ESDCTA Collective Remarks - November 2022

COLLECTIVE REMARKS

I cannot believe the show season has almost come to an end. The deadline for submitting an entry for the Year-End Awards is fast approaching on November 15, so don’t delay in getting all your information and paperwork together and sent in. If you need to look up any show results, provided the show organizer sent in the results from the show where you rode, click on this link to go to the Show Results page on the Website: https://www.esdcta.org/show-results-2022/

We still have one activity left this year, the annual Turkey Trot on Sunday, November 20 for Riders (Sunday December 4 for Drivers), at the Horse Park of New Jersey and the adjacent Assunpink Wildlife Management Area. It’s a wonderfully fun activity for both riders and drivers, so don’t miss it.

Save the Date: Sunday February 26 for the annual Awards Banquet at the Copper Hill Country Club in Ringoes, NJ. Look for more information as we get closer.

I hope everyone is enjoying the cooler weather with less bugs, less sweat, but more clothes. Be kind to your horse and make sure you enjoy the companionship all horses provide with whatever your preference – showing, trail riding, walking, hand grazing, grooming, patting (gently, of course), or just plain gazing at them.

Enjoy the Fall!

President

Board of Trustees

OFFICERS

Phone only before 9 p.m. please

President president@esdcta.org 732.208.8715

Holly Cornell

Vice President vicepresident@esdcta.org 609.351.1054

Ellen Brindle-Clark

Secretary secretary@esdcta.org 201.240.4505

Treasurer

Ruth McCormick

Betty Adduci 3340 Curley Ct, Mullins SC 29574

Executive Board

treasurer@esdcta 610.564.9169

Jena Rondinelli

Dressage at Large 732.814.1117

Jennifer Duelfer Dr. Lisa Toaldo

Eventing at Large 732.598.3077

Dressage Competitions 201.874.0373

Eventing Competitions

Janice Pellegrino

Paige Zimmerman Vacant

Marketing Membership Membership 609.306.8221

Heidi Lemack Gary Maholic

Finance 215.489.1557

Victoria Shilton

Youth

Stephanie Warner

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

Education 6093511054

Carolyn Montgomery awards@esdcta.org

NJEAB Representative crunner141@comcast.net Awards

OFF BOARD

CHAIRS

Mia Zimmerman

Wilma

Meredith Rogers

Mia

Lori

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

calendar@esdcta.org results@esdcta.org

Becky Kuc Holly Cornell

CROSS

News Across Our Region COMMUNITY

Amateur Dilemma

By, Meredith Rogers

It’s my birthday this month. I hate birthdays. Birthdays make me feel old. They are just reminders to me of all the things that when I was younger I dreamed I would do but now that I’m older I haven’t. I had wanted to publish book (that was widely popular, of course), ride in the Olympics, open a dog rescue, etc…

However, the alternative to another birthday is not very inviting, so I will get through it and try to be a bit more optimistic. Looking at that list from a more objective perspective, I’m not all that far off from those goals. I’ve written a few books but just couldn’t get anyone to publish them. I could always try to submit them again or try writing another one. I am also working with my nieces on a dressage-oriented children’s picture book. Stay tuned for more on that! I am NEVER getting to the Olympics but I have a great horse and I am going to the USDF Finals in Kentucky, which some people call the “Amateur Olympics”. I won’t comment on whether that’s derogatory or not. I didn’t open an animal sanctuary but I do have a rescue dog and cat, and they are the second rescue dog and third rescue cat we’ve had, so I’m doing my part there and will continue into the future to get rescues.

How I’m going to handle this birthday is to ignore it. It’s just another day. I’m going to truck ahead with my life as I want to, more or less. It’s a struggle to accomplish the “more” because of all the adulting that has to be done, but things are pretty good. And, I will be getting cheesecake from my favorite bakery to celebrate. Happy Birthday to me.

Apply for ESDCTA Year-End Awards

By, Paige Zimmerman

It’s that time of year. The weather is growing colder, the leaves are falling… it is time to apply for ESDCTA year-end awards! There are many different awards to apply for that highlight every rider’s efforts throughout the show season, including musical freestyle awards, eventing awards, achievement ribbons, and more. Awards are due on Novem ber 15, so there is still time to apply!

