NCDCTA May 2009

Eventing Corner: THE CHALLENGES AND REWARDS OF FULL TIME HORSE CAREER.

By Anita Quinn

When my company informed me last November they would be moving out of RTP due to the rising cost of renting lab space in prime location, I was left wondering what on earth I was going to do. I joyfully decided to take a break from my 9 to 5 job and hang up my lab coat for a pair of breeches. I spent all my non-working hours with the horses anyway, right? Why not do it full time for a while and actually have some extra time to myself? Well, it didn’t take me long to realize that having one horse job was a whole lot harder than one day job and one horse hobby! Let’s talk about that 40 hour a week I once complained about. Oh I wish I could get back to working a mere 40 hours a week. As a farm with a staff of one, mornings start at 6am. Horses are fed before getting the child up, dressed, fed, and off to the bus. I chug caffeine and down a bagel while waiting for the bus, clearly a breakfast of champions. Once the bus whisks away said child, I now have a mere 8 hrs to do everything that I need to get done before that big yellow school bus comes back and drops child back off, hungry and w/ a homework list a few hours long. The bus zooms one way and I zoom off in the other. Mucking and medical rounds are next. I’m down to seven hours now. I have a list of six horses to ride here, and two other farms with two more horses to ride. I’ve learned to tack quickly, groom efficiently, and minimize accoutrements! My lunch consists of a PB&J in the car on the way to the second farm. Long gone is that one hour lunch break and two 20 min coffee breaks I was so used to. I never knew the luxuries I had! My neighbors are used to seeing my drive around w/ my helmet on, and shopping in breeches and half chaps.

Mid afternoon rolls around with yet one more horse to ride. Dirty tack and saddle pads are strewn everywhere, hungry crabby child running up the drive, dogs barking that they want out NOW! Deep breath. I feed child a snack, ride last horse, start child on homework, let out dogs, start thawing something for dinner, and back out to feed, blanket, and do medical rounds. It’s now 7:30 and dinner is only partially thawed, one dog is missing, and the child is sitting in front of the TV instead of doing homework, but at least I’m done with “work”, a mere 13 ½ hrs later! Another deep breath. Find the dog, remove child from TV and place back in front of homework, and stare blankly at the half-thawed piece of chicken wondering if it will make itself into something edible. It doesn’t move, so I grab a beer.

Somehow we make it through, no one too worse for the wear. I also find time for a few ‘extracurricular activities’. You know, those little extra things you do to enrich your life. Such as…football practice, basketball practice, riding lessons for myself, NCDCTA board meetings, parent teacher conferences, volunteer opportunities at the school, awards night, volunteer lectures for the local 4-H group, writing eventing corner articles….you get the idea. Oh of course we can’t forget the typical chores in life as well...cleaning house, running errands, shopping, laundry, etc. On the occasion when it rains and I have a mandatory vacation day from riding, I often go up to our local store, which doubles as a local coffee clutch hangout. My retired neighbors watch me come in and remark how lucky I am to “be at home all the time instead of having to work”. I grab a cup of coffee, smile, and agree.


Attention all youth members of NCDCTA…also known as JR/YR’s (that’s short for junior riders and young riders!)

We would like to let you know about several programs that are being offered this year, as well as let you know about a few that are in the planning stages.

The NAJYRC’s

First off, GOOD LUCK to all our members who are making a bid for qualifying for the North American Junior/Young Rider Championships this year. Our state is being very well represented and we are very excited about your participation in this international level competition! For those of you who are new to this, the NAJYRC is a BIG DEAL and you have to qualify to show there by achieving really good scores in the qualifying classes that are held at specific shows. You can get more info about how it all works at http://www.usdf.org/competitions/competitions-championships/najyrc/championship-info.asp

Speaking of the NAJYRC Show, how would you like to go to watch? NCDCTA youth members are invited to attend the show, held July 22-26 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. That’s right…ROAD TRIP! Let’s get a big group of us together to go watch, learn, and support our NC riders! We will have adult chaperones or parents are welcome to come along, too! For more info, contact Julia Dearborn. juliadearborn@hotmail.com

Youth Clinic

And we have plans for our own BIG clinic for JR/YR’s! While exact dates and the specific clinician are still “pending”, please keep the first week of August open and we hope to be able to host the clinic at central location in the state. We also hope to have some guest speakers and make the clinic a chance for NC youth riders to get to know each other and all the opportunities for youth that are available. More info to come soon!

