ESDCTA Collective Remarks - May 2023

COLLECTIVE REMARKS

May 2023

3

President’s Message

6

Amateur Dilemma

7

The ABCs of CBLMs

12 13

News from Outside the Ring

Western Dressage

17

March Clinic with Felicitas von Neumann-Cosel

19 11

HorseTreats

Judging Fun

As the show season gets underway, remember to check the omnibus and calendar regularly to keep up with all the latest shows, clinics, dates, judge,s and classes. Te on-line Omnibus, is the best way to see updates to prize lists almost in real time: https://www.esdcta.org/shows-events/omnibus/

Dressage – ESDCTA’s first recognized shows of the season are the Memorial Day shows on May 27-28 (two 1-day shows) both of which include the Dressage Sport Horse Breed show. It’s always fun to watch those future superstars! Check the ESDCTA website for all the information.

Eventing – ESDCTA will be running 2 cross-country schooling days at the Horse Park of New Jersey on the following dates: Friday June 2, and Saturday July 1. This year there are a number of new Starter (2’3”) jumps, so bring the gang and have some fun. Pre-registration is available online, or sign-up when you arrive. Information and forms are available on the website: www.ESDCTA.org

Now that the weather is getting warmer (amazing how that happens every spring) riding becomes much more pleasurable outdoors and thoughts of riding in the sun start to increase. Whatever your riding pleasure – dressage, eventing, trail riding, grooming your lawn ornament – I hope you thoroughly enjoy the great weather before the flies and bugs take over.

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

I admit that I love Facebook. It has allowed me to catch up with old classmates, keep informed about what’s going on with my family, and the cat videos are too funny. On a cerebral level, I know the world of FB is not really real. I’m just as guilty as the next person in only posting positive content. You won’t find me lamenting over the problems of getting the flying change but you will find me sharing the KWPN link that lists Leo in their summary of year-end winners. Sometimes this universal bias brings me down because on an emotional level it feels like everyone else is doing such great things all the time.

Then there’s the question of when do these posts become bragging. I’m proud of all the accomplishments of Leo and I last year. I posted how we did. I thanked those who helped us get there. Although I was a little embarrassed about these posts, after thinking about the issue further, I came to the conclusion that the line between bragging and just being happy about something I did is in the eyes of the beholder. If the person reading the post is really on your side they will be happy for you. Those who may not be close to you, or who are dealing with their own demons will view it as bravado.

There’s really not much you can do about what other people think. So, post that video of you clearing a Trakehner for the first time or show off that high placing ribbon. Just don’t put others down at the same time (no: I got 1st place. Sorry Jane you only got 3rd). Maybe even share your friends’ accomplishments. We definitely need more positivity in the world.

This also includes ourselves when we view others’ posts. Be happy for others’ wins. They do not detract from your own. Remember that those victories are probably surrounded by a lot of challenges that do not get talked about in public circles.

Also remember that everything you post is out there forever and people may share it outside of the world in which you live in. If you share a post, you are saying that you endorse that content, so verify that what you’ve pulled from someone else is true. Social media has the power to build empathy for others, increase your knowledge and skills, inform you about goings-on, and entertain you. But it can also distract you from what’s really important – the bonds we build with each other, including our ESDCTA community.

By Paige Zimmerman

The ABCs of CBLMs

By, Paige Zimmerman

As many of you may already know, ESDCTA is hosting the Col. Bengt Ljungquist Memorial (CBLM) Championships this year. The championships are going to be held at the Horse Park of New Jersey from October 12-15.

The CBLMs are a USDF/USEF licensed championship, similar but distinct from the USDF Regional Championship Program. The CBLMs are only held in Region 1, which includes: Delaware, DC, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Eastern West Virginia (Morgan, Berkeley, and Jefferson Counties). Now, how does one qualify for the CBLM’s? What follows is a summarized guide. For the full rules, please see http://www.cblm.org/wp/.

STEP 1

Prior to qualifying for the CBLM’s there are a few things you need to make sure of. As stated previously, the CBLMs are a USDF/USEF recognized show, and in order to qualify you must participate in recognized shows. Therefore, you must ensure that the rider, horse owner, and horse have all their USDF and USEF memberships up-to-date and have completed Safesport training as required to compete in USDF licensed shows. Further details about requirements to participate in USDF/USEF recognized shows can be found online on the USDF and USEF websites.

