Hello and nice to meet all of you. I’m your new President, and I’m so excited to see where we can go from here.
My goal is to bring back some energy to our organization, so if you have an idea of something you want us to do or make available, please email, text, or call me. All my contact information is up on ESDCTA.org. If you don’t already have it from coming to my shows.
As we enter into shedding season, it’s time to look forward to the exciting year ahead. If you were not able to join the annual awards banquet, you may have missed some big announcements for the upcoming year end awards. All the information about that in this issue of our Collective Remarks and I don’t want to spoil the fun from our incredibly talented writing team.
At the awards banquet I introduced our new Board for this year and pointed out that we had two important open seats. Somewhat jokingly, I asked if anyone was interested in the positions. Guess what…. They were! I’m thrilled. Don’t despair if you were interested in getting involved and didn’t get a chance to raise your hand, we would love to have you and have many committees to fill.
As you can see from the sudden barrage of clinics that ESDCTA is offering this month and next, we want our members to join us in our passion for Dressage and Eventing. There are more exciting things in the works. Check our website regularly for updates and new events.
While planning for the upcoming show season. Remember ESDCTA is hosting the CBLM Championships at the Horse Park of New Jersey this year, on Labor Day weekend. Make sure you get yourself qualified and remind your show managers to make sure their USEF/USDF Licensed shows are recognized by the Colonel Bengt Ljungquist Memorial Championships organization.
Juniors and Young Riders, there are several shows for you to be excited about this year! These shows all offer a team component.
Youth FUNdation & Region 1 Youth Dressage Team Challenge – June 21-22
Lendons Youth Dressage Festival at Horse Park of New Jersey – August 8-10
Dunmovin Dressage Days – August 22-24
Bucks County Horse Park – Schooling Dressage and Team Challenge – October 18
ESDCTA sponsors teams for most of these shows. Think you might like to join a team? Check out the information on our youth page. ( https://esdcta.org/dressage-youth-team/ )
I’m excited to find out what great things our members achieve this year both in and out of the show ring.
grants@esdcta.org horselover8968@gmail com newsletter@esdcta.org nominations@esdcta.org nominations@esdcta.org
Ashley Mucha results@esdcta.org
CROSS COUNTRY...
News Across Our Region
COMMUNITY NEWS
If you’re reading this, you are probably a member of ESDCTA, but I’m sure you know of someone who rides dressage or events who is not a member. You know all about the wonderful things offered like educational programs, clinics with big name trainers, horse shows, year-end awards, and not least, that sense of being part of a community of likeminded people. The more members ESDCTA has, the better the programs we can offer. Our membership numbers are also important considerations when state and local governments decide on legislature that affects us (like open space), and we advocate for our sports (We helped get better footing at the HPNJ). Please reach out to your equestrian buddies and tell them about all of the benefits of membership and have them sign up. The more the merrier!
WHAT’S YOUR TALENT??
Let us know what you would like to help us with in 2025. All skills and interests wanted. Have an idea? We want to hear about it. Remember, this club is what YOU make it. Contact president@esdcta.org if you are interested.
NEWSLETTER COMMITTEE
Have a great article that you would like to share?
Please send article to: Meredith Rogers: newsletter@esdcta.org All submissions are due by the 15th of the month. Due to space considerations, the editor reserves the right to edit submitted articles. If necessary, articles will be edited and returned for your review. AND YOU GET VOLUNTEER HOUR FOR EACH STORY!
Milestone
Please Contact this newsletter if you know any ESDCTA members who have achieved any Milestones. Success at a show, regional/national/international award, new horse, or anything else you want to celebrate.
e-mail: newsletter@esdcta.org
MEMBERSHIP QUESTIONS
For membership questions including updating physical or e-mail addresses please contact: Heidi Lemack membership@esdcta.org
Deadline: 15th of prior month Email: newsletter@esdcta.org
Please have electronic ads in Adobe PDF or .jpg format You will receive an invoice for ad via email.
Email: treasurer@esdcta.org
Amateur Dilemma
By Meredith Rogers
Right now I’m just trying to put one foot in front of the other (one hoof in front of the other?). Just last month, Leo reinjured himself in the same leg. Besides his slight lameness signaling the end of this year’s show season before it even began, I know this could mean the end of our partnership. Reinjury is worse than injury. We try to do everything right, but still things go wrong. I’ve been second guessing all the decisions I made over the past few months, such as maybe I shouldn’t have put snow shoes on him because maybe it was the tiny studs that caught in the nice footing of our indoor and strained his leg. I am devastated, wracked with guilt, sad, angry at myself. You name a negative emotion and I’m feeling it.
