January 2017 YourDressage

YourDressage

January 2017

A United States Dressage Federation Publication

View the Hannoveraner Verband in Germany through the eyes of Viva Medina

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.

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What to See Inside Departments HORSE TALES: Focused on Grand Prix Victoria Bellino tells Lynne Lavers’ story about finding a retired Thoroughbred, Nick of Time YOUNG & INSPIRED: My Mustang Journey Caitlyn Bennett takes on the challenge of training a wild mustang yearling.

SADDLE SORES: A Second Chance for Me and My Horse Kathleen Graham overcomes hard times by using long lining with her horse Fonzie Heard ARound the Arena: Happy Holidays Dressage enthusiasts shared their good wishes from the holidays USDF flashback: Lowell Boomer, Founding Father We take a look back at the life of Lowell Boomer, the founding organizer of the USDF. GMO SPOTLIGHT: Striving Toward Riding Improvement and Dressage Education (STRIDE) Dressage Club Take a look at this group member organization.

Cover story My Dream Trip to the Hannoveraner Verband

Viva Medina experiences a trip of a lifetime in Germany. Featured on the cover: the Celle Stallion Station.

Feature My Experience as a Delegate at the 2016 AdequanÂŽ/USDF Annual Convention

USDF delegates Rickie Swink and Stanley Horton share their stories January 2017 Z YOURDRESSAGE

horse tales

Focused on Grand Prix

By Victoria Bellino

C

entral Tennessee Dressage Association (CTDA) member Lynne Lavers grew up riding ponies in the southwest. As a fourth generation horseman, her experiences with horses began with riding along the mountains in New Mexico with her grandfather- a far cry from a dressage arena at the Kentucky Horse Park where Lynn, years later, would earn a qualifying score for her USDF Gold Medal on an exracehorse.

Riding her way to one of the highest honors in dressage, on an off track Thoroughbred (OTTB), wouldn’t come as a coincidence.

When Lynne was twelve years old, her family moved from eTRAK Extra

Lynne Lavers and Nick of Time

Read “The Thoroughbred: The Original Sport Horse.”

A guide to finding an off-the track TB for dressage

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horse tales

Texas to the East Coast. There she found OTTBs to be an affordable and effective way to work her way through United States Pony Club.

In fact, she rode OTTBs all the way to her A rating. It was then that she developed a love for the breed.

Lynne’s passion for Thoroughbreds continued through a family business, in which she and her mother would break and train horses off the track for their second careers. When Lynn started looking for an up and coming, advanced level, eventing prospect, she again found a Thoroughbred.

Only this was no Pony Club mount—she found a horse that would not only challenge her to take on a new discipline at its highest levels, but also to undergo a self-transformation and personally develop herself on the back of a horse.

“Nick of Time” came into Lynne’s life, as a pasture horse, in 1999. Retired from racing, with bowed tendons in both front legs

(information to which she was not privy to upon purchase), he spent two years on pasture before Lynne reluctantly agreed to look at him, after months of urging from a friend.

She bought him on the spot.

It wasn’t his 16.3 hands or his copper coat; it was his “can-do, you don’t scare me” attitude that was just the mentality Lynne was looking for in an upper level eventer. What she got was a horse that many, including her boarding barn manager and multiple contemporaries, considered dangerous and unrideable.

Despite his formidable nature, Nick’s confidence didn’t translate on cross-country. So Lynne shifted his career to dressage, after riding him to Preliminary in 2006. Though her dreams of riding to Advanced were shelved, what Nick lacked over fences, he compensated for in the dressage ring, and she saw no reason why he couldn’t go Grand Prix.

“I would take him to horse

shows, and he would buck me off,” said Lynne. “Our relationship really took a turn when I put him in a job that he was suited for and took my agenda out of it.”

Little by little, Nick and Lynne started working their way through the levels and chipping away at their bronze and silver medals. In 2013, the pair did a CDI tour, competing at Intermediate. The level of competition was something the pair had never before experienced. Though they didn’t place first, they weren’t always last. More importantly, the experience helped Lynne realize that if they were going to go Grand Prix, she needed to change her focus from the horse, and what the horse was doing wrong, to improving herself as a rider.

