ESDCTA Collective Remarks - July 2023

COLLECTIVE REMARKS

July 2023

Hi All!

Summer is here and it’s finally starting to feel like it after such a wonderfully long spring. I hope everyone is enjoying all outdoor activities with your horse, and taking advantage of all the shows that are now open and running.

There are three ways to look for shows: Omnibus flip-book: https://www.esdcta.org/shows-events/omnibus/ Calendar (monthly display or listing): https://www.esdcta.org/calendar-of-events/

Spreadsheet list:

https://www.esdcta.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Calendar-as-of-5-17-2023.pdf Since the Omnibus and Calendar are updated regularly, check the Shows & Events page frequently for all the latest.

Remember to volunteer at ESDCTA-run shows and events and other activities to earn hours for year-end awards and Grants. To see a list of all volunteer opportunities, click here: https://www.esdcta.org/volunteer/esdcta-volunteering-opportunities/

Horse quote of the month: Hold on to what makes you happy. If it tries to buck you off, hold on even tighter.

President

Jena Rondinelli Jennifer Duelfer

Lisa Toaldo

Janice Pellegrino

Zimmerman

Lemack Gary Maholic

Shilton

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

fi nance@esdcta.org

NJEAB Representative crunner141@comcast.net Awards

OFF BOARD COMMITTEE CHAIRS Calendars/Activities Grants

Equipment Newsletter Nominating

Omnibus Show Results

Carolyn Montgomery awards@esdcta.org

Becky Kuc

Mia Zimmerman

Wilma Pfeffer

Meredith Rogers Vacant

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

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

COLLECTIVE REMARKS

CROSS COUNTRY...

News Across Our Region

COMMUNITY NEWS

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

WHAT’S YOUR TALENT??

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

NEWSLETTER COMMITTEE

Have a great article that you would like to share?

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

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

AND YOU GET VOLUNTEER HOUR FOR EACH STORY!

Milestone

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

e-mail: newsletter@esdcta.org

MEMBERSHIP QUESTIONS

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

Heidi Lemack membership@esdcta.org

2023 ADVERTISING RATES

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

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

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

Email: treasurer@esdcta.org

Amateur Dilemma

By, Meredith Rogers

Equestrians have a lot of stuff. We have the basics that we need to ride: saddle, girth, bridle, bit, and saddle pad. If you’re like me, you have more bits that you can count. I have a halter on my horse, and I also have a back-up halter, a show halter, and extra halter pieces just in case. He has a whole wardrobe for when it rains, it gets cold, or it gets colder. I have a whole wardrobe that changes with the weather too. And let’s not get started on all the shampoos, lotions, liniments, and sprays! There are also some pieces of equipment we use to fix a specific problem, such as draw reins and running martingales. As I’m sure you know, I could go on and on.

This past year, my barnmate and I have been experimenting with equipment specifically designed to fix our position. This is an ongoing struggle because when you’ve been riding crooked, you don’t know you’re crooked because it feels straight. That’s why mirrors or, better yet, someone on the ground is so important. However, humans, by definition, find it difficult to change, and older humans find it even harder. That’s why we turned to what some may call gadgets to help us. It started with the Shoulders Back (https://equifit.net/products/shouldersback-original), which counteracted the many hours of sitting in front of a computer. Next, we purchased Equiformance Bands (https://equiformancebands.com/), which I learned about when Felicitas von Neumann-Cosel put them on me in the clinic I attended. They instantly had an effect – lengthening my leg and getting more weight in my stirrups. Recently, we tried the Position Reminder (https://ridecorrectconnect.com/) that really helped us keep our elbows at our side and our hands in the correct position. The latest tool we’ve purchased is the Unisit Strap System (https://www.unisitstrap.com/). OMG! This thing totally changed my riding. It fixed all my problems from gripping with my upper thigh to putting more weight in my stirrups, to solidifying my neutral spine. My horse instantly went better. But, as with all these other devices, there are huge caveats…there are pros and cons to each, you still need to put in the effort, and they are not designed to be used forever. All of them are to be used to teach you what “correct” feels like, so that you can reproduce it when you remove the equipment. We not only use them when we’re on our own but also when we ride in lessons, sometimes using multiple devices at a time, to augment the person on the ground.