Here are the basics regarding each of the different awards:

• Achievement ribbons

• 1 score

• Starter Rider, Starter Horse, Western Dressage, and Training through Second Level – 60% minimum

• Third Level and Above – 58% minimum

• Starter rider high score awards (for Juniors and Amateur only)

• Walk/Trot – using scores from USDF Intro A & Intro B Tests

• Walk/Trot/Canter – using scores from USDF Intro C & Training 1

• 5 scores from 3 different judges

• Starter horse high score awards (for horses in their first year showing the level, applied for by Juniors and Amateurs only)

• Walk/Trot – using scores from USDF Intro A & Intro B Tests

• 5 scores from 3 different judges at 3 different shows

• Walk/Trot/Canter – using scores from USDF Intro C & Training 1

• 5 scores from 3 different judges at 3 different shows

• Training level and First level

• 5 scores from 3 different judges at 3 different shows

• At least 2 scores must be at the highest test of the level from 2 dif ferent judges

• High score awards – Training through 4th level

• 5 scores from 3 different judges at 3 different shows

• At least 2 scores must be at the highest test of the level from 2 different judges

• High score awards – FEI levels

• 1 score at the level

• Western dressage high score award

• Awards may be achieved at Intro, Basic, Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3

• 5 scores from 3 different judges at 3 different shows

• At least 2 scores must be at the highest test of the level from 2 different judges

• Musical freestyle high score award – Training through 4th level

• 3 scores from 3 different judges at 2 different shows

• Musical freestyle high score award – FEI levels

• 1 score at the level

• Pas de deux – Training through Grand Prix

• 3 scores from 3 different judges at 2 different shows

• Quadrille and Quadrille freestyles – Training through Grand Prix

• 3 scores from 3 different judges at 2 different shows

• Masters Recognition Award (Age 50 and older for Amateurs only)

• Available for all high score award divisions

• Dressage Seat Equitation Awards (for Juniors and Amatuer only)

• Elementary level

• 5 scores of 65% or higher from at least 3 different competitions and 3 dif ferent judges

• Accomplished level

• 5 scores of 70% or higher from at least 3 different competitions and 3 different judges

• Elite Level

• 5 scores of 75% or higher from at least 3 different competitions and 3 different judges

• ESDCTA Medal Program

• Bronze medal

• 6 scores of 60% or higher at Training Level from 4 different judges at 4 different shows

• At least 3 scores must be from Training 3

• Silver medal

• 3 scores of 60% or higher at First Level

• At least 2 scores must be from First 3

• 3 scores of 60% or higher at Second Level

• At least 2 scores must be from Second 3

• Scores must be from at least 4 different judges at 4 different shows

• Gold medal

• 6 scores of 60% or higher at Third and Fourth Levels from 4 different judges at 4 different shows

• 3 scores from any combination of Third Level tests

• 3 scores from any combination of Fourth Level tests

• Eventing awards

• Combined test awards – Pre-Starter through Preliminary

• Horse Trials awards – Starter through Advanced

• 3 tests at the level

To apply for an award, you need to fill out the dressage score recording form and/or

the eventing score recording form. These are available under “Forms” on the ESDCTA website, and are fillable online. Then, you will need to scan the fronts of your test sheets so that they can be submitted with your application. Lasty, you will need to scan your volunteer forms so they can be uploaded as well. Each award requires 8 hours of volunteer time, and for your first award only, 6 of those hours must have come from an ESDCTA-organized event or activity. If you have not completed these volunteer requirements, you will need to “buy out” your hours and pay for each hour you did not complete, which you can do through the website. When all that is done, you can email your application, test sheets, and volunteer forms to Becky Kuc at awards@ esdcta.org! You also can mail all your paper forms if you do not want to go the online route.

Good luck to everyone applying for awards! Your efforts throughout the show sea son this year have not gone unnoticed. If you have any questions about applying for awards, please feel free to contact our awards chair Becky Kuc at awards@esdcta.org.

Horse Treats

By, Meredith Rogers

Now that everyone is fully back in school, it’s time for a little quiz. Which of the following is the closest living relative to the horse?

A. Camel

B. Rhinoceros

C. Deer

D. Rat

All of the animals on this list are mammals. The rat is of the order Rodentia, which is char acterized by having two continuously growing incisors in the upper and lower jaws, and is nothing similar to the horse. Camels, rhinoceroses, deer, and horses are all ungulates, which are animals that use the tips of their toes (usually hoofed) to sustain their whole body weight while moving. However, camels and deer are members of the order Artiodactyla, meaning they have an even number of toes. Horses are members of the order Perissodacyla, which are odd-toed ungulates.

Only the rhinoceros is also a member of the order Perissodacyla, so the answer is B.

News from Outside the Ring

Rabies Alert!

A horse from Buena Borough in Atlantic County, NJ, tested positive for rabies and an investigation regarding how it was infected and any subsequent exposures is ongoing. After behaving strangely, the horse’s owner sought care, but it died upon arrival to the clinic. This is the tenth case of rabies in Atlantic County this year and the first in a horse; other cases were in a groundhog, 2 raccoons, 4 skunks, a fox, and a cat. Only 30-60 cases of rabies in horses are confirmed in the US each year. In 2019, a 20-month-old colt from Cape May County, NJ, tested positive; it had been vaccinated and survived with treatment. Rabies is transmitted through direct contact with saliva through broken skin or through the eyes, mouth, or nose. It can usually be treated with prompt medical care, but can be fatal. Please get your horse (and other pets) vaccinated since it is the best way to prevent this disease.