USDF Region 1 Youth Championships

We are looking for interest in forming teams to attend the USDF Region One Youth Championships show on July 18 & 19 in Leesburg, VA. You don’t need to qualify and there are classes for all levels and ages of riders – beginner through experienced competitors. It’s a YOUTH ONLY show and is set up for both team and individual competition. In order to enter, we must have our entries organized into teams with all signatures and required forms, so we need to hear from you soon if you are interested. Again this year, NCDCTA has offered to sponsor teams by paying for stalls and entry fees for any youth member from NC who wishes to attend. If you are interested in attending, let us know…pronto! For more info, contact Julia Dearborn. juliadearborn@hotmail.com or check the show website www.BGLongaker.com/2009youth.html

CDI/CDC Pizza Party

Don’t forget the annual fun, and FREE, Pizza Party for JR/YR’s at the CDI Show in Raleigh at the Hunt Horse Complex. It will be held on Saturday night, May 30th, just before the Grand Prix Freestyles get going, and usually features a famous dressage rider or two who love to hear your questions. We can also use this as an opportunity to meet to discuss plans for our year!


Working Dressage or Arena Dressage?
By Linda Hoover

Has dressage become an arena event instead of the key to a strong and lasting working partnership with our horses? Recently I attended a classical dressage clinic in NY taught by an international dressage master. As I sat there for four days, I found myself thinking ‘What good is dressage if it doesn’t produce a solid, SAFE partnership between horse and rider?’ I arrived at this place in my thoughts by watching elegant competition horses dragging their riders around while being lead. These same horses were being chased with plastic mounting blocks so the riders could get on. They failed to stand quietly while riders mounted, and all but one horse teetered on the edge of volatility throughout the clinic. One horse had severe separation anxiety, and another clacked her teeth non-stop as she was worked. Yet here they were working on piaffe and passage.

As auditors, we abided by the unsaid rule ‘Don’t move quick, don’t crinkle any paper or plastic, don’t stand up and put your coat on or off, don’t move your chair, don’t, don’t don’t.’ I realized that dressage has more rules than a public library for being quiet.

So what happened to the dressage that prepared horses for battle (you know…guns, cannons, swords, and general high energy chaos)? Now you see people attempting to control every aspect of the environment in order to not disturb the horse. While it may seem possible to keep the environment from becoming unsettled, the reality is just the opposite. I have had too many clients who thought the same thing only to have unfortunate experiences.

Years ago while starting race horses near Ft. Bragg, the military fighter pilots used the farm as a turning point because of its large red roof. Far below the 300’ foot ceiling they were supposed to respect, I would venture to say that the pilots probably didn’t have my two-year-olds on their mental radar. Good thing I made it a fundamental to have the youngsters prepared for the unexpected.

A horse has to be taught how to accept unsettling environments and challenging situations. Allowing the horse to remain ignorant doesn’t help him or keep the rider safe. Horses rarely just age into being well-adjusted and calm. I hear numerous stories about how the older horse ‘just out of the blue’ did such and such. It’s not out of the blue. The rider had been ignoring the horse’s deficits for quite a while. It’s only the generous nature of the horse that keeps people safe most of the time.

So many horses don’t know how to work at something, problem solve and come to good conclusions. Horses need to learn ‘how to learn.’ Instead, all too often, the horse is stopped in a bad mental place with the person glad the crisis is over. When this happens time after time, the horse learns to stay troubled.

Dressage should create a working relationship with the horse and be more than an arena event. A rider should have a partnership with the horse that goes far deeper than performing upper level movements as tricks. Horses should feel protected when they are with us. They should feel good about themselves in our presence. They should count on our leadership and look to us for direction. We should help them develop confidence in their abilities both mental and physical. Only then, can our partnerships be expressions of harmony and refinement.

