August 2018 YourDressage

YourDressage

August 2018

Dedicated volunteers from the first five years of the US Dressage Finals presented by AdequanÂŽ

A United States Dressage Federation Publication

Welcome to Your Wonderful World of Dressage YourDressage is compiled by the United States Dressage Federation, written by participants from throughout the dressage community. The articles in this publication are submitted by people like you to share and be shared by all. Experience their stories as they navigate through the wonderful world of dressage and become friends with your dressage community.

It’s YourDressage, be part of it! If you would like to submit your story see the last page of this publication.

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What to See Inside Departments on the podium: An Alaskan Milestone William M. Burke and his horse TVR Dunny Chip recently accomplished their Century Club ride in the state of Alaska.

YOUNG & INSPIRED: Young Dreams of Gold Jenaya Olsen at the age of thriteen became one of the youngest people to ever earn a USDF Gold Medal. engagement: A Love of Horse Shows Jennifer Bateman tells us of her love of putting on horse shows.

Heard ARound the Arena: 2018 NAYC Youth took center stage at the 2018 AdequanÂŽ/ FEI North American Youth Championships, presented by Gotham North GMO SPOTLIGHT: Alpha Dressage Association (ADA) Take a look at this group member organization.

USDF flashback: Roemer A look back at the remarkable Dutch Warmblood stallion that left an indelible stamp on American sport-horse breeding.

Cover story The Finals' First Five Years, Part I - The Volunteers

Jennifer Keeler takes a retrospective look at the first five years of the US Dressage Finals presented by AdequanÂŽ. In this first of three parts she takes a look at the important work the volunteers contribute to the show. The cover photo shows the volunteers that have worked all five years (left to right): Lisa Gorretta, Vicky Esquivel, Budd Moore, Toni Nelson, Leah Yurasek, Diane Welling, Linda Thompson, and Bill Schultz. Photo by Karl Lawrence August 2018 Z YOURDRESSAGE

on the podium

An Alaskan Milestone This story was submitted to The Dressage Foundation on behalf of William M. (Bill) Burke and TVR Dunny Chip about their Century Club ride that took place in Alaska.

Their ride was on June 9, 2018 during the Alaska Dressage Association Spring Festival Dressage Show. The judge was Charlotte Trentelman (S) from Anthony, FL. Bill is a member of the Alaska Dressage Association (ADA) and lives in Gaston, OR. Dunny has been active with the ADA since 2002 and is cared for

by ADA member Linda Kelley in Palmer, AK.

B

ill grew up in Vermont and his earliest memories are of a desire to be near horses. Fortunately for him, he had neighbors with horses. He helped the local podiatrist care for and ride his horses for many years. Another of Bill’s neighbors was a “horse trader” with over 400 head of horses. The summer Bill was 14, he mentioned to the “horse trader” neighbor that Bill and Dunny with Dunny's caretaker Linda Kelley

he wanted to work with horses.

Soon after this encounter, a Mr. Foote of the Crystal Lake Camp for Boys in Maine called his home to offer Bill a job as a stable boy for the summer. Despite being a bit homesick at first, the experience turned out to be one of his most wonderful experiences. Mr. Foote gave Bill the book “Horsemastership” by Margaret Cabell Self which Bill read in depth. The following two summers Bill returned to the Crystal Lake Camp for Boys as a riding instructor.

Bill continued to be hired to teach riding and horsemanship skills at summer camps in Vermont, New York, and Maine. At the age of 19, Bill attended a certification program run by Olympic medalists and earned his National Instructor Rating.

From the beginning, Bill liked the principles behind dressage because it was obvious that working a horse in his natural balance was best for the horse. Through the years Bill has continued educating himself through reading and

August 2018 Z YOURDRESSAGE

on the podium

mentorship with world renowned equestrians, including Dr. Max Gahwyler (who suggested the establishment of The Century Club).

