NEDA A Tip of the Hat Nov-Dec 2020

N E D A’ S A W A R D W I N N I N G N E W S L E T T E R

ATip of the Hat

Nov/Dec 2020

PRESIDENT’S PAGE

A

s I write this, I am reminded of

Sally Swift’s Four Basics of

Centered Riding – Soft Eyes,

Breathe, Balance and Center.

Why? Because it is the day before the

federal election, the corona virus cases and

deaths are rising, the fires and hurricanes

are ravaging our country, and everyone’s

world feels out of kilter. I think the only good

thing that can be said of 2020 is that it is

nearly over! What to do when there is chaos

everywhere? Find a quiet place and focus.

When I took over as NEDA President one

year ago, I was nervous but excited. I still am

but for different reasons. I am nervous about

choices the Board has had to make, and excited

to be starting a new year with new

hope. The hope is that we can get back to

our regular schedule of competitions and education

events, following safety guidelines

and procedures. I hear the sentiment of

“enough already”, let’s move forward. As the

year comes to an end, I speak for the entire

NEDA Board when I wish all of you a safer,

saner, more satisfying 2021.

As there are 29 holidays observed by

seven of the world’s major religions between

November 1st and January 15th, I wish

everyone Happy Holidays!

Cheers

Iris

Iris

Nov/Dec 2020 NEDA.ORG TIP OF THE HAT 3

A Tip of the Hat

Contents:

3 President’s Page

5 Improve Your Seat with Dave Thind

9 NEDA Wins Big!

9 Wanted: Year End Awards Coordinator

Position

10 Extra! Extra! Amateur Photos Wanted

11 Ode to Zoomie

12 Feel the Rhythm, Feel the Rhyme

Get on Up, It’s Dressage Time! Part 2

14 NEDA Calendar 2020

15 Young Riders Receive Grants

16 Morsels of Horse Information

18 Youth Corner

19 Youth Corner: Chatting with

Tessa Holloran

20 Wanted: Nominations Manager Position

20 Educational Scholarships

21 NEDA Know-How Info

22 Stallion Paddock

A Tip of the Hat is a publication of The New England

Dressage Association, Inc., a non-profit, tax exempt

corporation.

MEMBERSHIP QUESTIONS

AND CHANGES OF ADDRESS

Please contact: Tammy Paparella

6 Pratt’s Junction Rd.

Sterling, MA 01564

978-422-2324

memberentry@neda.org

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4 TIP OF THE HAT NEDA.ORG Nov/Dec 2020

NEDA 2020 OFFICERS

President:

Iris Berdrow

781-589-6422

president@neda.org

Vice President-Activities:

Kate O’Connor

508-612-6985

vpactivities@neda.org

Vice President-Services:

Jennifer Dillon

508-641-3121

vpservices@neda.org

Board Secretary:

Heather Stone

617-480-8077

secretary@neda.org

Treasurer:

Helen van der Voort

917-834-2635

treasurer@neda.org

COORDINATORS

and MANAGERS

EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Education Coordinator:

Sally Davenport

781-378-1881; 781-854-2547

education@neda.org

Judge Education:

Sally Davenport

781-378-1881; 781-854-2547

judgeed@neda.org

Symposium Organizer:

Beth Beukema

508-320-6549

fallsym@neda.org

COMPETITION COMMITTEE

Competitions Coordinator:

Beth Jenkins

508-655-6490; 508-733-3672

shows@neda.org

Spring Show:

Paul Cormier

508-995-5988; 508-847-2931

springshow@neda.org

Schooling Shows Manager:

Peter Chavonelle, Jr.

schoolingshows@neda.org

Sport Horse/Breed Shows:

Kathy Hickerson

603-673-4344; 603-557-4054

sporthorse@neda.org

Year-End Awards:

yea@neda.org

COORDINATORS and MANAGERS

SPONSORSHIP COMMITTEE

Sponsorship Coordinator:

Kari Cincotta

781-654-7694

sponsorship@neda.org

Sponsor Facilitator:

Open

sponsorfacilitator@neda.org

Sponsor Development:

Open

sponsordev@neda.org

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

Membership Services Coordinator:

Dawn Mackenzie

518-657-1773

membership@neda.org

Nominations:

Open

volunteer@neda.org

Ombudsman:

Lainey Johnson

978-568-0523

ombudsman@neda.org

Member-at-Large:

Leslie de Grandmaison

603-759-4642

memberatlarge@neda.org

Kerstin Witaszek

413-695-0693

witaszekk@neda.org

PUBLIC RELATIONS

COMMITTEE

Public Relations Coordinator:

Krista Nordgren

207-749-6643

pr@neda.org

Communications/Social Media:

Krista Nordgren

207-749-6643

communications@neda.org

Photography:

Carole MacDonald

508-366-7886

photo@neda.org

Technology Coordinator:

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NEWSLETTER STAFF

TIP Editor:

Angela Prenosil

413-627-2699

TipEditor@neda.org

Graphic Design:

June Evers

845-294-0656

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TIP Advertising:

Angela Prenosil

413-627-2699

tipads@neda.org

USDF REGION 8

Cover: Drybrook's Annika's

Angel and Claire Piacentini

Fall Show 2019

Photo: Carole MacDonald

Region 8 Director:

Debra Reinhardt

region8dir@usdf.org

Youth Coordinator:

Bobbi Carleton

bobbicarleton@aol.com

ADDITIONAL CONTACTS

& OFF-BOARD ROLES

Membership Services:

Tammy Paparella

978-257-1374

region8dir@usdf.org

Fall Show Manager:

