ESDCTA Collective Remarks - January 2024 by Mead Creative

ESDCTA MAGAZINE

COLLECTIVE REMARKS

WWW.ESDCTA.ORG January 2024

Table of Contents 3

President’s Message

From Our Friends at Lehigh Valley Dressage Association

Amateur Dilemma

News from Outside the Ring

HorseTreats

Adequan®/USDF Annual Convention

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Dear All, Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and you are gearing up for all the winter activities, whether they involve horses, snow, ice (curling anyone?), or other cold weather fun. I’m so happy that we’ll be able to once again hold our annual Awards Banquet in-person on Sunday February 25, 2024, at the Copper Hill Country Club in Ringoes, NJ. Everyone puts in so much effort all year that it’s nice to reconnect with friends who we haven’t seen in a year, enjoy some good food and refreshments, and be recognized for all our accomplishments. Even if you didn’t get an award, we would love to see you there (we promise you’ll have a good time). Look for more information in the next month. In the meantime, please start soliciting items for the Silent Auction, which benefits grants, mostly Youth grants. Please send a description of the item to Janice Pellegrino janmpel@msn.com and bring the item with you to the banquet, or arrange with someone else to bring it if you can’t attend. Wishing everyone a Happy New Year and some fun riding over the winter.

President

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Board of Trustees OFFICERS

Phone only before 9 p.m. please

President

Holly Cornell

president@esdcta.org

732.208.8715

Vice President

Ellen Brindle-Clark

vicepresident@esdcta.org

609.351.1054

Secretary

Ruth McCormick

secretary@esdcta.org

201.240.4505

Treasurer

Betty Adduci 102 Patricia Ct. Middle Grove NY 12850

treasurer@esdcta

610.564.9169

Dressage at Large

Jena Rondinelli

datlargeMAL@esdcta.org

732.814.1117

Eventing at Large

Jennifer Duelfer

eatlargeMAL@esdcta.org

732.598.3077

Dressage Competitions

Dr. Lisa Toaldo

dressage@esdcta.org

201.874.0373

Eventing Competitions

Janice Pellegrino

eventing@esdcta.org

Marketing

Paige Zimmerman

marketing@esdcta.org

Membership

Vacant

membership@esdcta.org

Membership

Heidi Lemack

membership@esdcta.org

609.306.8221

Finance

Gary Maholic

finance@esdcta.org

215.489.1557

Education

Victoria Shilton

education@esdcta.org

6093511054

Youth

Stephanie Warner

youth@esdcta.org

Calendar/Omnibus

Mia Zimmerman

marketing@esdcta.org

NJEAB Representative

Carolyn Montgomery

crunner141@comcast.net

Awards

Becky Kuc

awards@esdcta.org

Executive Board

OFF BOARD COMMITTEE CHAIRS Holly Cornell

grants@esdcta.org

Equipment

Wilma Pfeffer

dressage@esdcta.org

Newsletter

Meredith Rogers

newsletter@esdcta.org

Nominating

Heidi Lemack-Beck

nominations@esdcta.org

Show Results

Holly Cornell

results@esdcta.org

Grants

Become a friend of the ESDCTA on Facebook Follow us on X @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 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!

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.

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!

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

MEMBER FULL PAGE $100 HALF PAGE $65 QUARTER PAGE $40 BUSINESS CARD $20 CARD FOR 3 MONTHS $45 CLASSIFIEDS $10

NON-MEMBER $130 $85 $60 $30 $65 $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 102 Patricia Ct, Middle Grove NY 12850 Email: treasurer@esdcta.org

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Obituary

Barbara Hay, age 71 years, of East Amwell Township, NJ, died Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at her home surrounded by her loving family and friends. She was born in Jersey City, NJ, on December 30, 1951, the daughter of the late Edward and Mary Hamilton Staump, she had formerly resided in Scotch Plains, NJ. She was a horse trainer by trade, but that doesn’t adequately define her profession. She was part horse whisperer, part human psychologist, part veterinarian, and part cheerleader. She touched the lives of numerous students through both her involvement in the United States Pony Club, where she was a chief horse management judge and national examiner, and as the owner of Rainbow Ridge Equestrian Center, in Flemington, NJ. She is predeceased by her former husband, James Hay, who passed in 2012. Surviving are her two children, Bridget Hay of Flemington, NJ, and Ryan Hay of Flemington, NJ; four grandchildren, Ryder Hay, Audrey Hay, Amelia Hay, and Julianna Hay; one sister, Susan Gaukin of Flemington, NJ, and five nieces and nephews. She reveled in her role as grandma and her passion for her family was always evident. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to the United States Pony Club, 4041 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511.

