VADA/NOVA, Inc. Newsletter Volume 48 Issue 3

New Schooling Show Award FormatBy Megan Carpenter

VADA/Nova recognizes the accomplishments of its members at Schooling Shows by awarding Year End Awards using Senior Open, Senior Adult Amateur, and Junior Categories for each USEF/FEI Level, and Music Freestyles. For 2019 we will be trialing a different method to track Year End Awards for schooling shows by maintaining a “Year End Scoreboard” for our members. What does this mean? All Year End Award rules for Schooling Shows remain the same. No Year-End package will be required for Schooling Show Awards for 2019. The final Scoreboard will be posted after December 1st 2019. (All VADA/Nova and VADA/Nova Partner Show scores will be tracked by VADA/Nova for our members). Volunteer Time is already tracked by VADA/Nova. Once all re-quirements have been met (membership, volunteer time, number of scores at minimum score or higher, highest test of level score submitted) the competitors line in the scoreboard will change to indicate compliance. (The average achieved will be updated throughout the season and you will be able to track where you are in the standings) Members ARE responsible for verifying recorded score information in the Schooling Show Year End Scoreboard on the VADA/Nova website and report any errors to VADA/Nova along with evidence to support the claim. Corrections to scores must be received by November 15th, 2019 to ensure incorporation in year-end award computations. Members DO have to submit a cover sheet to be eligible for Schooling Show Special Awards.

This cover sheet can be sent as follows: ▪ Hard Copy via USPS: Anne Harrington, 10411 Breckinridge Ln, Fairfax, VA 22030, 703-352-5944 ▪ PDF Softcopy via email: aharrington@vadanova.org Cover Sheets received after December 2, 2019, or that are not complete, will not be eligible for Schooling Show Special Awards. What Scores Count? Scores from VADA/Nova Managed Schooling Shows including the VADA Chapter Challenge. Scores from VADA/Nova Partner Shows. You must be a member at the time the score is earned or be a Show Pass member when the score is earned and convert to full membership by July 31st, 2019 What about other scores? Members can use scores from other schooling shows but members are responsible for submission of the scores either through scanned copy of the front sheet of the test submitted electronically to mcarpenter@vadanova.org or by mailing a copy of the front of the test to Megan Carpenter, 17256 Creekside Green Place, Round Hill, VA 20141. You must be a member at the time the outside score is earned or be a Show Pass member when the score is earned and convert to full membership by July 31st, 2019. All outside scores must be received within 30 days of earning the score or by November 15th, 2019 whichever falls first. Please note that if you are submitting for licensed show awards, you must still submit a package for 2019!!! We are looking at the feasibility of applying a similar approach to our Licensed Show Awards for 2020.

June 2019

In This Issue...Volunteer OpportunitiesVADA/Nova Board Meeting Minutes

February through May

VADA Board Minutes

2019 Schooling Show Year End Award Format

2018 USDF Convention

2019 March Schooling Show Coverage

2019 Calendar

Piaffe & Passage

Jun 7-9 VADA/NOVALicensed Show, Leesburg

Jul 12-14 VADA*Dressage at Lexington, LexingtonAug 3 VADA or VADA/NOVA*

Chapter Challenge, LeesburgAug 24-25 VADA/NOVALicensed Show, Leesburg

*Please note that Volunteer Hours at this event can be designated as VADA hours or VADA/Nova hours.