Sue McKeown

fallshow@neda.org

Fall Festival Volunteer

Recruitment:

Helen van der Voort

917-834-2635

fallvolunteer@neda.org

Summer Show Manager:

Paul Cormier

508-995-5988; 508-847-2931

springshow@neda.org

Northeast Region OPL:

Doreen Quintilliani

Jennifer Dillon

opl@neda.org

Advertising - Outbound:

advertising@neda.org

Scholarships:

Amy Bresky

978-270-3880

scholarships@neda.org

Partners in Education Tier 1:

Angela Prenosil

413-627-2699

edpartners1@neda.org

Partners in Education Tier 2 & 3:

Ann Smith

edpartners2@neda.org

Bookkeeper:

Carol Gordon

774-225-8878

bookkeeper@neda.org

Equine Affaire:

Karin Swanfeldt

ea@neda.org

Youth Liaison:

Sophia Chavonelle

youth@neda.org

NEDA Stallion Auction, Recruitment:

Mary Barrett

978-270-3338

stallionrecruit@neda.org

NEDA Stallion Auction:

Kathy Hickerson

603-673-4344; 603-557-4054

stallionauction@neda.org

The Salute, Editor:

Gail Wagner

salute@neda.org

The Salute, layout & design:

Cheri Bryant

bryantdesign@me.com

Webmaster:

Cheri Bryant

webmaster@neda.org

EDUCATION

This Winter,

Improve Your Seat from Home

using the Feldenkrais Method ®

BY DAVE THIND

A

lready ages ago, NEDA organized

Feldenkrais® based

training opportunities. In this article,

NEDA member Dave Thind shares his

passion for seat training using the

Feldenkrais Method ® .

As a rider, each and every day spent in the

saddle is an opportunity to learn and improve.

Almost every rider wishes to improve

their relationship with their horse. This can

be done both on and off the ground. Once

mounted, we do this by improving our seat

as well as soft but clear aids and communication.

By following classical principles and

listening to our horses for feedback, we

work towards glimpses of the right feeling.

These glimpses then turn into longer periods

and finally new habits are formed.

Ideally, we do all this in a biomechanically

sound way that meets the requirements of

modern competition standards.

In order to work towards this, we should be

willing to continuously improve our basics.

The most important foundation upon which

all other things are built upon in riding is

finding a position in the saddle which allows

for soft, balanced, and relaxed movement

in your horse.

“The most important part of training a horse

is training the rider’s position” stated

German Master Christoph Hess.

Riders at the highest levels remark that

each day they spend time working on their

seat. They understand how to evolve the

movement of their seat for the individual

movements of their horse. The seat should

be adjustable enough so that you can feel

and softly influence what your horse is

doing every step.

Photo: C.A. Hill Photo

ACHIEVING A SUPPLE SEAT

The horse’s center of gravity is not constant

and kinetic forces from the horse need to

move through the rider. The rider can learn

to filter this movement, but it has to go

somewhere! Therefore, a supple seat is

needed to allow a horse to move correctly

over its back, without blocking the horse.

Blocking the horse, albeit unintentionally,

can lead to training issues like not pushing

enough from behind, a dropped back, unsteady

connection, ‘rein lameness’ and in

jumping this can also mean poor form and

rails. A horse blocked by the rider can eventually

develop soundness issues.

In Gustav Steinbrecht’s highly regarded

classic The Gymnasium of the Horse , the

author states: “A ‘normal seat’ on the horse,

even if in the majority of cases this means

only a posture that is correct, does not exist

at all because the rider sits the horse correctly

only if his center of gravity, or rather the

line of the center of gravity of his body, coincides

with that of the horse.” This book is one

of the most influential texts and a foundation

within the German classical school.

And in a more recent text: “Every single joint

in the rider’s body must be relaxed to allow

the rider to sit in a supple position and in

balance with the horse. Only then can the

aids be applied effectively.” ( Principles of

Riding, The Official Handbook of the

German Equestrian Federation ).

AWARENESS

In order to achieve a good, supple seat

awareness is key. When we become

aware of how our body moves, where we

are restricting movement and holding

tension, then we can explore how to let go

of the areas of tension. To sit in a supple

position and in balance with their horse’s

movement, the rider first needs to be comfortable

and attempt to let go of physical

and mental tension.

Riders that don’t find their own comfort, exert

extra effort and end up gripping. This is an

example of what Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais referred

to as ‘parasitic movement’. As well,

extra muscular effort and gripping can actually

lead to a wobbly and unstable position.

One must be supple for a deep seat, otherwise

the contractions actually take us out

of the saddle!

Some riders automatically or deliberately attempt

to stabilize by using even more muscular

contraction or by jamming their heels

down. This brings them further and further

away from a supple seat where ‘every joint

in the rider’s body must be relaxed’.

Continued →


FELDENKRAIS- cont’d

This all might be very subtle, but the sympathetic nervous system

will be activated (flight, fight, freeze) and undesirable faults like

stiff hands, going into the beginnings of fetal position, tight abdominal

walls and other related automatic responses will result.

FELDENKRAIS ® AWARENESS THROUGH

MOVEMENT ®

I can’t say enough good things about this work. Even after 20

years, I continue to be amazed! There are many good

Feldenkrais practitioners that specialize in working with riders.

My own method, the Dave Thind Method (DTM) is based both

on my education and experience as a Feldenkrais® Practitioner

and German Certified Trainer. The goal: Improved suppleness

and performance but also riders and horses having the opportunity

to have long and pain-free careers.

I teach movement exploration and biomechanics training to help

riders of all levels to facilitate a loose, flowing and supple seat.

