ESDCTA MAGAZINE
COLLECTIVE REMARKS
WWW.ESDCTA.ORG March 2021
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Table of Contents 12
President’s Message
Horse Treats
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13
The Amateur Dilemma
News from Outside the Ring
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Business Members
ESDCTA Grants
8 Just Breath
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The Dressage Foundation – TDF-What’s It All About?
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President’s Message Congratulations to all the award winners that were presented at the Virtual ESDCTA Awards Zoom Ceremony on Sunday February 28. I would also like to thank everyone who was involved with organizing and putting on the awards this year: Becky Kuc who collected and tallied all the scores and awards Laura Aber for ordering all the ribbons and trophies Everyone who assisted in distributing the ribbons and trophies to barns and homes Ed and Jill Kuc for their ever-entertaining emceeing of the virtual event Becky Kuc again for organizing the slide show Victoria Shilton and Gary Maholic for setting up the Zoom meeting Erin Gale for sending out all the emails announcing the virtual presentation And anyone else who was involved that I forgot (sorry) In this past difficult year, it was very gratifying to see so many members step up to make this a memorable awards ceremony. Thank you to everyone who contributed and helped put this all together! Hopefully we’ll be able to return to our usual awards banquet format next February. I’m quite looking forward to warmer temperatures, and the beginning of show season again, as I’m sure most of you are too. I’m anxiously awaiting the vernal equinox, and with it longer daylight hours and stronger sun rays, which happens every year, but it’s still a nice event to look forward to. Remember to give your horse positive reinforcement, kind words, and a few peppermints here and there. They are what keep us sane in these unusual times.
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
treasurer@esdcta
610.564.9169
3340 Curley Ct, Mullins SC 29574 Executive Board 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
Erin Gale
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
NJEAB Representative
Carolyn Montgomery
crunner141@comcast.net
Awards
Becky Kuc
awards@esdcta.org
Calendars/Activities
Mia Zimmerman
activities@esdcta.org
Grants
Vacant
grants@esdcta.org
Equipment
Wilma Pfeffer
dressage@esdcta.org
Newsletter
Meredith Rogers
newsletter@esdcta.org
Nominating
Vacant
nominations@esdcta.org
Omnibus
Mia Zimmerman
calendar@esdcta.org
Show Results
Vacant
results@esdcta.org
OFF BOARD COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Become a friend of the ESDCTA on Facebook Follow us on Twitter @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’re working on 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 Linda Marciante 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 2021. 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: lindalbbf@gmail.com
MEMBERSHIP QUESTIONS For membership questions including updating physical or e-mail addresses please contact: Heidi Lemack membership@esdcta.org
2021 ADVERTISING RATES
MEMBER NON-MEMBER FULL PAGE $100 $130 HALF PAGE $65 $85 QUARTER PAGE $40 $60 BUSINESS CARD $20 $30 CARD FOR 3 MONTHS $45 $65 CLASSIFIEDS $10 $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 3340 Curley Ct, Mullins, SC 29574 Email: treasurer@esdcta.org
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The Amateur Dilemma By, Meredith Rogers
I’m experiencing information overload! The Internet is great in that if you have a question, it’s very easy to find the answer. But…My problem started innocent enough. I saw an interesting article or video that a friend posted on Facebook. I clicked on the link, where I had to enter my email address to access the content, and then just like that, I start getting inundated with emails promoting other interesting articles or videos I wanted to read and watch. In other cases, I signed up to receive emails on purpose. Since Facebook keeps track of your clicks, they started targeting content (all horses and pitties), which is not helping. Then there’s all those new interesting articles and videos my friends keep posting on Facebook. Even the USDF and USEF sends me emails with links to watch live events going on in exotic places like Wellington. Now I have so much content coming at me without me even trying, I don’t have time for it all. And, I have two hard-cover dressage books I purchased that I want to read. I have no clue where the invite came from for this, but earlier this year there was a 3-day virtual global clinic hosted by Krystal Kelly of The International Equestrian (www.theinternationalequestrian.com). They had speakers as varied as our homegrown Tik Maynard giving jumping tips to someone from around the world discussing how to publish your equestrian-themed novel, with great dressage, motivation, overcoming fear, trick riding, and other experts in between. It was free if you didn’t mind the videos disappearing after 24 hours, but you could purchase a lifetime pass to watch the videos whenever (I didn’t do that). Since they were all Q&A sessions, it was easy to have it on in the background while I worked. I admit, I got sucked in a lot, which meant my work day got extended and my hands-on horse time was reduced. And therein lays the problem. There is not enough time in any given day to consume all of this great, interesting, and useful content. I’m sure you’ve heard of FOMO (fear of missing out). That’s what I’m afraid of if I unsubscribe from any of these lists because I’ve gotten some good pearls from each one. I think I’m going to take a break, turn off the computer, run a hot bubble bath, and hang out in the tub reading one of those dressage books now.