It’s time to examine our horsemanship. ‘Working dressage or arena dressage?’ I know which one the horse would pick.


MARCH MAGIC KICKS OFF SHOW SEASON WITH A BANG

FEI Champion Bonnie Efird bids farewell to small tour

By Sue Smithson

Bonnie Efird’s Intermediare I test with her Magie Noir on Sunday afternoon was an exciting finale to the season’s opener (75.2% for the FEI championship). Judge Brian Ross remarked that he gave 9’s for their canter, adding “I don’t know why I didn’t give 10’s, it was the most gorgeous canter!”

Efird, a freshman at Elon College, has her sights set on moving up to the large tour, earning her USDF gold medal, and the Brentina Cup. The March Magic Dressage Show, March 27-29 in Williamston N.C., was her last small tour show with her 15 year old Dutch mare.

“Maggie felt great..” Efird said. “I put my leg on, and she said ‘yes mam!’… any mistakes made during the test were mine.”

Efird credits both her trainers; Tami Batts, with whom she boards and trains during the school year, and Diane Ritz, her trainer at home in the Charlotte area. “It’s so great having two extremely talented trainers! I’m so fortunate,” Efird said. “And I’m glad I ended my (small tour) career with a bang at Williamston - I feel like both Maggie and I are ready to move on.”

BATTS HAS THE RIDE OF HER LIFE
Tami Batts of Greensboro needed her husband’s help to carry all the prizes she won with Ranko, a 9-year old stallion imported from Holland in 2006 by Batts and co-owner Victoria Neave. The pair won the $500 Wellington Cup (71%), the Prix St. George Championship (71%), and the USEF Developing Horse qualifying class (72.1%).

“The developing horse test was probably the ride of my life,” said Batts. “He just felt wonderful and was so on the aid. It was a thrill and will continue to be. These horses are lots of work and heartache but the thrills they give us keep us coming back for more. A nice score at a show doesn’t hurt either!”

The USEF National Developing Horse Dressage Championships is Batts’ goal with Ranko this year. “I had my dear friend Hokan Thorn come and help me before the show and have asked him to be with me through this venture” Batts said. “He is such a fantastic horseman and knows so much about stallions and their behaviors that I feel very blessed to have him support me.”

Rebecca Vick of Aberdeen made an impression in the large tour classes, earning her USDF gold medal over the weekend. Aboard Jim Koford’s Nils, Vick topped the featured Blue Bridle Insurance FEI Grand Prix (61.2%) over a field of six.

COMPETITION HOT AT NATIONAL LEVELS

Jim Koford of Raleigh earned two championships with two catch rides. Just back from Florida, Koford’s FEI stars are resting, but he rose to the top of the scoreboard with Susan Langford’s Gardel at fourth level (69.7%) and Patti Farless’ Siam at training (78.8%). “Gardel is making a switch from the jumpers, and he has limited mileage in the dressage ring, but he was easy, fun, and straightforward,” Koford said.

Patty Farless tripped over a wheelbarrow and broke her wrist just days before the show, so Koford took over the reins on her 18 hand 6-year old mare Siam in only her third show. “This mare is so solid and dependable, it was nice to be able to concentrate on riding a good test, knowing she wasn’t going to spook or do anything silly,” Koford said. “I’m excited for Patti, this horse is such a fun ride!”

The North Carolina - bred signup sheet ran two pages, testimony that promotional efforts by the N.C. Warmblood Breeders group is really working. Sandy Johnson’s 8-year old Hannoverian DavignAir, bred by Janet Stipp of Mint Hill, took top honors with a 72.3% ride at first level. Third level champion Rhonda Dretel of Southern Pines brought down the house in the $1,000 McDevitt Sotheby’s Musical Freestyle class during Saturday evening’s happy hour. With her 9-year old Dutch gelding Titus, and Marlene Whitaker’s music, Dretel performed a brilliant third level freestyle (77.6%) punctuated by fluent half passes and bold extensions. Her final extended canter down the centerline floated to a square halt in front of the judge to a roar of applause. “I said my prayers as I turned down that centerline,” Dretel said. “I’ve never had so much fun riding a test…It was the best he’s ever felt.” Dretel said Titus loves music; when she plays the radio in the barn, he weaves in time with the beat.

