June 2017 YourDressage

YourDressage

June 2017

Volunteering fills Robyn Armer with Positive Emotions

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.

Get Connected

The 2017 USDF Online Stallion Guide is now LIVE! This annual online stallion guide is released by the United States Dressage Federation for the dressage community.

The guide is available both through the USDF website and the USDF app.

Featured article this year is, “The Hottest Bloodlines in Rio” which looks at what sport-horse pedigrees were represented in the 2016 Olympics.

We continue our look at breeding statistics from USDF’s major championships, adding Great American/USDF Regional Championshps.

Once again we have the “Index of Progeny for Advertised Stallions,” which includes progeny that have ranked 1-100 in Adequan®/USDF Year-End Awards. It also includes horses that have placed in US Dressage Finals, Great American/USDF Regional 2017 USDF Championships, and Great Online Stallion Guide American/USDF Breeders Championships from 2009-2016.

This guide contains interactive links to give you all the information you need to make a favorable breeding decision. Whether interested in breeding, or looking for a breeder with offspring already on the ground, this is a great way to learn more about dressage breeders throughout North America.

The Hottest Bloodlines in Rio

Trending Stallions in the Sport Horse Arena: USDFBC Statistics

Pursit of Excellence: Regional Championship Statistics

Finals by the Numbers: US Dressage Finals Statistics

June 2017 Z YOURDRESSAGE

Give us your feedback. #yourdressage

What to See Inside Departments MY TIME TO RIDE: You've Already Won Christine Erikson overcame adversity and,with help from an amazing support team, made it to the US Dressage Finals.

Engagement: A Day in the Life Bethany Larsen knows the benefit of gaining firsthand experience with day to day operations of a professional barn. She tells us what a day is like for a working student.

YOUNG & INSPIRED: The Image of Success Kate Rawlinson tells her story of finding her Morgan horse as a yearling. They have had their ups and downs, but Kate knows every day is a blessing to have such a wonderful equine partner.

Heard ARound the Arena: Show Season It is show season! We take a look at competiors preparing and showing.

USDF flashback: Col. Bengt Ljungquist Col. Bengt Ljungquist of Sweden was inducted into the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame in 1998. Ljungquist coached the 1976 US dressage team to Olympic team bronze.

GMO SPOTLIGHT: Central Florida Dressage (CFD) Take a look at this group member organization.

Cover story Volunteering at the US Dressage Finals

Robyn Armer expounds on her joy of volunteering at horse shows and, in particular, at the US Dressage Finals presented by AdequanÂŽ.

June 2017 Z YOURDRESSAGE

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my time to ride

You've Already Won

By Christine Erikson

I

n 2015, my 20-year-old half-Arabian was starting to show signs of old age, and we had periods when he couldn’t be ridden. I realized that he would never be able to take me to my goal, of earning my USDF Bronze Medal. So, what do you do when the horse you love more than anything can’t be pushed forward, without making him feel worse? Just as I was trying to find a solution, along came my trainer, of many years, Beth Anderson-Ness. She offered up her pony, Allegria, to ride for my own rider development and advancement.

I have to admit, I was a bit skeptical at first...a pony? Wasn’t I too big for her? But it only took one ride and I was completely sold.

I felt like Ally and I connected right away. Since I’m no longer a “spring flower”, she felt really comfortable and safe, which was very important to me. So, what started as a schooling situation turned into an exciting start to the 2016 show season.

Beth was very generous, allow-

ing me to take Ally to a few shows.

We had some wonderful successes, and I even revived a First Level freestyle created for my half-Arab, one that I really didn’t get to ride much, and rode it at our first show, in May. We scored an 81%! As the summer went on, and our success continued, we qualified for the Great American/USDF Region 6 Championships at Second Level, and with our First Level Freestyle. I was really excited, and the decision was made to go to.

Then, on July 26, I received the news, after a routine mammogram, that I had breast cancer. Everything came to a halt. In retrospect, it’s kind of funny that when the doctor told me, my first thought (honestly!) was, “Oh no- I won’t be able to go to regional championships!”

But, with the help of a great group of doctors, my family, and fantastic support from my “horse village”, we faced the challenge head on.

Two weeks after my surgery, I was riding my freestyle at the regional championships, and took home the blue for the First Level Freestyle June 2017 Z YOURDRESSAGE

my time to ride

Championship! The victory lap was sweet in so many ways.

When my invitation to the US Dressage Finals promptly showed up in my e-mail inbox, I kept thinking, how do I make this dream happen? I had never taken a horse further than Oregon, and both logistically and financially speaking, it was a daunting task to even think about taking a horse to Kentucky. On top of that, I had started my four week radiation treatment, and was due to finish only a week and a half before I would have to leave for the Finals. I had no idea how I would be feeling at the end of the treatment. Determined, I decided it was too great an opportunity to miss out. In less than a week, a fundraiser was planned, a GoFundMe account opened, a Facebook Page was up and running, and an application to the USDF Region 6 Travel Fund Grant was mailed in. The dream was starting to become reality.

