Impulsion May/June 2013 by Chad Mendell

IMPULSION may/june 2013

kentucky dressage association

MORE PHOTOS INSIDE VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION ISSUE

Scholarship winner trains with Tina Konyot

photos by Bob Tarr/BobTarr.com

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGe

2 Dear KDA Members,

how season is well under way, and I am proud to say our Spring Warm-Up, 27th Annual Dressage Show, CDI3*, and CDI* went very well. We had wonderful weather and supportive sponsors, vendors, and advertisers, but our volunteers were the real key to our show’s success. Each year I am so impressed by the dedication of our staff and volunteers. I have been involved with KDA shows for the last six years and it has been a great experience and a real education. Being involved with show management gives a competitor like me a whole new perspective and understanding of dressage shows. It’s a process all dressage competitors should experience. Managing a show

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like KDA’s takes a mass of volunteers: We had more than 100 (not including board members and the show committee) who worked 264 four-hour shifts during the week of our show. That is over 1,000 hours of work in a week. We have volunteers who aren’t KDA members come back each year to help us, members who compete and find time to work, and members not showing come to help, many driving several hours. All of them work to make KDA shows the best they can be. The KDA show committee is well into the planning stages for the 2013 Festival of Champions, which will be held Oct. 9-12 at the Kentucky Horse Park. Holding the FOC for the first time in Lexington will be fun and exciting, and it too will take a mass of volunteers. It isn’t too early to sign

up, and if you would like to volunteer, contact Sandy Kraatz at kdavolunteers@gmail.com. If you want to join the show committee, contact Sheila Woerth at swoerth@insightbb.com I truly appreciate all our show volunteers and commend them on a job well done last week. Competitors, it is very important always to thank the show volunteers no matter what show you choose because without volunteers we would not be able to compete in the sport we all love so much. Sincerely,

Michelle Morehead President

photos by Bob Tarr/BobTarr.com and Bill Kraatz

Managing a show like KDA’s takes a mass of volunteers, we had over 100 (not including board members and the show committee) that worked 264 four-hour shifts during the week of our show. That is over 1,000 hours of work in a week. KDA Mission Statement

The Kentucky Dressage Association, Inc., a 501 (c) (3) non-profit, is a group member organization of the United States Dressage Federation.

The purpose of the KDA is to promote and strengthen the art and sport of Dressage in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. KDA will provide leadership to its members to assist them in fostering individual and collective growth by providing education, publications, competitions, exhibitions, and increasing general public awareness for Dressage. Follow us on Twitter @KYDressageAssoc The Impulsion is a publication of the Kentucky Dressage Association since 1977.

k e n t u c k y d r e s s a g e a s s o c i at i o n : w w w. k e n t u c k y d r e s s a g e a s s o c i at i o n . o r g

events & education

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TRAINER TIDBIT By Jenn Boblitt

KDA SCHOOLING SHOW Aug. 4, 2013

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Straightness is the key to collection and honest connection. Check for straightness by riding a 20-meter circle and asking your horse to counterbend. The horse should stay in balance and easily supple to the outside without trying to turn off the circle or falling onto the inside shoulder. You can do this exercise at all gaits. A more advanced exercise for developing straightness in the canter is to ride counter-bend at counter-canter. – Jenn Boblitt is based out of Louisville, Ky. You can contact her at jennboblittdressage.com.

KDAOct.Fall Show 12-13, 2013

Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, KY Dressage Complex Judges: Joan Humphrey (S) (FL), Peggy Klump (S) (CA), Scott Peterson (S) (NY)

USEF Dressage Festival of Champions sponsored by Dutta Corporation Oct. 9 - 12, 2013 Rolex Arena

Judges: Janet Foy, Anne Gribbons, Natalie Lamping, Gary Rockwell, Linda Zang and Foreign Judge Andrew Gardner

Want to be a judge? “L” Education Program Developed by the USDF Judges’ Committee, this educational training program features a faculty of experienced, USDF-approved, United States Equestrian Federation recognized “S” judges. This program offers a comprehensive curriculum created to teach participants and auditors to evaluate dressage performance at Training through Second Level.

Purpose 1. To give competitors, trainers, and instructors broader insight into the evaluative techniques of judging dressage; 2. To qualify individuals to judge schooling shows.

