June 2020 FRC Member Newsletter

NEWS
June
2020
We are a GO for the July 18th Dressage Only Schooling Show at FENCE!!!
Entries will be VERY limited due to Covid-19 social distancing practices, and will be taken ONLINE
only on a first come- first serve basis.
We are currently working on a plan for taking online entries, and we will begin accepting entries on
June 20th!
Please keep an eye on the website for details on how to enter the July 18th show! Details will be
available soon, please be patient as we navigate new waters and work on converting the show to
online entries!
Looking forward to getting back in the swing of show season and seeing our competitors and volunteers
soon!!
2020 FRC SHOW DATES
We hope to see you all for our July, September, and October shows!
July 18- Dressage only at FENCE
September 5- Dressage and Combined Test at FENCE
October 31- Dressage and Combined Test at FENCE
Entry forms and info are on the website at foothillridingclub.org/shows.html. Remember to
join FRC to be eligible for our amazing year end awards
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Member Memories
Where My Riding Career Started… by Jodi Lees
If only I had the time to really record all of the memories,
experiences, fears, loves, thrills, laughs, and
friendships that enhanced my life because of horses.
I have owned some amazing equine partners. I
have trained some horses that left love etched on
my heart. I have worked with horses that were not
my cup of tea. I have made friends and lost friends
in my equestrian journey. I have been on a Mexican
Margarita ride that could maybe be called life threatening?
But is still one of my funniest stories. I have
traveled on multiple “horse drives” through the Sierra
Nevada mountains with a pack outfit that will always
have my heart. I have seen our equestrian heroes
in competition, met many of them, trained with
some of them and never lost my sense of inspiration
from their journey. I still love to ride, to compete, to
train. Though I try to educate and inspire my students, I find that it is often my students who end
up educating and inspiring me. Though this life that I chose has been filled with horses and
those who love horses, it is a road that is far from over. And for that, I am grateful every single
day. I do have my own journey and it all really began with a three year old chestnut, running
quarter mare named Choo Choo. It was one month before my twelfth birthday when I met her.
With complete naïveté, I joined a family outing to visit friends of my Dad. It just so happened that
they had a horse. I was thrilled that we all decided to go out and see her. I had never asked for a
horse. I simply jumped at the chance to ride or pet or stand by one at any possible opportunity. I
had never had a riding lesson - only ridden the backyard horses owned by friends here and
there. Because my Father was first in the military and then worked for IBM, we moved almost
every year and a half or two. Just when we were settled, off we went to a new state and started
all over again. So I had no consistency with horses. But, boy, if I had the chance to be near one,
that is where you would find me. In any case, off we go to the barn. In hindsight, a pitiful old, dilapidated
building with manure piled up high in the corners of the stalls. It sat in the middle of a
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Member Memories
large, rolling field of weeds and scrubby bushes. I remember Mr. Michael tacking up the GOR-
GEOUS mare and marching her to the top of the hill and lungeing her. She was wild! She was
beautiful! She was the prettiest horse I had ever seen! (I felt like Black Beauty the first time he set
eyes on Ginger!!) My Dad kept asking me if I liked her, what I thought about her, over and over. I
was raised a polite Southern girl and I had already told Mr. Michael countless times how lovely she
was and thanked him so much for letting me pet her, see her, brush her, etc. So, I was beginning to
get a little annoyed that my Dad kept pushing me to comment more and more. There we were, on a
windy November day, watching this wild, beauty gallop around on the lunge when my Dad said to
me “Happy Birthday, Kiddle, she’s yours”. (OK, tears are rolling down my cheeks as I type this just
like they did that day and every time I tell this story). You could have knocked me over with a blade
of grass. I cried and cried with every bit of joy you can possibly imagine. For $300 including saddle
and bridle, Choo Choo was mine. And thus, my life with horses began. Oh, the tales I could tell of
our years together. She was my very best friend on earth and always will be. I told her everything. I
sang to her. I cried into her shoulder. I laughed in delight as we galloped over fields and through
woods. We swam in ponds and crossed streams, and raced trains, and chased armadillos. We
lived in North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and California together. In the beginning, I knew
nothing and somehow, my parents just thought I would learn by osmosis. No helmet, tennis shoes,
no riding lessons. After Mr. Michael showed me how to put the saddle and bridle on, my Mom just
dropped me off at the barn every day and came back however many hours later to pick me up.