My vet and I have come up with a plan. He’s getting the best care. There is a chance he comes back into work. First, we have to get through the first 6 months. Then we reimage and see if he’s improved. If yes, then we start rehabbing like last time. If no, I’m trying not to think about that. I’m keeping my focus very much on the present. One day at a time. I still go to the barn. I still groom him, taking extra care to check out the injured leg. I’m allowed to tack walk, so I do that. He has no idea he’s hurt. He has no idea I’m hurting for him. He’s loving all the attention without having to do much of anything.
I’m sure I’m not the only one who has gone through this. Heck, this is my second time with the same horse! We are horsepeople. We are strong. We pour our hearts and souls into an animal who could die if you feed him an hour late. I’m counting my blessings. Leo has a chance to come back from this. I can still enjoy his company. I’m able to take lessons on another horse who I’m sure will teach me a lot. But, this is hard.
News from Outside the Ring
The Horse of the Future?
You probably heard about the Argentinean polo player, Adolfo Cambiaso, who cloned his favorite polo ponies each numerous times. Well, another company in Argentina has gone one step further. Kheiron Biotech, Buenos Aires, Argentina, used CRISPRCas9 technology to create 5 gene-edited horses all based on the award-winning mare, Polo Pureza. CRISPR gene editing allows for very specific genetic modulation, and in this case, the researchers were after the genes that improve muscle growth and speed. The horses were all born in October and November, 2024, so it will be a while before we know if they were successful. A little ironic, Polo Pureza translates as “polo purity” in English.
Genetic Research to the Rescue
Researchers at the Royal Veterinary College have identified 112 genes that regulate the bone matrix, and that may increase the risk of fracture in horses. One gene in particular, collagen type III, which is involved in normal bone formation, was found to be expressed in lower levels in horses with a higher risk of fracture. This research may help take some of the guess work out of recognizing which horses may be at higher risk of fracture, so that management can be adjusted to keep them healthy.
US Eventing Has New Leadership
US Equestrian has appointed Leslie Law to the position of Chef d’Equipe and High Performance Manager for the Defender US Eventing Team, and Karyn Shuter as the US Eventing High Performance Advisor. Mr. Law previously served as the USEF Eventing Development Coach, and is an Olympic gold and silver medalist. Ms. Shuter has a wealth of knowledge as an accomplished eventer. She will be based in the UK, but plans to travel to the US for different events. Mr. Law replaces Bobby Costello, who stepped down at the conclusion of his contract in Novemeber 2024, and Ms. Shuter is stepping into a newly formed role. Both Mr. Law and Ms. Shuter have their sights set on the 2028 Olympic Games and beyond.
Adding Tools to My Dressage Toolbox
By Paige Zimmerman
Continuing along in our winter of learning, on February 16, I had the opportunity to ride in a clinic with Silke Rembacz, organized and hosted by Sara Schmitt Dressage. I always enjoy watching Silke teach, and I’ve ridden with her once before, so I was very excited to ride Ducati in the clinic as we continue to chip away at the FEI. Each clinic I participate in and each lesson I take gets me a bit closer to our goals, and gives me new ideas to consider along with helpful tools to put in my toolbox.
The day of my ride, the weather was cold, rainy, and icy. Poor Ducati was quite tight to start out, and we were both very cold! It took a while to warm him up and get us into a groove. But as the lesson went on, we had a lot of very nice moments and I got great feedback on what we need to improve to be successful in the canter work and flying changes, and tempi changes particularly. We worked heavily in the canter, and a main focus of our lesson was to better connect Ducati from back to front, increasing the power from the hind end so that he could push to the contact with a rounder connection over his back. Lateral work and leg-yielding helped to improve his throughness, along with quick simple changes to and from the counter canter, and also lots of transitions between extended and collected canter. Increasing his throughness and push into the contact really helped to improve the changes as we worked on stringing them together consecutively.
Another very helpful aspect of our lesson was to get me in a mindset that is conducive to good flying changes. When we started working on multiple flying changes on the diagonal, I was waiting too long and preparing too long before the change, and then the timing was off and I ran out of room to have successful flying changes. Silke said that it is very important to be relaxed in the change and to not over prepare, since that can create tension. If I over prepare the change and wait too long for the “perfect” moment, it may never come, and it can also cause anticipation in Ducati because I myself am anticipating the change and waffling about when to ask for it. Having confidence in my aids and making the changes not so big of a deal was very helpful in getting smooth changes while maintaining Ducati’s focus.
Easier said than done, since this is a mental game more than a physical game! But I know Silke is right. If I am constantly waiting for the “perfect” moment for a flying change, it may never come, especially when I’m in the show ring. Sometimes you need to ask for changes when the moment isn’t entirely right– and Ducati and I need to become a little more confident and comfortable doing that.