Not only do we work towards reaching our riding goals, the work

can lead to the release of pain or stiffness.

In addition, through DTM riders can further their learning about

their internal anatomy which will create a greater understanding

of musculoskeletal function and how both structure and function

are modified by riding.

Continued →

Dave Thind. Photo: C.A. Hill Photo


FELDENKRAIS- cont’d

Try This at Home

Here are two easy Dave Thind Method exercises

that are designed to heighten body

awareness and make new brain pathways.

We will start with some body scans and

weight-shifting experiments and then finally

work to improve your hips and lower back

for smoother riding.

1. Standing Scan

Stand barefoot on a firm, flat surface. Notice

how your feet contact the ground. Does one

heel feel deeper into the ground? Do I stand

in the middle, or perhaps on the inside or

outside edge of one or both feet? If you

were to stand on two weight scales, would

they read identically? How could what you

have just sensed affect your riding whether

dressage or over fences? Only notice and

keep track, do not fix.

Take a general overall inventory of how your

skeletal stacks up (alignment) while

standing. Does one leg feel longer or

shorter? Does one shoulder feel higher or

lower? Do you sense your head is in the

middle?And do you sense that the weight of

your head is carried down your whole spine

into the pelvis and the legs? Maybe or

maybe not – but merely thinking about how

whatever is structurally higher and is supported

by the bones and joints underneath

will help your nervous system let go of some

unnecessary but habitual muscular effort.

Rest by taking a short walk.

2. Weight Shift

Discover your predisposed standing leg and

your short and long sides.

While standing, slowly raise one arm towards

the ceiling, following your hand with

your eyes. Try both sides. Which one did

you instinctively choose first? Did that side

feel easier?

Do both sides again. This time, notice if you

sense a slight weight shift onto one leg. It

maybe that you shift onto the same side as

the lengthening arm, or on the opposite leg.

You my even do one of each variation

(sending a shift to the same leg regardless

of which arm goes up). This information is

valuable, as it can help us learn about the

leg we prefer to stand on (standing leg)

whether we have easy options for dexterity

and which is our short and long side. Just

like our horses, we have a short and long

side. This and a preference for a standing

leg are important to ideal function; symmetry

as such is not a goal, but rather options

on both sides.

Do both sides again, noticing which side is

easier and what is easier about it. Try not to

bring attention to what you perceive as difficult

or stiff. How smooth is the movement

and your breathing when you try each side?

Can you breathe and move in a way to

make it smoother?

Interested in doing more and enjoying newfound

mobility and suppleness?

Go to www.davethindmethod.com and

use the “Connect” form. Type “NEDA” into

the subject to receive a link for two voice

guided DTM lessons.

Learn more about “A Good Seat Moves,” a

5 module seat training course that riders

can do from home. NEDA members receive

a $50 discount with promo code NEDA..


EDUCATION

Wins

BIG

for 2020 USDF

GMO Awards!

Congratulations:

Julie Hoogeveen

“What I learned last winter: Riding in the Moment”

from New England Dressage Association newsletter,

has won the award for Best First-Person Experience

Article for a GMO with 500 or more members.

Kudos:

Hollie McNeill

“Build it And They Will Come”

from New England Dressage Association newsletter,

has won the award for Best General Interest Article

for a GMO with 500 or more members.

Congratulations:

The NEDA Education Committee

for the NEDA Know-How Series that has won the award for

the Best Creative GMO-Sponsored Program.

W A N T E D !

THE NEDA BOARD NEEDS YOU!

Year End Awards Coordinator

Our Year End Awards program is one of the most important

things we manage. We're looking for a Year End Awards

Coordinator to lead the existing team that runs the program

and banquet, including defining the criteria for awards,

budgeting, and coordinating the volunteers in charge of

things like tallying results and planning the banquet.

This role is a board position,

so you'll have a large part in shaping

what NEDA offers to members!

Contact: nominations@neda.org

Advertise!

BIZ CARD AS LOW

AS $50 FOR MEMBERS!

3.5” wide x 2” high

Member: $50 per issue

Non-Member: $65 per issue

Email: tipads@neda.org

Help us keep The Tip of the Hat financially

viable in print by advertising in it!


Let’s celebrate one of our official

photographers, Carole MacDonald

and these two adorable kids.

Jack and Sam Duffy driving their

pony, Shadow.

WE WANT YOU!

NEDA is looking for amateur photos

from our members for the TIP.

Photo credit: Gianna Avery

Great promo for your riding program

or boarding barn as there is a caption and

photo credit! PLUS we want to highlight

your students, staff and you.

Submit to: TipEditor@neda.org


MEMBER NEWS

to

Ode

Zoomie!

BY KRISTEN BECKER

If you read Ode to Zoomie, appearing in the Jan 2019 issue

of Tip, then you already have a passing familiarity with this superlative

Dutch Warmblood gelding, owned by Jocelyn Wiese

Beiswenger and trained by Pam Goodrich, who helped me complete

my bronze medal in 2018.

A couple of years later, Lamborghini – affectionately and appropriately

known as Zoomie – has now been my partner for my

silver medal rides as well. Already the veteran of 171 Grand Prix

tours and still possessing apparently unlimited alacrity, Zoomie

has long been the oldest horse in the barn and is still the spiciest.

When I arrived at Pam’s Foster Meadow Farm as a working

student in 2017, I already knew Zoomie’s name – so when I

became next in line to learn from the perennial schoolmaster, I

was surprised, appreciative, and frankly, overawed! I had never

ridden above second level and had little experience with any

movements above that. But I couldn’t have asked for a better

teacher, and during the 2020 winter show season in Loxahatchee,

Florida, I was privileged to ride my first FEI tests with

Zoomie showing me the way.

