October 2017 YourDressage

YOURDRESSAGE

October 2017

A United States Dressage Federation Publication Road to the Finals: Ana DiGironimo and Her Pony may be Small but They are Mighty

Welcome to Your Wonderful World of Dressage YourDressage is compiled by the United States Dressage Federation, written by participants from throughout the dressage community. The articles in this publication are submitted by people like you to share and be shared by all. Experience their stories as they navigate through the wonderful world of dressage and become friends with your dressage community.

It’s YourDressage, be part of it! If you would like to submit your story see the last page of this publication.

Get Connected

The 2017 USDF Online Stallion Guide is now LIVE! This annual online stallion guide is released by the United States Dressage Federation for the dressage community.

The guide is available both through the USDF website and the USDF app.

Featured article this year is, “The Hottest Bloodlines in Rio” which looks at what sport-horse pedigrees were represented in the 2016 Olympics.

We continue our look at breeding statistics from USDF’s major championships, adding Great American/USDF Regional Championshps.

Once again we have the “Index of Progeny for Advertised Stallions,” which includes progeny that have ranked 1-100 in Adequan®/USDF Year-End Awards. It also includes horses that have placed in US Dressage Finals, Great American/USDF Regional 2017 USDF Championships, and Great Online Stallion Guide American/USDF Breeders Championships from 2009-2016.

This guide contains interactive links to give you all the information you need to make a favorable breeding decision. Whether interested in breeding, or looking for a breeder with offspring already on the ground, this is a great way to learn more about dressage breeders throughout North America.

The Hottest Bloodlines in Rio

Trending Stallions in the Sport Horse Arena: USDFBC Statistics

Pursit of Excellence: Regional Championship Statistics

Finals by the Numbers: US Dressage Finals Statistics

October 2017 Z YOURDRESSAGE

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WHAT TO SEE INSIDE DEPARTMENTS MY TIME TO RIDE: Celebrating our Fun Century Club Ride Carol Alonso, with Julio her equine partner of 24 years, reflect on their Century Club Ride.

HORSE TALES: My Journey to the National Dressage Pony Cup Emily Grimstead tells her story of finally competing at the Kentucky Horse Park with her Appaloosa pony Goosebumps.

YOUNG & INSPIRED: Gold for Mo Tillie Jones remembers her horse Mo as she goes for the gold at NAJYRC. HEARD AROUND THE ARENA: Regional Championships and Breeders Championships The competition year is in full swing. We take a look at some of the social media posts from the USDF championships around the country.

USDF FLASHBACK: Jessica Newberry-Ransehousen An Olympian, instructor, judge, chef d'équipe, and governance figure, Ransehousen has put her mark on dressage.

GMO SPOTLIGHT: Utah Dressage Society (UDS) Take a look at this group member organization.

COVER STORY - ROAD TO THE FINALS Small but Mighty Ana DiGironimo started riding at three and has never looked back.

She tells her story and how she and her Arabian pony are making it to the US Dressage Finals.

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MY TIME TO RIDE

Celebrating our Fun Century Club Ride

By Carol Alonso Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in CDS June Dressage Letters.

T

he Century Club was established at The Dressage Foundation in 1996, at the suggestion of Dr. Max Gahwyler, noted dressage judge and clinician. The purpose of the Century Club is to honor senior dressage riders and horses that are still actively riding and competing together. In order to become a member of the Century Club, the ages of the rider and horse must add up to 100 or more years! The team must also ride any level dressage test at a show, and be scored by a judge. The Club has inducted over 275 members across the U.S. since 1996.

A Century Ride was one of my goals for many years, so when my PRE partner of 24 years, El Gavilan, (barn name “Julio”) turned 26 in April, we decided to make the ride into an event to celebrate our “101 years.” We

were honored by Hetty Dutra’s invitation to hold the ride during a CDS/USDF/USEF show at her “Hossmoor” facility in Briones, CA. It would be the last morning ride so we could celebrate during the lunch hour.

I bought my noble Spanish horse, Julio, as a 2-year-old stallion in 1993, and year after year since then Julio has continued to perform well and love his job.

He never got the chance to be a Grand Prix horse because of me, his older career physicist and very amateur Mom, but he is the happiest horse I have ever met.

He loves his work and yet is very laid back about it. The great rider from the Spanish Riding School, Karl Mikolka, rode him once and said, “This is a very generous horse, you must always be careful that no-one takes advantage of him.”

Julio and I competed together in dressage from 1996 through this year - 21 years! Year after year we won trophies and awards at our low amateur level. We

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weren’t headed for the Olympics but we had a wonderful partnership and showing helped us to continuously improve. As Julio got older I saved his back using rising trot in First Level. Two months ago, at Golden State, we qualified for the RAAC and CDS annual championships. Two years ago, in 2015, we were invited to compete our First Level Freestyle at the US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan® in Lexington, KY. What fun it was to ride every day in the Kentucky Horse Park!

They say we were the oldest pair at Finals. I decided we would do that freestyle for our Century Club Ride.

Our Century Club Ride day was definitely a high point of my horse life! Heidi Gaian judged the ride with her usual right-on comments. Our freestyle was good, and the speeches, flowers, ceremony and champagne in the arena afterward were lovely.

Hetty introduced the Century Club, and my trainer Jolie Wentworth pinned the long gold and

black Century Club ribbon on Julio’s bridle. About 60 spectators toasted us with flutes of champagne, and Hetty presented a huge bouquet of gorgeous purple lilies. Julio meanwhile happily munched a bunch of carrots provided by Tracy Bowman. Other friends gave me eight lovely bouquets of flowers, plus gifts like wine, olive oil and Godiva chocolates! Another high point was that we introduced Julio’s grey yearling son Lord Nelson, who stood calmly by his proud Daddy amid all the hubbub.

The party afterward was excellent. Many of my friends and supporters were there and they all got to meet Julio and enjoy his outgoing personality (he loves people). My husband Jose and I had decorated a colorful pavilion on site with flowers, awards, championship ribbons, and lots of photos of Julio and myself over the years, and we served champagne and fancy cupcakes to our guests. I stood with Julio near the outside of the pavilion where he

joyfully received all “his” guests, who fed him a zillion carrots and took selfies with him. We all feel certain that Julio understood that the party was for him.