Feel is the hardest thing to learn and these tools help with that. Riding correctly is so hard, especially when our muscle memory is just plain wrong. I don’t see using this equipment as cheating. I see them as just what they are, tools. Getting a nail into a piece of wood is much harder without a hammer. Because these devices get pricey, my barnmate and I have split the costs and share everything. It is also helpful that at the

end of the day we can commiserate how achy we are after using these things because they force us to break old habits, which our bodies fight against.

This is not an endorsement of these specific products. I just wanted to share what is working for me and maybe remove some of the stigma of using “gadgets”. If you’re struggling with some aspect of your riding, I’m sure there’s a product for that. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Don’t be embarrassed to need the help. We all need help in one form or another, and I’m the first to admit that I need a lot of help!

Down But Not Out

Ingrid Klimke, known for dressage greatness, is also an accomplished eventer. On June 17, she fell during the cross-country phase of the CCI 4* in Luhmühlen and broke her collar bone. She has since had surgery and is back in the saddle. She was to compete at CDIO Aachen June 28-July 2 aboard the Hanoverian stallion Franziskus, but has stated that the horse “is not fit to compete,” having taken a wonky step after a schooling session.

Be Careful Out There

As of press time, 2 horses have tested positive for Equine Herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) in Virginia. They had been stabled at the Virginia Horse Center for the Shenandoah Classic. As soon as each horse became symptomatic it was removed from the grounds. Although one horse is medically stable, the other one had to be euthanized. About 80 other horses had to go into quarantine and so far are okay. The horse show continued, with unexposed horses having their temperatures and general health monitored. Infected horses have also been seen elsewhere in the country this season, including California, Maine, Oregon, Oklahoma, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin, as well as Alberta and Quebec in Canada. A good place for updates is the Equine Disease Communication Center: https://www.equinediseasecc.org/alerts.

News from Outside the Ring

The Equiformance Bands in action

The Pleasure of Scribing

I’ve been doing a lot of scribing lately. On June 17 and 18, I had the pleasure of scribing at the Rhythm and Blues recognized show in Quakertown, PA. Then on Sunday, June 25, I had my first experience of scribing (and escribing) at an international competition: the inaugural Rhythm and Blues CDI! I always enjoy scribing. It is a great experience to be in the judge’s booth and listen to the feedback and comments from the judge. It also helps me learn what the judges really think about the tests and what they like to see, so it prepares me for when I go into the show ring myself, sometimes in front of these same judges. Every time I volunteer and scribe I learn something new.

By, Paige Zimmerman

I have scribed at many regular USDF/USEF nationally recognized shows, but at the June Rhythm and Blues national show there were many more FEI-level rides than I have seen in the past. I also had the opportunity to scribe for some of the young horse tests, which I had not done much of before. This show was a qualifier for USEF’s Festival of Champions, which is held at Lamplight Equestrian Center near Chicago, Illinois. These Championships take the highest-scoring horse and rider combinations at the FEI levels, FEI youth levels, and the young horse classes to compete. The qualifying date ends in late July, so many people are now finishing up their qualifying requirements or trying to shoot for higher scores to move higher up on the ranking lists. Scribing for these tests and seeing the quality of horses and riding is always interesting. I am sure we will be seeing several of these horses and riders at the Championships in August.

Then from June 22-25, Rhythm & Blues ran their first CDI. I’ve never scribed at an international show before, especially since there are so few in this area. In the past, the only CDI local to Pennsylvania or New Jersey all year was Dressage at Devon. Now this year, we had the CDI at Rhythm and Blues, plus there will soon be a CDI at the New Jersey Horse Park from July 6-9, and then of course Devon in the fall. These increasing numbers are exciting! Having more CDIs in the area encourages more dressage activity and higher quality events to emerge. If the trend continues, which hopefully it will, competitors from our area won’t need to haul all the way down to

Florida for the winter or go to Tryon in North Carolina for international events. There is much more freedom and opportunity to stay local.

