Riding and In-hand Demonstrations D Discussions

t 

t 

t 

t 

t 

in this issue 

columns 

what’s up? – 2 

barn dirt – 4 

your horse’s health – 6 

newsworthy – 19 

events 

loma fowler clinic – 3 

fleur de leap – 17 

calendar, (insert) 

membership 

schooling standings – 9 

volunteer hours – 9 

member report – 10 

scholarship application – 11 

year end awards lunch – 12 

meeting minutes – 18 

new members – 21 

awards program – 22 

event/volunteer forms – 26 

classifieds – 27 

contacts – 28 

membership form, (insert) 

results 

year end awards lunch – 12 

advertisers 

LSU vet school – 7 

dressage as art – 15 

schleese saddle fit –16 

facility/trainer directory – 27 

everybody’s a Winner! 

the annual awards luncheon is always a 

good time, and the January celebration for 

the 2008 show season was no exception. 

an impressive showing of seda members 

gathered at Benedict’s in mandeville for a tasty 

lunch, a bit of socialization, and the awards 

presentation. 

in addition to the awards for the dressage 

and eventing competitions, two members were 

recognized for their exceptional volunteer 

efforts. dr. laura Freeman was presented with 

the award for competing volunteer of the Year, 

sponsored by spencer’s Feed. over the years, 

laura has put in countless hours volunteering 

in many capacities for seda, and it was our 

pleasure to formally recognize her for all of her 

hard work. 

terri chabaud was 

the recipient of the noncompeting 

volunteer 

of the Year award. 

terri is 

regularly 

s e e n 

h e l p i n g 

out at 

s h o w s , 

as well as 

in many 

behind-thescenes 

roles – 

including devoted 

a bi-monthly publication for seda members s march / april 2009 

southern eventing & dressage association s march / april 2009 

‘show mom’ for two talented kids. that alone 

should get an award! 

thank you laura and terri – and all of our 

volunteers – who make our events possible. 

our sponsors were very generous and there 

were loads of prizes and goodies to go around. 

Just about everyone went home with a door 

prize, and the goodie bags were chock full of 

treats for human and beast, and even seeds 

for the garden! many thanks to the Billabong 

Barntique, Bridles and Britches, spencer’s 

Feed, ponchatoula Feed, and sunny palmisano 

for their contributions. 

thank you, Janel martin, for organizing the 

event and thanks to ‘helpers’, carmen hall and 

christy sanantonio, for their assistance. great 

job, everyone! 

all the attendees had a good time, 

and next year promises to be 

just as fun. Be sure to read 

up on the awards 

p r o g r a m 

requirements 

so you can 

participate 

this year, 

t o o . s e e 

page twelve 

for more 

e x c i t i n g 

photos from 

the event! s

MARCh / APRiL 2009 

Off Course is published 

bi-monthly by seda, a 

non-profit, educational 

organization, and provided as 

a service to its members. 

news items, show results, 

calendar of events, interviews, 

reviews, photos, articles on all 

aspects of dressage, eventing, 

and member activities are 

incorporated. 

T 

nicole landreneau 

designer / editor 

Judi dauterive and 

Ky mortensen 

contributing editors 

terri chabaud 

advertising manager 

margaret rice and 

Barbara merritt 

mail mavens 

N 

Off Course encourages 

member submissions but 

reserves the right to edit, 

reject, or use materials as and 

when deemed appropriate. 

if your item is time sensitive, 

you may wish to consider 

placing an advertisement. 

Off Course 

p.o. Box 266 

destrehan, la 70047 

offcoursenews@hotmail.com 

please obtain permission 

to reprint any part of 

Off Course. 

O 

Off Course is printed on 

recycled paper. 

www.sedariders.org 

What’s 

Up? 

spring is here! 

By Nicole Landreneau 

it’s spring! the time of year everyone seems 

to enjoy – if we can get away from the 

responsibilities and obligations that keep 

many of us cooped up in cubicles or on the 

road. the time of year we take ‘reminders’ of 

our horses with us everywhere we go – those 

extraneous horse hairs that get into everything 

as our beasties shed out their winter coats. 

the last few days before it’s too hot to think 

nicely about the prospect of going outside. 

hopefully, most of you are able to enjoy this 

time and make the most of it. 

around here, i’m certainly enjoying 

the pleasant weather. and dealing with 

gobs of horse hair, too. my horse, shalom, 

impersonated a wooly mammoth this winter 

– to the point we participated in the cushing’s 

study lsu is doing. to everyone’s surprise, he 

does not have cushing’s ... he’s just hairy. in 

their words, “the hairiest arabian we’ve ever 

seen!” i’m grateful he’s healthy, but i’d sure 

like to know what to do with all this hair! 

We are still dealing with ‘semi-retirement’ 

while we work around his ringbone issues. 

neither one of us is happy about sitting 

around, but we’re making the best of it. on 

that topic, i really must express how touched 

i am by all of the people who’ve inquired after 

our situation or offered me horses to use and 

ride ... it’s simply amazing to me that so many 

people care! thank you to all of you! 

2 | southern eventing & dressage association s march / april 2007 

But, enough about me. there’s been a 

lot going on with seda and our talented 

membership. 

as mentioned in our cover story, the annual 

awards luncheon was a lot of fun, and many 

great prizes were given out. Be sure to read all 

about it and look for pictures of yourself! the 

guidelines for the 2009 awards program are 

also included in this issue. 

our last scholarship winner has put 

together a great account of her experience 

at the Jim Wofford clinic, so that is not to 

be missed. remember to apply for the next 

scholarship, too! 

the calendar is full of events to attend. this 

looks to be another busy year on the equine 

front with loads of shows and clinics. With all 

the educational opportunities available to us, 

we have no excuses to not uphold our new 

Year’s resolutions to learn more! 

Beginning on page five is a touching article 

we can all relate to. it’s been floating around 

the internet for awhile, but i thought you may 

enjoy reading it in its entirety. and, as always, 

there’s lots of colorful ‘dirt’ on our members. 

While i’m thinking of it, i’d like to thank 

you all for being open to the electronic 

distribution of this newsletter. i’ve received 

quite a few good comments from people who 

especially like seeing it in color, and who 

like getting it quicker than it comes in the 

mail. so, we’ll keep moving forward, and are 

always open to your suggestions to make this 

publication better. 

happy reading and happy riding! s

offered by SedA 

Loma Fowler 

Clinic 

March 6-9, 2009 

Loma Fowler will be at Stirling Farm. Lessons will be $125 for members / $135 for nonmembers 

for a 45 minute private session and $75 for a 1 hour semi-private session (nonmembers 

$85). To reserve a lesson with Loma, please send check (payable to SEDA) for 

lesson or lessons with the form below and a copy of your horse’s negative Coggins to: Leslie 

Morris, 238 Papworth Ave., Metairie, LA 70005 

SEDA mEmbErS ShoulD only Sign up for 2 privAtE lESSonS. if you woulD 

likE morE riDES in thE clinic, plEASE Sign up for SEmi-privAtE lESSonS. 

This clinic will fill on a first-received basis as per SEDA rules. Opening date is immediately. 

Every effort will be made to group riders and horses according to levels for semi private 

lessons, so indicate on form. Call Leslie at 504-833-7923 if you have any questions. 

Stirling Farm will have stalls available. Indicate if you need a stall…$25 per night and $15 

per day. Please pay for stall when you arrive. 

mArch 6-9 lomA fowlEr 

DrESSAgE clinic rEgiStrAtion form 

NAME: ______________________________________________________________________________________ 

HOrSE: _____________________________________________________________________________________ 

o PrIvATE o SEMI PrIvATE LEvEL: ___________________________________________________________ 

o FrI. LESSON o SAT. LESSON o SuN. LESSON 

rIDE TIMES PrEFErrED: _________________________________________________________________________ 

STALL FOr: o DAy o NIgHT FrIDAy______ SATurDAy_______ SuNDAy______ 

E-MAIL ADDrESS: ______________________________________________________________________________ 

PHONE NO.: _________________________________________________________ 

Gracias... 

thanks to everyone 

who submitted content 

for this issue! special 

thanks to Kelley Varisco, 

elizabeth cummins, 

Karen Wolfsheimer, cathy 

shepard, and anthony 

landreneau. please 

continue to send your 

material in! 

p 

Buy 

Stuff 

... Earn 

Money for 

SEDA! 

shop for all of your 

horse and stable needs 

at country supply (www. 

countrysupply.com), and 

they will donate 5% of 

your purchase total to 

seda! simply use the 

care code seda when you 

check out! 

What could be easier? 

p 

“If every child had a 

horse, what’s the point 

a getting a car?” 

–anonymous 

southern eventing & dressage association s JanuarY / FeBruarY 2009 | 3

Barn Dirt 

By Judi Dauterive 

so, there i am 

dress shopping for 

a night at the opera, 

and eventually 

happen upon the 

perfect frock to 

befit the grand 

occasion. one 

swipe of the credit card and that sucker is 

bagged and in the back seat. But, being the 

typical woman, i just know that there is an 

even more perfect dress out there waiting 

for me. much like men, really, no matter 

how ideal yours is, he can be improved 

upon. i saunter into a small boutique and 

the drama unfolded thusly… 

her: may i help you? What are you 

looking for? 

me: something long, with sleeves, for 

the opera. 

her: What size? 

me: oh, 6 or 8 depending on the 

designer. 

her: honey! With boobs like that, ain’t 

no way you’re a 6! 

me: (momentarily standing there 

gulping air like a stunned mullet, prior to 

drawing myself up to my full height and 

in a very imperious voice) actually, i just 

bought a size 6. 

her: Was it stretchy? 

me: (deflated again) a little. i guess i’ll 

check out the 8’s. 

her: i wouldn’t bother. go straight to 

the 10’s and save yourself some time. 

me: exit stage left with military 

briskness in high dudgeon. 

her: no sale. no commission. 

i squeezed myself into my stretchy size 

6 with my husband laughing so hard he 

Barbara Merritt and her ‘new man’, Tango. 

could barely zip me up (i should never have 

told him) and sashayed into the theatre 

like i owned the place. i can’t even tell you 

what operatic gems were presented for my 

listening pleasure by mr. domingo because 

i spent the whole night thinking of really 

witty comebacks that i would have fired off 

had my brain not been kicked into neutral 

with sheer surprise. But i’ll be ready next 

time! 

and talking of perfect guys, barbara 

merritt finally found one. she tried out 

close to 30 before she settled on one in 

indiana and brought him down south. 

he loves the weather here and has made 

himself at home at nancy Burba’s hidden 

acres Farm. Before you wonder just what 

in the name of sam hill is going on, and 

run out to tell Bill that something is amiss, 

i’ll enlighten you to the rest of the story. 

tango is a 7 year old 15.2hh brown and 

white pinto oldenburg cross. look for the 

stylish pair at a show near you soon. 

as hard as it is to get a spot in a loma 

Fowler clinic, it’s apparently even harder to 

get a look in at lynn Quast’s hairdresser. 

consequently, lynn had to shuffle loma 

to accommodate the needs of her coiffure. 

leslie morris and david banister were 

razzing her about her priorities, so just 

for grins, lynn showed up at the clinic 

in a wig. leslie and david couldn’t help 

but comment on her new “do” in a way 


that would make don imus proud. loma 

wasn’t in on the joke and was trying to be 

diplomatic about her curly locks and went 

so far as to offer helpful hints on styling 

them; maybe smaller curls in front to keep 

them from bouncing in her face while she 

rode. lynn had loma totally convinced 

that she went with her new look because it 

was practical and easier to work with – no 

more hat hair in the summer due to the 

peerless durability of the curling medium 

– yet flexible, since she’d bought a relaxer 

that would straighten it if she wanted it 

sleek for an evening out. leslie and david, 

meanwhile, were busting a gut trying not 

to let on. When loma was finally clued in 

to the true nature of the frizzy follicles she 

just about died laughing. 

bonnie bendzans is hoping to make 

her debut this summer with her new 

fella. reign on is a 13 year old, 18hh bay 

holsteiner by rantares. he was born in 

Florida and arrived in Folsom by way of 

cincinnati. Judging by his coat length, 

Bonnie would say he’s pleased to be in the 

south again. even though the newbie is 

known as reign around the barn, Bonnie’s 

semi-retired adagio (aka Kieffer) is king 

of the castle and lets everybody know it. 

Karen Wolfsheimer and her morgan 

horse murphy have recently enjoyed their 

Lynn Quast sporting her new ‘do on Kadet with Loma 

Fowler at the January clinic.