For myself, I am deeply happy to still be riding my beloved horses Julio and Zholani every day; it is the result of some luck and a lot of hard work, with careful attention to fitness and nutrition for both my horses and myself. Many thanks are due to the several trainers who have helped keep Julio and I continue competing and even winning: Heidi Riddle, Jenny Backs, Tracy, and especially Jolie. Thanks also to all my friends and especially my husband Jose for such longstanding support.

I thank all the guests who came to share this day that meant so much to me. A special thanks to Hetty for hosting our Century Club Ride, and to The Dressage Foundation for making it possible.

But when all is said and done, my biggest thanks go to Julio, my wonderful dressage partner for 24 years and counting.

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October 2017 Z YOURDRESSAGE

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HORSE TALES

My Journey to the National Dressage Pony Cup

By Emily Grimstead “It is the difficult horses that have the most to give to you.”

– Lendon Gray

I

’ll start with a little background on Goosebumps. My parents bought Goosebumps five years ago, from a hunter barn in North Carolina, for $1,500. I had taken lessons at the farm, and knew “Goose,” but usually rode a different horse in my lessons. My husband was in the Marine Corps and we were stationed on the other side of the country. My parents purchased him with the hopes that he would be an asset to the Girl Scout lesson program where my mom works. Goose was not the best fit for the lesson program, after all. He was difficult to ride, difficult to handle on the ground, and quite naughty. So when my husband and I moved back home, I took him on as my own project.

I started riding dressage on Valentine’s Day, two years ago, by chance. My barn was having

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a dressage clinic and I thought it might be fun to participate. We showed up in our jumping tack and casual clothing, with a very casual attitude. But before the end of the lesson, something happened and I knew Goose and I would never look back.

Goose and I had to start with the very basics. He was completely dead to the leg, had no feeling in his mouth, and wouldn’t even stay on the rail. It was such a challenge and extremely frustrating, but I was enjoying every second of it. I went from riding once weekly, to riding almost every day after work, and did some research about opportunities for adults riding dressage on ponies. It was then that I discovered the National Dressage Pony Cup (NDCP). The NDPC encourages dressage at every level, for riders of any ability or age, and ponies of any breed. Getting there was all I could think about, and I made it my goal. I bought lots of dressage books and starting planning for our first dressage schooling show.

My husband was on board with my new obsession and even October 2017 Z YOURDRESSAGE

HORSE TALES

purchased a small horse trailer, for Goose and me. When the day came to go to our first show, we loaded up Goose and started to pull down the driveway. We were barely down the driveway and Goose reared up in the trailer, snapped his lead rope, hit his head, and almost flipped out the back of the trailer. He was shaking so hard that we pulled him off the trailer as quickly as we could.

I had to get my dad to call and scratch us from the show because I was crying so much; we had worked so hard for months. He was so scared and obviously had some pretty serious emotional baggage. Feeling super discouraged, my husband and I decided to sell the trailer and buy a different one. This time we went with an open, stock-type trailer. After several weeks of feeding Goose in the new trailer and convincing him that it was okay, we went to our first show.

At the horse show, Goose was very nervous and flighty. We actually had to be led into the

arena because he would not go into it on his own; he kept rearing and tried to run back to the trailer. I pulled everything that I had together and had to keep convincing myself not to give up.

I remember the first time I took him to my trainer’s farm for a lesson. Goose ran away with me and jumped over the side of the dressage arena. She said, “Well, that’s not good!” But, I wouldn’t give up. I kept trying and I kept pushing and hoping that we could do it.

In September of 2015, I noticed that Goose had some discharge coming from his ear. After investigating with a flashlight, I could see a tumor down in his ear. We were sent to a specialist, and Goose had to end up having two separate ear surgeries (the first one was not successful). We were told that Goose may not be able to hear, that his face may end up being disfigured, and that he may never be able to balance himself well again. But Goose pushed through and luckily, now,

has completely recovered. He barely even has a scar!

I became curious about Goose’s history before we bought him. My family had so much time and money invested in him and I really wanted to find some baby photos of him. I got lucky and found a video of him, when he was for sale in 2008. I contacted the lady who sold him, Ashley Waldrup, and she informed me that Goosebumps had been rescued by Cindy Bellis-Jones, in Kentucky, from slaughter eleven years ago. Goose had been abused, and found himself in a bad situation. He needed a helping hand to get back to a better place, and Cindy and Ashley were the people who helped him. I can never thank them enough, as this pony is absolutely priceless to me.

This year, after two and a half years of so many ups and downs, Goose and I finally made it to the Kentucky Horse Park for the National Dressage Pony Cup. It was a dream come true, just to get there, and I am still pinch-

ing myself! Goosebumps was the Appaloosa Pony Champion of the show and, together, we placed fourth overall in the Adult Amateur USDF Musical Freestyle.

Cindy even came to the horse park to see Goosebumps, after all of this time! I could not have gotten to Kentucky without the support of my family and without the help of my super positive and motivating trainer. This whole journey started with a dream that seemed completely impossible, more times than one. But, I never gave up and I always believed in my pony.

eTRAK Extra

Read "Not just for Kids Any More" about ponies used in dressage from June 2015USDF Connection magazine

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YOUNG & INSPIRED

Gold for Mo

By Tillie Jones

I

remember being in awe of those girls that seemed to win all the awards. They were much older. Sophisticated. Refined. They seemed to be able to effortlessly get their horses to do amazing things. It was my seventh birthday, that day when my parents removed the blindfold from my eyes and a horse (yes a horse!) stood before me, ready to carry me through my one-lesson birthday present. I remember listening to those girls excitedly discussing some magical, mysterious event they wanted to attend: the North American Junior/ Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC).

