ESDCTA - Newsletter June 2024

COLLECTIVE REMARKS

Amateur Dilemma President’s Message

6 Cooking with Fire

News from Outside the Ring

9 12

Sports Psychology Is Not Just for Elite Athletes Debra Tomajko and Story Time: Adventures With a New Green Horse Show Results HorseTreats Gladstone Driving Trials

26 19

Now that the competition season is in full swing, look for information on ESDCTA’s next recognized dressage show, the Summer Days shows July 23-24 at the iconic USET facility in Gladstone. Hopefully anyone who attended the Memorial Days Shows had a successful outing and a good time.

For those Eventers out there, the Horse Park of New Jersey will be running all the cross-country schooling dates this year, but they will be offering ESDCTA members the same discount they offer Horse Park members - $55 for members and $65 for non-members of either organization. The upcoming dates are as follows: June 21, July 26, August 23, Sep 6. See the HPNJ website for all the details: https://www.horseparkofnewjersey.com/event-5656897?CalendarViewType=1&SelectedDate=6/23/2024

On the subject of volunteering, as a nonprofit organization, we rely heavily on volunteers in order to continue to hold and run our shows and events. Please pitch in whenever you can to help keep our shows running smoothly. In addition to helping the club and our show organizers, you gain valuable knowledge while volunteering and you accumulate volunteer hours that can be applied to year-end awards or grants, or transferred to a member who is looking for either of these. Don’t forget that volunteering at one of our shows for a full day will double your hours, which can be used for multiple year-end awards, logo wear, grants, or other activities.

Remember to appreciate your horse by being free with pats, praise, peppermints, carrots, apples, bananas, watermelon, a good withers scratch, or whatever their quirky tastes lean to.

Board of Trustees

OFFICERS

President president@esdcta.org

Holly Cornell

Vice President vicepresident@esdcta.org

Ellen Brindle-Clark

Secretary secretary@esdcta.org

Treasurer

Executive Board

Dressage at Large

Eventing at Large

Dressage Competitions

Eventing Competitions

Marketing Membership Membership Finance Education Youth Calendar/Omnibus

NJEAB Representative

Ruth McCormick

Betty Adduci 102 Patricia Ct. Middle Grove NY 12850 treasurer@esdcta

Jena Rondinelli

Jennifer Duelfer Dr. Lisa Toaldo

Janice Pellegrino

Paige Zimmerman

Vacant

Heidi Lemack

Gary Maholic

Victoria Shilton

Stephanie Warner

Mia Zimmerman

datlargeMAL@esdcta.org eatlargeMAL@esdcta.org dressage@esdcta.org eventing@esdcta.org marketing@esdcta.org membership@esdcta.org membership@esdcta.org fi nance@esdcta.org education@esdcta.org youth@esdcta.org marketing@esdcta.org

crunner141@comcast.net Awards

Becky Kuc

Carolyn Montgomery awards@esdcta.org

OFF BOARD COMMITTEE CHAIRS Grants Equipment Newsletter Nominating grants@esdcta.org dressage@esdcta.org newsletter@esdcta.org nominations@esdcta.org

Holly Cornell

Wilma Pfeffer

Meredith Rogers

Heidi Lemack-Beck

Show Results

Holly Cornell results@esdcta.org

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 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

This morning I signed up for our third horse show of the season. I’m a little conflicted with my decisions this year regarding which shows, what classes, the costs, and why I’m even showing. In 2022, I went full in. I wanted to get to the USDF Finals in Kentucky, I wanted year-end and All-breed awards. I showed a lot! I am very grateful that I was able to achieve all that and more. It was also very good for Leo and I to get out there so much because it taught me how to show and him that the world was not out to get him. We were both much more confident at the end of the season than its start. Then came 2023 and no showing due to a lameness that wasn’t a given that Leo would recover from. Thankfully, we seem to be back up and running. I admit, I enjoyed winning and would love to be able to replicate that feeling, but I love my horse more and this year I decided to pull back our show calendar.

What I’m not going to do this year is go for year-end awards, except for the musical freestyle (MFS). USDF requires 8 scores at a given level to qualify for Horse of the Year and All-Breed awards, except for MFS, which requires 3. That’s a lot of scores, and it doesn’t take into consideration if I want to show different levels, which I do. I found in 2022 that point chasing leads to bad decisions, like showing in the extreme heat, showing too many days in a row, etc. Instead of showing two classes at every show, I’m planning on entering only 1 class at a time for most of our shows, which leads to another concern: the costs. Not including the classes, show fees add up. It seems like a waste of money not to enter 2 classes. However, showing is much more fun and less stressful just showing 1 class at a time, so there’s that. I feel it’s also easier on Leo. Additionally, I don’t think Leo and I could avoid an accidental flying change at 2nd level if we show 3rd at the same show, so that’s something I’m avoiding.

I still have qualifying for Regions (and hopefully Kentucky) as my goal. For that I only need 2 scores at each level I’m showing. It still adds up to needing 6 scores total: 2 at 2nd, 2 at 3rd, and 2 for my MFS, and that’s still around 6 shows total, which means 6 weekends that I’m not spending with the family, or catching up on housework, or doing some nonhorsey fun. And then, do I really want to go back to Kentucky? USDF Finals was very stressful, and it wasn’t all related to the pressure of showing. There was all the planning. How was Leo going to get all the way out there, stabling, lodging,

what clothes to bring, being somewhere totally unfamiliar, etc. Don’t get me wrong. It was an amazing experience, but now I’ve had it and if we’re not going to be competitive, do I need all that anxiety again?

And, why do I want to show anyway? We’re learning so much at home trying to fully understand 3rd level and beyond. Showing interrupts that progress a bit because lessons are then spent on preparing for the classes. It brings me to question the fundamental reasons as to why I ride other than I love it. I’m still wrestling with that one. Regardless, I hope to see you all out and about because one thing I know is that showing is more fun when we cheer each other on!

