits are difficult to change in the short term, but I’m hopeful we’ll improve….eventually.
Always remember why you engage with horses – they provide a calming influence (most times), are fun to ride, and provide a great source of exercise. And don’t forget to give plenty of pats, lots of soft words, and of course carrots and apples. I hope you enjoy the rest of your summer.
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 2024. 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
2024 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
102 Patricia Ct, Middle Grove NY 12850
Email: treasurer@esdcta.org
Amateur Dilemma
By Meredith Rogers
It seems that every time I have a horse show it’s 95°F or worse AND HUMID. Luckily, at this last show, although it was predicted to be “the hottest day of the year,” I rode in the morning when it was only 87°F (that’s sarcasm). At these events, not many people scratched. I didn’t scratch. I’ve taken care at every show to plan for very short warm-ups with lots of breaks, then go into the ring and take my chances. But, every day I’ve ridden at home it’s bordering on 95°F and did I mention HUMID? Through it all, Leo has seemed no worse for wear, and I’ve survived so far, but it brings me to ask should I be doing this? Is it fair to Leo? Me, I choose to get on knowing the weather report but he’s going out there because I’m asking him to.
If you think about it, a lot of what we ask our horses to do is not necessarily in their best interests, and I doubt it would be what they would choose to do with their day. I ask myself often, if Leo really hated me riding him and doing dressage, would he act happy to see me? Because, he does act happy to see me. He runs (okay, walks briskly) to the gait when I go to get him from the field. He nickers to me. He follows me with his eyes and ears when he’s crosstied and I’m moving around the barn. He doesn’t pin his ears when I get the saddle out. Are these good indicators of his happiness? My gut is telling me yes and I’m not alone. A study looked at this and concluded that most of us think we know when our horses are happy, but they also suggest we may be wrong (Bornmann et al. J Equine Vet Sci. 2021). And, another study concluded that we’re bad at recognizing behavioral signs of equine distress (Bell et al. Animals [Basel] 2019). Urg.
Regarding showing in the extreme heat, I made my decision based mainly on past experience. He’s done fine so far when I’ve kept with my plan of a short warm-up with lots of breaks. It’s been hot more days than not this summer, so he’s used to it in some respect. Nevertheless, I sometimes think I’m being selfish for riding him in weather like this because the only reason I’m doing it is because I want a score. I believe this is something we all wrestle with: our riding goals versus our horses’ lack of them. The best I can do is trust I can recognize what he’s feeling and the second he indicates he doesn’t want to play anymore, stopping.
News from Outside the Ring
It’s Old Billy by a Nose
Old Billy, a Cleveland Bay or draft cross, was foaled in 1760 in England. He is reported to be the oldest horse who ever lived, making it to the ripe old age of 62 years, dying in 1822. He was foaled near Warrington, England, and worked hard his entire life, powering machinery and pulling boats on the River Mersey. When he died, his head was taxidermied and displayed at the Bedford Museum up until present day. However, a group from Warrington wanted their horse back. About 10 years ago, Warrington was named as the worst place in England for making the most out of its heritage and the town wanted to change that, so they started the Warrington Arts Festival. Held this year July 19-27, the festival features diverse performances, events, and activities, and this year, also the head of Old Billy! Old Billy made a name for himself through his stamina and volatile temper when he was hungry. After his retirement in 1819, he participated in Manchester’s celebrations of the coronation of King George IV. He was a local celebrity and had regular visitors, which was very unusual for the day, because people really didn’t care about animals the way we do now. When he died, he was honored by having his taxidermied head sent to the Bradford Museum, while his skull went to the Manchester Museum. In 2023, a children’s book about Billy was written and illustrated by local residents, which prompted the movement to bring Old Billy home to Warrington. It is hoped that his story will inspire people to create their own works before he returns to the Bradford Museum November 20.