FIELDS STAKES DEBUT
Dretel also won the $250 The Fields Stakes class at third level, saying “Having prize money was so great, it makes you ride harder!”

The Fields Stakes classes on Sunday were hugely popular, all over 20 horses deep. Jules Nyssen of Statesville brought a load of youngsters to the show, and he claimed the $250 The Fields First Level Stakes with Eclipse (71.6%), a 5-year old 17 hand Holsteiner owned by Jim Gross. “This is one of the nicest horses I’ve ever started,” Nyssen said. “He is so balanced and powerful, and he tries so hard.”

Debbie Rodriguez of Williamsburg captured the second level stakes with Baron von Gehrde (65.6%), and the fourth level paycheck went to Thorsten Kramer of Virginia with his 10-year old mare Ocita (66.0%).

JUNIOR ENTRY STRONG
The drama was palpable in Sunday’s Dressage Seat Equitation class for 14 junior riders. The competition heated up for the finalists, as three of the top four had attended the 2008 National Equitation Finals. Bernadine Dembosky, 15, of Biscoe, edged out Rachel Edwards, 17, of Havelock, by one point for the gold medal.

And Katelyn Whicker of Hillsborough celebrated her 12th birthday (alongside twin sister Kourtney, who also enjoyed success at the show) with the ride of her life. Whicker won the junior training level championship with Diane Isenhour’s Destiny (78.4%). Isenhour loaned the horse to Whicker just six weeks prior to the show, and the pair bonded easily with the help of trainer Julia Dearborn.

“Our barn aisle was quite loud when they announced the score,” Whicker said. “I’m only 12, but that 78.4 with four 9’s might be the ride of my life! My mom told me at the show that I could get one ride video taped. It just so happened I signed up to have (that) Saturday ride taped…I’ve only watched it about 100 times since we got back home.” If the future of our sport lies within the junior ranks, this show was indicative of a very bright outlook indeed.

For complete show results, visit www.SportingServices.net


April 2009 NCDCTA Board Meeting Minutes

The 4/7/09 NCDCTA Board meeting was held by teleconference beginning at 6:30pm. Board members present: Jennifer Mitchell, Sue Smithson, Dave Stuckey, Donna Kelly, Anita Quinn, Carol Kelly, Andrea Glenn, Robyn Hahn, Diane LeFevre, Lynn Leath and Suzanne Mullen

PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Jennifer Mitchell reported that she and Martie Healy attended the Region 1 meeting in Maryland March 15th to present a bid for the 2010 USDF/ GAIG Regional Championships for the NCDCTA Harvest Moon Show. The Region 1 delegates decided to award the 2010 BLM championships to the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, VA, and our Harvest Moon show in Williamston was nominated as the site for the 2010 Region 1 GAIG Championships; subject to final approval from the USDF Regional Championships Committee.

VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT : Donna Kelly reported current statistics: 701 members, of which 464 have declared themselves as dressage riders, 82 have declared as eventers; 1 as a Breeding only member.

Additionally, 118 classify themselves as both Dressage /Eventing, 9 as Dressage and Breeding, 1 as Eventing and Breeding; 20 declared preferences as Dressage, Eventing, and Breeding, and 6 declared no preference.

Horse of the Year registrations now total 340 horses. Of those who registered for HOY, 168 chose to pay the $50 registration fee, 172 submitted a full day volunteer card.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Dave Stuckey announced that all income and expenses are in line with the current budget, and he is working with the accountant on filing 2008 taxes. All NCDCTA shows now have insurance and everything has been filed with USEF and USDF as additional insurers.

EVENTING REPORT: Andrea filed a detailed written report prior to the meeting, and Anita added that the NCDCTA Championships will be held at Five Points Horse Trials on September 11-13 at the Carolina Horse Park with high expectations for a good turnout.

A fall clinic focusing on dressage and stadium jumping is planned with upper-level rider/trainer Steuart Pittman. Pittman is known for being particularly helpful with green horses and riders. More details will be forthcoming.