I didn’t really know what they were talking about, but I knew if they wanted to go, then I wanted to go too. Perhaps it started as just a little girl’s dream, but it soon turned into my goal: to compete at NAJYRC and make it to the podium. This is the story of my journey to the Tille wears her gold medal with her trainer Jami Kment

podium, and why making it was the most exhilarating and cathartic experience of my life.

That one-lesson birthday present was, as my dad is fond of saying, the gift that kept on giving. One lesson turned into five, and the lesson horse was replaced by a leased pony, and I began competing in schooling shows.

Before long I was the owner of a very special Connemara pony, Darby, who took me through Third Level and enabled me to earn my bronze medal, when I was only twelve. I worked hard, but things seemed to come easily those days. Then, enter Boegley’s Mauricio, also known as Mo. An 18-year-old Danish Warmblood, Mo was a Ferrari without brakes. He had “buttons” I didn’t even know existed. On Mo, I quickly learned how much I didn’t know about dressage. The transition from pony to a large horse was hard. He was, undoubtedly, the most difficult horse I’ve ridden. But, with Mo, I began to learn what it’s like when horse and

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rider develop that indescribable, unbreakable bond, through countless hours of training and the quiet time just being together.

When Mo and I became partners, we began showing Third Level and schooled Fourth Level.

Although we showed reasonably well, our first year was challenging. As we were just starting to develop our connection, I nearly lost Mo in a tragic fire. It destroyed the barn where I was training and he was boarded, and that opened my eyes to the harsh reality that any ride may be the last.

That same year, I also said goodbye to my beloved trainer and life-mentor, Felice Rose, who was a second mom to me. After decades of training, she was slowing down at a time when my pace was speeding up. I don’t know if it was through fate, destiny, or just dumb luck, but Jami Kment, a trainer in Palmya, NE, agreed to help me. Jami, the owner of Providence Farm, helped me unTillie and Darby her Connemara Pony

derstand Mo’s quirks and how to manage his many idiosyncrasies.

In our second year together (2015), I finally accomplished a part of my long-time goal of competing at NAJYRC, where we placed 8th in the individual test and 7th in the freestyle. Realizing that a girl from Nebraska and her schoolmaster horse might actually be able to compete with the best horses and riders in the country, through the winter in 2015-2016, Mo and I trained like never before. I aimed to compete again at NAJYRC, but this time I wanted to make the podium. I knew in my heart that we were poised to realize that dream.

Two weeks before our first qualifying show, Mo and I had one of our best training sessions.

The music and freestyle pattern my mom and I selected were perfect for Mo. We were ready. But after the ride, I noticed that Mo was acting out of character. He was pacing, rolling, and wouldn’t eat, even his favorite snacks. The local veterinarian urged us to

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take him to the Kansas State University Equine Medical Center (KSUEMC), so my dad drove us there overnight. The prognosis was guarded but optimistic, so dad and I returned home. Mo was on fluids and underwent multiple tests, but the veterinarians couldn’t decide a diagnosis.

By the next weekend, I was anxious and excited for the return trip to visit Mo. What I didn’t know was that, on Friday morning, the veterinarians discovered that 25 feet of Mo’s small intestine was dead. The prognosis was poor, and the veterinarians recommended letting him go peacefully.

When I got home from school expecting to get ready for the trip to see my boy, I was met with my dad’s open arms, tears welling in his eyes, and I knew. I didn’t need my dad to say the words and I cried like I’ve never cried before.

I never got to say goodbye to my best friend and tell him how much I truly loved him.

Tillie aboard Mo at the 2015 NAJYRC

The grief was intense. My partner with whom I’d worked so hard, and been through so much, was now just a memory. I couldn’t do the one thing I loved more than anything- ride Mo. I was lost, and didn’t know how to fill the painful hole in my heart. I didn’t want to go to the barn. I couldn’t bear to see Mo’s empty stall.

I learned months later, while my dad was driving back to pick up our trailer, Mo’s shoes, and remnants of his mane, he called my trainer and told her that no matter how many hours he had to work to save up, my trainer was to find me another horse. After some time, through Providence, Jami found Apachi, a recently imported horse from Netherlands.

Jami saw his great potential, and though my heart was aching for my beloved Mo, I saw his great personality. My dad nicknamed him “Patch”, as he was a patch to my broken heart.

Apachi and I spent the summer of 2016 getting to know each other. While I was happy for my

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Region 4 teammates and the other riders who made it to NAJYRC, it was hard to watch, knowing how I desperately wanted to be there.

So Apachi and I rode, trained, and bonded. By the one-year anniversary of Mo’s death, the hard work was beginning to pay off. The potential we had seen was coming to fruition. We qualified for NAJYRC after only three shows. The one remaining question was, what freestyle would Apachi and I ride?

We considered numerous options, but nothing felt quite right… except one. The music to which Mo was going to ride, which had arrived days before his death, was perfect. I was ready, again.

Two weeks before NAJYRC, I was out of town with my dad when we got the call from my mom that Apachi was showing the same symptoms Mo had shown. She was on her way back to KSUEMC. I felt physically sick, and once again back my dad’s arms, in tears. This could not be Tillie and Apachi win the gold

happening, not again. Dad drove us the seven hours there in a rush, and the whole ride I relived losing Mo. I had to see Apachi.

When we arrived at the hospital, walked down the same hallways, and unbelievably, found Apachi in the exact same area where I last saw Mo. I don’t know how long I just stood there hugging him, yet terrified about what we’d hear from the veterinarians.

This time, what I heard sent my spirits soaring- Apachi was going to be okay! Three days later we left with my boy, healthy and cleared to compete!

At NAJYRC, we picked up 3rd place finishes in both the team and individual tests. Unbelievably, we made the podium not once, but twice. My dream of making the podium no longer seemed so important. The fact that Apachi was healthy and we could compete was enough.

When it came time to ride in the freestyle, I had watched the top riders score in the low 70’s.

But instead of the usual butter-

October 2017 Z YOURDRESSAGE

YOUNG & INSPIRED ANTIPROTOZOAL PELLETS

(1.56% diclazuril)

FOR ORAL USE IN HORSES ONLY For the treatment of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) caused by Sarcocystis neurona in horses.