In 2014, Nick and Lynne then headed south to Florida, where they had the opportunity to train with Kathleen Raine and Uwe Steiner. There, Lynne set the ball in motion to go Grand Prix. After fifteen years together, and two disciplines, Lynne had a January 2017 Z YOURDRESSAGE

horse tales

burning desire to earn the gold medal with Nick. But if they were going to do it, they were going to have to do it now. When Lynne and Nick- then nineteen years

old- returned to Tennessee, they continued riding with trainer and clinician Carrie Harnden, and enlisted the help of CTDA President Jen Thompson, who helped

Lynne develop her position.

Lynne also immersed herself in study. She watched two to three Grand Prix rides on YouTube nightly, picking apart the rides and her own, and bringing one aspect she learned to the ring to practice and polish the next day.

But riding at the Grand Prix level wouldn’t be something Lynne could will through perfect practice. On show days, when she came into the arena tense and uptight, Nick was right there with her. He was a mirror to her attitude and agenda. After earning a 59.9% score on a Grand Prix test, Lynne knew that she had to ride with a different attitude. When she made a conscious effort to ride with relaxation, the scores went up. By shifting her focus to being a better rider, more focused on engagement and throughness, she brought up her next score to 64.6%.

With these lessons about mindset in play, Lynne and Nick earned their Grand Prix scores.

The first was in Lexington at the

Mid-South Eventing and Dressage Association Horse Show at the Kentucky Horse Park; the next was at Dressage at Greystone, in November.

Now with the USDF Gold Medal in hand, Lynne and Nick have no intentions of slowing down. Their next goal is to ride a Grand Prix Freestyle. And despite being twenty years old, Nick has far from lost the attitude that initially sparked Lynne’s interest in the horse. In fact, he hasn’t toned it down one bit. He still chases people out of his stall at feeding time, still kicks and pins his ears when the girth is cinched, and he’s still sound. The bowed tendons never affected his performance.

As for Lynne, she isn’t slowing down either. In addition to her continued aspirations on Nick, she is also bringing along her young horse, a three-year-old Danish Warmblood named Pete. Lynne plans to develop the horse all the way to Grand Prix, with the same patience, humility, and determination she learned from Nick.

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YOUNG & INSPIRED

My Mustang Journey

By Caitlyn Bennett

I

n 2012, I took on the challenge of training a wild mustang yearling from the Bureau of Land Management through the Supreme Extreme Mustang Makeover. I had only been riding for a year. My trainer, Rebecca Bowman, had trained numerous mustangs over the years, and she felt it would be a great experience for me and several of my friends to have the chance to be youth trainers. We adopted my mustang in March. The choice was made based on one photo and a 30-second video, taken months before, of him running in the sand at a holding facility in Nevada. Two months later, I traveled from Atlanta, GA, to Jackson, MS, to pick him up. He was a tiny black colt with a wild sense of curiosity, but a mild personality and an eagerness to learn. The moment I met him, I knew he was magical. I named him “Hocus Pocus.�

Caitlyn and Hocus Pocus

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YOUNG & INSPIRED

Hocus and I practiced hard and grew close, over the 120 days of ground training and bombproofing prior to the competition.

The competition went well, and we both learned a lot from competing in Fort Worth. Afterwards, because of his young age, Hocus took a year-long break at a friend’s farm, so he could grow up a bit more.

Hocus returned to me in 2014, and it was a big year for us.

In early February, I trotted and cantered him for the first time, after only bareback walks. He took to it well, like he knew exactly what to do, and much to my surprise, we entered our first combined training schooling show in May. Rebecca was especially helpful. I took all of my lessons on Hocus, and she trained me to be the “trainer,” showing me how to teach him how to jump, as well as navigate dressage tests. Over the course of that year, we competed in six shows, earning an amazDay 23 of training

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YOUNG & INSPIRED

ing average for our first year. Our scores landed us in third place in the Amoeba CT (18in.) division at the Georgia Dressage and Combined Training Association’s (GDCTA’s) Year End Gala.