News from Outside the Ring

Horses = Mental Wellness

Bergen County, NJ, is not known as a horse mecca but a new equine therapy center has just launched. The Bergen Equestrian Center was established in 1974 as a multiservice horse facility at Overpeck County Park, Leonia, NJ. They have just opened the county’s first equine emotional wellness program, called A Stable Life, which helps those dealing with anxiety, isolation, addiction, loss, phobias, and PTSD, among other conditions. Participants of any age engage in nonriding activities to help work on life management skills. A Stable Life was founded 12 years ago by Anna Gassib, co-owner of Bergen Equestrian Center, but it only just now was granted a separate building on the farm for its lifesaving work. They also partner with a variety of organizations such as the Women’s Rights Information Center (Englewood, NJ), Covenant House, the New Jersey Victims of Crime Agency, and others. Check them out at: https://bergenequestrian.com/.

Eventing

Great Retires

British Olympic Eventer, William Fox-Pitt, has announced that he is retiring from major competition. His accomplishments include 6 Olympic games, including the 2016 Rio Olympics, for which selections occurred only 6 months after a fall he incurred while competing at the World Young Horse Championships. That fall resulted in a traumatic brain injury that put him in a medically induced coma for 2 weeks and left him with temporary blindness followed by double vision. His accomplishments include winning 14 five-star titles, 3 Olympic medals, 6 world championships, and 11 European championships. He made his announcement at the Badminton Horse Trials, where he competed in his final five-star event 35 years after he had first competed there. He’s now going to shift his focus to producing and competing young horses.

Cooking With Fire

By Paige Zimmerman

Earlier this month I had the opportunity to ride with Felicitas von Neumann-Cosel again, and as always it was a fantastic weekend filled with education. I’ve been having a lot of fun working on my homework from this clinic, which has been extremely helpful in preparing for show season. Felicitas gave me a lot of great tools to help Ducati use his energy in a positive manner instead of rushing and getting tense. She said that I needed to better channel the power from the hind end into proper collection and self-carriage. Felicitas called it “learning to cook with fire,” and it certainly feels like that!

First, she had me be more precise in the walk-to-trot transitions to ensure that he powered off into the trot with proper energy. She said that even if he feels hot, he should move into the trot with energy and purpose, and that good powerful transitions off of my seat are very important to creating the “fire” while maintaining control of it. If he is listening to my aids to go forward, but also listening to my half-halts, then he is allowing the energy to come through his body without the metaphorical lid blowing off. In the warmup trot, Felicitas had me pay close attention to his reaction to my leg aids. She said that my legs should be breathing against his side, but if I feel that I need more of a forward-thinking reaction from him, I could give him a bump

with both legs on the down (seated) step of the rising trot. She explained that this would help to add forward, but at the same time I couldn’t just let it blast out the front end with him speeding up. The bump with the leg serves to create more energy, which makes the trot more elastic– it doesn’t always mean speed up or cover more ground. It is my job to receive that energy that comes from the hind end by half-halting in my seat and core so that I don’t make his neck short by being too restrictive or pulling with my hands.

Felicitas also worked on my position and seat. In the canter, I was bracing a bit too much, and even just in recent lessons with Olivia I have really been able to feel that I brace too much in the sitting trot too. It is very easy for me to slightly brace my heels down in order to stay still in the saddle. However, this isn’t truly correct, and if the leg is braced too far down, it prevents my seat from moving with the horse. I don’t have an issue with squeezing too hard, I just have a habit of bracing a bit against the movement, which makes it hard to use my seat and leg effectively. So, Felicitas had me think of lifting my legs off the sides of the horse slightly with each stride (of either trot or canter, but canter in this particular case) so that my legs can ‘breathe’ more and my seat can absorb more of the movement and be more effective. I found that getting my legs to breathe and move with the horse made my seat quicker, which meant that I wasn’t simply following the canter stride or falling behind it, but I was actually dictating the canter speed and degree of collection off of my body. It enabled me to use my hands even less so that he was more tuned in. It was a great feeling, and I have been working on fine-tuning that feeling ever since!

She also had me do lateral work and leg yielding when he got too hot, to make sure that he couldn’t get tense but instead had to listen to a quiet leg aid and react with suppleness. This made him much more focused and channeled the energy into great canter work. These exercises were a tremendous help because one of my main struggles is that I have to get out of my comfort zone and be able to ride forward even when the horse seems hot. Being proactive and turning the power into good power is crucial to going up the levels and scoring well. Of course, if the power comes from tension, then it is impossible to ride and manage, especially with a particularly sensitive horse like Ducati. But if the power can be turned into positive tension, aka power with relaxation, then it becomes easy to ride and easy to move with. At one point on the second day of the clinic, Ducati was really motoring forward in the trot, and Felicitas told me to sit the trot. I was trepidatious, thinking that I wouldn’t be able to sit such a big trot,

but I could do it! His back was up and he was swinging, which made it comfortable to manage. If he had been tight, then it would’ve been impossible to sit! So whether or not the trot is comfortable to ride is a great indicator that the power is truly good or not.

It’s always a learning experience to get out of your comfort zone and allow for more power, especially on a horse that can get revved up! But it’s essential to moving up the levels, and I am enjoying the journey of learning to manage the ‘fire’. Thank you Felicitas von Neumann-Cosel for the fantastic lessons and insights, and thank you Olivia Steidle for organizing the clinic, taking great photos, and (as always) for the continued education! As always, thank you Brenda Bocina Curnin for sharing Ducati with me! And finally, thank you to the crew at Sara Schmitt Dressage for being such generous hosts for the clinic.

From Our Friends at Lehigh Valley Dressage Association

Sports Psychology Is Not Just for Elite Athletes

By Ellen Broadhurst

The Oley Valley Combined Training Association held a Mental Toughness Clinic with Dr. Tyler Held on April 12, 2024 at the beautiful Heron’s View Farm in Elverson, PA. Dr. Held is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant and former 5* groom who specializes in working with equestrian athletes of all levels and disciplines. She owns her own practice, Thought Quest, and hosts the utterly charming and inspiring podcast, The Whole Equestrian.

Held is a case study in how to have a career in horses without being a trainer. With an undergraduate degree from the equestrian program out of Findlay College, Held began her postcollege career working her way up to 5* groom, ultimately traveling around the world with Jennie Brannigan. While working as a groom, Held finished her Master’s degree in Sports Psychology, and began hosting The Whole Equestrian podcast in conjunction with 5* rider Emily Hamel. The podcast’s theme is “Bridging the Gap between Riding and Wellness,” and the mission, in Held’s words, is to: “... promote health and happiness through our love of horses. We do this on our podcast by having conversations about being more well-rounded individuals via our pillars of mindset, fitness, nutrition, and community.”