As a young man in Vermont, Bill trained Doris Gahwyler’s first horse and also rode with the Gahwylers in New York City.

Bill began judging in 1985 and first judged in Alaska in 1990 at the Alaska State Fair in Haines. Bill’s first encounter with Dunny was at a schooling show he was judging in Alaska in the early 2000s. Dunny had moved to Alaska in the fall of 2001 with the Air Force family by whom he had be adopted. Dunny, a 15.3 hh blanketed buckskin dun gelding, has shown under and participated in many clinics with Bill. He noted that Dunny’s unwavering willingness, kindness and gentleness has always been apparent. Bill says, “He is the kind of horse that is forever willing to help you”. Over the years Dunny has put approximately 250 rides down center line at recognized dressage shows. He August 2018 Z YOURDRESSAGE

on the podium

has competed at Training Level, First Level, Musical Freestyle First Level and Prix Caprilli. Together he and Linda have earned 26 United States Dressage Federation Appaloosa Horse Club All Breeds Awards. Dunny has also earned national recognition from the Appaloosa Horse Club through the Appaloosa Competitive All-Breed Activities Program (ACAAP) in seven different categories: dressage, over fences, English equitation, English pleasure, halter, showmanship and combined training. Additionally, in 2014, at the age of 24, Dunny earned the ACAAP Dressage Master and High Score Awards.

Dunny may not be “built” to do dressage but his temperament makes him one of the best show ring partners anyone could ask for. As one dressage judge stated, “Your horse does not read the dressage books does he? You look at him and you do not think that he can do it and then he goes out there and does!”

With all the individual ac-

complishments of Bill and Dunny, it was then proposed by Linda that the two team up for another fine feather in their caps, The Dressage Foundation Century Club. Bill accepted the offer and on 9 June 2018 the pair became only the second Century Club team ever to ride down centerline in the state of Alaska. It was a beautiful big blue sky day with many friends in attendance who knew either Bill or Dunny from all their years of involvement in the Alaska equine community.

Bill continues to judge, train, clinic, and teach in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, California and Alaska with the philosophy that “classical old world training for classical new world elegance” is paramount. Dunny continues to add to his down centerline total and Linda is incredibly proud of them both!

Congratulations to Bill and Dunny for a combined 101 years of being an accomplished equestrian and an unwavering equine partner!

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YOUNG & INSPIRED

Young Dreams of Gold

By Jenaya Olsen

M

y name is Jenaya Olsen, and I am thirteen years old.

I started riding three and a half years ago, but have been around horses my entire life. My mom grew up loving horses, and would ride them whenever she got the chance. So, when she had me, she always wanted me to ride. We lived on a farm in Switzerland for the first seven years of my life, before we moved to Florida. When I was little, my mom bought me a small Shetland pony named Gismo, hoping I would fall in love with the pony and decide to ride. But, I did not find the pony interesting! I would only groom him, maybe, once in a month.

So, my mom would use him for little children and trained him to drive. We would drive him a lot, and attach a sled to the back of the cart in the winter.

When we moved to Florida, my mom imported a horse

Jenaya with Franziska Seidl at the SDCTA Tampa Horse Show.

named Red Diamond, but later sold him and imported a new horse, one that would have a huge influence on my interest in riding. Achieving my USDF Gold Medal all started because of this one horse, Welcome. She is a big black mare that my mom imported four years ago. Welcome is a little bit crazy and hates kisses, but, in her heart, she is such a kind and gentle sweetheart. I fell in love with her when my mom took me to see her in quarantine, after she got imported. She laid down, let me go up to her and pet her, and I gave her carrots. Then I said, “Mom, I want to ride.�

When Welcome settled in, I got to hop on her a few times and just walked. Welcome seemed to enjoy it, and then, my mom got a lesson horse that I could show and train with. Lovie was a cute little paint mare, the kindest horse that tolerated so much.

