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Transcript of 2016 newsletter marchapril
Transitions Marzo & Abril 2016
Dear Members,
Spring is here! We have been lucky with wonderful riding weather and I hope you have had an opportunity to ride and enjoy what I like to call “why-I-live-here” weather. If you get a chance to go out on the trails, it is beautiful. The photos
were taken March 19 in the Catalina State Park. It always fascinates me what flowers dominate each year and this year it is the lupines.
The first two TDC recognized schooling
shows were successful and had great weather. The next one is May 8 at Amado Equine Hacienda. That show features a
fun class: dressage trail. Check it out, I am going to do it this time.
TDC’s March Madness show was a huge success filling
three arenas with terrific rides on beautiful sunny, not-windy days. A children’s Easter Egg hunt was put together by
Molly O’Brien, Elizabeth Eggers, and Kathleen Gale. The kids really enjoyed the opportunity to get to know one
another. The Board would like to extend a hearty thank you to all of the volunteers who made this show happen and to our sponsors as well for helping us out. We could not continue to provide a quality show without you.
Educational opportunities abound this Spring. TDC member Scarlett Fahrensen is hosting Charles deKnuffy at her St.Georg
Equestrian Center in Sonoita on April 9-10; TDC is hosting Beth Baumert for a clinic on April 22-24 at the Amado Equine Hacienda in Amado; TDC member Lynn Boice is coordinating the Julie Leiken Clinic on May 6-8; and there is a Dressage
University session scheduled for May 22. Please check the TDC website for more information and contacts, plus there should be more information in this Newsletter.
At this time the TDC Fall Symposium is scheduled for October 29-30 at the Pima County Fairgrounds featuring Willy Arts
focusing on selecting and starting young horses, plus working on ground manners.
I know it is a long way off, but save the date of January 28, 2017 for the TDC Dressage Gala and Awards banquet at the Mountain Oyster Club.
As always the Officers, and all Board members welcome ideas from our members for things to do to that benefit our
members.
Rosemary Gordon Pánuco
TDC President
Tucson Dressage Club
Board of Directors PRESIDENT: Rosemary Gordon Panuco
[email protected] 520-797-6921 VICE PRESIDENT: Kathleen Gale
[email protected] TREASURER: Ursula Conway
[email protected] 702-658-4826 SECRETARY: Bobbi Lehman
[email protected] 520-705-0835
BOARD MEMBER
Mike Goss [email protected] 520-490-5555
Elizabeth Eggers [email protected]
Nancy McGibbon
Jeanna Escalante
Molly O’Brien
Tucson Dressage Club Committees AWARDS: Rosemary Gordon Panuco 520-797-6921, [email protected] FINANCIAL REVIEW: Ursula Conway [email protected] JUNIOR: Molly O’Brien
MEMBERSHIP: Lynn Boice
NEWSLETTER: Lynn Boice
PUBLICITY
RECOGNIZED SHOWS: Ellie Stine-Masek
520-405-8886
SHOW AWARDS: Jennifer Parker,520-235-5145:
Laine Sklar, [email protected]
WEBSITE: Lynn Boice
[email protected]; [email protected]
Calendar
Prize lists and entry forms for all TDC shows can be found at
www.tucsondressageclub.org
Prize lists and entry forms for all ADA shows can be found at
www.azdressage.org
Upcoming TDC Events
Beth Baumert Clinic
April 22-23
Amado Equine Hacienda
Clinics
Charles deKunffy
April 9-10
Contact: Colleen Clement at [email protected]
Scarlett Fahrenson at stgeorgdakotacom.net
Julie Leiken~
May 6-8, 2016
Contact: Lynn Boice 520-954-2205
2106 Recognized Show Dates
ADA – April 2-3
Roadrunner – June 4-5
Roadrunner – July 9-10
For prize list contact: Rosemary at [email protected]
Region 5 Championships – September 15-18, Estes Park, Co
ADA – August 13-14
ADA – November 5-6
TDC – November 19-20
Schooling Show Schedule
**Amado Equine Hacienda – May 8**
Date change
St Georg – September 10
Amado Equine Hacienda – October 9
M2 Sporthorses – October 23
The Tucson Dressage Club is a non-profit educational organization with the
mission of promoting dressage in southeastern Arizona. We accomplish this through
educational seminars and clinics for our members, the equestrian community and the
general public. We also sponsor a series of schooling shows and US Equestrian Federation
(USEF)/US Dressage Federation (USDF) recognized shows each year. We elect a Board of
Directors from the general membership and are governed by bylaws. Formed in 1975, the
Tucson Dressage Club is today a group of dressage enthusiasts who have joined together
to learn more about dressage, share experiences, support and encourage each other. We
strive to promote interest in and understanding of the principals of dressage through our
many programs and shows.
Beth has served as technical editor of Dressage Today for more than sixteen years. In that capacity, she is in constant contact with the best dressage riders in the world as they discussed the technical aspects of dressage. She is a USDF Certified Instructor through Fourth Level and an “L” graduate (with distinction) of the USDF judging program. Beth is the author of When Two Spines Align: Dressage Dynam-ics, which explores the partnership between horse and rid-er. The DVD, How Riders Work, represents Part I of the book. Currently, Beth is the President and CEO of The Dressage Foun-dation (TDF), a non-profit organization who’s mission is to ad-vance the sport of dressage in the United States by providing financial assistance to promising riders, trainers, breeders and judges.
A Clinic with Beth Baumert
April 22-24, 2016
After a terrific fall clinic, Beth will be back to an expanded, 3 day
spring clinic.
Whether riding or auditing, there will be great discussions and learning opportunities! Lunch will be provided
for riders and paid auditors.
Rider: $135/45min lesson, includes lunch for
ride and one groom.
Auditor: Pre-registration $10 a day includes
lunch.