Held now has her PhD in Sports Psychology and focuses on her Sports Psychology practice (for more information on Dr. Held see this Sidelines article)/

The objective of the Mental Toughness lecture was to give riders perspective on fostering and maintaining mental toughness given the unique challenges equestrians face. In equestrian sports the risk of serious injury is significantly higher than in most sports, and so the fear that holds many riders back is real and well grounded. Sports psychology steps in by providing strategies that help us focus and actionable advice for building and maintaining confidence. https://www.thewholeequestrian.com/links

First up, what is mental toughness? Traditionally, in the equestrian world “mental toughness” has been equated with being able to push through pain. The “if you’re not in the hospital, get back on” mentality has a long history in our sport.

But more recently, sports psychology practice recognizes that we should not sacrifice our mental health to be mentally tough: mental toughness is our ability to overcome obstacles using mindfulness and other tools for working through fear. Mental toughness is about developing resilience, discipline, and strategies for dealing with barriers to success.

The four C’s of Mental Toughness according to Dr. Held are Confidence, Control, Challenge, and Commitment. By thinking through what each of these means to us as individuals, we can develop strategies to help us become more successful equestrians.

Confidence: Am I Confident? Why or Why not?

As a rider, are you capable and do you have the competence, the ability, to achieve the goals you have set? If you are not feeling confident, it’s important to think about why. Are you physically strong enough? Are you showing at a level appropriate for you and your horse? Mentally, are you focusing on the positive or are you doubting yourself?

Confidence increases as we acknowledge the positives about ourselves and our riding. No one ever got better by thinking, “I suck.”

To develop confidence, Held suggests “flipping the script.” Start by writing down three good things that happened after every single ride. At first, it might be difficult, but what happens, quickly, is that as a rider, you begin to look for the “three things,” and finding those “three things” becomes a pattern of how you think positively overall about your riding.

Control: Am I focusing on the things I can control or the things I cannot control?

With horses and horse showing, there is a lot we cannot control: weather, horse’s mood, judging, competitors, behavior of other people’s horses, and a big one, other people’s (not just the judge’s) opinions. Centering our thinking on these things, which are out of our control, can take away from our mental focus and our ability to perform to our best.

So it’s important to center on the things that we can control: our preparation, our outlook, our warm-up, and our preperformance routine before you get in the saddle. Essentially, we can control our mindset. Between things happening that are not in your control and your response, there is a space for you to decide how you are going to respond.

For example, if you wake up on show day and it’s raining, how do you respond? Rain is out of our control and a response of “woe is me, the day is going to be awful,” isn’t a positive or actionable reaction. Instead, train your brain to say, “here is this thing that is happening, it’s raining. What steps can I take to make this a comfortable day?” Instead of assigning positive or negative attributes to things out of your control, form an action plan and stick to it.

Importantly, Held asserts, peak performance lives in the present moment. When you focus on things you can’t control, you burn mental energy that is hard to replenish. Focus instead on things that are positive actions instead of reactions. A question to ask yourself is, “Am I focusing on the things I can’t control? If so, I need to double down on the things I can control.”

And, as Dr. Held pointed out, sometimes we need to evaluate what is happening and change more than just our mindset. For example, if a rider is throwing up every time they step in the ring at a horse show, the right action might be to step back from showing for a bit. Horse shows are meant to be fun.

Challenge: Do I view the obstacle in front of me as a challenge or a threat?

Humans are hardwired to look for threats. If we look at the psychological needs of humans, safety is number one. The amygdala is a paired structure inside our brain that is a key part of emotional control. When we feel fear, our amygdala is activated, and our brain makes snap decisions about what to do next. Its goal is to keep us safe, seeking the choice that will get us away from perceived danger with minimal harm.

Early human: If I think a rustle in the bush is a saber tooth tiger, I’m getting out.

Equestrians: If I go to a show and worry about what is going to happen today, my brain is going to look for what might go wrong and kick in a fear response.

With horse riding, as mentioned early, fear is linked to real, possible danger. If you fall off and feel fear, that is normal. Riding is dangerous, so it is understandable when we feel fear. But how we manage that fear is the difference between success and failure.

Freezing at horse shows is a real response: it can happen because a horse is misbehaving, a rider suffers from social anxiety, or simply fear of failure. Techniques for riders who need to rewire the fear response involve thinking about their preperformance state.

We can use mental exercises to imagine ourselves in scenarios that are frightening and practice managing the things that frighten us when we’re in a nonfear driven state. To start, you can think about what goes through your head when you are being successful at home. Work with your coach to create cue words or a mental script that you can run through to help you prevent a mental short circuit when the amygdala kicks.

The fear response is real, but being able to manage how you respond to your body telling you it’s time to run when it’s really time to focus and ride as well as you ride at home takes thoughtful practice prior to heading to a horse show. Mental preparation to help your brain redirect perceived threats as challenges is a key to managing fear away from home.

Commitment: Am I committed to overcoming the obstacles that are in front of me?

Goals are important, without them, we can wander a bit aimlessly. But, an important thing to recognize is that goals, especially with horses, can and do, fall apart. But values hold us steady,

no matter what. A goal might be, “Attend three shows this year to be eligible for a Year-End Award.” A value is, “I am a dedicated horsewoman and I care for my horse’s mental and physical well-being.”

If you are scheduled to ride at a show, for example, and your horse ends up with an abscess, the rider who focuses on the loss of a weekend is focusing on the goals. The rider who understands the value of horsemanship knows that long term, there will be another weekend, and focuses on the welfare of their horse rather than being discouraged about a short-term goal not being met.

Another way that our goals can get in the way of our own success is in letting expectations drive our reactions. Pressure happens when we couple expectations with fear of failure. There are a lot of perceived consequences in the horse world. If a rider goes into a test getting caught up in what score they get, that’s pressure and it can get in the way of performance. Sports psychology research tells us that athletes who are task oriented, or focused on the process instead of the outcome (riding a best test vs achieving a specific score) tend to be more successful.