I took lessons with my mom, Nicole Olsen, and went to Ocala to train with Franziska Seidl. I went to Ocala every summer,

August 2018 Z YOURDRESSAGE

YOUNG & INSPIRED

for a few weeks, to train, and in the winter too, for a few days.

My first summer in Ocala, I met Sigalia, Franziska’s horse, whom she has owned since he was a youngster. She trained him to be such an amazing Grand Prix horse. Sigalia has such a golden personality, just the funniest horse you’ve ever met. Franziska let me sit on him and she got him to piaffe from the ground, which I thought was so much fun. I have learned so much in the past three and a half years, from both Franziska and my mom. I have also learned so much from the horses I have been lucky enough to ride, especially Welcome.

I asked Franziska if I could ride Sigalia in a Grand Prix, so I could be one of the youngest competitors to get my USDF Gold Medal. Then, we started to work hard together on my seat and I had to learn the movements, since Sigalia was a professional at his part of the job. When I was home, I would train on Welcome, with my mom. When August 2018 Z YOURDRESSAGE

YOUNG & INSPIRED

USDF Store I got to go to Ocala, I always watched how Franziska rode on Sigalia, and tried my best to imitate her. Then, in June, we tried the test for the first time, and Sigalia carried me through that test like he does this every day, in his sleep.

I can’t wait to see what the future holds and what else I can learn. Every single horse I have had the privilege to ride teaches me something different. I could never have done this without Sigalia and Welcome, Franziska, or my mom. I know that, and feel like the luckiest person!

order online at

www.usdf.org/store Jenaya and Sigalia

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engagement

A Love of Horse Shows

By Jennifer Bateman

H

orse shows have always been a passion for me. They rank pretty high on my list of “important things,� only slightly less important than chocolate and caffeine. I love every aspect of shows, which is why when I was given the opportunity to run shows, I jumped at it. I have managed just about every kind of horse-related event you can imagine: dressage, jumpers, hunters, horse trials, combined tests, western, hunter paces, paper chases, the list goes on and on. At one point my schedule averaged 7.5 shows a month, or 1.8 shows a week. I could not begin to guess how many horses I have seen enter the ring. Never has my enthusiasm for shows waivered, either as competitor or management.

However, I rarely spend much time genuinely watching the rides, with one major exception: Sport Horse Breed Shows!

Jennifer with her horse Sookie (left) with fellow competitors Bergj Mathew and Marina O'Toole at the Buck County Horse Park.

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engagement

Sport Horse Breed Shows, or as I like to call them, “kinder parades”, are always the highlight of my weekend. I am often in awe of the poise and intelligence of these young animals. For those of you unfamiliar with breed shows, the horses are presented to the judge individually, by a handler.

The handler can be the owner or competitor, or a hired professional.

The handler positions the horse in what is called an “open” stance so the Judge can see all four legs; the conformation is evaluated at this time. Once the conformation evaluation is finished, the handler is asked to show the walk. The walk is shown on a triangle that is fifteen meters on each side. After the walk triangle, it’s show time! The handler asks for the biggest trot the horse can get around a vast 30 meter triangle. It may not seem like a very large triangle, but when trying to keep up with an exuberant youngster, it can be one long sprint.

The objective here is to evaluate Showing Sookie in-hand

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engagement

Jennifer showing her horse Mia

the potential of each horse as a future dressage mount or breeding prospect, depending on the class.

The classes are based on age and gender, with the goal being to earn a qualifying score.

After the in-hand classes, the Materiale classes are held. Materiale classes are split by gender and age. The horses are shown under saddle, as a group. The horses in Materiale are usually three to

five years old and, depending on their age, will be required to show different movements.

Sport Horse Breed Shows are often qualifiers for the USDF Breeders Championship Series.

The main focus of the series is to assist breeders in showcasing and promoting their young stock. The qualifiers are often held in conjunction with dressage competitions, which makes it more conve-

nient if one has long distances to travel or scheduling constraints.

