We had a fantastic clinic with Brittany Stanley. Check out the article about it in this issue of the newsletter.
What can we say about CBLM Championships? I’ll give you a brief overview of the statistics for this show.
• 224 entries
• 222 Horses entered
• 533 Rides
• 68.4 hours of judging time
• 10 judges
• 5 rings
• 32 amazing volunteers
So much fun! Exhausting, but fun! It was amazing seeing everyone at the show and celebrating your success.
Highlights for me:
• Century ride – Linda Butz did her century ride on BR Danny’s Secret, on Saturday. Linda rode Grand Prix for her Century ride, no less. The support shown by her family and barn family was evident by the fact that I don’t think there was a dry eye in the park after she saluted.
• The grass skirts, Lei’s, Hawaiian shirts, and smiles. Who says dressage isn’t fun?!
• Seeing competitors joy and pride when they achieved their goals.
It was a very special show; I look forward to hopefully experiencing this again in 2027.
For September we cheer on our members competing at Region 8 Championships. Good luck to all.
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
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Email: treasurer@esdcta.org
Amateur Dilemma
By Meredith Rogers
There is hope for us amateurs yet. I watched bits and pieces of the livestream for the US Festival of Champions, classes of all levels from the babies to FEI. Guess what? Many of them made the same mistakes we make. Horses were above the bit, had haunches trailing in half-pass, were disobedient, etc. This is not to disparage any of these horse and rider pairs, but if the best of the best can have these problems, then I, personally, don’t feel so bad. On the flip side, everyone had good geometry. That’s something we can control, no matter how unfancy our horses are.
I felt inspired by watching these rides. Although I don’t have the skills, horse, money, luck, it takes to get to this level, I can learn to ride and my horse can learn the movements to the best of our abilities and, here’s the important part…it doesn’t have to be perfect. When we try our best, we are good enough. Very few horses scored above 70% (baby classes aside). According to the powers that be, in the 60s means that these riders who are (arguably) the top 15 in the country in their respective divisions, are only “sufficient.” If you’re a pessimist you may be thinking, “then what hope do I have?” But instead, the next time you’re frustrated by a lower-than-desired score or inability to get that left canter depart, remember that you’re in good company.
News from Outside the Ring
Too Close to Home
Two horses in Sussex County have been confirmed by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture to have contracted equine herpes myeloencephalopathy (EHM). The first case was a 20-year-old mare that developed clinical signs on August 3, 2025. She was humanely euthanized. Another horse on the same property exhibited similar neurologic symptoms a week prior and was also euthanized but without confirmation of infection. There is a third horse on the property currently in quarantine. None of the horses had travelled off the farm. EHM is the neurologic form of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) infection that is often deadly. Horse-to-horse transmission is rapid, with an incubation period of about 2-10 days. Signs and symptoms signs include respiratory disease, fever, nasal discharge, depression, cough, lack of appetite, and/or enlarged lymph nodes. With the neurologic form, horses also display mild incoordination, hind-end weakness/paralysis, loss of bladder and tail function, and loss of sensation to the skin in the hind end.
A Legend Has Left Us
British dressage legend, Jane Kidd, died on August 21, at the age of 82 years after a period of illness. I know her from her books, including Dressage Essentials and Practical Dressage, which I have on my shelf. She was also a rider, educator, and judge. Although she competed internationally, an earlier fall left her a bit crooked (her words), so she transitioned into training and judging. She trained everyone from Grand Prix riders to children. She was the Editor of BD Magazine for 15 years, and introduced the Scales of Training to the UK. Her judging accomplishments included the 2002 and 2009 European Junior Riders Championships. She was the first Chair of the BD Test Committee, and was a Senior Selector for the British Team. British Dressage said it best: “Jane was one of the brightest minds behind British Dressage and her contribution has been immense,” and her “absence will be deeply felt by the whole equestrian community.”
At Anjelhart Equestrian Center, we believe in purposeful training, thoughtful care, and fostering the special bond between horse and rider.
Nestled in the heart of horse country in Cream Ridge, NJ, our boutique dressage facility offers a calm, professional setting where riders can pursue their goals and realize their full potential.
● Two indoor arenas — one 80 x 218 ft with mirrors, sound system and raised viewing deck, and a second 60 x 105 ft arena ideal for lunging and hand walking
● 150 x 200 ft all-weather outdoor groomed daily
● Private turnout in pristine pastures
● 12 x 12 matted stalls with oversized windows and individual tack lockers
● Radiant-heated lounge and tack room
● Bridle paths and access to nearby parks and trail systems
● Professional, peaceful atmosphere for riders at all levels
● Bring your own trainer, farrier and veterinarian — or use one of our trusted partners
Horse Treats
Those of us who ride consider ourselves lucky. But there are a number of superstitions related to our equine friends that suggest bad luck may not be far away. Below are some horse-related superstitions –some that promise successes and riches and others not so much.
