ESDCTA MAGAZINE
COLLECTIVE REMARKS
WWW.ESDCTA.ORG October 2026
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Vice President’s Message HorseTreats - Crossword Puzzle
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USDF Region 8 Championships
News from Outside the Ring
Amateur Dilemma
President’s Message The show season has been busy, and the ESDCTA Board has been making plans! First of all, our Championship Show is around the corner. Our Dressage Committee has planned quite an event for you. Don’t miss out on getting your entry in and celebrating all you have accomplished this year! Our Education Committee is busy making plans for the upcoming year with several clinics in the works. September 17-20, many of our members attended Region 8 Championships in Saugerties NY, and had a very successful show. Congratulations to all, we are proud of all of our members. This month many of our members are competing at Region 1 Championships in Lexington Virginia. We look forward to seeing everyone’s posts about their experiences and successes. Best of luck!
Ellen Brindle-Clark President 2
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Vice President’s Message From Frost to Florida: Keeping the Dressage Mindset All Winter As fall settles in and we begin looking toward the winter months, our dressage season can take us in very different directions. For some of us, winter means frozen arenas, snow, and layers of blankets. For others, it means loading the trailer and heading south for warmer weather and another season of training and competition. Regardless of where winter takes you and your horse, this is a great time to remember one of the most important principles of dressage: preparation matters. Before the first hard freeze or winter storm, take a few minutes to make sure you are prepared. Check your horse’s water supply, blankets, hay, and medications. Know your barn’s emergency procedures, keep important contact numbers accessible, and have a plan for severe weather or unexpected transportation needs. And for those heading to Florida, winter preparation simply looks a little different. Travel, changing temperatures, new facilities, and a busy show schedule all require their own kind of planning. Our horses count on us to think ahead - and just like in dressage, the little things done consistently can make the biggest difference. Whether your winter arena is covered in snow or sand, I hope the coming months bring you plenty of good rides, time with your horses, and opportunities to enjoy the sport we all love. Stay safe, stay prepared, and keep riding! Vice President
Cynthia Vanderlely
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Board of Trustees OFFICERS President
Ellen Brindle-Clark
president@esdcta.org
609.351.1054 text is best
Vice President
Cynthia Vanderley
vicepresident@esdcta.org
267.275.4984
Secretary
Ruth McCormick
secretary@esdcta.org
201.240.4505
Treasurer
Holly Cornell
treasurer@esdcta
732.208.8715
Dressage at Large
Marley McCourt
datlargeMAL@esdcta.org
Eventing at Large
Jennifer Duelfer
eatlargeMAL@esdcta.org
Dressage Competitions
Jennifer Koch
dressage@esdcta.org
Eventing Competitions
Janice Pellegrino
eventing@esdcta.org
Marketing
Paige Zimmerman
marketing@esdcta.org
Membership
Heidi Lemack
membership@esdcta.org
Finance
Gary Maholic
finance@esdcta.org
Education
Rachael Stillwell
education@esdcta.org
609.306.8221 856.534.9797
Youth
Stephanie Warner
youth@esdcta.org
609.351.1054
Calendar/Omnibus
Mia Zimmerman kai glennney
omnibus@esdcta.org
NJEAB Representative
Carolyn Montgomery
crunner141@comcast.net
Awards
Becky Kuc
awards@esdcta.org
Grants
Ellen Clark
Equipment
Jessica Clark Meredith Rogers Ruth McCormick Heidi Lemack
grants@esdcta.org horselover8968@gmail.com newsletter@esdcta.org nominations@esdcta.org
Executive Board 732.598.3077
609.306.8221
OFF BOARD COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Newsletter Nominating Nominating
nominations@esdcta.org
Awards Ordering
Laura Aber
Show Results
Ashley Mucha
Results@esdcta.org
Volunteer Coordinator
Jen Koch
youthdressageshows@gmail.com
Become a friend of the ESDCTA on Facebook Follow us on X @ESDCTA 4
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CROSS COUNTRY... News Across Our Region COMMUNITY NEWS
Milestone
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!
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.
WHAT’S YOUR TALENT?? Let us know what you would like to help us with in 2026. 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!