Though twenty-four years old, this enthusiastic competitor

could hardly wait to compete again – eating up the extra work,

he only got more dynamic the more test prep we did, knowing it

meant a horse show was on the horizon. Indeed, having enough

energy and power is never a challenge when it comes to showing

Zoomie; the moment we leave the warmup arena, his sense of

keenness and joy is almost palpable as it comes up through the

saddle and then the reins – finally time to go down centerline!

After completing my silver medal, I was inspired to dream

big, and, with the end of the season fast approaching, we set the

goal to attempt my first Intermediate One test in two and a half

weeks – lofty, considering I had only played around with two-tempis

and never attempted a three-way zig-zag. Less than three weeks

later, however, Zoomie won the class of twelve with 69.56%.

After several more months of schooling back at home in the

northeast, Zoomie was delighted to return to Green Mountain

Horse Association so I could attempt my first Intermediate Two

tests. Despite a few green-rider mistakes on my part, Zoomie’s

reliability and quality meant two qualifying scores, and better still,

he couldn’t have been happier – whether flinging his hooves in

extended trot across the diagonal or simply strutting around the

Zoomie pirouettee. Photo: Deanna Levesque

show grounds on his halter. He was in his element since he was sure

all eyes were solely on him.

Previously the winner of two Brentina Cups and the gold medal

mount for no less than three riders, this zesty, ebullient gelding is still

collecting accolades and still living up to his nickname daily as he approaches

his quarter-century birthday. Don’t tell him how old he is, because

the adage “age is just a number” was never exemplified better

than by our Zoomie!

Andris J. Kaneps

DVM, PhD, DACVS, DACVSMR

978-273-5479 cell

978-927-6404 office and fax

68 Grover Street

Beverly, MA 01915

www.kanepsequine.com

ajkaneps@kanepsequine.com

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MEMBER NEWS

Feel the Rhythm,

Feel the Rhyme,

Get on Up

It’s Dressage

Time! PART 2

BY CARLY COLLARI

“Have you seen the movie

Cool Runnings? The underdog

story about the bobsled team

from Jamaica that against

all odds competed in the

1988 Calgary Olympics.

Well, Topper and me,

we’re Jamaica.”

To be continued…

hen I left you last, Topper was

preparing for his second cross

country journey and I was hopping

on an airplane on my way to San Diego, CA,

Arroyo Del Mar, and US Olympian Steffen

Peters. I’ve had a lot of people ask me how I

got a job working for Steffen and Shannon

Peters, and the answer is really a lot easier

than one would think... I called. I was twentytwo

at the time and I operated with (and I

honestly still operate this way) a total disregard

for the impossible. When I decided

that Massachusetts was no longer for me,

and that I needed a to ride in a more competitive

atmosphere I google searched

Steffen’s number and I called asking for a

job. Of course, by this point I had already

sent a dozen emails with no response, each

one a bit more enthusiastic than the last.

Each one promising that my training level

self and my little Morgan companion were

bound for Olympic greatness. Twelve Emails.

No Response. Total disregard for the impossible.

I told my Dad “I’m going to call him.”

W


Trainers, especially those with international

and Olympic accolades had always

held this celebrity type status to me. I assumed

that someone as well known and

sought out as Steffen would surely let an unknown

number from the East coast go to

voicemail, so as it rang I planned to practice

what I would leave for a message. When he

picked up on the first ring I was speechless,

and stuttered my way about asking for a job

and bringing my pony to California, and the

twelve emails I had sent him, and that

‘NO’ was not in my repertoire of being so basically

I was coming to California and he

could figure out what to do with me when I

got there. What I didn’t know, and what was

explained to me was that Arroyo was a facility

shared my many trainers, and while he

didn’t need a working student, another

trainer was hiring. I jumped on it.

Left: Carly and Topper with their Jamaican Swag

Right: Jamaican Olympic Bobsledder Devon Harris

I moved to California blind. Wildly unprepared,

with Topper in tow. I had no place to

live, no car, a full time working student job

that guaranteed me only $300 a month

(which wouldn't even cover a third of Toppers

board.) but I got training, I got lessons, and

that was enough for me to figure out the rest.

I offered to do night checks for the other

grooms, I fed evening hay, and blanketed the

75 horses at the facility on more than one occasion.

I dog sat, house sat, and braided for

other riders at horse shows. I covered

Christmas and Thanksgiving for everyone.

The Peter’s gave me a trailer on farm to live

in. The other grooms started to help me out

and give me jobs body clipping for $100 a

horse. Topper lived off of my savings and I

lived off cup of noodles from the 711. Until

one of the grooms I had befriended quit her

job. She had been with the Peters for a long

time and felt it was time to move on to other

things. Four months of being in California,

blanketing horses, night checks, hay feeding,

braiding and body clipping had paid off. I had

worked for everyone doing everything I could

think of and when the Peters’ had an

opening, I was right there to take it.

I spent four years working for the Peters.

I rode Ravel, and Legolas92. I got to compete

my first Prix. St. George. I flew KLM cargo

with a horse named Mike Tyson, LAX to Amsterdam.

I traveled Europe by horse trailer,

saw Aachen, and went to World Cup in Las

Vegas. I started a training business. I taught

a little girl on a very naughty pony that was

built like a Dachshund, and like me, with a

total disregard for the impossible, they won

everything.

FEEL THE RHYTHM - cont’d

Allie and Pony Champion Joey

It wasn’t always easy, and money was

always tight and during some of these years

I had to lease Topper to make ends meet.