CDI competitions run differently than regular national competitions, since their procedures are standardized by the international equestrian governing body, the FEI. They have transitioned to entirely online scribing and scoring systems: the scribes don’t write the scores on paper, rather they type them in on an iPad or laptop. I had never used the e-scribing system before, and the day I was set to scribe I was doing the Grand Prix Freestyle with Janet Foy as my judge. We were trained on how to use the system and I was very pleased that it was easy to learn and very intuitive. It doesn’t take long to pick up on at all, and anyone with basic knowledge of how to use a computer will be able to learn quickly.

For the Grand Prix freestyles, the system is slightly more complicated than for all the other classes. All freestyles have a technical score for the movements, but also an artistic score for the quality of the choreography, degree of difficulty of the choreography and execution, harmony between horse and rider, etc. For the Grand Prix freestyles at CDI events, they use what is called the “degree of difficulty” system, which calculates the degree of difficulty score for the freestyle (rather than the judge simply saying a number at the end of the test). This standardizes the degree of difficulty score so it’s less subjective. Riders submit their floor plans ahead of time, which is uploaded to the e-scribing system, and then the system highlights the difficult parts. These can be difficult transitions, such as canter to piaffe, or difficult combinations of movements, such as an extended canter to a canter pirouette to a line of tempi changes one after the other. These are things that do not appear in the regular Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special tests. During the freestyle, if the judge sees that these difficult movements and combinations are executed correctly, they tell the e-scribe that they “accept” them, and then the e-scribe clicks a checkmark for those movements/combinations and the system adds points to the difficulty score. The higher the difficulty score, the higher the score in the end, since risks were taken during the test and were performed well. However, if risks were taken and not performed well, the degree of difficulty score ends up being lessened.

Scribing is always a fantastic opportunity, and for these big shows such as CDIs and national competitions that qualify for Festival of Champions, scribes are crucial. These shows often require multiple judges in one ring, which in turn requires even more scribes. I highly recommend reaching out to any events regarding scribing, since it is such a great experience and there is always something to take away from it. You can train your eye and listen to the judges, bringing more insights to the mechanics of showing and what the judges are looking for, so you can shoot for higher scores. Plus, by scribing at the CDI and learning the degree of difficulty system, I am now eligible

to scribe at Dressage at Devon in the Fall, so there are many more exciting opportunities to come from scribing.

Thank you Monika Dujardin for considering me for these opportunities. I learned a lot and had fun doing it! Thank you Scott and Yvonne Emerson for opening your beautiful facility to hold these events. It is a fantastic location and the accommodations for volunteers, judges, riders, and horses are always fabulous. Also, thank you to all the other volunteers and helpers who make these events possible. I’m looking forward to the next time I can volunteer!

Horse Treats

By, Meredith Rogers

Our world is filled with warmbloods, thoroughbreds, and quarterhorses, bays, chestnuts, and greys. But there’s more to the equestrian world than that. See below for some rare animals.

First rarest breed: Galiceño. These are small horses, ponies really, at 12-13.2 hh. It is estimated that there are only 100 purebreds left, and unfortunately, there’s not much breeding stock. They are thought to have descended from the Garrano horses of Portugal, a primitive breed from the Iberian Peninsula. They were first brought here by Christopher Columbus and evolved into the breed they are today. They supposedly have excellent dispositions, and are friendly and curious. Some are gaited with an extended running walk, but all are smooth.

Second rarest breed: American Cream Draft. It is estimated that there are only about 2000 in existence, with only 30 registrations per year. This breed is American born and traces back to a cream-colored draft mare named Old Granny, born at the turn of the 20th century in Iowa. Interestingly, even though it’s called “Cream” it doesn’t carry the cream gene; instead, it carries the champagne gene.

First rarest color: Pure white. We’ve all seen almost white, but genetic white is super rare. A true white horse has a white coat with pink skin and usually dark eyes. Genetically they have 1 white gene (2 white genes are fatal) and they are called dominant white horses. As of 2021, there were 32 varieties of dominant white, with each corresponding to a mutation on the KIT gene. Generally, at least 1 parent must be dominant white to produce a white offspring, but sometimes spontaneous mutations occur. The color can occur in any breed.