Additionally, the rider must be a member of a USDF Group Member Organization (GMO) that is a participating GMO for the CBLMs. You must be a member of the GMO before you earn your qualifying score for the CBLMs. ESDCTA is an example of a participating GMO, but there are many more, including:

● Delaware Valley Combined Training Association (DVCTA)

● East Coast Regional Dressage Association (ECRDA)

● Lehigh Valley Dressage Association (LVDA)

● North Carolina Dressage & CTA (NCDCTA)

● Potomac Valley Dressage Association (PVDA)

● Virginia Dressage Association (VADA)

● Plus more (refer to the USDF website for a full list of Region 1 GMOs)

STEP 2

Now it is time to compete in a qualifying class at a 2023 CBLM qualifying show.

● First and foremost, check the prizelist for the event to ensure that it is listed as a CBLM qualifying show. This designation will mostly likely be on the first page of the prizelist, and will say something along the lines of: “2023 Col. Bengt Ljunquist Memorial Championship (BLM) Qualifying Event” or “2023 CBLM Qualifier”.

● You only have to receive ONE qualifying score.

● There is NO extra fee to ride in a qualifying class.

● CBLM Age is determined by the age of the rider as of December 1, 2023: children = 12–14, junior = 18 & under, young rider = 19–21, senior = 22 and over.

● See below for the CBLM qualifying tests and qualifying scores. The same tests used to qualify will be used in the Championships. For example, if you qualify for the CBLM Championships for Third Level Senior, you will be riding 3rd level test 2 in the Championships. (Note: There is an exception to this rule for the FEI Children, Pony, Junior, and Young Rider tests, which is explained in more detail in the official rules listed on the CBLM website.)

QUALIFYING TESTS AND SCORES

Fourth Level Test 2 62% (Seniors) 60% (Juniors + Young Riders)

FEI LEVELS

Prix St. Georges 60% (Seniors) 58% (Juniors + Young Riders)

Intermediate I 60% (Seniors) 58% (Juniors + Young Riders)

Intermediate II 60%

Grand Prix 60%

Freestyles: 63% for all divisions and levels (Training level, 1st level, 2nd level, 3rd level, 4th level, I-1, and GP).

Pas de Deux: 65%.

STEP 3

After you have received your qualifying score, you must manually submit your score to be listed as qualified for the CBLMs. The rider is responsible for this, as scores are NOT automatically tracked for this event. To submit your score, go to the CBLM website at http://www.cblm.org/wp/ and fill out the online qualifying form. Or, you can download the form to fill it out by hand and email it to Bettina Longaker at entries@scriptsrides.com

Once you have submitted your qualification, check the CBLM website frequently to make sure you appear in the qualified riders list.

You will notice that on the qualifying form, it asks you to list your division as A or B. The purpose of the divisions is to keep the playing field level amongst competitors, grouping riders together by level of experience. The divisions are as follows:

● Training and First Level Finals for Senior (SR)/YR riders:

○ A = Riders who have not competed at or above Third Level at a USEF licensed show

○ B = Riders who have competed at or above Third Level at a USEF licensed show

● Second and Third Level Finals for SR riders:

○ A = Riders who have not competed at or above the FEI Prix St. Georges level or in any of the FEI Young Rider levels at a USEF licensed show

○ B = Riders who have competed at or above the FEI Prix St. Georges level or in any of the FEI Young Rider levels at a USEF licensed show.

● Fourth Level Finals for SR riders:

○ A = Riders who have not competed at or above the FEI Intermediate I at a USEF licensed show

○ B = Riders who have competed at or above the FEI Intermediate I at a USEF licensed show

● Prix St Georges Finals for SR riders:

○ A = Riders who have not competed at or above the FEI Intermediate II at a USEF licensed show

○ B = Riders who have competed at or above the FEI Intermediate II and/or B at a USEF licensed show

My best advice to anyone who is interested in the championships is to review all of the 2023 rules and ensure your understanding of how the championships are run. I am so excited that ESDCTA is hosting the CBLM’s this year and I hope to see everyone there in October!