Websites to check out

VADA/NOVA www.vadanova.org

VADA State www.virginiadressage.org

Region 1 www.USDFREG1.org

Officers

VADA/NOVA Board Members

Mary Callanmcallan@vadanova.org

703-966-9357

Diann Carpenterdcarpenter@vadanova.org

540-216-6528

Megan Carpentermcarpenter@vadanova.org

540-394-1574

Jessie Ginsburgsardburg@aol.com

703-927-8270

Judy Grassjgrass@vadanova.org

703-620-4923

Anne Harringtonaharrington@vadanova.org

703-599-7696

Dilly Jacksoncjackson@vadanova.org

304-283-6959

Sheli Kingmking@vadanova.org

703-868-9062

Michelle Lachnermlachner1@gmail.com

540-851-2799

Diann Landaudlandau@vadanova.org

703-727-2507

Lisa Ricelrice@vadanova.org

703-314-7461

Rachel Ricerrice@vadanova.org

703-887-0507

Nancy Stoverstovnan@aol.com

703-860-9187

Carol ThomasCarolThomasVA@gmail.com

703-966-4349

Tiffany Turleytturley@vadanova.org

703-599-4876

Newsletter Advertising RatesPlease send payment with ads, as there is no billing. Ads will not run unless payment has been submitted. ClassifiedAds-40 word maximum 2 issues- FREE for Members 2 issues- $15 for Non-Members Classified will automatically be listed on our website Advertisements All other ad rates are the same for members and non-members Business Card Ad $60/year 1/4 Page Ad (5 x 3.75) $25/month $240/ full year 1/2 Page Ad (5 x 7.5) $45/month $432/ full year Full Page Ad (10 x 7.5) $75/month $720/ full yearMake checks payable to VADA/Nova, Inc. Please type or print clearly if you don’t have email, and submit no more than two ads at a time. If submitting electronically, files should be in PDF format. Ads must be print ready, and copy should be black on white paper (embossed business cards and colored ink are discour-aged). If your ad is not print-ready, there will be a charge of $20 for redesign. All submissions must be recieved by the 20th of the month. Send submissions to : Rachel Rice 1937 Winterport Cl. rrice@vadanova.org Reston, VA 20191 703-887-0507

Diann CarpenterAnne HarringtonMegan Carpenter

Carolyn “Dilly” Jackson

PresidentVice President

SecretaryTreasurer

VADA Nova Meeting MinutesFebruary 11 2019

Treasurer’s ReportThe Savings Account balance is $45,108.33 and the Business Checking Account balance is $71,862.18. The 1099 statements were filed on time by January 31st.

Licensed ShowsDianne Boyd obtained board approval to have the rings cleaned prior to our April Show.

Schooling ShowsA motion was put before the board to use eventclinics.com to advertise our schooling shows and clinics. The board approved use of eventclinics.com and we will begin to populate our events in that medium. It will point entry to our website. The schooling show com-mittee will pursue further use of eventclinics.com for schooling show and clinic entry in 2020. The board also discussed ensuring that the website, the Facebook page, and now eventclinics.com are consistently maintained and steps are being taken to ensure that occurs.

ClinicsVADA/Nova is holding the Judges Round Table on March 4th. It is also approved for USDF University Credit. VADA/Nova is continuing with plans to contract Janet Sasson Edgette, Sports Psychologist, to conduct a clinic in 2020. VADA/Nova is holding both a discussion and a Fix-a-Test March 22nd and 23rd, to introduce the revised USEF tests. This clinic was approved for USDF University Credit as well as Judges/L Graduate Program Continuing Education credit. In conjunction with the March Fix-a-Test we will be running a scribing work-shop for all those interested in scribing for VADA/Nova this competition season. The board approved purchasing a USDF University Banner for use at USDF University approved events. General Business/AnnouncementsThe board approved a requirement for all board members to complete the USDF Safe Sport Training. Twelve members have already completed, the remaining four will complete. Final Plans for the banquet were confirmed, all is set for February 24th. Since this meeting was held by teleconference, the board

agreed to complete the Conflict of Interest documents at the March meeting. The board has asked all committees to meet at least once before the March 11th board meeting.

Upcoming Dates:March 4: Judges Roundtable (Open to all), Best Western LeesburgMarch 10: Mitchell Dressage Series Schooling ShowMarch 11: VADA/Nova Board Meeting, Morven ParkMarch 22: Discussion Evening with Jeanne McDonald, Best Western LeesburgMarch 23: VADA/Nova Fix-A-Test, Morven ParkMarch 24: VADA/Nova Dressage Schooling ShowApril 6-7: VADA/Nova Spring Dressage Competition, Morven ParkApril 7: Mitchell Dressage Series Schooling ShowApril 8: VADA/Nova Board Meeting, Morven ParkApril 28: Homestead Farm Series Schooling Show