Courtesy of Suwannee Horse Ranch, Live Oak, Florida (breeder of Galiceños)

Courtesy of Mark Barrett

Courtesy of Mark Barrett

Second rarest color: Brindle. Similar to the dog, brindle horses have “drippy” looking striping over their bodies, which can be of any color but are usually darker than the horse’s base color. It is more common in draft horses and ponies but can be found in any breed. The color is usually genetic, created by 2 alleles on the BR1 chromosome, which both parents must possess. However, some brindle horses are actually chimeras which is when 2 embryos blend into 1 early in the pregnancy. The first brindle horse on record was a Russian cab horse from the 1800s (see picture of the actual taxidermied Russian cab horse).

Thinking About the “Firsts” in Our Riding

By, Lori Kelly

During a recent conversation with a friend, she told me about her adult daughter successfully navigating an organized canter depart (as opposed to just running into the canter) for the first time. She remarked about how proud she was, but then continued by saying that the downward transition was a bit of a hot mess, disorganized, and that her daughter bounced around etc. I remarked, “So what? She tried and she did it!”

I was reflecting on this interaction while driving out to my barn. I started thinking about all the “firsts” in my own riding. I have been riding for 45 years, and the things I now take for granted – posting, sitting the trot without bouncing, picking up the correct canter lead (all of the time), etc. – were all once firsts for everyone.

I remember very clearly learning to post all those year ago. It was at a summer riding camp. I had never really ridden before and definitely not English, but oh, how I wanted to learn to jump! The other girls in the camp had all been taking lessons for some time. They were all competent at walk, trot, canter, and jumping small cross rails. I was very clearly the beginner in the group. When it was time to head to ring for the group lesson, the instructor was

The author perfecting some of her "firsts"

somewhat concerned as to what to do with me. How would I fit in, not get in the way, and most importantly not get hurt mixed in with a group of more experienced riders? Clear as a bell, I remember Ed Bimberg from The Equestrian Center in Freehold NJ saying, “I’ll just put her on the lunge line and teach her to post real quick.” Who learns to post “real quick”? Well, I must have! I don’t remember much about the lunge lesson except for Mr. Bimberg saying, “Up, down, up, down, up, down”. I do vividly remember being sent back to the group after about 10 minutes on the lunge and trotting around the ring with the rest of the girls. In my memory I was trotting around in perfect rhythm and balance, but I’m sure I had to be bouncing along to my own beat weaving on and off the rail. Regardless of how perfect that first solo trot was (or not), I was hooked and I wanted more.

As riders, as in life, we encounter so many firsts. But those firsts are the basis for the skills we all have today. They are the foundation on which we perfect our craft. When I hit a plateau or feel like I’m struggling with something, I like to reflect on my firsts to remember how something so second nature to me now was once a real struggle. It helps to remind me that this too shall pass, this new concept or feeling will eventually also become second nature. It’s usually never great the first time (most likely not even good) and that’s okay. It’s all part of the process.

If you think about it, no one starts off as a Grand Prix rider, yet we seem to forget this when we watch a near perfect freestyle. We all start just trying to keep our balance. For some it comes easier than others; some may have started earlier than others, but everyone STARTS! Every time we try something new, such as a leg yield, a counter canter, or a half pass, it has to start somewhere, there has to be a first time. Take a moment when these firsts happen to memorialize them in your mind. Tuck them away for a time when you need a quick pick me up or reality check. We’ve chosen a very demanding sport, and our partner can’t even speak to us with words. Perhaps we all share a common “first” in first learning how to talk to our partner.

Regardless of your level and abilities now, the fact remains that you are better today than you were when you first started riding, most likely infinitely better. Cherish and appreciate this accomplishment as well as all of the other milestones that have occurred since you first swung your leg over. And don’t forget, “You’ve come a long way baby!”

WILDFIRES AND YOUR LIVESTOCK Natural

Livestock can be lost, injured, or killed during a wildfire. Take the following actions to protect your livestock before a wildfire occurs and speed recovery after a wildfire has passed

Before a Wildfire

• Maintain detailed livestock records.