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Amateur Dilemma By Meredith Rogers

Why do horses do what we want them to do? I mean, seriously, they could buck us off really effectively if they wanted to. Why do they trust us when we ask them to move their bodies in ways that are uncomfortable at times, when we throw them in loud metal boxes that move, or spray them with unnatural scents and dress them in itchy outfits. Yet, every time I get on, I’m not afraid that Leo’s going to kill me. In fact, I expect that he’s going to try to do what I ask when I put my leg on. Granted, it wasn’t always like that. In the beginning he was so spooky I was afraid I would be unseated. That wouldn’t have been his fault but mine for not having good balance. When I first started riding him, I couldn’t get a good canter depart. In those early days I used to say we weren’t even reading the same book when it came to dressage. Then for a while we were on the same page even if we weren’t reading the same paragraph, and now we finish each other’s sentences. How did this happen? I am very grateful that we have this relationship – and that’s what it is to me. He trusts me and I trust him. Our rides are two-way conversations. I believe that part of it was just time. I’ve had him now for 7 years. I brought him home in January 2017, which is what got me thinking about this topic. Besides grooming and riding him, I often lead him in or out from the field; occasionally I’m around at feeding time and make sure I’m the one who dumps his grain. I’ve also always been there when the trailer door has opened in a new location. Although I act like a boss mare sometimes to keep him in line, I’m also quick with praise, treats, and a reassuring hand on his neck. He must have figured out that I’m not so bad (especially when I have peppermints). But that still doesn’t answer why horses do what humans want. They’re prey animals and we’re predators; it shouldn’t work, but it does. Did you know that there is almost seven times more research done on rat cognition than horse cognition, despite how close our relationship is with horses compared with rats? Those studies that are out there have shown that horses are actually pretty smart, and they are definitely observant of both their environment and us. These characteristics contribute to how horses react to us. Of course, none of us need scientific research to tell us this. We know our horses are special. My Very First Ride on Leo Way Back When COLLECTIVE REMARKS

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News from Outside the Ring A Gold Medal In November 2023, Trinity Dressage in Cream Ridge, NJ, was bestowed the Gold Medal Horse Farm award as part of the New Jersey Equine Environmental Stewardship Program. This award recognizes horse farms for their environmental sustainability and management practices. Trinity Dressage encompasses 20 acres, including indoor and outdoor arenas, and multiple well-vegetated paddocks where their nine, or so, horses live. Eliza Banks, the farm’s owner and resident trainer won this award as a result of their waste management plan, pasture upkeep, horse care practices, water conservation, and proactive approach to environmental stewardship. Congratulations and well done! A Spur for Change As of January 1, 2024, spurs are now optional at FEI shows (CDIs). They used to be mandatory or you had to wear “dummy” spurs, which were fake spurs without shanks. Please note, the USDF/USEF rulebook still has spurs as mandatory at the FEI levels: Rule 4.2: Spurs are mandatory during competition in FEI Tests. However, spurs are optional for all of the FEI Children tests, FEI Pony tests, and the FEI and USEF test for 4-year-old horses. A Move East The Lancaster City Police (Lancaster, PA) has dissolved their mounted unit after 44 years due to a lack of officers. The officers who were on horseback will revert to patrolling in cars. But fear not, their three horses have a new job with the New Jersey State Police. King, Angus, and Jake are three Percherons, aged 8-10 years old, between 16.3 and 18.3 hh, and between 2000 and 2400 pounds. They reported for their new duty on December 9 and quickly went to work marching in the Hammonton, NJ, Christmas parade. They join the other Police horses who are housed at the original 1921 State Police horse stables, and so far seem to be enjoying continuing their work and frolicking with their new friends.