Respectfully Submitted, Megan Carpenter

VADA2-10-19MeetingMinutesPippin Hill Vineyard

The meeting was called to order at 10:12am. Present were Tina Longaker– V-Pres, Alison Head- Pres, Jessie Ginsburg- Treas, Alison Douglas– Sec’y, Meredith McGrath, Marie Taylor, Robyn Nunnally, Sandy Toby, Susan Ellis, Angie Stanaway, Sherri Booye, Laura Nelson, Annie Connelly, Diann Carpenter, Jane PalmerThe meeting was called to order at 10:12 am. A motion was made by Sandy Toby and seconded by Jessie Ginsburg to accept the minutes from the last meeting. It passed unanimously. Treasurer’s report: Jessie reported that the combined balances are around 150K. DAL and CBLM- Rachel Rice will be the volunteer coordi-nator for both shows. We will be working on updating the rules for SHAC at DAL to simplify for both competitors and scoring. On-line auction will be up until March 1st. Please get the word out to members that we need contributions as well as bidders. The board discussed the different media platforms that the chapters are using. We are requesting that each chapter designate who their official Facebook administrator is. The administration of the Shel Gafford awards will be Sheli King for the upcoming year. The board voted on the following slate of officers for 2019-Tina Longaker- President Sheli King- V. President Jessie

Continued on next page

Ginsburg-Treasurer Alison Douglas- SecSandy Toby made the motion to accept. Susan Ellis seconded the motion and it passed unanimously with the above abstaining.Chapter Challenge is August 3rd at Morven Park in Leesburg. Chapter News:C’ville- They are having an Up The Levels clinic on March 23rd that will count for continuing education. Their licensed show is moving to May 25th and 26th. Central- They are having a Debbie Rodriquez new test clinic on March 17th.Nevada- They will be having 5 schooling shows this year. SWVADA- They are having 3 schooling shows and are working on finalizing a date for their Education Day.SVDA- They will be having many schooling shows from March to October and are looking to add a schooling breed show into the mix.

Next meeting will be held the on Wednesday March 20th as a teleconference at 8 pm. The meeting was adjourned at 11:10 am.

Respectfully, Alison Douglas

VADA Nova Meeting MinutesMarch 11, 2019

Treasurer’s Report: $59,759.51 (Checking) and $45,105.91 (Savings)

Membership: As of March 10, there are 151 full mem-bers for this year, and 4 show pass applicants. There are 56 members total using PayPal.

Licensed Shows: The first Licensed Show of the year takes place at Morven Park on April 6th-7th. Please let the Board know if you can volunteer – more are always needed!

Meetings: The Board discussed whether to move monthly Board meetings until the week before Licensed Shows to account for any final preparations, but the Board decided the meetings are better directly after the shows, and serve best as a recap from the weekend. The Board will maintain the 2nd Monday of each month schedule for Board Meetings and will advise through the website and Facebook if there are any changes required.

Green Book: The Board has massively edited the Green Book this year to make it shorter, more concise, and user-friendly. However, these edits mean the Green

Book is slightly delayed this year. The book is in its final stretches and will soon be available to members. Events: Mary Callan is taking over as chair of the Training/Clinics committee, and will work on coming up with ideas for an Adult Amateur camp in 2020. Mary will also continue working with Sports Psychologist Dr. Janet Sasson Edgette for a 2020 clinic. The Judges Round Table was a huge success! Over 20 people attended the discussion, and VADA/Nova gained 5 new members - Kathy Rowse (‘S’) was fantastic! The Board also briefly discussed the upcoming March Fix-a-Test (March 22nd-24th) with Jeanne McDonald (‘S’); plans seem to be moving along well, and there is little left to do. As of the meeting, the March Schooling show had about 25 entries, ranging from Intro Level to Devel-oping Grand Prix, and there are enough volunteers for the show. The final event discussed at the meeting was the VADA Chapter Challenge in August. Show pass holders will be permitted to compete in this event and their scores will count toward year end awards, they will not however, be eligible to compete on the VADA/Nova team unless they join VADA/Nova as a full member before the event.

Board Members: Sally Summerall has withdrawn from the Board. The Board wishes to express our gratitude to Sally for all the hard work she performed in 2018 and into 2019. Going forward, please contact Rachel Rice or Anne Harrington as the Partner Show Liaisons; contact Diann Carpenter for Sponsorship; Dianne Boyd for Licensed Show Vendor questions, applications etc.

Sponsorship: Before her departure, Sally secured a Platinum sponsorship from Dover Saddlery, which is a huge opportunity for the organization! Again, Sally will be sorely missed!