That first barn was out in the middle of no where and no one else rode there. There were a lot of
pastured horses with no interacting owners. The tack room had rats as large as cats. I fell off at
least every three days until I learned how to stay on. Ignorance is bliss. The ignorant are spared.
What you don’t know won’t kill you. Thank you for small blessings every day. I rode her through all
of her young years (and mine) on the trails and out on journeys together almost daily. There can be
nothing better than those times I spent exploring with her. We did some very stupid things. But we
had so much fun. She was as game as I was and we challenged the world together. She was twenty
nine years old when I had to say Good-bye. I had kept her with me for 25 years. She heard every
bit of my life’s stories and emotions as I grew from a twelve year old girl to a thirty seven year old
woman. When I started teaching lessons, Choo Choo taught many, many children and adults how
to ride. She was a sweet and gentle soul who shared herself so willingly. Choo Choo taught me
what real friendship is and that there is a love that lives forever.
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Meet the Board Members
We thought you might be interested to know who is running FRC behind the scenes to
make all our great events happen each year. So the next issues of the newsletter will
provide some brief bios of the 2020 Board of Directors.
Clinics/Special Events Chair Rachael Bradley moved to the Carolinas in 2011 to manage
a riding school and boarding facility after graduating from Michigan state university.
She has been working as an equine veterinary technician for the past 7 years
after returning to her first love-veterinary medicine. She has two horses of her own; a
now retired OTTB named Mister that she competed in hunters and an Irish sport
horse named Joe that she now events. Being a member of the FRC board allows her
to give back to the foothills community that helped paved her way for her success in
the Carolinas
Community Outreach Chair Luanne Johnson moved from Illinois to Tryon in 2016.
She fell in love with the diversity of equestrian activities and the natural beauty of
the area. Luanne became involved with the FRC initially as a volunteer and has enjoyed
the opportunity to meet all the wonderful horse people who participate in
the FRC events. Luanne doesn’t have a show background, but is interested in continually
improving her horsemanship. She appreciates a variety of equestrian disciplines
from trail riding to dressage.
Publicity Chair Erin Stroud, a Greenville, SC native who went away for
college is now back to make the SC Upstate her home. She is a longtime
horse-crazy girl who works as a real estate agent to help people
find their dream home, specializing in equine properties. She is one of
the unique people who prefer mares over geldings, her two girls keep
her on her toes and sure do make life interesting. Sal, an Arabian/
Friesian cross who loves to foxhunt with the Green Creek Hounds.
And Prim, an OTTB who is discovering a talent for eventing. Erin was
introduced to the Foothills Riding Club when she worked for Cathy Schwartz and fell in love with the
group of people who lead, volunteer, and participate in the different shows throughout the year. She
is excited to join the FRC board and hopes to bring some new ideas to the table for this amazing
group of horse people!
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. FRC Year End Awards Qualifications:
- Year end awards are based on horse/ rider combination
- Must be a current FRC member at the time of each show for points to count
- Must attend 3 dressage shows for dressage division year end awards, and 2 combined tests for
the combined test division year end awards.
- May qualify for year end award at one level for TWO consecutive years.