I consider myself privileged to be a part of management on several different qualifiers for the USDF Breeders Championship Series. Regardless of how many youngsters I see, I never get tired of studying their conformation, attitudes, and trends in breeding. However, I am quite disappointed to see that in-hand and young horse under saddle classes are often poorly attended at most shows. I certainly understand the constraints on breeders to get their young stock off the farm.

However, I see an underutilized opportunity for all owners of young horses, because this series is not limited to breeders.

While any young horse with a USDF Breeders Championship Series title will certainly put a breeder’s program in the spotlight, I see it as a more valuable opportunity than just marketing and promoting next year’s sale horses.

I see it as the perfect opportunity to positively expose horses to the

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S AV E T H E D AT E !

Jennifer and Sookie

show environment, long before they are under saddle. I tend to purchase horses directly from breeders as coming two-year-olds.

All my young horses started their careers by showing in-hand, and when old enough, Materiale. I cannot emphasize enough how showing in-hand positively prepares my horses for showing. My youngest horse, now seven, has twice competed in a USDF Breed-

ers Championship Series Final competition. She loved every minute of it and performed brilliantly in Materiale, as a five-year-old.

She was probably the least experienced horse in the Materiale. She lacked in her trot lengthening, but she did her very best and that is all that matters. Last year, because of my schedule, we were unable to attend any qualifiers, and just did the IBC (Individual Breed Class)

at the USDF Breeders Championship Series competition. It was still a fabulous learning experience for us both. I got some great tips from professional handlers, taught a few people how to get a tail properly white, and the mare learned that while construction cranes may look and sound like dragons, she should not be afraid of them.

I encourage every young horse owner to consider the USDF Breeders Championship Series. It is a unique opportunity to show in a far less stressful environment than the traditional competition arena. Also, if you have a nervous or spooky horse, showing them from the ground is far less stressful to you both, in my opinion. I think the experience they get from showing in hand, and in the small groups of Materiale, helps the horse to develop a healthy and enthusiastic attitude towards showing. I truly believe it is a valuable tool all young horse owners should incorporate into their training program.

2018 AdequanÂŽ/USDF Annual Convention November 28-December 1 Salt Lake Marriott Downtown at City Creek Salt Lake City, UT

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The Finals' First Five Years Part I - The Volunteers

by Jennifer Keeler

It takes a village to keep a show like the US Dressage Finals running. SusanJStickle.com

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As we look towards this year’s US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan®, it’s hard to believe how quickly the years have flown by! So YourDressage is reaching out to competitors, officials and volunteers to share their experiences and favorite memories from the first five years of this unique event.

This month we spoke with Volunteer Coordinator Kathy Grisolia, whose tireless work behind the scenes takes “herding cats” to a whole new level.

D

ressage shows simply cannot function without the selfless efforts of dedicated volunteers, and as a show manager herself, Grisolia knows this fact as much as anyone. The sheer scope of the US Dressage Finals brings its own set of challenges, yet every year a capable and loyal army of volunteers flock to the Finals where they draw the unending praise of competitors and set the bar for all other competitions in the country.

When the Finals were getting ready to launch in 2013, right from the get-go Grisolia was determined to be a part of it. “I had Volunteer Coordinator Kathy Grisolia with her companion Jake

missed out on the World Equestrian Games at the Kentucky Horse Park in 2010, and I said to myself, ‘I’m not going to miss out on an event like this again,’” she explained. “So I contacted my friend Debra Reinhardt (who was in charge of operations and volunteers that year) and told her that I planned to come down from Long Island where I lived at the time, and if she needed me to do anything at all, I was happy to help. As things got closer to that inaugural show, she found herself juggling a lot of different things and asked me if I could help with coordinating the volunteers, such as following up on emails and that sort of thing. I really August 2018 Z YOURDRESSAGE

enjoyed it, and so the next year I officially became her assistant and was even more involved with the whole volunteer effort. Then the third year I officially became the Volunteer Coordinator, and I absolutely love it.”