Day or Overnight stalls: $20/day Contact Bobbi
at Amado Equine Hacienda for reservation and payment. [email protected]
Location: Amado Equine Hacienda, 27777 S Nogales Hwy, Amado, AZ 85645
Register and pay online http://www.tucsondressageclub.org/ Or make checks payable to Tucson Dressage
Club (TDC) and mail to :
Ursula Conway
1125 Morning Star Dr.
Rio Rico, AZ 85648
The Tucson Dressage Club presents
Registration Deadlines
Auditors: April 18, 2016
Riders: April 4, 2016. Please contact Randi or Ursula
ASAP for scheduling.
For questions and rider slots….
Contact Randi Nelson-Shipley, [email protected]
or Ursula Conway, [email protected]
March 2016 Region 5 Message
Spring is coming and the weather has been great, at least in Colorado in mid-February I’m ready for the
snow to be done!
Fundraising efforts are once again under way for the USDF Region 5 Juniors and Young Riders as they try to
qualify and travel to the 2016 FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships. The Championships
will be held July 26-31, 2016 at the Colorado Horse Park. It will hopefully be a bit of an easier trip this year for
our group of 8 riders with their horses, grooms and Chef d’Equipes but they still need all the support we can
give them. There are still some travel expenses, they must stay in a hotel for the week, and there are team
uniforms, chef expenses, feed, bedding and oh so much more that they need help with. If you would like to
contribute or help with their fundraising efforts, please contact Joan Clay, our Region 5 Jr/YR FEI coordinator at
[email protected] or 970-420-0877 or our Fundraising Chair, Kathy Gillespie at [email protected] or
303-921-5253. If you are still interested in participating in the FEI Junior and Young Rider program for 2016,
the last intention deadline is May 17th but the less expensive deadline is May 4th, so be sure to get in your
intentions soon.
Regional Championship bids for 2017 have been received and we should know soon where the competition
will be held. I had really hoped for some bids from some new areas but unfortunately it did not happen.
Maybe we can get some things going for 2018. USDF will announce the locations of the 2017 Regionals in May.
I hope everyone is planning on attending the Regionals in 2016 in Estes Park, Colorado at the Stanley Park
Fairgrounds. It’s a beautiful area with lots of fun things to do and the venue is very nice. It should be a great
show hosted by the Rocky Mountain Dressage Society!
If you are interested in being a delegate to the Board of Governors meeting, please contact our Nominating
Council representative and have your name added to the ballot for Participating Delegate. Please contact
Scarlett Fahrenson at [email protected] and let her know your interest and she can provide you with
more details on the potential responsibilities. PM Delegate nominations are due in to the USDF office no later
then April 15th.
Till next month!
Heather Petersen
Region 5 Director
If you would prefer to have your copy of Transitions
mailed to you, please contact Lynn Boice at [email protected]
Horses and Humans Research Foundation
For the first time ever, the Horses and Humans Research Foundation (HHRF) is
coming to Tucson for its annual face-to-face board meeting in April 2016. HHRF
funds and supports research to advance equine assisted activities and
therapies. TDC’s own, Nancy McGibbon has been involved with HHRF from the
beginning and serves on the scientific advisory committee. Another TDC
member, Ann Alden, is a board member for HHRF. HHRF is dependent upon
tax deductible donations to raise money to fund quality research. Now in its 11th
year, HHRF has funded research in the US and other countries.
The HHRF board of directors is hosting a dinner Thursday, April 7, 2016 starting
at 6:00 pm at the Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort & Spa at 245 E. Ina
Road. Our speakers include H. Alan Day, author of The Horse Lover, A
Cowboy’s Quest to Save the Wild Mustangs with Lynn Wiese Sneyd. Alan is a
very entertaining speaker. Nancy McGibbon, MS, PT HPCS will follow Alan and
talk about her research funded by HHRF on the Effects of Hippotherapy on
Balance and Gait in Ambulatory Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy. Nancy
will also talk about the future of research and why it is needed to validate the
effectiveness of working with horses.
Please join us to celebrate the magic and science of the horse-human bond.
The dinner includes a delicious Mexican fajitas buffet with a cash bar also
available. Special meals are available with 4 days advance notice. The cost is
$65 per person, or a table for 10 can be reserved for $600. Business casual
attire is suggested. Seating is limited. Please RSVP by March 31, 2016.
Tucson has long been a leader in various forms of equine assisted activities and
therapies from Hippotherapy to Equine Facilitated Mental Health work,
therapeutic riding and more. This is a rare chance to meet with several pioneers
in EAAT. You can contact Ann Alden at [email protected] or 520-820-5757 for more
information. I hope to see you there!
For more information on the Horses and Humans Research Foundation please
go to www.horsesandhumans.org or contact HHRF at [email protected] with
questions on how to make reservations or request a special diet meal.
Amado Equine Dressage Schooling Show
February 14, 2016 Judge: Rachel High
Class 1 USDF Intro Level Test A
1 Cathy Blodgett Artex 109.5 68.438%
2 Cathy Blodgett Brownie 95 59.375%
Class 2 USDF Intro Level B
1 Christine Morales Baileys’NCream
108.5 67.813%
Class 4 Training Level Test 1 AA
1 Pamela Greer Weston 167.5 72.826%
2 Stacey Lent Midnight Asset 150.5 65.435%
3 Samantha Kirberger Jethro 144.5 62.826%
Nancy Sherbrooke No Big Deal 140.5
61.087
Michele Spears Bobby McGee GCF 140
60.870%
Samy Moritz Not Your Average Beau 135
58.696%
Class 4 Training Level Test 1 Open
1 Casi Majeski Eureka 176 76.522%
2 Casi Majeski Midnight Asset 159 69.130%
3 Casi Majeski Blue Velvet 144.5 62.826%
Class 5 Training Level Test 2 AA
1 Pamela Greer Weston 182 70.000%
2 Nancy Sherbrooke No Big Deal 166.5
64.038%
3 Samy Moritz Not Your Average Beau 164.5
63.269%
Michele Spears Bobby McGee GCF 162.5
62.500%
Class 5 Training Level Test 2 Open
1 Casi Majeski Eureka 204.5 78.654%
Class 6 Training Level Test 3 AA
1 Pamela Greer Weston 153.5 69.773%
Class 7 First Level Test 1 AA
1 Stephen Jackson Spider 140.5 52.037%
Class 12 Test of Choice AA
1 Anne Bowen High Regard 4th,1 247
66.757%
2 Stacey Lent Midnight Asset Tr,1 153
66.522%
3 Anne Bowen High Regard 4th, 2 239
66.389%
Samantha Kirberger Jethro Tr, 1
136 59.130%
Monica Kesler Blue Velvet Para Nov
103.5 49.286%
Class 16 Trail Dressage Test 1
1 Anne Bowen High Regard 104.5 80.385%
2 Pamela Greer Weston 97 74.615%
3 Steve Jackson Spider 88.5 68.077%
Nancy Sherbrooke No Big Deal 85
65.385%
Cathy Blodgett Brownie 83.5 64.231%
Kathie German Tahiti 82 63.077%
Sheila Strickler Kahlua 81.5 62.692%
Christine Morales Baileys’NCream
76.5 58.846%
Susan Heiss Boo 76 58.462%
Class 17 Trail Dressage Test 2
1 Steve Jackson Spider 245 71.014%
2 Pamela Greer Weston 241.5 70.000%
3 Susan Heiss Boo 228.5 66.252%
Authority
by
Susan Downs Parrish, Ph.D.