Photo courtesy of the New Jersey State Police 8

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From Our Friends at Lehigh Valley Dressage Association Training Problems: Why Horses and Riders Get From Our Friends at Lehigh Valley Dressage Association Stuck At Certain Levels Training Problems: Why Horses and Riders Get Stuck At Certain Levels By Ellen Broadhurst A USDF/Adequan 2023 Convention Presentation

It was hard not to be star-struck at the USDF/Adequan Convention when faced with the panel of Lilo Fore, FEI 5* judge; Sarah Geikie, FEI 4* judge; and Bill McMullin, USDF ‘S’ judge. Their years of experience as riders, trainers, judges, and clinicians has given them not only an eye to solve problems, but they are charismatic presenters who had no difficulty engaging the participants. Fair warning, this is a long read, but an important one. The key to success in dressage is correct preparation, and if you are struggling, going back to the basics is an excellent place to start problem solving. Selected movements from Second-Fourth level are presented below. Lilo Fore began the presentation by pointing out that oftentimes low scores are symptoms of a deeper problem:, and to make the symptoms go away, it is important to find what is causing the problem. For this panel, returning to the Training Pyramid time and again offered insight into why riders were getting stuck. The format of the program was as follows: the panelists chose a few movements from Second, Third, and Fourth level that riders find most challenging. The panelists then played videos with riders performing these movements and critiqued them, offering insight into what was correct about the movement and where there were areas for development. With each level, we began by reviewing the Purpose of the level. Second Level: To confirm that the horse demonstrates correct basics, and now begins to accept more weight on the hindquarters as the collected and medium gaits develop. A greater degree of straightness, suppleness, throughness, and balance are required to perform the movements with ease and self-carriage. (Source: USDF Second Level Tests) Shoulder-in, or as Lilo Fore termed it, “the mother of all lateral exercises,” is a critical tool for developing balance, straightness, and collection. A properly executed shoulder-in is both a suppling exercise as well as a collecting movement, requiring the horse to move his inside hind leg underneath his body and place it in front of the outside hind leg. So what can go wrong? 1. There can be a loss of regularity, which can be pervasive or can be just a few hiccup steps. For a horse beginning the level, perhaps not yet in true collection, the shoulder-in will likely lack regularity. yourmagazine COLLECTIVE REMARKS

2. There can be insufficient balance: at Second level the horse is expected to carry more weight on the hind end, shifting his balance back. Again, a horse at the beginning of the level can be too horizontal in his balance or too much on the forehand. 3. Regularity and balance can be correct, but the angle can be incorrect with either too much angle or not enough angle. The correct angle for a shoulder-in is about 30 degrees. 4. There can be insufficient or too much bend; the USDF definition of a shoulder-in requires that: “the horse be ridden with a slight but uniform bend around the inside leg of the rider… “ Turn on the haunches is introduced in Second Level and brings with it gymnastic benefits, including improving the ability of the horse to bend their joints, as well as giving the horse the opportunity to learn a fairly complex new set of aids. Importantly, the turn on the haunches is a “non-brilliance movement,” which means that the quality of the gait is not taken into consideration when scoring, just the rhythm of the gait. This means that an average moving horse can score quite high on turn on the haunches if the movement is done absolutely correctly. Understanding the turn on haunches is critical: “The forehand describes a small half circle around the hind legs. The diameter of the turn is one meter. The rhythm of the walk (4 time) is maintained, with the inner hind leg stepping up and down, and the outside hind leg making a small half circle around the inner hind leg. The hind legs should not cross. The forelegs move sideways and cross one in front of the other.” USDF Lesson Topic, Turn on the Haunches So what can go wrong? 1. Loss of the purity of the walk: lateral walks, or allowing the horse to lose rhythm will result in low scores. 2. Insufficient or incorrect bend: in the turn on the haunches, the horse is bent and flexed in the direction of the turn. Overbent or counter bent will result in loss of engagement of the hind end with subsequent loss of rhythm. 3. Incorrect steps, or sticking the steps: correctly executed, the rider's inside leg prevents the horse’s inside hind leg from stepping sideways. 4. Loss of activity: loss of activity can result in loss of rhythm. Counter-canter serpentine is present in Second Level Test 2 (simple changes of lead over the centerline) and Second Level Test 3 (no change of lead). The directives are slightly different, but quality of gaits and geometry are present in both tests. The counter-canter serpentine shows the judge that the rider is able to keep their horse on a more vertical balance. It should not have a bend, but rather a slight flexion toward the lead, to help maintain the vertical. Counter-canter encourages self carriage and the exercise demands collection, so the horse by default is more engaged. So what can go wrong?