We all know that horseshoes are good luck but the luckiest of all shoes is one off the hind leg of a grey mare.
By Meredith Rogers
A cowboy hat on your bed is very bad luck and to right that wrong you need to throw the hat outside and stomp the bad luck out of it. There’s a story about a cowboy’s mother who accidentally placed her son’s hat on his bed during the National Finals Rodeo (NFR); the next day he showed up to the event with a squished hat.
Don’t worry if you break a mirror or spill salt. Just lead a horse through the house and any misfortune can be averted.
To avoid bad luck if you see a white dog you should stay silent until you see a white horse.
A horse neighing at the door of a house forebodes sickness for the inhabitants.
If you walk under a ladder and want to avoid the bad luck, just keep your fingers crossed until you have seen three horses.
Want to be protected from witches? Wear a black stallion’s tail hair on your wrist and no witch will bother you.
Have a piano that’s out of tune? Put a horse skull under the floor and the piano’s tone will improve.
Lots of Learning with Brittany Stanley at the Long-Lining Clinic
Lots of Learning with Brittany Stanley at the Long-Lining Clinic
By Heidi Lemack-Beck
By Heidi Lemack-Beck
The ESDCTA Education Chair, Rachael Stillwell, organized a fantastic and diBerent-to -us, clinic with Brittany Stanley on August 16, 2025, at Anjelhart Equestrian Center, Cream Ridge, NJ. Brittany is an FEI rider and trainer, currently working out of Hilltop Farm in Maryland. She began her career riding hunter/jumpers and competing Morgan horses before making the switch to dressage. In 2013, she joined Lendon Gray’s Winter Intensive Training Program in Wellington, FL, where she trained her Swedish Warmblood mare and gained exposure to top international dressage coaching and sport. She moved on to work for Morten Thomsen in Denmark for three years as his head rider, and then in 2020, became assistant trainer at Hilltop Farm, where she now has her own program.
The clinic was held at Carol La Cava Miele’s well-maintained and stunning facility, Anjelhart Equestrian Center in Cream Ridge, NJ. It focused on long-lining and how it can help every horse.
Brittany worked with each horse and handler individually, focusing on what each combination needed. In her words to a nervous handler: “The pressure is not on you; the pressure is on me to give you a tool to take home with you.” And with each and every combination, she did just that.
The first horse was a beautiful 8-year- old Mustang (“Yeti”) handled by Katie Locke and owned by Rachael Stillwell. Katie could not bring her own mare, but wanted to learn about introducing a horse to long lining and handling the long lines. Yeti had been long lined previously, but not by her. Brittany spoke about how to choose what ring on the surcingle to put the long lines through to the bit. “Looking at a horse’s natural biomechanics and confirmation help decide how to run the lines and what ring to us.” She also spoke about introducing the line behind the horse to teach it to move away from the pressure on the hindquarters and follow the nose. She keeps side reins on the surcingle to desensitize the horse, but never uses them while long-lining.
The second horse was another beautiful horse, Z boy, a 9-year- old PRE handled by his owner, Susan Smith. We learned about using “intention” with the horse, and making sure the horse moves around us when lunging, rather than us moving around them. The improvement in communication between horse and handler was clearly seen by the auditors who all clapped at the end of the session.
The third horse was Sonyadore (“Sonya”), an 18-year- old Paint- draft cross mare owned and handled by Alex Pridmore. The focus of this session was on Sonya using her top line and balancing evenly over all four legs. At this point, Brittany advised, “we are not looking for
perfection, we are looking for improvement.” She also mentioned about the long-line set up, and about what we need to be aware of, such as, “Do the line’s set up bring tension or clarity?”
The fourth horse was Damon, an 8-year- old Friesian gelding, owned by Susan Smith. Friesians are typically built with their neck up, but it is good for them to stretch down and out to be able to use their back. If Damon shortened his neck and got running, Brittany solved the problem by transitions, not reins.
The fifth horse was Beocca, a 20-year- old Arab owned by Grace Lowry. Grace had a little experience long lining and wanted help to improve. Brittany advised her to time her half halt to moment that the leg she wanted to influence was leaving the ground as she worked on turn on the haunches.