CAUTION Federal (U.S.A.) law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.

NADA #141-268 Approved by FDA DESCRIPTION Diclazuril, (±)-2,6-dichloro-_-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-(4,5 dihydro-3,5-dioxo-1,2,4-triazin-2(3H)-yl)benzeneacetonitrile, has a molecular formula of C17 H 9 CI 3 N4O2, a molecular weight of 407.64, and a molecular structure as follows:

Diclazuril is an anticoccidial (antiprotozoal) compound with activity against several genera of the phylum Apicomplexa. PROTAZIL® (diclazuril) is supplied as oral pellets containing 1.56% diclazuril to be mixed as a top-dress in feed. Inert ingredients include dehydrated alfalfa meal, wheat middlings, cane molasses and propionic acid (preservative).

INDICATIONS PROTAZIL® (1.56% diclazuril) Antiprotozoal Pellets are indicated for the treatment of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) caused by Sarcocystis neurona in horses.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Dosage: PROTAZIL® (1.56% diclazuril) is administered as a top dress in the horse’s daily grain ration at a rate of 1 mg diclazuril per kg (0.45 mg diclazuril/lb) of body weight for 28 days. The quantity of PROTAZIL® necessary to deliver this dose is 64 mg pellets per kg (29 mg pellets/lb) of body weight.

Administration: To achieve this dose, weigh the horse (or use a weigh tape)). Scoop up PROTAZIL® to the level (cup mark) corresponding to the dose for the horse’s body weight using the following chart:

Tillie with her dad at NAJYRC

flies I feel before a big ride, I felt a sense of calm and confidence.

Mo’s music began, and Apachi and I were not alone. It was as if my boy Mo was there with me, telling me to ride my heart out and win the gold for him. When

the last rider’s score was announced, I was back in my dad’s arms, tears flowing, but this time from uncontrolled joy. Gold.

Little girls’ dreams do sometimes come true. I know, because mine did.

Weight Range of Horse (lb)

mLs of Pellets

Weight Range of Horse (lb)

mLs of Pellets

275 - 524 525 - 774 775 - 1024 1025 - 1274

20 30 40 50

1275 - 1524 1525 - 1774 1775 - 2074 -

60 70 80 -

One 2-lb bucket of PROTAZIL® will treat one 1100-lb horse for 28 days. One 10-lb bucket of PROTAZIL® will treat five 1100-lb horses for 28 days.

CONTRAINDICATIONS Use of PROTAZIL® (1.56% diclazuril) Antiprotozoal Pellets is contraindicated in horses with known hypersensitivity to diclazuril.

WARNINGS For use in horses only. Do not use in horses intended for human consumption. Not for human use. Keep out of reach of children.

PRECAUTIONS The safe use of PROTAZIL® (1.56% diclazuril) Antiprotozoal Pellets in horses used for breeding purposes, during pregnancy, or in lactating mares has not been evaluated. The safety of PROTAZIL® (1.56% diclazuril) Antiprotozoal Pellets with concomitant therapies in horses has not been evaluated.

ADVERSE REACTIONS There were no adverse effects noted in the field study which could be ascribed to diclazuril. To report suspected adverse reactions, to obtain a MSDS, or for technical assistance call 1-800-224-5318.

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY The effectiveness of diclazuril in inhibiting merozoite production of Sarcocystis neurona and S. falcatula in bovine turbinate cell cultures was studied by Lindsay and Dubey (2000).1 Diclazuril inhibited merozoite production by more than 80% in cultures of S. neurona or S. falcatula treated with 0.1 ng/mL diclazuril and greater than 95% inhibition of merozoite production (IC 95 ) was observed when infected cultures were treated with 1.0 ng/mL diclazuril. The clinical relevance of the in vitro cell culture data has not been determined.

PHARMACOKINETICS IN THE HORSE The oral bioavailability of diclazuril from the PROTAZIL® (1.56% diclazuril) Antiprotozoal Pellets at a 5 mg/kg dose rate is approximately 5%. Related diclazuril concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) range between 1% and 5% of the concentrations observed in the plasma. Nevertheless, based upon equine pilot study data, CSF concentrations are expected to substantially exceed the in vitro IC 95 estimates for merozoite production (Dirikolu et al., 1999) 2. Due to its long terminal elimination half-life in horses (approximately 43-65 hours), diclazuril accumulation occurs with once-daily dosing.

Corresponding steady state blood levels are achieved by approximately Day 10 of administration.

EFFECTIVENESS Two hundred and fourteen mares, stallions, and geldings of various breeds, ranging in age from 9.6 months to 30 years, were enrolled in a multi-center field study. All horses were confirmed EPMpositive based on the results of clinical examinations and laboratory testing, including CSF Western Blot analyses. Horses were administered PROTAZIL® (1.56% diclazuril) Antiprotozoal Pellets at doses of 1, 5, or 10 mg diclazuril/kg body weight as a top-dress on their daily grain ration for 28 days. The horses were then evaluated for clinical changes via a modified Mayhew neurological scale on Day 48 as follows: 0. Normal, neurological deficits not detected.

1. Neurological deficits may be detectable at normal gaits; signs exacerbated with manipulative procedures (e.g., backing, turning in tight circles, walking with head elevation, truncal swaying, etc.).

2. Neurological deficit obvious at normal gaits or posture; signs exacerbated with manipulative procedures.

3. Neurological deficit very prominent at normal gaits: horses give the impression they may fall (but do not) and buckle or fall with manipulative procedures.

4. Neurological deficit is profound at normal gait: horse frequently stumbles or trips and may fall at normal gaits or when manipulative procedures were utilized.

5. Horse is recumbent, unable to rise.

Each horse’s response to treatment was compared to its pre-treatment values. Successful response to treatment was defined as clinical improvement of at least one grade by Day 48 ± conversion of CSF to Western Blot-negative status for S. neurona or achievement of Western Blot-negative CSF status without improvement of 1 ataxia grade.