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1. Geometry, geometry, geometry. The panel pointed out that often issues riders have track back to geometry. A key to success in the serpentine is preparation and riding the geometry correctly. Better geometry means better preparation for collection, which leaves the rider better prepared for the loop. 2. Simple changes: the serpentine executed correctly, prepares the rider for the simple changes: if you have created collection, you have better self-carriage, and are prepared for simple changes. Make sure that the canter quality needed for this work is capable of being maintained. If the horse is not sitting, is not in a level of balance where more weight is on the hind end, they are not ready for this level of work. Third Level: “To confirm that the horse demonstrates correct basics, while maintaining consistent uphill balance and self-carriage. Increased engagement facilitates clear differences in collected, medium and extended gaits with well-defined, balanced transitions. Movements should be accomplished with harmony and ease due to the increased balance and collection. The horse must demonstrate a greater degree of throughness, suppleness, straightness and bending.” (USDF Third Level Tests) At Third level, the judge is looking for consistent uphill balance with self-carriage, increased engagement, with clear differences between collected, medium and extended gaits, as well as adjustability In the horse. Half pass in trot and canter: “The purpose of the half pass is the same as the haunches-in, which is to supple the horse evenly on both sides and to increase collection. The half pass is both a collected and a collecting exercise, increasing the obedience of the horse to the aids as well as improving both lateral and longitudinal suppleness, thereby increasing freedom of the shoulder and pushing and carrying power of the hindquarters.” USDF Lesson Topic: Half Pass in Trot and Canter The half-pass is performed by moving into the direction in which the horse is bent. The horse should be slightly bent around the inside leg of the rider, but with a greater degree of bend than in shoulder-in. The horse then moves diagonally with the outside legs passing and crossing in front of the inside legs, traveling at an approximate 35 degree angle. USDF Lesson Topic: Half Pass in Trot and Canter So what can go wrong? 1. Haunches leading is a common mistake, and happens when a horse loses impulsion and begins to go too sideways. 2. The horse can lose regularly, be incorrectly positioned or bent. 3. There can be insufficient uphill balance, which means insufficient energy and selfcarriage, resulting in a fair loss of quality. 4. The horse can lose correct lateral balance.

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To quote Lilo Fore, “The quality of the gait, the collection, quality of impulsion, throughness of the horse, correct bend, the preparation, that makes the half pass. Without all that, GOOD LUCK!!” Flying change of lead: To get to the point where we start flying changes, it is important that the quality of the counter canter and the quality of the simple changes be correct. We do flying changes, again, in part to improve the horse’s response to a more complex set of aids. You need to have a half halt at the canter, to prepare, with preparation again being the key to success. Changes happen in the moment of suspension; you need to have clarity of rhythm and enough impulsion to cover ground, but the canter has to have airtime, because that’s where the magic happens. To achieve the desired expressiveness, without explosion, the horse must be on the aids to a higher degree than ever before. As Lilo Fore explained, “he must listen to whisper aids. But we are not symmetrical … very often the horse misunderstands. The clarity of the rider's aids are super important.” She further elucidated that training is not just the rider talking, but the ability to be quiet enough to listen to the horse. Often, riders “talk” so loudly, the horse cannot listen, and the horse feels confused, and feels like it’s being yelled at. So what can go wrong? 1. Late, either in front or behind, or hind legs landing together. 2. A horse can be inattentive to aids, or over reactive/explosive. 3. Horse can be clean, but can swing side to side, instead of remaining straight 4. And changes can be what the panel described as “pony changes,” a change that’s a bit stuck and doesn’t cover ground. Fourth Level Purpose: To confirm that the horse demonstrates correct basics, and has developed sufficient throughness, suppleness, balance, and impulsion to perform with ease the exercises at this medium level of difficulty. The horse has established consistent self-carriage and lightness through improved connection, engagement, and collection. The movements and transitions are performed with greater straightness, impulsion, and cadence. (USDF Fourth Level Test) At this level, the panel reiterated that we are moving up: the Training Scale remains the same, it’s just that our expectations are raised. Questions riders should ask themselves as they prepare to move to Fourth level are: can I use the gaits, meaning, can I collect the gaits without losing impulsion, can I extend the gaits, and then readjust back? Do I have a true collected canter - in a true collected canter the strides become smaller, but you don’t lose impulsion, and the stride is more lifted. You cannot do the working pirouettes required at Fourth level without a true collected canter.