I knew, when we arrived at the Kentucky Horse Park, that it

would be a day I’d never forget.

At first, it was a bit intimidating, since being at a national competition was all new to me. Everything was sprawling and so beautiful.

There were so many fantastic horses and riders, and yes, we were by far the smallest team… but only in size, not spirit! The weather was beautiful and brisk, with clear blue skies. I was grateful that none of my rides were at 8:00 a.m. though...the frost made its appearance every day.

My first ride in the open competition was Friday, and I can’t say we nailed that ride. Fatigue from my treatment set in, and my sweet little pony kindly “obliged”, by working less too. I remember sitting alone at my hotel feeling a bit discouraged, scrolling through my Facebook, and a dear friend wrote something that changed my mood around completely: “You’re down in Kentucky competing after undergoing radiation, you’ve already won.” I was determined to change things around for my championship ride on Sunday.

June 2017 Z YOURDRESSAGE

my time to ride

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Beth, my trainer, helped Ally and I figure out how to keep our warm up as effective as possible, without draining all my strength.

The championship class was big, 26 riders. I was the sixth rider from the end. I so badly wanted to ride in the Alltech Arena, and it would be my only chance to check it off my bucket list. Ally and I went in and did our best. When I saw my score after the ride, I knew it was competitive, and with the speed the scores were published, I knew I would be pinned in the top ten. However, I never dreamed we would place third!

It’s hard for me to describe

the feeling I had that day, and still continue to feel every time I watch the videos and see the pictures. I made my dreams come true, and didn’t let cancer (or any obstacle, for that matter) stop me.

My cancer journey will continue for the rest of my life, and a lot of decisions, some hard ones, have had to be made. It’s all in the hands of something greater now, and I know to embrace every single day because you never know what is in store. I’m looking forward to the new show season, but no matter what happens, I know that thanks to my amazing support system, I’ve already won.

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ANIMAL SAFETY SUMMARY Animal safety studies utilizing LEGEND Multi Dose Injectable Solution were not performed. LEGEND Multi Dose Injectable Solution was approved based on the conclusion that the safety of LEGEND Multi Dose Injectable Solution will not differ from that demonstrated for the original formulation of LEGEND Injectable Solution. LEGEND Injectable Solution was administered to normal horses at one, three and five times the recommended intraarticular dosage of 20 mg and the intravenous dose of 40 mg. Treatments were given weekly for nine consecutive weeks. No adverse clinical or clinical pathologic signs were observed. Injection site swelling of the joint capsule was similar to that seen in the saline treated control horses. No gross or histological lesions were observed in areas of the treated joint.

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June 2017 Z YOURDRESSAGE

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engagement

A Day in the Life

By Bethany Larsen Editor's Note: This article won first place in 2016 for a GMO newsletter award for first-person experience for GMOs with 500 or more members. It originally appeared in the February 2016 issue of the New England Dressage Association newsletter, A Tip of the Hat.

T

he equine industry can be a hard one to pursue as a professional career. There are books to read and videos to watch, but nothing can be quite as informing and educational as getting one’s hands dirty and doing the work.

Becoming a working student is an exceptional way to get the handson learning that is beneficial to one’s riding and gaining firsthand experience with day to day operations of a professional barn. I have been one now for almost three years, and I am currently positioned at a stable in New Hampshire, living onsite in a private apartment and working alongside two other full-time working

students under the knowledgeable eye of a gifted trainer. So what does a typical day look like? What can one expect in this line of work? Here’s a glimpse.

6 AM. I am awakened by the soft, frilly dinging of my alarm, causing me to sit up in bed and rouse myself from slumber. First thing’s first: check the weather.

How many layers shall I wear today? What shall I dress the horses in for turnout? Will we be riding inside or outside today? All of these questions race through my mind as I prepare for the workday. Next, I don my breeches and polo shirt, and always remember to eat the most important meal of the day.

7 AM. As I hike up the stairs from my basement apartment with my lunch in hand, I can feel the temperature change to what the great outdoors is sporting, hot or cold as the season may be. A smile stretches across my face as I am greeted by the first glimpse of the sunrise and breathe in the crisp, clean air. As I make my commute across the yard I am June 2017 Z YOURDRESSAGE

engagement

greeted by several pairs of expecting eyes and perky ears, the nicker of a hungry stomach, and the annoying sound of pawing addicts. These horses, we joke, need to attend a PA meeting (i.e.

Pawers Anonymous). “Nordic!” I say sternly, as he ceases to paw for an instant to look at me with the look of, “well, if you would just feed me right this second I would stop!” Every day, Nordic, every day. Once grain is fed we are faced with the fun task of figuring turnout for the day. And once we think we have the positioning down pat, something inevitably changes such as turnout needs, new horses, lesson schedule, client requests, etc.

It can get rather confusing, and no day is identical to another when it comes to which horse goes where and when.