Bonnie Bendzans and Reign On. 

second combined driving trial at the Black 

prong equestrian center near Bronson, 

Florida. along with their “gator” (that’s 

combined driving lingo for ‘navigator’), 

meliora dockery, they formed “team 

smurf” ( murphy’s nickname) and dressed 

in a mardi gras theme – purple, green and 

gold. they decorated the carriage, harness 

and stalls with fleurs de lis and masks. 

they held a mini mardi gras celebration 

at the competitor’s dinner on the saturday 

night complete with beads and crazy hats. 

initially, the other competitors were eyeing 

god Jumps 

By Lauren Davis Baker, originally published in Flying Changes magazine. 

Reprinted with permission. 

god gives us horses and compels some of us to love them. Yet 

why does the horse, an animal with such a big heart, live such 

a short life? perhaps it s because if our horses lived any longer, we 

wouldn’t be able to bear losing them. 

or, perhaps it’s because god wants to jump. 

perhaps god looks down on the fine horses we raise and 

decides when it’s his turn to ride. he gives us a few good years to 

care for and learn from them, but when the time is right, it’s up to 

us to see them off gracefully. 

o.K., perhaps not gracefully. Blowing into a Kleenex is rarely 

graceful. But we can be grateful. 

to have a horse in your life is a gift. in the matter of a few short 

years, a horse can teach a girl courage, if she chooses to grab mane 

them warily and warning small children of 

“stranger danger”, but by the end of the 

evening they had snarfed up all the beads. 

the ground Jury (again, the lingo – that’s 

Judges to you and me) were all French 

canadians so they particularly appreciated 

the frolics. 

While they are still on a bit of a 

learning curve, murphy appears to love 

the obstacles. the tighter the turn, the 

better he likes it. coaching is still required 

in the cones and the dressage could use a 

little polish …and bend…and transitions… 

and geometry...but Karen puts that down 

Team Smurf navigates a water obstacle at the combined 

driving trial in Florida. 

to tension on murphy’s part because he 

was missing his lady love. the object of 

his affection is capri, a rescue filly from 

tennessee. at every halt he would scream 

for her. she made the trip because he 

travels better with a companion on the ten 

hour haul. in their down time, it’s back to 

second level dressage, and the pair could 

be seen strutting their stuff at the amen 

corner Farm valentine daze dressage 

show. 

also at the show was sophia 

Wijnbergen-lusthuis riding a soonto-be 

celebrity. a very handsome black 

and white georgian grande, baron von 

vendeval, known as valentino to his 

close friends and owner bonnie barry, 

has recently returned from Florida where 

he was posing for stone model horses. his 

model is going to be unveiled at the equine 

affaire in ohio in the spring. i’m sure 

everyone will want one. Wonder if stone 

will do a bulk discount for seda? 

send me the dirt. 

ponyparade@hotmail.com s 

and hang on for dear life. even the smallest of ponies is mightier 

than the tallest of girls. to conquer the fear of falling off, having 

one’s toes crushed, or being publicly humiliated at a horse show is 

an admirable feat for any child. 

For that, we can be grateful. 

horses teach us responsibility. unlike a bicycle – or a computer 

–a horse needs regular care and most of it requires that you get 

dirty and smelly and up off the couch. choosing to leave your cozy 

kitchen to break the crust of ice off the water buckets is to choose 

responsibility. When our horses dip their noses and drink heartily, 

we know we’ve made the right choice. 

learning to care for a horse is both an art and a science. 

some are easy keepers, requiring little more than regular turnout, 

a flake of hay, and a trough of clean water. others will test 

you – you’ll struggle to keep them from being too fat or too 

thin. You’ll have their feet shod regularly only to find shoes gone 

continued on page 8 

southern eventing & dressage association s march / april 2009 | 5 

©pics of you. WWW.picsofyou.com

youR hoRse’s heALth - Lsu vet sChooL 

uncovering urospermia 

treatment and prognosis 

since we really don’t understand the 

By Sara K. Lyle, DVM, PhD, Diplomate, ACT, Veterinary Clinical Sciences, LSU School of Veterinary Medicine dysfunction in stallions with urospermia, 

if your stallion is experiencing difficulty 

settling mares, one cause could be related 

a stallion with urospermia may experience 

endometritis, as would a mare affected with 

there is not a good way to study this 

problem. treatment is typically on a trial 

basis, which makes determining response 

to a condition known as urospermia; urine-pooling. assuming the mare has no to therapy difficult to evaluate. there are 

the contamination of semen with urine inherent infertility, this endometritis should a variety of medical approaches that have 

during ejaculation. another condition, be transient in nature, and the infertility been tried on stallions with urospermia, 

hemospermia, is the presence of blood experienced is predominately due to the with a variety of response to treatment. 

(either grossly visible or microscopic) in an effects on the spermatozoa. 

there are also a range of non-medical 

ejaculate, and can have a similar effect on currently there are no predisposing strategies your veterinarian may choose to 

fertility. 

factors that appear to increase the risk employ to minimize the contact of urine 

urospermia is believed to occur from a of a stallion developing either condition. with the spermatozoa including training 

dysfunction of the normal neural pathways neither stallion age nor any particular breed your horse to urinate by command prior 

controlling the tone of the bladder neck have been shown to indicate a possible link to breeding, catheterizing the bladder 

sphincter during ejaculation. stallions to these conditions. Further complicating to evacuate urine prior to collection, 

with bladder paralysis may also have matters is the fact that it is unlikely that any fractionating the ejaculate with an open- 

urinary incontinence during ejaculation. overt clinical symptoms will accompany ended artificial vagina, or diluting the 

damage to the urethral mucosa can the onset of urospermia. stallions with ejaculate with milk-based semen extenders. 

lead to hemospermia. root causes for overt bladder paralysis may dribble urine due to the fact that many of these cases do 

hemospermia include urethral laceration, between periods of sexual activity; however, not completely resolve, complete resolution 

urethritis, infection or inflammation it would be more common that urospermia of urospermia would be an overly optimistic 

of the accessory sex glands, cutaneous would have begun prior to the recognition outcome. Finding a way to manage them 

habronemiasis of the urethral process, of obvious urinary incontinence. 

and achieve pregnancies by reducing 

squamous cell carcinoma of the urethral For natural cover mating systems, the the detrimental effect on the sperm cells 

process, and laceration of the penis. first sign the owner might be aware of is a also varies with the stallion; from good 

efforts to identify the underlying reduction in the per cycle conception rate, to guarded. While a horse may have less 

cause will determine the severity of the or overall pregnancy rate. if the horse is contamination in an ejaculate on any given 

disease from a health perspective for the collected for insemination, semen shipment, day, he should always be considered at risk 

horse While urospermia or hemospermia or cryopreservation, then the first signal for urination during ejaculation. therefore, 

do not typically present any health risks may vary from a reduction in motility (if the monitoring and management generally 

for the stallion, they do create variable amount of urine contamination is minute becomes a permanent recommendation 

degrees of infertility. the amount of urine and the urine is dilute) to an obvious color for the remainder of his breeding career. 

contamination usually varies from ejaculate change to a yellow tint,(urine contamination) For hemospermia medical management 

to ejaculate, therefore, the damaging effects or a change to a red or brown tint (blood is variably successful, largely because the 

on the fertilizing capability of the sperm cells contamination). some cases of microscopic exact type of lesion is sometimes unknown. 

varies. some cases of urospermia are caused hemospermia are not noticed until the sexual rest usually has a beneficial effect on 

by nerve damage (e.g. ehv-1 infection), so ejaculate is allowed to settle, such as with decreasing the amount of blood, especially 

a complete neurological examination is fresh-cooled shipment, or is centrifuged with lacerations and idiopathic urethritis. 

advised. depending on the amount of urine for processing (cryopreservation of fresh- unless a specific lesion is identified as 

contaminating the semen, the mare bred to cooled shipment). 


continued on page 8

southern eventing & dressage association s march / april 2009 | 7

Horse 

Laughs 

DRessAge Definitions 

Collection: assortment of old 

horse accessories and dirt balls 

gathered at the bottom of tack 

box. 

extension: additional allotment 

of time issued to rider to master 

training level movements. 

shoulder in: refers to making 

your way up to open bar at 

awards banquet. 

half Pass: half-hearted comeon 

by only unmarried man at 

horse show. 

free Walk: no instructor fee for 

this portion of lesson. 

halt: occurs five strides past 

intended marker. 

suspension: temporarily 

banned from show for missing 

turn at c and loading up horse 

in judge’s trailer. 

impuslion: spontaneous urge 

to spend money on equestrianrelated 

items we’ve ‘just got to 

have’. 

Wide Behind: rider’s plump 

rump. 

Counter Change of hand: lean 

on other hand listening to long 

winded speaker at dressage club 

meeting. 

Right Lead: opposite of wrong 

lead (the other left). 

Contact: rider’s body connection 

with ground upon request for 

walk/canter transition. 

God Jumps ... continued from page 7 

missing. some are so accident-prone you’ll swear 

they’re intentionally finding new ways to injure 

themselves. 

if you weren’t raised with horses, you can’t 

know that they have unique personalities. You’d 

expect this from dogs, but horses? indeed, there 

are clever horses, grumpy horses, and even horses 

with a sense of humor. those prone to humor 

will test you by finding new ways to escape from 

the barn when you least expect it. i found one of 

ours on the front porch one morning, eating the 

cornstalks i’d carefully arranged as halloween 

decorations. 

horses can be timid or brave, lazy or athletic, 

obstinate or willing. You will hit it off with some 

horses and others will elude you altogether. there 

are as many “types” of horses as there are people 

– which makes the whole partnership thing all 

the more interesting. 

if you’ve never ridden a horse, you probably 

assume it’s a simple thing you can learn in a 

weekend. You can, in fact, learn the basics on a 

sunday –but to truly ride well takes a lifetime. 

Working with a living being is far more complex 

than turning a key in the ignition and putting 

the car in drive. 

in addition to listening to your instructor, 

your horse will have a few things to say to you 

as well. on a good day, he’ll be happy to go along 

with the program and tolerate your mistakes; on 

a bad day, you’ll swear he’s trying to kill you. 

perhaps he’s naughty or perhaps he’s fed up 

with how slowly you’re learning his language. 

LSU Vet School ... continued from page 6 

the cause, many cases are treated empirically 

with antibiotics and sexual rest, with variable 

outcomes. many cases resolve; whether it was 

due medical management, sexual rest, or both, 

is difficult to differentiate. 

similar to urospermia, the prognosis for 

hemospermia also varies with the cause, but 


regardless, the horse will have an opinion. 

he may choose to challenge you (which can 

ultimately make you a better rider) or he may 

carefully carry you over fences...if it suits him. it 

all depends on the partnership – and partnership 

is what it’s all about. 

if you face your fears, swallow your pride, 

and are willing to work at it, you’ll learn lessons 

in courage, commitment, and compassion in 

addition to basic survival skills. You’ll discover 

just how hard you’re willing to work toward a 

goal, how little you know, and how much you 

have to learn. and, while some people think the 

horse “does all the work”, you’ll be challenged 

physically as well as mentally. Your horse may 

humble you completely. or, you may find that 

sitting on his back is the closest you’ll get to 

heaven. 