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of
belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was
the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all
going direct the other way. . . . A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens.
Charles Dickens rode dressage. Never mind that biographers neglected to mention his passion for riding. He knew the elusive
nature of the art. How else could he come up with a description to describe exactly what every dressage rider endures?
The “best of times and worst of times” came to me after the Tucson Dressage Club’s Winter Heat Shows, I and II. My ride on
Saturday, my first Intermediaire 1 attempt with Maronda, didn’t go well. Tension rather than relaxation infused every movement.
Upon exiting the ring, Eli Masek, my long time friend and former instructor, said, “You win the Rodeo Award.” The judge, Debbie
Riehl-Rodriguez, responded similarly. She wrote, “Obviously talented & athletic horse, but many unfortunate problems. Rider
maintained composure throughout—well handled!! Keep working!” Not the words any rider dreams of reading in the comment
section of a test.
Saturday night, lying in bed, I pondered “the rodeo.” My dear Riesling, may he rest in peace, popped into my head. Every show
in at least one class, Riesling erupted. At seventeen-two, his air-born maneuvers caught everyone’s attention. Warm-up arenas
tended to thin out when we entered. Fear rather than mischief motivated Riesling. I began riding him when he was four. A big,
gangly colt, he couldn’t travel a twenty-meter circle without breaking into a trot. The first time I rode a training level pattern at
home, he became anxious because I concentrated on the sequence of moves, and didn’t reassure him every minute or so with my
voice.
Maronda is more confident than Riesling ever was. Puffed up with tension, her reactions on Saturday were deliberate.
Losgelassenheit? Not a trace. Many horses felt tense, but they didn’t explode in the arena. How did other riders avoid the rodeo
antics? What did I do or not do to cause similar outbursts on different horses? Here I was training my last horse, hoping to get to
Grand Prix one last time, and history tapped me on the shoulder. One advantage of seniorhood is having a deep archive from which
to search for answers. An image rescued me from my terror: Jonas riding Wishing Well.
In a previous piece, I wrote about this pair. For those who missed the description or may have forgotten, Wishing Well, a
talented, elegant jumper, developed the habit of standing on his hind legs and refusing to enter the arena. When Jonas Irbinskas
arrived in Tucson, he accepted the challenge of riding Wishy. I wasn’t lucky enough to see how Jonas prepared for the first show,
but I did see the event, and will never forget the image of the man and the horse: perfect harmony. Later, as I came to know Jonas, I
would understand the determination on which the harmony rested. Along with the image, a voice sounded in my head, “You will,”
Conrad Schumacher’s unmistakable tone. Then, a softer voice, “You must be the pilot,” Gerd Zuther. Jonas skillfully put Wishy on
the bit, and the horse remained on the bit: precisely what I had to accomplish.
On Sunday, when I entered the arena for my second go at Intermediaire 1, I put Maronda on the bit and there she stayed. The
pilot stepped up. Maronda was tense, but compliant. Tempi changes lifted the veil on the level of tension evident in the saddle from the
moment we entered the arena, but overall the ride was one of my better dressage performances. Okay, but what did this success mean for
future rides? I remembered the joke about the woman whose doctor tells her that the operation went as planned: “We removed the frog
from your stomach.”
The woman says, “Oh good!
On the way out the door, the doctor looks at the woman and says, “I hope she didn’t lay any eggs.”
One thing about Maronda, she communicates. I listen, but don’t always understand the message. My first show ride on
Maronda, a First Level test, sticks with me. Every corner, she expected me to guide her around, while I expected her to turn the corners
as she had always done at home. We went so deep into the first corner that she almost came to a halt. After two corners, I caught on and
rode deep but correct corners. No other horse offered me such control, and she didn’t turn like this at home. I mentioned this
phenomenon to a few people, but no one said much, so I dismissed the experience. In my ride on Saturday, she went deep into the first
corner, and almost stopped; we weren’t in tune. On Sunday, I rode every stride because I had to. She didn’t have to ask how deep to go
into the corner.
Some years ago, can’t tell you where or when, I heard Conrad Schumacher say that warmbloods need fairly strong contact. He
noted that thoroughbreds might prefer a lighter contact. He couldn’t speak to a thoroughbred’s needs, but he knew what a warmblood
needed. Maronda is a Hanoverian, and I think she has been trying to tell me that she needs stronger contact than I have been providing.
She wants me to be in charge, know where the heck we are going, and tell her well in advance.
It’s my nature to blend in rather than stand out. When I rode Riesling, the tall, bright chestnut with four white socks and a
blaze, no one thought my inclination was to escape notice. As a high school student, my mother attended one of my classes, and noticed
that I sat in the back row and never opened my mouth. She decided things needed to change. She enrolled me in Valley School for Girls,
where most of my classes had less than ten students. There was no back row. I got called on a lot, and learned to be a student. With
horses, my nature has always been to harmonize with rather than govern. I’m a reluctant authority.