Mongolia Here We Come
With Olympic fever in full swing, it’s easy to forget that there are other horse events happening around the world. On August 7, the Mongolian Derby starts. This 1,000-km (~650 miles) race recreates the messaging system started by Genghis Khan in 1224. The Mongolian Derby is said to be the longest and toughest horse race in the world. Over 10 days, riders traverse the steppes of Mongolia in 35-km intervals between horse stations, where food and veterinary care are available. Riders are generally self-sufficient between each station but will often help each other and teach rider has an emergency SOS beacon. This year, a rider from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, will join about 40 international riders on this adventure. Shelby Van Weelden, a firefighter by day, has been physically and mentally training since her application was accepted a year ago. As she put it, “It’s been gear testing, camping, mental toughness, pushing myself to the limits mentally during workouts, different events you know working out in adverse conditions like rain or wind just because you don’t know what you’re going to expect over there.” Participants ride local horses used to the climate and terrain, but not all are broke to ride, and the course isn’t marked, there are no packed meals, and no beds along the way. The Mongolian Derby also gives back; each competitor must raise funds for a designated charity, and over the past 14 years, the race has raised more than $2 million for causes around the world. Shelby is riding for the St. Florian Burn Foundation, Sioux City, Iowa, a group that helps collect donations for burn victims. Go Shelby!
Object and General Principles of Dressage Thoughts about the……
by Earlen Haven
I have compiled these notes from judging and riding seminars that I have attended since 1963. (Yup, I’m old...but I try to keep open minded and never stop learning. Hope you feel the same.) Years ago American Dressage Institute offered active riders a chance to stay at our Team Headquarters in Gladstone at the Hamilton Farm and to ride with our then current Olympic coaches in Dressage (Bengt Ljungquist), Eventing (Jack LeGoff) and Jumping (Bert deNemethy) as well as many European trainers and coaches, including Arthur Kottas (head of the Spanish Riding School in Austria), Wikne (then head of the Swedish Riding School) and Hans Moeller (Austrian, dressage judge). A week or so with each of them really expands your understanding of the objectives of dressage.
All of the above people, in addition to the following horsemen, all seem to stress the same basic philosophy concerning the goals of dressage, no matter to what discipline it was being applied. My hope for this article is to improve our ability to “understand” the horse, thereby making his life (and ours) easier. Dressage is not a commanding rider making a horse servient. It is a method of training, creating “harmony between horse and rider”.
Often as a dressage judge, I see horses jammed together into a very short frame with the head behind the vertical and their chin on their chests. This is not the idea behind dressage. The horse should be reaching forward with a swinging back, searching for a soft, elastic rein connection. One test I offer for riders to try is to examine your transitions. If the horse comes above the bit on your transitions, he probably is being “held together”. Another test is to let the reins slack and see if your horse can maintain the same pace, relaxation, rhythm and swing of his back that he had when “on the bit”. If not, regroup and re-assess your training methods.
When we get involved in dressage, we usually feel that we will never learn all that we should…….and maybe that is true. There is a lot to learn…the biomechanics of the horse, what our weight aids do, what messages our leg aids impart to the horse, how to use our center of gravity to our advantage, etc., etc. etc. In all honesty, when you learn the basics and you create a harmonious ride for the two of you, it is truly enjoyable for both the horse and rider and you will wonder why you didn’t learn it years ago. I hope we can learn to concentrate on what correct dressage training can do for ANY horse/rider combination, in any discipline, in creating a harmonious ride for both horse and rider.
Let’s start with an excerpt from the USEF Rule Book DR 101, “Objective and Principles of Dressage.” The object of dressage is the development of the horse into a happy athlete through harmonious education. As a result, it makes the horse calm, supple, loose and flexible, but also confident, atten-
tive and keen, thus achieving perfect understanding with the rider. These qualities are demonstrated by:
The freedom and regularity of the gaits.
The harmony, lightness and ease of the movements.
The lightness of the forehand and the engagement of the hindquarters originating from a lively impulsion.
The acceptance of the bit with submissiveness/thoroughness (Durchlassigkeit) without any tension or resistance.
The horse thus gives the impression of doing of its own accord, what is required.
The USEF, USDF and ESDCTA to name a few have been leaders in offering dressage education in the US. Take advantage of it when the education is near you. Hearing international speakers often enlightens and gives new thought to old problems.
This article is not about the details of how to accomplish correct dressage. It is about the overall goals and attitude of both the horse and the rider. In short, dressage is a way of communicating to your horse so he understands what you want. Riders should be trying to enhance the qualities of the horse by quiet explanation with the rider’s aids.