□ Possible indemnity payments may be based on verifiable livestock records.

□ Records should be backed up in multiple locations, including digitally.

□ Records should be kept for multiple years of production.

□ Include the location of animals and fences on your property.

• Use clearly distinguishable identification methods.

□ Make sure animals have some form of permanent identification (ear tags, tattoos, electronic microchips, brands, etc.).

□ Pictures of animals, especially high-value animals such as horses, should also be maintained.

• Employ land use practices that discourage fire spread.

□ Limit weeds, debris, or highly flammable trees and bushes in fencerows.

□ Remove woody debris piles in a timely manner.

□ Remove non-native species that may not be suited for your environment.

□ During times of high fire danger or dormant vegetation, practice general fire prevention.

During a Wildfire

• Above all, ensure the safety of your family and yourself in a wildfire situation.

• If it can be done safely, allow for animal movement.

□ This could mean opening gates, cutting fences, or herding livestock into areas of lower fire risk (e.g. wheat pasture).

• Proactively corral animals to prepare for off-farm movement.

□ During a Red Flag Warning, some animals, such as horses, could be corralled to allow for fast movement.

□ If you have a vehicle designated for moving livestock, consider having it hitched to a trailer in a position to quickly load and evacuate animals.

□ Only consider this option if you have ample time.

• Once you leave your property, do not return until told to do so by first responders.

• Communicate with neighbors and/or first responders.

□ If animals are left on your property after you evacuate, let neighbors and first responders know to be on the lookout for your animals.

• Use emergency identification methods.

□ If animals are set loose, you can be creative with short-term identification methods.

□ Some producers have used spray paint to add personal identification marks on animals set loose during a wildfire situation.

After a Wildfire

• Document livestock losses.

□ Take pictures of dead livestock where they lay.

□ Document the location of livestock where they are found.

□ Do not move livestock until approved by insurance or local, state, or federal authorities.

• Practice safe and humane euthanasia methods.

□ Animals may be severely injured after a wildfire and need to be humanely euthanized.

□ Work with local officials to determine the safest and most humane means of euthanasia.

• Dispose of carcasses.

□ After documentation has taken place, check with local or state authorities for proper disposal methods (e.g. burial, rendering, composting, etc.)

• Accept emotional or mental health assistance.

□ Losing livestock can be a traumatic experience. Accept emotional or mental health resources that may be available after an incident.

□ Seek out help for dealing with long-term emotional stress.

□ Understand that grieving is a natural process after experiencing a major disaster.

• Apply for federal assistance.

□ Federal assistance related to wildfire losses may be available depending on the scope of the incident.

□ This information will be available from your local extension agent or FSA office.

□ State FSA offices can be found at https://www.fsa.usda. gov/state-offices/index

For more information and resources, see www.Prep4AgThreats.org

September 2017

Development of this educational material was by the Center for Food Security and Public Health and the Multi-State Partnership for Security in Agriculture. September 2017.

Applewood Farm Dressage, Combined Test & Clear Round Show

Applewood Farm Dressage, Combined Test & Clear Round Show

Dressage at the Bucks County Horse Park II

Good Times Farm Dressage Schooling Show

Date: June 17, 2023 / Judge: Nicole Ivins (L)

LVDA D4K BENEFIT SCHOOLING SHOW 4/22/2023

LVDA D4K BENEFIT SCHOOLING SHOW 4/22/2023

LVDA D4K BENEFIT SCHOOLING SHOW

LVDA SCHOOLING SHOW AT THUNDERHEAD 5/13/2023

LVDA SCHOOLING SHOW AT THUNDERHEAD

Saddlebrook Ridge Dressage and Combined and Clear Round Show 6/3/2023

INDOOR RING

Judge: Nicole DelGiorno ( L* )

OUTDOOR RING

Judge: Susan Jones Sinelnik ( r )

SUDDENLY DRESSAGE

JUNE 11, 2023

JUDGE: MS. KARIN WORM

EVENT CALENDER

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/