The net of understanding Commitment as it relates to “mental toughness” is understanding that we must couch our longer term goals by facing and growing from short-term challenges. Feeling discouraged is natural and human, but building a mental mindset when we face challenges and not allowing them to stop our forward momentum is mental toughness.

Conclusion

Mental toughness does not mean a win at all costs mentality. Mental toughness means finding your core values, recognizing where your mental game needs work, and putting in the prework to face challenges to our success as equestrians.

As equestrians, we put in a tremendous amount of time and energy into training ourselves and our horses. Training our “mental toughness” also takes time and energy to develop strategies to overcome the barriers to our success.

For more information, please visit the The Whole Equestrian website where you can find the Whole Equestrian Podcast as well as contact information for Dr. Held.

Debra Tomajko and StoryTime: Their Century Ride

By Holly Cornell

Debra Tomajko and StoryTime, aka “Page,” completed their Century Ride at Applewood Farm on Wednesday May 15, 2024. Page turned 30 this year, and Debra chose to ride Third Level, Test 1. I was privileged to be able to watch the ride, and I was so impressed that this 30-year-old horse was still dancing around the sandbox! She was judged by S judge Willette Brown and received a score of 57.838 – amazing!

Debra purchased Page 18 years ago from Mary Blackwell. Page is a Welsh Cob/Thoroughbred cross, registered as an American Warmblood. Debra read that Page’s sire, the Welsh Cob, had a neck of steal - Page took after him being one very powerful mare, and she gave new meaning to the phrase “a woman with an attitude”. Debra loved her attitude and together they progressed up the levels from First Level to Prix St. George by 2015. Debra and Page have been Champions at both Third and Fourth Level, not only for ESDCTA, but also for the American Warmblood Society. They also won the Master Award at Fourth Level. In 2016, Debra’s trainer Carolyn Laurent, rode Page at Intemediare-1, when Page was 22, and received scores in the

high 60’s. Debra currently works more than one job in order to keep Page in the lifestyle she has become accustomed to, which includes Magna-wave treatments, acupuncture, massages, and supplements, and she’s still being ridden four times a week to help keep her active.

Debra joined ESDA in 1975 (before it was ESDCTA) at the urging of her trainer when she bought her first horse after graduating college. At that time, the USET (then 500 acres) hosted many competitions, which relied on ESDA for volunteers, and Debra volunteered there for several years as Barn Manager for the Adult Team Championships. She was on the ESDCTA Board from 2006-2020, managing Grants, the Silent Auction, Year-End Awards, soliciting Sponsors, and organizing the annual Awards Luncheon. In addition, she volunteered as Barn Manager at Memorial Days Shows and at Summer Days Shows for three years. In 2019, Debra was named USDF Volunteer of the Year.

As exciting as it was for Debra to finally ride the Century test and Page to be strong enough to do Third Level 1, it was also a bittersweet day for them as it was also the day she would take her partner and best friend of 18 years down Centerline for the last time. Page will now retire to trail-riding and leisurely hacks. Congratulations Debra and Page!

Photos courtesy of Carolyn Laurent

Adventures With a New Green Horse

By Holly Cornell

The day I left Aiken to drive back to NJ, on May 1, I picked up my new horse Adelaide and drove home, with one overnight stop in Lexington VA. She is a 16.3h 7-yearold, dark bay beauty, who came out of a hunter barn, and previously did a little show jumping and a little show huntering (yes, I made that up). She’s still a bit green, so I feel as though we’re basically starting from the beginning. She is nothing like what I was looking for, of course, but she’s really sweet and willing, and has a lovely expression, so I’m hoping we have a bright future ahead. I of course, was looking for a 15.316h 10-year-old eventing packer that would allow me to go out and have some fun. I actually tried quite a few horses during March and April (maybe 20?), but they were either too strong or quite dull, and I realized I’m getting too old to work with a horse that needs so much leg to keep them going. Hence, the purchase of a horse with a little more of a get-up and go attitude – she definitely has her own motor, no spurs required (yet).

Even though she was bred to race, “Addi” never started, but when I first got her home and asked her to trot, she seemed to think she was a standardbred – it was the fastest trot I’ve ever been on! However, we are making progress, with gentle persuasion and training she doesn’t hollow and take off nearly as badly as she did at first. And after a circle or two, she settles down, comes a little round, and is quite nice. Her canter is wonderful – smooth, comfortable and steady, we just need a little more work on those trot transitions, but we’ve made significant improvements in the month I’ve had her so I’m a little more optimistic than I was at first, when I questioned my sanity several times (how old are you and why are you buying a green horse??). She seems very bright and quick to catch on to what I’m asking of her, which is a big plus, so I’m being very patient and consistent with her training in hopes that the improvements will keep on coming.

Addi came from the same trainer who sold Sunny for me. He has moved on to a young teen who will be doing the small show hunter stuff with him, and they’re both thrilled. I’m so glad Sunny is able to do what he’s obviously comfortable doing, and make a kid happy all at the same time. It’s actually quite a relief to know it’s all working out so well.

Stay tuned for more adventures with my sort of youngish greenish horse.

The Gladstone Driving Trials June 29-30

The Gladstone Driving Trials: June 29-30

By Mary Moon

By Mary Moon

The last weekend in June will be a perfect time to pack a picnic and spend a day spectating at the Horse Driving Trials and Combined Test presented by the Gladstone Equestrian Association (GEA). The Trials will be held June 29 and 30 at Pine Meadows at the USET (Hamilton Farm Golf Club, 1040 Pottersville Road, Gladstone, New Jersey, 07934). Check https://www.gladstonedriving.org/ for details, directions, and information about the GEA.

At the Trials, drivers will test their skills and the athleticism, versatility, and training of their horses in various phases. There will be Dressage and Cones phases on Saturday, June 29, and the Marathon phase will be Sunday, June 30.

Spectators are welcome at no cost. There will be signs that show where to park. It will be a fun competition to watch because spectators can move around the site and watch the different phases and obstacles.

The Trials will be conducted according to the Rulebook of The American Driving Society, Inc. (https://www.americandrivingsociety.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=548049&module_id =402014)

To learn some insights about driving from an organizer of the GEA Trials, a dressage judge and a competitor, read on!