We continued our combined training success into the next year, winning third at the next level, Tadpole (2’). Along with the CTs, we also dipped our toes into a few Training Level dressage tests. Hocus loved the

intriguing challenge of what the tests had to offer. So, with scores in the mid-60’s, we decided he was ready for something more.

I started training in dressage with Suzanne King in 2015, and she really connected with us. She worked hard to help me meet my goals with Hocus, as a rapidly growing, tall, teen rider on a small 14 hh horse. But what made it special was the fact that Suzanne never blinked an eye over the fact that he was a mustang.

She never doubted us. Sometimes people get scared around these horses because of the Hollywood reputation the Wild West movies have given them, but she treated Hocus just like the clients with expensive, imported horses.

Over the last two years, Suzanne has helped us achieve our goals of competing in USDF-recognized competitions. We qualified for the Great American/USDF Regional Championships at our first show, and had a very successful year. In October, Hocus and I competed at the Great American/

USDF Region 3 Championships.

He was the smallest horse there, and the only mustang, but he was where he belonged. Hocus has earned his Training Level Horse Performance Certificate, and we received the USDF All-Breeds Training Level Champion Award in December through our participating organization, the American Mustang and Burro Association.

Our journey has been a remarkable one, and I would do it all again in a heartbeat.

Hocus has helped me see that nothing is impossible, and that partnership is the key to success in equestrian competition.

The connection that Hocus and I have is unbreakable. As we enter the 2016-17 competition year, we will both be embarking on new adventures. I’ve grown into riding an 18 hh Oldenburg, and Hocus has found himself in great demand at a nearby farm with the next generation of young riders, eager to compete with a seasoned mount that can fulfill many more dreams, for many years to come.

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saddle sores

A Second Chance for Me and My Horse

By Kathleen Graham

H

orses have always been a big part of my life. I started riding at 8 years old. Growing up, I primarily rode hunt seat (equitation and hunters) and was fortunate enough to ride with trainers George Morris, Frank Chapot, and Carol Hoffman Thompson.

During this time, I had the opportunity to work with and ride many talented horses. All of them still have a special place in my heart.

Eleven years ago, a new chapter started in my life, when my husband and I decided to buy a young horse as a show hunter prospect. We found a 3-year-old Dutch Warmblood named Entourage, or better known as Fonzie.

We placed Fonzie in training with a local professional, and he began his showing career. Fonzie was a very successful “A� circuit hunter and won several championships and reserve championships, in Baby Green through

Kathleen and Fonzie

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saddle sores

Pre-Green divisions. Even though he was extremely successful as a Pre-Green, due to the economy at that time, we decided not to continue showing him as a 1st Year Green.

Since I was getting older and determined I didn’t want to jump any longer, I decided to learn a new discipline: dressage. After my first dressage lesson, I was immediately humbled and realized, even though I had been riding for over 40 years, I truly knew nothing about straightness and connection. Unfortunately, after a couple years of learning dressage, I had to stop riding due to back issues.

Shortly after we stopped showing Fonzie, he was plagued with lameness issues. We tried everything; shoeing changes, injections, chiropractic, etc., to try to help determine the cause. Finally, with the help of a standing MRI, we were able to determine the cause of his lameness. The veterinarian’s diagnosis of incorrect shoeing, and prognosis that Fonzie may not recover, suggest-

ed that Fonzie probably needed to be retired. I knew in my heart that Fonzie’s career wasn’t over, and decided to research treatments to help Fonzie recuperate.

With the help of Dr. Bob Grisel, we implemented a treatment program to help correct Fonzie’s shoeing and lameness issues. His program consisted of corrective shoeing, platelet-rich-plasma (PRP) therapy, shock wave therapy, joint injections, and herbal supplements. We saw immediate results and, within a few months, Fonzie was sound again. During my research, I found an article on the benefits of long lining and decided to pursue this modality.

Four years ago, with the help of some dear friends, Fonzie and I started our long lining training with Betsy Steiner. Since I had taught Fonzie voice commands, and he was familiar with lungeing, we had a jump start for learning the process. In the beginning, we worked only on a large circle, learning to move forward into the outside rein. We learned about the

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saddle sores

importance of straightness, selfcarriage, and connection.

When we felt a little more comfortable with long lining, we decided to learn how to travel down the long side of the arena.