2014 Great American Insurance Group/ USDF Regional Dressage Championship Dates and Locations Selected

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) has selected the dates and locations for the 2014 Great American Insurance Group/USDF Regional Dressage Championships, presented by SmartPak and supported by Merial. Region 1 (Oct. 2-5) at the Bob Martin Eastern Agricultural Center, Williamston, NC

Save the date! The 2013 Adequan/ USDF Annual Convention will be Dec. 4-7, 2013 in Lexington, KY.

3. As part of the prerequisites to enter the United States Equestrian Federation ‘r’ Judges Training Program; 4. To serve as continuing education for licensed judges. – USDF. More information on the L program can be found at usdf.org.

Region 2 (Oct. 9-12) at the Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, KY

Region 3 (Oct.16-19) at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center, West Palm Beach, FL Region 4 (Sept.5-7) at the North Iowa Fairgrounds, Mason City, IA Region 5 (Sept.18-21) at the Colorado Horse Park, Parker, CO Region 6 (Sept. 18-21) at the Idaho Horse Park, Nampa, ID Region 7 (Sept. 25-28) at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, Burbank, CA Region 8 (Sept. 18-21) at HITS on the Hudson, Saugerties, NY Region 9 (Oct. 9-12) at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center, Katy, TX

KDA Spring Warm-Up & 27th Annual Dressage Show >>>>>RESULTS AT WWW.SHOWSECRETARY.COM<<<<<

Learning to think

Training with Olympian Tiny Konyot broadens this rider’s perspective

By Jacqueline Beasley

Tina Konyot and Calecto V, left, and Jacqueline Beasley with Winston

Photos by Teresa Duke

“Think, Jackie. Think.” I heard this entreaty often during the two unforgettable months I spent training with U.S. Olympian Tina Konyot in Palm City, Fla. Indeed, it became my mantra in the saddle and out as Tina encouraged me to think not only about what I do in the saddle but also how I manage and care for my horse, Winston. In the end I took away important lessons about riding and horsemanship. I met Tina, a gifted dressage rider from a legendary equestrian family, in April 2010 at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky. She was in the Bluegrass to compete in the Kentucky Cup CDI and to attend the races with her boyfriend, Hall of Fame trainer Roger Attfield. Tina had won the Freestyle the previous evening, and I approached the elegant blond in the Keeneland paddock to introduce myself and offer congratulations. Her horsemanship and obvious love for her stallion Calecto V had made me an instant fan. Casually acquainted now, I followed her triumphs in subsequent seasons and her able representation of the United States at the London

Olympics. I had no firm plans to head south for the 2013 winter season, but my husband encouraged me to consider Florida, where his job takes him early every year. His suggestion made me think of Tina. Gathering my nerve and wondering if she remembered me, I made a hesitant contact late last fall. We talked, I sent a video, and to my great delight she agreed to take me and Winston for training. It seemed

like serendipity when I won a generous adult amateur scholarship from the Kentucky Dressage Association to help defray some expenses. We arrived at her Palm City farm in late January. Training did not get off to a good start. Winston, who is otherwise pretty perfect, was full of himself in the crisp, breezy weather. Spooky, strong in the bridle, and impressed by his new surroundings, he tested me the first few days. I, in turn,

Showing a Thoroughbred?

The KDA Fall Classic 1 Show has been approved by the Thoroughbred Incentive Program. NEW for 2013 – Riders and owners should obtain a T.I.P. number for all horse/rider combinations. T.I.P. number applications are done online at www.tjctip.com. T.I.P. numbers must be provided to the horse show.

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5 Many of us in longstanding partnerships have the tendency to “keep with the program” when things go reasonably well. Tina challenged me to really “think” about all aspects of horse care.

reverted to a rank amateur, all my worst habits resurfacing under Tina’s all-seeing eye. “Keep your ass in the saddle, Jackie,” Tina intoned as my tendency to become light in the seat intensified those early days. “Don’t let your hands be so hectic.” It’s no exaggeration to say I checked my ego at the door those first few days. Tina encouraged me to try a dropnosed cavesson on Winston, noting that all the top European riders use this equipment when schooling in the snaffle. The switch produced nice results as Winston quickly became pliable in my hands. About a week in, Winston settled, and we began to make progress. Throughout our time together Tina, with her wealth of experience and intuitiveness, made other good suggestions about tack and equipment. For instance, a girth change anchored a saddle that had a tendency to move forward. As she got to know me, she politely questioned why I fed Winston a certain grain or had him shod a particular way. I did not always have the best answer. Many of us in longstanding partnerships have the tendency to “keep with the program” when things go reasonably well. Tina challenged me to really “think” about all aspects of horse care. I ultimately changed Winston’s feeding program to better support the athlete he is. Getting input from her longtime veterinarian, I also modified Winston’s shoeing. His feet look better already. Witnessing close-up the management and training of an elite athlete such as Calecto constituted an important part of my training experience. “I get up every day because of this horse,” Tina would often say. Here are