Other professionals started to ask me when

I was going to sell him. Now at 8, and a little

behind the curve, he was doing a competitive

second level, but was that enough? His

changes weren’t good enough. In fact, they

were no good at all. “Sell him.” they said.

“You need a better horse.” they said. “No.” I

said. “We’re Jamaica.”

As it turns out, not long after I chose to

move on from the Peters and got a job

working for Birthe Laufer by way of Christine

Traurig, I got word that my favorite sports

team of all time was making a comeback.

The Jamaicans had a bobsled team in the

Olympics! I was facing burnout, like

everyone does in this industry from time to

time and it was just the news I needed to pick

me up again. I wanted to support the team

and I also wanted something tangible to

hang onto as a reminder. The team had a

website, and all purchases went to support

the team. I splurged on a Jamaican Bobsled

Federation sweatshirt, and two months later

it still hadn’t shown up. I was bummed, less

that I was out the cash and more that I was

without a sweatshirt. I halfheartedly responded

to the email on my receipt asking if

they could send another, it turns out they

couldn’t, (misread orders and out of stock)

and that they were sorry and would refund

me right away. In my disappointment I told

them not to worry about it and that I wanted

them to keep the money to support the team.

I told them about Topper, about myself, about

how their team was my driving force for a lot

of things and that how in a dressage world of

classic simplicity, and traditional black and

white, everything I owned for my little

wonder-pony was green, black and gold.

What I didn’t know when I was telling this

story, was that the gentleman at the other

end of my email was none other than Devon

Harris. Mr. Harris was there. He was in

Calgary in 1988! Mr. Devon Harris, the first

Jamaican Bobsledder was answering my

email. He heard my story, and I don’t know if

he had a sixth sense for my burnout, but one

week later I got a surprise package in the

mail with all things Jamaica.

It took me a long time to find my footing

in California. It’s competitive, higher stakes

that where I had come from and it took me a

lot of years with Topper before I found

someone who was willing to take us seriously.

Birthe took us to new heights. Birthe

helped Topper and I nail the elusive flying

change and made a successful debut in the

open 3rd level! Moreover, she’s a wonderful

human being and a good friend. When things

got rough, and oh did they ever, she embraced

my love for Jamaica at its core and

joined my bobsled team.

Jamaica goes to Germany??! Hear about

it next month!


NEDA CALENDAR 2020

(Please keep checking the NEDA online calendar for latest COVID-19 updates)

DATE EVENT DESCRIPTION LOCATION

DEC

19 - 20 ▲ Gwyneth McPherson Clinic* Carbery Fields Farm, Lebanon, CT

*Partners in Education Program events offer

special discounts to NEDA members*

(Highlighted in yellow)

Like to see your event listed here?

Email edpartners1@neda.org

for more info!

Check www.neda.org for updates!

Email us about sponsorship opportunities!

sponsorship@neda.org


MEMBER NEWS

Young Riders Receive Grants

from TDF’s Cynthia Aspden Youth

and Young Adult Development Fund

October 22, 2020-

The Dressage Foundation (TDF) is pleased

to announce that grants from the Cynthia

Aspden Youth and Young Adult Development

Fund have been awarded to four

riders after receiving a record number of

grant applications.

TDF’s Cynthia Aspden Youth and Young

Adult Development Fund provides financial

assistance to youth and young adult riders

(age 25 and under) to aid in their development

in dressage. Grants are be used for

educational experiences that are not within

the horse and rider’s typical training plan.

The grant selection committee was pleased

to receive a record number of applications

and stated that the quality of the applicants

was exceptional. One committee member remarked

“With this many accomplished kids

applying, it makes me feel confident about

the future of dressage.”

Maren Fouché-Hanson, a 13-year-old

rider from Colbert, GA, has been awarded a

$1,000 grant to train with Gary Rockwell.

Maren said, “This grant will allow me to work

with Gary Rockwell and develop my new

horse from Dressage4Kids in the FEI Junior

division. Like Cynthia Aspden, I hold the care

and happiness of the horses as #1 and I will

continue my volunteer efforts to help others

succeed and grow in dressage.”

Sophia Chavonelle, a 20-year-old

rider from Windham, ME, has also been

awarded a $1,000 grant to take part in the

Dressage4Kids’ ninth annual Winter Intensive

Training program in Wellington, FL,

this winter.

Sophia said, “I am so grateful to The

Dressage Foundation for selecting me to be

a recipient of the Cynthia Aspden Fund

Grant! By attending the 2021 Dressage4Kids

Winter Intensive Training program, I will continue

to train at the Young Rider level with my

horse, W Spotlight, as well as learn new

horsemanship skills. This is sure to be a

winter I will never forget! Thank you, TDF!”

Annelise Klepper, a 15-year-old rider

from McCutchenville, OH, has been awarded

$500 to take lessons with Katherine

Bateson-Chandler while in Florida for the

winter season.

“I am so incredibly grateful to be receiving

this grant,” Annelise said. “The training it will

provide will be immensely helpful in

Wellington, especially in preparation for the

CDI circuit. My hopes for this season are to

compete in the PSG, and the Cynthia

Aspden Fund Grant allows me to supplement

my training and rock it in the show

ring! Thank you so much.”

Andie Sue Roth, a 15-year-old from

Alamo, CA, has also been awarded $500 to

continue training with Brenda Beare.

"I am so grateful to TDF for this very generous

grant. I have been working to get my

horse, Blue, up the levels in dressage so that

we can compete at the standard needed for

the USEF Paralympic Emerging and Developing

athlete lists, but I need extra training

on a horse who is confident at the higher

levels. That is where the beautiful "Exclusively

Sunny" comes in. Being able to extend

my training with Brenda and Sunny for another

month is invaluable as I am hoping to

compete in another para dressage competition

in Wellington in January. Thank you so

very much for this opportunity!”