You can choose to intimidate your horse, but 

do you really want to? the results may come more 

quickly but will your work ever be as graceful as 

that gained through trust? the best partners 

choose to listen, as well as to tell. When it works, 

we experience a sweet sense of accomplishment 

brought about by smarts, hard work, and mutual 

understanding between horse and rider. 

these are the days when you know with 

absolute certainty that your horse is enjoying 

his work. 

if we make it to adulthood with horses still in 

our lives, most of us have to squeeze riding into 

our oversaturated schedules; balancing our need 

for things equine with those of our households 


in general would be considered more favorable 

than urospermia, unless the formation of 

tumors was identified as the cause. Fertility is 

less severely impacted than with urospermia. 

similar to urospermic ejaculates, semen can be 

processed to lessen the effects of the blood on 

fertility. s

schooling dressage standings 

Updated February 10, 2009 

RiDeR hoRse 

tests/ 

JuDges 

sCoRe voL. 

hRs. 

intRo LeveL - JR/yR 

cameron dauterive 

intRo LeveL - AA 

balmoral 2/1 71.750% X 

margaret rice lord loxley 2/1 69.000% X 

terri o’neal af highley regarded 2/1 66.000% 

corinne titus marquee 2/1 60.500% 

tRAining LeveL - JR/yR 

Jamie phelps temperance 1/1 57.857% 

cameron dauterive balmoral 1/1 55.652% X 

tRAining LeveL - AA 

Joannie cooper af Johnnyonthespot 2/1 68.200% 

volunteer hours 

Updated February 10, 2009 

nAMe # of houRs 

david banister * 

logan barowka ** 

leah bear ** 

emma beckers ** 

Kalie beckers ** 

Grace bellone ** 

nobie cannon ** 

megan cato ** 

Kathryn chabaud ** 

terri chabaud * 

Victoria chabaud ** 

leslie coe ** 

camille coleman ** 

lena coleman ** 

Kimberly conklin ** 

maria cowan * 

elizabeth cummins * 

alexandra daray ** 

cameron dauterive ** 

Judi dauterive * 

claire draper ** 

amy dugas ** 

megan dugas ** 

emily embree ** 

Jessica fenner ** 

RiDeR hoRse 


abigail foster ** 

demi francois ** 

catherine frazier ** 

laura freeman * 

Jordan french ** 

Kristine fricke ** 

paula Gregory * 

elaine harmon * 

caity howell ** 

ashleigh humphrey ** 

caitllin Jordan ** 

lizzie Kenelly ** 

amanda Kilduff ** 

Katherine Kilcreas ** 

alexis laguna ** 

nicole landreneau * 

Janel martin * 

marguerite matherne ** 

cecilia mcalear ** 

alisia moore ** 

leslie morris * 

cherry ann muscat ** 

dylan pellegrin ** 

emily pizarro ** 

brooke Quast ** 

tests/ 

JuDges 

sCoRe voL. 

hRs. 

tRAining LeveL - o 

nancy burba rowan 1/1 67.200% 

mollie phelps Gangster 2/1 55.000% 

nancy burba Windjammer 1/1 53.600% 

fiRst LeveL - JR/yR 

cameron dauterive 

fiRst LeveL - AA 

Gf Windchime 2/1 56.667% X 

marina tenhoff 

fiRst LeveL - o 

istanbul 2/1 62.139% 

nancy burba rowan 1/1 65.333% 

nancy burba Windjammer 1/1 58.000% 

seConD LeveL - AA 

laura freeman laoma 2/1 60.666% 


lynn Quast * 

rebecca rhode ** 

margaret rice * 

sally richards * 

Kendell richter ** 

Jacob roberts ** 

shelby rome ** 

Katie ryan ** 

Katherine salinas ** 

Victoria schiefelbein * 

cammie serafin ** 

alice shepard ** 

margaret shepard ** 

svehya stoyanoff ** 

sarah Vales ** 

alex Varisco ** 

Kelley Varisco * 

alexa Watson ** 

clair Williams ** 

luci Winsberg ** 

Kathryn Wise ** 

amelia Zepernick ** 

mattie Zepernick ** 

daphne Zimmer ** 

All SEDA members over the age of 18 are required to complete 4 volunteer hours, or submit a $25 fee, to be eligible for year-end awards. See 2009 Awards Program rules for complete details. 

*SEDA board members and/or chairpersons are not required to complete additional volunteer hours to be eligible for year-end awards. 

**Riders under the age of 18 are highly encouraged, but not required, to complete volunteer hours. 

+ seDA schooling 

Dressage Award Chair: 

Vickie schiefelbein 

11504 old fort bayou road 

Vancleave, ms 39565 

(228) 806-5917 

vfn03@bellsouth.net 

+ volunteer hours Chair: 

Janel martin 

p.o. box 250 

folsom, la 70437 

how do members 

participate in the seDA 

Awards Program? 

B make copies of the front 

of your dressage test results 

making sure score, date, and 

judge’s name are legible. 

C mail copies to Vickie no 

later than 14 days after the 

last day of the weekend on 

which the show in question 

was held. include a valid 

e-mail address. 

D check your standings and 

volunteer hours on the web 

site and with each issue. 

report any discrepancies to 

the appropriate chair. 



Our 

Sympathy 

seda extends its 

condolences to ana 

denman on the loss of 

her mother. 

seda extends its 

condolences to elizabeth 

cummins on the loss of 

her horse, clyde. 

Got News? 

Send it in! 

Get your name 

(or photo) in 

print! Send your 

submissions to 

the editor at 

offcoursenews 

@hotmail.com. 

Next 

Deadline 

for Off 

Course is 

April 

10 

MeMBeR RePoRt 

a great learning opportunity 

By Alex Varisco 

thank you, seda scholarship committee, 

for selecting me as the seda Jr/Yr 

scholarship recipient. i decided to use my 

scholarship to attend the Jim Wofford clinic at 

hunter’s Bluff on december 16, 2008. i rode 

my gelding, appy go lucky. 

We started our lesson by trotting over 

ground poles and cross rails. our focus was on 

taking even steps and keeping a consistent pace 

though the obstacles. this was challenging for 

me because appy tends to get flat, and i really 

had to shorten his steps. 

next, we trotted and cantered a cross rail 

and vertical line. mr. Jim emphasized the need 

to look straight ahead over the jump and never 

look down because it throws you and your 

horse off balance over the jump. 

then, we advanced to a gymnastic which 

consisted of a series of three jumps spread 

one or two strides apart. We went through 

this a couple of times, focusing on taking off 

in the correct spot and working on my leg 

position. mr. Jim commented on my right 

leg (my weaker side) and how it slid back over 

the jumps. he told me that the correct angle 

of your foot in the stirrup was the same angle 

you walk on. this reminder will definitely help 

me keep my leg in place. as i walked back to 

my trainer, i received a look and the famous, 

“i told you so!” 

mr. Jim then went into the discussion of 

how equestrians are athletes of great precision, 

but we become lazy. he recommended that we 

should work out and stay physically in shape. 

he told me that exercising my legs will help 

them become stronger and my right leg will 

strengthen. 

towards the end of my lesson, we started 


riding courses. our first course began with a 

few verticals, and we were to circle after each 

jump. this was challenging because it made 

you think about where your jumps were and 

how to set yourself up correctly. it made me 

very aware of appy’s pace and body. i had to 

keep a consistent pace to the jump, and i used 

the circle after to set appy up correctly for the 

lead, transition, or to balance him. i also had 

to use my hips, shoulders, and seat bones to 

control appy’s body and hindquarters. 

mr. Jim stressed that our pace to and after 

the jump was most important, and he said 

that you should hear hoofbeats striking evenly 

throughout the whole course. 

the last course consisted of the same 

exercises, but with lines and roll back turns. 

there were also changes of direction and many 

tiring circles. as we continued, it became less 

difficult and we were making transitions with 

ease! 

i had a great time at the Wofford clinic and 

it was an amazing experience for me. i hope 

that many more young riders will be given the 

chance for this amazing opportunity! s 

Alex Varisco and Appy Go Lucky at the Jim Wofford clinic.

seda scholarship program 

as part of seda’s mission, educational 

scholarships are made available 

to members who wish to expand 

their training in dressage/eventing. 

scholarships are awarded twice a year. 

deadlines for receipt of applications 

are may 1st and november 1st. 

scholarships must be used to participate 

in educational programs that include, but 

are not limited to: seminars, workshops, 

clinics and training programs. to request 

funding, members may apply as either a 

senior or Young rider. 

process details 

1) applicant must be a current seda 

member in order to submit a scholarship 

application. applications must be 

received by the first of may or november. 

completed applications require at least 

one letter of recommendation from 

someone (trainer) who can describe the 

applicant’s current level of riding and 

abilities. 

2) there are two categories in which 

members may apply: senior or Young 

name __________________________________________________ 

aGe (if under 21) ________________________________________ 

address ________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________ 

e-mail address __________________________________________ 

telephone number _______________________________________ 

Please respond to the following questions. you may respond 

at whatever length you feel appropriate. 

1. please describe your riding goals (attach) 

2. state what you intend to use the award for (attach) 

3. attach a letter of reference from trainer/clinician who is 

familiar with your riding skills/abilities 

4. at what level are you riding? _______________________ 

rider. if the applicant is unsure which 

category is appropriate, contact the 

scholarship committee. 

3) the scholarship committee 

(consisting of at least 3 members), will 

meet to review applications in a timely 

manner. they will award scholarships 

depending upon the availability of funds, 

qualifications of applicants, etc. 

4) the committee will screen each 

application with a uniform set of 

criteria in order to ensure equity among 

applicants. While the criteria are slightly 

different for each category, they generally 

include such benchmarks as length of 

seda membership, volunteer history, 

other scholarships received, competition 

level and any previous awards and 

recognition. in the Young rider category 

one of the criteria is character, including: 

scholastic, leadership, responsibilities, 

teamwork, etc. 

5) the scholarship committee will 

notify all applicants of the outcome. 

those who are awarded scholarships will 

be notified by a “letter of award” which 

seDA scholarship Application 

outlines how the scholarship can be used, 

as well as requesting the recipient submit 

an essay sharing their experience which 

will be published in the seda newsletter. 

some ways that recipients can ‘give 

back’ for their scholarship assistance 

include: giving clinics, organizing a 

clinic, or organizing a fundraising event 

for scholarships. award recipients must 

provide receipts to the treasurer for 

reimbursement of expenses (up to a 

maximum of $200) associated with the 

scholarship. award recipients may not 

reapply for another scholarship for a 

period of one year. 

scholarship must be used within one 

year from date of award. award recipients 

must wait a period of one year from 

receipt of their award before they may 

reapply. 

all applicants are encouraged to 

maintain copies of their applications and 

letter(s) of recommendation. applicants 

not chosen are strongly encouraged to 

reapply for the next scholarship award 

and may resubmit previous applications/ 

letters of recommendation. s 

5. What have you done to fulfill your service commitment 

according to the scholarship guidelines? 

a. Volunteered for (check all that apply): 

o seda shows 

o seda-sanctioned events (annual banquet, Juniors 

only show or other club event) 

o seda-sponsored clinics 

o fundraising 

o serve as a committee member or officer for seda? 

b. other: (please explain) ___________________________ 

send completed application to: 

SEDA Secretary, Elaine Harmon,3345 Massachusetts Avenue, 

Kenner, LA 70065. 


Year end awards 

sChooLing eventing - CoMBineD tests 

amoeba - Jr 

Champion cameron dauterive gF Windchime 12 pts 

Reserve Champion Brooke Quast chocolate Éclair 7 pts 

Reserve Champion Katherine salinas Bobby sox 7 pts 

Third Place alex varisco Frenchie 5 pts 

Third Place megan cato Whistlin’ dixie 5 pts 

Fourth Place alisia moore rex 4 pts 

Fourth Place Katherine salinas angel 4 pts 

Fourth Place alice shepard cream puff 4 pts 

Fifth Place margaret shepard the muffin man 3 pts 

Fifth Place alex varisco rex 3 pts 

Fifth Place alexa Watson chill the Bubbly 3 pts 

amoeba - sr 

Champion stacy palowsky nellie gray 7 pts 

tadpole - Jr 

Champion Kalie Beckers red hot investment 7 pts 

Reserve Champion sarah vales ginger snap 5 pts 

Third Place shelby rome h’ai Wish 3 pts 

tadpole - sr 

Champion rebecca doleac Bella octavia 7 pts 

beGinner novice - Jr 

Champion alex varisco appy go lucky 14 pts 

Reserve Champion daphne Zimmer nilla Wafer 5 pts 

Third Place Jordan French Bobby sox 4 pts 

Fourth Place Kalie Beckers red hot investment 3 pts 

Fifth Place alexis laguna hershey 2 pts 

Sixth Place shelby rome derby day diva 1 pts 

A special award for Joanna Leake’s Buddy was given to the AA Champion at 

Training Level, Joanie Cooper, on Johnnyonthespot. 

beGinner novice - sr 

Champion rebecca doleac Butter cream 11 pts 

Reserve Champion Jen adrgana pictures of lily 7 pts 

Third Place mark Beckers traveler 5 pts 

Third Place allison caponetto degen 5 pts 

Fourth Place rebecca doleac Bella octavia 4 pts 

novice - Jr 

Champion daphne Zimmer nilla Wafer 5 pts 

traininG - sr 

Champion craig peterson the countryman 11 pts 

Reserve Champion ted White carolina Knockout 7 pts 

traininG - Jr 

Champion luci Winsberg handyman 3 pts 

preliminarY - Jr 

Champion maggie glynn Bacchus 3 pts 

preliminarY - sr 

Champion elizabeth cummins alley oop 12 pts 

sChooLing eventing - hoRse tRiALs 

beGinner novice - Jr 

Champion Jacob roberts ricky 14 pts 

Reserve Champion Jordan French Bobby sox 8 pts 

Third Place shelby rome derby day diva 4 pts 


Champion elizabeth cummins appy go lucky 8 pts 

ReCognizeD eventing - hoRse tRiALs 


Champion rebecca doleac Bella octavia 24 pts 

Reserve Champion rebecca doleac Butter cream 22 pts 

C’mon everyone, it’s time to eat! There was a great selection from salad to potatoes, 

with pork and chicken in between. And, of course, dessert! 