Forty-two horses were initially evaluated for effectiveness and 214 horses were evaluated for safety. Clinical condition was evaluated by the clinical investigator’s subjective scoring and then corroborated by evaluation of the neurological examination videotapes by a masked panel of three equine veterinarians. Although 42 horses were evaluated for clinical effectiveness, corroboration of clinical effectiveness via videotape evaluation was not possible for one horse due to missing neurologic examination videotapes. Therefore, this horse was not included in the success rate calculation.

Based on the numbers of horses that seroconverted to negative Western Blot status, and the numbers of horses classified as successes by the clinical investigators, 28 of 42 horses (67%) at 1 mg/ kg were considered successes. With regard to independent expert masked videotape assessments, 10 of 24 horses (42%) at 1 mg/kg were considered successes. There was no clinical difference in effectiveness among the 1, 5, and 10 mg/kg treatment group results.

Adverse events were reported for two of the 214 horses evaluated for safety. In the first case, a horse was enrolled showing severe neurologic signs. Within 24 hours of dosing, the horse was recumbent, biting, and exhibiting signs of dementia. The horse died, and no cause of death was determined. In the second case, the horse began walking stiffly approximately 13 days after the start of dosing. The referring veterinarian reported that the horse had been fed grass clippings and possibly had laminitis.

ANIMAL SAFETY PROTAZIL® (1.56% diclazuril) Antiprotozoal Pellets were administered to 30 horses (15 males and 15 females, ranging from 5 to 9 months of age) in a target animal safety study. Five groups of 6 horses each (3 males and 3 females) received 0, 5 (5X), 15 (15X), 25 (25X) or 50 (50X) mg diclazuril/kg (2.27mg/lb) body weight/day for 42 consecutive days as a top-dress on the grain ration of the horse.

The variables measured during the study included: clinical and physical observations, body weights, food and water consumption, hematology, serum chemistry, urinalysis, fecal analysis, necropsy, organ weights, gross and histopathologic examinations. The safety of diclazuril top-dress administered to horses at 1 mg/kg once daily cannot be determined based solely on this study because of the lack of an adequate control group (control horses tested positive for the test drug in plasma and CSF). However, possible findings associated with the drug were limited to elevations in BUN, creatinine, and SDH and less than anticipated weight gain. Definitive test article-related effects were decreased grain/top-dress consumption in horses in the 50 mg/kg group.

In a second target animal safety study, PROTAZIL® (1.56% diclazuril) Antiprotozoal Pellets were administered to 24 horses (12 males and 12 females, ranging from 2 to 8 years of age). Three groups of 4 horses/sex/group received 0, 1, or 5 mg diclazuril/kg body weight/day for 42 days as a top-dress on the grain ration of the horse. The variables measured during the study included physical examinations, body weights, food and water consumption, hematology, and serum chemistry. There were no test article-related findings seen during the study.

STORAGE INFORMATION Store between 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F).

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REFERENCES 1. Lindsay, D. S., and Dubey, J. P. 2000. Determination of the activity of diclazuril against Sarcocystis neurona and Sarcocystis falcatula in cell cultures. J. Parasitology, 86(1):164–166.

2. Dirikolu, L., Lehner, F., Nattrass, C., Bentz, B. G., Woods, W. E., Carter, W. E., Karpiesiuk, W. G., Jacobs, J., Boyles, J., Harkins, J. D., Granstrom, D. E. and Tobin, T. 1999. Diclazuril in the horse: Its identification and detection and preliminary pharmacokinetics. J. Vet. Pharmacol. Therap. 22:374–379.

May 2010 Intervet Inc. 56 Livingston Ave, Roseland, New Jersey 07068 © 2010 Intervet Inc. All rights reserved.

08-10 211.x.3.1.0

October 2017 Z YOURDRESSAGE

The Science of Convenient Protazil® (1.56% diclazuril) is the only FDA-approved alfalfa-based top dress antiprotozoal pellet for the treatment of EPM.

• Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis tis (EPM) is a serious neurological disease ease that can strike anytime, anywhere.

Make treatment easy with Protazil® l® • Safe and accurate dosing with a calibrated scoop • Easier to use than paste, less stress ss for you and your horse • Rapid absorption — no loading dose required1 Now that’s convenient.

Ask your veterinarian for Protazil®. Visit us at Protazil.com to learn more about Merck Animal Health and the equine products and programs that help keep horses healthy.

Use of Protazil® (1.56% dicazuril) is contraindicated in horses with known hypersensitivity to diclazuril. Safe use in horses used for breeding purposes, during pregnancy, or in lactating mares has not been evaluated. The safety of Protazil® (1.56% dicazuril) with concomitant therapies in horses has not been evaluated.

See related page in this issue for details. For use in horses only. Do not use in horses intended for human consumption. Not for human use. Keep out of reach of children.

The Science of Healthier Animals

1

Hunyadi L, Papich MG, Pusterla N. Pharmacokinetics of a low-dose and DA-labeled dose of diclazuril administered orally as a pelleted top dressing in adult horses. J of Vet Pharmacology and Therapeutics (accepted) 2014, doi: 10.111/jvp.12176. The correlation between pharmacokinetic data and clinical effectiveness is unknown

2 Giralda Farms • Madison, NJ 07940 • merck-animal-health-usa.com • 800-521-5767 Copyright © 2017 Intervet Inc., d/b/a/ Merck Animal Health, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. All rights reserved. 3662 EQ-FP AD Protazil®

Road To The Finals

By Jennifer M. Keeler

Ana was demo rider at the Lendon Gray's Youth Dressage Festival. She is with her students Damiana Mercado and Emily Bansky.

Every year when riders and horses from across the country gather in Lexington, KY, for the US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan®, they not only bring top performances to the Alltech Arena – they also bring amazing stories.

From overcoming tough odds, facing life’s daily challenges, healing from medical and veterinary conditions, or simply being the unlikely underdog, the tales which unfold at the Finals are nothing short of inspiring.