Long lining is similar to flying a kite. Every movement of your hands and fingers can communicate a different message to your horse, through the reins. Since you don’t have the benefit of your legs and seat, your voice and position/ usage of the lunge whip is essential in communicating with your horse. I am constantly communicating to Fonzie, both commands and praise, so he knows when he

is doing something right.

I have always had a wonderful relationship with Fonzie.

However, I feel long lining him has changed our bond and connection with one another. Working with him from the ground has given me a new perspective, one that I have never experienced in the saddle. I can watch and react to his body language, and he watches and reacts to mine.

It’s like he can read my mind, and knows what to do before I ask him to do it. When we work together, it is as if we become one.

The connection is unbelievable.

Long lining has given us a

second chance to continue our work together and learn new things. It has given him a job again and a purpose in life, and it has given me an opportunity to ride my horse from the ground, master my skills in dressage, and take my riding to the next level. It also has allowed me to lose weight and to become more physically fit. I have lost over 50 pounds since I started long lining, and it has truly improved my overall wellbeing.

When I look back at our long lining journey, it truly amazes me that Fonzie and I have been able to achieve so much in just four years.

I would highly recommend learning how to long line, if you would like to improve your effectiveness under saddle, increase your level of communication, or achieve a strong connection with your horse.

Click here to watch a video of Scott Hassler working In Hand

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My Dream Trip To t h e H a n n ov e r a n e r V e r b a n d

by Viva Medina

Viva Medina was honored to stand in the arena with the judges.

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I

Dr. Ludwig Christmann explains the fine points of judging young mares for inspection.

t is not often that reality exceeds one’s dreams. I had long dreamed of a trip to Germany to experience the German horse culture. The week long course with the Hannoveraner Verband far exceeded my dreams, and I savored every moment. I didn’t want the days to end and each experience is a memory I replay over and over.

The course was presented by Dr. Ludwig Christmann, head of International Affairs, Development, and Education. He has been with the Verband for 32 years, and his trained eye doesn’t miss a speck of dust on a horse. His charming assistant, Maren Schlender, was a great asset and a fount of knowledge as an approved horse judge and advisor for breeders outside of Germany. The course was attended by ten people, including myself and my friend, Cheryl Howe. The horses were amazing, and the warmth and hospitality of the German horse community was an unexpected pleasure. There are many breeding clubs under the Verband, and the traditional

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Gray Top entertains the participants in his stall

German breeder is a farmer with a couple mares. There are approximately 15,000 Hanoverian mares in Germany, compared to about 2,000 in the rest of the world. The love of horses is universal and the passion for Hanoverian horses was a common thread that bound these participants.

The first day started off at the Breeding Station Verden with a lecture on the breeding program.

Dr. Christmann spoke about the foundation breeds for the modern sport horse, the evolution from draft to riding horse, and the formation of the stud books.

Dr. Christmann wrote an article that explains many of the technical aspects of judging conformation, so I suggest you to read his article for a better understanding of what we learned from his lecture. The breeding season was winding down, so only a few stallions were in residence. Of those few, several were brought out for us to admire, including 20 year old Graf Top, the oldest G line stallion. Despite his age, he still lets you know he is “the man”. We

also saw his son, Gray Top, who loved the attention.

Afterwards, we headed across the street to the training facility, stables, and famous indoor arena where the auctions are held. Even empty, it was a thrill to stand in that arena. We were presented with three young mares, which Dr. Christmann evaluated one by one as he explained the judging procedures. He encouraged the participants to start training their eyes to see the positives and negatives of each mare. The day concluded with a delicious welcome dinner at the hotel Niedersachsenhof.

The second day consisted of a mare performance test and foal show at the impressive Gestüt Letter Berg, Coesfeld, owned by the Voss family. Over 50 horses were presented, and the quality was evident from the start. Dr. Christmann was in the center of the arena with the other officials. Much to my surprise, I was invited to stand in the center of the arena with them. It was an amazing experience to watch

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the free jumping up close. The three-year-olds went first, then the four-year-olds and older.

Next, there was an under saddle portion, with three horses in the arena at the same time. Initially, a mare was ridden by the owner or trainer, and then evaluated.