12 | southern eventing & dressage association s march / april 2009

eGinner novice - Jr 

Champion daphne Zimmer nilla Wafer 24 pts 

novice - sr 

Champion pauline appleby Without a trace 17 pts 

traininG - sr 

Champion ted White carolina Knockout 60 pts 

Reserve Champion craig peterson the countryman 28 pts 

traininG - Jr 

Champion luci Winsberg handyman 12 pts 

Lowest Dressage Score - Recognized 

sr - ted White carolina Knockout 28.0% 

Jr - daphne Zimmer nilla Wafer 32.6% 

sChooLing DRessAge 

intro level - Jr/Yr 

Champion cameron dauterive Balmoral 64.750% 

Reserve Champion alexa Watson chill the Bubbly 62.500% 

Third Place megan cato Whistlin’ dixie 54.000% 

intro level - aa 

Champion Jamie Barowka angel 68.000% 

Reserve Champion rebecca doleac Bella octavia 67.750% 

traininG level - Jr/Yr 

Champion marguerite matherne hades 66.258% 

Reserve Champion alex varisco appy go lucky 63.664% 

Third Place claire draper Black tie affair 60.557% 

Fourth Place amanda Kilduff sunny 58.999% 

priX caprilli traininG level - Jr/Yr 

Champion alex varisco appy go lucky 66.400% 

traininG level - aa 

Champion Joanie cooper aF Johnnyonthespot 65.233% 

Reserve Champion rebecca doleac Bella octavia 61.283% 

Third Place mollie phelps ccF trey 60.983% 

Fourth Place Joanna leake Without comparison 58.600% 

Fifth Place paula gregory pied piper 56.848% 

traininG level - o 

Champion nancy Burba lord loxley 64.679% 

Reserve Champion nancy Burba rowan 62.143% 

First level - Jr/Yr 

Champion cameron dauterive gF Windchime 58.667% 

First level - aa 

Champion elaine mendel-John triple s Blackwood image 65.833% 

Reserve Champion nicole landreneau shalom 54.690% 

First level - o 

Champion anne hornbeak cold snap 66.992% 

Reserve Champion ashley dell desert scarlet 59.944% 

second level - Jr/Yr 

Champion camille coleman Bally Bay 63.829% 

second level - aa 

Champion laura Freeman laoma 62.107% 


Vicki Macgowan, Cissy Draper and Stacy Koch buying tickets for a chance on 

some great raffle prizes. 

Everyone got a goodie bag with lots of treats, and there was plenty of time to 

socialize. 

Lynn Quast and Leslie Morris present Laura Freeman with the Competing 

Volunteer of the Year Award. 

Ted White receives his Champion award from Lynn Quast. 


Year End Awards ... continued from page 13 

usea beGinner novice - Jr 

Champion Kalie Beckers red hot investment 67.974% 

Reserve Champion alex varisco appy go lucky 67.105% 

Third Place alexis laguna hershey 59.474% 

usea beGinner novice - sr 

Champion rebecca doleac Bella octavia 69.974% 

Reserve Champion rebecca doleac Butter cream 64.500% 

Third Place mark Beckers traveler 62.798% 

usea novice - Jr 

Champion Jessica Fenner Kodak moment 68.211% 

usea traininG - sr 

Champion craig peterson the countryman 68.621% 

Reserve Champion elizabeth cummins appy go lucky 65.500% 

ReCognizeD DRessAge 

traininG level - Jr/Yr 

Champion Kalie Beckers red hot investment 68.478% 

Reserve Champion daphne Zimmer magnum chancellor 63.044% 

Third Place daphne Zimmer sugar daddy 60.200% 

traininG level - aa 

Champion catherine shepard Walter 65.600% 

Reserve Champion alison caponetto degen 62.400% 

Third Place alison caponetto chocolate puddin’ 61.304% 

First level - Jr/Yr 

Champion Kalie Beckers red hot investment 66.333 

Reserve Champion cameron dauterive gF Windchime 58.000 

The talented SEDA junior riders show off their many awards and prizes. 

First level - aa 

Champion lolly White cayenne 67.171% 

Reserve Champion maria cowan chanel 63.000% 

First level - o 

Champion anne hornbeak hello dolly 70.833% 

second level - aa 

Champion elaine harmon tactician 63.572% 

Reserve Champion lolly White cayenne 61.905% 

Third Place sally richards rocky raccoon 59.471% 

third level - aa 

Champion ted White carolina Knockout 61.923% 

Reserve Champion elaine harmon tactician 61.491% 

Fourth level - o 

Champion leslie morris meant to Be 63.293% 

priX st. GeorGes - aa 

Champion Bonnie Ferrell dancon 63.250% 

priX st. GeorGes - o 

Champion anne hornbeak Battle 64.000% 

intermediare ii - aa 

Champion gerlinde Beckers oliver twist 62.074% 

hiGh point aWards 

Jr/YR Kalie Beckers red hot investment 71.600% 

Adult Amateur lolly White cayenne 70.000% 

Open anne hornbeak hello dolly 73.667% 

Rebecca Doleac accepts one of her awards from Lynn Quast and Leslie Morris. The party planners really outdid themselves with these adorable centerpieces! 


God Jumps ... continued from page 8 

and employers. there is never enough time to 

ride, or to ride as well as we’d like. hours in the 

barn are stolen pleasures. 

if it is in your blood to love horses, you share 

your life with them. 

our horses know our secrets; we braid our 

tears into their manes and whisper our hopes into 

their ears. a barn is a sanctuary in an unsettled 

world, a sheltered place where life’s true priorities 

are clear: a warm place to sleep, someone who 

loves us, and the luxury of regular meals. some 

of us need these reminders. 

When you step back, it’s not just about horses 

–it’s about love, life, and learning. on any given 

day, a friend is celebrating the birth of a foal, a 

blue ribbon, or recovery from an illness. that 

same day, there is also loss: a broken limb, a case 

of colic, a decision to sustain a life or end it gently. 

as horse people, we share the accelerated life cycle 

of horses: the hurried rush of life, love, loss, and 

death that caring for these animals brings us. 

When our partners pass, it is more than a 

moment of sorrow. 

We mark our loss with words of gratitude 

for the ways our lives have been blessed. our 

memories are of joy, awe, and wonder. absolute 

union. We honor our horses for their brave 

hearts, courage, and willingness to give. 

Dressage as Art! 

Riding and In-hand Demonstrations D Discussions 

Topics to be covered: understanding 

correct balanced movement to keep 

horses sound and light; ground 

manners; handling a disobedient 

horse and turning him into a 

obedient trustworthy partner; and 

much more... audience participation 

encouraged! 

to those outside our circle, it must seem 

strange. to see us in our muddy boots, who 

would guess such poetry lives in our hearts? We 

celebrate our companions with praise worthy of 

heroes. indeed, horses have the hearts of warriors 

and often carry us into and out of fields of battle. 

listen to stories of that once-in-a-lifetime 

horse; of journeys made and challenges met. the 

best of horses rise to the challenges we set before 

them, asking little in return. 

those who know them understand how fully 

a horse can hold a human heart. 

together, we share the pain of sudden loss 

and the lingering taste of long-term illness. We 

shoulder the burden of deciding when or whether 

to end the life of a true companion. 

in the end, we’re not certain if god entrusts 

us to our horses or our horses to us. does it 

matter? We’re grateful god loaned us the horse 

in the first place. 

and so we pray: 

“dear god, 

after You’ve enjoyed a bit of jumping, please 

give our fine horses the best of care. and, if it’s 

not too much, might we have at least one more 

good gallop when we meet again? 

amen.’’ s 

Dates: March 21 / April 11, 2009 

Time: 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

Place: Oak Hill Ranch 

Demonstrations by: Tina Cope 

RSVP by March 16 / April 6 

For more information call 985.839.0036 

+ seDA Recognized 

Dressage Award Chair: 

sally richards 

75171 old military rd. 

covington, la 70435 

(985) 809-7391 

gridweek@bellsouth.net 


Janel martin 

p.o. box 250 





B make copies of the front 

of your recognized dressage 

test results making sure score, 

date, and judge’s name are 

legible. 

C mail copies to sally no later 

than 14 days after the last day 

of the weekend on which the 

show in question was held. 

include a valid e-mail address. 

D check your standings and 






southern eventing & dressage association s march / april 2009 | 15 

©pics of you. WWW.picsofyou.com

Schleese Saddle Fit Sessions 

May 6-10, 2009 

Locations: Folsom, Baton Rouge, and Lafayette 

Schleese Saddlery Service has been sending certified saddle fit technicians to 

Louisiana since 2002, and they are committed to service to our area! If you have a 

saddle and would like to reevaluate the fit or are interested in purchasing a saddle (new 

or used), or if you would just like to come see what Schleese Saddlery Service is all 

about, please check out the website: www.schleese.com or come see a session! 

You will learn Solutions that will: 

! SAVE your Time, Effort and Money 

! HELP improve your Comfort and Position 

! MAKE your Training more Effective 

! PROTECT your horse from Muscular/ Skeletal Damage 

! IMPROVE your horse’s Performance and Attitude 

Find out how to avoid these common saddle problems… 

RIDER 

" Pain and discomfort 

" Hard to stay in position 

" Not in timing with your horse 

HORSE 

" Won’t go forward 

" Sore back 

" Poor performance 

" Uneven in the bridle 

Schleese’s motto: We Listen. We Educate. We Care! 

For more information, please contact Anne Hornbeak, 

annehornbeak@aol.com, 985-796-9434 PLEASE NOTE: DUE TO 

AIRLINE RESTRICTIONS, IT IS INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT FOR 

SADDLERS TO FLY WITH EQUIPMENT. I NEED 4 WEEKS NOTICE TO 

HAVE SPECIFIC ITEMS SHIPPED. 


April 4-5 

Combined Test 

Sunday April 5 

Schooling Day 

Saturday April 4 

Lagniappe Farm 

Folsom, LA 

Entry form/prize list available soon! 

New this year: 

Silver Bowl Challenge! 

Beginner Team Challenge (18” crossrails & 

verticals) Two riders share one horse to complete 

the timed course (walk/trot/canter allowed 

but not required). Jumps 18” or lower, but 

course will combine crossrails and verticals. No 

flowers, gates, or boxes. Requires mounting and 

dismounting in the ring (time running); mounting 

blocks and leg-ups allowed. Course includes a few 

trail obstacles (trot poles, weaving through cones, 

and moving a flag/raincoat from point A to B.) 

Restricted to beginner/novice riders who’ve not 

jumped higher than 2’ at a show. Cantering not 

required. Fastest time/fewest faults wins. 

Jumper Team Challenge (2’6’ -3’) 

Two riders share one horse to complete a timed 

jumper course. Jumps 3’ or lower but will have 

combination of jumps 2’6”, 2’9”, and 3’ and may 

include a two-stride, in-&-out, and simple oxers. 

No triples. One rider begins course (4-5 jumps) 

and second rider completes the course (4-5 

jumps); first rider dismounts in ring and second 

rider mounts in ring (time running); mounting 

blocks and leg-ups allowed. Open to all horses 

and riders. Cantering not required. Fastest time/ 

fewest faults wins. 

Participation in Fleur de Leap Combined Test not 

required to enter the Silver Bowl Challenges. 

Cost: $20 per team 

Awards: Team ribbons 1 st -6 th . Engraved silver 

bowl for winning team of both challenges. 

SEDA Junior members Margaret and Alice Shepard prepare for a combined test at Equi-Best. Left: Margaret on Kiwi. Right: 

Alice on Sky. 

+ seDA eventing 

Award Chair: 

Kelley Varisco 

21112 Wilson road 


(985) 892-1997 

m_kv@bellsouth.net 


Janel martin 

p.o. box 250 





B eventing scores must be 

mailed to the eventing chair 

within 14 days after the last 

day on which the horse trial/ 

combined test was held. use 

the form on page 22 to submit 

your scores. 