8:30 AM. Horses are out. Water buckets are scrubbed and filled and we proceed to clean stalls. I have always questioned why the horses don’t drink out of their buckets equally. They leave one nearly empty and the other full

and filthy! So now I have to muster up the strength to lift the full bucket off the wall without spilling it all down my boot! As we muck stalls our conversation somehow always seems to turn to the state of the stalls. “Man, Merlin must have had a party in his stall last night!”

“Time to take on the Mason Mountain and the Rio wetlands.”

“Beware of the Dark Circle stall!”

Oh perfect, another stall mat to fix. And for the umpteenth time I silently grumble at how the horses seem to make it their mission to soil the stalls as soon as it has been cleaned. Thank you, horse, I really appreciate how much you appreciate what it is I do, I think to myself as I listen to the sound of urination next door.

10:30 AM. Hay is fed once more and grain is made up with meticulously stacked buckets based on the ever changing location of the horses. The schedule of riding is posted for the day and a plan is formed. Hurrying around like busy little bees, we bring in horse A to ride so now June 2017 Z YOURDRESSAGE

engagement

we can turn out horse B, except B can’t be out next to C, so D needs to shift over so we can put B there. Now after A is ridden E will need to come in so A can go back out, but we need to shift C over since A doesn’t do well in that paddock! Man, I’m hungry!

Do I have time to eat now?

11:30 AM. I’m in the saddle, through the warm up, and ready to ride the first horse of the day.

As I pick up my reins again to get back to work I plan out the schooling session for this particular horse. I am always amazed at how my trainer can spot everything. When you think she is not looking or couldn’t possibly see what it is your left leg is doing… she knows… and she is always right! One day I can only hope to develop an eye like hers. The riding is why I do this job and the incredible opportunity to ride horses is not something to take lightly. I do have to say that one of the most satisfying feelings I’ve ever experienced on a horse is performing a line of flawless,

straight tempi changes. There is nothing like it!

12 PM, 1 PM, 2 PM. Untack one horse, bathe/brush, turn back out if possible. Is there time to eat yet? Bring in the next victim and shuffle turnout as necessary.

Put tack away from previous ride, rinse the bit, pull out tack for the next ride, saddle up, ride. Rinse and repeat—Hold on, horse D is running and freaking out at the imaginary boogie man. Bring in horse D, B, and C since the domino effect is in full swing.

We have a common saying in the barn to sum up the times when the calm and orderly routine turns suddenly wild: “And chaos ensues.” Or ACE, for short. I turn to my coworker and say “ACE, man, ACE.” This seems to be a daily occurrence.

3 PM. After hurriedly eating the sandwich I packed for lunch, finally, while simultaneously pulling off my riding boots, we proceed to pick through the stalls again and begin to bring in the ponies. Now, there is great strategy

as to which horse to bring in first and which sane horse to leave last.

And why are they always in such a hurry to come in? There is no food in the stalls and I still see no boogieman, so why? Nonetheless, we snap on the lead rope before the delicate balance is upset and lead them to their homes in the barn. I swear that every horse you put in the stall promptly relieves himself, and as I walk through the barn serenaded with the sound of waterfalls on every side, I wonder why they don’t just go outside! Are you not horses?! Aren’t you supposed to live outside? Is that why you are in such a hurry to come in? Come on… I just cleaned the stalls again! I pick up the pitchfork head outside, and muck out the dozen piles of manure per paddock. Sometimes I cannot believe how much they can produce so much waste in just one day.

And the little bullies seem to feel the need to back, walk, or run through their piles of manure whether on the cross ties, in the paddock, or in the stall, despite June 2017 Z YOURDRESSAGE

our verbal efforts to prevent them from doing so! I think it’s a game to them.

4 PM. This is one of the loudest times in the barn. There are whinnies all around from hungry stomachs trying to make sure I do not forget to feed them. “Hey, have I ever not fed you in the past?” “Guess what, Whisper?

You’re not gonna die today!” I say as I wave my hand at the plump

mare and tactfully throw in the hay so she doesn’t grasp it from my hands impatiently before it is actually thrown. “Thank God, I was about to starve!” she intones as she proceeds to “vacuum” up the hay with such enthusiasm that would win any eating contest. Tell me about it, I think, remembering my own eating schedule. Suddenly there is a loud crack from a hoof hitting

the stall door. “Hey!” I blurt loudly as the horse shrinks back from the door knowing what it was they had done. And then there are those pawing addicts again. “Hello, my name is Heartsong and I’m addicted to pawing”….”Hi Heartsong,” drones the rest of the barn…

“KNOCK IT OFF!” I respond.

And then suddenly the barn is the quietest it has been all day as the last flakes are thrown over to the final horses. Ah…peace.

5 PM. All bridles have been cleaned, aisles swept, water buckets topped off, tack room vacuumed, and horses blanketed. “Guess what ponies?! It’s food time!” As the door latch of the feed room clinks, the horses respond with more whinnying, kicking, and pawing. Will they ever learn? Balancing the tall stack of grain buckets with one arm and swiftly emptying their contents with the other, I glance in each bucket to visually make sure every horse is getting the right grain and I don’t cause a final “ACE” situa-

tion forcing me to bodily throw myself between horses and bucket because the grain is going to the wrong horse! With the final barn checks completed, we call it a day and walk back across the yard, glancing at the sunset this time if the season is right.