e-mail: newsletter@esdcta.org
MEMBERSHIP QUESTIONS For membership questions including updating physical or e-mail addresses please contact: Heidi Lemack membership@esdcta.org
2026 ADVERTISING RATES
MEMBER FULL PAGE $100 HALF PAGE $65 QUARTER PAGE $40 BUSINESS CARD $20 CARD FOR 3 MONTHS $45 CLASSIFIEDS $10
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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
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Horse Treats By Meredith Rogers
Everyone has heard of blue laws, those outdated, often strange laws originally enacted for religious reasons. Although the majority have been repealed or deemed unconstitutional, there are still some on the books. Here are some related to our equines. In Washington DC, Colorado, and Utah, you will be arrested if you fish from horseback. In Raton, New Mexico, it is illegal for a woman to ride horseback down a public street in a kimono. In Hartsville, Illinois, you will be arrested if you ride an ugly horse, but in Wilbur, Washington, you’ll just be fined $300. In Basalt, Nevada, you are prohibited from eating onions while out riding a horse between the hours of 7am and 7pm, and in Cotton Valley, Louisiana, it is illegal for men to eat ice cream while on horseback. In Marshalltown, Iowa, it is illegal for a horse to eat a fire hydrant. In Paradise, California, it is against the law to let a horse sleep in a bakery. In Indianapolis, Indiana, no horse shall be ridden or driven on any street in the city at a speed in excess of 10 miles per hour. In Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, you are prohibited from buying, selling, or trading horses after the sun goes down unless you get permission from the sheriff. In New York, donkeys cannot sleep in bathtubs. In Vermont, you will be fined $25 if you let your horse run within an enclosed burial ground. In Phoenix, Arizona, you can’t walk through a hotel lobby with spurs on.
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Inside the city limits of Tahoe City, California, horses may not wear cowbells. In Florida and Tennessee, horse theft is still punishable by hanging. In Kansas, you cannot use mules to hunt ducks. In Rasario, Argentina, horses are required to wear hats in hot weather. In Pocataligo, Georgia, horses are forbidden to neigh after 10pm. In Burns, Oregan, horses are allowed in the town’s taverns if an admission fee is paid before they enter. In South Dakota, it is illegal to blow you nose in public places because it might scare a horse and cause it to panic, and in Pattonsburg, Missouri, you’ll get arrested for shouting or using profanity that may disturb a horse. In South Dakota horses must wear pants before entering a fountain.
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Amateur Dilemma By Meredith Rogers
“Another day, another segue” – Berkley Breathed, as said by Opus on the last panel of the last book of Bloom County. This is my second-favorite quote and it’s no more relevant than today. This is the hardest article I’ve ever had to write. Regarding “another day,” Leo, my partner in sport, my friend, has re-injured himself at the same site as previously. My vet says it’s time to retire him. Maybe not permanently but she doesn’t think he’ll hold up to moving up the levels. I’ve had to scratch Regionals and the rest of my hopes and dreams. We were supposed to be doing this together. I am heartbroken more than I can express. Leo and I started this journey not speaking the same language. Then we got on the same page, even if we weren’t reading the same paragraph, and we were finally at the point where we finished each other’s sentences. I never had quite the same partnership with any other horse. I thought I found a great place to retire him that was <10 minutes from where he was and 30 minutes from home. However, after 2 weeks of trying it didn’t work out. He was turned out with two mares that he got overly attached to but one hated him with a vengeance. I made an emergency trip to pick him up and bring him back home. Because living in a show barn is very expensive, I am currently looking for somewhere else where he can live in a bigger herd that’s just as close. These couple of weeks solidified that I want to be able to visit him as much as I can because I miss him. My brain is telling me I did everything I could and this is just horses, I can’t help but feel guilty. Maybe if I did this or that he would still be sound. It’s not healthy but it is what 8
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it is. My vet says we’ll re-evaluate him in the spring and see if he can be rehabbed enough to do lower-level work or be trail ridden. One hoof at a time. Looking towards “another segue,” I bought a new horse. I’m having trouble getting excited about it but he’s lovely. He’s a homebred out of my trainer’s stallion, who I love, and a mare who is one of Leo’s previous turnout buddies. I was there within 5 minutes of him being born (which was an adventure for another time). I’ve known him his entire 3 years of life. Another baby! After Leo, I said I would never get another baby but then again I thought I would be with Leo for another 15 years, and a young horse was all that I could afford. I helped my trainer break him before any of this happened. He’s currently W/T/C with limited steering but improving with every ride. Right now, I’m trying to build a relationship with him. My overall goal is to have another horse I enjoy riding and who enjoys spending time with me. Regarding riding goals, I want to learn and grow as a rider, all while striving for Grand Prix. This new guy has potential to take me there while enjoying the journey. However, horses are not motorcycles, they have unique personalities, so only time will tell if we gel like I did with Leo. Hopefully, you’ll see us out and about come spring. Leo happy back home
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Fun at USDF Region 8 Championships By Paige Zimmerman