Back by popular demand, USDF’s exclusive series titled “Road to the Finals” will once again share competitors’ stories as they try to earn a ticket to the Kentucky Horse Park on November 9-12, 2017. Each month a different rider from across the country will allow readers behind-the-scenes access as they pursue their dreams of competing with the best of the best at the Finals. This month you’ll meet Ana DiGironimo of New Jersey and her mount Anna Mariah C. October 2017 Z YOURDRESSAGE

Find out more about the US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan® here

Small but Mighty Ana DiGironimo & Anna Mariah C, Pilesgrove, New Jersey (Region 8)

A

na DiGironimo first sat in the saddle at the tender age of three and never looked back.

As a child, she had an avid desire to learn and succeed and became involved in her local Fox and Hounds Pony Club (for which now, as an adult, DiGironimo is the dressage coordinator). By age 10, Ana participated in her first North East Junior Young Rider championship, now known as Lendon Gray’s Youth Dressage Festival, where she met Gray and a special journey began. As a huge pony advocate, Gray prepared a young DiGironimo to participate in the first ever CDI FEI Pony competition held at Port Jarvis, NY. As a diminutive rider, DiGironimo felt right at home on ponies from the beginning. She continued to develop as a rider under the watchful eye of Gray Ana and Anna Mariah, Dressage level champion at NJHANA All Arabian Horse Show

with her mounts including Orion, Cadanz and Gray’s own Ballywhim Arden Mor. Throughout a stellar junior/young rider career, DiGironimo was undefeated in the Great American/USDF Regional Championships from 2000-2008 from Training Level through Intermediaire I. She participated in national championships and FEI competitions and was a member of the Region 1 team at the NAYRC from 2006-2007, and was crowned as champion of the 13 & under Dressage Seat Medal Final and reserve champion the following year for the 14-18 division.

After earning college degrees in psychology and speech language pathology, DiGironimo (now 27) returned to the competition ring as an adult and has been equally successful: as a Grand Prix rider and trainer and USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold Medalist, she owns and operates DQ Performance Horses, a full-service training facility in

October 2017 Z YOURDRESSAGE

southern New Jersey with a variety of clients from beginners of dressage to Grand Prix.

“We have a bit of everything including our token hunter rider,” DiGironimo laughed. “We cater to each rider’s goals, and our number one priority is for everyone to learn and enjoy her horse. It’s been such a blessing and wonderful experience; and when my students succeed, I feel like I succeed. I truly enjoy helping to bring out the best in each rider, and just having fun.”

In addition to training and coaching, DiGironimo still finds time to ride and compete herself, and one of her most charismatic mounts is her eight-year-old, 14.2hand black roan Arabian mare Anna Mariah C++. At first, it was an unlikely pairing. “When I first saw ‘AM’ in a field, I could see that she was beautiful but was told that she could be quite difficult,” DiGironimo explained. “I said, ‘I’ll ride her!’ They were right –she was very strong and opinionated, but I felt like we had a connection from the start. I was her last chance as a rider – if it didn’t work she was October 2017 Z YOURDRESSAGE

going to get bred, and when I heard that I was even more determined to make her into a dressage horse!”

As DiGironimo embraced her new training project, she realized it would be a slow road to the winner’s circle. “We spent the first three months just walking and trotting around, getting her to relax, developing a feel for one another, and working to correct past issues she had in her training,” she said.

“Only when AM trusted me were we able to move ahead.” DiGironimo’s patience paid off: after showing their first year at Intro, Training and First Level, the pair took home a Top Ten placing for First Level at Arabian Nationals in Raleigh, NC. “By that time I was hooked on this feisty little mare,” DiGironimo noted. “I continued to train her, and had the opportunity in October of last year to purchase her from her previous owner. I jumped at the chance.”

With big plans for her small mount, DiGironimo had her new mare officially measured and discovered she not only had a super

partner, but a super PONY on her hands, so next stop was a road trip to the National Dressage Pony Cup Championship Show in Lexington, KY, in July. “We whipped together a Third Level musical freestyle in 10 days and off we went,” DiGironimo explained.

“I still work with Lendon, so she prepped us just as we left for our journey to the Kentucky Horse Park. We made quite an impression with our Wizard of Oz freestyle and WON! I was so proud of her – with such little practice she danced into the judges’ hearts like I always hoped she could.”

While at the Pony Cup, a friend encouraged DiGironimo to think bigger: pursue qualifying for the US Dressage Finals in November.

“I thought it would be cool to compete there as one of the only professionals on a pony, but also on a non-warmblood,” said DiGironimo. “But of course we had to earn an invitation through Regionals where I knew the competition would be tough. With vigorous preparation and seeing Lendon

October 2017 Z YOURDRESSAGE

[Gray] just two weeks before Regionals, I knew we were ready.

We’d come so far in just a few months with this insane goal of going ‘all the way’, but I had to try.”

So DiGironimo and AM joined the nearly 700 horses in attendance at the Great American/ USDF Region 8 Championships and NEDA Fall Festival in Saugerties, NY, on September 21-14, hoping to punch their ticket for the trip of a lifetime. “We got to Regionals and had super warm ups, and I had changed our freestyle before the show thinking I could gain points on the technical side and degree of difficulty,” she explained. “But I was wrong: our warmup freestyle test was five points below our average for our old one. So with less than 24 hours until our championship ride, I went back to the drawing board.”

DiGironimo trusted her gut and went with what she knew would work, and her decision paid off: despite stiff competition and being the only Arabian pony

in the class, the magic of their charming Wizard of Oz music and the elegant pair’s talent paid off as they were rewarded with a score of 68.300% and fifth place – less than one point from the reserve championship and successfully earning a coveted wild card invitation to the Finals.

“To say I was thrilled is an understatement,” said DiGironimo.

“I rode my best and left it all in the ring for the judges to decide where we stand. Now ‘we’re off to see the wizard’ in Kentucky and I am so proud to be representing not only Arabians, but also ponies at US Dressage Finals next month; and if we’re lucky and click our heels three times, we may just be able to pull off a miracle.” eTRAK Extra

Read about last year's US Dressage Finals in this article from the February 2016 USDF Connection magazine

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HEARD AROUND THE ARENA

What interesting or fun thing have you heard lately? Send it to us using #aroundthearena

We check in with competitors at the Great American/USDF Regional Dressage Championships from around the country.