Even though the days seem to run in a similar fashion, there is much variance depending on the events of the day and those pesky yet sometimes exciting and entertaining “ACE” moments. I have learned so much and the experience is undeniable. I will not shrink away from the dirt beneath my nails and the farmer’s tan as I continue to put in the long, hard work to move my way up into this industry. eTRAK Extra

Read Kimberly Bench's 10 Tips for Working Students published in the October 2015 USDF Connection magazine.

June 2017 Z YOURDRESSAGE

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YOUNG & INSPIRED

The Image of Success

By Kate Rawlinson Editor's Note: This article won first place in 2016 for a GMO newsletter award for first-person experience for GMOs with 75-174 members. It originally appeared in the August 2016 issue of the Nebraska Dressage Association newsletter, The Contact.

I

t feels like Image and I have waited centuries to be where we are today. Image found me when he was a yearling stud colt on a Morgan breeding ranch in Maxwell, Nebraska. My family wasn’t actually looking for a horse like him at the time, but when we met him, we knew right away he had been looking for us.

I was twelve years old then and knew that even with the help of our wonderful coach, Angie McClelland, training a young horse could be challenging and we may be in for a long road of victories and defeats. We’re still on that journey, but this year has been a definite peak for us.

Image incurred minor inflammation in his right-hind upper suspensory ligament as a six-year-old, which left him mildly sore and confined to the pasture life for nearly two years.

The rehabilitation process has been the most emotional and difficult task I’ve ever encountered.

We never really knew if he was in pain, if we were pushing him too hard, if we needed to make him work harder to overcome incorrect habits, or if he would ever actually heal. I had to consider several times that maybe he just wasn’t meant for me- maybe I’d have to find a little girl who could love him through her walk-trot years. The thought of re-homing him still brings tears to my eyes.

It is impossible for me to imagine day-to-day life without his humor, his work ethic, and the close relationship we’ve worked so hard to establish.

After being cleared by our veterinarian, we’ve worked our tails off to make this year our comeback season. Not only is he June 2017 Z YOURDRESSAGE

YOUNG & INSPIRED

finally rideable again, our training has progressed so rapidly over the last several months that we’ve flown from Intro to First Level in a matter of months. This would never have been possible if we hadn’t attended our first clinic in February 2016 with Canadian Olympian Cindy Ishoy. When we unloaded at Winds Reach Farm in Iowa City, Iowa, we had no idea what doors Cindy was about to open for us. I thought I knew Image fairly well then, but I specifically remember saying after our second clinic ride, “I

feel like I have just met my horse for the first time today. I am so jealous of myself getting to ride him!” Cindy pushed us as a team to new heights, gave us hope, and has pointed us towards the road of real, tangible success. I could never be more grateful to her and the scholarship from the Nebraska Dressage Association for making it possible to attend more of her clinics.

We’ve now been to three different clinics with Cindy Ishoy and look forward to attending a fourth. Through our first six

clinic rides, we progressed from working on the engagement of the hindquarters and the acceptance of the outside rein to strengthen in lengthening, transitions, straightness in the lateral movements, and clarification of the aids. We’ve even started schooling shoulder-in and walk pirouettes. While the clinic rides were a challenge for us, we came out undoubtedly more confident in each other and our road ahead.

Between clinic rides we have been working on softening the aids. We like to hack out on trails with friends. I’ve been working with a personal trainer to strengthen my core and improve my balance, because I’ve realized that riding the upper levels will require so much more from me as a rider.

Together, Image and I are getting stronger in both mind and body and we are ready now more than ever to take on the road ahead.

Image and I have qualified for the Morgan Horse National and World Show for both Training and First Level. We plan to travel to Oklahoma City in October to compete, and hope to end this

season on a high note. Getting to work with such a talented, humorous, intelligent partner every day is a blessing, and I couldn’t be more proud of our progress as a team this year.

eTRAK Extra

Learn more about the Morgan breed in this article from the June 2017 USDF Connection magazine

June 2017 Z YOURDRESSAGE

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Volunteering at the

US Dressage Finals presented by AdequanÂŽ

By Robyn Armer

Robyn Armer (left) with a fellow volunteer wait for a competitor to enter the ring.

June 2017 Z YOURDRESSAGE

T

o put it mildly, I’ve been a lifelong lover of the horse, since before I could barely walk (according to my mother, anyway). When I was young, I was a western rider, and competitor in games and team roping. As an adult, I became interested in the hunter-jumper world.