- Year end awards are offered for the following divisions:
Dressage: Intro, Training, First, 2nd and above (includes all Test of Choices), Eventing Dressage,
Western Dressage
Combined Test: Grasshopper, Starter, Beginner Novice, Novice, Training
- Year end awards will be offered for 1st through 4th in each division, and will be counted as following:
- If 4 or more horses in a class, points will be earned as follows: 1st place = 6 points, 2nd place = 5
points, 3rd place = 4 points, 4th place = 3 points, 5th place = 2 points, 6th place = 1 point
- If 3 or fewer horses in a class, points will be earned as follows: 1st place = 3 points, 2nd place = 2
points, 3rd place = 1 point
Get Ready.., Get Set.., Go!!!
Volunteer Appreciation Incentive Program
We have a program in place that allows Volunteers to rack up
hours to win an embroidered FRC Polo shirt, an embroidered FRC
jacket or an embroidered FRC coat.
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I know why the Rail Bird sings—surviving the naysayers and drama-makers
By Elena Perea MD
Falling off is not the only way you can be hurt in equestrian sports; words can break you just as easily
as a fall from a thousand-pound animal moving at speed. For example, I was once told that I
could give a master class in ruining horses and riding upside down.
I immediately told myself this was “mean girl” behavior and not true—then I proceeded to text all of
my trainers to make sure I’m not delusional. (Hey, everyone needs validation, right?) Then I felt
bad again because I needed that reassurance at all. It went back and forth like this a bit, with me
riding the emotional rollercoaster of feeling awful and less-than. It was exhausting.
Then, I got a little academic about the science of put-downs. Why do people put other people
down? I see it a lot being around horses. You know the scenarios: The Rail Birds standing at ringside
at a show making comments about other people riding; keyboard warriors nastily commenting
on somebody’s proudly-posted video on Facebook; and the more passive aggressive comments
that can be taken to heart: “You don’t have XYZ brand breeches? Oh…” or “um, who did your
braids?” or whatever. In short, it’s all bullying behavior.
Why do people bully? I’d say it’s a defense mechanism against these perceived stresses. What,
pray tell, is a defense mechanism? (You didn’t think you would escape an article written by a psychiatrist
without some psychobabble, did you?) It’s an unconscious psychological mechanism that
reduces anxiety arising from unacceptable or potentially harmful stimuli. Perhaps the bully is unhappy:
maybe somebody put them down, maybe they are unhappy with their weight, unhappy in a romantic
relationship, financially stressed, their horse is lame, SOMETHING. Another idea is that
they feel threatened by their victim: maybe their victim is a better rider, more liked, encroaching on
the bully’s territory. They use other people’s discomfort to (not very maturely) deal with their own—
a form of projection.
Great. Ok. You understand why people talk junk. How do you deal with the anxiety it causes in you?
Hospitals are great about fixing broken bones, but what do we do about hurt feelings? CLEARLY
YOU WILL NOT GO BULLY SOMEBODY ELSE! Understand that defenses, in the purely psychological
sense, are unconscious and not completely in your control. That does not mean you can’t
PRACTICE more mature defenses so they will become unconscious in the future when you need to
ward off anxiety and stress. My favorite defense mechanism is humor: the subject remains distressing,
but the icky feelings are skirted around by making others laugh. For example, I did offer to
put on a clinic on upside down riding and horse-ruining at the farm (strangely, we had no takers).
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Another thing I did was to identify actual facts to replace my false thought that what was written
was true. As I mentioned above, I did call my trainer and make sure she didn’t think I was ruining
my lovely mare. (She helpfully pointed out that were I doing so, she’d dump me every day of the
week.) I used that evidence to create a more likely thought that, although I’m not perfect, I’m not
actually ruining my horse.
Even if the statements or bullying behavior are false, remember that they still hurt. It is never
wrong to reach out to friends, to surround yourself with strong, positive people who understand
you. You are not weak for doing so—you need to process this sort of event. It helps to talk about
your feelings, and if your distress is enough, even consider talking to a counsellor or therapist.
Finally, I suggest making others feel good as a really good way to ease your own bruised soul. I
promptly went to a clinic, watched amazing riders and horses, and told them all how great they
were. I helped a friend braid for a show, and I brought beer for the barn manager. Kindness is
necessary, and wonderful. That brings me to the moral of this story: For the love of all the ponies,
people: be nice to each other. We only have so much time on this earth; let’s fill that time with love
for each other and our horses.