John Layton drives Eris K in the Marathon phase of the 2023 GEA Trials, Gladstone, NJ. (Photo courtesy of John Layton and GEA)

John Layton is president of the Gladstone Equestrian Driving Association. He’s also a committee member and competitor at the GEA Trials.

MM: What are your hopes and goals for the GEA Trials and Combined Test this year?

John: For everyone to come out to spectate and have a good time at our Trials at the amazing facility at Pine Meadows!

MM: How many entries do you expect?

John: We are hoping to get 40-plus entries. There will be junior, adult, and para athletes driving single horses, pairs, and teams. They will compete in various divisions from training and preliminary to intermediate. There will be a special VSE (very small equine) division for miniature horses.

MM: What’s new in 2024?

John: We have a new area for the Cones phase, and we have expanded some obstacles in the Marathon phase for the upper-level competitors.

MM: What’s the difference between an Horse Driving Trials and a Combined Test?

John: A CT or Combined Test has a Dressage phase and a Cones phase. An HDT or Horse Driving Trials has a Marathon phase with obstacles in addition to a Dressage Phase and a Cones phase.

MM: Please tell us a little about the phases.

John: In the Dressage phase, each competitor performs a test, which is a designated sequence of movements or maneuvers in a standard ring. Judges evaluate each movement, assigns a score and gives comments. They look for athleticism, accuracy, and teamwork between the driver and horse(s). He or she dictates scores and comments to a scribe, who writes them on a score sheet. A judge does not take their eyes away from the horse and driver during the test!

The Marathon phase is similar to the cross-country phase at a ridden horse trials. Each competitor is timed while they drive their horse(s) around a course that includes various types of terrain, woods, fields, streams, and hazards such as gates, hills, and sharp turns. This tests the obedience of the horses and their communication and trust in their drivers.

In the Cones phase, each competitor is timed as they drive around a course in a ring. The driver maneuvers their horse(s) and cart through pairs of orange cones with balls on top. When a ball falls off a cone, seconds are added as a penalty. This phase tests the nerves and skills of the driver!

MM: What are some things that spectators can look for?

John: I think that the Dressage phase is the most beautiful. You get to watch the movements, and the horses just float!

Marathon is the most exciting because you get to see the competitors use different lines to get through the obstacles as fast as possible.

The Cones phase is the most suspenseful because each driver must guide their horse(s) and cart through very narrow pairs of cones with balls on top of them. If the horses or cart hit a cone and the ball falls off, the driver gets a time penalty.

MM: Any suggestions to prepare people to enjoy being spectators at the GEA HDT?

John: Bring a chair, bug spray and your own food and drinks.

MM: What are your thoughts and hopes for GEA competitions in 2025? The future?

John: We hope to have plenty of spectators and competitors in 2025. We are continuing to expand and improve our beautiful facility. We look forward to having one of the top venues for Combined Driving in the future!

Don Yurga guides Big Sky Vicki between cones at the 2023 GEA Trials, Gladstone, NJ. (Photo courtesy of John Layton and GEA)

Danute (Dana) Bright is a Senior (S) Combined Driving Judge and “R” or Registered Driven Dressage Judge. She will officiate at the GEA Trials.

MM: What led you to become a Driven Dressage Judge?

Dana: I have always been interested in dressage as a system to improve communication between horse and driver. It helps the horse develop the skills it needs to perform as an athletic partner in driving sport. Friends suggested that I become a judge to contribute to the sport.

MM: What are the responsibilities of a driven dressage judge?

Dana: Each performance is judged according to the driven dressage training scale and skill expectations for the different levels. The judge needs to inform the driver through their scores and comments how well they meet the directives and goals of each test.

MM: What are your greatest challenges when judging?

Dana: Not being too wordy in my comments! Actually, the biggest challenges are keeping the same level of concentration throughout the entire day and making sure to stay consistent in my expectations for each level.

MM: Is driven dressage different from ridden dressage?

Dana: There really isn’t a big difference, but propelling a carriage does affect the horse’s performance. Pulling a cart or carriage affects their balance and strength needed to work from their hindquarters and create a bridge through their back to their forehand

The same figures are used to test skills in driven and ridden dressage: circles, turns, center lines, diagonals and transitions. We ask driving horses to do a rein back sooner in their training than ridden horses, as sometimes a driver needs to back out of a situation!

MM: Are there collective remarks for driven dressage tests?

Dana: The collective remarks are the same with the exception of the mark for Presentation This is a mark for the appearance of the driver and grooms, cleanliness, and fitness and condition of horses, harness and vehicle. This mark is based on both tradition and mechanics: the horse must be harnessed properly and comfortably to the carriage to perform well. As the driver is competing, they are expected to present themself well.

MM: What are your thoughts about selecting and training horses for driven dressage?

Dana: Using a dressage-based program will improve any horse. The higher one’s competitive goals, the more important it is to have a horse that is an excellent mover with a good brain, that wants to work in good balance, and will stay sound through the training program, which must include fitness work.

To an extent, dressage is similar to weight training, gymnastics and ballet in its physical demands: the horse needs to propel his body and the carriage while adjusting his balance.

MM: What are the aids that drivers use to communicate with their horses? Are horses ridden and then switched to driving?

Dana: The basic aids available to the driver are the contact through the reins; voice and whip. Horses need to be honestly forward while being driven, as they can quickly learn to tune out nagging with the whip or voice.

Riding a horse (or pony!) can be good cross-training for it as long as the rider doesn’t let allow him to ignore their leg aids.

Also, the rider must be careful about the horse’s posture (frame). The rider must keep the horse in a correct frame by riding him back to front instead of front to back. This is really important.

MM: What is the tack for driven dressage?

Dana: Most horses are driven in bits that give the driver several choices for changing the leverage by using different rein slots on the cheek pieces. Many horses go happily in a snaffle.

The reins are so much longer (so a bit heavier) than riding reins and run through terrets on the neck strap and saddle. This keeps the rein actions simple: only direct rein aids (because indirect rein aids in front of or behind the withers are not possible).