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Working half pirouette: “In executing the pirouette or the half-pirouette in canter the rider should maintain perfect lightness of the horse while accentuating the collection. The quarters are well-engaged and lowered and show a good flexion of the joints. An integral part of the movement is the canter strides before and after the pirouette. These should be characterized by an increased activity and collection before the pirouette and, the movement having been completed, by the balance being maintained as the horse proceeds.” USDF Lesson Topic: Pirouette in Walk and Canter For the panel, the litmus test for beginning the working half pirouette in canter was the ability of the rider to execute a collected canter in a small area. And, the panel reiterated that the horse should be responsive to the lightest of aids. So what can go wrong? 1. Lots of things! Including loss of rhythm and hind feet jumping together. 2. The hind feet make a circle greater than one meter. 3. The horse “spins,” hurrying the circle, resulting in less than the desired 6-8 steps Any of these flaws can come from not having the horse collected enough, which makes the execution of the pirouette difficult for the horse. Ideally, the rider is guiding the horse around the circle with the inside rein; where things go wrong is when collection is insufficient and the rider ends up “pushing” the horse around the circle using the outside leg. Tempi changes: The requirements for Fourth Level are as follows: ● Test 1: three single flying changes of lead, near first quarterline, near X, and near last quarterline ● Test 2: three flying changes of lead every fourth stride ● Test 3: three flying changes of lead every third stride So what can go wrong? 1. Basically, you don’t get them The panel reiterated that the tempi changes come from the basics: riders begin to prepare for tempi changes in Second level with simple changes, which lead to the flying change of lead, which leads to being able to execute multiple changes in a straight line. It’s the foundation that makes for success as increasingly complex movements are required of horse and rider moving up through the levels. In conclusion, the panel left us with a clear reminder that test movements are used to evaluate progress of horse and rider according to the Pyramid of Training. Preparation and correct basics are the keys to success.

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Horse Treats By Meredith Rogers

Stuck inside due to the weather? Play some Sudoku! Here’s a twist on the standard game. Instead of the numbers 0-9, each box/row/column must have the letters that make up the words: HORSE PLAY. Good luck! O

L H

P Y

A Y

O R

E S

Y O

S L

Solution: Page 24

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Adequan®/USDF Annual Convention By Paige Zimmerman

From November 30th through December 2nd, I had a fabulous time at the 2023 Adequan®/USDF Annual Convention in Omaha, Nebraska. I attended the convention as a Participating Member Delegate for Region 1, representing the interests of USDF members in our area. I’ve attended the convention once before, when it was in Savannah, Georgia, in December of 2019. However, I had only signed up for the salute gala that time and I didn’t get the full convention experience. I was so excited to be back at this event, 3 years later, and this time participating in the governance of our sport! Being involved in the convention as a PM delegate was a new and exciting experience. I hope to be elected to the position again. The open forums and other meetings provided a lot of information regarding trending topics and rule changes in our sport, reports on competitions and the US dressage finals, etc. Here are a few notes from some of the meetings that I think our ESDCTA members and USDF/USEF recognized show riders will find useful and/or interesting: ● Technical Council Open Forum ○ The Instructor/Trainer Development Program Committee is working on more educational opportunities, such as seminars and workshops (partnered with the US Center of Coaching Excellence), to create an “atmosphere of continuing education” for instructors. These resources will also be available for all USDF members, and USDF members are encouraged to explore USDF’s wide range of educational resources. ○ According to the Judges Committee, a grant from The Dressage Foundation is facilitating a new partnership between USDF and Black Horse One, which is an online scoring and scribing program. This will allow for judges to train with the new online scoring program that US dressage will probably switch over to gradually. The idea is that moving to this program will help solve the common problem of inconsistency of judging by allowing judges to learn from how their peers scored at other