C check your standings and 







Board Members Present: lynn Quast, 

david Banister, Janel martin, nicole 

landreneau, leslie morris, elizabeth 

cummins, and paula gregory. 

the meeting was called to order at 4:10 

pm by the president. 

the following items were discussed by 

the Board: 

the 50% discount for seda membership 

dues for seda Board members has been 

tabled until the 2010 membership year 

pending additional information. 

the current seda policy regarding 

seda sponsored/recognized shows, 

clinics, etc. was reviewed. no changes were 

made at this time, but a clarification was 

added to the wording to make it clear that 

two of the exact same types of events will 

not be allowed on the same day. 

lynn will follow up on seda’s 501(c3 

seDA BoARD Meeting 

Board meeting minutes 

January 31, 2009 • Mandeville, LA 

Farewell Patti 

By elizabeth Cummins and Kelley varisco 

on october 24, 2008 we had 

to say goodbye to our beloved 

peppermint patti, age 36. 

patti competed in her last show in 

the summer of 2007, at the seda’s 

first Juniors only dressage show. 

she won her class – intro a – with 

student demi francois. it’s rather 

fitting that she retired with a 

bang! she was a wonderful mare 

to all that knew her. 

tax status and report back to the Board. 

the Le Bon Temps date has been 

changed to september 4-5, 2009 and will 

be held at amen corner. Janel martin 

has volunteered to be the show manager/ 

secretary. david Banister will assist. the 

show is planned to be two days with two 

judges. 

lynn, david, and leslie will meet 

with stacey Koch regarding establishing a 

Foundation for retired horses and injured 

trainers and report back to the Board. 

the results of the survey sent to the 

membership regarding the Year end 

awards program were discussed. the 

Board decided not to make any changes to 

the awards program based on the results 

of the survey of the membership. 

Treasurer’s Report: Janel reported that 

seda is fiscally sound. 

We’ll remember her for the many 

ways she touched our lives, and 

that she drank coke from the can 

and never spilled a drop! 

she died peacefully in her 

sleep and is buried in a field of 

wildflowers at the farm of the last 

little girl who rode her, logan 

barowka. she will be missed by 

all of us at our barn, and all who 

knew her. thanks for the good 

times, patti! s 


Juniors Report: the Juniors schooling 

dressage show will be June 6-7, 2009 

at amen corner. paula will see if the 

pony club or 4-h would be interested in 

providing concessions. 

Eventing Committee Report: elizabeth 

reported that the next Fleur de Leap 

schooling combined test will be april 

4-5, 2009. there will be a special ‘silver 

cup team challenge’ to encourage more 

participation, with the prize being a silver 

cup. 

Newletter/Web Site Report: nicole 

reported that reception to the online 

distribution of the newsletter was good. 

there were a few kinks that will be ironed 

out, but for the most part people seem to 

be adapting to the process. 

the meeting was adjourned by the 

president at 4:45 pm. 

the next Board meeting will be held 

march 23, 2009 at at 7pm. 

respectfully submitted by elaine 

harmon. s 

Top: A retired Patti with family and friends. Bottom: 

Patti in her heydey with Julie Simmons at the 1991 4-H 

regionals in Memphis, TN.

newsworthy 

Research funding Available to 

investigate the therapeutic effects 

of horses on humans 

horses and humans research 

Foundation (hhrF) invites proposals to 

investigate the therapeutic effects of horses 

on humans. the Foundation’s broad 

research agenda includes basic research as 

well as clinical studies that will ultimately 

impact physical and mental health and the 

quality of life for people with disabilities who 

are involved with equine-assisted activities/ 

therapies. 

grants are awarded on a competitive 

basis, taking into account scientific merit, 

scientific and clinical significance and 

relevance to areas designated by the 

Foundation. preference will be given to 

investigators with solid credentials and 

research experience who are associated with 

institutions located in the u.s. or canada. 

applicants may request up to $50,000 over 

a one-year period. applications are due may 

15, 2009. 

interested researchers may contact the 

foundation for information on programs 

that provide equine-assisted activities/ 

therapies for possible collaborations. 

For more information visit www. 

horsesandhumans.org. 


Foundation is a non-profit public 

foundation, which is 

dependent on individual, 

corporate and foundation 

support for continued 

research grant awards. 

please consider making a 

donation. 

usDf / tDf / useA / usef neWs 


Foundation exists to facilitate universal 

understanding and appreciation of the 

significant influence of horses on humans. 

the primary goal is to support, promote 

and fund scientific research that explores 

the claimed, yet unsubstantiated, benefits 

of equine-assisted activities, leading to the 

discovery of the most effective methods 

and techniques for conducting thousands 

of existing and future programs. s 

usDf Region 9 PM Delegates and 

national officer nominations 

nominations are being accepted for 

participating member delegates, until april 

15, 2009. 

nominations for usdF president and 

usdF treasurer are also being accepted 

until June 1, 2009. usdF president and 

treasurer nominations will also be accepted 

from the floor of the Board of governors 

meeting at the annual convention in austin, 

texas. nominations questions contact: Kat 

Kyle, region 9 nominations coordinator 

at horses@kyleranch.com . please e-mail all 

nominations to nominations@usdf.org. s 

Attention All sport horse Qualifiers 

please be reminded that horses 

earning a score of 77 percent or better in 

a great american/usdFBc qualifying 

class will be eligible to compete in the 

great american/usdFBc series final 

event. please refer to the usdFBc rules for 

additional information. 

new fei tests not eligible to be 

used as qualifying tests for Regional 

Championships 

effective 1/1/2009. the Fei has revised 

two tests: the Fei Young rider individual 

and the Young rider grand prix 16-25. 

please be aware that neither of these tests 

are eligible to be used as great american/ 

usdF qualifying tests. s 

new equestrian College Recruiting 

Website now online 

When Bridget imparato, a useF judge 

and steward was faced with her son, 

michael, being a high school junior, her 

sights started to focus on college riding 

opportunities. the difficulties of navigating 

through the recruiting process led her to 

start of an exciting new website, www. 

equestriancollegerecruiter.com. this 

website has become a one-stop location 

to get college equestrian riding questions 

answered. high school athletes can post 

an academic and riding resume along 

with photos and full-length video of them 

riding; the athletes are sorted by graduating 

year and chosen discipline. this creates a 

unique location for college coaches who 

are searching for their future college riding 

team members. 

the site is also designed to educate the 

student athlete about the different college 

riding programs, with more than 300 

intercollegiate horse show association 

(ihsa) colleges and 23 ncaa programs 

there is a lot of information to get through. 

most athletes and parents start out not 

even knowing the difference between the 

two college riding organizations or how 

to navigate their very different recruiting 

requirements. many colleges are getting a 

leg up on their competition and advertising 

on the site, the college bio pages were created 

so that the equestrian athlete can go and 

get a brief overview of a college and then, if 

interested, link back to the college itself. 

continued from page 20 


Tidbits... 

Region 9 omnibus 

the 2009 region 9 omnibus 

is available for download on 

the region 9 Web site (www. 

usdfregion9.org). hardcopy, 

cd, or flash drive copes are 

available for purchase. see the 

region 9 site for details. 

in search of north America’s 

next Dancing Dressage stars 

freestyle designer Karen robinson 

and mike matson are In Search 

of North America’s Next Dancing 

Dressage Stars. a total of $1,500 

is awaiting the winners! those 

placing below third place will get 

music selected by mike for their 

next freestyle. 

interested? here’s what to do. 

1. submit a video of a freestyle 

you performed between January 

1, 2009 and september 1, 2009. 

submissions must be postmarked 

no later than september 15, 

2009. only one submission per 

person is allowed. 

2. only first, second, third, 

or fourth level usdf freestyle 

performances are eligible. include 

a judge’s signed copy of the 

freestyle test you performed. 

only individual freestyles can be 

entered. 

3. include your name, contact 

information, your horse’s name, 

age, and breed, and the titles 

of the music you used in the 

freestyle. 

3. mike will select the top 

performances which will then be 

posted on youtube by november 

1, 2009. the winner will be 

selected by youtube viewers. 

contact mike matson via his 

web site for more information: 

www.equimusic.com. 

Newsworthy ... continued from page 19 

the equestrian college experiences are as 

varied as our disciplines; colleges have programs 

for dressage, hunt seat equitation, western 

horsemanship, reining, international jumpers 

and even rodeo. in ihsa programs they offer 

divisions for every skill level, from beginner 

through open, where medal/maclay riders 

are sought, in hunt seat and beginner through 

reining in Western. 

anyone with questions can contact Bridget or 

mike imparato at (352) 746-5875 or go to www. 

equestriancollegerecruiter.com. s 

fei Rule Changes effective January 2009 

there have been several Fei rule changes 

pertaining to the show Jumping phase of all 

Fei competitions beginning January 1st, 2009. 

Below is a summary of the rule changes the 

Fei introduced for eventing jumping on the 1st 

January 2009: 

art 536 siZe oF arena 

this rule was amended to allow the speeds 

of various levels to be reduced when arenas were 

below a certain size (this is now the same rule as 

in the united states equestrian Federation rule 

book). 

art 537.3 dimensions (and reference to 

appendix 4) 

the reference to the spread at the ‘highest 

point’ and ‘base’ of an oxer was removed and 

replaced with the word ‘overall’ therefore giving 

only one measurement for the spread of an 

oxer. this means that any projection of a wall, 

or ground line, in front of the front rail of an 

oxer or triple bar, has to be taken into account 

when measuring the maximum spread of that 

obstacle. 

the table referred to in appendix 4 was 

amended so that the ‘overall’ spread of an oxer 

can be no wider than 20cm (reduced from 30cm), 

or the ‘overall’ spread of a triple bar can be no 

wider than 40cm, then the maximum height of 

the fence in that division. 


also, the maximum and minimum distance 

of course for each level was amended to a 

maximum of 600 metres for all levels. (the 

united states eventing association has proposed 

an extraordinary rule change that the length 

of the show jumping tracks at all national 

divisions also be amended to a maximum of 600 

metres in line with this rule). 

art 537.4 tYpe oF obstacle 

Wording was added as to where safety cups 

are to be used (i.e. back of oxers and all poles in 

the center and back of triple bars). this is now 

the same rule as in the united states equestrian 

Federation rulebook. 

art 539.1.1 KnocK-doWn With 

disobedience 

the reference to stopping the competitor and 

replacing a flag, if that was all that was dislodged 

during disobedience was removed. this acts as 

a time saver and again follows the united states 

equestrian Federation rule and the regular Fei 

jumping rules. 

art 549.3.3 course desiGner 

this now lists when a recognized jumping 

course designer has to be used. 

JumpinG – rules art. 257.2.3 

2.3 the total maximum weight of equipment 

allowed to be added to a horse’s leg allowed for 

a horse’s boot, front or hind (single or multiple 

boots, fetlock rings etc), is 500g (shoe excluded). 

Failure to comply with this paragraph will incur 

disqualification (art. 241.2.9). With reference 

to the maximum weight allowed for a horse’s 

boot (500g front or hind) as established under 

art. 257.2.3 of the Jumping rules, nFs are asked 

to inform their chief stewards that it is their 

responsibility to check the weight of horses’ boots. 

should a doubt arise regarding the weight of a 

boot during the boot/bandage control, the boot 

must be weighed by the chief steward. the chief 

steward may also carry out random checks at any 

time during the event. nFs are also requested to 

inform their organizing committees that a scale 

must be available for this purpose. s

useA Board of governors and usef Board 

of Directors Approve Proposed “Return 

to Play” Rule 

voted on at the useF convention, this rule 

change will prevent riders who have suffered 

unconsciousness or sustained concussions as a 

result of falls or accidents during competition or 

in competition warm-up arenas from returning 

to competition until they have been signed off by 

a licensed medical professional. 

From time to time rules are adopted which 

change the sequence of rule numbering. The rule 

reference used here is the rule number that appears 

in the current website version of the United States 

Equestrian Federation, Inc. Rulebook. 

proposed change: chapter 13. competition 

participants and associated individuals: add new 

subchapter and rule: 

Gr1316 accidents involving competitors 

1. this rule pertains to accidents involving 

competitors in schooling or competition 

areas at Federation-licensed or endorsed 

competitions. 