The Cynthia Aspden Fund Grant application

is available on The Dressage Foundation’s

website with a deadline of September 1st of

each year. For more information about this

Sophia Chavonelle. Photo: Kristin Chavonelle

Fund, visit www.dressagefoundation.org

or contact Sara Weiss, Director of Grants

and Programs, at (402)434-8585 or

sara@dressagefoundation.org.

The Dressage Foundation

The Dressage Foundation is a 501(c)(3),

non-profit, tax-exempt, donor-driven organization

that is dedicated to educating, supporting,

and advancing the sport of

dressage. The organization solicits contributions,

appropriately allocates the donations,

and awards grants and scholarships to

dressage riders, judges, instructors,

breeders, high performance teams, and nonprofit

equestrian organizations.

For more information, please visit

www.dressagefoundation.org.


GENERAL INTEREST

Morsels

OF

Horse Information

BY BETH ANN CRONAN

“The Art of Horsemanship”

was written by Xenophon (430-ca. 335

BCE), a Greek. He is considered the “Father

of Classical Equitation”. This book is the first

known manual on training and riding the

horse. Xenophon was in the Greek Cavalry

and continued to train horses on the estate

given to him by the King of Sparta. He

differs from other ancient writers on the

horse in that he encouraged a mutual respect

between man and horse.

Having the ability to instantly respond to

an instructor’s request to “turn left” or “turn

right” is sometimes lost on a rider that is intently

concentrating on stretched legs,

tightened core, etc. Every rider has heard

the admonishment, “No! The other left!”

when they turned the opposite of the instruction.

This writer is one such rider. While

I was frustrating instructor, Olympian

Dorothy Morkis, with frequent left/right confusion,

Morkis offered a brilliant solution:

“Take ballroom dance lessons. If you can

learn your left and right while dancing backwards,

in high heels, you’ll know your left

and right while riding without having to think

about it.” Riding instruction direction no

longer requires any thought and the dance

skills impress at wedding receptions.

A horse that is having a colic episode

can still defecate (pass manure). Passing

manure is NOT a reliable indicator that the

colic has resolved. If the horse has experienced

a torsion, or twist, in either the small

or large intestine, any fecal matter already

in the intestines past the point of the torsion

in the intestine will be expelled.

A widely circulated post on many equine

Facebook pages stated that “opossums are

immune to rabies”. It is true that opossums

rarely get rabies due to their normal body

temperature of 94-97 degrees. The optimal

temperature for the rabies virus to flourish

is 98.6 to 104.9 degrees. Opossums are

beneficial around a barn because they eat

many pests including snails, insects, and

sometimes even small rodents. They do not

knock over garbage and grain barrels; they

leave that activity to the raccoons. Respect

opossums as you would any other wild

animal; leave them alone and do not force

it to be a pet.

Stringhalt causes an uncontrollable and

exaggerated movement of the digital extensor

muscles. It produces a very easily

distinguished hind leg movement where the

leg is snapped high toward the horse’s abdomen

and held there momentarily. Front

leg involvement does occur but is not

common in the classic type. Classic

stringhalt is a neurological disease of unknown

cause. Australian or temporary

stringhalt is caused by the ingestion of toxic

plants consumed in inadequate quality pastures

that have abundant weeds. It is not

limited to Australia and outbreaks have occurred

in many continents. This type frequently

affects both front and hind legs as

well as the laryngeal nerves in the throat.

While a horse usually recovers from an

episode of Australian Stringhalt in 6 to 12

months or more, the damage to the laryngeal

nerves may render the horse a

“roarer”. This interferes with the horse’s

breathing and may limit its athletic ability.

Despite its training concepts having a

much earlier origin, dressage was not labeled

as “dressage” until 1936 according to

Etymology Dictionary. Dressage was defined

as “a skilled form of horseback riding performed

in exhibitions and competitions, “from

French dressage, from dresser "to train, drill".

Middle English had dress (v.) in the sense of

"to train or break in" a horse or other animal

(c. 1400), but its usage died out.

You feed your horse a treat and when he

reaches open-mouthed for it, you are surprised

to see his teeth are black. While you

still consult a veterinarian or equine dentist,

first examine his tongue. If his tongue is

also black, the pigment staining could be

caused by pasture grasses (perennial

bromegrass) and/or fluoride or sulfur in his

drinking water.


MORSELS - cont’d

The Training Pyramid referred to in

dressage training was not created by an individual

but was training theory a German

Calvary manual, “Heeresdienstvorschrift

H.Dv. 1912.” (The “German Training Scale”

is a term that started being used in the

1950s.) The manual outlined the principles,

goals, and a detailed training plan for developing

a military mount. These concepts are

still used around the world for training and

riding and form the basis of judging

dressage competitions. Google search displayed

568,000 websites referring to the

term “Training Pyramid.”

There are some splashy colored entries

in modern dressage arenas. US Gran Prix

Champion mare Adiah, is ¾ Friesian and ¼

Dutch Warmblood. She also has brilliant

flashy chestnut pinto

coat color. But do not

think Paint is her breed.

According to the

American Paint Horse

Association, “…most

Paints are Pintos, not all

Pintos are Paints. The

APHA breed promotes

color, but also preserves

the western

stock horse bloodlines. This makes a Paint

horse a breed and not a color. A pinto horse

refers to a horse that has a coat consisting

of large patches of white and any other color.