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ESDCTA Grants One of the many benefits of membership is the availability of ESDCTA Grants. The Grants committee has recently overhauled the grants requirements, and below is a summary of the changes for 2021: General rules for Education and Dom Perignon Grants: Grants can be used for: clinics, lessons with an upper-level trainer you don’t usually train with, annual conventions, summer camp, regional or national competitions. Not to be used for clothing, tack, regular lessons, or horse-only training Only one grant per person per calendar year Education Grant: Each grant is $250, available to all members in good standing – Youth, Amateurs, Professionals 8 hours volunteer time are required: 4 hours needs to be earned by the applicant, 4 hours can be gifted (may use left-over hours from previous year). Preference will be given to applicants who have more ESDCTA volunteer hours Following the activity the grant was used for, you will need to write an article for the newsletter about the experience (help is available from the Newsletter Editor) Assist in obtaining items for the Silent Auction and assist with the Awards Banquet Lazelle Knocke Dom Perignon Grant (Adults only): No changes for 2021 LYDF (Lendon’s Youth Dressage Festival) Grant, held at Hits-On-The-Hudson showgrounds in Saugerties, NY: Two grants of $250 each, available for either Dressage or Eventing Youth only One score of 55% or more for dressage riders, or one score of 45% or lower for event riders, from an ‘L’ judge or higher 8 hours volunteer time are required:4 hours needs to be earned by the applicant; 4 hours can be gifted (preference will be given to applicants who have more ESDCTA volunteer hours) Following the Festival, you will need to write an article for the newsletter about the experience (help is available from the Newsletter Editor) Assist in obtaining items for the Silent Auction and assist with the Awards Banquet Application Process: Applications completed and submitted to the Grants committee by the end of the month will be reviewed by the Grants Committee for completeness, and then considered at the next monthly Board meeting. Grants will be awarded based on a first-come, first-served basis during the competition year, assuming all requirements are met. Funds will be distributed once the activity is complete and the article for the Newsletter has been submitted. Click here to see all the details and application: https://www.esdcta.org/home/grants/
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Just Breathe (and Inside Leg and Outside Rein and…) By Paige Zimmerman
The weekend of February 27 and 28, Olivia Steidle Dressage held another wonderful clinic with Felicitas von Neumann-Cosel! I had the opportunity to ride Brenda Curnin’s Ducati both days. My goal for the year is to show 3rd level (if we are ready), so we are using the winter to attack some of Ducati’s weaknesses and create more throughness for the level. In my lessons with Felicitas, we mainly worked on his ability to lift his shoulders and move them to the outside in order to create a more honest bend. Since he is so conformationally long, it is difficult for him to carry himself by lifting through his trapezius muscle. Working on this will bring us closer to achieving true self-carriage in which he can carry the power through and “climb the ladder” with his front end. On the first day of the clinic, from the ground, Felicitas gently tried to push Ducati’s shoulder to the outside but was met with some resistance. I was surprised at how difficult it was for him to offer true bend and we struggled with this throughout the ride. His first instinct was to move backward or toss his head instead of moving his shoulders either way and relaxing. He also missed his turnout that morning, so I’m sure that did not help. Ducati repeatedly became frustrated throughout the lesson, but it still was productive for us because it highlighted exactly where Ducati struggles. Now that we’ve centralized focus on the area, we can better work on it without exhausting either of us. On the second day, we began with some groundwork, which focused on Ducati’s reactivity to the quietest aids. Felicitas taught me how I can better use my breathing aids to bring Ducati’s energy up. It is very easy for him to tune me out under saddle, and just kicking and demanding forward energy does not fix it since he isn’t lazy. He just struggles to lift his shoulder and front legs out of the way while quickening his hind legs to create better engagement and power. He doesn’t need to go any faster, he just needs to be more electric (without running/flattening, which is what he does when I have him 8