Environmentally Friendly Equines

Wageningen University in The Netherlands is studying the carbon foothoofprint of competition horses. They are examining the contribution of food, pasture management, training, exercise, travel, and waste production on our environment. The pilot study is being conducted in Sweden and is supported by the Swedish Equestrian Federation, but there are plans to roll out other investigations throughout Europe. Results of this initial study are expected in December 2022. The European Equestrian Federation, which is also backing this research, is committed to good environmental stewardship, hosting its first Sustainability Working Group in March 2022. The results of both initiatives have global implications since we’re all on this planet together.

Hello Friends!

WESTERN DRESSAGE THE 2022 WORLD SHOW

By, Joann Sarni

I just got back from the 2022 World Show in Guthrie, Oklahoma, last week with excit ing news that we had two riders represent the Garden State this year; Erin Gale and her horse, I’m Willy Hot and Kadi Lee Ferrell and her horse, Sharp Dressed Romeo. The haul to Oklahoma took two days, with a stopover in Illinois. Both teams arrived in good shape with a day of rest before the competition started. I flew down on Tuesday to work as a score runner for the show.

Day 1 was the rail classes. Erin and Winnie entered the WD Suitability - Amateur Basic Level W/T/L and won the reserve championship! What a way to start the show!

Erin Gale – Reserve Champ in the WD SuitabilityAmateur Basic Level W/T/L class

The weather was picture perfect for day 2, which was the start of the test competition. Test 1 was being judged for all levels. The Intro and Basic tests were in the smaller rings in the outdoor covered arena and Levels 1-5 in the main arena. The classes were huge, with 20 or more riders in each class. Our team had decent scores, all in the 60s for the first day.

The weather for day 3 started off bright and sunny with temperatures in the mid-50s with gusty winds blowing through the covered area. This brought its own set of chal lenges because the horses were feeling a bit frisky during the morning rides. To sooth

the spooky horses, the show manager decided to play soft music in the arenas to help the horses calm down. It helped and our team survived with decent scores.

The evening brought the first of the evening festivities with the costume musical free style and cocktail party at the Cantina located on the 3rd floor of the main arena. We got to watch some fabulous rides from teams dressed up from Top Gun, Elton John, and Mary Poppins to name a few. All were a joy to watch as we kicked back with a cocktail after a full day of competition.

The rides on day 4 were the best yet for our team. Again, we had perfect weather and everyone pretty much settled into the show routine. Both of our teams had beautiful rides scoring in the high 60s. Although they did not place in their divisions, it was a personal best for both of them. The classes for Test 3 were quite large, across all levels, with the last ride ending in the covered arena at 7 pm.

The evening festivities began in the Cantina around 6:30 pm, with the upper level musical freestyle in the main ring. The Fiesta dinner was served and the silent auction took place offering all kinds of goodies from on-line lessons to tack. I actually won the drawing for one of the Silver World Show belt buckles that were being raffled off at a discounted price. The show committee decided to give it to me to show their apprecia tion for score running in all 4 arenas for the past 3 days. Although they gave me a golf cart, I managed to log in over 20,000 steps on my fitbit each day! If you like cardio workouts, score running is highly recommended.

Day 5 was the last day of the show. Once again, we had beautiful weather as we

welcomed the first day of October. Five days of showing and traveling 1,400+ miles takes its toll on everyone. The horses were tired, as well as the riders, and it showed in the scoring. At the start of the show the placing scores were in the high to mid 70s. On the last day, the placing scores were from the low 70s to mid 60s. Our team had respectable scores but they were tired from running this marathon. But, they were happy that they had this experience and are planning to come back next year. Hopefully we will have more riders representing New Jersey at the Worlds in 2023.

As for me, I had a blast cheering on our NJ team and reconnecting with friends that I had met from last year, as well as making new ones. One of the judges this year was Gail Hoff-Carmona, who used to train dressage out of NJ! It was a pleasant surprise to see her in her cowboy hat and western attire.

For five days, we were a small community. We made friends and cheered for each other. We became a comforting distraction for the Florida team, who were worried if they had a home to return to due to Hurrican Ian when they left the show.

Before I departed I hugged friends and promised to keep in touch during the year. I look forward to seeing them next year at the 2023 Worlds in Guthrie, OK.

Erin and Kadi

You need a horse to make a phone call down in the main arena

The main arena and friends from the WDAFL Team

For more pictures from the world show click on the Youtube link below: https://youtu.be/WApfcRIzcIo

Join us on Facebook at Western Dressage Enthusiast of NJ https://www.facebook.com/groups/1178940859511996

2022 COLLECTIVE REMARKS

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