The sixth horse was Champagne a 17-year- old Cream Draft/Friesian cross, owned and handled by Denise May. “Cham” is stiB on the right side, so Brittany put the inside long line through the bit and back to the surcingle to support the shoulder and help Cham to bend. She then helped Denise long-line him, and even had her jog after him down the long side! Denise learned about the turning aids and a supporting but not pushing outside rein.
So many “ah ha” moments were had with Brittany’s guidance for handlers and auditors!
• Relaxation and straightness are your cornerstones
• You can only influence the leg when it is coming oB the ground
• If you can make the horse feel proud, they will try hard and be more confident
• Horses aren’t lazy, they are stuck in their bodies
We are so grateful to our volunteers for keeping everything running smoothly: Jessica Brindle-Clark, Carol La Cava Miele, and Mary Beth Baur-Baker. Thank you!
We are looking forward to more educational opportunities. Please let ESDCTA know what you would be interested in. Reach out to education@esdcta.org, Rachael Stillwell, Chair.
Champagne with Heidi Lemack Denise May Rachael Stillwell Brittany Stanley and Carol LaCava Miele
Alex Pridmore Brittany and Sonya
Brittany with Cham and Denise
Grace with Beocca
Katie Locke watching Brittany work Yeti Long Lining Clinic auditors
2023 On the Levels” - Adding to Your Dressage Knowledge Bank
Patience to Quality: Shining a Light on the “Distinguished” Medal Program
By Ellen Broadhurst
Patience to Quality: Shining a Light on the “Distinguished” Medal Program
By Ellen Broadhurst
By Ellen Broadhurst
The USDF Rider Awards Program Bronze, Silver, and Gold exists to recognize proficiency at increasingly advanced levels of competition. The Medal program was launched in 1974, just a year after the founding of the USDF itself. In 2022 USDF raised the bar by adding Distinguished Medals offering a distinct award category requiring qualifying scores of 67% and above.
I’m here to wave the flag for the Distinguished Medal program not as some impossible hurdle, but as an opportunity. Bronze and Silver Distinguished Medals reward riders who stay and shine and demonstrate a higher level of proficiency at the lower levels before moving up. Proficiency at the lower levels is the foundation for success as riders move up, so recognizing and valuing the riders who work toward that proficiency seems just as important, if not more so, than achievement of a Bronze, Silver, or Gold Medal.
I distinctly remember the moment in my mid-twenties when I announced to my trainer that my goal was a USDF Bronze Medal. Third Level didn’t sound that hard how tricky could a flying change be? I was barely stringing together a First Level test at the time, and my longsuffering “S” judge of a trainer just squinted at me and sighed.
Fast forward a couple decades, I now understand exactly how tricky Third Level really is; the flying change is just a small part of it. From my first score to my last, it took me twentysix years to earn my Bronze. And like many riders, my Third Level scores came at 3-1 so let’s be honest, I’ve barely dipped a toe into the level.
When someone asked if Silver which requires scores at Fourth Level and Prix St Georges was next for me, I just laughed. In general, being able to cobble together a decent 3-1 isn’t a magical key that unlocks Fourth Level. For me specifically, I can promise you I am not ready to be thinking about stringing changes together.
The beauty of how the USDF tests work is that each individual test at each level is designed to step you up to the next. The first test of the level represents a leap from the prior level, while the second and third are smaller steps asking progressively more. And the tests ask more than just “can you do the movement?” but “can you do it with the basics still intact?”
Take the Third Level flying changes. At 3-1 you get a 10-meter circle to organize the canter and half a short diagonal to pull it off. By 3-3, the setup is tighter, the placement stricter, and the question is clear: are you heading toward changes on the letter, as you will need to do in 4-1? If you can’t ride a competent 3-3, you’re not ready for 4-1. Period.
Some argue that the Bronze Medal itself should require scores at the highest test of the level. That’s a tough sell because for many, just making it to Third Level at all is a massive victory. The reality is that for some people, achieving the Bronze is the culmination of years of working with a horse that has physical limitations and gaits that might be below average. For others, a lovely moving horse can help a rider achieve scores that real talk here may not reflect their readiness to move up the levels. The 60% threshold at 3-1 feels fair enough as a baseline.
But here’s the catch: the leap from Bronze to Silver is huge. Like Grand Canyon huge. From achieving the 60% hurdle at 3-1 to doing the same at PSG is a technical gulf most riders don’t ever vault. Fourth Level is there to bridge the gap, and each Fourth Level test in between Third Level and PSG provides stepping stones that require more technical expertise. You can’t just get a 60% at 4-1 and go charging off to buy a tailcoat expecting to be successful.
