September 2017 FRC Member Newsletter

NEWS September
2017
PRESIDENT’S CORNER
I actually happen to be a summer lover and do well in the heat. Every year,
I am sorry to walk into my barn one day in August and realize that all of my
swallows have flown away leaving a silent barn behind. I don’t like to see
my flower beds lose their brilliance or the sun begin to set earlier. But I do
cheer as the humidity dissipates and the fresh air of fall revives my energy
and fuels my intentions. Somehow, the very first day of September always
seems to bring with it the feeling of fall and I find myself hoping that we
have a long and pleasant season before winter inevitably closes in. When it
comes to my riding and training and also for my students, fall is actually an
exciting time. It sets the tone of reaching our goals for the coming year. We
can be invigorated with the prospect of training, conditioning and working
towards our next piece of mastery with our horses. I can see all of the
possibilities that will bloom with the prospect of spring in the new year and
right now is when those possibilities begin to take shape. I find that fall is
not an ending but a beginning - a chance to start fresh once again and move
forwards. Training really is like planting your garden - getting it ready and
prepared in the fall so that it comes out in full glory in the spring and lasts
throughout the summer before starting all over again. So, even as I mourn
the loss of hot, sunny summer, I embrace the opportunity to nouri sh the
foundation of training with my horses and students. I hope you all find a
way to make this season be the beginning of something new and
invigorating in your riding life!
-- Jodi Lees, FRC Board President

2017 FRC MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
Membership into the FRC is a great idea. Perks include an informative, emailed monthly newsletter,
discounts on club-sponsored activities, educational programs, socials with fun people, and opportunities
to compete for end of the year awards! Join now with any one of our three membership options below.
Please note that all membership options this year include an emailed newsletter. Mailed newsletters
are no longer available unless prior arrangements are made with the Membership Chair.
Individual ($25)
Family ($30)
Business ($35)
Name (s): ____________________________________________________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________________________________________
City: ___________________________________ State: _____ Zip: ________
Phone: ______________________________ E-Mail: _______________________________________
(Above information will be included in the membership directory unless you tell us not to. Please write legibly!
The club is not responsible for members not receiving club communications due to illegible membership forms.)
Check ALL interests: __Dressage __Eventing __Trail Riding __ Pleasure Riding __ Western
__ Endurance __ Fox Hunting __ Hunter/Jumper __Breeder __ Driving __Hunter Paces
__Social member only Other:_____________________________________________
Ideas for clinics, horse events, meeting topics or social events for 2017:
____ I am available to volunteer for club sponsored events (list volunteer job you would like)
____ I am available to help set up and take down for the shows (usually Thur. or Friday before show)
The best way to contact me about volunteering is: ___text ___email ____phone call
Make your check payable to FRC and mail to: FRC, P. O. Box 637, Landrum, SC 29356.
For questions, please contact foothillsridingclub@gmail.com. Thank you for your support!

2017 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Special Events - September 20th - Topic to be released shortly!
Shows –
September 23 rd @ Harmon Field: Dressage ONLY Schooling Show
October 14 th @ FENCE: Dressage and Combined Test Schooling Show

DID YOU KNOW……….
FRC IS PROUD TO BE ABLE TO AWARD FOUR
SCHOLARSHIPS TO RIDERS ANNUALLY?
In order to qualify for an FRC Rider Scholarship, you must be a current FRC member at
the time of your application. Additionally, your request must be for a rare educational
opportunity or clinic or a championship competition directly related to your riding
discipline. In exchange, scholarship recipients must give back to the club in some
tangible way. For further information on FRC Rider Scholarship eligibility, go to our
website: www.foothillsridingclub.org
The FRC Board is now accepting Nominations for Board positions for
2018. We have a few spots open on the Board and would love to have some
nominations from the membership to help fill these positions. Nominees must
be current FRC members. If you have someone that you would like to
nominate, please contact the Nominations Chairperson, Jodi Lees:
jodi@riversedgefarms.com or 864-921-1059.
All nominations need to be received by October 1, 2016. New Board
members from these nominations will be announced at our Annual Meeting
which will be scheduled soon.

Spotlight On Our Members
This month FRC spotlights one of our board members, Briana Ambrosic. Bri not only
volunteers on the FRC board, but she shows and runs a boarding stable. Let's hear what Bri
has to say about her life with horses.
I grew up in a small town in Ohio and first
came to North Carolina to work at a camp and
fell in love with the area. I got into horses at
the end of high school but really jumped in
when I joined the equestrian team at Bowling
Green University in Ohio. Through the
collegiate team, I gained experience and a
true love for horses and all that they entail.
Over time, I started working in barns teaching
and managing; then after graduating college I
accepted a wonderful working student position
in Landrum to stay here (in the Carolina
foothills) and take my first steps into the
equestrian profession.
Right now I have three horses of my own, two
off the track thoroughbreds Pogo (Final
Sound) and Oliver. Also Mocha, a Pony of
America. Along with my personal horses, I
care for nine others at Blackberry Stables, the
boarding farm I run in Hendersonville, NC. I
have had Blackberry Stables for almost 4
years now.
My horses all work doing lessons for hunt seat and some dressage at my farm. I also show my
pony in dressage while some of my students show her and one of my OTTBs in dressage and
hunters.
While most of my time is spent with my horses, in my free time I enjoy going hiking with my
fiancé Nick, and our dog Cuervo.
I've been a member of the FRC for about four or five years. I originally joined because I was
showing. The more involved I get the more I appreciate all of the clinics and seminars. I joined
the FRC board to get more involved with the equestrian community.
In the future, I would like to continue growing my lesson program and do more training. I also
would like to earn my USDF bronze medal.