2. in the event of a fall/accident where the 

competitor is apparently unconscious 

or concussed, he/she is precluded from 

competing until evaluated by qualified 

medical personnel as defined in gr1211.5. if 

the competitor refuses to be evaluated, he is 

disqualified from the competition. 

3. a time-out may be called under paragraph 2 

above in accordance with applicable division 

rules. 

4. unconsciousness/concussion. if qualified 

medical personnel determines that a 

competitor has sustained unconsciousness or 

a concussion, he/she must be precluded from 

competing until cleared to compete under 

paragraph 6 below. 

5. m e d i c a l 

suspension. any competitor 

who is determined ineligible 

to compete under any of the 

preceding paragraphs will be placed on the 

Federation medical suspension list that will 

be posted on the Federation’s website. 

6. return to competition. in the event 

that a competitor is determined ineligible 

to compete under one of the preceding 

paragraphs, the competitor shall submit 

to the Federation, a signed release, which 

includes criteria established by the Federation 

from time to time, competed by a licensed 

medical professional in order to be eligible to 

once again compete in Federation-licensed 

or endorsed competitions. 

7. For all competitors evaluated pursuant to this 

rule, the steward or technical delegate shall 

submit a properly competed accident/injury 

Form, and, if applicable, any corresponding 

signed release to the Federation director 

of competitions by 6:00 p.m. on the day 

following the last day of the competition. 

8. refusal of entry. competitions shall refuse 

entries of any competitor who is on the 

Federation medical suspension list unless 

he submits to the Federation a properly 

signed release as described in paragraph 6 

above. any competitor on the Federation 

medical suspension list is responsible for not 

competing in any further Federation-licensed 

or endorsed competitions until they are 

removed from the medical suspension list. 

9. substitution. not withstanding any other 

provisions of the rules herein, if an entry is 

accepted prior to the time the competitor was 

added to the Federation medical suspension 

list, a substitute competitor may be named. 

10. refund. not withstanding any other 

provisions of the rules herein, for any 

competitor who appears on the Federation 

medical suspension list, a useF licensed or 

endorsed competition shall refund the entry 

fees and Jumper nominating fee, if applicable, 

less office fee. s 

Welcome New 

Members 

stephanie drago 

covington, la 

lauren drummond 

biloxi, ms 

elisabeth friedel 

baton rouge, la 

abigail foster 

bush, la 

laura hughes 

madisonville, la 

caitlin Jordan 


lizzie Kenelly 


sunny palmisano 

madison, ms 

christy sanantonio 

covington, la 

sabine stoyanoff 

bush, la 

svenya stoyanoff 

bush, la 

stacy upshaw 

Grand bay, al 

chrissy West 

covington, la 

stephanie Williamson 

perkinston, ms 


seda 2009 awards program guidelines 

the seda awards program Guidelines were modified in 

2008 to reflect what the board felt would provide a more 

level playing field for all program participants. in response 

to some questions and feedback received over the course 

of the year, the board revisited the changes and offered the 

membership an opportunity to voice their opinions and/or 

concerns. 

the results of the online survey and direct feedback to 

board members from the membership revealed that the vast 

majority of members approve of the awards program as it 

is now. With the exception of a clarification in eventing 

the following is a description of the year- 

end awards program sponsored by seda for 

2009. please read this carefully if you intend 

to compete for year-end awards. 

contact the following persons if you 

have any questions: 

recognized dressage awards chair 

sally richards, (985) 809-7391 

75171 old military rd. 


gridweek@bellsouth.net 

eventing awards chair 

Kelley varisco, (985) 892-1997 

2112 Wilson rd. 


m_kv@bellsouth.net 

schooling dressage awards chair 

victoria schiefelbein, (228) 826-3323 

11504 old Fort Bayou road 

vancleave, ms 39565 


volunteer hours chair 

Janel martin, (985) 796-8199 

p.o. Box 250 

Folsom, la 70437 

janelmar@bellsouth.net 

competition year: the 2009 

competition year begins on december 1, 

2008 and ends on november 30, 2009. only 

shows occurring during the competition 

year will be included for purposes of the 

2008 awards program. 

General rules 

1. the rider must be a current seda 

member at the time the scores are earned 

in order for them to count towards yearend 

awards. membership application and 

payment must be postmarked or received 

by the membership chair before the show 

at which scores are recorded, or the rider 

may join at the show if available. 

2. in order to be eligible for year-end awards, 

all riders age 18 and older (as of december 

1, 2008) must volunteer 4 hours to club 

functions or shows or pay a $25 fee by 

the end of the awards year (november 30, 

2009). 

eligible functions include: Fleur de Leap 

horse trials, including work days and 

schooling days; Le Bon Temps, including 

set-up and take-down days; sedarecognized 

schooling dressage shows, 

schooling horse trials and combined tests; 

seda-member recognized shows; seda 

hunter pace, seda-sponsored clinics, 

qualifications, the board has therefore decided not to 

further modify the guidelines at this time. 

the board encourages all members to participate in the 

program, regardless of horse, level, or score. note that all 

scores are considered ‘good enough’ to submit! 

some interesting statistics from the survey results: 

• The greatest obstacle to participation in the program was 

personal/health/horse-related issues 

• 83% of respondents felt the program is fair to all riders. 

the seda board thanks everyone who took the time to 

contact us or complete the survey. 


seda used tack sales and the seda 

awards Banquet. the organizers of these 

events will have forms noting the club 

member’s name and number of hours 

worked. these will be submitted to the 

designated recorder to track members’ 

hours. active Board members will be 

given credit for attendance at Board 

meetings, and active committee chairs will 

be given credit for their work. volunteer 

hours earned may be transferred to other 

members for awards eligibility. it is the 

responsibility of each member to ensure 

that their hours are included and correct 

(check the newsletter and web site). 

3. ties will not be broken in any discipline 

in any level. all competitors tied for the 

award will receive it, and the competitor 

who places behind the tied competitors 

will receive the next award. For example, 

if competitors a and B are tied for first, 

with competitor c behind them, a and 

B will each receive first place and c will 

receive second place. 

4. a junior member for purposes of the 

awards program is anyone who is 

eligible to compete as a junior under 

the current rules of the useF. Junior 

status is established based upon seda 

membership forms, on which junior

status is declared and a birth date must be 

included. 

5. an adult amateur member for purposes of 

the awards program is anyone (other than 

a junior) who holds a current amateur 

card from useF and is established based 

upon the declaration of amateur status 

on the seda membership form. 

6. attendance at the awards presentation 

is not necessary to receive your year-end 

award. For those who cannot attend, 

awards will be distributed by other means, 

generally either hand-delivery, by mail, 

or made available for pickup at a central 

location. You may also send someone to 

the presentation to receive your award on 

your behalf. 

7. current standings will be published as 

often as possible in Off Course, the seda 

newsletter, and/or on the seda web 

site (www.sedariders.org). Questions 

or corrections should be directed to the 

appropriate chair. standings become final 

december 10, 2009. 

8. if a competitor rides a single test that is 

scored by 2 judges, this will be counted 

as 1 test by 1 judge for purposes of yearend 

awards. copies of the fronts of both 

test sheets must be submitted, and the 

score used will be the average of the two 

scores. the competitor must ensure that 

the copies submitted show the same 

information on the front of the tests 

that is required for any other test to be 

submitted. 

9. in the event a competitor submits a test 

on which the score is only calculated to 

the second decimal point, the awards 

chairman will re-calculate the score to 

the third decimal point for purposes of 

including the score in year-end standings. 

competitors should be aware that useF 

rules require that all scores submitted 

from recognized shows be calculated to 

the third decimal point and that tests 

that do not show that information may 

not have been properly submitted to the 

useF. 

eventinG 

Divisions 

Eventing Tests at Dressage Shows (see under 

schooling dressage) 

Horse Trials (schooling and recognized), 

Pony Club Rallys and Combined Tests 

green as grass rider 

green as grass horse 

Beginner novice Junior & senior 

novice Junior & senior 

training Junior & senior 

preliminary & above 

(Jr. & sr., to the extent applicable) 

eligibility 

a horse/rider combination must compete 

in a minimum of one horse trials at a given 

level to be eligible for year-end awards at 

that level. a horse/rider combination must 

compete in a minimum of two combined 

tests at a given level to be eligible for year-end 

awards at that level. all events must be seda 

and/or usea recognized. the rider must 

be a current seda member at the time the 

scores are earned, and must complete the 

volunteering requirement (if applicable) by 

november 30, 2009 (see general rules). 

Point system for Awards 

Divisions having more than six entries: 

First place 10 points 

second place 7 points 

third place 6 points 

Fourth place 5 points 

Fifth place 4 points 

sixth place 3 points 

Divisions having six or fewer entries: 

First place 7 points 

second place 5 points 

third place 4 points 

Fourth place 3 points 

Fifth place 2 points 

sixth place 1 point 

*an entry is a competitor who begins the 

dressage phase of the event. 

regardless of the size of the division, 

an extra three (3) points will be given to 

each competitor, regardless of placing, who 

completes any usea-recognized event. 

an extra one (1) point will be given to each 

competitor, regardless of placing, who has 

no penalties of any kind (i.e. time, jump) on 

cross-country. consequently, the maximum 

number of points that could be obtained at 

any single event is 14, if the division has six 

or more entries, is usea-recognized, and 

the rider goes clean cross-country. if you are 

eliminated during any phase of an event, 

you will not be eligible for points from that 

event. 

Awards 

awards will be given for First through 

sixth place in each division; however, in 

order to earn an award, the horse/rider 

combination must have accumulated at 

least 1 point during the year under the point 

system described above. 

a separate high point award will be given 

to each of the Junior and senior competitors 

who achieve the highest cumulative points 

with a single horse, in a single division, 

regardless of level. 

a best dressage score award will also 

be given to the competitor with the lowest 

number of penalty points, regardless of 

level or division, in the dressage portion of a 

usea and/or seda-recognized horse trial. 

certificates will be given to all competitors 

who complete two events during the year, 

regardless of total points. 



Awards Program ... continued from page 23 

the types of awards given will be 

determined by the Board of directors, but 

generally ribbons are awarded. 

SEDA Award – awarded to the rider who 

has competed in both Fleur de Leap and Le 

Bon Temps (not necessarily on the same 

horse). the rider’s total penalty points from 

Fleur de Leap will be subtracted from 100; 

that score added to the rider’s best dressage 

score from Le Bon Temps, and the highest 

total score will be the winner. 

Reporting scores and Placing 

You must submit to the eventing 

awards chair all events that you wish to 

have included in your year-end standing, 

regardless of whether those events were 

seda-recognized or not. no scores will be 

automatically included, and all scores must 

be received by the awards chair no later than 

14 days after the last day of the weekend on 

which the horse show in question was held. 

results of eventing tests at schooling 

dressage shows must be submitted to the 

schooling dressage awards chair (see 

awards–schooling shows below). 

a form to be used for this purpose is 

available in the Off Course newsletter or on 

the web site. please note that the form must 

be signed by the manager/show secretary 

of the event and should be completed 

before you leave the show grounds for the 

weekend. 

a card or e-mail will be sent 

acknowledging receipt of your scores. if 

you do not receive this notification within 

three weeks of mailing in your scores, please 

contact the awards chair. 

dressaGe 

schooling dressage recognized dressage 

introductory level introductory level 

training level training level 

First level First level 

second level second level 

third level third level 

Fourth level Fourth level 

prix st. georges prix st. georges 

intermediare i intermediare i 

intermediare ii intermediare ii 

grand prix grand prix 

prix caprilli Freestyle 

eventing tests (schooling shows only) 

Beginner novice a & B 

novice a & B 

training a & B 

preliminary a & B (and above) 

in each division of dressage, for both 

schooling and recognized, awards will 

be given to horse/rider combinations at 

each level in three divisions: open, adult 

amateur, and Junior. eventers are either 

Junior or senior. the open division will 

include everyone who rides in an open 

class at a horse show, which may include 

amateurs and juniors at certain shows. 

eligibility – schooling Dressage 

eligibility for schooling dressage will be 

determined based on the number of tests 

ridden and the number of different judges 

for whom those tests are ridden. (see table 

below for minimum requirements.) all 

submitted scores will count, regardless of 

how many tests are ridden at a given show 

or on a given day. 

