Isn't it exciting? Winter is coming!!!!
You have to understand I grew up in central Maine where winter was "serious". It was not unusual to have 20 below for several days in a row and a few weeks at a time where it never got above zero. And about once a winter it would hit 40 below. When I was a kid, in October we thoroughly cleaned our saddles and bridles and packed them away for the winter. We rode all winter long - bareback and with hackamores. When I became a professional, during the winter I would warm my horses up with my stirrups and then once I could sit on them, the stirrups would be crossed over the neck and the rest of the ride was without stirrups. Then the month of April was spent getting comfortable riding with stirrups again. I could go on and on about "the good ole days", but let's get back to the present
I hope everyone is having a good fall season. Many of our riders have had great success in the recent CDI's and regional championships. I want to mention a few, but I hope everyone from the Youth Dressage Festival who placed in Regional Championships or CDI's will contact me and we can make a comprehensive list. Please don't be bashful! Mica Mabragana who won the two highest divisions at YDF this year did very well at the two fall CDI's (NEDA and Devon). She won 5 out of six FEI Young Rider classes with her new mount loaned to her by Sam Grunkorn, and placed well with Ballywhim Ardan Mor in the same classes. Kat Mathieu who won 2nd and 3rd level at YDF also won the Region 8 2nd and 3rd Level Championships. Megan Davis who was third in the YDF Young Rider Division won the Region 8 4th Level and FEI Junior Championships. Please send me your results and we will publish them as well.
We have a new scholarship available thanks to the inspiration and success of Courtney King and the generosity of her supporters and others. The scholarships we have given in past years are for equestrian education only and have assisted riders who are perfecting the basics to riders training in Germany. These scholarships are still available. The Courtney's Quest scholarship is for those following in Courtney's footsteps into National Championships and international competitions. For example they would be for riders going to the National USEF Championships usually held in Gladstone, NJ or invited to compete abroad. Go to www.dressage4kids.com for more information.
The Weekend Educational Program is currently being organized. It will be held in Southbury, CT on February 2/3. SAVE THE DATE. We now have a bigger facility and the program will be expanded. There will be daylong sessions with attorney Beth Clarke on the subjects that every horse owner, parent of a rider, and every equestrian business owner needs to know. We are will have a special program with USDF Certified instructors and faculty members, Sarah Geikie and Vicki O'Neil similar to the lectures given at USDF Workshops. We will also have a variety of lectures specifically for parents, youths just starting in riding or those moving into international competition.
We are looking for new members of our D4K committee as well as volunteers to do some "jobs" from their home this winter. Some of these involve typing, contacting people through email, etc. Some of our most valuable committee members like Molly Lane from NH, Jeff Kurtz from PA, and Renee Leone from way upstate NY never come to committee meetings because they are so far away.
Next year's show is being planned. We are going back to a weekend date and the only one available in Saugerties is July 17-19. Since we know this is very early in the competition year we are changing the qualifying requirements. Anyone who competed in YDF in 2007 is automatically qualified for the same level. New competitors and riders wishing to compete at a higher level need one score of at least 55% from a recognized judge or L graduate. These scores may come from anything - a pony club competition, a schooling show, or just a judge coming to your farm and judging a ride. Why not have a little half day schooling show at your own farm to get your scores. If you need help in qualifying let me know, but start planning now. The format of the show will be basically the same. The new reading list is on the website.
I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving.