I have taken quotes from various people who have been icons in the industry over many decades. One of my favorite riders to watch was Klaus Balkenhol. I first saw him at the Georgia Olypmics in 1996 in Dressage. His horse looked like it totally enjoyed his job, which impressed me. I then had the opportunity to attend a clinic that he taught at the Team headquarters in Gladstone. He was a pleasure to listen too. He asks his horses to do things rather than demanding. It was truly teamwork that he was striving for. To quote him, “There is a difference between being a leader and being a boss. Both are based on authority. A boss demands blind obedience; a leader earns his authority through understanding and trust.” I cannot think of any better way to approach your relationship with your horse.
The following are some comments from various dressage riders, judges, etc. who I thought gave a good overall picture of what dressage is meant to be.
Gen. Niemack (past President of the German Equestrian Judges Association) states “Dressage is… the development of the natural properties of the horse. …. ….It (dressage) provides the basic training for all riding horses. After the first year, you can begin to train the horses in a specialized field, like jumping or the 3-Day Event. The specialized horse will have success only if it has received correct basic training in dressage. The desire to get quick results leads to incorrect methods. Any force which causes opposing reaction by the horse should be avoided.
Jean Froissard (noted French trainer conferred the highest degree of Ecuyer Professeur by the French Equestrian Federation) …. The goal of artistic equitation is to give back to the ridden horse the same brilliance of gait, the same grace of deportment that he had in his natural state.
Edgar Hotz (noted USA FEI Dressage Judge….and ESDCTA member)…. Don’t get lost in details. See the overall picture…
Hans Moeller (Austrian & a Dressage Judge)…put the horse “to the aids” rather than “on the bit”. Major Deszo Szilagyi (Hungarian Instructor) …get the horse to “carry himself” on his hind legs rather than push himself forward.
Wolfgang Michaelis (German)…internationally it has been accepted to keep the poll the highest.
Henri de Soyron (Chronicle of the Horse 1968)…speaking about some combined training riders (today they would be called eventers), he stated…”If those riders could go to Gladstone and take the time to watch deNemethy school the USET jumpers on the flat, they would see how he supples the horses, with the result that they move freely and are obedient. In order to be able to be obedient, a horse should be longitudinally flexible. This means that he should, at the will of his rider, be able to lengthen himself and come back, always with engaged hindquarters. It is evident that this flexibility is very important, specifically for a jumper…Nowadays extended gaits are asked in dressage tests to prove that the horse has longitudinal flexibility, because of the necessity of this for modern riding.
Freedom of movement and lightness has always been demanded…A natural jumper will always be a better horse if he has gone through a period of intelligent schooling. A horse can only be obedient, if he is flexible and light.
Mykola Pawlenko ….. A dressage horse, including a Grand Prix horse, ceases to be orthodox the minute he is incapable of moving cross country and negotiating a jumper course in good form, the height of which is determined by his physical ability. His training in dressage should not impair his ability to jump correctly, not that one would actually jump a Grand Prix horse because of the risk of possible accident. Cross country horses, hunters, jumpers and particularly 3-Day and Classical dressage horses have one thing in common: they have to use their backs.
As I said before, these comments are not about the details of how to obtain the harmony. They are about the goal of creating the harmony and thinking about the entire relaxation and flexibility of the horses.
I hope that many of you read this article and look more to the overall harmony between the horse and rider and the co operation of the horse and rider to each other, as a goal. One of the best compliments that someone ever said to me was that they liked watching my horse work because he always looks happy. So let us look to create a harmonious situation for both rider and horse. If you have any questions or comments, you may reach me at Earlen@countryhavenfarms.com or Earlen Haven, Woodstown, NJ. Phone: 856-769-1916.
Horse Treats
Horse
Treats
By Meredith Rogers
“A horse is a horse, of course, of course, unless that horse is….” called something else in another language!
By Meredith Rogers
“A horse is a horse, of course, of course, unless that horse is….” called something else in another language!
Below is a brief linguistics lesson about our favorite animal (and you Youth members thought you were on summer vacation).
Below is a brief linguistics lesson about our favorite animal (and you Youth members thought you were on summer vacation).
English: Horse
Spanish Caballo
German: Pferd
French: Cheval
Dutch: Paard
Russian: лошадь [lo‐shad]
Italian: Cavallo
Swedish: Häst
Chinese: 马 [mă]
Czech: Kůň
Latvian: Zirgs
Icelandic: Hestur
Estonian: Hobune
Swahili: Farasi
Latin: Caballus
Greek: άλογο [koně]
Regardless of what you call it, a horse is a wonderful animal that serves a variety of roles around the globe, such as in the United States where he is mainly our partner in sport, but elsewhere he serves as our reliable beast of burden and/or our only means of transportation. Of course, as any little kid will tell you, horses always make the best of friends, confidants, and partners in crime.