Awards/Prizes: Michelle Lachner motioned to increase the budget for annual Above and Beyond awards to $20 for PSG, $25 for Intermediate, and $40 for Grand Prix. This motion was seconded and approved by the Board unanimously. Diann C then motioned to increase the budget for volunteer gifts at Licensed Shows from $2. Michelle Lachner is going to look into different prize options at different prices, and will bring her findings back to the Board at the next meeting. The Board also discussed making Schooling Show prizes more equiva-lent to Licensed Show prizes. While no solid conclusion

Continued from previous page

was reached, the Board decided the keep Schooling Show and Licensed Show ribbons as they are, but poten-tially increase the value of Schooling Show prizes to be more similar to Licensed Shows.

Respectfully submitted, Megan Carpenter

VADA Nova Meeting MinutesApril 8, 2019

Treasurer’s Report: Dilly Jackson has been battling tax season, so we will include updates from this month in next month’s newsletter.

Membership: As of April 7th, there are 176 full mem-bers, and 5 show pass holders. There are 73 members total using PayPal.

Licensed Shows: Our first licensed show of the year at Morven Park this month was a success! The Morven team did a great job setting up the show ground, in-cluding new, clear signage. The Board is now looking at feedback from our competitors to see how we can improve the environment for riders, including possibly using the indoor ring for Musical Freestyles, and having the FEI classes outside. We want our horses and riders to feel happy and safe while they are competing at our shows. The Board also discussed the possibility of hold-ing a one-day midweek show in April, possibly starting in 2020. This type of show seems to be increasingly popular, and gives those with busier weekends a chance to come in for the day and get their qualifying scores. We may also look at the possibility of attempting to host a couple of these one-day shows each season, depending on their popularity. The Licensed Show Committee will meet to discuss dates and venues in the near future. This year, VADA/Nova will host a one-day warm-up licensed show on Friday June 7, followed by our two-day summer show on June 8-9, both at Morven Park. The Board is still in discussion over whether to rent three rings for half a day, or two rings for a full day during the show. Entries open on April 23, so get those in as soon as possible!

Schooling Shows: The Board continued discussing ideas for this year’s Schooling Show Championships. We decided to continue to not allow whips at the show,

to make it feel more like a championship. The Board also discussed prizes, and we will provide prizes to the Champion and Reserve Champion of each championship class. VTO and Tri-County will also donate awards for select categories, including overall high score winners. Ribbons have already been purchased and delivered. We are gearing up for this season, and we hope you all come out to our shows, including our partner shows: Compass Rose Farm, Mitchell Dressage Series, and Homestead Farm Series! Dates for these shows can be found on our website, or by searching for each dressage series individually.

Other Events: Remember to apply for our Low Stress Fix-A-Test with Phoebe Devoe-Moore (r)! Applications are due by May 17 and can be found on our website. The Board is looking for a minimum of 12 riders, and as many auditors as possible. Our last Fix-A-Test with Jeanne McDonald was a success, so we are looking forward to hosting this one and hope it will be even more popular. The Board received a grant from USDF for this event, so we really hope to make it as great as we possibly can.

Respectfully submitted,Megan Carpenter, Secretary

VADA Nova Meeting MinutesMay 13, 2019

Treasurer’s Report: As of the May 13, the Board had $46,286.31 in its checking account, and approximately $45,100 in its savings account.

Membership: As of May 13, there are 192 full mem-bers for this year, and. There are 85 members total using PayPal. The electronic membership card seems to be going well.

Licensed Shows: Our next licensed shows will be held the weekend of June 7th-9th. Friday is our VADA/Nova Summer Dressage Warm-up, followed by our VADA/Nova Summer Dressage Competition on Saturday and Sunday. Entries for these shows close May 29th, so get your entries in! The shows in the area were relatively small in May, so we are looking to get as many competi-tors interested as possible! The Board is considering additional ideas to boost competition entries in 2020. One idea under consideration

Continued on next page

Things were so busy at the USDF Convention, held the week after Thanksgiving in Salt Lake City, that it took me a few days to make it outside of the hotel to see the spectacular holiday lights in Temple Square! Given how much was going on, I thought it would be useful as a VADA GM Delegate to share some of the highlights with our members.

