NEDA A Tip of the Hat January 2021

DRESSAGE FOUNDATION NEWS
Michelle Velasco
RECEIVES HER
CENTURY CLUB AWARD
NEDA Offers Congratulations to New Member
of The Dressage Foundation’s Century Club
l Team #473-Michelle Velasco
and Copper Chancellor
l Ages 68 & 32
l Combined Age: 100
C
opper Chancellor and I feel honored to have
made it into the Century Club. I first heard about
the Century Ride through Betty Stitch (rider #15)
in the mid 80’s. Betty was the treasurer of the local
dressage club in Jacksonville, Florida where I landed after
graduation from Auburn University Veterinary College. We
shared the same classical Dressage trainer, Kathy Daly.
Kathy introduced me to dressage and matched me up
with my first horse, a little grey Arab named Mr. Nabask.
When he passed away, I traded my Anglo Arab yearling
that I had gotten to bring along for his half-brother Copper
Chancellor.
Michelle Velasco and Copper Chancellor.
They completed USDF Training Level Test 1 on November 20, 2020 to become
The Dressage Foundation Century Club Member #473.
The Dressage Foundation Century Club
The Century Club, formed in 1996 at the suggestion of Dr. Max
Gahwyler, recognizes dressage riders and horses whose combined
ages total 100 years or more. In addition to having ages totaling
100 or more, horse and rider perform a dressage test of any level
and are scored by a dressage judge. The intent was to encourage
older dressage riders to remain active in the sport. Since that time,
the Century Club has grown into a meaningful and popular endeavor
and has over 470 members to-date.
The Dressage Foundation is a 501(c)(3), non-profit, tax-exempt,
donor-driven organization that is dedicated to supporting and advancing
the sport of dressage. The organization solicits contributions, appropriately
allocates the donations, and awards grants and scholarships to
dressage riders of all ages and levels. For more information, please
visit www.dressagefoundation.org.
Chance was a full Arabian who was 2½ and already
started with his groundwork. He was great on the ground
but more of a challenge than my first mount. Chance was
a forward, talented mover with a tendency to buck and a
very quick spook. I was younger then, and we worked
most of our issues out with the help of Kathy, but he was
always quick to point out my mistakes (especially in the
Dressage arena). We showed with some success and
spent lots of time trail riding. He had a huge ground covering
walk that required most other horses to trot frequently
just to keep up with him. We spent many years
trying to put together second level and while he was great
at home, my show nerves usually got us in the ring. One
of my happiest days was when we got our first 60% at
second level towards my bronze medal. Chance always
wanted me to be perfect.
Ten years ago, Chance had a tumor in his groin area
removed which turned out to be malignant. He underwent
3 chemotherapy treatments at the University of Florida including
full general anesthesia each time. I figured that
he would not be with me much longer after that, but he
not only survived, but came back as good as new. He has
been a great teacher, and much kinder in his 3rd decade.
I promised him retirement from Dressage showing after
this weekend but not sure he is ready to quit riding.
January 2021 NEDA.ORG TIP OF THE HAT 5