February, 2007

Dear Jeff,

Welcome to a chilly February, and to our second newsletter for the 2007 Youth Dressage Festival!

Welcome everyone to the February edition of the Dressage4kids, Inc. newsletter. How lucky we are to have Jeff Kurtz of Reykur Associates, Inc who is sending this out. His enthusiasm and his expertise are helping to bring our community together with these newsletters.

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The applications for the Weekend Educational Program went from a norm of 120 to 300, and unfortunately I had to turn people away. We used the facility to its capacity and everyone was so patient and thoughtful.

It was an amazing weekend. So many people on the D4K Committee contributed. It never would have happened without Laura Akin, Kim Best, and Connie Cartesio who helped with registration, directions, questions, etc. Kim maintained such patience all day both days at the desk. (And Kim is remarkable -- she isn't a dressage rider and doesn't have kids who ride. She just loves us :-) Laura worked nonstop also helping people with sponsorship profiles. Connie was a superstar doing sales. Margaret Freeman worked nearly non stop with her talks -- while her test riding/judging expertise is much appreciated, her trivia game with the kids was a huge hit. Fern Feldman as usual did everything from making the coffee to working with people on the Balimo chair. Carole Baker who gets the facility for us was merciless keeping the college IT guy in line and was helpful to many parents and youth advising about going to a riding college. Beth Clarke as usual was hugely popular in between scaring us all to death Alison End (USDF certified instructor) had an accident Friday evening, probably tore her ACL in her right knee, yet she got on a train on Saturday morning so she could give her excellent talks on Sunday. And Marie Banks was one of those who generously loaded my car (and I mean LOADED) at the bitter end of the day. Jeff Kurtz was so amazingly on top of things through the web. Wow, what a group.

Photos HERE and HERE!

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I stayed up very late last night reading evaluations. Many people said they had no least favorite speaker, and I think every speaker there was mentioned several times as a favorite -- I think that's amazing. Susan Harris is a remarkable speaker, tremendous knowledge in so many areas, and indefatigable. She, too, was working in the hallways between lectures helping kids learn about how to sit and move on a horse. Robin Levine, a personal trainer and a rider, was a real find. I know that a lot of the attendees went away inspired to work on their fitness. Our vet Christina Braun did a very good job and reminded us of good common sense... Vicki O'Neil was the most favorite for many. Vicki O'Neil's talk "If I'm Not Supposed to Use My Hands, Why Are My Rein Aids So Important?" was a huge hit. She is also a certified instructor as well as USDF Faculty. Jess van Eyck from Vermont, another certified instructor, jumped in at the last minute to share her expertise. We are so lucky to have so many people who give us their time and knowledge... And a special thank you to The Horse Connection Tack Shop in Bedford, NY (914 234-2047) for the donation of products. They have been long time generous supporters of our activities.

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I hope that everyone has noticed that the dates for the Youth Dressage Festival are Monday to Wednesday, August 20 - 22, again in Saugerties, NY. The prize list will be up in about two weeks. The Festival runs immediately after the Centerline Dressage Show and CDI. The East Coast Pony Cup will also be held at the Centerline Show - pony divisions at all levels for adults and youth! (Info on Centerline show will be posted at: Centerline Show)

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We are in need of some volunteers now for the show. I am looking for adults with children or students who will be competing to take over certain aspects. Competitors can cover the Festival's volunteer requirement doing this.

Jog - 1 adult 1 youth

Copy handouts beforehand

Set up jog area Monday AM

Organize and oversee the jog

Prix Caprilli - 1 adult 4 youth

Set up jumps Tuesday late afternoon

Provide ring crew

Change jumps between classes

Dressage Trail Class 1 adult, 2 youth

Collect obstacles

Set up obstacles late Tuesday afternoon

Provide ring crew during class

Change obstacles between classes

Collect obstacles after class

Leadline: 1 adult Wednesday only

Collect awards (they will be provided)

Get judge to arena and ringmaster to arena

Hand out awards

Tack room contest: Tuesday

Make list of competitors

Escort judge

Record and give out awards

Turnout out inspection: 2 adults preferably with Pony Club experience

Invite judges

Set up area -- Sunday afternoon

Oversee during the day Monday

Look after judges (drinks, provide lunch)

Add scores and give out awards

We also need volunteers at the show in other areas. For general volunteering click on the Volunteer links and send your contact info!

Contact me if you would like to take on any of these.

Download Volunteer Word doc and email to bestkim2003@snet.net please!

or smail mail Volunteer PDF file.

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We also need a sponsor for the Pizza Party for the competitors on Monday evening as well as the Parents/Trainer reception at the same time. This would involve providing and setting up the food. If you, your stable, your club would be interested or know someone who might be interested, please let me know and I can tell you more.

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If you are planning to compete in recognized shows this year now is the perfect time to get all your memberships and registrations in order with the USDF and the USEF.

Membership Checklist for Competing

Some fees are going up in April - beat inflation and register now!

Do you know about USDF Performance certificates and the medal program?

Performance Certificate

Rider Award Report Form

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I will not be able to do the Youth Clinics that I used to do with my staff at Gleneden during the summer. However we could do some afternoon clinics at nearby stables if people wanted. Just let me know.

I am still working on the FEI Pony Clinic for this year. I expect that I will have an exciting announcement soon about this. I am hoping that there will be two - one in the spring and one in the fall.

Everyone should read the Scholarship report from Liz Austin who went to Germany to train with our Olympic Coach Klaus Balkenhol. She gives some excellent information.

Link to Report

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The National Championships for Grand Prix, the Pan American Trials, the Brentina Cup, and the National Championships for Young Riders and Juniors will be held in Gladstone, NJ in June 14 - 17. I am looking for two riders (12 - 16) to do FEI Pony exhibition rides. If you are interested email me -- graydressage@optonline.net. This would be a wonderful field trip for you to make. In one spot you will see the top Juniors, Young Riders, Young Adults, and International competitors from all over the US. Would anyone be interested in a D4K group sitting together and having some educational activities? Perhaps on Saturday? Let me know.

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The D4K committee wants to welcome its newest committee member Susan Seiber from Shrub Oak, NY. We are excited to have new ideas for our group.

We are also thrilled that Renee Leone from Syracuse, NY has volunteered to take over the chairmanship of the Sponsorship Committee. This is a huge job and she will be most ably assisted by the former chairman, Theresa Davidson.

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Please let us know what you would like to see updated regarding the website, and included in future newsletters.

We are watching and updating the D4K Blog between the newsletters... and don't hesitate to 'forward to a friend'!

Stay Warm!

Lendon

Jeffrey Kurtz
Reykur Associates Inc.

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