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Educational Seminars
Educational Seminars
have been postponed until further notice.
Bit O’ News
The upstate said goodbye this spring to Carolyn West. Carolyn came here 16 years ago from California.
She taught dressage around the upstate from her base at Motlow Creek Stables in Campobello,SC.
Carolyn has relocated to Texas to be near her daughter Bailey,
also a horsewoman. Bailey needed the help as she foaled five
foals and had a baby this spring!
Carolyn says,” Moving was certainly bittersweet and miss everyone terribly, but when I hold that
little munchkin, I know I made the right decision!!!”
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FRC Scholarship Reminder
One of the perks of being an FRC member, is that you are eligible to apply
for one of the four $250 Member Scholarships that we award each year.
Scholarships can be used in a variety of ways. In the past, they have been used for riders to
defer the cost of going to events such as championship competitions, rare educational opportunities,
or clinics applicable to your discipline. There are only a few requirements to be
considered for a scholarship. You must be a member at the time of your application, and
you also must be willing to share the knowledge you gained through your scholarship experience
with the club in some way (ideas must be approved by the scholarship committee).
This could be a short presentation at one of our seminars, info table or infographic at shows,
newsletter report, etc.
Want to apply for a scholarship, but not sure if your endeavor would be approved- don’t worry!
The application is short, sweet and to the point. If there happens to be an influx of applicants
at any deadline, volunteer service to the FRC in the current and preceding membership
year will be considered when awarding scholarships. Application deadlines are April
1 st , July 1 st , October 1 st , and January 1 st depending on the date of the event. Any member
is eligible to apply!
Have you ever wanted to volunteer at an FRC show but were not sure what
the different jobs entail?
The volunteer job descriptions are now up on the website!
Go to www.foothillsridingclub.com and look for the links to job descriptions
on the right hand side of the shows page.
Volunteers earn club bucks for their time which can be used like cash for
club events and merchandise. FRC also has a volunteer appreciation
program where hours served count towards great year-end awards!
Contact Carole at frcvolunteercoordinator@gmail.com if you are
Interested in learning more or would like to volunteer at any of our
upcoming shows.
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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 by the 1st of the month to get yours into next
month’s issue. Please limit ads to 3 small photos and 5 lines of text.
Macel close contact jumping saddle.
Medium tree. 17” seat. Very good
condition. $800.
Contact Jodi at 864-921-1059
Amazing, fast, and clean jumper for sale.
16.0hh, 9 year old find his ad on BigEq.
Contact Brianna Manning (864)642-8322
for more information.
Sensation dressage treeless saddle, 17 1/2", black/dark
brown. Includes nearly new Ecogold saddle pad which is
an integral part of the saddle, leathers, no irons. Comfortable,
puts the rider into a correct position easily. Wonderful
for trail riding as well as riding dressage. Made in Canada
with a long waiting period after an order. Firm price of
$1000. Very good condition. Used lightly for 7 years and
very well cared for. Located in Green Creek area on SC
line. Only selling because I retired the horse I used it on.
Call Sue at 864-461-8119 or
email carriersusan@yahoo.com.
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CLASSIFIED ADS
Horse property for lease : 2 BR/2 bath
cottage style home on 21 acre parcel in
Columbus near TIEC, with privacy and
pastoral views. Several recent updates
and renovations including large master
bedroom and bath. Equestrian amenities
include 2 barns (10 stalls total), studio apt.
above main barn, 100x200 riding arena
with irrigation, 5 fenced pastures, large
pond, and direct access to CETA trail system!
$2,500 - $3,300 per month depending
on length of lease and number of horses.
Willing to rent just the barns and pastures
as well.