MFS Qualifying Scores- This was the topic that generated the most buzz all week long. A rule change proposal was initiated by USDF and submitted to USEF to change the minimum score required to ride a Musical Free-style from 60% at the highest test of the freestyle level or any test of a higher level to 63%. USEF adopted this revision to DR 129.9 as an extraordinary rule change (pursuant to GR 152.3) with an effective date of Decem-ber 1, 2018, to coincide with the start of the new test cycle. Concern was expressed throughout the Convention regarding both the substance of the new rule, as well as the method used to adopt it. This concern resulted in a motion that was presented at the Board of Gover-nor’s meeting, requesting that the USDF Executive Board send a request to the USEF asking that they pass a new ex-traordinary rule change, rescinding the prior rule change and reinstating the 60% qualifying score requirement. The mo-tion passed overwhelmingly. However, it is important to keep in mind that there is a process that even extraordinary rule changes must go through and this pro-cess takes time. And of course, there is no way of telling whether the USEF will decide to move forward with this request.

is to possibly hold single-day licensed shows mid-week next April and May. We have asked for informal input and received positive responses so far and will be taking this further. We are interested in hearing our members views and are willing to consider how we can incorpo-rate new ideas like these in the future.

Schooling Shows: Keep an eye out for our list of qualified combinations for this year’s Schooling Show Champion-ship in November! Our first list should be published in the next few weeks.

Publications: The Board discussed ideas for the newsletter and specifically whether to continue with print, move fully to electronic etc. For the remainder of 2019 we will produce a printed newsletter at least once per quarter with the first coming out early June. We had

a similar discussion on the Green Book and decided to issue a 2019 Green Book in June that will cover the year end award process and the membership contact roster. We are looking at Publications in general for 2020 and will develop a plan that will take into consideration the cost of print and value to our members. Again, we are interested in hearing our members views on this topic and are considering a small survey to get additional insight.

LowStressFix-A-Test:Come watch our 13 selected riders complete their test of choice (Intro through 2nd Level) on June 1st at Compass Rose Farm. Our judge will be Phoebe Devoe-Moore (“r”). Rider spots may be full, but we are still looking for a scribe for the day; please email amking91@verizon.net if you are interested! Auditors are always welcome (and free for VADA/Nova members).

Continued from previous page

News and Notes from the USDF Conventionby Michelle King

So, the bottom line is this - until further notice, in order to ride a musical freestyle at a licensed show, you must first receive a qualifying score of 63% at the highest test of the level of the freestyle you wish to ride or any higher level. If you feel strongly about this rule change one way or the other, submit your comments to USEF.

Increased GMO dues - After many years without an increase, the USDF voted to raise the dues of GM members by $4.00, from $20 to $24.

This is the same % increase as the increase in Participating Member dues that took effect last year. The GM dues increase will take effect in 2020 and every GMO and Chapter will need to make a decision on how to handle the increase in its membership fee structure.

New USDF Regional Schooling Show Awards Program So, what am I going to get in return for this dues increase, you might ask? One of the most exciting items rolled out at the Convention was the new USDF Regional Schooling Show Awards Program for USDF GM Members who participate in schooling shows. The program is still in draft form with some things still to be finalized, so I won’t go into a lot of details here, as some are still evolving. What we do know is that the program will be effective in the 2020 competition year. Riders must pay a nomination fee that will be good for a year and shows must also pay a small fee to participate. There will be multiple divisions of riders (e.g., open, Jr/YR, etc.) and multiple levels per division. Award standings will be tracked and calculated based on a rider’s region of residence in the USDF database, but scores can be earned at participating shows anywhere in the country. Riders will be ranked against their peers and depending on their final placings, will be eligible for certificates and ribbons. Check back (on usdf.org) in a few months for the final program details and in the meantime, if you have any comments on the draft program, please send them to kwright@usdf.org.

Safe Sport- This was another topic that generated much discussion at the convention. Several takeaways here. First, this mandate stems from a Federal statute that applies to all Olympic sports, and so it is not going away. Next, it is clear that some of the finer details about the program are still being fleshed out and I expect that we will have a lot more answers after the USEF Convention in January. Finally, the bottom line – if you are a USEF Participating Member (PM), you must complete the current Safe Sport training program in order to be able to participate in any USEF activities, including competing at licensed shows. The initial training takes about 90 minutes to complete (annual refreshers will be significantly shorter) and is the perfect thing to check off your to-do list on the next nasty winter day.