When the judges were satisfied, a professional test rider, chosen by the Verband, got on. He gave the judges his impression of the horse’s temperament and rideability. I never got the test rider’s name, but he was impressive, and I saw improvement in each mare during his ride.

After this, we had a lunch break where we were introduced to Mr. Voss, the owner of Gestüt Letter Berg. He was very welcoming and gave us a grand tour. He had over 100 horses! His goal is to sell 25 horses per year, as three- and four-year-olds under saddle.

A high quality mare ready for the under saddle portion of her mare performance test at Letter Berg

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The winning mare proudly wears her prize cooler

Outstanding herd of mares and foals at Edda KrÖner’s family farm

After lunch, we returned to an awards ceremony that was set up in an outdoor dressage arena.

The best eight mares from the morning session were brought back and awards were handed out. Dr. Christmann spoke about each mare, and his comments were educational. Then, we had some fun with the foals. There is just something so very entertaining about adults chasing foals around with plastic bags on the

torf, family owned for 150 years.

Edda’s welcome to the group was as warm as the sunshine.

We mingled with her mares and foals, while she explained the principals and application of the interactive barn. Her mares and foals were obviously happy with the arrangement, including a computer controlled feeding system. Then, we traveled to a mare show at a large facility owned by a breeding and riding club. The

end of lunge whips. It is serious business for the breeders, but fun for the spectators. The foals were branded when the inspection was over. It was a successful day for all involved.

Day three greeted us with welcomed sunshine, after days of rain. Since this year’s course focused on mares, we traveled to many breeding facilities and farms. First, we visited the farm of Edda Kröner in Schüt-

inspection triangle was set up on the grass, with flower decorations. Again, high quality horses were presented. The group stood with the judges, while Maren translated the commentary. The quality of the mares and foals was consistently high, including some very cute ponies. Finally, there was a special trip to a breeder who focused on eventers, after which we were treated to a trip to Celle, where I got to sit on a

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A perfect day and lovely venue on the grass set up for a mare show.

concrete replica of Weltmeyer’s back. There were no stallions at Celle, but it was still very special to walk through those storied barns.

Sadly, we came to our last day, which found us back in the lecture room. Dr. Christmann gave a comprehensive presentation on the Hanoverian bloodlines. Even

though I had stopped breeding a few years ago, I hung on every word. I took the course because I had wanted to for so many years.

When I was breeding, I had neither spare time nor money to do so. I appreciated the experience and knowledge gained, as well as got a sense of validation for the breeding choices I had made and

how I have always handled my horses. I encourage everyone who breeds, has thought of breeding, or just wants a better understanding of Hanoverian bloodlines and standards to attend one of the courses. Next year, the course will focus on stallions. Perhaps fate will be kind and I will get to attend that one too!!

The author, Viva Medina, lives on the island of Maui, HI. She is the President of the Hawaii State Dressage Society. She has shown through Prix St. Georges and has two USDF/Dover Saddlery Adult Amateur Medals. While retired from breeding, she continues to ride and train her Donnerhall Weltmeyer granddaughter.

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My Experience as a Delegate at the 2016 Adequan®/USDF Annual Convention

by Rickie Londe Swink and Stanley Horton

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Convention Bronze

By Rickie Londe Swink

Since my mom lives in St. Louis, and my sister was visitf I did it, you certainly can.” ing, I signed them up to attend My friend’s words shifted my the awards dinner with me. They gears into thinking that maybe, were astounded to see the room just maybe, I could. I always filled with respectable people, thought that the Bronze Medal who were all off-the-charts enwas for those other ladies, the thusiastic about everything horse. ones who really could ride. After It was a shock for them to learn all, at 36 I took my first riding that the black-sheep-of-the-family lesson and learned that sitting in (me) wasn’t the only totally horse the saddle wasn’t actually ridcrazy adult. The entire evening’s ing at all, and if I had known at conversation, at our table of ten, that time that dressage was such remained fixated on horses. a long hard row to hoe, I would Arriving at the convention, never have taken that lesson. As I was apprehensive. I was alone the years passed, medals simply and pondering “what in the weren’t on my radar. world was I thinking.” But the My friend’s encouragement registration folks couldn’t have came last year. So, at 64, with been more welcoming, and prethe closest show almost 5 hours sented me with a beautiful United away, I dedicated the summer to States Dressage Federation tote more serious showing. And lo filled with all the information and and behold, I did it! I earned my items I would need over the next Bronze Medal on my 15-year-old few days. My hotel room was mare I raised from a yearling, cozy with a terrific front row view and in December, here I was at of the incredible architectural the Adequan®/USDF Annual and engineering masterpiece, the Convention to pick up the medal Gateway Arch and the Missisin person. sippi River. I was OK.