Level 

Minimum 

no. of 

tests 

Minimum 

no. of 

Different 

Judges 

Minimum 

no. of 

shows 

introductory 4 2 2 

training 4 2 2 

first 4 2 2 

second 4 2 2 

third 4 2 2 

fourth 4 2 2 

fei 2 2 2 

freestyle 2 2 2 

For eventing dressage tests at each level, 

awards will be given in senior and Junior 


divisions only. the rider must be a current 

seda member at the time the scores are 

earned, and must complete the volunteering 

requirement (if applicable) by november 30, 

2008 (see general rules). 

Awards – schooling shows 


tenth places at each level in each of the 

open, adult amateur, and Junior divisions 

(eventing divisions are Junior and senior). 

awards will be based on the highest median 

score at the end of the year. the type of 

awards to be given will be determined by the 

Board of directors but generally ribbons are 

given for schooling dressage. 

scoring system – schooling shows 

the year-end placing for schooling 

dressage will be based upon median scores. 

all eligible scores will be noted, and the 

median score (the score in the middle, with 

exactly half as many scores lower and half as 

many scores higher than it) of the top 80% 

of all scores (if more than the minimum 

required at each level) will be the score used 

to determine year-end awards, with the 

highest median score at the level winning 

the championship. 

if the top 80% leaves an even number 

of scores, the average of the two median 

scores will be the rider’s year-end score. 

in determining the top 80% of scores, 

partial numbers of tests will be rounded to 

the nearest whole number. For example, 

in training and First levels, 4 scores are 

required. if a rider has 8 scores, the top 80% 

would be 6.4 scores, which rounds to 6. in 

this case, there is an even number of scores 

left, so the median would be the average of 

the two middle scores. in effect, this allows 

the rider in this example to drop the two 

lowest scores because there is more than the 

minimum number of scores required.

submitting scores - schooling shows 

You must submit to the schooling 

dressage awards chair all tests that you 

wish to have included in your year-end 

standing. no scores will be automatically 

included, and all scores must be received 

by the awards chair no later than 14 days 

after the last day of the weekend on which 

the horse show in question was held. scores 

should be submitted by sending a copy of the 

front of the test (showing the name and date 

of the horse show, the name of the judge, 

the test, the competitor, the points and the 

percentage score) to the awards chair. if the 

front of the test does not include all of the 

information required, please submit a copy 

of the entire test. 

a card or e-mail will be sent acknowledging 

receipt of your scores. please provide a valid 

e-mail address when submitting your scores 

if you would like electronic notification. if 

you do not receive this notification within 

three weeks of mailing in your scores, please 

contact the awards chair. 

eligibility – Recognized Dressage 

eligibility for recognized dressage will 

be determined based on the number of 

tests ridden and the number of different 

judges for whom those tests are ridden. (see 

table below for minimum requirements) all 

submitted scores will count, regardless of 

how many tests are ridden at a given show 

or on a given day. 

Level 

Minimum 

no. of 

tests 

Minimum 

no. of 

Different 

Judges 

Minimum 

no. of 

shows 

introductory 4 2 2 

training 4 2 2 

first 4 2 2 

second 4 2 2 

third 4 2 2 

fourth 4 2 2 

fei 2 2 2 

freestyle 2 2 2 

the rider must be a current seda 

member at the time the scores are earned, 

and must complete the volunteering 

requirement (if applicable) by november 30, 

2008 (see general rules). 

Awards - Recognized Dressage 


sixth places at each level in each of the 

open, adult amateur, and Junior divisions. 

awards will be based on the highest median 

score at the end of the year. in addition, a 

high point award will be given to the horse/ 

rider combination in each of the open, adult 

amateur, and Junior divisions who earns 

the highest percentage score in a single test 

at any level other than introductory in a 

recognized dressage show throughout the 

year. the type of awards to be given will be 

determined by the Board of directors but 

generally ribbons are given for recognized 

dressage. 

scoring system – Recognized 

Dressage 

the year-end placing for recognized 

dressage will be based upon median scores. 

all eligible scores will be noted, and the 

median score (the score in the middle, with 

exactly half as many scores lower and half as 

many scores higher than it) of the top 80% 

of all scores (if more than the minimum 

required at each level) will be the score used 

to determine year-end awards, with the 

highest median score at the level winning 

the championship. 

if the top 80% leaves an even number 

of scores, the average of the two median 

scores will be the rider’s year-end score. 

in determining the top 80% of scores, 

partial numbers of tests will be rounded to 

the nearest whole number. For example, 

in training and First levels, 4 scores are 

required. if a rider has 8 scores, the top 80% 

would be 6.4 scores, which rounds to 6. in 

this case, there is an even number of scores 

left, so the median would be the average of 

the two middle scores. in effect, this allows 

the rider in this example to drop the two 

lowest scores because there is more than the 

minimum number of scores required. 

submitting scores - Recognized 

shows 

You must submit to the recognized 

dressage awards chair all tests that you 

wish to have included in your year-end 

standing, regardless of whether those tests 

were ridden at seda-recognized shows or 

otherwise. no scores will be automatically 

included, and all scores must be received 

by the awards chair no later than 14 days 

after the last day of the weekend on which 

the horse show in question was held. scores 

should be submitted by sending a copy of the 

front of the test (showing the name and date 

of the horse show, the name of the judge, 

the test, the competitor, the points and the 

percentage score) to the awards chair. if the 

front of the test does not include all of the 

information required, please submit a copy 

of the entire test. 

a card or e-mail will be sent 

acknowledging receipt of your scores. 

please provide a valid e-mail address when 

submitting your scores if you would like 

electronic notification. if you do not receive 

this notification within three weeks of 

mailing in your scores, please contact the 

awards chair. s 


seda volunteer hours form 

* mail form to: Janel martin, p.o. box 250, Folsom, la 70437 within 14 days after volunteering. thank you! 

volunteer’s name (please print) 

iF diFFerent From aBove, name oF memBer to Whom hours are to Be credited 

address 

citY state Zip 

phone (indicate home / oFFice / moBile) e-mail 

event name date(s) # oF hours 

event manager’s name signature date 

eventing results form form 

* mail results to: Kelley varisco, 21112 Wilson road, covington, la 70435 within 

14 days after the last day on which the horse trial/combined test was held. use one form per 

horse/rider combination. thank you! 

rider’s name (please print) horse’s shoW name 

address 


phone (indicate daY or evening) e-mail 

event name (indicate ht,ct, or other) date(s) 

division no. oF horses in division placement in division 

i am a: o Senior o Junior this show is recognized by: o USEA o SEDA 

penalty points: o Dressage________ o Stadium________ o Cross Country________ o Total ________ 

event secretarY/manager name signature date 

event manager’s name signature date 


SEDA Award Points For the Awards Chair 

Placement_________Completed____________ 

Clean Cross Country________Total_________ 

o Postcard mailed o Added to YTD totals 

o Sent to USEA Area III or IV

Trainer 

Directory 

Tina Ann Cope 

Classical Dressage 

Combined Training 

(985) 839-0036 

tinaacope@yahoo.com 

Anne Hornbeak 

Dressage 

(985) 796-9434 

(985) 796-9693 

annehornbeak@aol.com 

Vicki Macgowan 

Dressage 

(985) 373-5464 

(985) 796 0317 

Leslie Morris 

Dressage • Hunter/Jumper 

(504) 833-7923 

(504) 858-5944 

leslielm57@yahoo.com 

Equine Facility 

Directory 

Alivio Farm 

39366 Reeves Road 

Franklinton, LA 70468 

Tina Ann Cope 

(985) 839-0036 

tinaacope@yahoo.com 

www.tina-ann-cope.com 

Anne Hornbeak Stables 

15081 Highway 40 

Folsom, LA 70437 

Anne Hornbeak 

(985) 796-9434 

(985) 796-9693 

annehornbeak@aol.com 

The Billabong 

12250 Hwy 1077 


Sunny Francois 

(985) 796-1271 

sfrancoi@bellsouth.net 

www.labillabong.com 

Breezy Hollow Farm 

38264 R.J. Riley Rd. 

Mt. Hermon, LA 70450 

Melissa Mysing 

985-795-0595 

melissa@mysingmagee.com 

www.breezyhollow.com 

Cedar Lane Farm 

P.O. Box 2178 

Opelousas, LA 70571 

Laura Ryan 

(337) 945-3355 

lauraryan@charter.net 

www.lauraryan.com 

Lynn Quast 

Dressage • Eventing 

(985) 893-4500 

lquast4184@aol.com 

Stephanie Rolison 

Dressage • Jumping • Pleasure 

(601) 310-3939 

Laura Ryan 

(337) 948-7719 

lauraryan@charter.net 

www.lauraryan.com 

To have your facility or services 

included in this directory, please 

see the application and additional 

information on the SEDA web site 

(www.sedariders.org). 

Equi-Best Equestrian Center 

82136 Hwy 437 

Covington, LA 70435 

Lynn Quast 

(985) 893-4500 

lquast4184@aol.com 

Folsom Equestrian Center 

16191 Highway 40 


Vicki Macgowan 

(985) 796-0317 

(985) 373-5464 

Pine Alley Farm 

13590 Hwy 1077 


(985) 796-9192 

(504) 400-1510 

Seanie Kohnke 

shkohnke@bellsouth.net 

Three Oaks Farm 

100 Three Oaks Rd. 

Perkinston, MS 39573 

Greg & Sylvia Rolison 

(601) 928-0229 

threeoaksfarm@earthlink.net 

Windsong Equestrian Center 

10282 River Road 

St. Rose, LA 70087 

Ana Denman 

(504) 231-0638 

anadenman@cox.net 

To have your facility or services 

included in this directory, please 

see the application and additional 

information on the SEDA web site 

(www.sedariders.org). 

CLAssifieDs 

Please send your ads to: Terri Chabaud 

(985) 796-0018 or zydecofarm@aol.com 

eQuine RetiReMent 

Green meadow farm is a small, very personal facility dedicated to the 

comfort and well being of the older or retired horse. www.greenmeadow-farm.com 

contact: elizabeth birkinshaw 

foR LeAse 

four self-care stalls at private facility. ammenities include: 12’ by 

12’ stalls in a newer barn, 130’ by 60’ river sand outdoor arena, seperate 

tack room & feed room, 2 large turnouts and 1 smaller one. 6 miles 

north of the light in folsom. contact (985) 839-0036. 

hoRses 

1997 grey Welsh gelding, jumps 2’6”. suitable for a child, but not for 

a total beginner. 12.3hh; $8,000 or obo. call robyn (318) 992-7479. 

nice selection of horses for sale. Various ages, sizes and levels of 

experience. all well mannered and going under saddle. priced based on 

experience and potential: 4 yrs - 13 yrs old, 15.1h-17h! contact Joan 

bergmann (985) 373-8818. 

for Lease: travel-times. dutch 

Warmblood gelding, 16.3, 8 yrs, sweet 

natured. showing 3rd level, schooling 

tempi changes, pirouettes. owner in 

college. contact sophia (985) 515-6091. 

tRAiLeRs 

1999 3-horse featherlite slant trailer. dressing room with ac. 

located in mobile, al. asking $14,000. contact sparkles tanner (251) 

402-3344 or e-mail happytrailsst@bellsouth.net. 

2001 exciss 4-horse all aluminum horse/stock trailer. oversized 

dressing room, extra tall tb height. $9,500. call 985-795-0595 

tACK 

saddles: new stübben roxanne. 17.5”, 29 cm tree. used 10 times. 

$1000. county eventer. dark brown, 17.5”, #3 (medium) tree. excellent 

condition. $700. contact elisha (337) 258-7040 or elishagt@excite.com 

stübben Romanus dressage saddle, black, 32cm wide, 17.5’’ seat. 

fittings included. excellent condition. $750.00. contact lorraine 

Jenkins (985) 966-3634. 

16” close contact Crosby Collegiate jumping saddle, excellent 

condition. $300 obo. call chris at (251) 342-8197 or e-mail 

clschlecht@zebra.net for additional information. 

new schleese Derby saddle with new schleese leathers. the saddle 

is $4995.00 new and the leathers are about $150. used for about 1 

month. asking $4500 for saddle and leathers. call stacy at (504) 982- 

0521. 

schleese semi-custom dressage saddle, 17” extra soft, deep seat, 

“flair” adjustable panel system, black french leather. asking $2200. 

call lolly (985) 796-1836 or lollyw@charter.net. 


c/o Margaret Rice 

7048 Moniteau Court 

Baton Rouge, LA 70809 

Established in 1975, the Southern 

Eventing and Dressage Association is 

a non-profit, educational organization 

founded to foster an interest in, and 

a understanding of, the equestrian 

sports of Dressage and Eventing. 