Now I get it: Maronda is my mother incarnate. Heaven help me.
April Birthdays
3 Elizabeth Eggers
Nancy Leverenz
McKenzie Miller
7 Barbara Rector
11 Elissa Hambright
15 Terry Bannon
17 Cyndi Jackson
Samy Moritz
23 Denise Dalton-Love
27 Denise Langhenry
29 Jennifer Parker
Jean Downs,
Susan’s mother,
riding
Toy’s Upset
~1958
The essential joy of
being with horses is
that it brings us in
contact with the rare
elements of grace,
beauty, spirit, and
fire. ~Sharon Ralls
Lemon
M2 Sporthorses Schooling Show
March 6, 2016 Judge: Lois Whittington
Intro Test A Jr
1 Memphis Hogan Article VII 98.5 61.562%
Intro Test A AA
1. Christine Morales Bailey’s “N” Cream 105 65.625%
2 Jennifer Cook Ms Demeanor 100.5 62.812%
3 Ellie Stilson Unlawful Detainer 97 60.625%
Intro Test B AA
1 . Christine Morales Bailey’s “N” Cream 108 67.500%
Intro Test of Choice
1 . Christine Morales Bailey’s “N” Cream 106.5 66.562% test B
2 Memphis Hogan Article VII 97.5 60.937% test a
Training Level Test 1 Jr/YR
1 Jamie Ricksecker Shiny and Zipped 149 64.782%
Training Level Test 1 AA
1 Pamela Greer Weston 145.5 63.260%
Training Level Test 2 Jr/YR
1 Jamie Ricksecker Shiny and Zipped 161.5 62.115%
2 Louise Johansson Spot of Champagne 161 61.923%
Training Level Test 2 AA
1 Tammye Gregoire Marengo 177 68.076%
2 Pamela Greer Weston 171 65.769%
Training Level Test 3 Jr/YR
1 Louise Johansson Spot of Champagne 130 59.090%
Training Level Test 3 AA
1 Pamela Greer Weston 142.5 64.772%
Training Level Test 3 Open
1 Rosemary Gordon Panuco Article VI 128.5 58.409%
Training Level TOC
1 Rosemary Gordon Panuco Article VI 132 60.000%
First Level Test 1 AA
1 Stefanie Daratony Arora 155 57.407%
First Level Test 1 Open
1 Jana Crimmins Ruby 173 64.259%
First Level Test 2 AA
1 Tammye Gregoire Marengo 199 62.187%
First Level Test 2 Open
1 Jana Crimmins Ruby 208.5 65.165%
First Level Test 3 YR
1 Ellen Cook WOW 220.5 64.852%
First Level TOC
1 Stefanie Daratony Arora 169.5 62.777%
Intermediare 1
1 Susan Parrish Maronda 233 61.315%
High Point
Tammye Gregoire Marengo
177 68.076%
TDC BOARD MEETING
1 March 2016
Tucson Racquet Club
Meeting Called to order at 6:35 p.m.
Directors Present: Rosemary Gordon Panuco, Randi Nelson-
Shipley, Elizabeth Eggers, Molly O'Brien, Mike Goss, Bobbi
Lehman, Jeanna Escalante, Nancy McGibbon.
Regrets from: Kathleen Gale, Ursula Conway
Review of Minutes: January Board Meeting Minutes - already
approved and published in February newsletter; Annual Meeting
Minutes - motioned to approve and accepted.
Treasurer’s Report: Ursula to update
Membership Report: 154
TDC Awards Gala Jan. 30, 2016 final report: Report from
Nancy McGibbon. Kudos to all involved in organizing the Gala.
Nancy provided a financial profit and loss summary as well as
event process report to assist with future planning. The event
had a net cost of $735.62. An event form template for the Gala
was provided, and the board agreed it would be used for all
major events. Nancy offered to start a Board Event binder so
that planning information and contacts are available for the
future.
Motion to hold the 2017 Gala at MO Club again, seconded,
motion unanimously passed.
TDC Show Committee Report: Next show committee
meeting Monday March 7, 2016, 6:30 p.m. Tucson Racquet Club
(meeting cancelled – Show committee to reconvene after March
Madness).
Report pending from show committee to TDC governing board.
Board discussed about competitions and other horse shows that
draw the public more. Marketing of classes that are more
interesting such as Freestyles and FEI classes. Let the
community know when these classes are happening and when
to come out to watch. Post ride times in a more public location
such as social media, local newspapers, radio, Craigslist, etc.
Promote specialty classes: Pas de Deux, Prix Caprilli,
Quadrille. Proposal of "Dressage Theater" where the horse and
rider competes in costume to music.
Education Committee Report:
TDC Spring Clinic with Beth Baumert, April 22-24,
2016: Riding slots are filling quickly. Riders to
contact Randi and/or Ursula to register to ride or
audit. Registration is completed through the TDC
website. Action item: Send out an email blast to
ensure membership is aware of opportunity to ride
and audit the Spring TDC Clinic.
October 2016 Symposium with Willy Arts: October
29-30, 2016 at Pima Fairgrounds. Topics for the
symposium: ground manners, young horses,
presenting horses in hand, evaluating potential for
various disciplines, conformation. Watch for a call for
demo riders and horses based on the symposium's
objectives as the date approaches.
2017 Symposiums: Mounted Police Desensitization
Clinic.
Dressage University Sessions:
Arena Footing, May 2016. More details to be provided
as the event details develop. (Mike)
Other sessions in discussion:
Jackpot Equine: Session on Keeping Your Horse
Sound; Performance Horses and Health Issues
(Jeanna).
Julie Leiken: Biomechanics through Union of Pilates
and Dressage (Mike)
Trailer Talk with Rick from Cholla Metals
Schooling Show Calendar Update:
Schooling Show at Amado Equine: spring date rescheduled
to May 8, 2016
Old Business:
Motion to approve the decision on Jackpot Equine request to
exchange their service as show vets for advertising in the
competition program and Transitions. Motion seconded, and
passed.