A Modern Twist to an Ancient Discipline
I knew I was in the 21 st century when I entered the room and there stood a life sized “equine”
named Tryon Maximus. The brainchild of riding instructor Barbro Ask-Upmark and the
manufacturer Racewood, based in the UK, Maximus is the culmination of Barbro's life work.
Barbro elaborates, “When I found out about the benefits of the Racewood Simulator system
(originally used to train British jockeys) I approached them and offered to work with them for
free to create a simulator that would replicate riding a dressage school master. I would ride the
simulator, give feed back to the software team and they could make changes while I was
sitting in the saddle. Tryon Maximus is the result of our work.”
Tryon Maximus is a simulator that allows the
rider to receive feedback about rein, seat and leg
aids in real time aboard a very life-like “horse”.
With a 180-degree screen that has colored
graphs and wiggling lines that respond by
moving based on how I applied my aids and
“horsey” responses to the aids, I was able to
make instant changes and achieve a better ride.
For example while working on half halts to trot if I
pulled instead on deepening my seat and lifting
my rib cage, Maximus stopped. If I lifted my seat
bones while adding a stronger leg Maximus
cantered.
Too much weight on my left seat bone showed up instantly on the circle “bullseye” sensor as
did the unmoving dot when my seat was balanced.
In a nutshell, here's how it works.
The Bit Sensors: This measures the amount
of contact from the rider to the bit through
the reins. The green indicates the correct
amount of pressure needed to maintain
contact while performing a movement.
Pulling on the bit sensor beyond this will
result in a slowing of gait eventually
achieving a halt. Pulling hard on the reins
halts the horse immediately.

Head and Neck Sensors: These measure the amount of bend the rider is asking for to perform
the required movement.
Saddle Sensors: This measures the distribution of the rider’s weight in the saddle when
performing the required movement. The red dot gets larger with greater pressure and moves
left and right in accordance with the rider’s position in the saddle.
Leg Sensors; There are 3 leg sensors located in slightly different positions on both sides of the
simulator. The rider must apply pressure to the correct sensor
(or combination of sensors) when performing a required
movement.
As I rode, instructor Barbro was there to interpret every line,
color movement and squiggle and suggest changes to my
position to achieve a better ride and a better performance from
Maximus. I felt confidant with her be my side. Barbro has her
USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold medals as well as a host of
international awards. Originally from Sweden, she worked with
Gothenburg Mounted Police, as a dressage instructor in
Sweden and Germany, with the Swedish Equestrian Federation
and much more. Barbro relocated to the US where she brought
out the best in many horses and riders from California to Florida
and now in North Carolina. Barbro says, “the equine simulators
work like real, live horses without the learned bad-behavior or
attitude. Riding a Simulator gives you the possibility of
developing your riding skills in a safe and controlled
environment with a private riding instructor by your side.”
Her expectations were accurate for me. I was gratified to see the lines stayed centered, the dot
didn't move and the rein sensors were even. I was riding more quietly and - correctly achieving
the transitions, leg yields and halts that Barbro asked for. It was fun! I would be glad to ride
Maximus again. I asked Barbro about future rides and she explained, “I love it here. We have
bought a house in the area and plan to stay here. This area is a place where you can realize
your dreams.” So - Maximus will be
around for a long time. Barbro will be
teaching lessons at TIEC (Tryon
International Equestrian Center). She
can be reached thru her web site
www.alwaysagoodride.com. Her
phone number is 831-596-4999.
I am glad to know that Maximus is
staying in our beautiful foothills. At the
end of my ride I patted him and told
him “good boy.”

2017 FRC Show Calendar
Mark down the dates for the 2017 FRC Show Calendar! All shows will
count towards the FRC’s amazing year end awards program. So be
sure to join FRC before your first show so your points will count!
September 23 rd @ Harmon Field: Dressage ONLY Schooling Show
October 14 th @ FENCE: Dressage and Combined Test Schooling Show
Please join us for the September 23rd Dressage Schooling Show at Harmon Field! Info and
entry forms on the website. Closing date is Saturday September 16th. All complete
entries (with fees and signatures) must be in the secretary’s hand by this date. Sorry, but NO
email entries will be accepted.
The end of the show season is quickly approaching with only two shows left. Placings for year
end awards are amazingly close this year so every show counts. Don't forget we have added
awards for Second level and up, Training CTs, and Western Dressage. Good luck to everyone!