The Southern Eventing & Dressage 

Association is governed by the United 

States Equestrian Federation. We 

are also a Region 9 Group Member 

Organization of the United States 

Dressage Federation and an Area III 

& V Affiliate of the United States 

Eventing Association. 

BoARD of DiReCtoRs 

PResiDent | lynn Quast 

504-905-3690 • lquast4184@aol.com 

viCe PResiDent | david banister 

985-796-3866 • francie12158@bellsouth.net 

seCRetARy | elaine harmon 

504-469-9652 • Harmon692@aol.com 

tReAsuReR | Janel martin 

985-796-8199 • janelmar@bellsouth.net 

DRessAge ChAiR | leslie morris 

504-833-7923 • leslielm57@yahoo.com 

eventing ChAiR | elizabeth cummins 

985-796-5011 • lizappy@hotmail.com 

MeMBeRshiP ChAiR | maria cowan 

504-723-3407 • Mariaec25@aol.com 

PuBLiCAtions ChAiR | nicole landreneau 

985-725-1137 • nmiller@millermark.com 

CoMMittees 

s e D A o f f i C e R s & C h A i R s 

AWARD ChAiR - AnnuAL | position open 

AWARD ChAiR - eventing | Kelley Varisco 

985-892-1997 • m_kv@bellsouth.net 

AWARD ChAiR - ReCognizeD DRessAge 

Sally Richards • 985-809-7391 • gridweek@bellsouth.net 

AWARD ChAiR - sChooLing DRessAge 

Vickie Schiefelbein • 228-806-5917 


fLeuR De LeAP hoRse tRiALs 2009 ChAiR | elizabeth 

Cummins • 985-796-5011 lizappy@hotmail.com 

JunioR/young RiDeR ChAiR | paula Gregory 

985-778-9221 • connemara_dressage@hotmail.com 

Le Bon teMPs 2009 ChAiR | Janel martin 


noMinAting CoMMittee | board members 

off CouRse ADveRtising | terri chabaud 

985-796-0018 • zydecofarm@aol.com 

off CouRse CALenDAR | Vickie schiefelbein 

228-806-5917 • vfn03@bellsouth.net 

off CouRse MAiLing | margaret rice & barbara merritt 

mrice8622@yahoo.com 

voLunteeR houRs ChAiR | Janel martin 


WeB site ChAiR | nicole landreneau 

985-725-1137 • nmiller@millermark.com

please send calendar items to vickie 

schiefelbein vfn03@bellsouth.net or 

(228) 806-5917. seda events are in bold. 

Dates subject to change. 

MARCh 

1 pine hill schooling horse trials, 

www.pinehilltexas.com 

Bellville, TX 

6-9 loma FoWler clinic 

leslie morris (504) 858-5944 

Stirling Farm / Folsom, LA 

7-8 serenity Farm schooling dressage 

vicki macgowan (985) 373-5464 

or (985) 796-0317 

Serenity Farm / Folsom, LA 

7-8 Freestyle Farm Frostbite 

christie raisbeck, trabour@aol.com 

Katy, TX 

13-15 red hills horse trials 

(850) 580-4020 

Tallahassee, FL 

14-15 schooling day (14th) and 

combined test (15th) 

rene Kurzius or Judi dauterive, 

amencornerfarm@hotmail.com 

(985) 796-3712 

Amen Corner / Folsom, LA 

21 dressage as art! riding and in-hand 

demonstrations and discussions 

tina cope (985) 839-0036 

Oak Hill Ranch / Folsom, LA 

21-22 Jane savoie dressage seminar 

and clinic 

cynthia Werner, Bach.clinic@gmail.com 

www.bachdressage.org 

Bryan, TX 

21-22 alamo dressage association 

spring i & ii 

Bill askins, williamaskins@att.net 

San Antonio Rose Palace / 

San Antonio, TX 

27-29 poplar place horse trials 

(706) 582-3742 

Hamilton, GA 

28-29 dressage across the lake i & ii 

Betsy gosling, gozzi@earthlink.net 


29 topsider Farm dressage i 

ginni cifelli, ginni@flash.net 

College Station, TX 

APRiL 

4-5 Fleur de leap combined test 

and schooling day 

elizabeth cummins 

(985) 796-5011 

Lagniappe Farm / Folsom, LA 

4-5 Ft. Worth spring Fling i & ii, 

susan peacock 

www.showsecretary.com 

Glen Rose, TX 

4-5 sherry levin memorial 

dressage show 

sherry g. pride, 

sp4horses@united.net 

Hernando, MS 

events calendar 

10 OFF COURSE deadline 

10-12 texas dressage classic i & ii 

(612) 290-8523 

www.dressageshowinfo.com 

dressageshowinfo@aol.com 

Texas Rose Horse Park / Tyler, TX 

11 dressage as art! riding and in-hand 

demonstrations and discussions 

tina cope (985) 839-0036 

Oak Hill Ranch / Folsom, LA 

11-12 chattahoochee hills horse trials 

(404) 931-3544 

Fairburn, GA 

16-19 Fei World cup 

Las Vegas, NV 

17 asBa sporthorse classic 

Judy dent, jadent@uams.edu 

Diamond TR Ranch / Perryville, AR 

18-19 holly hill horse trials 

(318) 925-2185 

Benton, LA 

24-26 houston dressage society 

spring show 

marilyn Kulifay 

hdsshows@gmail.com 

Houston, TX 

25-26 Blue angel dressage 

linda lester (850) 862-6158 

blueangeldressage@cox.net 

www.dsdcta.org 

Pensacola, FL 

29- gala spring Fling (Jumpers 

may 3 Kathleen posey (985) 796-0760 

serenityfarminc@aol.com 

www.galahorseshows.com 


MAy 

1-3 memphis in the springtime 

sandy donavan (910) 218-0613 

sandydonavan@gmail.com 

Tunica, MS 



or (985) 796-0317 



(706) 582-3742 

Hamilton, GA 

2-4 heather Blitz clinic 

Francie stirling (985) 796- 3866 


5-7 heather Blitz clinic 

Francie stirling (985) 796- 3866 


6-7 schleese saddlery clinic 

anne hornbeak (985) 796-9434 

Anne Hornbeak Stables / Folsom, LA 




9-10 dallas dressage club spring i & ii 

michelann tachibana 

michelqann@lascolinasequestrian.com 

Las Colinas Equestrian Center 

Irving, TX 

16-17 chattahoochee hills horse trials 

(404) 931-3544 

Fairburn, GA 

23-24 dressage across the lake iii & iv 

Betsy gosling, gozzi@earthlink.net 


28-31 Karen & david o’connor clinic 

holly hill, (318) 925-2185 

Benton, LA 

30-31 hunter/Jumper schooling show 



(985) 796-3712 


June 


(706) 582-3742 

Hamilton, GA 

6-7 Juniors onlY schoolinG 

dressaGe shoW 

paula gregory (985) 778-9221 

connemara_dressage@hotmail.com 



10 delta Blues classic 

suzanne mayo (615) 790-2953 

wldwoo@aol.com 

Tunica, MS 

13-14 houston dressage society 



Houston, TX 

20-21 schooling dressage show 

lincoln case (985) 892-3412 

ltcase@lycos.com 

Covington, LA 

JuLy 

1 pine hill schooling horse trials, 

www.pinehilltexas.com 

Bellville, TX 

10-12 Blues city dressage 

sandy donavan (910) 218-0613 

Tunica, MS 

18-19 Windy Knoll summer dressage 

Fran dearing franwkf@earthlink.net 

(281) 356-2883 

Windy Knoll Farm / Magnolia, TX 

25-26 serenity Farm recognized dressage 


or (985) 796-0317 


26-27 dallas dressage club 

lemonade daze i & ii 

Athens, TX 

August 


22-23 dog day dressage show 

albert pugh , apugh@gt.rr.com 

Orange, TX 

sePteMBeR 

5-6 le bon temps recognized 

dressage show 

Janel martin (985) 796-8199 

Amen Corner Farm / Folsom, LA 

southern eventing & dressage association s m a r c h / a p r i l 2 0 0 9 

5-6 alamo dressage association Fall i & ii 

Bill askins, williamaskins@att.net 

San Antonio Rose Palace 

San Antonio, TX 

5–6 houston dressage society 

laborious day show 



12–13 dallas dressage club Yellow rose i & ii 

michelann tachibana 

michelqann@lascolinasequestrian.com 

Las Colinas Equestrian Center 

Irving, TX 13 topsider dressage ii 

13 topsider Farm 

ginni cifelli, (979) 690-6788 

ginni@flash.net 

College Station , TX 


(706) 582-3742 

Hamilton, GA 




oCtoBeR 

1-7 schleese saddlery clinic 

anne hornbeak (985) 796-9434 

Anne Hornbeak Stables / Folsom, LA 

3-4 Fleur de leap combined test 

and schooling day 

elizabeth cummins (985) 796-5011 

Lagniappe Farm / Folsom, LA 


11 cedar Wind Farm dressage show 

sherry g. pride, sp4horses@united.net 

Oxford, MS 



or (985) 796-0317 


29- gaig/usdF region 9 

nov.1 championships 

Great Southwest Equine Center 

Katy, TX 

31- holly hill horse trials 

nov. 1 (318) 925-2185 

Benton, LA 

noveMBeR 


(706) 582-3742 

Hamilton, GA 

14-15 schooling dressage show 



(985) 796-3712 


DeCeMBeR 







or (985) 796-0317 

Serenity Farm / Folsom, LA

WhAt 

CoMes With 

youR seDA 

MeMBeRshiP? 

eliGibility for seda aWards 

and year-end aWards banQuet 

s 

subscription to 

the national aWard 

WinninG Off COURSE 

neWsletter and the 

USDf CONNECtION 

maGaZine 

s 

access and use of the 

national aWard WinninG 

seda Web site 

s 

leadership opportunities 

to serVe on the board of 

directors, chair committees, 

eVents, or shoWs, 

and VotinG priVileGes 

in all elections 

s 

netWorKinG 

opportunities With area 

eQuestrians and an annual 

membership directory 

s 

member discounts 

on seda-sponsored 

clinics, seminars, fun paces, 

and adVertisinG 

in the Off COURSE and 

on the Web site 

s 

up-to-date eVent info 

s 

eliGibility for 

usdf Qualified rider and 

medals aWards 

established in 1975, the southern eventing 

and dressage association is a non- 

profit, educational organization 

founded to foster an interest 

in, and understanding of, the 

equestrian sports of dressage 

and eventing. seda is a 

group member organization 

of usdF, affiliated with usea, 

and governed by the united 

states equestrian Federation. 

ride with seda! 

club activities include educational clinics and 

seminars, schooling shows, le Bon 

temps (a recognized dressage show), 

Fleur de leap (an eventing show), 

fun paces, and an annual awards 

program. seda is one of the 

largest usdF affiliated clubs in 

region 9 and growing. We invite 

you to join us in supporting, 

learning, and enjoying the sports 

of dressage and eventing in our area. 

seda application/reneWal 

* mail form & check (made out to seda) to: maria coWan, 624 edenborn ave., 

metairie, la 70001 

the membership year begins december 1, 2008 and expires november 30, 2009. new members applying 

after october 1 will receive free membership for the balance of that year. 

o senior $50 o Junior $40 o *Family $75 o new application o renewal 

please note: 1) to qualify for usdF regional championships you must be a Participating Member 

by joining usdF directly. 2) $17 of your seda membership fee goes directly to usdF for your group 

membership. *FAMILY is defined as two people at the same address. 

name (please print) 

address 


phone (indicate home / moBile / oFFice) e-mail 

list names for *Family membership: ___________________________________________________________ 

Birthdate(s) (Juniors / Young Riders) ____________________________________________________________ 

interest: o dressage o eventing o Both number of horses leased/owned: _____________________ 

i am currently riding at______________level in dressage and / or level____________________in eventing. 

i am a o adult amateur o steward o technical delegate 

o instructor (level) _____________________ o Judge (grade)__________ 

i am interested in volunteering! 

o Board o clinics o committees o shows o publications o scribe o steward o media relations 

o tack sales o other_____________________________________________ 

Beginning January 2009, the SEDA Off Course newsletter will be distributed electronically. Please make sure to 

include a valid e-mail address above. Printed copies will only be mailed to members who request it. Indicate your 

preference here: o Save a tree – electronic is fine o Please mail my newsletter 

southern eventing & dressage association s march / april 2009

Riding and In-hand Demonstrations D Discussions

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