Call or text Greg 210.870.6090
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CLASSIFIED ADS
2018 County Perfection saddle 17” Wide almost new and hardly used. Excellent condition. Color
Black, bull, Velcro knee
Contact Debra Faraone 703-402-1581 or debrafaraone5@gmail.com. Located in Campobello.
$2695.00 new over $5600
Three pair of Pikeur Romana high waisted white show breeches and one pair of cream colored
- size 24 long - for sale at $50 each. Pictures shown of front and back of each pair.
All in good condition - show darkening where saddle has stained seat but not shown when in the
saddle. Contact Allie Wright at 864-431-0916
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CLASSIFIED ADS
32cm tree (MW/W) 18" seat Stubben Tristan Dressage saddle. Longer
flaps, comfy seat. Billets replaced within last few years. Comfy saddle
that doesn't fit my new horse! Looking for its new home. $1,000 obo.
Jillian Woolridge
(864) 315-0231
jillian.j.woolridge@gmail.com
14 hand pony mare for adoption or free lease. forward, nice mover, liver chestnut, mare attitude.
Nancy Hasselbring 828-863-0462
Black Country Adelinda saddle
17.5 inch seat Medium tree Very good condition except small rub on right knee roll (pictured)
Priced to sell -
$2000 !!!! Contact
Allie Wright at 864-
431-0916 or Jodi
Lees at 864-921-
1059
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CLASSIFIED ADS
SADDLE FOR SALE:
Make: Custom Model: Icon Star recently reflocked Tree: Med/Med Wide
Seat: 17.5 Flap: 16 (reg) Year: 03-2015
Price: $3,000 obo Condition: Very good
Contact: Karen 828-290-3434
Silver Maple Farm in Columbus offers full board in a new facility. We feed top quality hay and
feed, have easy access to FETA, have a large outdoor
ring with jumps, small covered ring, someone lives onsite,
professional instruction in multiple disciplines is
available, but your approved instructor is also welcome,
horses available for lease. Please call or text 828 817
7875 and see our Facebook page for pictures and more
information.
LET ME TAKE CARE OF ALL YOUR SEWING AND ALTERATION NEEDS!!
NINA’S ALTERATIONS
FROM CLOTHING TO HORSE BLANKETS
ALTERATIONS ~ TAKE IN ~ LET OUT
ZIPPERS ~ MENDING ~ CURTAINS ~
AND SO MUCH MORE!!
CALL 828-722-1030 OR TEXT 828-980-8369
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Business Members
Send in your dues and business card to get your listing renewed!!
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 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
2020 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**
Tryon Equine Hospital
Target Marketing Group
Murray Acres
Gena Meredith
BUSINESS MEMBERS
Pangaea Equestrian Services
Debra Faraone
Foothills Equestrian Nature Center
Cadence Equine Sports Alliance
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BUSINESS ADS
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BUSINESS ADS
Send your business card via email to frcnewsletterads@gmail.com
Or mail to Janet Stone, Editor, 438 Pumpkintown Rd, Marietta, SC 29661
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2020 Board Members
President: Cathy Schwartz: smokeyhollowfarm@windstream.net
Vice President: KC Betzel: betzelfarm@hotmail.com
Secretary: Bri Ambrosic: briambrosic@gmail.com
Treasurer: Natalie Schembra: natalie.schembra@gmail.com
Education (Seminars): Natalie Bacon: nwbacon@gmail.com
Hospitality: Jane Lynch: jntlynch@gmail.com
Membership: Margo Savage: 200redgate@gmail.com
Community Outreach: Luanne Johnson: Luanne.h.johnson@gmail.com
Volunteers: Carole Foster: clockhart23@gmail.com
Publicity: Erin Stroud: erin.e.stroud@gmail.com
Awards: Hailey Morris: hmmorris2018@gmail.com
Clinics/Special Events: Rachael Bradley: raemister@gmail.com
Web Site: KC Betzel: betzelfarm@hotmail.com
Newsletter Editor: Janet Stone frcnewsletterads@gmail.com
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