…Pinto is a term that describes a color.”

In his October 2019 article, “Diagnosing

and Treating Splints,” published in The

Horse, Fred Nostrant, DVM explained that

splint bones are metacarpal and metatarsal

bones. They are found on both sides of the

horse’s cannon bone from the knee

(carpus) to just above the fetlock. Splint

bones are remnants of prehistoric toes and

are the anatomic equivalent of the human

index and ring finger.

Beth Ann Cronan has an extensive collection

of antique and modern books on

the horse. Do you have a horse related

question or are curious as to the origin of

something “horsey”? Feel free to email

her at cronanba@gmail.com.

An excerpt from the “I Would Not Believe

It If I Did Not See It” File: A rider dismounted

their petite mare immediately after exiting

the out gate following their dressage test but

neglected to “run up” the stirrups. The rider

intently watched the video of her test with

her trainer, the petite mare standing quietly

next to her. The mare kicked forward with

her right hind leg toward some insect that

was biting her side. The toe of her hoof went

into the stirrup. There may have been some

form of a toe-clip on the shoe because the

hoof became stuck to the stirrup. The little

mare stood stoically, as if she had been in

this 3-legged horse situation before. Ridiculously

calm, the mare wiggled her hoof

loose before anyone else noticed her

predicament.


YOUTH CORNER

Greetings

AND WELCOME TO THE

holiday season!

As the days grow shorter,

darker, and colder, I hope you are

finding ways to keep warm and have

fun with your horse!

Are you participating in

“No-Stirrups November?”

Send us a picture! In the meantime, I hope

you enjoy this year’s final Youth Corner.

Stay warm, stay safe, and see you in 2021!

Photo shoot with Gianna Avery.

FAB

Photo

Gianna!

I got in a photoshoot with the talented photographer

Gianna Avery before the leaves fell off the trees. Did

you get any pictures taken of you and your horse this

year? Send them in!

Are you a dedicated, determined young

dressage rider of any levels, age 25 or

younger?

Consider applying to join

Dressage4Kid’s TEAM program!

CALLING ALL PHOTOGRAPHERS!

Do you have great pictures, like the one above right,

from around the barn? Would you like to see them in

print? We would love to use them! Send your pictures

to youth@neda.org

CALLING ALL YOUNG RIDERS!

We need more interviewees! Are you a youth rider

interested in dressage? Do you want to learn more about

what NEDA has to offer you? Send us your questions or

ideas for what you would like to see here! Email

youth@neda.org

Founded by Olympian Lendon

Gray, D4K’s mission statement is

"to encourage riders under 21 to become

true horsemen; to offer scholarships; to develop

good sportsmanship; to support programs for

adults who in turn educate youth; to have fun,"

and they do just that! From the TEAM program

and clinics to the annual Youth Dressage Festival

in New York, D4K offers seemingly endless opportunities

for riders all around the country. Visit

dressage4kids.org for more information.


YOUTH CORNER

?

C H A T T I N G

Tessa

Holloran

Who are you, and where in Region 8 are you from?

My name is Tessa Holloran I am 16 years old and I am from

Pepperell, MA.

How long have you been riding and how did you get started

in dressage? I have been riding for 13 years. I was introduced

to dressage at a young age because my neighbor owned a barn

where they did dressage. My mom used to ride when she was

little so we always would go over and visit the horses. Orintha

Silva was the trainer at the barn at the time and one day her

husband Phil showed up to the barn and told my parents they

had to come see what he had on the trailer. He brought a little

white pony all the way from Florida and my parents couldn’t

resist the cuteness and I got my first pony and fell in love with

the sport ever since.

Why or how did you choose dressage as your riding

discipline? Since the barn I grew up at was a dressage barn

I always had the opportunity to watch the upper level horses

and thought that the movements looked like so much fun.

If you were to compete in any other discipline, what would

it be? I would be interested in jumping. It has always looked fun

to me and I feel like I would really enjoy it.

What has dressage taught you? Dressage has definitely taught

me a lot. It has taught me to be grateful for the opportunities I

have had and the horses I have been able to work with over the

years. Currently my horse just turned 6 and me only being 16 we

are teaching each other. I have learned to have a lot of patience

for the horses and that sometimes when things aren’t going that

well it’s ok to take a break and maybe go on a hack. It has taught

me to have fun with the horses whether it’s perfecting a new

movement or galloping through a field. But I think the most important

thing is the amount of dedication this sport takes. Not a

lot of people know how much time and training goes into

dressage and I have learned to take in every minute of it.

What is your favorite event in the NEDA Calendar?

My favorite event on the NEDA calendar is the Symposium and

Continued →

Tessa Holloran. Photo: Lily Forado

Are you a youth involved

in NEDA?

Are you a parent or coach

of a young dressage rider?

Contact us!

Youth Coordinator: Bobbi Carleton

bobbicarleton@aol.com

or Youth Liaison: Sophia Chavonelle

Are you following us?

Instagram @region8dressage

Facebook “USDF Region 8 Youth”


YOUTH CORNER - cont’d

the Banquet for year-end

awards. It is always fun to

see familiar faces who share

the same love for our sport.

Have you taken advantage

of any of the scholarships

NEDA offers? If so, which?

I have taken advantages of

scholarships. In 2018 I was

truly fortunate to receive the

Jr/Yr scholarship which I used

towards training.

My horse in three words is:

loving, goofy, destructive

NEDA is important to me

because it provides many

opportunities for the youth

in the sport and many

educational events.

Dressage to me is a very

special bond between a horse

and rider that no one else could

understand except for them.