I

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Olympians and Para Olympians. I was (and still am) so awestruck by these amazing riders that I had to touch them. It was an honor to be in their presence, and a pleasure to converse a bit. Later, I was thrilled to sit in the front row for the team interview and listen to them talk about their experiences and what riding in the Olympic competition meant to them. They were a tight knit group and thought the world of each other. Each seemed as starstruck with their teammates as I was. And yes, I had my USDF tote autographed.

Another favorite was Pilates.

Up early and excited about the day ahead, I threw on stretchy pants and a shirt and dragged my raggedy self down the elevator to early morning Pilates. When I felt a stretch in my spine that I had never felt before and clearly grasped the idea that this will help me sit my mare’s extended trot, Pilates catapulted to my favorites list. I stretch every day before I ride, I do yoga, and I’ve done a bit of Pilates. However,

Janice Dulak’s class took me where I hadn’t been before.

The days were filled with educational lectures straight from the “horse’s mouths” of men and women who are doing research, and writing the articles and books many of us have read. I felt privileged to be in their presence and have the opportunity to meet those leading their fields.

After an intense three days, there I was hearing this fabulous beaming voice announce “Rickie Swink from Colorado.” I walked onstage to applause and cheers.

The smile, warmth, and genuine interest radiating from USDF Executive Director Stephan Hienzsch, presenting my Bronze Medal, made me feel like maybe, just maybe, I really could ride.

Podcast Alert

PODCAST

Meetings, meetings, and more meetings. Some folks were on their phones, pads, sudokuing, or knitting, but most were listening intensely and participating in the grinding of the stone that keeps the USDF running at peak performance. The Board of Governors, Regional Directors, committees, and their chairmen are the haunches driving the organization.

These men and women are professional, competent, enthusiastic and passionate about keeping the Federation healthy and sustainable and ensuring riders are educated and rewarded, while enjoying their beloved horses. I was impressed by the heart, love for the horse, love for the sport, and tireless energy that pours into keeping USDF an evolving thriving entity focused on all members and their horses, not only those in “Dressage County, USA”, but also riders like me, who live way off the beaten path.

One of my favorite moments was walking out of a lecture hall and being elevated to cloud nine by bumping into some of our great

Listen to episode 146 as USDF President George Williams gives his 2016 convention wrap up

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usdf.org/store January 2017 Z YOURDRESSAGE

Passionate Goals

By Stanley Horton

T

he 2016 Adequan®/USDF Annual Convention wrapped up recently in St. Louis, MO. Although I attend the convention every year, this was my first time participating as a group member delegate for the Eastern New York Dressage and Combined Training Association (ENYDCTA), my Group Member Organization (GMO). Region 4 did a fabulous job hosting this year’s convention at the Hyatt Regency, a lovely venue just a short walk from the city’s iconic arch.

I was asked to focus on my experience as a first-time delegate to the Board of Governors (BOG), but there was so much more packed into the convention schedule! The educational offerings included early morning Pilates, before the day’s business began with Regional meetings, a selection of educational sessions, and open committee meetings.

As a GMO board member, I found the GMO Committee

presentation especially helpful for planning programs for our membership. And as a competition manager (Dressage at Stockade in Glenville, NY) I always come away with new ideas to improve our shows.

The big topic for this year’s BOG was presented to delegates in our orientation meeting: the proposed budget included an increase in membership fees, the first since 2010, to support USDF programs and keep the organization on solid financial footing.

Friday’s BOG meeting began with a roll call, which is a misleading term. If your name is called, it is because you neglected to log in before you sat down.