There were also cross country jumps where I took lessons, so I soon harbored a passion for eventing. As you may know, the first phase of an eventing competition is dressage. For several years, my horses and I suffered through the dressage grudgingly, just to get to the fun part of eventing‌the cross country jumping! However, slowly but surely, I grew to enjoy the challenge of dressage and appreciate how it helps both horse and rider develop to be the best they can be. While I struggle to master the lower levels of dressage, I truly admire the horses and riders who manage to advance further up the training scale, and I love to watch them compete.

Early in the morning before competition begins, Robyn and a fellow volunteer plays with their long shadows

June 2017 Z YOURDRESSAGE

I’ve volunteered many times at the local level. There is a lot to be said for volunteering. Almost all shows, at every level of competition, depend on a fairly significant number of hardworking volunteers. Without these volunteers, many shows would not be as successful, and many would not even exist. They are vital to the horse industry as a whole.

Volunteers have many opportunities to help friends and other competitors, all while enjoying the added benefit of being able to watch and learn, in an effort to improve their own riding skills.

My first experience with volunteering, away from home, was the 2010 World Equestrian Games at the Kentucky Horse Park, in Lexington, KY. That was one of the most exciting experiences of my life, and definitely opened my eyes to the opportunities available, in return for a little of my time. Yes, I had a job there, As a volunteer, Robyn had the chance to watch much of the competition, like Jacquelyn McMaste on Paviano.

June 2017 Z YOURDRESSAGE

but every day I got to interact with horse enthusiasts from all over the world, and every day I got to watch some of the best horses, riders, and drivers in the world compete.

A few years later, in 2014, I was browsing an e-mail from USDF when a sentence, asking for volunteers for the US Dressage Finals, caught my eye. Not only was it being held at the wonderful Kentucky Horse Park, but USDF offered three meals a day, attire, including a US Dressage Finals jacket and ball cap, for all volunteers, and free lodging for those traveling from a great distance. Wow! I didn’t have to think twice. I called a friend and we signed up right away.

Riders and horses (or should I say “equines”, because mules have also qualified) must compete in their regions, do well enough to qualify for the Great American Insurance Group/USDF Regional Dressage Championships , and The busy warm-up arena at Finals

June 2017 Z YOURDRESSAGE

It takes a village to run the Finals. Staff and volunteers in 2014. Robyn is fifth person from the right.

then qualify at the regionals to make it to the US Dressage Finals. Top qualifiers from all over the United States come to the Finals to compete, from Training Level through Grand Prix, as well as freestyles, in either Adult Amateur or Open Divisions.

Volunteers get to experience the event from the inside, helping each other, and spending the days and nights watching amazing animals and excellent horsemanship.

We are greeted each morning by the smiling faces of the organizers and show management, as we get our assignments and proceed to the dining area for a nice hot breakfast. Then, off we go to our assigned positions, either in the

Alltech Arena or outside, where tests are being ridden in multiple outdoor arenas. Later, after breaking for lunch, back to work we go, and then we break again for dinner. Mealtimes are great, food is excellent, and we all get to know each other while laughing and talking about the competition, and our horses and ponies back home.

In between job assignments, volunteers are free to watch competition or to visit the barns and look at all the horses, ponies, and maybe even a mule or two.

Various breeds can be found there, and exhibitors are happy to discuss their journeys and share their experiences. Then,

there are always the vendors to visit, offering a wide array of saddles, equipment, boots, and fashions from the practical to the luxurious. And last but not least, there is the ability to explore the Kentucky Horse Park, with more than 1200 acres in the heart of Kentucky Bluegrass country. It features the International Museum of the Horse, Hall of Champions, and many other attractions worth seeing.

I love seeing all the different breeds of horses, ponies, and, yes, even mules from all over our country. There are imported horses, homebred horses, half bred horses, and horses off Craigslist. In 2013, Laura Graves showed Verdades in the US Dressage Finals, and the very next year she skyrocketed to a fourth place finish at the 2014 World Equestrian Games in France! In 2014, at the US Dressage Finals, North Fork Cardi, a Welsh Cob stallion, 14’3 hands tall and ridden with a snaffle, wowed the crowd and officials and won the

Grand Prix Freestyle. These are just a few examples of the competitors that have come from all over and inspired those in attendance.

It’s an amazing experience every year, and I leave full of positive emotions, from the sense of camaraderie and laughter shared with friends old and new, to the visions of performances witnessed, to the feelings of inspiration to develop a better partnership with my own horse.

I’ve volunteered every year since, and plan to keep going each year as long as they’ll have me.

Each year, when the US Dressage Finals competition is over, I am already looking forward to the next one.

eTRAK Extra

To learn more about volunteering read "Happy Crew: Stellar Show."

June 2017 Z YOURDRESSAGE

We’re SPRING CLEANING at the USDF Online Store Shop new items added to our clearance sale.

order online at

www.usdf.org/store

Heard around the arena

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

It is show season! We take a look at competitors preparing and showing.