Regardless of what you call it, a horse is a wonderful animal that serves a variety of roles around the globe, such as in the United States where he is mainly our partner in sport, but elsewhere he serves as our reliable beast of burden and/or our only means of transportation. Of course, as any little kid will tell you, horses always make the best of friends, confidants, and partners in crime.
From Our Friends at Lehigh Valley Dressage Association
2023 On the Levels” - Adding to Your Dressage Knowledge Bank
By Ellen Broadhurst
Stick with me here, my fellow amateur dressage riders, because for a small investment, you can create a lot of value in your Dressage Knowledge Bank!
“On the Levels” is a dressage video series produced by USDF that provides a ridden example with judging (each movement, and collective remarks) for each USDF Dressage test from Introductory through Fourth Level.
USDF has been producing “On the Levels” as part of the four year cycle of new test development for several new test cycles, with the 2023 tests having launched in December of 2022 to introduce the revised 2023 tests. Part of the objective of On the Levels is to provide background to what has changed from the previous tests. And while that specific information may seem dated at this point in the test cycle, “On the Levels” has a lot more to offer!
Specifically, if you school dressage, show dressage, and/or have an interest in learning more about judging dressage, “On the Levels” is a terrific, inexpensive foundation for visual learning. My only criticism of the format is that there is only one test demo ride at each level: I wish there were more!
I’ll start with the quick overview of where I think the value of “On the Levels” lies:
1. As a test memorization tool: memory works differently for different people, but no matter how you memorize your tests, being able to watch someone else ride the geometry with judges commentary in the background is a bonus!
2. To get an idea of the score associated with the quality of work: the tests presented are rides scoring in the high 60s. These scores are reasonably achievable by riders riding nice, but not necessarily international quality horses. The riders make geometry mistakes, there are not-clean flying changes, the quality of the work is very good, but also achievable.
3. To deepen your own understanding of how the levels of dressage progress and to begin thinking about the quality of your own work in relation to the scores you are seeing on your tests.
And now we’ll dive a bit deeper: the 2023 version of “On the Levels” is hosted by FEI 5* Judge Michael Osinski and FEI 4* Judge Kari McClain, with support from Janet Foy, who provides insight into the Purpose of the Level for each level.
Test Memorization
I struggle to memorize tests. I am riding horses at First and Second Level this year and having the videos as support was key to linking the black and white letters on paper to the 3-D dressage ring. Watching riders navigate the canter serpentines is far more effective for me as a memorization tool than just mentally visualizing a ring while reading out “C-A Serpentine 3 equal loops, width of the arena, no change of lead.”
Quality of Work and Scores
Watching “On the Levels” as a memorization tool, I turned off the sound. I found the scores and comments distracting to the task at hand: memorizing the pattern. But like all curious dressage riders, it’s hard not to ‘judge’ what you are watching, and it’s irresistible after watching the videos on silent several times through to pop on the volume and hear what the judges have to say.
With a single test at each level, there isn’t enough “data” for comparative analysis – for example of a Second Level Test 3 that scores a 65% vs a 75% – but with three tests at each level, you can compare horses across the tests in the level.
I’ve spent a good bit of time with the First and Second Level test videos – obviously, concurrent levels – which turned out to be a terrific reminder of how the tests, both from level to level but also within the levels, are designed to test the horse (and rider!) to see if they are ready for what comes next.
First Level purpose requires basics, plus thrust, and the horse must be on the bit. Second Level is where the horse accepts more weight on the hindquarters and collected and medium gaits are introduced. Those are big differences!
I would love for my First Level horse to be doing Second Level next year, but what that really means is that my First Level horse needs to be accepting more weight on his hindquarters. And if he isn’t, he isn’t ready for Second Level, no matter how great his First Level scores are.
Which leads us directly to:
Deepening Understanding
Listening to Janet read the Purpose for each Level was a huge reminder that it all comes back to the basics. I even found her discussion of what changes were made
from 2019 to 2023 helpful; dated, yes, because we’ll never go back to those 2019 tests, but, the reasoning behind the changes is educational.