Any delegate who has forgotten this important detail must proceed to the row of computers and log in before the business meeting can begin. I was forewarned to avoid this “walk of shame.”

After all of the delegates were accounted for, President George Williams asked for approval of the agenda - and we were off

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Stanley attends the Board of Governors General Assembly

and running! USDF Executive Director Stephan Heinzsch spoke first, and then Treasurer Steve Schubert. I was happy to hear that USDF is in good shape under the watchful collective eyes of the Executive Board. The Auditor’s report was next up, and the organization received a clean bill of fiscal health. President Williams spoke again, before handing the microphone back to Treasurer Schubert.

But first, time out for some GMO baskets! In a long-standing USDF tradition, every GMO is

invited to send a gift basket of regionally representative goodies, to be awarded to a lucky BOG attendee. (I have never won a GMO gift basket. Just saying….)

Winners must be present at the meeting in order to claim their baskets, an additional incentive for convention attendees to participate in the nuts and bolts of USDF governance. After a few drawings, back to the budget we went.

Treasurer Schubert reviewed the organization’s financial position and projected needs, ex-

plaining that new programs and increased costs would require additional funds. The recommendation to increase the price of a USDF Participating Membership from $75 to $90 was followed by lively discussion, with concerns raised over whether this increase might drive some members to forego their membership with their GMO. After a quick break, featuring spectacular cupcakes, we returned for more: a few basket drawings, and then a preview from USEF CEO Bill Moroney of some proposed and upcoming changes that will impact the dressage community. Then, a report from Will Connell, Director of Sport, recognition of outgoing USDF Executive Board Members, and the BOG adjourned for the day.

On Saturday morning, the BOG session began with elections. USDF Vice President Lisa Gorretta and Secretary Margaret Freeman were re-elected, along with Regional Directors for the odd-numbered regions. Beth Baumert reported for The Dres-

sage Foundation, which administers a rich array of educational grants and scholarships, and next up was the budget vote.

Treasurer Schubert again explained the rationale for the proposed increase in membership dues, noting that this amounts to approximately $2.14 per year.

The budget was approved unanimously.

The meeting ended with GMO and regional awards. With so many ways to earn recognition (detailed on the USDF website), this is an excellent way for people to get involved at the local level.

Friends had joked that reporting on a USDF Board of Governors meeting would be akin to watching grass grow. Not true! Looking around me I saw a standing-room crowd of people interested in the business of our sport. Our group shares a passion and a goal: to make dressage stronger in our communities and fair for all who participate.

Everyone in that room took time away from families, farms, and businesses to be there, and it was my privilege to be included.

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Heard around the arena

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

The dressage community shared their wishes for happy holidays and a great new year.

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USDF FLASHBACK

Lowell Boomer, Founding Father

G

. Lowell Boomer, Lincoln, NE, founding organizer of the USDF, was born on October 12, 1911. He died November 20, 2011, less than six weeks after his 100th birthday.

A Nebraska native, Boomer ran Boomer’s Printing Company in Lincoln for 80 years. The printshop offices were the first headquarters of the USDF. Boomer served as the USDF’s executive secretary or executive director from 1973 to 1992 and as its president from 1983 to 1988.

In the November 2003 issue of USDF Connection, which commemorated the Federation’s thirtieth anniversary, Boomer recounted: “A number of us interested in dressage saw the need for a single organization to represent the various regional organizations which had developed….” He described his role in the USDF’s founding in 1973 as “to act as a spark plug to get things started and then to nurse the baby as it got under way.”

Boomer had a lifetime love of

horses, but he was unfamiliar with dressage before he saw members of the Fort Riley, KS,-based US Cavalry School competing at a Lincoln-area horse show in 1934.

He had been out of the saddle for some years, but watching the riders reawakened his equestrian interests. He made trips to Fort Riley to watch that era’s American dressage greats, Col. Hiram Tuttle and Col. Isaac Kitts, school their horses. Boomer began trying his own hand at dressage and founded the Nebraska Dressage Association in 1973.

In 1989, Boomer established a charitable organization in Lincoln, The Dressage Foundation, which raises funds and offers financial support for various dressage activities. Boomer’s son John served as CEO from 1997 to 2009, after his father stepped down.