Like many dressage enthusiasts, Grisolia admits she wasn’t exactly sure what to expect that first year, but it exceeded everyone’s expectations and she enjoyed the Finals even more by being involved behind the scenes.

“We’re all quite used to outdoor shows, even big fancy ones, but whether you’re a competitor or a volunteer the first time you walk into an indoor stadium all decked out like we do it for the Finals, and you can’t help but say, ‘WOW, this is big time,’” Grisolia explained.

“One of my favorite memories is from that first Finals,” she added. “We had been finishing up with all those lavish decorations in the Alltech Arena, and a A volunteer works the dressage ring Photo by SusanJStickle.com

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competitor come in the show office with her face white as a sheet.

She turns to her trainer and says, ‘I think I’m going to be sick.’ Her trainer said, ‘Why?’, and the rider responded, ‘Have you been out there to see that indoor? It’s the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen, and I can’t believe I’m going to be riding in there.’”

While there’s no question the Finals are a special experience for competitors, it’s also a memorable event for volunteers. “I don’t think we had more than 40 volunteers in 2013, and now we have double that number so it’s grown incredibly,” said Grisolia. “The Finals just become even more amazing each year, and I think a big reason why people want to be involved and then keep coming back year after year is that everyone’s treated very well, and not only is it such an impressive event, but people are happy to be there. It’s a chance to see riders from all over the counVolunteers are always there to help competitiors. Photo by SusanJStickle.com

try, not just from their local area or region, and be a part of something extraordinary.”

And those volunteers do keep coming back: in fact, 13 dedicated individuals have volunteered for the Finals each and every year since 2013, including Leah Yurasek (HSO), Heather Petersen, Lisa Gorretta, Chris Hayner, Bud Moore, Bill Schultz, Toni Nelson, Helen St. Amand, Nancy George, Linda Thompson, Diane Welling, Steve Chen, and Regina Lin. Why? “Not only is it so special to be a part of an event of this caliber, but we also keep the atmosphere fun,” Grisolia noted. “We all try to have a good time, and we have such an incredible team of people who know their jobs. I try to rotate the volunteers’ duties from day to day at each year’s Finals, and also try to make sure that at some point everyone gets to be in the Alltech in some capacity so they can see what happens there and watch a few rides.

“Plus, like I mentioned

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Keeping warm early in the morning. Photo by SusanJStickle.com

A hard-working volunteer. Photo by SusanJStickle.com

before, USDF treats everyone so well,” Grisolia continued. “Shared hotel rooms for volunteers are paid for; you’re fed three meals a day; everyone gets a goodie bag; and volunteers who work all four days get an awesome Finals jacket. I can’t tell you how many people I know who became friends by volunteering and staying together at the Finals, and those friendships have carried on year after year. All people have to do is get themselves there, and then they’re taken care of and get to be a part of it. For instance, we have one big group from William Woods University who has come down for every show – they are such a fantastic bunch of people who work hard and are very knowledgeable about what needs to be done, and that makes my job easier because people who come back are well-trained. I love seeing people come back year after year, and I try very hard to make it fun for everyone.”

A group of volunteers from Erie College came to last year’s

Final after hearing about it from the group at William Woods.

Interested in making memories as part of the volunteer experience at the 2018 US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan®, being held November 8-11 at the Kentucky Horse Park? Sign up on the US Dressage Finals website HERE. Join us!

Click here to go to the 2017 US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan® Recap and Results • 2017 US Dressage Finals Results • Social Media Highlights • Regions Cup • Prepetual Trophies • High Score Breed Awards • 2017 Media Coverage

August 2018 Z YOURDRESSAGE

Heard around the arena

What interesting or fun thing have you heard lately? Send it to us using #aroundthearena

Youth took center stage at the 2018 AdquanÂŽ/FEI North American Youth Championships, presented by Gotham North

August 2018 Z YOURDRESSAGE

Heard around the arena

What interesting or fun thing have you heard lately? Send it to us using #aroundthearena

Youth took center stage at the 2018 AdquanÂŽ/FEI North American Youth Championships, presented by Gotham North

August 2018 Z YOURDRESSAGE

GMO SPOTLIGHT

Tell us about your GMO. #GMOSpotlight

Alpha Dressage Association (ADA) Group Member Organizations (GMOs) are the foundation of USDF and integral in bringing dressage and dressage education to the masses.