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events. It will complement/ supplement the L Program and USEF judge training sessions. The L Program Committee says there are 4 GMOs hosting L programs in 2024. ○ USEF is working on a standardized show entry system to make management of shows easier and more organized. A 2+ year-to-market project was just approved for USEF to work on this. ● Activities Council Open Forum ○ The Awards Committee is working on a “Born in the USA” perpetual award at each level for American-bred horses. ○ In 2024, there will be two new Sport Horse Breeding awards: the Adult Amatuer Handler Award and The Youth Handler Award. These are open to all horses and handlers, and the scores will be based on the handler’s ability to show the horse in-hand rather than on the horse itself. The horse doesn’t need to be fancy, just sound and willing. ○ The Youth Committee is working on more outreach clinics for youth that don’t necessarily fall under the umbrella of “FEI youth”. This committee is also planning the 2025 Young Rider Graduate Program in Florida, which is geared towards riders ages 21-28. It will be $400 for a weekend of unmounted education, and The Dressage Foundation offers grants to cover costs and travel. ○ In this open forum (and in the convention in general), there was a lot of discussion regarding how to get more youth involved in the governance of our sport. ● USDF/USEF Open Forum: Trending Topics in Sport & Rule Changes ○ The maximum shank length for Baucher bits is being changed from 5 cm to 7 cm. This had been a fairly big discussion online, from what I could tell. ○ Eventing Test of Choice classes are now an option at recognized shows. ○ There were a lot of changes regarding how the technical delegates and ring stewards are checking bits and bridles. Ring stewards will not be checking them: rather, the TDs will be required to check bridles and bits when they are not on the horse. One way the TDs can do this is by

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walking through the stabling. So if you are stabling at a show, the TD may ask to briefly check your bit and bridle. For shows without stabling, the TD may follow you to the trailer parking after your test to ask to see the bit/bridle once it is off the horse. The reason for this rule change is that it’s a lot easier to check bridles and bits when they are not on the horse! So, brush up on your bit and bridle rules to ensure that you’re good to go for next year, and expect some visits from TDs. ○ An individual cannot be judged by another individual with whom they have an ongoing relationship. The relationship has to have been officially terminated at least 30 days prior to the competition. For example, a judge cannot judge someone that boards at their facility, unless the boarding relationship was terminated 30+ days prior to the start of competition. Note that clinics do not typically count as an ongoing relationship. So, YES you can be judged at a show by someone you were taught by in a clinic (as long as it has been 30 days since the clinic). This is a complicated rule that all of us as riders will need to read up on and keep in mind. ○ This is a DRAFT rule change, but I still found it interesting. There is a call to restrict the definition of a USDF Adult Amateur, disallowing riders who have competed at an FEI Championship such as the World Championships, Olympics, and World Cup from being considered Adult Amateurs. I support this rule change, and hopefully once it has run through a few drafts, it is accepted. ● US Dressage Finals Open Forum ○ The wildcard qualifying scores were raised this year, which made it harder to qualify, especially in the freestyle divisions. For example, in the freestyles instead of a 68% at regionals to qualify for finals, you need a 70%. Finals was a smaller show this year, due to the raised wildcard scores, while the prior two years were massive following the pandemic. ○ The music quality in the outdoor rings was improved greatly. I was very happy to hear this, since last year I was eliminated when Ducati over-