I will be very curious to see how this clinic lesson and the subsequent work on the flying changes will change how our actual tests go. Before the clinic, Ducati and I ran through the PSG in its entirety for the very first time, and I was thrilled that the entire test went well. The trot and walk work were solid, all of our singular changes were good, our pirouettes and counter-canter were secure, the half-pass counter change of hand was also good, the extensions were all clear, but the lines of tempis were unorganized mainly because I wasn’t sure how to prepare them. Now that I feel like we are
getting the changes even better than before, I am hoping to do another practice run of the test soon. It’s still early before show season, but running through our tests and finding the “holes” has been very helpful. In the past, I’ve not always been consistent with practicing my tests at home…but now that we are moving into the FEI ring, I’m determined to do more preparation!
Thank you Maggie O’Leary and the crew at Sara Schmitt Dressage for putting on this clinic. I’m grateful to be at a barn that provides us with so many great learning opportunities. As always, thank you Brenda Curnin for the continued support of my journey with Ducati, thank you Olivia Steidle for the great training and teaching every day, and thank you Silke for coming and teaching all of us, especially on such an icy weekend. I can’t wait to continue working on our homework and I am looking forward to riding in the next clinic.
Horse Treats
Horse Treats
By Meredith Rogers
Being an equestrian is more than a hobby, it’s a lifestyle. However, integra�ng our favorite animal into some aspects of daily life should perhaps be avoided, as these products show.
Equestrian Roll-On Aroma from Carter+Jane (The Equestrian Roll-on Aroma – Carter + Jane). For only $29 you too, can “connect to nature”. This scent supposedly “captures the smell of sweet hay warmed by sunlight on a crisp autumn day.” I don’t think that’s how others would describe my equestrian scent, but I do love the smell of my horse’s muzzle a�er he’s been munching on his dinner, so maybe there’s something there.
Eau de Horse candle (Eau De Horse - Etsy): Now you don’t have to leave that barn feeling when you get home. Just light this candle and bring “the rolling hills and sun-kissed meadows where horses roam free” into your living space. If you go on Etsy, you can nd a plethera of shops selling different equestrian smelling candles, including Horse Breath (Horse Breath Soy Wax Candle - Etsy) and The Calming Scent of a Day at the Barn (Candle for Horse Lover - Etsy).
Crocs Classic Cowboy Boot. They’re Crocs and yet they don’t look very comfortable. These are a real Crocs product but they are sold out on the Crocs website. But, fear-not, you can nd them on Ebay, Poshmark, and other secondary markets for about $200.
Horse Pickleball Paddle. A lot of companies have decided that having a horse on their pickleball paddle is a good thing. Just type “horse pickleball paddle” into any search engine. Don’t they understand that we have horses and don’t have �me for anything else, like pickleball?
The Far�ng Animals Coloring Book (Amazon.com: The Far�ng Animals Coloring Book). Not only horses! Dogs and cats and wild animals too. Color your own animal le�ng loose. As the website says: “Keep the pictures for yourself or give them to a friend who needs a laugh.”
Horse Head Squirrel Feeder (Amazon.com: Accoutrements Horse Head Squirrel Feeder): You put the food into the horse head and let the fun begin. You can also get a unicorn head if you want something more whimsical. By the way, the string to hang it from a tree is not included.
From Our Friends at Lehigh Valley Dressage Association
2023 On the Levels” - Adding to Your Dressage Knowledge Bank
Review of 2024 USDF Convention Presentation: An Open Discussion on Flying Changes with Lilo Fore and Sarah Geikie
Review of 2024 USDF Convention Presentation: An Open Discussion on Flying Changes with Lilo Fore and Sarah Geikie
By Ellen Broadhurst
By Ellen Broadhurst
By Ellen Broadhurst
By Ellen Broadhurst
A key benefit of attending the Annual USDF Convention are the educational programs. Taught by the best the US has to offer, and ranging from horse physiology to how technology is changing how we learn, these hour-long presentations are educational golden nuggets designed to get the audience thinking.
The Open Discussion on flying changes was led by Lilo Fore, FEI 5* Judge, founding member of the USDF L program and USDF Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, and Sarah Geike, USEF “S” Judge and USDF Certified Instructor and Trainer.
A key benefit of attending the Annual Taught by the best the US has technology is changing how we golden nuggets designed to get
The Open Discussion on flying member of the USDF L program Sarah Geike, USEF “S” Judge
The discussion on flying changes with Fore and Geikie provided a detailed and systematic approach to training both the horse and rider for clean, balanced, and correct flying changes.