On top of all these hot topics of discussion, add in many great educational opportunities and a gala awards banquet honoring George Williams for his service to the USDF as well as the silver medal winning US riders from the WEGs, and it really was an action packed 5 days. If all of this sounds intriguing, mark your calendars now – next year’s convention will again be the week after thanksgiving in Savannah – much closer and much warmer than Salt Lake City!

VADA Chapter Challenge hosted by VADA/Nova at Morven Park

SUMMER FUN IN THE SUNThe 7th Annual VADA Chapter Challenge Schooling Show

The VADA Chapter Challenge Schooling Show will return to Northern Virginia on Saturday August 3rd, hosted by VADA/Nova. This year’s venue is the newly refurbished Morven Park, with all new state of the art footing in all rings, recently repainted barns and other improvements. If you haven’t been there in a few years, you won’t

believe it is the same facility.

Returning this year is the ever-popular MFS Stakes Class (for VADA members only.) Prize money will be awarded to the first three placings. We will also be holding a Junior Team Challenge as part of the show. If you

are a member of a local Virginia dressage chapter, you are automatically a member of VADA. Non-VADA members are welcome to enter the show but are not eligible to participate in the Chapter Challenge, Junior Team Challenge or the MFS Stakes. We expect this to be a 2-ring show, so there will be plenty of room for all! Non-VADA members who wish to become members please reach out to the Show Secretary for information.

There is no need to round up folks to enter with you as your Chapter is your team! This is an opportunity to build team spirit and comradery among members of your Chapter while having fun at the same time. All you need to do is decide what tests you want to ride, fill out the entry form and indicate what VADA chapter you are riding

for. If your chapter does not have enough riders entered to form a full team in the Chapter Challenge Team competition there is the opportunity to be part of a VADA mixed chapter team. Each class will be

individually pinned through 6th place with all VADA member scores used to determine which VADA chapter reigns supreme. All USEF/DF dressage tests are offered; scores obtained will be used determine the Chapter

Challenge Team placings. Other tests such as the MFS Stake and western dressage are available, but the scores do not count towards the Chapter Challenge Team placings. Bragging rights go to the winner, along with

special awards to the top six placing chapters.

In addition, each chapter is sponsoring a “special award” such as: high score rider over 50 years old; the rider who has traveled the furthest distance to compete; and many others.

Further details including the prize list and entry soon will be posted soon on the VADA website

http://www.virginiadressage.org/wp/ so mark your calendars and keep an eye out for further details!

Homestead FarmSchooling Shows

More information at www.HomesteadHorseFarm.com

Show Dates:

Shows held at:Homestead Farm8382 Burwell Rd.Catlett, VA 20119

July 28thSeptember 21st

Mary Callan “L”Carolyn Jackson “L”

Anna Mitchell DressageSummer Series

Shows held at:Southern Heritage Farm

11176 Rogues Rd.Midland, VA 22728

Show Dates:April 7th

May 19th

June 23rd

July 20th

August 17th

September 22nd

October 20th

More information at www.MitchellDS.com

Deena Thornhill and Remington

Editor’s Note: Thank you Deena and Remington for competing at our shows, as well as volunteering.We are truly appreciative of your kind words!