Stay connected with your local dressage community and support dressage at the local level by joining a GMO in your area today!

USDF GMO Established: 1972 Locality: Region 3, Florida Website: http://www.alphadressage.com/index.html How many members does your GMO have annually, on average?

100 members Tell us about your GMO. The Alpha Dressage Association (ADA), in Sarasota, FL, is the first club and the oldest club in the state. It was started as the Florida Dressage Society and formed, in 1969, by John P. Kimball, who served as the first president. It was incorporated on February 11, 1972 and was one of the first charter members of USDF! Under Jack Kimball's leadership, the Florida Dressage Society put on the first recognized dressage show, the Southern States Dressage Championships, in Florida and continued to provide that service for several years.

Originally, it was the only GMO in Florida, and the organization was essentially managed by a board of directors located in Sarasota, with regional representatives from other parts of the state. The Florida Dressage Society sponsored many clinics, with nationally and internationally recognized instructors. Other dressage clubs were organized after a few years and Florida Dressage Society eventually served those living in southwest Florida. When Jack Kimball moved from the area, he took the name Florida Dressage Society with him, but left the charter in Sarasota under the name Alpha Dressage Society. He did not

develop another group with the name Florida Dressage Society and our club remains ADA today.

Does your GMO offer unique classes or activities that cater to youth, adult amateurs, or professionals? If so, please provide a brief description.

Most of our classes or activities cater to adult amateurs. We focus on monthly schooling shows and really encourage wonderful clinicians to come to our warm climate in "season" i.e. Mary Wanless, Bill Woods, and Janet Foy to name a few.

What type of educational events does your GMO offer?

We offer monthly meetings that are held at various locations in Sarasota and Manatee counties, to try to fairly accommodate our members. Each meeting features a guest speaker that addresses current equine topics of interest.

What type of “fun� events does your GMO offer?

Our club really winds down the calendar year with our Awards Banquet and the Christmas party. In January, ADA kicks off the new year with the Unwanted Gift Exchange, which is great fun and brings lots of laughs going into the show season!

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USDF FLASHBACK

Roemer Reprinted from the September 2016 USDF Connection magazine.

B

efore there was a Roemer Foundation, there was Roemer.

Today the USDF Hall of Fame bears the name of this sponsoring foundation. All of that came about as a result of the remarkable Dutch Warmblood stallion that left an indelible stamp on American sport-horse breeding. In 2006, Roemer became the first horse inducted into the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame not for his achievements in the competition arena (although those, too, were impressive) but for his accomplishments as a breeding stallion.

Podcast Alert

PODCAST

For years Roemer (1975-1996) was the flagship stallion at Iron Spring Farm in Coatesville, PA. Owner Mary Alice Malone imported the 17-hand chestnut stallion (Pilatus – Cronella, Cyrano) from the Netherlands in 1986. Then aged 11, the Germanborn Roemer had already com-

peted as a Grand Prix jumper and had been the top producer of dressage horses in the Netherlands for more than seven years.

Roemer put Iron Spring Farm on the map as a force in the US sport-horse-breeding industry.

Over an 11-year period, he was the leading sire in the USDF Horse of the Year standings, and he became the first KWPN stallion outside Europe to be awarded Preferent status by the registry.

Roemer left his mark on the sport-horse world not only as a sire of breeding stock, but also as a sire of both jumpers and dressage horses. Approved by the Westfalen and Oldenburg registries as well as by the KWPN, he produced the approved sons Winston, Darwin, Boy B, and Einstein; the Iron Spring Farm-bred and

Check out our podcast 130 about Roemer at usdf.podbean.com.

