Back in March, I sent out a survey for members regarding the Horse of the Year program and the Horse of the Year Gala. The survey generated 124 responses, and I have read (and re-read) every single one. I want to thank all of you who participated, and will summarize some of the findings here for you.

The Horse of the Year program is very important to our members. Specifically, recognition (4.2/5.0) and prizes (4.0/5.0) are important factors for participating in the HOY program. About half of the respondents gave me ideas for prizes for the future, which I really appreciate. Many of you are excited about the new point system, and I am interested to get opinions on that after a full season using this system. Many of you also expressed interest in a median score system rather than a point system--my advice to those of you who feel strongly about this would be to contact your board members in an organized way if you really want this to be considered for the future.

The Umstead Hotel and Spa has been the Horse of the Year gala venue for the past 3 years. Because a venue needed to be chosen before this survey would be completed, the 2013 gala will also take place at The Umstead. The vast majority of respondents are happy with this venue, and in fact a fair number have attended recently specifically because of the venue. However, a few members did have some specific issues with their experience with The Umstead (slowness of service, undercooked dinners, cost of cash bar, etc.) which I will address when the planning and details are arranged. Some alternate venues in the Triangle area were suggested, and I will be holding on to those for investigation.

Additionally, members on either end of the state lamented the distance necessary to attend the gala. I am completely sympathetic to this issue. While I have been organizing the gala, I have kept it “close to home” for me--it is exceedingly difficult to organize, decorate, transport prizes, etc. an event of this size and caliber with significant travel distance. Additionally, by keeping the gala centrally located, it is more accessible from all areas of the state. The Umstead was also originally chosen because of it’s easy access from the highway, it’s dual purpose (as hotel, spa, “destination”), and because there are many other hotels in close proximity.

Ticketing for the gala will be different for 2013. Respondents preferences were evenly split between keeping costs and tickets the same, restricting non-member access, increasing non-member ticket prices, and both restricting non-member tickets and increasing non-member prices. After considerable debate among the board members, we are going to try a new ticketing policy for 2013. Member tickets will remain at $25--a major perk of membership! Non-member tickets will be restricted to 1 per adult member, and 2 per Jr/YR member. Additionally, non-member tickets will be increased to $55. Considering the total cost per person is over $75--this is still a discounted rate. Sponsorships and sponsored tables will remain the same price as previous years.

Lastly, some of you had some specific suggestions and concerns that were not covered by the general questions. Issues that are fixable/changeable will go in to my planning itinerary in September. Of the issues that I can’t fix/change or didn’t understand, my plan is to follow up these questions and concerns personally by email over the next weeks.

Thanks again to all the NCDCTA members for your time and input in the survey, and for being a part of our organization and the Horse of the Year program. We are proud of our members successes, and happy to recognize and celebrate them with you!

Sincerely,
Robyn Hahn, VP NCDCTA and HOY gala chair

Wanted: Dressage Seat Equitation clinicians for NCDCTA-sponsored clinics. Please send brief resume, fee requirements, and information regarding facility and availability of school horses to LynnKerin@gmail.com.

Dear Region 1 Friends:
Fielding teams to the NAJYRC is an expensive endeavor! As a region we incur the travel/lodging expenses for our chef d’equipes along with other team expenses such as tack stalls and golf cart rentals. Riders who have declared their intent to qualify for our team are strongly encouraged to help with the fund raising efforts. For many of our riders this is in addition to the personal fundraising efforts they have to cover their own expenses such as entry fees, stabling and transportation.

Thanks to generous support of our Region 1 community each year, we have not only been able to cover the regional expenses of fielding teams to this prestigious competition but have also helped to defray some of the expenses of our riders.

We hope you will consider supporting our team this year. Any donation no matter how small is greatly appreciated. All contributors will be recognized on the Region 1 website. Donations via credit card are now available through a secure USDF credit card processing link – just click on the “Support Our Team” button above and choose “JR/YR$” from the drop down menu. Checks should be made out to USDF Region 1 Jr/YR Fund and mailed to me at the addressed detailed below.

Lastly, I would like to remind you that USDF is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) and any contribution you make to our team is tax deductible to the extent permitted by law and maybe eligible for employer corporate match programs.

Thank you for your consideration.
Best regards,
Debbie DelGiorno
Region 1 FEI Jr/YR Coordinator

The 2013 NCDCTA Capital Dressage Classic will be hosting the Region 1 Southern Youth Team Competition again this year.
Show Dates: May 31 - June 2, 2013
Hunt Horse Complex - Raleigh, NCDCTA
Opening Date: April 11th
Online Entries
Paper Entry
Online Team Entry Form
Paper Team Entry Form

Youth Team & Activities Information

Don't Miss This!