Dear VADA/NOVA,

I wanted to send this letter in with my packet for year-end awards in hope that it would make its rounds to the people that need to be thanked. I moved to the USA from South Africa 3 years ago. I had no idea that Virginia was such a horsey area and I have truly been blessed to have landed here. I come from a family that struggled financially so competing for me back home was never really an option. I have been riding for many years but I’ve never really done anything more than the odd schooling shows, or as we South Africans call it training shows. To cut a long story short at the end of last year I made acquaintances with a dressage professional. I had gone to visit at her barn and I asked her how she finds out about what shows are around. She told me I needed to become a VADA/NOVA member and I would get all the information I needed to get me headed in the right direction. So that’s exactly what I did!I found everything in my little green book and then on the website. I think people assume that everyone has lived here and shown here all their lives but for a foreigner it can be pretty confusing and daunting. I set off to my first schooling show on March 24th, 2018. It was a VADA/NOVA show and the way it was run was fantastic. It was such a wonderful introduction to showing. It was at Morven Park so it felt so grand, yet the people volunteering were so kind and helpful that I felt like it was all going to be okay. I had such a wonderful experience. Judge Aviva Nebesky was so encouraging and I left feeling so proud of my wonderful horse and super excited to show again. I showed Training 3 and First 1. The rest of the year just snow balled from there. I did as many shows that where financially possible. I did schooling and rated, whatever was happening, I was trying to be there.I was committed to trying to get over my show nerves, like that ever happens...I received an email from VADA/NOVA saying that I had qualified at training level and first level for the year end championships. I was so excited!!!!! I couldn’t believe it. My first year of showing in my entire life and I was going to go to championships, whoop whoop. The only problem was, I had kinda moved on to more second level in my training and my horse was really enjoying it. I went online and found out there were two more qualifying shows. One I couldn’t do, as I had students riding in it so it only left me with the Mitchell Dressage show. I was so nervous!!!!! I so badly wanted to qualify!!!! I arrived on the day only to find my judge would be the one and only Aviva Nebesky. I was super excited to show her how hard Remington and I had worked over the year. We had two fantastic tests and I was super pleased to get my qualifying score for Championships!On Monday I sent in my entry and that was it. Next up Morven Park VADA/NOVA schooling show championships. It was a super chilly and very windy day. All the horses and riders looked amazing!!!!! My boy felt good and I was just so excited to ride in the indoor. Not many indoors in South Africa...We had two amazing tests! When we trotted into the indoor I felt like Charlotte! This was our time to shine. I wish I could explain how my heart just wanted to explode. We had a couple of tense moments but on the whole it was a beautiful ride. The judge agreed, I walked away winning the warm up class as well as the championship class. Now I know this wasn’t Nationals or GAIGS or BLM’s, but it was MY World Equestrian Games, my Olympics, and I was going to celebrate it with all I had. I am the type of person who believes in celebrating victory’s along the way and this was my victory. Now I obviously didn’t do this alone. I have an amazingly supportive wife who grooms for me at every show. My incredible trainer Donna Gatchell, who walks this journey with me every step of the way, and the amazing peeps at VADA/NOVA who make everything behind the scenes happen. I wanted you to see the impact this has had on my life this year and I wanted to personally thank each and every one of you for making my dreams come true in 2018.

Kindest RegardsDeena Thornhill and Remington

March Schooling ShowViews from the Volunteers!

Thank you to Jessie Ginsburg, manager and Debbie Marriott, secretary,

for running such a wonderful show!

VADA/NOVA Schooling Shows

More information at www.vadanova.org and in our monthly newsletter, Piaffe & Passage.

Shows held at:Morven Park41793 Tutt Ln

Leesburg, VA 20176

ClassifiedAdvertisements

Classified ads are free for two months to our members, and are also posted on our website.

Ads are limited to 40 words per ad.If you are interested in placing an classified ad,

please email rarice91@yahoo.com

Show Dates: August 3rd VADA Chapter Challenge Hosted by VADA/NOVANovember 2nd VADA/Nova Schooling Show Championship & Fall Schooling Show

ClassifiedAdvertisements

Boarding available, small private farm in Lovetts-ville. 100x200’ lighted ring, quiet roads for riding out, personalized care or self-care. Turn out, blanketing/fly masks, twice daily feeds included. Owner/manager on the premises. Contact Diann at 703-727-2507

QH gelding for lease: good on ground/under saddle. Needs some TLC and exercise, perfect “starter” horse, took care of previous owner. Must stay on-site in Lovettsville, lit ring, tack provided. $350/month includes board, farrier, etc. Contact Diann- 703-727-2507

Classified ads are free for two months to our members, and are also posted on our website.