Cross country course walks, sports psychology clinics, and other eventing educational activites are on the drawing board. Following a motion by Jennifer and second by Dave, the board voted unanimously to move the $2K earmarked for prizes (for the NCDCTA Eventing Championships) from the education budget back to a line item.

COMPETITIONS: All the current show manager contracts will be forwarded to committee chairman Diane Lefever. A survey of available ring space at the Martin Ag Center (for the 2010 regional championships), and the Hunt Horse Complex in Raleigh (for CDI) is underway. NCDCTA may be asked to consult and help underwrite the cost of materials, should any ring expansion be undertaken in the near future

COMMUNICATIONS: Dressage education committee member Liz Bromberg agreed to manage a new “ask the experts” column for the newsletter. (questions to: asktheexperts@ncdcta.org ). Jeanne Karver, also a dressage education committee member, is working on an adult amateur spotlight for the newsletter. The recent website facelift has received positive reviews, and some trainers and judges who were dropped from the respective rosters for non-renewal of membership have recently re-joined.

DRESSAGE COMMITTEE: Lynn Leath reported on plans for a fall symposium with Kathy Connelly themed “how to fix” for October 16-18. 2009. Future plans include a Steffen Peters and Janet Foy-Brown symposium confirmed for October 9-10, 2010, and hopefully Kyra Kurklund for 2011. Rhiannon Kincaid and her committee are working on several ideas to benefit Adult Amateurs including a Camp in August featuring Dawn Jensen and possibly another clinician as well. The date and location have yet to be determined:

As co-chairs for the junior / young rider subcommittee, Elizabeth Moore and Julia Dearborn are working on several projects, including dispensation of the $642.30 from S.H.O.W. (proof of purchase labels from So States feed bags) to help youth members travel to the NAJYRC at Lexington, KY July 22-26. The Board approved a motion that the money raised to date could be used for this purpose.

Julia is organizing teams to attend the USDF Region One Youth Championships in Leesburg, VA, July 18-19. Last year NCDCTA paid the entries and stabling for 8 NCDCTA riders to participate, and will sponsor up to 2 teams of 4 riders again this year. Those interested should contact Julia. As the USDF now offers the FEI JR/YR clinics every other year instead of annually, Julia has approached the USDF to offer NC as a site for the 2010 Region One clinic. Elizabeth is working on a video and lecture evening during which a youth member will talk about experiences at major competition such as the NAJYRC and the National Dressage Equitation Finals. Additionally, she has contacted Courtney King-Dye regarding her availability and interest in teaching a Jr/YR clinic for NCDCTA members.

Lynn is looking for someone interested in chairing a musical freestyle judges education forum. The program would be based on existing USDF formats.

NEW BUSINESS
Robyn Hahn is setting up a scholarship committee (to include Dave Stuckey, Diane LeFevre, Jennifer Mitchell and other yet to be named volunteers) to develop a mission statement to govern scholarships for amateurs, pros, and junior/ young riders. The committee will determine how scholarships will be awarded, requirements to apply, how much money would be awarded to each approved candidate, and when the money would be given out. Once the committee decides these fundamentals, the information will be publicized on the website and in the newsletter.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:04pm.

Minutes respectfully submitted by Suzanne Mullen, Recording Secretary.


QUESTION:
I've recently purchased a Mylar Mullen Low Port Dee bit which I would like to use in USEF/USDF licensed Dressage Competitions.

I know the strips are legal as well as the roller. My question is about the port. Pages 17-18 of the Dressage Chapter of the USEF rule book shows which bits are allowed and not allowed. There is an illegal ported bit shown, but it is single jointed and without a roller. So, I guess I'm confused as to whether or not mine might be allowed since it has the roller. I need some advice and input from someone who has a bit more bit smarts than me!

Thanks,
Sharesa Spiker

ANSWER:
Snaffle bit mouthpieces with “ports” are not permitted in Dressage no matter if the bit has a solid or jointed mouthpiece. Also, snaffles with a sharply angled mouthpiece are not legal for dressage. However, a slightly curved or shaped mouthpiece is permitted.