October 2017 Z YOURDRESSAGE

HEARD AROUND THE ARENA

What interesting or fun thing have you heard lately? Send it to us using #aroundthearena

More from the Great American/USDF Regional Dressage Championships from around the country.

October 2017 Z YOURDRESSAGE

HEARD AROUND THE ARENA

What interesting or fun thing have you heard lately? Send it to us using #aroundthearena

Competitors post from the USDF Breeders Championship Series

October 2017 Z YOURDRESSAGE

USDF FLASHBACK

Jessica Newberry-Ransehousen Reprinted from the March 2015 USDF Connection magazine.

S

ome dressage enthusiasts make their mark as riders.

Others’ primary contributions are as judges, organizers, or other roles. Not many people reach the top in multiple categories.

One who did is Jessica Newberry Ransehousen, 76, a threetime Olympian who went on to forge careers as an influential instructor, judge, chef d’équipe, and governance figure.

In 1956 and 1957, riding Forstrat, Ransehousen won the United States Equestrian Team’s dressage national championship. In 1959, the pair helped the US team to win a silver medal at the Pan American Games in Chicago. They went on to compete on the US dressage Podcast Alert

PODCAST

Check out our podcast episode 81 featuring Ransehousen at usdf. podbean.com.

teams at the 1960 Rome Olympic Games and the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Along the way, Ransehousen became the first American dressage competitor to wear the prestigious green leading-rider armband at Aachen, Germany.

After a break to marry and raise children Clayton and Missy, Ransehousen returned to dressage competition. Aboard Orpheus, she represented the US at her third and final Olympic Games, Seoul 1988.

After the Seoul Olympics, Ransehousen—who continued to ride and train—was just getting started. She served as the chef d’équipe of the US dressage squad at the 1992, 1996, and 2000 Olympic Games; at the 1990 and 1994 World Equestrian Games; and at the 1991 and 1995 Pan American Games. She earned a dressage judge’s license and rose through the ranks to FEI “I” (now 4*) judge, officiating at many high-profile competitions.

She was the USET’s vice president for dressage, served three terms October 2017 Z YOURDRESSAGE

USDF FLASHBACK

as chair of the American Horse Shows Association (now United States Equestrian Federation) Dressage Committee, and in 1997 was elected the AHSA’s assistant secretary. She also served as the US representative to the FEI World Cup Committee and helped bring a World Cup League to North America.

After a stint in Germany so that she and her children could ride and train with the late Dr. Reiner Klimke, Ransehousen returned to the US in 1980 and settled at her Blue Hill Farm in Unionville, PA, where she and daughter Missy are still based today. Missy, a successful eventing trainer and competitor and former chef of the US para-equestrian dressage team, is just one of the many prominent equestrians Jessica Ransehousen has helped educate. She coached Dorothy Morkis on Monaco before the pair won team bronze at the 1976 Montreal Olympics. Longtime student Todd Flettrich was the inaugural FEI North American

Young Riders Championships dressage individual gold medalist in 1992; he went on to be a member of the US team at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. In 2001, student Kerri Sowers won team silver and individual bronze at the NAYRC. Eventers she has coached in dressage include Olympic medalists Darren Chiacchia and Phillip Dutton. Ransehousen’s most prominent para-equestrian dressage student to date (with coaching duties shared with Missy Ransehousen) is six-time USEF national champion Rebecca Hart, whose mounts have included Jessica’s own Lord Ludger.

In recognition of her seminal efforts on behalf of US dressage, the USDF inducted Ransehousen into the Roemer Foundation/ USDF Hall of Fame in 2001. In 2009, she was honored with the USEF Lifetime Achievement With Forstrat, Jessica Ransehousen (née Newberry) represented the US at the 1960 and 1964 Olympic Games. They are pictured in Aachen, Germany, in 1960.

October 2017 Z YOURDRESSAGE

USDF FLASHBACK

Award and the Jimmy A. Williams Trophy.

You are part of Ransehousen’s dressage legacy every time you stretch your horse during a ride, and particularly when you ride a “stretching circle” in a lowerlevel dressage test. Ransehousen was a member of the test-writing committee that introduced the stretching circle into the AHSA (now USEF) Training and First Level tests. This movement, which has remained in those tests ever since, is now considered a key assessment of a horse’s basic dressage training.

Here is an article by Ransehousen.

What We Were After: What We Want to See

By Jessica Ransehousen Letting your horse take the reins out of your hands—a movement never before seen in our tests—can be quite attractive

when it’s done well. But we members of the test-writing committee had more than an attractive novelty in mind when we included it. Adding this movement was part of our effort to make the entire series of new tests—from Training Level through Fourth Level—into a workable blueprint for the correct, systematic, stepby-step, daily training of your dressage horse.

We designed these new tests to help you, the rider—particularly if, like so many American dressage enthusiasts, you live where there are few or no trainers, so you rely on test scores to tell you how your training is going, and on the upcoming levels to tell you where to take it next. We wanted the new tests to discourage riding with too much hand and muscle and not enough seat and leg. We wanted them to make unhappy, tense, “Swisscheese horses” (horses that are full of holes) with restricted gaits a thing of the past. We wanted to encourage lighter, happier, October 2017 Z YOURDRESSAGE

better-balanced horses, stepping freely and energetically under themselves from behind and not relying on their riders to hold them together. And we wanted the tests to progress logically and “doably,” the way training should.

We emphasized (in many cases with double coefficients) the classical training tools of dressage that you should be using at home every day, such as: Clear transitions (between and within gaits, they challenge your and your horse’s balance— and by so doing, improve it) Changes of bend and direction (they supple your horse and teach him obedience) Lateral work, such as legyields (to supple and strengthen him) And this movement, taking the reins out of the hands, which tests and improves your horse’s ability to stay balanced on his own.

What do I, as a judge, want Ransehousen riding Orpheus at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul.