New Business:
Discussion of newsletter on FB, public side of website, perhaps
keep minutes under members only section. Social media is a
common way for people to know what is happening. Many
discussions have occurred regarding increasing membership and
participation in competitions and other TDC events. Advertising
for the newsletter would be more impactful and appealing to
advertisers if a newsletter becomes a publication more widely
distributed. Motion to post Transitions to website and
Facebook, seconded, and unanimously passed. Action item:
Transitions to be posted to FB and website after publication to
membership.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:18 p.m.
Next Meeting: April 5.
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property: 2 Bedrooms, 1 bath - 1000
sq.ft. AC, Washer, Dryer, Tile/Wood Floors.
$800/month Contact Marian Munsinger at 401-
4704 [email protected]
Companion horse needed! Boarding opportunity
available on the San Pedro River in Benson: lots of
turn out and grass. 45 minutes east of Tucson.
$250/month. Come ride anytime. Would be willing
to take horses that just need time off from work or
any other temporary basis.
[email protected] or 520-221-0563
What Is Contact? The Second Stage
Horse Listening Blog
Stage Two: “On the Bit”
Eventually, “contact” begins to take on a deeper meaning. You will find out that just shortening the reins won’t help your horse a lot. The horse will tend to feel any pressure you put on the reins, and will often either brace or tense against your pull.
We’ve previously talked about how pulling is not the answer to achieving healthy and quality movement. The simple reason is that every time you pull, you block the horse’s energy from his hind end and through his back – resulting in a shortening of the horse’s stride and a reduction in his ability to use the inside hind leg for balance.
Stage Two is when you start to notice the “pull” and do something about it. Although you know you need to shorten the reins for better communication, you begin to learn that contact cannot happen if it doesn’t start in the hind end. So you begin to use your legs and seat to initiate the shorter rein length. Notice that the short rein happens as a result of impulsion/engagement. First, you activate the hind end. Then you shorten the reins.
When you ask the horse to engage (come under the body deeper with the hind legs), the horse’s body will round more. The horse uses his topline muscles better and suddenly, your previously shortened reins seem too long! This happens because in rounding, the horse’s body actually becomes shorter.
So at Stage Two, you initiate movement with your seat and legs. The horse uses that energy to round through the body and come to the bit. Even though you shortened the reins enough before you asked for the horse to round, it is the horse that takes the bit at this stage.
To repeat: the horse takes the bit.
You don’t pull back or harder to get a result. The horse steps “forward” – to the bit. Some people call this action “seeking the bit”. The only thing you do is decide on a rein length (by the way, it could be short or long – it’s not the rein length that matters) and then send the horse to the bit from your seat and legs. Then you maintain balance through well-timed half-halts.
You will know this happened the first time you get it. It feels great! The “contact” is light, the horse’s whole body, including the poll becomes soft, and the movement becomes bouncy bouncy – in a nice, round, trampoline-y sort of way. You will likely get a snort or two, and the horse will feel as buoyant as you do…
…even if it only lasts a few strides!
You will also feel a distinct difference between the feel of the contact between this and the first stage, when you just shortened the reins. This feel is more like you’re really communicating, progressing through space together. The pull feeling is replaced by a contact feeling (if that makes sense!). You’re in touch but not in a heavy way. The horse feels distinctly more powerful and round. Your aids become clearer and your horse feels freer even while he responds sooner and easier.
To recap:
Stage Two: “On the Bit”
initiate from the hind end horse steps to the bit horse rounds shorten the reins half-halts
Tucson Dressage Club March Madness I & II March 19-20, 2016
Training Level, Test 1; Jr/YR, AA
(C) Mandas, 1 McKenzie Miller Romantic Man JR/YR 148.5 64.565%
2 Sidney Estrada Suncatcher Baby JR/YR 142.0 61.739%