Horse Treats

By, Meredith Rogers

Although horse racing is not what we do, here are some interesting stories from the track. in honor of the Kentucky Derby this month

A jockey-less horse won the Gulfstream Park Handicap in 2013. The horse, Fort Larned, stumbled at the start of the race and lost his jockey, Brian Hernandez Jr., who was unharmed. The horse kept going and ended up winning the race by 15 lengths. Unfortunately, without a jockey, he couldn’t be called the winner. He entered the breeding shed in 2014 and is still siring foals today.

A jockey named Frank Hayes won his first race at the age of 22 years old on June 4, 1923 at Belmont Park. The problem was that it was also his last race. Unfortunately, Mr. Hayes suffered a fatal heart attack towards the end of the race. The horse he was on, Sweet Kiss, continued running and won by a head. She had been a 20-1 long-shot. This was the first, and presumably only time a jockey won a race posthumously. Mr. Hayes had been a stablehand and it was thought that the heart attack was brought on by the rapid weight loss he endured to be able to race: from 142 lbs to 130 lbs in ~24 hours. He was buried in his racing silks 3 days later and the horse never raced again because no jockey would touch her, especially since her new nickname was “Sweet Kiss of Death”.

An Irish racehorse was kidnapped and held for ransom. On a foggy evening of 1983, a coordinated attack was made on the horse’s groom’s family. James Fitzgerald, the groom, was forced to show the thieves where the horse, Shergar, was being stabled and help them load him into a horse box (trailer). After taking the horse, the robbers demanded ransom from the owners, who refused to pay in case it spurred further kidnappings. Unfortunately, despite the police’s best efforts, including hiring a clairvoyant, the fate of Shergar was never known. It has been proposed that Shergar was stolen by an Irish Republican Army (IRA) special operations team.

The slowest time for a race win was recorded by Never Mind II. In 1945, Never Mind II refused a fence in a steeplechase, was taken out of the race by his jockey, and brought back to the paddock. However, every other horse either fell or was disqualified, so his jockey mounted back up and completed the race at his leisure. He finished the 2-mile race in 11 minutes and 28 seconds.

In another steeplechase in 1953, a horse named Royal Student crashed followed right on his heels by another horse named Knother, who was being ridden by Mick Morrissey. Mr. Morrissey was thrown into the air and landed on Royal Student’s saddle and continued

the race since Royal Student was getting up at the time and took off after the field Thus, Mr. Morrissey started the race on one horse and finished on another.

How many wins do you think the top jockey has? Well, Russell A. Baze has raced 53,578 times, winning 12,842 races, coming in second 9,600 times, coming in third 7,855 times, and earning a total of $199,334,219. He was born in 1958, and his father was also a jockey and trainer. His first race was in 1974 in Walla Walla, Washington, and his last in 2016. He is the only jockey to have won more than 400 races per year more than 3 times. He was inducted into the US Racing Hall of Fame in 2002. He’s still alive today.

News from Outside the Ring

Science time

Taking a horse’s temperature is never fun, even when they are fine with it. What if there was a way other than the ubiquitous rectal thermometer? Well, there isn’t, at least not according to a new study. Researchers compared the accuracy of body temperature readings in healthy horses between the traditional rectal thermometer and a noncontact infrared thermometer. Although the infrared thermometer gave consistent results to itself, it did not provide the correct temperature compared with the rectal thermometer. For more information, check out the article: Easterwood L, Cohen ND. Agreement of Temperatures Measured Using a Non-Contact Infrared Thermometer With a Rectal Digital Thermometer in Horses. J Equine Vet Sci. 2023;123:104243.

More science

We all know our own horse loves us more than any other human, but how do they know it’s us? New research has shown that horses can tell the difference between women’s and men’s voices and faces. The study had horses look at videos of women and men while they played the voices of women and men. When a woman’s voice was played they looked more at the video of the woman and when a man’s voice was played they looked more at the video of the man. This is only part of the story and more research is needed to understand how horse’s perceive humans compared to other critters and how they perceive their own human compared to other humans. For more information, check out the article: Gouyet C, Ringhofer M, Yamamoto S, Jardat P, Parias C, Reigner F, Calandreau L, Lansade L. Horses cross-modally recognize women and men. Sci Rep. 2023;13(1):3864.