Tina Konyot and Calecto V some things I observed about their special partnership: •Tina pays attention to every detail in the care and training of Calecto. Little is left to chance. The training and management arc is tailored to the build up to and participation in competition and to ensuring a happy athlete. •Tina is instinctively quick to praise her horses. Corrections are equally quick. Her frequent pats and verbal praises made me realize I do not thank Winston nearly enough when he does a good job. •Tina places great emphasis on walking. Every riding day begins with at least 20 minutes of walking on a loose rein and concludes similarly. Trail riding is an important part of her program, and she rides off the farm once or twice a week. •Tina believes in making it fun for the horse. You will never see her drilling a movement or a sequence over and over. She often will pop Calecto over a small log on the trail or wade into a pond. A typical training day began with Tina riding Calecto first. As I struggled with various exercises or movements, Tina would pointedly demonstrate the proper way to ride a deep and collected canter, for instance, or perform the working pirouette as I watched railside. She showed me the

way through riding, and the images remain vivid. During my riding sessions we worked a lot on basics – transitions between and within gaits, more honest connection, and adequate bend. Her philosophy and teaching approach nicely complemented those of my home trainer, Linda Strine, who has helped me for many years. Tina encouraged me to “think” about setting up a good walk as I made the down transition and to “think” as we came through a corner and into half-pass without haunches leading. Tina’s use of imagery also helped. For example, she described the horse’s body position in a proper leg yield as a halfmoon shape. She often encouraged me to think of “blending” one movement into the next. Gradually, my seat deepened, my hands became less hectic, and Tina would be quick to praise me as movements and exercises started to flow. Not that I didn’t get the sharp reminder to “keep my ass in the saddle.” I also benefited from having Tina ride Winston a number of times. Her expertise enabled us to make progress with piaffe steps and a more expressive canter. He really looked marvelous beneath her. Watching Tina compete several times made me appreciate how her training at home and her warm-up at competition are very similar. She is always composed, and her regal presence makes her the focus of many observers. Tina and Calecto brought home their share of blue ribbons during the season, and I felt happy to be a very small part of the team. Two months passed all too quickly for me and Winston, but I am confident the benefits of my training experience with Tina will endure.

Thanks to our big show sponsors! Hagyard Equine Medical Institute for sponsoring the Electronic Scoreboard!

Zoetis for sponsoring the Competitorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Party on Saturday!

Sound Eklin for sponsoring the Welcome Happy Hour on Thursday!

Equine Medical Associates, PSC for sponsoring the DC Hospitality Tent!

Show snapshots

Michael Barisone traveled 10 hours from Long Valley, NJ, with HF Victor (Gribaldi x Miana x Burggraf), owned by Virginia Alling, and won the Grand Prix with a 67.66 and the Grand Prix Special with a 68.208. Photo by BobTarr.com

Jeri Fuller-Matheny and her Hanoverian mare, Whimzical Princess, made their secondlevel debut at the KDA Spring Warm-up Show. Fuller-Matheny also earned both secondlevel scores for her Bronze Medal in the process. Photo by SuzanneFischer.com (Left) Rhiannon, a 5-year-old RPSI mare, won the high score RPSI award at the KDA Spring Warm-Up Show. She is owned by KDA member Chris Rosenberry and ridden by KDA member Rebecca Nelles. Photo by Jennifer Harber

EDUCATION

PONY TAILS ... NOTES FROM A COWGIRL Contributed by Kristi Fly, KDA Education Chair // Equine Body Worker (EBW) // USDF University Certificate // B.S. Animal Science, Equine Sports Med & Nutrition

On the Desk … Summer greetings, all. Our KDA clinic series is ending this month, and I have had a blast getting to know each of our participants and welcoming many auditors and friends. Thank you for your participation, suggestions, and contributions to our series. Thank you to Bill Kraatz, fellow board member, for co-chairing the organization of these clinics. Also, I’d like to take a moment to thank Morris Farm’s Mrs.