3 Jamie Ricksecker Shiny And Zipped JR/YR 139.5 60.652%
Training Level, Test 1; Open
(C) Mandas,
1 Missy Gilliland Saphiera L Open 173.0 75.217% 2 Heather McKay Case Ecco Domani Open 154.5 67.174%
3 Toah Hatch Formal Affair Open 140.0 60.870%
Training Level, Test 2
(C) Roth,
1 Jill Graf Piper's Stewart AA 170.5 65.577%
2 Karen Spencer Nahimana AA 169.5 65.192% 3 Cynthia Ganem El Galion AA 164.5 63.269%
4 Carol Ann Bartels Batino AA 136.5 52.500%
1 Isabella Parks Cancun EE JR/YR 187.5 72.115% 2 Jamie Ricksecker Shiny And Zipped JR/YR 140.0 53.846%
1 Missy Gilliland Windermere DDB Open 201.0 77.308%
2 Missy Gilliland Saphiera L Open 186.5 71.731% 3 Jennifer Parker Fenix RMC Open 182.5 70.192%
4 Heather McKay Case Ecco Domani Open 176.0 67.692% 5 Juan Lopez Torres T'ally -O Open 175.5 67.500%
6 Toah Hatch Justa Beansprout Open 173.0 66.538%
Training Level, Test 3
(C) Wadeborn,
1 Francine Garrigus Time Out AA 149.5 67.955%
2 Meredith Wykoff Romulus AA 137.0 62.273% 3 Geren Thurston Lifelord Z AA 137.0 62.273%
4 Kathleen Downie Poblano Mor AA 136.0 61.818%
5 Meredith Wykoff Rainieri AA 128.0 58.182% 1 Isabella Parks Cancun EE JR/YR 154.5 70.227%
2 Jamie Deconcini Miss Maisy Mae JR/YR 138.0 62.727%
1 Missy Gilliland Windermere DDB Open 162.0 73.636% 2 Jennifer Parker Fenix RMC Open 154.5 70.227%
3 Heather McKay Case Ecco Domani Open 154.0 70.000%
4 Mimi Junick Escapada Open 149.5 67.955% 5 Toah Hatch Formal Affair Open 145.5 66.136%
Toah Hatch Justa Beansprout Open 143.0 65.000%
6 Juan Lopez Torres T'ally -O Open 143.0 65.000% Toah Hatch Barleone Open 134.5 61.136%
Training Level, Test of Choice
(C) Roth, 1 Jill Graf Piper's Stewart AA 168.0 64.615%
2 Geren Thurston Lifelord Z AA 135.0 61.364%
First Level, Test 1
(C) Mandas,
1 Naima Guy Rosa Fina AA 178.0 65.926% 2 Michele Mooney Don Viamo AA 177.0 65.556%
3 Diane DeVincentis Legend LHF AA 173.5 64.259%
4 Francine Garrigus Time Out AA 166.0 61.481% 5 Kathleen Downie Poblano Mor AA 165.5 61.296%
6 Judy Cutitta Chico AA 162.5 60.185%
Karen Spencer Nahimana AA 154.5 57.222%
First Level, Test 2
(C) Wadeborn,
1 Ann-Marie Crookham Myst of Elysium AA 207.0 64.688%
2 Tammy Callahan Damiani AA 189.0 59.063%
1 Jana Crimmins Sapphire Cream of the Crop O 213.0 66.563%
2 Allison Hardas Nibrika Mourne View Mist O 199.5
62.344%
First Level, Test 3; Jr/YR, Open
(C) Roth,
1 Molly O'Brien Consolata JR/YR 251.5 73.971% 2 Jamie Deconcini Miss Maisy Mae JR/YR 216.5 63.676%
1 Mimi Junick Butterfly Kisses Open 239.5 70.441%
2 Jana Crimmins Sapphire Cream of the Crop O 236.5 69.559%
3 Catherine Brown Vienna Open 232.0 68.235%
4 Leesa Lane Bojenia AA 229.0 67.353% 5 Allison Hardas Nibrika Mourne View Mist O 215.5
63.382%
First Level, Test 3; AA
(C) Roth,
1 Christine Linn Classie Com AA 238.0 70.000%
2 Diane DeVincentis Legend LHF AA 234.0 68.824% 3 Susan Arbuckle Shiners Buckaroo AA 231.5 68.088%
4 Janet Teodori Pavan AA 228.5 67.206%
5 Catherine Carlson Reminiscence AA 226.0 66.471% 6 Jaime Pollack I Wont Kiss N Tell AA 224.5 66.029%
Tammy Callahan Damiani AA 220.5 64.853%
Allen Kalchik Arcola AA 217.0 63.824%
First Level, Test of Choice
(C) Mandas, 1 Catherine Carlson Reminiscence AA 219.5 64.559%
2 Ann-Marie Crookham Myst of Elysium AA 202.5 63.281%
1 Catherine Brown Vienna Open 234.5 68.971%
Second Level, Test 1
(C) Wadeborn,
1 Lindsay Naas Roy El's Belle of the Ball AA 198.5 60.152% 2 Karen Lubinski Duke's Mr T. J. AA 197.0 59.697%
3 Reagan Leach Duplicor AA 191.5 58.030%
4 Sharna Watson Beltane Karys AA 174.5 52.879% 1 Katherine Nayak Willow JR/YR 204.0 61.818%
2 Gabrielle Spirk Chi JR/YR 198.5 60.152%
3 Molly O'Brien Consolata JR/YR 195.5 59.242% 1 Allison Hardas M. Ruberth Open 201.0 60.909%
Second Level, Test 2
(C) Wadeborn, 1 Kendall Brookhart Rianna AA 256.5 65.769%
2 Elizabeth Eggers Windstarr AA 216.0 55.385%
Second Level, Test 3
(C) Mandas,
1 Theresa Hunt Carmen AA 295.0 71.951% 2 Christine Linn Classie Com AA 266.5 65.000%
3 Jaime Pollack I Wont Kiss N Tell AA 247.0 60.244%
4 Melinda Olsen Wilderwind AA 240.5 58.659% 5 Elizabeth Eggers Windstarr AA 230.5 56.220%
1 Gabrielle Spirk Chi JR/YR 261.5 63.780%
2 Katherine Nayak Willow JR/YR 243.0 59.268% 1 Mimi Junick Butterfly Kisses Open 277.5 67.683%
Second Level, Test of Choice
(C) Roth,
1 Lindsay Naas Roy El's Belle of the Ball AA 189.0 57.273%
1 Raymond La Croix Lanzelot Open 260.5 63.537%
Third Level, Test 1
(C) Wadeborn, 1 Amy Roth Revanche AA 206.0 62.424%
2 Shelene Taylor Brioso AA 196.5 59.545%
3 Cindi Lacroix Marbella AA 189.0 57.273% 4 Tania Radda Miguel Al Vida AA 186.0 56.364%