See her show video
https://youtu.be/KyJohzNXlhw

.
BIT O’ NEWS
PLEASE SEND ANY NEWS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE TO frcnewsletterads@gmail.com
Our area hosted the American Eventing Championships Labor Day weekend at the Tryon
International Equestrian Center. Our very own Margo Savage coordinated the multitude of
Volunteers required to put on such a large event. KC Betzel was Steward for judges, scribes
and runners on the "top" side of the rings. Cathy Berlin was Steward for In-Gate, Warm-up and
general troubleshooter. Barb Crawford was Bit Check Steward
These ladies helped set up and take down along with spending all three
days there from dawn to dark. Many, many thanks to the organizers and a
host of others.
A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS!
Attention 2017 competitors:
FRC will set up a self (ie) serve photo booth at our shows this year! Weather
permitting, you will have the perfect spot to capture the day with your ribbons,
horses, friends, dogs, or all of the above! FUN!
In addition, we will have a competitor hospitality table with light snacks for you and
your horse. Just look for the FRC banner.

Calling All Volunteers! FRC Needs YOU!
We can’t run all of our great shows, events, clinics, and seminars without some
help from our awesome membership, and there are some great perks!
Volunteers earn $10 club bucks for up to a half-day of volunteering, $20 for a full
day, or $30 for set up of a horse show. “Club bucks” can be used for
membership, shows, clinics, and many other club activities. Finally, our annual
Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, hosted by the FRC board in August, is free to
anyone who volunteered in the previous 12 months!
Call or email your volunteer coordinators Jillian at (814) 441-0942 or
jillian.j.woolridge@gmail.com OR Hatsie Goodrich at hgoodrich2@yahoo.com to
sign up!
Get Ready.., Get Set.., Go!!!
A new Volunteer Appreciation Incentive Program is happening
this year. We will have a program in place which allows
Volunteers to rack up hours to win an embroidered FRC Polo shirt,
an embroidered FRC jacket or an embroidered FRC coat. Exact
details and pictures will follow in next month’s newsletter but
VOLUNTEER time starts NOW!
Keep your eyes open for details…

Business Members
Have you ever wanted to display your business card in a monthly publication
seen by people who have the same interests as you at just pennies a day? If
you’ve answered yes, please consider the FRC’s new BUSINESS
MEMBERSHIP. For just $35 per year, the Business Membership allows FRC
Business members to advertise their business card in every monthly newsletter
publication. And, of course, this membership option includes all the perks of
FRC membership, such as educational seminars, member rates at FRC shows,
clinics, and a monthly newsletter!
Joining the FRC is easy! Go to www.foothillsridingclub.org/membership for the
2017 Membership Form. In addition to the Business Membership option, the FRC
is also offering new pricing on monthly newsletter advertising:
∙$10 for half page ad
∙$20 for a full page ad
∙$10 for a non-business member to print a business card
** All ads must be supplied to frcnewsletterads@gmail.com and paid in advance**
Checks made out to FRC PO Box 637 Landrum, SC 29356

BUSINESS ADS

BUSINESS ADS

BUSINESS ADS

BUSINESS ADS

BUSINESS ADS

BUSINESS ADS

BUSINESS MEMBERS
Business Members continued-
Susan ARTHUR-WHITSON SUSAN THE ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE
BISCUITSTWO@JUNO.COM
Cerice & Knutur BERNDSEN PANGAEA EQUESTRIAN SERVICES PANGAEAEQUESTRIAN@LIVE.COM
Michele PARRISH
MICHELE.PARRISH@YAHOO.COM
Brenda RATHZ
BRENDARATHZ8@GMAIL.COM
RandI THOMPSON
RANDI@RANDITHOMPSONLIVE.COM
FOOTHILLS EQUESTRIAN NATURE CENTER (FENCE)
ADMIN@FENCE.ORG
TWO BIT FARM, LLC
JA2BITFARM@YAHOO.COM
LINDBLADE EQUESTRIAN FARM, LP
JUNE@AJLCPA.COM
TRYON INTERNATIONAL EQUESTRIAN CENTER
MOAKMAN@TRYON.COM

CLASSIFIED ADS
Do you have your own tack/horses/equipment, etc. to sell, services to
offer, or events to promote? Members can post those items in the FRC
Newsletter for free! And non-members only pay $10. Email us at
frcnewsletterads@gmail.com to get yours into next month’s issue.
Please limit ads to 3 small photos and 5 lines of text.
Proudly offered for sale:
JB is a lovely type 7yo 16hh
TB with athleticism, grace,
brains, and personality. He
has been re-started with a
solid groundwork and
dressage base. JB is brave, bold and curious. He trail
rides alone, gladly jumps what you put in front of him, and is being sold vice free. Price
reduced to $5000. Contact Kailey Beck 440-708-8316. Located in Landrum.
FOR RENT: Quiet equestrian cottage. GREAT House - 6 miles for TIEC! 1200
sq. ft., 1 1/2 baths, 2 bdrms., large living rm w/ fireplace, all appliances. Owner
lives on property. Not available to board horses. Rental application, lease, and
security deposit. NO dogs, cats ok. $850. monthly. Call Llyn for more
information 716 698-9859.