Morris for making the best fruit salad ever, and Mike, the exercise rider, for bringing Starbucks hot chocolates and fantastic homemade pastries to the Susan BeeBee clinic. Gillian Vallis, thanks for keeping the coffee on at Pine Knoll during the breezy Cathy Fox clinic. And big thank yous to Sayre at Haylands, Whitney at Morris Farm, and Gillian of Pine Knoll Farm for providing the beautiful facilities that have graciously hosted our educational clinics.

The 2013 educational series has inspired an array of ideas from all of you for a packed 2014 series. I would love to continue hearing from you … ideas, suggestions. Nothing is too big or too small. Please email me at bellafarm1@yahoo.com. As always, enjoy your horses, and see you next issue!

Kristi

The Dressage Foundation…

Making a Difference in the Dressage Community! Grants and scholarships are available for young riders, adult amateurs, instructors, trainers, groups, and more.

Visit www.dressagefoundation.org or call (402) 434-8585 to donate or learn more about available funding.

You can make a difference by helping us support dressage-related education across the country!

1314 ‘O’ Street, Suite 305, Lincoln, NE 68508 Email: info@dressagefoundation.org

Dressage camp hosted by the Southwest Chapter of Virginia Dressage Assoc. Funding provided by The Dressage Foundation.

Donations of all sizes are greatly appreciated!

KDA VOLUNTEERS

THANK YOU! Amick, Linda Attanucci, Janet Azar, Alexa Barron, Lennine Becht, Bonnie Beckler, Sam Bottom, John Bradie Chapman Faculty Brinkman-Berkhofer, Samantha Carl, Samantha Carr, Megan Charles, Diana Combs, Sayre Corsentino, Laura Deaton, Allison Deaton, Madison

KDA Show Committee Kirn, Margo Lunsford, Kevin Martino, Melinda McKenney, Virginia McKenzie, Katie Menard, Priscilla Menard, David Mingari, Jennifer Mingari, Rebekah Moore, Bud Moore, Karen Moore, Paula Morrison, Barbara Nelles, Rebecca Nelson, Regina

Short, Catherine Shott, Diane Short, Vickie Schulz, Bill Skaggs, Andrea Smith, Liz Smith, Janet Soltau, Karin Soltau, Carl Stobbs, Colin Stobbs, Jackie Stobbs, Gemma Stowe, Jill Strack , Sue Strine, Linda Sullivan, Maureen

DeGnore, Lisa DeRosa, Justin DeRosa, Maya Duke (Beasley), Jackie Edwards, Janelle Esquivel, Vicky Felice, Kathryn Fly, Kristi Frederico, Lisa Fulbright, Barbara Geier, Sara Green, Rebekah Gurnee, Judy Hall, Kelly Hamm, Emily Hutcherson, Gerald Jacobs, Cathy Janick, Kristen John, Maureen Johnsen, Pam Jones, Callie KDA Board Members

Nikolaenka, David Nikolaenka, Marina Norman, Madeline Ortleib, Betty Ovaitt, Laura Pettit, Bob Phillips, Kim Posner, Susan Quafe, Judy Quarles, Wayne Rataj, Maggie Reed, Allison Reed, Glenn Reed, Pam Reed, Roxie Roberts, Jordan Roehl, Jan Rust, Kelley Sendelbach, Matthew Shaw, Karin Shaw, Tim Shook, MaryLou

Swiney, Quin Talley, Meredith Talley, Zach Taylor, Linda Thomas, Heather Tolbert, Benjamin Tolbert, Griffen Tolbert, Jackson Tolbert, Rachel Trent, Shannon & Haylandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Special thanks to Bob Tarr, Bill Crew Kraatz and Upchurch, Meg Suzanne Fischer for the use of VanDerZeil, Sharon their photos in Warren, Vicky this issue. Weinstein, Robin Wentz, Nancy White, Jena Wiggs, Stanley Wilson, Ann Wlonsinski, Cari Wolf, Allison

photos by SuzanneFischer.com

KDA VOLUNTEERS

Bob Tarr/BobTarr.com

More than 100 volunteers put in at least 1,200 hours to help fill a variety of positions. Thank you!