5 Pamela Farthing Pakuna AA 170.5 51.667%
1 Megan Manning SR Ssavant JR/YR 210.0 63.636%
2 Sarah Dauz Voltaire JR/YR 200.0 60.606% 1 Kailee Surplus Aegyptian Gold Open 223.0 67.576%
2 Allison Hardas M. Ruberth Open 201.0 60.909%
3 Aoife Coomaraswamy Ferdinand Open 191.0 57.879%
Third Level, Test 2
(C) Roth,
1 Aoife Coomaraswamy Ferdinand Open 209.0 53.590%
Third Level, Test 3
(C) Roth, 1 Anne Buchanan Sky Hit AA 278.0 71.282%
2 Amy Roth Revanche AA 254.5 65.256%
3 Catalina Sherwood Razmitaz AA 242.0 62.051% 1 Megan Manning SR Ssavant JR/YR 253.0 64.872%
2 Sarah Dauz Voltaire JR/YR 246.0 63.077%
1 Kailee Surplus Aegyptian Gold Open 268.0 68.718% 2 Kristy Doty Fandango GSF Open 255.0 65.385%
Third Level, Test of Choice
(C) Wadeborn, 1 Anne Buchanan Sky Hit AA 265.5 68.077%
2 Cindi Lacroix Marbella AA 204.5 61.970%
3 Catalina Sherwood Razmitaz AA 238.0 61.026% 4 Tania Radda Miguel Al Vida AA 194.0 58.788%
5 Pamela Farthing Pakuna AA 192.0 58.182%
Fourth Level, Test 1
(C) Roth,
1 Valerie Denno Digimon AA 237.0 64.054% 2 Laine Sklar Paladin SF AA 218.0 58.919%
Fourth Level, Test 2
(C) Mandas,
1 Valerie Denno Digimon AA 225.0 62.500%
Fourth Level, Test 3
(C) Mandas, 1Ellie Stine-Masek Regalo Open 283.0 62.889%
FEI Prix St. Georges
(C) Mandas, 1 Lynn McKinney Plato En Rouge AA 231.5 60.921%
2 Amy Jackson Menjo AA 219.0 57.632% 3 Lynn Boice Vermeer AA 201.9 53.132%
1 Cyndi Jackson Risky Business Open 282.5 74.342%
2 Nathalie Eikel-Baughman Narok Open 238.0 62.632%
FEI Intermediate I
(C) Mandas, 1 Erin McHenry Bailando AA 265.0 69.737%
2 Sarah Lindsten Raoul AA 254.9 67.079%
3 Kay Lorenzen Wendo AA 248.5 65.395% 4 Susan Parrish Maronda AA 229.5 60.395%
5 Tami George Mondavi F AA 219.4 57.737%
1 Kailee Surplus Santiago SF Open 259.9 68.395%
FEI Grand Prix
(C) Mandas,
1 Sandra Luebbe Samaritano IX AA 323.0 64.600% 2 Lucy Ziurys Sylvano AA 305.0 61.000%
2016 NAJYRC Qualifying FEI Junior Team
(E) Roth, (C) Mandas, 1 Katie Scotford Dean Martin JR/YR 486.5 65.743%
2 Breeanon Ramey Fantasia JR/YR 485.8 65.649%
USDF Freestyle, Test of Choice
(C) Mandas,
1 Michele Mooney Don Viamo AA 212.5 70.833% 2 Marcy Blacker Aul Amira AA 211.0 70.333%
1 Kendall Brookhart Rianna AA 209.5 69.833%
Introductory Level - Test B
(C) Roth, 1 Brianna Nicholson Just A Little Cookie JR/YR 82.0
51.250%
Introductory Level - Test C
(C) Wadeborn,
1 Brianna Nicholson Just A Little Cookie JR/YR 128.5 64.250%
FEI Para Dressage, TOC
(C) Mandas, 1 Kate Shoemaker Solitaer 40 AA 292.5 71.341%
Training Level, Test 1
(C) Roth,
1 McKenzie Miller Romantic Man JR/YR 154.0 66.957%
2 Sidney Estrada Suncatcher Baby JR/YR 146.0 63.478%
3 Jamie Ricksecker Shiny And Zipped JR/YR 128.0 55.652%
Training Level, Test 2
(C) Wadeborn,
1 Jill Graf Piper's Stewart AA 167.0 64.231% 2 Karen Spencer Nahimana AA 165.0 63.462%
1 Jamie Ricksecker Shiny And Zipped JR/YR 154.0 59.231%
1 Missy Gilliland Windermere DDB Open 197.0 75.769% 2 Missy Gilliland Saphiera L Open 182.5 70.192%
3 Jennifer Parker Fenix RMC Open 177.0 68.077%
4 Toah Hatch Formal Affair Open 173.5 66.731% 5 Juan Lopez Torres T'ally -O Open 168.0 64.615%
6 Toah Hatch Barleone Open 157.5 60.577%
Training Level, Test 3
(C) Mandas,
1 Francine Garrigus Time Out AA 149.5 67.955% 2 Catalina Sherwood Lifelord Z AA 148.0 67.273%
3 Meredith Wykoff Romulus AA 137.5 62.500%
4 Kathleen Downie Poblano Mor AA 137.0 62.273% 5 Cynthia Ganem El Galion AA 130.0 59.091%
6 Meredith Wykoff Rainieri AA 124.0 56.364%
Carol Ann Bartels Batino AA JR/YR 158.5 72.045% 1 Missy Gilliland Windermere DDB Open 172.0 78.182%
2 Missy Gilliland Saphiera L Open 163.0 74.091%
3 Mimi Junick Escapada Open 153.5 69.773% 4 Juan Lopez Torres T'ally -O Open 145.0 65.909%
5 Jennifer Parker Fenix RMC Open 144.0 65.455%
6 Toah Hatch Formal Affair Open 138.0 62.727%
Training Level, Test of Choice
(C) Mandas,
1 Jill Graf Piper's Stewart AA 176.5 67.885%
First Level, Test 1
(C) Roth,
1 Naima Guy Rosa Fina AA 191.5 70.926% 2 Francine Garrigus Time Out AA 170.5 63.148%
3 Karen Spencer Nahimana AA 168.5 62.407% 4 Kathleen Downie Poblano Mor AA 165.5 61.296%
5 Judy Cutitta Chico AA 164.0 60.741%
1 Heather McKay Case Ecco Domani O 179.5 66.481%
First Level, Test 2
(C) Mandas,
1 Ann-Marie Crookham Myst of Elysium AA 199.0 62.188% 2 Diane DeVincentis Legend LHF AA 192.5 60.156%
1 Jamie Deconcini Miss Maisy Mae JR/YR 209.0 65.313%
1 Jana Crimmins Sapphire Cream of the Crop O 220.5
68.906%
2 Allison Hardas Nibrika Mourne View Mist O 206.0
