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Arkansas Valley Dressage Association Meeting, August 11, 2026 Attendees: JoElyn Newcomb, Sandy Vernon, Marion Patterson, Brenda Haley, Debie Stevens, Renee Mcmillen, Emily Meszaros via telephone Maddie and Arianna Suto and Kati Knight. Guest Cat Siemiet
Communication and Marketing: Emily is willing to add the newsletter and the minutes to the website. She will be sending Marcy a Bio. Members are encouraged to send Marcy articles and photos via email for the newsletter. Need to ask members if they want their V show videos to be public or private.
Meeting Called to Order 6:19
New Business: Sandy addressed the need to plan the Year End Awards Party.
President’s report: No report
Meeting Adjourn: 7:04
Vice President report: Renee reported approval for ribbon expenditures that exceeded $50.00 by 13 members via email. The strip ribbons are for the V shows. Sarah has ordered the ribbons.
2026 AVDA Board of Directors President: Brenda Haley
Secretary Report: Renee read June’s minutes. Katie moved to accept and second by Emily.
V. Presiden: Renee McMillen
Treasurer Report: Sandy reported checking account has $3479.00, Pay Pal has $50.00. Savings account $1926.92 ( Savings is $596.30, Scholarship is $1330.62
Treasurer: Sandy Vernon
Events Committee: Sandy gave a report of the June V show. Four members participated and 4 non members participated. Sandy reported that the August show just has 3 participants so far. Emily will create a flyer for Katie and Tracy to take to the Estes show advertising our August V show with Amy Bradley judging it. Marion offered her place for filming either the 15th or August of the 22nd.
RMDS Report: Katie has spoken to RMDS members about our V shows. Mostly favorable responses and interest in them. Education Committee Report: Members discussed having Jennifer Glass and Simone Windler, Brenda Haley and JoElyn to do further clinics. JoElyn may offer a lecture on the new tests coming out. Marion offered her place for Brenda to do a cavalletti clinic, followed by a trail ride.
Secretary: Renee McMillen Committee Chairs Events Committee - Sandy Vernon Education Committee - Debi Stevens Communications and Marketing Website - Brenda Haley FaceBook - Katie Knight Newsetter - Marcy Wadlington Google Meet - Betty Fey Awards Committee - Sarah Murphy and Sandy Vernon Scholarship Committee - Sarah Murphy Jr/Yr Committee - Arianna Suto
RMDS Contact - Katie Knight AVDA Volunteer Coordinator and Record Keeper -
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Emily Meszaros I’m a new(ish) member of AVDA, so I wanted to introduce myself and share my background for anyone interested! Here goes… I began taking lessons at a stable down the road from my childhood home in Farmington, CT when I was 10 years old. I remember spending more waking hours at that barn than I did at my own home throughout my teenage years with the other “barn rats.” The stable was a haven where we learned to work hard at a young age, manage and care for all of our horses’ needs, and build friendships that still hold strong today. I was very lucky to have great teachers from the start, first learning from an instructor rooted in Sally Swift’s Centered Riding methodology. Joining Pony Club helped force me to get out of my comfort zone doing Eventing (I never loved jumping…I prefer 4 feet on the ground!). My preference for flatwork prevailed and I began focusing more on dressage in my late teens. Again I was lucky to have a few very talented local instructors that helped establish my perspective and general approach to dressage early on – harmony, lightness, and partnership above all else. My twenties and early thirties were spent living in New York City building my career in corporate events and design project management. I also met and married my wonderful husband Stephen in New York. After stepping away from horses during college, Stephen thought it would be nice for me to meet a colleague of his who boarded a horse in Gladstone, NJ. Little did he know, that introduction reignited my love of horses and eventually turned him into a bona fide “horse husband.” After 12 years in New York City, we were ready for a change of pace. I was also ready for a career shift. I was accepted into University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work where I attained a Master’s degree in Equine-Assisted Social Work in 2018 while living in Longmont. Not having my own facility right after graduation made it difficult to establish my own practice, though, so I’m currently still working in corporate design and events to help pay the hay bill.