Driving differs from riding in that driving relies much more on creating a place where the horse carries himself in balance and is rewarded when the driver gives the rein and softens the contact as a reward.

Like a rider, a driver must give or soften the outside rein so the horse has room to bend and be supple.

MM: What are some particular dressage challenges for drivers?

Dana: I think the biggest challenge is for drivers to trust their training and not revert to reflexes or primate skills like grabbing and holding the reins when they feel unsafe! Horses react well to allowing them to move towards the contact with the bit instead of holding on tightly to the reins.

Another challenge for a driver is being in a carriage versus sitting on the back of a horse. Being in a carriage gives a bit of separation from the horse. Drivers need to be extra skillful in timing their aids to adjust to the “lag time” when the horse moves, the carriage moves and then the driver needs to catch up!

Drivers tend to mistake “forward” for speed. Some say that they feel a horse is moving more forward than it really is because the horse is out of balance and on its forehand. Forward and in balance are the main goals at all levels. At least drivers do not have to learn to sit on a horse while doing an expressive, bouncy trot! (Believe it or not, your seat bones can’t move a carriage over!)

Finally, when they perform dressage tests, drivers need to keep in mind that movements start or end when the nose of the horse reaches a letter/mark in the ring. To be accurate, the driver needs to estimate how many strides before their horse reaches a marker. Some movements are designated to happen when the front (or only!) axle of a carriage is at a letter; the driver needs to know where they are in relation to the letter.

Kate Kohrs driving Gelihaf Harri, a Welsh cob pony gelding, in a two-wheel Frey cart with trainer

Amie Bauman at home, March 2023, Highwood Farm. (Photo courtesy of Christine Siracusa)

Kate Kohrs is a junior driver. She drives Wendy, a miniature horse, and Gelihaf Harri, a Welsh Cob pony. She has competed in events at Gladstone and New Jersey Horse Park.

MM: How did you get interested in driving?

Kate: My Mom has been doing combined driving and competing since I was very little. I have always been around driving horses. When I got old enough, I would sit on the back of the carriage when my Mom was working her pony, and I really enjoyed it. A few years ago, she started to let me drive her pony, Gwillym, at home. Then I decided that I wanted to drive myself.

MM: Please tell us about your ponies and carts.

Kate: I have two ponies that I drive. Wendy is a 20-year-old miniature horse mare that we have been driving for the past three years. We got her almost eight years ago and decided driving would be a great job for her. Wendy and I have competed in pleasure shows and combined tests. Last October, we completed a full three-day combined driving event at the Horse Park of NJ. My parents had a lightweight front entry road cart custom-made for her. I can use it in all three phases of combined driving, and it’s pretty enough to use in pleasure shows. Gelihaf Harri is a 22-year-old imported Welsh Cob pony gelding. We recently started to lease him. Another driver showed Harri as a single and as a wheeler in a four-in-hand. He won almost every time. Harri has quite the resume!

I am driving Harri in a 2-wheel Frey cart. I will be getting a Kuhnle 4-wheel marathon vehicle for him soon. I have not showed Harri yet. We have some plans to show him this summer and fall. Harri and I also do a lot of riding together. I plan to show him at some dressage shows this year.

MM: So you ride?

Kate: I really love to ride and to drive. I love riding because of how fun it is to be on the back of your horse. It’s a different relationship from driving. A rider gets to talk to their horse through different aids and get to know him in different ways. I also really enjoy liberty and ground work with all of my horses.

Both disciplines (riding and driving) involve a partnership and trust between you and your horse. It is a lot of teamwork and dedication. In both riding and driving, you use your reins the same way. The connection may be different in both disciplines. For example, you use your legs for riding to ask your horse to move on, move over, or bend. But in the carriage, you only have your voice and your whip to help give these aids.

When driving, you have a carriage attached to your pony. It’s important to be trained to be safe and prevent accidents.

MM: How did you learn to drive?

Kate: I learned to drive from my Mom. She was the first person to teach me. Now I am training with my Mom’s trainer, Amie Bauman. She is well known in the driving world. Amie is a huge part of our program. Amie and my Mom have helped me to become the driver I am today.

MM: Do you drive for fun?

Kate: Yes, we drive all around our farm. We like to do a lot of trail drives, and we often go down the road with the ponies. I love to compete, but I also like my training days at home.

MM: Which is your favorite part about Trials?

Kate: My favorite parts are Cones and Marathon. It’s exciting to go fast between pairs of cones while trying not to knock down the balls and staying within the time allowed.

I also really love Marathon. Marathon is about endurance, speed, and navigating though hazards. It really is so much fun! But it can be a lot of work to memorize the course when competing and keep your ponies fit.

MM: What are your goals for the future in driving?

Kate: I would love to show at some of the bigger combined driving events in the Unites States. I would like to continue to improve my dressage scores and tackle some larger marathons one day. It would be a dream to go to the World Singles Championships.

Kate Kohrs driving Wendy, a miniature horse mare, in a custom-made front entry road cart past one of the Marathon obstacles for high-level adult competitors at the Garden State Combined Driving Event, October 7, 2023, New Jersey Horse Park. (Photo courtesy of Christine Siracusa)

Horse Treats

By Meredith Rogers

Ever wonder why the state animal of New Jersey is the horse? Well, now you know…

In 1977 Governor Byrne signed into law the official decree for the horse to be the state animal of New Jersey. Michael McCarthy and his fifth grade classmates at Our Lady of Victories School in Harrington Park, plus James Sweetman, an eighth grader from Freehold NJ, were integral in making it happen. It is because of their efforts that the horse is now the State Animal of New Jersey. One reason the horse was promoted was that US Equestrian Team is headquartered here. Governor Byrne also said the following:

“The founding fathers of our state thought so highly of the horse that they included it in our state seal. Today there are 4654 horse farms in New Jersey, of which 888 raise racing horses. The Horse industry makes a contribution to the preservation of green acres at a time when great demands are being made for the preservation of our land.” Newer data from 2018 found that this number has increased to 7200 horse operations, housing a total of 27,658 equines, representing 1 horse for every 323 people in the state.