WESTERN DRESSAGE 2 Weekends, 2 Amazing Shows

Hello Friends!

By, Joann Sarni

Like most of you, springtime signals longer days to ride and lots of shedding! We also look at our club’s calendar and start circling shows that we plan to attend. For us Western Dressage riders we most likely had two dates circled off: April 8 for the SLM Rated WDAA/USDF/AQHA rated show judged by Ida Norris and April 15 for The Horse Park of NJ WDAA/AQHA rated show and clinic with Lynn Newton.

SLM Western Dressage Show

After a week of heavy storms, the weather for the SLM show was clear, crisp, and beautiful. The footing in the outdoor ring was perfect as shiny horses with flowing manes and riders in colorful outfits trotted up centerline in front of Judge Ida Norris. There were riders from Intro level to 5th level competing in the very first WDAA rated show in New Jersey. It was nice to meet people and finally put faces to names. I was super excited to enter this show because it was my first time riding in a live WDAA rated show instead of doing it virtually. It was nice getting the scores real-time instead of waiting two weeks for an email to come with the scores and comments from the judge.

It was a good day. I placed first in my test with a score of 65% and in the Horsemanship pattern with a 67%. Instead of trophies, SLM gave out wine glasses which I used later that day for a nice evening glass of wine to celebrate.

I want to thank Stephanie Mason, Stephanie Warner, Ellen Brindle-Clark, and the SLM team for an amazing day!

The Horse Park of New Jersey Show and Clinic: Next up was the WDAA/AQHA rated show at the Horse Park. The weather was the total opposite from the previous week at SLM. The morning was hot and muggy with the threat of thunderstorms that rolled in during the afternoon. The show was held in the indoor arena which protected us from the heavy afternoon rain during the clinic. There were 30 rides total from Intro Level to First Level for the morning show followed by the clinic with Lynn Newton in the afternoon.

I was happy to see a few new Western Dressage riders who wanted to try something different with their horses. They came from various backgrounds such as reining, hunter, and ranch riding. All were hooked after their rides and already looking forward to the next show.

Blondie and I had two really good rides, scoring a 71% in Intro Test 3 and a 69% in Intro Test 4 that earned us a few more points towards our WD Register of Merit (ROM). Lynn Newton gave a fantastic clinic! She evaluated each team as they rode their test, scoring each movement and explaining the score. She would have the rider work on a movement that needed attention and explained how to execute the movement for a better score.

Lynn is a part of the WDAA Education Committee and is a USEF licensed WD registered (large R) judge. We were all very impressed by her fun teaching style and her knowledge of the sport. We would love to have her come back for another clinic in the future so stay tuned!

AND NOW THE PICTURES!!

SLM Show

Follow us on Facebook: Western Dressage Enthusiast of NJ

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1178940859511996

Upcoming Events: Western Dressage Clinics:

June 2–4: Clinic with Mirka Crew at Foreluck Farm, Atlantic Highlands, NJ

https://www.equinefoundations.net/clinics-events-schedule

June 17 –19: Winning Ways with Lynn Palm at Blue Goose Stables in Cochranville, PA

generalinfo@lynnpalm.com or LYNNPALM.COM

March Clinic with Felicitas von Neumann-Cosel

By, Marley McCourt

On March 24 and 24, 2023, I had the opportunity to participate in a clinic with Felicitas von Neumann-Cosel at Bailey Ridge Farms on my horse, Hide, whom I have recently acquired through the Dressage4Kids Horse Donation program. Felicitas is well known for her classical dressage principles, creative and effective strategies, beautiful position, and knowledge of biomechanics. Felicitas was also Hide’s previous trainer before I had him, so it was an excellent opportunity to check in on his training progress. I am incredibly grateful for receiving a scholarship from ESDCTA and Dressage4Kids which allowed me this very educational opportunity!

On the first day of the clinic, Hide was a bit tense being off-property. Felicitas showed me a very intriguing way of how to calm him from the ground; by applying a light pressure downwards with the reins while holding onto the horse's shoulder blade. This allows it so that the horse has to pay attention to you while being in a position where he is calm and you have control, without constantly having to be pulling on his mouth. Our warm-up was very focused on the walk's regularity and tempo; not pushing the walk but keeping him in front of my leg. Another main focus was Hide’s self-carriage and for me to give and push him into my hands so that I am not affecting his flow, this applies to all gaits.