If I’m not at the barn,

I’m doing schoolwork or

playing with my dogs.

I couldn’t live without

family and friends and my

horse.

Something most people

don't know about me is

I’m a varsity track and crosscountry

runner. Currently we

are in the cross-country

season, so I have been juggling

riding, school and

running. It has been a lot with

my barn being an hour away

but somehow,

I manage to make it work with

the help from my parents and

flexibility of my trainer.

Anything else you would

like our readers to know?

Take any opportunity that

comes your way!

Thank you, Tessa, for

answering our questions!

Are you interested in being

interviewed for the Youth

Corner? Send us an email!

youth@neda.org

Are you a youth rider

interested in dressage and

LOVE our new Youth Corner?

Want to know

what NEDA has put

in place for you?

Want to become

one of our

highlighted riders?

Have ideas, comments

or questions about

Youth Corner?

Email us: youth@neda.org

Fiona Perreault. Photo: Jesse Klein

W A N T E D !

THE NEDA BOARD NEEDS YOU!

Nominations Manager

The Nominations Manager will be responsible

for identifying and recruiting candidates to be

presented to the NEDA Board for any Board

vacancies, prepare annual ballot, maintain

accurate job descriptions and other information

required to fill vacancies, etc. Email for full job

descriptions and details

This role is a board position, so

you'll have a large part in shaping

what NEDA offers to members!

Contact: nominations@neda.org


NEDA EDUCATIONAL

SCHOLARSHIPS

NEDA members please take note -

Scholarships are currently available

for qualified applicants...

that could be you!

The next deadline for scholarship

applications is April 1st!

To receive an application or an

informational brochure about the

Scholarship Program. Go to:

http://www.neda.org/?page=SCHMAIN

Amy Bresky

Scholarship Chairman

3403 Youngs Rd., Southern Pines, NC 28387

Phone: (978) 270-3880

E-mail: scholarships@neda.org

Don’t Miss the Deadline!

EDUCATION

NEDA

Know-

How

WEEKLY WEBINAR

SERIES

"I have a better appreciation

for the amount of education

that goes into a judge's job!!!"

As a warm weather fan, I'm always sad to

see summer pass, and this year is no exception.

With none of the usual summer

events to mark its passing, it’s become

simply a parade of webinars for me, and I'm

thankful to have them to look forward to.

It looks like we at NEDA are not the only

fans of our little series- we just received word

today that NEDA Know How has been

awarded the United States Dressage Federation's

award for the Best Creative GMO-

Sponsored Program! We are thrilled and

thankful to hear the USDF also recognizes

our series because of its innovative birth, its

benefit to so many of our members, the diverse

content of our presentations, and the

"I have a page

of notes to

review with

my trainer."

level of service to our membership. Again, I

will thank all who chimed in week after week

to help make this series better- this award

would not have come to NEDA without your

help! Speaking of- I would love to share

some comments from our feedback that

have made me smile over the weeks.

“

Even though I don't ride at this

level these sessions are so helpful

to me. Watching these upper level

riders inspires me to improve. I

really like the commentary as the

ride is happening. Really learning

what to feel... and, how absolutely

important not skipping levels is to

the development of the horse and

rider. "Don't skip the hard parts"! I

am a visual learner, this has been

great! Thank you!

“

I watched it from an instructor stand

point, to try to help students along

in a more positive fashion! It was very

helpful and I have to say, the following

day I had a conversation with a student

on how she's been thinking about her

riding etc.....a light went on for her that

very day with huge success!!! Thank you

so much for your terrific knowledge

on mental direction!!!

"As a scribe, who will

never be ready for musical

freestyles, I was delighted to

be able to join the session

and re-connect with

horse people and horse

language - while I cannot

ride due to the virus."

“

I watched with my

daughters who are

just beginning showing.

While the tips on each

test were very useful,

my 11-year-old pointed

out about halfway through

the webinar that “wow,

judges aren’t so scary

after all”. Being able to

see [the judge] and realize

she’s a real (and

funny) person was great

for the mental aspect of

showing. Judges aren’t

just scary specters in

the box. So thank you

for that unexpected

benefit!

“

In closing, I'll share on behalf of the

planning committee that we have decided to

continue NEDA Know How on a weekly

basis through the winter months, so no

matter where you're headed for the winter

keep us on your radar. A hint of some of

what’s to come: USEF drug regulatory updates,

equine assisted therapy, buying a

sport horse, and many more. We very much

look forward to seeing you all on Thursday!

Best,

Dawn

Dawn Mackenzie, Membership Coordinator

on behalf of the NEDA Know-How planning

committee.


STALLION PADDOCK


STALLION PADDOCK


STALLION PADDOCK


STALLION PADDOCK


STALLION PADDOCK

Become

a NEDA

Volunteer

Join us

and become

the engine for

New England

Dressage.

JOIN US EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT

FOR OUR NEDA KNOW-HOW

WEBINAR SERIES!

Check out www.NEDA.org

and click on Support NEDA


Tip of the Hat

New England Dressage

Association

87 Henry Rd

North Yarmouth, ME 04097

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

NEDA is a Group Member Organization of USDF.

Our members are automatically USDF Group members.

NEDA Hosts

Region 8:

NEDA is a USDF member and all

GMO members are automatically

USDF Group Members

Become a NEDA

Volunteer

Join us and become the engine for

New England dressage.

Check out www.NEDA.org

and click on Support NEDA

FOR THE 19TH YEAR, MOUNTAIN HORSE IS THE OFFICIAL

SPONSOR OF THE NEDA 2020 YEAR-END AWARDS.

NEDA A Tip of the Hat Nov-Dec 2020

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