USDF Region 8 Championships in Saugerties, NY, with Ducati and Marky was busy, but successful. Both horses exceeded my expectations, and I am so proud of them. We were lucky to have very good weather up until Sunday, when it was a bit rainy and cold, but not unbearable. We had a good time and enjoyed great food, friends, and victory laps! Ducati was a bit of a firecracker throughout the show. He usually takes a while to settle into a big environment, but I still feel that it was his best Regionals yet. I went into the show only aiming to score over 60% in the Adult Amateur PSG Championship and to place in the Adult Amateur 4th Level Championship. Our PSG ride went very well, ending on a 63.382%, which is our best FEI score to date! We also placed 4th, greatly exceeding my expectations. Our 4th Level AA Championship ride was bright and early at 8:00 AM… but Ducati did not mind at all. I think he prefers the early morning rides to the afternoon rides. It was nice and steady, earning a 67.083% and 5th place, also giving me the last 4th Level score I needed for my USDF silver medal with distinction (which requires scores over 67%). That was a big goal that I was hoping to knock out, since that test was to be our last 4th level ride together, as we look onwards to doing more FEI riding. Unfortunately, Ducati did have a lot of tension during his freestyle rides. He did not care for ring 4, which is all the way at the back of the property. Mule carts and construction could be seen from the warmup, which he was distracted by, so our practice ride and 4th Level Freestyle Championship did not go as hoped. But no matter- we still earned a ribbon of my favorite color: purple (7th place, out of 7). Not everything always goes exactly to plan. But overall, he was super focused all weekend, other than in that particular ring. Every horse has their thing. 10
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For Marky, this was his first overnight show and his first Regional Championships. He handled everything like a pro, and I could even walk him on a loose rein all around the property, which I would’ve never imagined earlier in the season. He barely spooked at anything, even the giant flower pots! Our 1st Level Championship class and practice classes all went very well with clean rides, including a 68.611% in 1-3, a 71.153% in our freestyle practice class, and a 70.486% in our 1st Level AA Championship, which put us in 4th place overall. I’m very proud of Marky for holding his own in one of the largest classes of the show. The 1st Level AA Championship is always HUGE in Region 8, and scores can be extremely close. This year, there were fewer competitors than in 2025, but still there were over 30 riders. Our 2nd Level Championship ride had some blips, but earned a solid 64.167%. For only having done 2nd level twice prior to Regionals, I am so proud of him for staying with me. We placed in the middle of the pack of a large class. I was so excited for our 1st Level AA Freestyle Championship, since I love our Lion King music and it’s always really fun to ride. We had a great time, although we were getting rained on, so Marky was tense because he really wanted to rub off the water dripping on his face (poor guy). He was thinking about it the entire time, and in our walk tour he stopped several times to try and rub his nose on his leg, unfortunately. Then, in our canter lengthening, I gave him a bit too large of an aid and he did a very speedy canter down the long side! I think he doubled his tempo… We went from being 2 seconds behind my music to 2 seconds ahead of it. Oops! But, we still had a clean ride technically, and we finished in 6th overall. Then, we ended the show with the AA Equitation Final, coming in 5th with an 80%. I still can’t believe how chill he was the entire time. He is certainly turning into a very reliable show pony! Thank you to everyone in the community who helped and supported us throughout the show, including but not
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limited to Jen Garutti, who picked up my bridle from our barn after I forgot it. And, as usual, thank you to Olivia for being the most fab coach, trainer, and photographer! Also, shoutout to Melissa for her assistance, as well as our barn mates from Sara Schmitt Dressage, including Maggie, Erin, and Maren, for being a helpful, supportive, and fun team to be around. Thank you to Brenda for the chance to ride and show Ducati as well. And of course, thank you to my mom and dad for being the best horse show parents! Additionally, thank you to the show management team for a well-run event. We had a great time, and I can’t wait until next year.
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The Chance to Create your Legacy Equestrian Estate
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News from Outside the Ring What’s in a name? A little history lesson. Before Adolf Hitler became a fascist murderer, he was a self-proclaimed painter in Austria. This is why the win of a colt named “Austrian Painter” drew attention. The horse’s name could have been an innocent oversight except for the facts that his owner and breeder had another horse named “New Order,” which is a term the Nazis used as a name for their plan to occupy Europe, and he had misogynistic and antisemitic social media posts. An alternative name for the colt his owner proposed was “My Struggle,” which translated into German is “Mein Kampf,” Hitler’s manifesto. In addition, “Austrian Painter” is used on social media as a code name for Hitler to avoid filters. The Jockey Club demanded a name change under their Rule 6.F.9.d, which prohibits names that “are likely to be offensive or threatening based upon factors including, but not limited to, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, gender, national origin, race, religion, politics or sexual orientation.” The colt was renamed Merrylegs and the filly has been unnamed. Hate has no home in horse sport of any kind. What’s in a microchip? A criminal network in Europe decided that the best way to make money would be to take less valuable horses, create new identities for them, and sell them for more than they were worth. They forged horse passports and manipulated microchips. Over September 8 and 9, police in Belgium, France, Ireland, and the Netherlands checked the identities of more than 1000 horses that were suspected of being fraudulently traded after Belgian authorities received a tip about what was going on. Europol then coordinated a sting operation, which included food safety inspectors because some of the horses were being sold for slaughter, disguising the horse meat as more expensive beef in frozen foods. Two people have been arrested in Belgium, a significant number of horses seized, and €100,000 (~$116,000) was found. Other arrests are expected.
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EVENT CALENDAR ESDCTA’s Calendar contains the complete and up to date list of ESDCTA’s registered shows. It also contains other activities that ESDCTA feels are important to our community. Click the link to view The Event Calendar
https://www.esdcta.org/home/omni-calendar/ 16
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WWW.ESDCTA.ORG October 2026 COLLECTIVE REMARKS
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