Horses are also part of the official symbols of 10 other states. In Vermont and Massachusetts it is the Morgan, in Alabama it’s the Racking Horse, Idaho has the Appaloosa, in Kentucky and Maryland it’s the Thoroughbred, Tennessee has the Tennessee Walking Horse, North Dakota the Nokota horse, and Missouri uses the Fox Trotter.

Horse Park of New Jersey Spring H.T. 4/28/24

Applewood Farm Dressage, Combined Test & Clear Round Show

Wednesday, May 15, 2024

Applewood Farm Dressage, Combined Test & Clear Round Show

Wednesday, May 15, 2024

Intro Test A

Rider

Julia

Intro Test B

Intro Test C

Rider

Julia

Rider

Kathy

Training Level Test 1

Rider

Kathy

Randa Schnarr

Training Level Test 2

Rider

2024 AMWELL VALLEY HOUNDS BENEFIT 4/17/24

(R)

Jacquelyn Stapel (R)

Malene Lindeberg Grayson

Caroline

MP Gallagher Reagan T-2

Training Level Test 3

Rider

Caroline Bedarcyk Aces Up

First Level Test 1

Rider Name Horse Name

Sarah Begala Stay Gold First 1

Karena Bertolli Haas First 1

Jacquelyn Stapel (R)

Jacquelyn Stapel (R)

Jacquelyn Stapel (R)

Jacquelyn Stapel (R)

(R)

2 Jacquelyn Stapel (R)

Jacquelyn Stapel (R)

1-T Jacquelyn Stapel (R)

Eliza Pestori Tucson First 1 E Jacquelyn Stapel (R)

First Level Test 2

Rider Name Horse Name Test Score Place Judge

Olga Shaposhnikov Brief Encounter First 2

Victoria Thompson Ochento y tres First 2

Valerie Kamp Capitol Heart First

Sarah Begala Stay Gold First 2

Becky Graham Change of Heart First 2

First Level Test 3

1 Jacquelyn Stapel (R)

Jacquelyn Stapel (R)

Jacquelyn Stapel (R)

3 Jacquelyn Stapel (R)

4 Jacquelyn Stapel (R)

Rider Name Horse Name Test Score Place Judge

Olga Shaposhnikov Brief Encounter First 3

Victoria Thompson Ochento y tres First 3

Second Level Test 1

1 Jacquelyn Stapel (R)

2 Jacquelyn Stapel (R)

St. Georges

BUCKS COUNTY HORSE PARK CT & DRESSAGE

4/21/24

USEF / USDF Dressage at BCHP I 5/5/24

Hart Elizabeth Ghold Rush

Gentry Jocelyn Air Marshall

Furlong Wendy Foxie

Hurley Erin Merlot

Gentry Jocelyn Air Marshall

Glossman Diane Fribourg W

Barbosa Kathleen Anima Dio

Reed Sophie Charlie Brown

Waselus Beth Luke No Hands

Waselus Beth Luke No Hands

Reed Sophie Charlie Brown

Wohlgemuth Annie Shiloh

Pass Jennifer Royal Odessa

Greener Jacqueline Poppianna

Hirschman Kimberly Rhett Butler

Martell Lindsey I'll Have Another Cosmo

(R)

(R)

(R)

Thorton (R)

(R)

(R)

(R)

(R)

Training Level Test 3 Jr over 13

Bridle

Training Level Test 3 Senior

Dressage at Bella Rosa Stables 4/21/24

First Level Jr over 13

Bridle

Training

Prix Caprilli Senior

Bridle

Intro Test B Starter Horse Senior

Bridle

Intro Test B Starter Rider Junior Under 13

Bridle # Rider Name Horse Name

Intro Test B Starter Rider Junior Over 13

Bridle # Rider Name

Western Dressage Intro Test 3Junior over 13

Bridle # Rider Name

Dressage4Kids Benefit Show

4/14/24

USDF Intro Test A

Rider

Addison Hafler

USDF Intro Test B

Rider

Adderyn

Addison Hafler

Adderyn

Jessica Burkart Chip

Erin Domer CFE Precious

Emma Hackel Young Duchess

Julia Rubin Niki Hottwheels

USDF Intro Test C - Small ring

Emma Foreman Kim s Diamond

Ramona Belengue Chunky Monkey

Mini Belenguer Ignite NG

USDF Intro Test C - Large ring

Rider

Tessa Zimmer Second Shot

USEF Training Test 1 (Ring 3)

Rider Name Horse Name

Emma Foreman Kim s Diamond

USEF Training Test 1 (Ring 2)

Rider Name Horse Name Test

Isabella Razzano Blood Red Sky

DeeDee Everhart RWS Legendary Gall

Alexandria Porter Up and Under

Stacey Porter Beyond

Trinity

Tessa Zimmer Second Shot

Isabella Razzano MM Champagne

Mike Maloney Poseidon

Natasha Worthington Jayde

Eve Childers Gioconda

Allison Semanchik Ignite NG

Ryleigh Koch London KIS

Olivia Evans Swift Illusion

April Stieh Meet me on Mason

(L)

Kelsey Johnson (L)

2 Jacquelyn Stapel (R)

3 Jacquelyn Stapel (R)

1 Kelsey Johnson (L)

Place

Jacquelyn Stapel (R)

1 Jacquelyn Stapel (R)

2 Jacquelyn Stapel (R)

Jacquelyn Stapel (R)

Jacquelyn Stapel (R)

Jacquelyn Stapel (R)

Jacquelyn Stapel (R)

Jacquelyn Stapel (R)

Jacquelyn Stapel (R)

Jacquelyn Stapel (R)

Jacquelyn Stapel (R)

Jacquelyn Stapel (R)

Jacquelyn Stapel (R)

Jacquelyn Stapel (R)

Jacquelyn Stapel (R)

USEF Training Test 2 (Ring 2)

Rider Name Horse Name

Trinity Thompson Contender Moon

Ryleigh Koch London KIS

USEF Training Test 2 (Ring 1)