Which brings me back to the Distinguished Medal program. For riders who love a challenge and see the value in mastering the basics before moving up, Bronze and Silver Distinguished Medals offer a middle ground. The Distinguished Bronze is not “between” Bronze and Silver, but this step can serve as proof of readiness. A Bronze Distinguished requires two scores of 67% at First, Second, and Third. Higher bar, better riding.
For me, I think USDF missed an opportunity by not requiring Bronze and Silver Distinguished Medal scores at the highest test of each level. A truer test of readiness to move up would be scoring consistently in the high 60s at the highest level of the test. But just because USDF doesn’t require it doesn’t mean we can’t require it of ourselves.
I’ve been thinking about this for a long time, so the good news for me is that I’m ready. I’ve already submitted my Bronze application, and my next goal is a Bronze Distinguished with every score at the highest test of each level. I’ve got two 67%+ at First-3 and Second-3.
Third-3? Not even close. I’ll be camping out there for a while. Maybe forever. And I think it’s really important to point out that that’s okay.
There is a lot of focus in the dressage community about “moving up” levels. But, that’s not what dressage is really meant to be about. Levels aren’t boxes to be checked by riders as some kind of badge of honor. They exist as training stepping stones, allowing horses and riders to demonstrate increasing levels of connection, throughness, and harmony.
As I’ve gotten older and spend more time training and less time showing, my goals in dressage have shifted. They’re less about breadth and more about depth. Less about “what level can I say I ride?” and more about “how well can I ride the level I’m at?”
Would I love to canter down centerline in a shadbelly someday? Absolutely. But if I ever get there, I want it to be with a solid Fourth Level foundation, with a horse who can demonstrate
the purpose of the tests correctly, with a rider who understands that purpose and is riding toward that goal.
And if I never make it to Prix St Georges? Then I’ll still be out there, patiently striving for correctness. And if that journey keeps me circling at Third-3 forever well, at least my 10meter circles will be fabulous.
So, as we all spend time this fall thinking about our winter training plans, and long-term planning for where we would like to see ourselves, think about the Distinguished Medals. They have a unique place in our training plans, the opportunity to take the time to demonstrate proficiency and depth. And if you add on the bonus challenge of waiting to apply until you have your scores at the highest test of the level, well done! You’ve done yourself and your horse a service.
French Classical Dressage Clinics with Dominique Barbier
Oct 3-5, 2025
Location: Daystar Farm 455 County Road 579 (Easton Trenton Tpk) Ringoes, NJ 08551 (across from Hampton Corner Road)
It is hard to miss the mustache and ponytail, but the most unusual thing about Dominique Barbier and about his clinics is the extraordinary rapport that he establishes with each horse within minutes of introduction. A student of the great Nuno Oliveira, Mestre Barbier’s philosophy is completely about the horse. About the horse as teacher, about the horse wanting to know his place, about the horse wanting to have a partner. This emphasis on the horse means that the emphasis is not on what we do to the horse, it is about what we do with the horse without pushing, pulling, or special gadgets. It is not a formulaic approach.
The Clinic Format
The 3 day clinics start between 9:00am and 9:30am and run until around 5pm with about a 1.5 hour lunch break. The work is determined by the needs of the horse. The greatest benefit to horse and rider comes from the three days of sessions as the work can thus be thoroughly confirmed. Day 1: Establishing understanding; Day 2: developing the work; Day 3: refining the results. All lessons are private one-on-one sessions. Riders and horses get 2 lessons per day. In the morning, Mestre Barbier teaches the rider to lunge their horse, do ground work in hand, then works with the rider under saddle. After lunch, the process is repeated.
If you want to take your dressage to a new and more personal level with your horse, then this is the clinic for you!
FMI: Gary Maholic 215.489.1557 gmaholic@gmail.com https://www.barbiernj.com
(Photos by Keron Psillas)
The Freedom to Balance Themselves
By Earlen Haven
On my bucket list is to try to let as many riders and instructors as possible realize that riders don’t have to fight with their horses to slow them down if they will allow their horse to have total freedom of the use of their body to give them confidence that they will be able to get themselves out of trouble if need be....whether it be riding on the flat or even more importantly, if we are asking them to jump a fence.
On a balance beam, a gymnast uses his arms to help him balance. A horse uses his neck. We, as riders, are usually greatly hindering him from doing that. Thus he loses confidence in his ability to keep himself out of trouble. It would be comparable to asking the gymnast to tie his arms behind his back while on the balance beam.
I know most riders convince themself that “that won’t work with my horse” so in the coming weeks, I’m going to be giving you numerous examples of it working, because in 60 years of schooling horses, I have never had a horse where this system did not work.