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too forward and am not mindful about my seat’s half-halts). We worked with the whip tied to a plastic bag too, which was a big help in encouraging Ducati to listen more closely to the breath aids. To go forward is a sharp breath out while also carrying more energy in your body. Felicitas also showed me how you can adjust your breathing to the beat of the trot and canter strides in order to facilitate better rhythm and prepare for transitions. It worked wonderfully! Ducati is smart, so it didn’t take him long to pick up on it. Usually, there is a clear difference between Ducati’s gaits at the beginning of my rides and at the end of my rides. In the beginning, he feels like his body is a pear, and the large portion of the pear (his energy) stays out behind the saddle. But by the end of my rides, it feels like the large part of the pear shifts to the front legs. He then sits down and I feel that the energy is out in front of me under my hands, which feels like doing a wheelie on your bike. But what I like about this feeling is that it comes naturally once his energy from behind flows through-- his neck remains long and relaxed as well. Using Felicitas’s tools I hope to create that feeling that we get at the end of our rides and bring it closer and closer to the beginning. That work is what I need to bring into the show arena: last season we did not get as close to the quality we have now. In my lessons during the clinic, I loved to feel how Ducati’s neck grew longer while he continued to carry himself. Teaching him to move his shoulders more freely and pay closer attention to the rider are both important stepping stones that we must master. They will pave the way to a better understanding of the upper-level work for both Ducati and me. This clinic was incredibly helpful since Felicitas was able to find the specific areas in which he is weak (his trapezius muscle and sternum area) so that now we can gently help him strengthen them.
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Thank you Olivia Steidle for organizing the clinic and always being so supportive of me, and thank you Brenda for letting me ride Ducati. I love him and I am learning so much. And of course, a big thank you to Felicitas for coming to teach us all! I am ever grateful for the tools she gives us. There is a lot of homework for us to work on, and as always, I look forward to next time.
Harmonic Dressage Book Gail Hoff, PhD
Ride Back to Front Master Half Halts Develop Good Feel Correct Flexion, Bending And Much More Buy a Signed Copy at wwww.LosAlamosDressage.com
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The Dressage Foundation – TDF-What’s It All About? By, Dr Lisa Toaldo
Founded in 1989 by Lowell Boomer, the same visionary who helped create the USDF in 1973, is a 501 (c)(3) that provides grants and programs: The Dressage Foundation (TDF). Grants are awarded through the generous donations of individuals and corporations for youth, instructors, adult amateurs, technical delegates, judges, professionals, groups and more. You need to just apply within the deadline to find out if you are eligible. The mission of the Foundation is to cultivate and provide financial support for the advancement of dressage , including western dressage. The Board of Directors are all volunteers and help guide and govern TDF. ESDCTA’s Lazelle Knocke was an original Board member who helped establish the foundation. She was also the first Century Rider, a program which gives homage to riders and horses who have a combined age of 100! Group Member Organizations like ESDCTA have a TDF representative, which is a relatively new position, to help support TDF and spread the word about the various programs through flyers, posters, banners, and social media. Look for articles in the ESDCTA newsletter about upcoming events and deadlines for grants! Individuals and organizations can donate and support TDF to help provide programs. For a list of programs, their deadlines, and how to apply, visit www.dressagefoundation.org. Some of the programs are the Trip Harding Fund for Pony Club Graduates or Members, Young Riders Clinic, Gifted Memorial Fund, Amanda Johnson Freestyle Fund, FEI/High Performance Fund, Dressage Breeders Fund, along with many more. To learn more and keep up to date, visit their website and you can subscribe to their newsletter.