June 2017 Z YOURDRESSAGE

USDF FLASHBACK

Col. Bengt Ljungquist Reprinted from the July/August along with many of his fellow 2014 USDF Connection magazine. officers, to fight for Finland in its two-year conflict with the invadot all members of the Roemer ing Soviet Union, known as the Foundation/USDF Hall of Winter War. Fame are Americans. Several After the Winter War, foreign individuals have been Ljungquist returned to the Swedinducted in recognition of their ish military, where he studied and extraordinary efforts to further the had a tour of duty as an instrucsport of dressage in the US. tor at the Military Academy KarlOne such notable is the late berg. In 1955, he was promoted Col. Bengt Ljungquist (1912to commander of the Royal 1979) of Sweden, who entered the Horse Guards and stationed in Hall of Fame in 1998. A remarkStockholm. As part of his miliable man who attained Olympic- tary duties, Ljungquist organized level excellence in not one but the equestrian competition at the two sports, Ljungquist not only 1956 Stockholm Olympic Games. helped US dressage break a 28Ljungquist, who began ridyear Olympic-medal drought but ing at the age of ten, was an active also taught legions of American dressage competitor throughout riders and helped to establish his military career. He won the our nation’s acclaimed system of Swedish Dressage Championjudge training. ship six times. He was the team Born into a Swedish military reserve rider for the 1960 Rome family, Ljungquist continued the Games and represented his counfamily tradition by joining the try at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, Swedish Army after he completed aboard Karat. The multitalented secondary school. In 1934 he received his cavalry commisUSET dressage coach Col. Bengt Ljungquist in an undated photo sion, which he resigned in 1939,

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USDF FLASHBACK

Ljungquist coached the 1976 US dressage team (Hilda Gurney/Keen, Edith Master/ Dahlwitz, and Dorothy Morkis/Monaco) to Olympic team bronze

Ljungquist was even more famous in international circles as a fencer than as an equestrian, earning a reserve fencing world championship title and competing on several Swedish Olympic fencing teams.

When the cavalry was mechanized, Ljungquist began a career as a civilian dressage trainer and

instructor. During a visit with his sister to the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, he made a trip to the US that sparked his interest in furthering dressage in the States. In 1969, he was invited to teach dressage at the Foxcroft School in Virginia. On that same trip, he gave a clinic at Lake Erie (OH) College

Equestrian Center. That involvement led to other lessons and clinics, and later he began training out of future FEI “O” (now 5*) judge and fellow USDF Hall of Famer Linda Zang’s Idlewilde Farm in Davidsonville, MD. Numerous notable dressage riders made the trip to Idlewilde to study with Ljungquist, who later became the US dressageteam coach, a position he held from 1974 to 1978. In 1974, he brought the US squad to the attention of the European dressage community when he coached World Championships competitors Elizabeth Lewis on Ludmilla, Edith Master on Dahlwitz, John Winnett on Leopardi, and Sidley Payne on Felix. At the 1975 Pan American Games in Mexico, the US dressage team won the gold medal and also brought home individual silver (Hilda Gurney/Keen), individual bronze (Dorothy Morkis/Monaco), and a fourth-place individual finish for John Winnett on Leopardi. But as a coach Ljungquist is best known

for producing the bronze-medalwinning dressage team at the 1976 Montreal Olympics: Hilda Gurney/Keen, Dorothy Morkis/ Monaco, and Edith Master/Dahlwitz.

An advocate for dressagejudge education, Ljungquist helped to develop a training program for the Potomac Valley Dressage Association, a USDF charter GMO. The PVDA program became the model for most judges’ training programs in the US. In 1976 Ljungquist published his Practical Dressage Manual, which remains a modern equestrian classic.

Longtime PVDA member and former USDF president Sam Barish established the Col. Bengt Ljungquist Memorial Championships, which were first held in 1983. These prestigious regional championships, which continue today, honor Ljungquist and his contributions to US dressage, and particularly to PVDA and the Mid-Atlantic dressage community.

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USDF FLASHBACK

USDF Connection is pleased to bring you a classic training article by Col. Ljungquist. Read on for his thoughts and advice on riding the leg-yield, which at the time of publication in 1973 had not yet been included in the national dressage tests. Ljungquist was in favor of doing so, and he wrote this article to explain his position.

Leg-Yielding

By Col. Bengt Ljungquist As I am a proponent of legyielding, I have been asked to write an essay in its favor because of the heated polemic currently surrounding its practice. This essay should, by all rights, be written by the FEI Dressage Committee, of which the members Niemack (Germany), Gromova (Soviet Union) and Nyblaeus (Sweden) were unanimously in favor of the proposal to introduce leg-yielding in the FEI rules.

From Dressage & CT, June 1973. Reprinted by permission of Natalia (Mrs. Ivan) Bezugloff.

However, I will speak in agreement with their side of this issue as it concerns American dressage.

This is the first time I have had to argue about the value of this exercise, and I think the discussion deals more with definitions than with facts and purposes.

As leg-yielding is a suppling exercise, it can be practiced before the horse is ready for the collected exercises, shoulder-in and two tracks. The introduction of leg-yielding is made to improve, not to mar the rider’s capabilities to train and develop their horses in the right sequence. It is not, for instance, a substitute for the half-pass. But it is impossible to reach the real top level of training if some of the vital phases are omitted.