Rider Name Horse Name

Stephanie Sinson Huffel Puff

Linda

Lauren Anderson Lakota Moon

Olivia Evans Swift Illusion

2 Jacquelyn Stapel (R)

(S) Emily Foreman Sin City GSH

USEF Training Test 3

Rider

Lora

USEF Second Level Test 2

Rider Name Horse Name Test

Elizabeth Bortuzzo Best Friend

Laurie Weiser State of Mind

USEF Second Level Test 3

Rider Name Horse Name

Jamie

USEF Third Level Test 1

Rider Name Horse Name

Adelaide Paul Waylon

USEF Third Level Test 2

Rider

Linda Swank Ozon

USEF Fourth Level Test 1

Rider Name Horse Name Test

Elizabeth Bortuzzo Santiago s Beau

Elizabeth Bortuzzo Ivano

USEF Fourth Level Test 3

Rider Name Horse Name

FEI Freestyle

FEI 6 year old

FEI TOC

Rider

Rider Name Horse Name

Rider

Rider

1 Jacquelyn Stapel (R)

2 Jacquelyn Stapel (R)

Jacquelyn Stapel (R)

Stapel (R)

Intro A

Bridle

Intro B

Bridle

FCEA Schooling Dressage

4/28/24

Intro C

Bridle

First Level, Test 2

Bridle

Second Level, TOC Bridle

Other TOC

Training Level, Test 2

Bridle

Training Level, Test 3 Bridle

FCEA Schooling Dressage

5/19/24 Intro

Bridle

Bridle

First Level, Test 3

Bridle # Rider Name

Second Level, Test 2

Bridle # Rider Name

Other TOC

Bridle # Rider Name

Four Farthing Farm Dressage Schooling Show

5/4/24

Hidden Charm Dressage

May 18th, 2024

Bridle

Bridle

Bridle

Bridle

Second Level Test 2 #11

Bridle

Fourth Level TOC #12

Bridle

Bridle

Dressage at Jericho 4/13/24

Rider

Rider

Rider

LVDA Dressage Schooling Show 1 4/27/24

Painted Dreams Farm Schooling Show 5/19/24

Class: 1 Leadline WDAA Leadline Test B

Bridle

Class: 3 Introductory Test B

Bridle

Class: 4 Introductory Test C

Bridle

Class: 6 Training Level Test 3

Class: 8 First Level Test 1

Class: 11 Second

& Above TOC

Class: 15 Dressage Seat Equitation Junior Riders

Bridle

Red Tail Farm Dressage & Combined Test Schooling Show 5/18/2024

Saddlebrook Ridge Dressage Schooling Show

5/5/24

SLM Dressage and Western Dressage Schooling Show - May 2024

Class 25-1, USEA Eventing TOC, 1st Ride (Specify Test) - Sat, May 18, 2024 - Outdoor

Bridle # Rider Horse Test

642 Patty Lambert Simply Classic USEA BN A

Class 25-2, USEA Eventing TOC, 2nd Ride (Specify Test) - Sat, May 18, 2024 - Outdoor

Bridle # Rider Horse Test

642 Patty Lambert Simply Classic USEA BN B

Place Judge

1 Jacqueline Stapel (C)

(C)

635 Elizabeth Dempsey Die Fledermause USEA BN A S Jacqueline Stapel (C)

Class 2, USDF Introductory Level Test B - Sat, May 18, 2024 - Outdoor

Bridle # Rider Horse Test

641 Jenna Komor Red Sky SuperNo Intro B

Class 3, USDF Introductory Level Test C - Sat, May 18, 2024 - Outdoor

Bridle # Rider Horse Test

640 Ethan Hill Soups on The Tab Intro C

633 Ashlea Bosler Shanny Intro C

641 Jenna Komor Red Sky SuperNo Intro C

646 Madison Vasil Sporty's Gold Rus

1 Jacqueline Stapel (C)

Place Judge

1 Jacqueline Stapel (C)

1 Jacqueline Stapel (C)

3 Jacqueline

(C)

(C)

Jacqueline Stapel (C) 456 Ethan Hill Cambell Intro C S

Class 3B, USDF Introductory Level Test C - Sat, May 18, 2024 - Outdoor

Bridle # Rider Horse Test

640 Ethan Hill Soups on The Tab Intro C

Class 4, USEF Training Level Test 1 - Sat, May 18, 2024 - Outdoor

Bridle # Rider Horse Test

Class 6, USEF Training Level Test 3 - Sat, May 18, 2024 - Outdoor

Bridle # Rider Horse Test

Class 26, Dressage Seat Equitation - Sat, May 18, 2024 - Outdoor

Bridle # Rider Horse Test

636 Lori Farace Elieto Santana DSE

Class 7, USEF First Level Test 1 - Sat, May 18, 2024 - Outdoor

Bridle # Rider Horse Test

637 Peyton Frankovich Ben-jamin' Travel First 1

632 Stacie Anderson Mighty Quinn First 1

1 Jacqueline Stapel (C)

(C)

Place Judge

1 Jacqueline Stapel (C)

1 Jacqueline Stapel (C)

2 Jacqueline Stapel (C)

634 Adalena Campisi Lansdowne First 1 S

Class 8, USEF First Level Test 2 - Sat, May 18, 2024 - Outdoor

Bridle # Rider Horse Test Score Place Judge

637 Peyton Frankovich Ben-jamin' Travel

639 Bobbie Herbs Kentucky Derby

Class 9, USEF First Level Test 3 - Sat, May 18, 2024 - Outdoor

Bridle # Rider Horse Test

638 Stephanie Glanvill Just Dex First 3

Class 10, USEF Second Level Test 1 - Sat, May 18, 2024 - Outdoor

Bridle # Rider Horse Test

638 Stephanie Glanvill Just Dex Second 1

Class 15, USEF Third Level Test 3 - Sat, May 18, 2024 - Outdoor

Bridle # Rider Horse Test

636 Lori Farace Elieto Santana

Class 18, Muscial Freestyle Test of Choice - Sat, May 18, 2024 - Outdoor

1 Jacqueline Stapel (C)

2 Jacqueline Stapel (C)

Place Judge

1 Jacqueline Stapel (C)

Place Judge

1 Jacqueline Stapel (C)

Place Judge

1 Jacqueline Stapel (C)

Bridle # Rider Horse Test Score Place Judge

643 Sharon Lutgen Bonjour USDF Freestyle, Third Level 56.250 1 Jacqueline Stapel (C)

Stone Tavern Schooling Horse Trials and CT 5/11/24

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