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USDF FLASHBACK

–owned licensed son Neptune; and five approved grandsons. He also sired 23 Preferent mares, 29 Prestatie mares, 17 Sport mares, 198 Star mares and geldings, 31 Keur mares, 85 First Premium foals, and 651 registered Dutch Warmblood offspring. Roemer also was the sire of the approved Oldenburg stallions Nassau and Joshua. Among Roemer’s successful performance offspring were the FEI-level dressage horses Sea Fox (who qualified for the 1996 Olympics with Canadian Leslie Reid), Casanova, Escado, Jakarta, Joshua, Magnolia, Tango, Winston, Zaire, and Zenobia. The jumper Minstrell competed in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Numerous additional offspring competed successfully at the national levels.

The multitalented stallion himself proved equally talented in dressage. Malone brought Roemer to Grand Prix just three years after his import. The pair Roemer and owner/rider Mary Alice Malone

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USDF FLASHBACK

Roemer with Malone in an undated photo

competed successfully, earning a USDF performance certificate at the Grand Prix level.

In 1988 Malone said of her stallion: “Roemer is actually extremely easy to ride. He is intelligent, so I only have to show him something once before he understands. He doesn’t make an issue over doing it again, even if it’s difficult for him. He has such an honest character and really tries.”

A broken shoulder sustained in a trailering accident cut short Roemer’s performance career. Despite his early retirement, he continued to build a legacy through his sons

and daughters. He died in 1996 at the age of 21; later that year, he posthumously won the Get of Sire class at Dressage at Devon.

Remembering Roemer

By Mary Alice Malone

R

oemer is one of my all-time favorite horses. He was a successful Grand Prix jumper in the Netherlands, and he is one of the few stallions to receive a 10 on character and a 9 on temperament during his stallion testing.

Before I met Roemer, I bought his son Winston in 1985 as fiveyear-old. Like Roemer, Winston

demonstrated ridability and trainability, and was fun to ride.

Winston was a fantastic horse with a long and successful show career that we developed from Training Level to Grand Prix. Winston truly had a heart of gold, so I took the opportunity to see Roemer in the Netherlands in 1985.

Roemer was big, beautiful, and marvelously marked. He had a good attitude. I just looked at him and knew he was going to be a wonderful horse.

At the time, it was believed that Roemer’s offspring were developing too slowly. However, I had a dream in him and faith that his babies would also be good horses, so Roemer became part of the family. This dream paid off because as Roemer’s offspring reached five to seven years old, they came into their own. Once they began the collected work, they excelled at the FEI levels.

Roemer was a jumper, but he also had some dressage training and had shown Prix St. Georges in Holland. When he arrived in

the United States, we taught him to piaffe, which he understood quickly and easily. This wonderful trainability is something that Roemer passes on to his offspring.

Roemer was fun to show— easy to handle and easy to ride in the warm-up and in the ring.

When other horses were naughty, he was brave and steady. At one show in Richmond, Virginia, there were several white hunter ponies he thought were particularly interesting. He got a little pumped up, but he still listened to me and did everything I asked.

His favorite class was the freestyle. He loved his music—big band and country. At the shows after his classes, he liked to go out for a little walk or for some grass.

Roemer fit in with everything.

He was good in the barn and with other horses. He was easy to handle and safe around my kids, so I liked that very much. He truly had a golden character, a quality his children and grandchildren inherit.

He was just a lovely horse; I cannot say enough about him.

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YOUR CONNECTION TO DRESSAGE EDUCATION • COMPETITION • ACHIEVEMENT © John Borys Photography

© John Borys Photography

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Group Member Organizations Note: USDF strongly recommends all riders wear protective headgear when mounted. For complete rules regarding helmets refer to the USEF Rule Book. Click here.

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August 2018 Z YOURDRESSAGE