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Emily Meszaros
I met many wonderful horse people up in Longmont and appreciated the robust dressage community there, but I had always dreamed of having my horses at home and room to roam (hard to come by in the Foothills at anything near affordable!). When high-speed satellite internet became reliable enough to allow Stephen and I both to work remotely in a rural area, we took the plunge and moved down to Westcliffe in the spring of 2024. The past two years have flown by redoing fencing, building an arena, regenerating pastureland, learning how to use farm equipment, and a lot of trial and error with the day-to-day upkeep of running a small horse farm. We currently have three horses at home: Brie, Ivy, and Deets. Brie is a 20-year-old possible PRE/Morgan/ Friesian/Mustang/Unicorn, who I got as a confidence builder after a very bad riding accident in 2023. Ivy is an 11-year-old OTTB mare who I’m currently leasing so we can both get into better riding shape. And Deets is a 17-year-old Appendix gelding who I took in as a companion horse and is a certified Good Boy. I also have a 4-year-old Azteca gelding, Tino, who is just down the road learning to be ridden and other life lessons. Living in rural Colorado definitely comes with its challenges, but we’ve been amazed at how much more of a sense of community we’ve felt here than any of the other places we’ve lived before. I’m looking forward to getting to know all the AVDA members better over the coming years and greatly appreciate the kindness everyone that I’ve met so far has shared. Thanks for reading my story and if anyone would ever like to get in touch, my email is egmeszaros@gmail.com.
Kavalier, my beautiful KWPN gelding who we lost earlier this year
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Online Dressage Shows Information For riders who want to show in dressage competitions, there are fewer “in person/live” shows these days due to the ever rising costs of producing these events. Several RMDS chapters as well as other dressage organizations across the country have discontinued their live shows due the costs, lack of volunteers, increasing regulations from USEF/USDF, and reduced entries. Many riders who want to show are not able to go to the in person/live shows due to costs, travel, and the work load of being at the shows. Given the cost of the horse purchase, training fees, equipment needed (truck/ trailer, show gear for horse and rider), the in-person shows can be overwhelming for many riders. Additionally, there are riders who are very dedicated to improving their dressage riding through lessons and other forms of education but they do not have any form of measurement of their progress. Without the concept of constructive feedback from a professional judge, they cannot gauge their improvement and realize the efforts of their hard work. Over time, it is easy for these riders to lose interest and leave the sport. Even for riders who attend in person shows, the online format is an excellent method of gaining test riding experience in a relaxed environment and determining where improvement is needed, all without the expense and work of the live shows. With these thoughts in mind, the online show venue has opened the door for many riders to set realistic goals, see the progress of their training, and enjoy the experience of showing their horses. Using a cell phone, riders can now video a test from the safety and comfort of their own arena and submit the video to a judge. They receive useful feedback that then can be applied towards further progress. Online shows allow the rider to continue on their dressage journey, move up the levels, and reap the enjoyment of the sport. Over the last three years, Arkansas Valley Dressage Assoc. (a RMDS chapter, based in Canon City Colorado) has developed an online show series that has been very successful. Many riders from our chapter and across the Front Range as well as other parts of the country have participated and have benefitted from this simpler, less expensive, less stressful method of showing. Using either “R” or “S” judges, riders have been able to realize all the aspects of showing and get useful feedback from a “real” judge. Our website (Shows — AVDA ) has complete details, including entry form, video instructions, and virtual show policies. The shows operate for a period of one month (usually three per year, during the “non winter” months). The show committee is always available to help with entries, videos, or any other aspect. There is always a “video help” day at a local arena where we can video the rides and help upload the video to You Tube. We offer class placement ribbons, overall high point awards for the series, and participation counts as eligibility for chapter year end awards. These shows do not count towards RMDS Championship qualifications or RMDS year end awards. continued
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Online Dressage Shows cont.