photos by Bob Tarr/BobTarr.com and Bill Kraatz

WANT TO HELP? >>>>>> Contact KDAVolunteers@gmail.com

KDA Member Money Winners for May 2013 May 2013 KDA member money winners Open

Training LevelKathryn Stoy 76.2 Brianna Zwelling 74 Debbie Hill 73.542 1st LevelLinda Strine (Silhouette) 76.774 Laura Corsentino 74.677 Linda Strine (Xenia) 74.677 2nd LevelJennifer Truett 71.786 Laura Corsentino 69.079 Nicole Levy 68.333 3rd LevelDebbie Hill 70.789 Angela Jackson 68.553 Laura Corsentino 65.256 4th LevelRebecca Sue Knollman 66.571 Linda Strine 65.541 Karen Moore 63.286 FEI LevelAngela Jackson 68.553 Linda Strine 67.5 Debbie Hill 65.921

AA/JR

Training LevelMichelle Morehead 71.6 Madison Selsford 71 Rallie McAllister 70 1st LevelRachel Hicks 72.419 Cari Wlosinski 69.839 Madison Deaton 68.276 2nd LevelRachel Hicks 69.167 Allison Shields 65.357 Jennifer Sloan 64.524 3rd LevelRachel Hicks 72.564 Joan Gariboldi 66.41 Anne Forby 61.795 4th LevelMaureen Sullivan 68.625 Lauren GrifÞn 65.811 Dawn White 61.25 FEI LevelJackie Beasley 67.763 Jennifer Van de loo 64.671 Stacey Burdick-Taul 61.053

KDA Members with the highest scores at each level, from all four days of our May 2013 National Show classes will receive $100 for 1st, $60 for 2nd, & $40 for 3rd. Each member could only win one placing per level per horse/rider combination. Congratulations to all our winners! Here are a few competitors that missed out on prize money because they werenʼt KDA members- Holly Taylor, Kate Stanton, Darren Chiacchia, Anna Charlott Eklund, Jami Kment, Darcy Gaines, Tami Crawford, Selena Pape, Emily Lindsey, Sarah Baggette, Patricia Beck, Karri McFadden, Elizabeth Felgendreher & others, KDA would love to have them join so they can win next year!!

KDA Open AA KDA HighOpen Score Winners for Mayand 2013 2013 and AA HighMay Score Winners Thursday/Friday Open Division $500 to KDA member Linda Strine AA Division 1st $500 to KDA member Rachel Hicks 2nd $100 to non KDA member Kate Stanton Nichols 3rd $200 to KDA member Maureen Sullivan Saturday Open division $500 KDA member Kathryn Stoy AA Division 1st $500 to KDA member Rachel Hicks 2nd $300 to KDA member Rachel Hicks 3rd $200 to KDA member Cariann Wlosinski

Pssssstttt ... the kda website is getting a makeover. check back for the official launch soon!

High Score Junior Rider surprise winner Catherine OʼRourke Born in the USA Winners Silhouette Linda Strine riding Shilouette Brianna Zwilling riding GrifÞndor Breeder of GrifÞndor Dr. Frenando Cardenas

Have you recently earned your USDF Bronze, Silver or Gold medal?

We want to feature you! Submit a photo (jpg format please), and a short bio about you and your horse to be featured in upcoming issues of the Impulsion.

Other news

CONGRATULATIONS to Jodi Koford, the winner of the Borne Saddle raffle. Laura Corsentino accepted the saddle on her behalf. Thanks to Borne Saddlery for their continued support of KDA.

Photo by BobTarr.com

Dawn before dressage

KDA KEARNEY CANCER 5K

KDA would like to thank the sponsors of the first KDA Kearney Cancer 5K & Fun Walk • Mt. Brilliant Family Foundation • Kentucky Ale • Kevin & Vicki Warren • Jim & Michelle Morehead

Results

MEN • Overall: $250 Kevin Castille; time 14:28 • 2nd: $150 Patrick Cheptoek; time 14:34 • 3rd: $100 David Justus; time 14:52 WOMEN • Overall: $250 Betsy Laski; time 18:26 • 2nd: $150 Zam Zam; time 18:48 • 3rd: $100 Maddie Scheuler; time 19:47 Sun coming up over the Rolex Arena on Saturday morning. By Jennifer Harber

>>> Check out pictures from the race and awards at www.Topsinlex.com

business members

Beth Coney DVM Veterinary Services Practice Limited to Equine Sports Therapy, Rehabilitation, Chiropractic

Joya de Andalucia Farms