I am, naturally, biased because of my equestrian education. Every single Swedish horse, including the Army remounts at the time when there were horses in the Army, was suppled and made obedient to the aids by leg-yielding. At the Olympic Games from 1912 to 1972,

the record shows that Swedish horses and riders have been quite successful, so leg-yielding can’t possibly have damaged the horses too much. Leg-yielding is included in the Swedish lower level tests.

Then, in the medium tests, shoulder-in, travers and on two tracks are introduced, as well as single flying changes.

In leg-yielding, the horse moves away from the leg. He is slightly bent at the poll and almost straight along the spine. The purpose of leg-yielding is: a) To make the horse obedient to the cooperative aids (leg and hand on the same side), thus suppling him and preparing him for the shoulder-in, travers and on two tracks b) To teach the rider to use the aids.

Without obedience to the leg, it is impossible to supple, flex, bend, collect or straighten the horse. Further, how can a rider teach a horse obedience to the leg without lateral work?

The turn on the forehand is a

good basic exercise, but it should be combined with leg-yielding to maintain and create the willingness to go forward. A horse which resists the rider’s hands is generally disobedient or dead to the rider’s legs. The first thing to do then, is to make the horse obedient to the legs in order to loosen up the resistance and establish an elastic contact between the rider’s hands and the horse’s mouth. Leg-yielding is a good means to establish this contact.

Speaking as an instructor, I don’t know of a better means to develop the rider’s skill in coordinating and strengthening the aids.

If the rider doesn’t use the inside leg with enough emphasis, the horse doesn’t move and the rider must use stronger aids or perhaps a tap with the whip to begin with. If the rider doesn’t use the outside leg sufficiently, the horse will overbend and so on. Simply travelling around the track of the arena doesn’t improve the rider’s capability to communicate with the horse very much.

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Leg-yielding can be ridden in several patterns or following several plans (see Figures 1-3): a) Away from the long side of the arena b) Away from the long side

and back to the long side c) Along the long side d) Across the diagonals e) On circles.

When riding across the diagonal in the leg-yield (Fig. 3), the

horse’s willingness to go forward can be controlled and encouraged by going more freely forward on the center line. To ride legyielding on a circle, the rider can spiral inward to a smaller circle

and then push the horse out to the larger circle in leg-yielding.

The easiest way to teach the horse this exercise is to move him away from the long side of the arena (Fig. 1). After the corner, make a soft half-halt and bend the horse slightly to the left. You should see the superciliary arch above the eye and the nostril. Increase the pressure of your left (inside) leg behind the girth. The position of this inside leg, however, should be flexible, behind the girth if the haunches are dragging, on the girth if the forehand resists. The inside (left) leg, if necessary, is supported by the left rein (toward the body or toward the left hip—never across the mane). The correct time to use this leg, to squeeze with it, is when the horse’s left hind leaves the ground.

The outside (right) rein leads the horse (still slightly bent to the left) away from the long side. The outside (right) leg on the girth keeps him straight and prevents him, in combination with the June 2017 Z YOURDRESSAGE

Thus, the obedience and suppleness is gradually developed until the horse obeys light, invisible aids and moves in a supple, balanced way, either away from the long side or along the long side. When this goal is achieved, it is easy to develop two tracks and shoulder-in.

As to the question of why leg-yielding should be included in the national dressage tests, I will answer simply and sum up the points I have made thus far.

Leg-yielding is the first step in lateral work and a preparation for shoulder-in, travers, and work on two tracks. If we agree that shoulder-in should be introduced at Third Level when the collected trot is required, should there be no lateral work at First and Second Levels? [Editor’s note: USEF dressage tests now introduce shoulder-in and collected trot at Second Level.] In my opinion, there should be some sort of lateral work before Third Level to prepare the horse for the collected lateral work, to show the suppleness and obedience of the

horse and the skill of the rider.

If leg-yielding is included in the tests, the riders must practice it in their work at home. It will make the horses more obedient to the aids, compel them to step with the inside hind leg farther forward in order to cross over and in front of the outside hind leg. At the same time, the exercise will develop the riders’ capability to influence and communicate with their mounts. At the beginning, of course, we will see many bad performances with overbent horses and a lack of willingness to go forward. But these negative sides will gradually be counterbalanced by more knowledge and skill, and the overall picture will improve.

Podcast Alert

PODCAST

right rein, from overbending and from escaping the pressure of the left leg. It is very important here to keep the outside leg close to the horse. Also, the weight of the rider should remain over the middle of the horse. (A common fault is to collapse the inside hip.)

Then, when the rider wants the horse to go straight forward, he reduces the pressure of the inside leg, increases the pressure of the outside leg and urges the horse forward with both legs.

Only a few strides should be required in the beginning, whereupon the rider goes forward and resumes the exercise (see Fig. 1a). If too many strides are required, the horse’s willingness to go forward can be lost. He should be almost parallel to the long side of the arena in this exercise; the shoulders, however, should be leading slightly.