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USDF 2018 Member Perks Partners Discounts available to 2018 USDF Members. to see from this movement? A relaxed, balanced horse, on an accurate circle, smoothly and quietly stretching down, maintaining his rhythm and energy, then coming back up without resistance or hesitation. As you start the circle, I want to see you gradually giving the reins. I want to see him respond to your “invitation” by evenly and politely easing three or four inches of rein through your fingers without rooting, jerking, or flipping his head. I want to see him stay in the same flowing, energetic trot rhythm as he stretches his nose forward and down, neither putting his head up in the air nor rolling up in a ball and bringing his head to his chest or knees.

And I want to see you keeping things pretty much under control by maintaining your position and contact with his mouth—because you still have an accurate twentymeter circle to ride. When, several strides before you finish the circle, you gradually begin to shorten the reins, I want to see your horse raise his frame without resisting,

tensing up, opening his mouth, throwing his head, or slowing down.

What difference should I see between Training and First Level? Not much; just the increased animation and “bounce to the ounce” that naturally goes along with a First Level horse.

Simple, huh? This “new movement” really isn’t radically different. It’s just an extension of what I hope you’re already doing in your daily training. All we test writers are interested in is seeing your horse relax and swing through his back and stay balanced and comfortable when you give him a little longer rein and allow him to lower his frame, nose, neck, and ears.

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Join USRider with no activation fee for a savings of $29 off the normal new membership rate www.usrider.org

eTRAK Extra

Watch a video from the 1996 USDF National Symposium featuring Raneshousen

Join or renew your membership and take advantage of the 2018 Member Perks, visit

www.usdf.org/join October 2017 Z YOURDRESSAGE

GMO SPOTLIGHT

Tell us about your GMO. #GMOSpotlight

Utah Dressage Society (UDS) Group Member Organizations (GMOs) are the foundation of USDF and integral in bringing dressage and dressage education to the masses. Stay connected with your local dressage community and support dressage at the local level by joining a GMO in your area today!

USDF GMO Established: 1994 Locality: Region 5, Utah Website: www.utahdressagesociety.net How many members does your GMO have annually, on average?

175 members Tell us about your GMO. We have twelve perpetual trophies we give out each year at our awards banquet. Some of the trophies are very old and date back to 1978! On our website, we have a photo of all of them with history listed about the award and who has won it over the years. We not only have perpetual trophies for all levels and musical freestyle but also for Para-equestrian, a Pony award, a Senior award, and soon we will be adding a Junior award in memory of a special teen who recently passed away very suddenly. Most trophies are dedicated to special members who have passed on. We completed the Instructor Certification program and we also held an L Program session. At our banquet last year, we held a silent auction to benefit one of our Utah trainers that was struggling with cancer. We also started a Short Tour program for those just starting out in the sport to be able to show and learn how to compete in a more laid back atmosphere while also being more financially friendly. We have 3-4 short tour shows (a bump up from a schooling show) that the competitor needs to braid and dress for and they see what it is like to compete at a recognized show. They then qualify to ride in the Short Tour championships and win the BIG ribbons.

Does your GMO offer unique classes or activities that cater to youth, adult amateurs, or professionals? If so, please provide a brief description.

We developed a scribing certification. We give out cards based on their competency level. It gives the scribes credibility! We hold a training class on how to scribe and we have an L judge there so the participants can practice scribing while they sit in front of a large screen playing "On the Levels" - the L Judge pretends to be giving scores and comments so the participants can get a feel for what it is like to scribe. We then have them co-scribe along with a competent scribe at schooling shows, short tour shows and a ride-a-test clinic. Once they pass off on a level, they then get a certification card.

Bronze is scribing Intro through Second Level, including freestyles, silver is for Third and Fourth including freestyles and gold is FEI Levels including freestyles. This year we also added ring steward and bit/ tack checking and after the class we put pictures of various bits, spurs, bridles, logo pads and attire on the screen and tested them to see if they understood if the item was legal or not.

What type of educational events does your GMO offer?

We hold a winter symposium each winter and have guest speakers and breakout sessions. We have a variety of topics and this is not just for dressage riders but all disciOctober 2017 Z YOURDRESSAGE

GMO SPOTLIGHT

plines! We want horse folks in our community to know what dressage is and how it is the basis of every discipline and we wish to bring the community together to learn about horses. We cover topics like horse care emergency managements, how to develop a young horse, yoga for the rider, biomechanics, dealing with setbacks, nutrition, training issues.

We also have a panel of our top trainers who answer the audi-

gear up for the

ence’s riding and training questions.

US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan ®

What type of “fun” events does your GMO offer?

at the USDF Store

Our Juniors get together for pool parties, clinics, trail rides and horse care clinics with stations such as how to braid, horse stretches, how to take a temp, how to put polo wraps on, or how to lunge correctly.

Men’s/Women’s US Dressage Finals Polos $29.95

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YOUR CONNECTION TO DRESSAGE

EDUCA

© John Borys Photography

© John Borys Photography

www.usdf.org

We Want Your Story YourDressage is a chance to share your story with the dressage community. We are looking for personal stories about you, your horse, or horse-related experience. Your story should be 600-1000 words and should be sent as a Word document. We will need photos to go with the story, with a preference for candid shots that are clear and well composed. Please submit photos as JPEG formatted files.

Also, if you have any video(s) that we can use, related to your story, make sure to include their hyperlinks.

Please send your submission or any questions via e-mail at epubs@usdf.org

Learn More About Dressage Have questions about dressage and the United States Dressage Federation, use the following links to learn more.

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Membership

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Store

Group Member Organizations Note: USDF strongly recommends all riders wear protective headgear when mounted. For complete rules regarding helmets refer to the USEF Rule Book. Click here.

Disclaimer: The United States Dressage Federation does not guarantee that all submitted stories will be published. Any opinions expressed in the pages of this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Dressage Federation

Find a GMO in your region Search for a GMO by zip code gmo@usdf.org

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Horse Registration usdf.org/faqs/horse-registration.asp horseregistration@usdf.org

For more information, check out the USDF Member Guide available on the USDF website and app.

October 2017 Z YOURDRESSAGE