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reacted to the poor quality (and loud) music from the outdoor speakers that had been wrapped in trash bags to keep them dry! ● USDF Region 1 Meeting and GMO Roundtable ○ Region 1 Regional Championships were the largest regionals of 2023. The Virginia Horse Center barely had an empty stall. ○ There was talk of rotating the location of the CBLM Championships on a yearly basis. For example, it might be in the Carolinas in 2024 and then moved back here to NJ in 2025, and so on. There was a lot of support for this idea. ○ Participating members and group members need to bring up any ideas or issues, as change within the USDF often comes from the ground up. ○ There was lots of discussion in the GMO Roundtable on ways to improve GMO membership and get everyone involved in bigger events and activities. Every GMO shared what they’ve been successful doing to engage their members. It’s always a challenge to match content with the consumers that want to see it. Apart from the open forums, I also attended almost all of the education sessions. They were engaging and interesting, and I took a ton of notes. The US team riders for the PanAmerican Games also held an open forum, and we got a glimpse into their gold medal experience. Here are a few notes regarding some of the takeaways I took from a couple of the educational sessions: ● Biomechanics of the Horse's Neck, presented by Dr. Hilary Clayton ○ The neck has 7 vertebrae, shaped in an S. The first cervical vertebrae (C1) is closest to the poll and C7 is down by the thoracic sling. ○ Short muscles go across the vertebrae with the purpose of stabilization. Long mobilizing muscles, the semispinalis and splenius, move the whole neck. The nuchal ligament is passive support, it is strongest at the base of the neck, and it stores and releases elastic energy during locomotion. The topline muscles counteract the effect of gravity. The head and neck act a

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bit like a crane, a cantilever beam attached to the front of the chest and suspended from above by the nuchal ligament and dorsal musculature. ○ The head and neck rotate around the joints at the base of the neck by the shoulders. The force and pressure applied to those joints is equal to mass x distance of the neck. Therefore, a horse with a thicker neck, a bigger head, or a longer neck will have more pressure on the joints at the base of their neck, and will have a harder time finding balance (from a physics standpoint). It is also more likely they’ll become arthritic in the neck. Some horses with large or cresty necks, which is typical in Iberian breeds, need lots of correct training and time to develop before they are strong enough to stretch their necks down and remain in balance. ○ Horses have a large range of motion in their necks, but they don’t use all of their joints equally. When they flex or extend their neck longitudinally, the most range of motion is between the C1 vertebrae and the poll. When they bend laterally in the neck, the most range of motion is between C1 and poll and also between C6 and C7 at the base of the neck. When they twist their neck (axial rotation) which is a very important motion for when the foal suckles the mare, the most range of motion is between C1 and C2. ○ Flipping the crest is the nuchal ligament flipping over the C2 vertebrae. The C2 extends higher than C1, and is very long compared to C1. The C1 is also flatter than the C2. ● Horse Fitness Routines for Winter, presented by Jec Ballou ○ When it is too cold or the weather is too poor to ride, there are many things to do to maintain your horse’s condition without necessarily needing to ride or lunge every day. The goal is simply to prevent total inactivity. Loss of condition begins at 4 weeks without work, and complete “detraining” occurs around 12 weeks. ○ For the number of weeks a horse has off, they need the same number of weeks to come back to their fitness level prior to their time off.

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○ A horse’s cardio fitness will decline when they are not exercising vigorously. However, horses are very responsive to changes and improvements in training for cardio, so this is not hard to get back. What is hard to get back when lost is musculoskeletal fitness. This type of fitness can be maintained with more simple exercises and movement. ○ Some good exercises (which can be done in-hand or under saddle) include: ground poles at the walk, poles with “blank space” or changing stride lengths between them, gentle hills and curves maintaining a marching walk, poles on a curved line, stepping up and stepping down from low platforms, and more. You can also make up exercises. A 30-40 minute session 3-4 days per week is ideal, and since the exercises are not taxing, they can even be done before or after a harder ride. ○ The goal of these exercises is to increase the horse’s proprioception and maintain musculoskeletal fitness especially when it’s too cold to ride. When a horse doesn’t have good proprioception, they aren’t using their muscles and bodies to their full potential. Be sure to avoid too much repetition, and change movement patterns often. ● Conformation and its Relationship to Training, presented by Kristi Wysocki ○ Form is the shape of the horse, and function is the job. You can use a horse’s conformation to improve your training approach for that particular horse, and also to guide you when breeding or buying. The ideal dressage horse is a mixture of good temperament, movement, and conformation. But analyzing horse conformation doesn’t distinguish “good” horses from “bad” horses. It simply gives you more information on how to better help that horse when riding and training. ○ Well-balanced horses with good conformation are less likely to break (although of course there are special cases, as with anything). ○ We heavily discussed plumb lines, which are imaginary lines that you can draw or picture on a horse to help evaluate conformation. The “harmony line” is first made by drawing a straight line from the poll to the nose. The length of that line can then be used to evaluate other areas of the horse’s