AMERIKA is Coming to CDC!
Amerika was so popular at the 2012 CDC that she will be at the 2013 CDC for all 3 days.
Amerika the Riding Simulator and Beth Collins (http://beth-collins.com/) will be in Raleigh at the Capital Dressage Classic.

Amerika has proven herself at expos as a crowd pleaser and often has spectators four deep watching her lessons. Amerika is an invaluable tool for learning a proper independent seat, and sensitive hands.

20 Minute sessions are:
• FREE to JUNIORS and
• FREE to NCDCTA MEMBERS WITH VOLUNTEER CARD
(Limit one free session, please)
• HALF PRICE to Non-Members with 2 VOLUNTEER CARDS
• FULL PRICE $40 to Non Members

For information and to schedule a session with AMERIKA, send a note to: NCDCTA.Amerika@gmail.com Priority for scheduling goes to Juniors first, and then members.

Date			Show	Location
4/5			Spring Break Dressage I	Williamston
4/6	-	4/7	Spring Break Dressage II	Williamston
4/20	-	4/21	Williamston Spring Dressage	Williamston
5/10	-	5/12	Dressage in the Sandhills	Pinehurst
5/18	-	5/19	Lexington Spring Dressage	Lexington, VA
5/31	-	6/2	NCDCTA Capital Dressage Classic	Raleigh
6/15	-	6/16	Virginia Summer Dressage	Culpeper, VA
6/15	-	6/16	Summertime Blues Dressage	Pinehurst
6/22	-	6/23	NCDCTA Summer Highland Fling	Tryon
7/12	-	7/14	Dressage At Lexington	Lexington, VA
7/13	-	7/14	Rise n Shine Dressage	Pinehurst
7/27			Raleigh Summer Dressage I	Raleigh
7/28			Raleigh Summer Dressage II	Raleigh
8/10	-	8/11	Early Morning Blues Dressage	Pinehurst
8/30	-	9/1	NCDCTA Labor of Love Dressage	Raleigh
9/7	-	9/8	Cool Down Dressage	Pinehurst
9/21	-	9/22	Pinehurst Fall Dressage	Pinehurst
10/5	-	10/6	NCDCTA Harvest Moon Dressage - Champs	Williamston
10/31	-	11/3	NCDCTA Autumn Leaves Dressage - BLMs	Williamston

NCDCTA SCRIBE AND STEWARD CLINIC

FREE, includes lunch, Sept. 14, Dover NC for information: info@canamerstables.com or 252-259-3466

A semi-custom Black Country dressage or jumping saddle ($3k value) will be given away to the lucky winner. All first - third place NCDCTA Horse of the Year winners in Eventing (Novice and up) and Dressage (Second level and up) will be automatically entered for the drawing, to be held at the annual gala and awards banquet January 11, 2014 at the Umstead Hotel in Cary. Register your horse NOW! Saddle is graciously donated by Brita Rizzi, certified, independent saddle fitter in Southern Pines, www.dynamicsaddlefitting.com

Starting in 2013, USDF is offering Training Level Musical Freestyles. Approved by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Dressage Committee and the USDF Judges and Freestyle Committees, this freestyle is designed to encourage development of rhythm, regularity, and consistency of tempo in a horse's gaits through the use of music; and to improve harmony between horses and riders.
Please Note: Training Level MFS will NOT be offered as a Finals Class at the Regionals - BUT WILL be offered THIS YEAR at the CBLMS (in Williamston!).
The test can be found HERE (on the USDF website).
The rules for all Freestyles can be found HERE. (on the USDF website).

It's time....
Click HERE for 2013 Competiton Recognition.

The NCDCTA board voted new HOY Point Calculations into effect beginning November 15, 2012 (the start of the 2013 season).
Please READ!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ross Creech (859) 971-7038
USDF Approves National Dressage Championships
Lexington, KY (December 4, 2011) – The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce approval by its Board of Governors of a US national dressage championship beginning in 2013. This championship will be a head to head competition showcasing Adult Amateur and Open riders at Training Level through Grand Prix.

With invitations to be extended to competitors who have qualified through the Great American Insurance Group/USDF Regional Dressage Championships, the inaugural championship (exact name TBD) will take place in the fall of 2013 at the Kentucky Horse Park (KHP) in Lexington, KY. The KHP was the site of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. It also hosts the annual Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event and the FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships. According to USDF President George Williams, the first formal discussions within the USDF, regarding a US national championship, started almost 20 years ago. Williams also states, “This is indeed an exciting day for American dressage and in particular, our adult amateur competitors.” Founded in 1973, the United States Dressage Federation is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to education, recognition of achievement and promotion of dressage. For more information about USDF membership or programs, visit www.usdf.org, e-mail usdressage@usdf.org, or call 859-971-2277.

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