I’m going to start with a 15.1 hd Arab that I borrowed many years ago when I had a student that wanted to try out for the Olympic Eventing Team. She was very green at the time and I wanted Jack LeGoff, our team coach to start watching her throughout
the year, so I borrowed this horse to put her in a dressage clinic with Jack because the horse had lovely dressage schooling and would make her look good. Then her horse got injured and I asked if I could borrow the Arab for a few months to put her in the selection trials where Jack picks 10 riders to work with the following day. The trainer asked if I had jumped the horse yet and I said yes. Why? Apparently, he was being sold because he was slamming on the brakes and pitching his rider over the fence. He never did that with us. My rider was still using a crest release because she wasn’t ready to “ride out of hand yet”. She not only won the selection trials, but in the clinic with LeGoff the next day, at the end he put up a fence that was huge, probably close to 5” with a 6’ spread. This little Arab was the only horse out of the 10 that never had any refusal or runout the entire day and most of them were big Thoroughbreds.
I did not know his problem when we started jumping him, but we started his jump schooling with half halts (which he knew correctly from his dressage basics), followed immediately by a crest release at least 2 strides before the jump and did not touch his reins before at least 2 strides after the jump, then took a very light feel back on the reins. Because we gave him his freedom, he would jump the moon for you.
We allowed him to gallop with almost no contact, just following the neck motion and he was a happy camper. I believe that horses respond so well to this because it gives them the ability to keep themselves out of trouble. They actually adjust their stride on their own before a fence to find their take off spot when they are allowed to do so.
Thus, it allows them to build their confidence in themselves. I also believe that they are better equipped to do this than letting the rider decide these issues. All I can say is that it does work!
Hope you will give it a try!
Country Haven’s Cross Country Course in Woodstown NJ has a variety of heights to progressively educate your horses. Fee is only $50 to school in a quiet atmosphere for whatever time you need to accomplish your goal. Call Earlen Haven @ 856-769-1916 with questions or to schedule.
What a Difference a Century Makes!
By Maggie O’Leary
It’s been 17 years since Linda Butz purchased BR Danny’s Secret from her breeder in Wisconsin. She is dual registered with the Friesian Sport Horse Registry and Half Arabian Registry. Secret was bought off a video with the original plan to just trail ride and hop over some small jumps… Secret had other ideas and it became clear that she preferred dressage.
Secret was put in full training and quickly started to climb the levels in dressage. In 2019, Sara Schmitt took over the reins and made it to the Grand Prix! Sara and this mighty mare were also part of Team Biostar at the Challenges of the Americas in 2020 (Wellington, FL). In 2021, she also helped me, Assistant Trainer at Sara Schmitt Dressage (SSD), achieve my USDF Gold Medal.
While Secret’s resume is vast from Arabian shows to Dressage at Devon to Regionals, her and Linda are developing quite the resume together as well. Together they completed Linda’s USDF Bronze Medal in 2019 and her Silver in 2023. In 2024 Linda made the jump to Grand Prix and together they were the Reserve Champions in the FEI Division at the ESDCTA Championship Show. And now, they became only the sixth horse-rider team to be inducted into the Century Club at the Grand Prix Level when they came down centerline at the 44th Colonel Bengt Ljungquist Memorial Championships, at the Horse Park of New Jersey, Allentown, NJ.
We at SSD are so extremely proud of them and have really enjoyed being a part of their dressage journey. This 14.3hh powerhouse mare makes us all laugh every day and we can’t wait to see what they do next! Thank you again to the village that came out to support them. Huge thank you to everyone at ESDCTA and CBLM that help make this such a special occasion.
Photos by Olivia A. Steidle and SSD Barn Family
Applewood Farm Dressage, Combined Test & Clear Round Show
8/6/25
Bella Rosa Dressage Schooling Show
Class:
Bridle
Bit O Woods Farm Dressage Schooling Show
8/2/25
Class:
Bridle
Class: 16 Open Division
Bridle
Class: 19 Open Division
Bridle
Class: 22 Open Division
Bridle
Class: 23 Open Division
Bridle
Class: 25 Open Division
Bridle
Class:
Division
Bridle
Class: 35A Open Division
Bridle
Five Roses Farms Dressage Show
Four Farthing Farm Dressage Schooling Show
8/24/25
Bridle
Dressage at Jersey Palms
7/27/25
Training Level 3 - open
Training Level 3 - AA
First Level 1 - open
First Level 1 - AA
First Level 2 - open
First Level 2 - AA
Third Level 2
Training
Lehigh Valley Dressage Association IV: Licking Creek
8/10/25
First Level Test 2 Youth
First
Second
Second
Third
Fourth
Stone Tavern Schooling Horse Trial and Combined Test 26-Jul-25