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Horse Treats By, Meredith Rogers
We know how great horses are, but there have been many (more famous) people throughout history who have also sung the praises of our favorite animal. "I heard a neigh. Oh, such a brisk and melodious neigh it was. My very heart leapt with the sound." - Nathaniel Hawthorne “A man on a horse is spiritually as well as physically bigger than a man on foot.” - John Steinbeck “Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people.” – W.C. Fields "When you are on a great horse, you have the best seat you will ever have." - Sir Winston Churchill “I can make a general in five minutes, but a good horse is hard to replace.” – Abraham Lincoln "No philosophers so thoroughly comprehend us as dogs and horses." - Herman Melville "A canter is a cure for every evil."- Benjamin Disraeli “When I bestride him, I soar, I am a hawk: he trots the air; the earth sings when he touches it; the basest horn of his hoof is more musical than the pipe of Hermes. - William Shakespeare “The wind of heaven is that which blows between a horse’s ears.” - Arabic proverb “A prince is never surrounded by as much majesty on his throne as he is on a beautiful horse.” - William Cavendish, Duke of Newcastle “Whoever said a horse was dumb, was dumb.” - Will Rogers
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News from Outside the Ring Horses as Medicine Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a debilitating, progressive nervous system disorder (in humans) that not only impacts movement, but could also have deleterious cognitive effects. There are no cures and no drugs that stop the progression of the physiologic changes that worsen symptoms. However, a new study is getting underway that will look at how equine-assisted therapy specifically helps the motor skills of patients with PD. Researchers from the Texas Woman’s University School of Health Promotion and Kinesiology will compare the severity of symptoms and the overall functioning of 30 men diagnosed with PD after eight weeks of either real or simulated riding sessions. Two pilot studies have already suggested equine-assisted therapy improves postural sway and balance. This study is looking at more classic motor symptoms associated with PD. If you know of anyone in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area of Texas who may benefit from this study, please send them here: https://HABRI.org. And, we’ll all be waiting for the results of this important research. Gene Doping Is a Thing Did you know that people are trying to cheat at racing by genetically altering DNA that leads to increases in a horse’s oxygen-carrying capacity? More oxygen could lead to better performance by increasing muscle mass or improving blood supply, for example. You may think that increasing muscle mass is a good thing, but it can put undue stress on bones and tendons, leading to premature breakdown. They call this procedure “gene doping,” and before it gets out of hand, researchers at New Bolton Center, Kennett Square, PA, are already developing a test for it. The great difficulty in producing a test, unlike for actual drugs, is that gene doping induces the body to produce a normal substance. The test developed at New Bolton is able to detect the presence of a gene doping agent in plasma and joint fluid. It’s limited in only being able to detect one type of gene doping, but it’s a start.
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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
12 Hill Rd. Allentown NJ 08501 609 306-8221 RBLStables@aol.com www.rhythmandbluesstables.com
Anjelhart Equestrian Center
Irish Manor Stables
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
Heart’s Journey Stable
278 Jackson Mills Road, Freehold, NJ 07728 732.409.2882 gtts@optonline.net www.GoodTimeFarm.com
425 Kromer Road Wind Gap, PA 18091 610.863.6616 mmorehouse@epix.net 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
https://www.esdcta.org/home/omni-calendar/ 14
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WWW.ESDCTA.ORG March 2021 COLLECTIVE REMARKS
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