Once we were warmed up we did an exercise in the trot and canter that I thought was incredibly helpful and effective. On an eighteen-meter circle, to create the haunches in, we had to bend from the inside leg at his shoulder, then while keeping the bend and the haunches on the 18-meter circle, move the shoulders out onto a 19-meter circle. This exercise allowed him to keep the expression in the trot and canter by also freeing up his shoulders. Another exercise I enjoyed in the trot was rising for two or three strides before sitting back down, which tested my balance. Felicitas used the example of pulling back a spring before releasing, as we want a bigger trot, so rising for two or three strides, rebalancing, before allowing the spring in the trot.

On the second day, Hide was already much more relaxed from the start. Felicitas had me start off walking with the Green “Moons” Franklin balls placed under my seat bones, this was to help me feel the circular motion/rhythm of the walk. It was helpful to feel the motion of the walk pirouettes and walk half passes with the balls. An exercise we did in the walk was to start with a walk half pass, from quarter line to quarter line, and at the end of the half pass, move into a walk pirouette. Felicitas described how the walk should not have to change, the turn comes from the seat, and it starts with the inside front leg reaching. After feeling the circular motion in the walk, she put me in the PR Equiformance Postures slings. The slings cross from the bottom of the rider’s foot to the opposite shoulder. Doing the half passes in the rising trot in the bands allowed me to feel how turning my shoulders in the direction we wanted to go allowed room for more expression and freedom in the trot.

Without the scholarships earned from Dressage4Kids and ESDCTA, I would have not had the opportunity to attend this clinic. Many thanks to so many special people who made this opportunity happen; Olivia Steidle for organizing a wonderful clinic, Bailey Ridge Farms for hosting on your beautiful property, Debbie DelGiorno for the amazing photos taken, Felicitas von Neumann-Cosel for sharing your knowledge with me, my incredible trainer; Nicole DelGiorno, my parents for supporting me, ESDCTA, and Dressage4Kids for the grants that allowed me to afford this opportunity, and so many others!

Judging Fun

By, Jacquelyn “Jake” Stapel

The Edgar Hotz Judges Roundtable was held at the USET Foundation on February 12, 2023. This year’s Round Table, as always, is offered in loving memory of Edgar Hotz who was so instrumental and supportive of the education of dressage and eventing judges, especially in our area. We often have attendees share stories about Edgar and what they learned from him, even all these years after his passing.

Marilyn Payne generously donates her time every year as key speaker, which enables us to offer this opportunity free of charge. We ask only that everyone contribute something to the pot-luck lunch. This year Barbara Ebner was the other “S” judge that helped Marilyn lead the discussion. As this is a new test year for dressage, that was the topic of conversation. We had video of all of the tests from Introductory level through Fourth level as well as a summary of the changes to the directives of each level provided by USDF. A new test year is always a more costly year, as we have lots of copies to make! I had the program approved by USDF as a Continuing Education program so that all of the “L” graduates in attendance could receive credit toward their CE requirement. This year we had 31 judges, “L” graduates and “L” candidates in attendance. ESDCTA has been sponsoring this event for the last 21 years! USDF requires that each attendee complete an event evaluation at the end of the session. As always, every one of those evaluations was extremely positive and expressed gratitude to Marilyn, Barbara, myself and ESDCTA for sponsoring.

Attention: looking for 1 scribe and 2 assistants (scoring, etc) for a USDF L program (D1 session) at the Horse Park of NJ on M May 27 and May 28. A wonderful learning opportunity for all, and L graduate continuing education credit hours are available for the scribe if applicable. This will be for L faculty member, J Jayne Ayers (S). Please reach out with your interest and the availability you can commit to (1 day or both). Refreshments during the day, and profound gratitude provided; without volunteerism these programs can’t be offered. Please contact organizer T Tara Manion directly at: 860-377-8083

Saddlebrook Ridge Equestrian Schooling Dressage, Combined Tests and Clear Round Show Judge: Nancy Schmidt ( L ) April 1, 2023

AEA WINTER SCHOOLING SHOW IV

BIT O WOODS FARM 3/19/23 SHOW RESULTS

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/