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body. The harmony plumb line evaluates the general proportionality of the horse. ● Incorporating Video into Your Lesson/Training Program, presented by Kristi Wysocki ○ Video lessons are getting more and more popular as a legitimate training method. ○ One way to do it is as follows: From their computer, the trainer Facetimes or Facebook Messenger calls the videographer. The videographer then mutes themself on the call. Then, the trainer takes their phone and calls the rider, who has headphones and their phone on them. This way the trainer can speak to the rider, while watching them through their computer while the videographer videos. ○ This method requires good wifi, since sometimes there is a lag between what the trainer tells the rider and what they see on the video. ● Training Problems; Why Horses/Riders Get Stuck at Certain Levels, presented by Lilo Fore and Bill McMullin ○ 2nd level requires the horse and rider to have correct basics, and now start to accept more weight on the hindquarters. They must have a higher degree of straightness, suppleness, and begin to develop self-carriage. Key movements to be aware of at this level include shoulder-in, turns on the haunches, the counter-canter 3-loop serpentine, and the simple change of lead. ○ 3rd level confirms that the horse has all the requirements of 2nd level, plus more self-carriage, engagement, balance, etc. Adjustability within the gaits is key, as it allows for the horse to show ease of movement and harmony. Key movements to be aware of at this level include the half-passes at trot and canter, and the flying changes of lead. ○ 4th level is the highest development before PSG and the FEI levels. The horse must show collection, throughness, and more. The horse must be well-established in their understanding to listen to more sophisticated aids (“whisper aids”) from the rider. Key movements to be aware of at this level

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include the very collected canter strides and working pirouette, and the tempi changes. ● Bit Fitting for the Equine Athlete, presented by Kim Gentry ○ Training is balanced with proper tack and bit fitting. Bits do not solve training issues, but they help the horse to be as comfortable as possible in training. Bit fitting is just a piece of the puzzle. ○ Bits can affect how the horse moves. The hyoid bone that connects near the mouth also reaches towards the ears, and this area has a ton of connections and nerves. The hyoid has connections that go all across the body, too. ○ When looking at the anatomy of the horse, there is a very small space in the mouth to work with. Plus, the tongue takes up a lot of space, and some horses have very fleshy tongues. Every horse is unique. Every horse has a different palate shape and height, different tongue, bars of the mouth, TMJ, and more. Consistent dental care is also very important here. ○ The snaffle works around the mouth. A curb bit (since it is a leverage bit) applies pressure to the poll. For a double bridle, the curb bit should not rotate past 45 degrees. If it is past 45 degrees, there is a ton of pressure being applied to the tongue. ○ The Baucher bit has a poll-relieving effect until about 3 kg (6 lbs) of pressure, but then the leverage kicks in and poll pressure is applied, since it is a leverage bit. The longer the shank of the Baucher, the sooner that pressure comes on. In addition to attending the convention and learning a ton, I also attended the USDF Salute Gala to receive my USDF Bronze Freestyle Bar and Ducati’s reserve champion medal for the All-Breeds Awards. Overall, I had a great experience at the convention with familiar friends, and I also made some new ones. I’m definitely looking forward to next time!

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BUSINESS MEMBERS Jersey Palms Farm

Rhythm and Blues Stables

177 S. Stump Tavern Road Jackson NJ, 08527 609.213.5745 KWLYNX@comcast.net www.jerseypalmsfarm.com

108 Old York Rd. Hamilton, NJ 08620 609 306-8221 RBLStables@aol.com www.rhythmandbluesstables.com

Anjelhart Equestrian Center

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38 Millers Mill Rd, Cream Ridge, NJ 08514 609.758.7676 lacavacreations@aol.com www.Anjelhart.com

718 Sergeantsville RoadStockton, NJ 08559 908.237.1281 info@irishmanorstables.com www.irishmanorstables.com

Good Times Farm

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278 Jackson Mills Road, Freehold, NJ 07728 732.409.2882 gtts@optonline.net www.GoodTimeFarm.com

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

EVENT CALENDAR ESDCTA’s Calendar contains the complete and up to date list of ESDCTA’s registered shows. It also contains other activities that ESDCTA feels are important to our community. Click the link to view The Event Calendar

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