64.375% 3 Heather McKay Case Ecco Domani Open 204.0 63.750%
First Level, Test 3
(C) Wadeborn, 1 Christine Linn Classie Com AA 230.5 67.794%
2 Leesa Lane Bojenia AA 229.5 67.500%
3 Susan Arbuckle Shiners Buckaroo AA 224.5 66.029% 4 Diane DeVincentis Legend LHF AA 221.5 65.147%
5 Catherine Carlson Reminiscence AA 215.5 63.382%
6 Janet Teodori Pavan AA 210.0 61.765% Tammy Callahan Damiani AA 207.5 61.029%
1 Molly O'Brien Consolata JR/YR 235.0 69.118%
2 Jamie Deconcini Miss Maisy Mae JR/YR 226.0 66.471% 1 Mimi Junick Butterfly Kisses Open 253.5 74.559%
2 Catherine Brown Vienna Open 240.0 70.588% 3 Jana Crimmins Sapphire Cream of the Crop Open 222.5
65.441%
4 Heather McKay Case Ecco Domani Open 220.5 64.853%
5 Allison Hardas Nibrika Mourne View Mist O 209.0
61.471%
First Level, Test of Choice
(C) Roth,
1 Catherine Brown Vienna Open 240.0 70.588%
Second Level, Test 1
(C) Mandas,
1 Jaime Pollack I Wont Kiss N Tell AA 199.0 60.303%
2 Lindsay Naas Roy El's Belle of the Ball AA 195.0 59.091% 3 Karen Lubinski Duke's Mr T. J. AA 193.0 58.485%
4 Reagan Leach Duplicor AA 191.5 58.030%
5 Sharna Watson Beltane Karys AA 160.5 48.636% 1 Gabrielle Spirk Chi JR/YR 207.5 62.879%
Second Level, Test 3
(C) Roth,
1 Theresa Hunt Carmen AA 304.5 74.268%
2 Christine Linn Classie Com AA 267.5 65.244% 3 Melinda Olsen Wilderwind AA 260.5 63.537%
4 Jaime Pollack I Wont Kiss N Tell AA 250.5 61.098%
1 Katherine Nayak Willow JR/YR 263.5 64.268% 2 Gabrielle Spirk Chi JR/YR 258.0 62.927%
1 Raymond La Croix Lanzelot Open 292.0 71.220%
Second Level, Test of Choice
(C) Wadeborn,
1 Katherine Nayak Willow JR/YR 247.0 60.244%
Third Level, Test 1
(C) Mandas,
1 Cindi Lacroix Marbella AA 207.5 62.879%
2 Shelene Taylor Brioso AA 193.5 58.636% 3 Pamela Farthing Pakuna AA 193.5 58.636%
4 Tania Radda Miguel Al Vida AA 185.5 56.212%
1 Megan Manning SR Ssavant JR/YR 214.5 65.000% 2 Sarah Dauz Voltaire JR/YR 210.5 63.788%
1 Kailee Surplus Aegyptian Gold Open 228.0 69.091%
2 Aoife Coomaraswamy Ferdinand Open 180.0 54.545%
Third Level, Test 2
(C) Wadeborn, 1 Aoife Coomaraswamy Ferdinand Open 227.0 58.205%
Third Level, Test 3
(C) Wadeborn, 1 Anne Buchanan Sky Hit AA 273.0 70.000%
2 Catalina Sherwood Razmitaz AA 256.0 65.641%
3 Kate Shoemaker Dachstein AA 253.5 65.000% 4 Amy Roth Revanche AA 246.5 63.205%
1 Megan Manning SR Ssavant JR/YR 252.5 64.744%
2 Sarah Dauz Voltaire JR/YR 247.0 63.333% 1 Kailee Surplus Aegyptian Gold Open 268.0 68.718%
2 Kristy Doty Fandango GSF Open 254.5 65.256%
Third Level, Test of Choice
(C) Mandas,
1 Amy Roth Revanche AA 252.5 64.744%
2 Pamela Farthing Pakuna AA 197.5 59.848%
Fourth Level, Test 1
(C) Wadeborn,
1 Laine Sklar Paladin SF AA 239.5 64.730%
Fourth Level, Test 2
(C) Wadeborn, 1 Valerie Denno Digimon AA 229.0 63.611%
FEI Prix St. Georges
(C) Roth, 1 Kay Lorenzen Wendo AA 251.0 66.053%
2 Kate Shoemaker Solitaer 40 AA 240.5 63.289%
3 Lynn McKinney Plato En Rouge AA 220.0 57.895% 4 Lynn Boice Vermeer AA 212.0 55.789%
5 Amy Jackson Menjo AA 202.0 53.158%
1 Nathalie Eikel-Baughman Narok Open 235.0 61.842%
FEI Intermediate I
(C) Roth,
1 Erin McHenry Bailando AA 255.0 67.105% 2 Sarah Lindsten Raoul AA 241.5 63.553%
3 Susan Parrish Maronda AA 232.5 61.184%
1 Cyndi Jackson Risky Business Open 274.0 72.105% 2 Kailee Surplus Santiago SF Open 260.0 68.421%
FEI Intermediate II
(C) Roth, 1 Tami George Mondavi F AA 211.0 55.526%
FEI Grand Prix
(C) Roth,
1 Sandra Luebbe Samaritano IX AA 308.0 61.600%
2016 NAJYRC Qualifying FEI Junior Individual
(E) Mandas, (C) Roth,
1 Katie Scotford Dean Martin JR/YR 528.5 69.539%
2 Breeanon Ramey Fantasia JR/YR 490.0 64.474%
USDF Freestyle, Test of Choice
(C) Roth, 1 Kendall Brookhart Rianna AA 222.0 74.000%
1 Marcy Blacker Aul Amira AA 210.5 70.167%
2 Allen Kalchik Arcola AA 206.0 68.667% 3 Michele Mooney Don Viamo AA 198.0 66.000%
Introductory Level - Test B
(C) Roth, 1 Brianna Nicholson Just A Little Cookie JR/YR 82.0
51.250%
High Points
Training – 2nd level
AA~ Theresa Hunt/Carmen 73.109% Open ~ Missy Gilliland/Windemere DDB 77.745% Jr/YR~ Isabella Parks/ Cancun EE 72.080%
3rd-4th level
AA~ Anne Buchanan/Sky Hit 70.641%
Open~ Kailee Surplus/Aegyptian Gold 68.904%
Jr/YR~ Megan Manning 64.936%
FEI
AA~ Erin McHenry/ Bailando 69.737%
Open ~ Cyndi Jackson/Risky Business 74.342%
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High Point Sponsors
To the Max Dressage ~ Open FEI - Allen Kalchik and James Cramer
In Memory of Muffy McDougal ~ AA Training –Second Level
– Terri Wayne
Class Sponsors
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