Technically, mouthpieces with “rollers” are not permitted, although there are a few exceptions for snaffle bits permitted in “high performance” dressage competitions. The moveable center link in the Myler bits is often referred to as a “bushing” and is permitted for dressage.

The small copper "strips" in the bars of the mouthpiece of the Myler Low Port Dee MB06 (pictured with this article) are permitted, since there is no longer a rule prohibiting multiple types of metal in a mouthpiece. As long as metal inserts are smooth to the touch vs. having twists or sharp edges, there is no problem.

I should also note that any snaffle bits with optional hooks or slots in the rings cannot be used in dressage competitions, even if the slots aren’t used to hook cheekpieces or reins.

I hope this response helps to answer your questions!

Janine Malone


RIDE FOR LIFE: HAVING FUN AND HELPING CURE BREAST CANCER
By Carol Kelly

2007: While undergoing breast cancer surgery and chemotherapy, Tanya Horning of Wilmington was catching up on her reading. In that stack of books and magazines was an issue of Dressage Today, and Horning read about the Ride for Life, a dressage show to benefit the Johns Hopkins Avon Breast Cancer Center.

The Potomac Valley Dressage Association Ride For Life, founded by PVDA board member and breast cancer survivor Pat Artimovich, debuted in 2004 as a one day benefit. Since then, the show has grown to a two day extravaganza and fund raising phenomenon. Inspired, Tanya mentioned it to her trainer Susie Wiedman, who mentioned it to a few of her clients, and the word spread. Soon they were joined by fellow NCDCTA members Nanci Lindroth, Meredith Mannheim, Amanda Miller, Susanna Stevens, Sally Vivrette, the late Grace Dalyrmple, several friends and supporters, and Tanya Horning’s North Carolina Caravan for the Cure became a reality.

2008: The inaugural NC Caravan for the Cure team, including four cancer survivors, traveled to Maryland in June to participate in the PVDA Ride For Life. The team brought with them over $7,000 in donations, helping the Ride for Life exceed their fundraising goals: $80,000 overall.

In addition to the donations raised by the riders, 100% of all proceeds from a silent auction and the gala dinner, as well as a percentage of logo merchandise sales, go to fighting breast cancer. The Johns Hopkins Avon Breast Center is unique in that in addition to funding medical research aimed at the treatment and prevention of breast cancer, there is also a Quality of Life research fund that addresses issues facing the approximately 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S. including lymphedema, “chemo brain,” the effects of reconstruction, and easing side effects of mastectomy.

2009: This year the NC Caravan for the Cure is once again heading for the show, June 27-28 in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, and setting an ambitious fundraising goal of $25,000.

There is something for everyone at the PVDA Ride for Life. For horse lovers and dressage enthusiasts, 200 top riders from North America and abroad, Olympians among them, will be competing for prizes and honors. The main highlight of the show is the Saturday evening Dancing Horse Challenge, with its musical freestyles and celebrity speaker. This year, Debbie McDonald will be the guest speaker. A family friendly show, there are social events, 45 shopping boutiques, a silent auction, and food vendors of all kinds to entertain both the horse lover and non-horsey friends and relatives. The show closing date is May 27, for details visit www.pvdarideforlife.org

HOW YOU CAN HELP: Join the team! Last year the NC Caravan included eventers, rookies, a USDF Gold Medalist, a Pan-Am Games Gold Medalist, and a catch rider. From differing places and backgrounds these riders were brought together by their love of horses and their commitment to fight breast cancer.

Raise funds! Individual sponsors and Caravan sponsors are needed. Enter the very special “Phantom Horse” class and recruit sponsors for your “ride,” send in a show entry and qualify for the high pledge award from home! T-shirts and bracelets are for sale at www.encoresporthorse.com/R4L.htm, along with other ideas for contributing.

Come to the Fun Day at Ovation Farm, Sanford, May 2. Activities for riders and non-riders alike are planned, including a Fix-A-Test schooling show, a silent and live auction, and food concessions. Check out the details and auction items at the above website.

The North Carolina Caravan for the Cure team members would like to thank you in advance for your support. A donation of any amount will go a long way to help those affected by breast cancer.