Leg-yielding should be started at the walk, and later on, it should be preferably ridden at the trot to maintain impulsion. It is important, too, in leg-yielding at either gait, to maintain a steady rhythm.

Check out episode 33 about Col. Bengt Ljungquist at usdf.podbean.com.

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Advice, Guidance, & Insight TAILORED TO THE DRESSAGE COMMUNITY

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GMO SPOTLIGHT

Tell us about your GMO. #GMOSpotlight

Central Florida Dressage (CFD) 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!

Locality: Region 3, Florida Website: www.centralfloridadressage.com How many members does your GMO have annually, on average?

80-90 members Tell us about your GMO. Central Florida Dressage celebrated its 40th Anniversary in 2016. The year CFD was established, there was one recognized dressage show in the state of Florida, organized by the legendary Klaus Fraessdorf. Enthusiasm for dressage gained momentum through the efforts of CFD and other Florida clubs. Today, there are multiple recognized dressage shows to choose from in Florida, almost every weekend. CFD focuses on offering educational opportunities, as well as supporting the grassroots CFD community, an area extending from Ocala in the north to Kissimmee in the south, and encompassed by the Gulf of Mexico on the west coast and the Atlantic Ocean on the east coast. Members receive special rates at the educational clinics, our yearly fun show, our annual banquet, and a holiday member party. The CFD monthly e-newsletter keeps members informed about local subjects of interest (Avoiding Heat Stroke and Hurricane Preparedness are always popular subjects), as well as USDF and USEF news of interest. In addition, CFD Business Members receive profiles and hyperlinks to their businesses. A fun member feature in the e-news is the very popular “Mystery Rider” feature. A picture of a member, in younger years or other guises, appears at the top of the newsletter. Don’t worry, we reveal who it was at the bottom of the same newsletter, along with that member’s pro-

file. CFD’s yearly community action event, the Fabulous Freestyle Fundraiser, features costumed musical freestyles, presented in a fun family friendly format. All ticket net proceeds go towards supporting Freedom Ride, a Therapeutic Riding Center in Orlando.

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

Tina Drake Ride-A-Test and Raswan Award Selection event happens every fall. Tina Drake “R” contributes a full day of her expertise, devoted to providing an economical educational event aimed at CFD amateurs and junior riders (although professionals are welcomed also). The event was so popular last year, we needed an extra half-day to accommodate all the riders. From these participants, Tina picks out “The Most Harmonious Pair” to receive the Raswan Award. The Raswan Award is a beautiful perpetual trophy that honors Tina’s beloved Swedish Warmblood stallion, Raswan, and is presented at the annual banquet. The clinic day is rounded out with a potluck luncheon with loads of fun, supportive friends around all day.

What type of educational events does your GMO offer?

In the summer of 2016, Sharon Poulin gave a two day clinic, which was auditor friendly, with PA system, ring side covered seating for audiJune 2017 Z YOURDRESSAGE

GMO SPOTLIGHT

tors, and pot luck lunch. In the spring of 2017, we held the Super Clinic, a one day Ride-A-Test with Sandra Hotz and Bill McMullen, along with a ‘Lunch and Learn’ titled “Farriery by Physics”, an educational Power Point presentation by Ken Jimenez, held during the lunch hour at the Super Clinic. Coming this fall,

we’ll hold the Tina Drake RideA-Test and Raswan Award Selection event, as described earlier.

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

Wear your best Hawaiian Shirt and enter the CFD’s annual Hawaiian Shirt Dressage Show and Fun Day! The classes offered

include all USEF dressage tests ridden in front of an “L” graduate, “r”, “R”, or “S” judge. Ride your quadrilles and pas de deux in hula grass skirts, or dress your horses in goggles and flippers for the ever-popular costume class!

Dressage trail classes, western dressage classes, and a stall decorating contest rounds out the

day. Don’t forget the Friday night Luau member get together!

Any Additional Comments?

CFD Annual Holiday Party and the CFD Annual Awards Banquet round out a great year of activities and provide some well earned social time. We are small but mighty!

! e t a D e h t e v a S

2017 Adequan®/USDF Annual Convention November 29-December 2 • Lexington, KY June 2017 Z YOURDRESSAGE

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

© John Borys Photography

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Learn More About Dressage

YourDressage is a chance to share your story with the dressage community. We are looking for personal stories about you, your horse, or horse-related experience. Your story should be 600-1000 words and should be sent as a Word document. We will need photos to go with the story, with a preference for candid shots that are clear and well composed. Please submit photos as JPEG formatted files.

Also, if you have any video(s) that we can use, related to your story, make sure to include their hyperlinks.

Have questions about dressage and the United States Dressage Federation, use the following links to learn more.

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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.

Disclaimer: The United States Dressage Federation does not guarantee that all submitted stories will be published. Any opinions expressed in the pages of this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Dressage Federation

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For more information, check out the USDF Member Guide available on the USDF website and app.

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