For my First Level horse to be a Second Level horse next year, and my Second Level horse to move up to Third, they need to be confirmed and correct at the current level and ready to move up. What is being asked at First Level Test 1 is not the same as what is being asked at First Level Test 3. And Second Level Test 1 is a whole other kettle of fish. Blinding glimpse of the obvious, but having the tests sequentially in front of me and listening to Janet Foy’s commentary was a stark reminder that marching up the levels isn’t a given.
And here’s the most interesting thing that’s come from watching “On the Levels:’’ my intellectual curiosity has been positively ignited. Each viewing of a video gives me another insight, and I find myself ever more curious. I’ve watched all the tests at each level; I may never ride another Training Level test again, but it was still instructional to watch the Training Level videos, to see the quality of the work and to hear the judge’s comments was another small step in developing my “dressage eye.”
Watching the Third and Fourth level tests was inspirational, but also grounding. A Third Level horse isn’t just one that can “do a change,” Third level requires uphill balance and self-carriage. And these insights have resulted in more than a little selfreflection: are my goals in line with the work I’m currently doing?
I’ve found myself really inspired to deepen my knowledge base: I’ve spent hours studying videos on-line, seeking out additional resources. And in what turned out to be a really insightful exercise, specifically seeking out videos of tests at my level where riders are scoring 70%+ to see what that looks like.
I debated this spring of 2024 whether it was worth spending $15 on a video series that was designed to introduce Dressage riders to the “new” 2023 tests. In hindsight, that small investment has paid off tremendously; not only do I have a useful tool for the next several years for test memorization, but these videos and the commentary of respected US Dressage judges set me off on an education journey that will continue for my dressage career.
If you want to purchase, you can find the series here: https://store.usdf.org/products/2023-on-the-levels
Class: USDF Intro A Senior
Show Results
Dressage at Bella Rosa Stables
June 23, 2024 Bridle
Class: USDF Intro B Senior
Class: USDF Intro C Senior
Bridle
Class: USDF Training Level 3 Senior
Class: Training Level Prix Caprilli Senior
Class: WDAA Intro Test 3 Jr over 13
Seat Equitation
Class: 17 -
Class: 19 - Open Division
Bridle
Class: 20 - Open Division
Bridle
Class: 28 -
Bridle
French Creek Equestrian Association Dressage Show III
6/23/24
Rider Horse Test Score Place Judge
Cynthia Vanderley So Soleil Intro B 70.000 1 Stephanie Mason
Emma Spong Miss Quick Bars Intro C 67.750 2 Stephanie Mason
Maxia Knight Mr. Jeeves Intro B scratch Stephanie Mason
Maxia Knight Mr. Jeeves Intro C scratch Stephanie Mason
Carly Sweigert Miss Quick Bars Training 1 67.884 1 Stephanie Mason
Stacie Shaner Waps Sovereign Training 2 66.034 2 Stephanie Mason
Cynthia Vanderley So Soleil
1 65.380 3 Stephanie Mason
Stacie Shaner Waps Sovereign Training 3 63.000 4 Stephanie Mason
Jill Green Matcho Boy Training 3 scratch
Heather Devine Saint Marcus First 2 65.606 1 Stephanie Mason
Linda Boileau Gatlin First 1 65.186 2 Stephanie Mason
Victoria Shilton Enchante S First 3 scratch
Tina Elliott Zesty Storm Second 1 NS
Victoria Shilton Enchante S Second 1 scratch
Annemarie Cochrane Wisdom Third 1
1 Stephanie Mason
Sharon Rinkenbach-Grauer MVP Memphys Third 1 63.780 2 Stephanie Mason
Sharon Rinkenbach-Grauer MVP Memphys Third 2
Linda Tascione Rumba Third 1 scratch
Linda Tascione Matcho Boy Third 1 scratch
Carol Riegel Fuerst Olivia Fourth 2 scratch
3 Stephanie Mason
Hidden Creek Equestrian Center Dressage and CT Schooling Show
July 7, 2024
Heart's Journey Stables Schooling Show I 2024 6/29/24
1.1 CT Beginner JR.YR
Heart's Journey Stables Schooling Show I 2024
Lehigh Valley Dressage Association
Schooling Show III at Hidden Creek Equestrian Center