The benefits to our chapter have given us new life and allowed us to “stay afloat” in the economic times of 2026. With this venue of showing we are able to keep members engaged and encouraged in their dressage journey. Many of our riders are participating in more clinics, lessons and club activities. There is a new sense of camaraderie and encouragement amongst our members who participate in the virtual shows. Additionally, as we all know, it takes a village to produce an in person show. As a small chapter, we have developed our online showing program with only 2-3 people involved and the only cost is the fees to the judge. As a result, we are able to keep our overhead/entry fees to a minimum. We do not need a whole slew of volunteers and the workload is minimal to the club. Our process is simple for the rider: complete the entry form and pay for the tests, video the rides and upload to youtube; send the youtube link to a show committee volunteer. The process for the show committee volunteers is fairly easy from the entry standpoint. One person keeps track of entries and payments. The actual management of the virtual show is a bit more involved as it requires one or two people to operate the show process. From receiving the videos from riders, sending the video links to the judge, returning results to riders and determining class placements, the workload centers around a few days at the end of the month long show. While we all greatly enjoy the in person shows, the virtual show venue has proven to be a worthwhile adventure. The benefits to our club and most importantly, to riders is a unique method of supporting our sport. We continue to improve our online show process and welcome all riders. ***
AVDA Scholarships The Jenny Wegener/Loki/Adult Amateur Scholarship, awarded to an adult amateur AVDA member who is riding at any level of classical or western dressage. The Margaret A Murphy/Junior Young Rider Scholarship , awarded to an AVDA member who is 21 years old or younger, riding in classical or western dressage. Applicants must be a member of AVDA/RMDS. Application period is October 1 to November 1, 2026. Applicants should be knowledgeable of the AVDA Scholarship Policies. Recipients will be chosen at specified date and will be announced at the Awards Banquet in December. Funds will be available by January 2027.
To apply https://avdadressage.org/scholarship
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Old Business Arkansas Valley Dressage Association Meeting June 9, 2026 Meeting called to order: 6:10 pm at Coyote Den Café Penrose, CO. Attendees: Brenda Haley, Valda Terauds, Debbie Hood, Sandy Vernon, VIA Google Meet: Emily Maszaros, Betty Fey, Arrianna Sutto Presidents Report: No report Vice Pres Report: No report Secretary Report: No report Treasurer Report: No report
RMDS Report: No report Events Committee: We will check with Marion and set a date to have a V Show help date at her place. Emily to advertise V Shows on the website. Discussion on having a RIDE A TEST at Pathfinder in the Fall.
Education; Members asked if Brenda would hold another clinic in early fall with Focus on cavaletti Communication and Marketing: Emily Meszaros has volunteered to help with the website. She will be the new chair of Marketing and communication. JR/YR – Arianna has an arena set up now and she can potentially host clinics and events for young riders.
No new business. No old business. Members present agreed to skip the July meeting and scheduled the August meeting for 8/18. Meeting adjourned: 6:30 pm.
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SUMMER
PICTURES 2026
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SUMMER PICTURES 2026
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FYI from the AVDA News Editor
The World Nomad Games SEPT. 1-6 2026
The games feature several major equestrian sports and distinct horse-riding disciplines rather than just a single game. Key Horse Disciplines and Games • Kok-boru (or Kokpar): A famous team game on horseback where riders fight to grab a goat carcass and place it in the opposing goal. • Er enish: A traditional form of horseback wrestling where two mounted opponents try to pull each other off their horses. • Horse racing (Baige / At Chabysh): Long-distance endurance races that test the stamina of both the rider and specific regional horse breeds. • Horseback archery: Competitions where riders shoot arrows at targets while guiding their horses at high speeds. • Tenge ilu: A dexterity game where galloping riders lean down from the saddle to pick up coins or markers from the ground. Kyz kuumai: A traditional fast-paced horseback chase between a man and a woman.
WHERE TO WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/user/worldnomadgames (cut and paste)