Read Lowell Boomer’s Hall of Fame Profile here January 2017 Z YOURDRESSAGE

USDF FLASHBACK

Lowell Boomer was the inaugural inductee into the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame.

The US Equestrian Federation honored him with its Lifetime Achievement Award, and The Chronicle of the Horse named him one of its 50 most influential horsemen of the twentieth century.

“With his wit, his smile, his vision, and his dedication, he created a legacy that is the USDF and TDF,” said USDF president George Williams. “His impact on dressage will be felt for years to come.”

Boomer was an avid equestrain.

Shown here in 1949

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USDF FLASHBACK

Attending an annual meeting in Cleveland in 1977

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USDF FLASHBACK

In 1978 in Milwaukee, Ida Mizelle Joseph, Gladys Boomer, Jim Haberlan, Lowell Boomer, Lazelle Knocke, Edith Root, and Joe Batten.

At the annual meeting in New Orleans in 1984, with Dee Berwinski and Marcia Stimmel

In an undated photo, Lowell Boomer, Jack Fritz, and Charles Barnett

Boomer with Junior/Young Rider Beth Bernatsky in an undated photo.

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USDF FLASHBACK

The Lowell Boomer Chair Carolyn VandenBerg, current At-Large Director of the USDF Technical Council, made this chair in celebration of Lowell’s 100th birthday.

“The Dressage Foundation had asked the GMOs to send cards,” recalls Carolyn, “So I made the chair and took it to the Region 9 summer meeting in Galveston, and we made a video with everyone gathered around the chair wishing him Happy Birthday. We had a lot of fun setting the chair at the head table, etc.”

Carolyn donated the chair to USDF at the 2013 convention.

At the 2013 convention held in Lexington, KY, USDF founding member Sally O’Conner (left) sits in “Lowell Boomer’s” lap. The Dressage Foundation’s Jenny Johnson and Beth Baumert (above) padded the hat after their report at the Board of Governors and raised more than $1,000.

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GMO SPOTLIGHT

Tell us about your GMO. #GMOSpotlight

Striving Toward Riding Improvement and Dressage Education (STRIDE) Dressage Club 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: 1989 Locality: USDF Region 3, Florida Website: http://www.stridedressage.org How many members does your GMO have annually, on average?

230 members Tell us about your GMO. STRIDE established in 1989 as a small GMO with a max of 75 members. Because we are in the heart of Ocala horse country, which includes many dressage “winter” people, our membership grew and grew. We have many USDF Gold/Silver/Bronze medalists; USDF L Graduates; USEF ‘r’, ‘R’, and ‘S’ judges; and large professional training farms in our membership.

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

Yes, we offer “Versatility Division” in our five schooling shows, which include Trail, Dressage by Letters (speed/accuracy), USEF Rider Test with a year-end award trophy, Prix-caprilli, USET Event Dressage classes, and huge costume classes at our Halloween show.

We also have an entire Driven Dressage Division, including Trail and Cones versatility classes. All are fun!

What type of educational events does your GMO offer?

STRIDE sponsors one riding clinic, with two clinicians, a year with fees discounted to members, and one driving clinic. We have an educational guest speaker at every monthly meeting, or travel to local farms for special training or educational breeding demonstrations.

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

We have fun classes at our five shows, have trail rides on Florida Greenway, and picnics at trail heads. Also, our banquet for year-end awards is awesome!

Any Additional Comments?

This club really come together over 25 years. We have a top-notch newsletter, as well as wonderful judges and medalists always offering ridden and driven dressage educational opportunities. We are currently sponsoring an USEF ‘r’ Training Program. We predict membership of 250-260 by February 2017. And we have a HUGE year-end award banquet in January!

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Visit www.usdf.org for a list of GMOs in your area.

GMO

Support dressage and connect with your local dressage community by joining a USDF Group Member Organization today!

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Horse Registration

Note: USDF strongly recommends all riders wear protective headgear Search for a GMO by zip code when mounted. For complete rules regarding helmets refer to the gmo@usdf.org USEF Rule Book. Click here.

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