Key Concepts: for best results, understanding both the horses’ biomechanics and the result we are looking for are critical.
The discussion on flying changes systematic approach to training correct flying changes.
Key Concepts: for best results, result we are looking for are critical.
● Flying changes are natural: horses instinctively change leads in the wild to rebalance. However, in dressage, they must be trained to respond to specific aids for a clean, correct change
● Timing is critical: the change occurs during the horse’s “airtime” – that is, the moment during the canter when all four feet are off the ground, also known as the “moment of suspension” – which means the rider must cue before the horse is already in the air
● Flying changes are natural: rebalance. However, in aids for a clean, correct
● Timing is critical: the change moment during the canter the “moment of suspension” is already in the air
● Judging standards: a correct change must happen simultaneously in both the front and hind legs. Training for a correct change is critical to success in the show ring and requires ‘eyes on the ground,’ as it can be difficult to feel a late change
Training Progression: every horse is different, and there are a myriad of ways to teach flying changes. Understanding the needs of your horse and being willing to assess and change course as learning progresses will make the path to flying changes smoother.
● Balance in the canter
● Adjustability within the canter
● Straightness (a straight horse is a supple horse)
● Mastering transitions (trot-canter, canter-trot, then simple changes)
● Clear understanding of canter depart aids
2. Develop Rider Control: an independent hand, seat, and leg with a stabilizing core give the rider the correct control to support the horse learning flying changes. Review
● Judging standards: a correct front and hind legs. Training show ring and requires change
Training Progression: every horse flying changes. Understanding change course as learning progresses
1. Establish Canter Quality: mastering basis for developing clean changes.
1. Establish Canter Quality: mastering whisper aids and adjustability in the canter is the basis for developing clean changes.
● Balance in the canter
● Adjustability within the canter
● Straightness (a straight
● Mastering transitions (trot-cant
● Clear understanding
● Clear understanding of canter depart aids
2. Develop Rider Control: an independent hand, seat, and leg with a stabilizing core give the rider the correct control to support the horse learning flying changes.
2. Develop Rider Control: an give the rider the correct control
● The rider must have independent
● The rider must have independent body control to influence the horse effectively
● Straight riders create straight horses; collapsed riders do not
● Straight riders create
● Quiet, effective aids in
● Quiet, effective aids in simple changes translate into smoother flying changes
3. Introduce Flying Changes Thoughtfully: your horse must be physically ready to begin changes with enough strength and body control to support the movement.
● The horse’s ability to learn depends on their natural gaits, balance, and throughness
3. Introduce Flying Changes changes with enough strength
● The horse’s ability to throughness
● If there are issues in
● If there are issues in the change, go back and improve the canter quality first
● Use counter-canter to develop balance before introducing flying changes
● Use counter-canter to
4. Use Strategic Exercises to every horse has their own biomechanics consideration when beginning
4. Use Strategic Exercises to Teach the Change: every horse learns differently, and every horse has their own biomechanics to manage, be sure to take these into consideration when beginning flying changes.
● Shallow loop (First Level walk steps, then transition
● Shallow loop (First Level Test 3): simple change at the quarter line, then reduce walk steps, then transition into a flying change
● Figure 8 with a simple
● Figure 8 with a simple change in the middle, then progress to flying changes
● Short diagonal, then ask for the change before the corner
● Short diagonal, then
● Half pass from centerline 1)
● Half pass from centerline to rail, then flying change (similar to Fourth Level Test 1)
Mindset for Success: Changes aren’t easy, so prepare yourself as a rider.
● Second to third level is a big psychological jump for riders
● Emotional control is key, riders must stay calm and focused
Mindset for Success: Changes
● Second to third level
● Emotional control is key,
● Reward the horse’s effort, attempt
● Reward the horse’s effort, even if the change wasn’t perfect, acknowledge the attempt
● Avoid over-drilling, one or two good changes are enough for a session
● Avoid over-drilling, one
● Seek guidance!! It’s always changes are new for professional. Changes significantly impact your
● Seek guidance!! It’s always best to work with an experienced trainer, especially if changes are new for both horse and rider. If you are unsure at all, bring in a professional. Changes poorly taught become a hard problem to solve and will significantly impact your ability to introduce tempi changes
For Fore and Geikie, a methodical willingness to modify training and rider develop confidence,
For Fore and Geikie, a methodical approach to teaching changes with sensitivity and a willingness to modify training exercises as the horse needs, ensures that both horse and rider develop confidence, clarity, and correctness in executing flying changes.
Bridle
ALEXANDRIA EQUESTRIAN ASSOCIATION SCHOOLING SHOW I 2/1/25