Ads are limited to 40 words per ad.If you are interested in placing an classified ad,

please email rarice91@yahoo.com

VADA/Nova Members,

We hope that your 2019 Show season is off to a great start! I wanted to take a moment to provide some information on VADA/Nova Publications. We are looking at our Publications schedule, both the GreenBook and the Newsletter. This newsletter summarizes the first quarter of 2019 and outlines upcoming activities for 2nd and 3rd quarter. For the remainder of 2019 we will publish printed Newsletters August 1st, October 1st, and December 1st. We are looking at the most effective format for our newsletter for 2020 and whether we should alternate print/electronic versions or shift to elec-tronic completely. We are interested in what our members have to say, so please reach out to the board with your opinions and preferences. In addition to the Newsletter, we are looking at how to make the GreenBook more effective, useful and current. We will send a GreenBook out by 1 July 2019 that will contain the Prize Lists for the VADA Chapter Challenge, the VADA/Nova Schooling Show Championship and Fall Schooling Show; the qualification and competing rules for the VADA/Nova Schooling Show Championship; information and forms for Year End Awards as well as the Member Directory. We are going to produce two volumes to the 2020 GreenBook. The first will be sent November 1st, 2019 to all our 2019 Members. This volume will provide Membership Information and renewal forms; Save the Date information for 2020; Available 2020 Prize Lists; 2020 Banquet Information and reservation form; Available Clinic information and reservation forms as well as any other year end information that is of value to our members. The second volume will be similar in content to the 1 July 2019 book, but the date of publication will change for 2020 to provide it earlier. Again, we would appreciate your input! Finally, included with this newsletter is a VADA/Nova Member Decal that we hope you will proudly display. Hope to see you all at our upcoming Shows:

• June 7-9 Licensed Show• August 3 VADA Chapter Challenge hosted by VADA/Nova• August 24-25 Licensed Show• November 2 Schooling Show Championship and Fall Schooling Show

Warm Regards,Diann CarpenterVADA/Nova President

VADA/NOVA, Inc.

1-VADA/NOVAClinic Compass Rose Farm vadanova.org2- Compass Rose SS Compass Rose Farm compassrosefarm.com7-9VADA/NOVA LS Morven Park vadanova.org10- Board Meeting Morven Park23- Anna Mitchell Dressage SS Southern Heritage Farm mitchellds.com

8- Board Meeting Morven Park12-14 VADA Dressage at Lexington Virginia Horse Center20- Anna Mitchell Dressage SS Southern Heritage Farm mitchellds.com28- Homestead SS Homestead Horse Farm homesteadhorsefarm.com

3-VADA/NOVAChapterChallenge Hosted by VADA/Nova Morven Park12- Board Meeting Morven Park17- Anna Mitchell Dressage SS Southern Heritage Farm mitchellds.com24-25VADA/NOVA LS Morven Park vadanova.org

22- Anna Mitchell Dressage SS Southern Heritage Farm mitchellds.com21- Homestead SS Homestead Horse Farm homesteadhorsefarm.com

3-6 Region 1 GAIGS Williamston, NC5- Compass Rose SS Compass Rose Farm compassrosefarm.com10-13VADA/CBLMSChampionships&FallShow Virginia Horse Center20- Anna Mitchell Dressage SS Southern Heritage Farm mitchellds.com

2-VADA/NOVASchoolingShowChampionship &FallSchoolingShow SS Morven Park vadanova.org7-10 USDF Finals Lexington, KY

Always check the web site: www.vadanova.org

for any changes or corrections.

Key: LS= licensed show SS=schooling showVADA/Nova sponsored activities are in bold printVADA/Nova Partner shows are in italics.

June

July

August

September

October

November

This Quarter6/2- Compass Rose6/7- VADA/NOVA Summer Warm Up6/8-9- VADA/NOVA Summer Dressage6/10- Board Meeting6/23- Anna Mitchell Series7/8 Board Meeting7/12-14 VADA Dressage at Lexington7/20 Anna Mitchell Series7/28 HomeStead Series8/3- VADA Chapter Challenge Hosted by VADA/Nova8/12- Board Meeting8/17- Anna Mitchell Series8/24- VADA/NOVA Summer Wind Down I8/25- VADA/NOVA Summer Wind Down II

VADA/Nova Inc.Rachel Rice

1937 Winterport Cl.Reston, VA 20191

VADA is a USDF Group Member Organization.

Their members are automatically USDF Group Members.

Publication Deadline in Piaffe & Passage is the 20th of each month.

VADA/Nova websitehttp://www.vadanova.org

Membership Applications should be sent to:Barbara Pickering

PO Box 354Haymarket, VA 20168

For other questions or issues, please check our website