NEDA A Tip of the Hat February 2022

N E D A ’ S A W A R D W I N N I N G m A G A z I N E
ATip of the Hat
February 2022

As I write this, 2022 is just a few
hours old. I would love to say that
2021 took the pandemic, hatred,
poverty, climate crises, social
unrest, and political strife with it but, alas, that’s
not the case. Recognizing that my letter of a
year ago wished for renewed healing across
our realms of life, I’ll withhold the pixie dust. It
didn’t work then and, fearing being labelled
crazy, I’ll assume it won’t work this time either.
Instead, let me tell you about Anthony
Doerr’s Cloud Cuckoo Land, a novel that made
it on to the New York Times 2021 Notable
Books list and was a finalist for the 2021 National
Book Award. At first, I thought the book
weird. And it is. But as I got into it, I could not
stop reading. It took me a while to catch on to
the masterful weaving of the story across a tapestry
of times and places that ties people together
because of their shared love of a book.
It brings the past forward into the present,
latching it to a future, through the eyes of
children. It enticingly speaks to past, present,
future; to interconnectivity; to resilience. I hear
you, now what is she rambling on about?
As I think about the next year for NEDA,
Cloud Cuckoo Land serves as a metaphor.
NEDA has a rich history—this year we will be
celebrating our 50th anniversary! NEDA was
incorporated in 1972. It grew out of a trip by
several equestriennes who had the opportunity
to attend the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City and
watch the dressage competition. They returned
to New England determined to learn
more about the sport. They connected with a
handful of riders training in dressage, hosted
informal clinics, practiced test rides, and put on
small shows at the lower levels. When they
formed NEDA in 1972, there were about 40
members. Dressage was growing in popularity,
and other organizations began to spring up
across the country. The USDF was formed in
1973 with NEDA as a founding member. From
its early years, NEDA had a focus on education
and brought in clinicians from all over the world
to teach its members about both the art and
sport of dressage. The education was put to
the test in the competitions that NEDA organized,
and the news and events were
shared with members through The Salute and
the Tip of the Hat.
Today we are an organization of 1,200+
members and USDF’s largest single-chapter
GMO. We have created a portfolio of significant
educational activities and competitions. We
publish the OPL, seen in the hands of folks at
every competition, and are proud of our awardwinning
articles in the TIP. We support the
pipeline of USDF “L” judges through our Judge
Education program. We have brought the
world’s top riders/trainers to our symposia. We
host the NEDA Region 8 Championship and
Fall Festival; a talked-about event of the year.
And so much more.
But the future will look different. The pandemic
has caused financial hardships across
the globe: NEDA was among the organizations
that suffered increased costs, decreased revenues,
and loss of membership. New options
for education and competition are enjoying
support—the NEDA Know-How virtual education
series is a prime example. We have partnered
with Ridely to offer online support of your
dressage training and education. We are exploring
the option of virtual shows to provide
members unable to leave their barns to get
valuable feedback from top judges. Yet, because
of decreased revenues, we are struggling
to cover the administrative and
member-benefit costs of the organization. Iris
As the Board ponders our past, present,
and future, we too weave a tapestry of experiences,
expertise, ideas, possibilities, uncertainties,
and perspectives. We are not always
sure where to go or how to get there. The debates
are passionate. Sometimes the best we
can do is try different approaches to see what
works. But one thing is certain, things must
change. We cannot maintain the status quo or
we will not survive, and that is not an option.
What we do know is that we have a dedicated
Board, committed to carrying the NEDA torch
into the next half-century and beyond. We also
need your input. If you have ideas, please let
us know. We need your voices and participation
in laying out the future direction of the organization.
If you have some time please volunteer;
if you have an interest in working within the organization,
consider a board or committee position.
Most of all, we need your willingness and
open mindedness to accept change – just as
we are doing on the board. For any of these,
you can contact an event manager or a Board
Executive. Please speak with us, your voice
matters. NEDA does not operate as it did fifty
years ago, nor will it look the same fifty years
from now. The one thing that has not, and will
not change, is our commitment to our members
and our mission:
to promote and support the Art and Sport
of Dressage to the equestrian community
for the purpose of fostering individual and
collective growth by providing leadership,
education, exhibitions, publications,
competitions and to enhance greater
public awareness, understanding, and
appreciation for the discipline of Dressage.
Call me crazy, but here’s the pixie dust. May
2022 bring you and all those you love, health,
peace, and joy.
Cheers
Iris
PRESIDENt’S PAGE
NEDA is a
Group Member
Organization of USDF.
Our members are
automatically USDF
Group members.
February 2022 NEDA.ORG TIP OF THE HAT 3

A Tip of the Hat
Contents:
3 President’s Page
n Education News
5 NEDA Fall Symposium 2021
with Johann Hinnemann: Part 2
11 Book Review: Ute Graf’s Effortless
Dressage Program
12 NEDA 2022 Stallion Auction
12 Rider Fitness Goes Online and
NEDA Member Goes with It
14 NEDA Know-How Info
15 Book Review Choke: What the secrets
of the brain reveal...
n Competition News
16 Congratulations to NEDA Members
Earning these USDF Awards 2021
18 Congratulations to NEDA Members
on Their Placings in the 2021 USDF
Year End Standings
19 Scholarship Info
20 NEDA Katherine McHugh Perpetual
Trophy Winner
21 2021 NEDA Year End Awards Pony
n Sport Horse News
22 USDF Breeder of Distinction Awards
23 Broadfields 121 NEDA Dressage
Sport Horse Breeding HIgh Score
Perpetual Trophy
n Membership News
24 Hope Cooper Trains in Germany Cont’d
25 Meet Helen van der Voort
25 Membership Benefits
26 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
memberentry@neda.org
A TIP OF THE HAT ADVERTISING
Classified ads must be submitted to the Advertising
Editor via email in plain text (.txt) or word (.doc).
Display ads and photos may be submitted via email
to the Advertising Editor. Ads must be high resolution,
press ready PDFs with all images and fonts embedded
or high resolution TIF, JPG or EPS, MS Word doc templates
are available for your use at neda.org and can be
converted to PDFs.
All ads must be submitted to the Advertising Editor.
Contact: Angela Prenosil,
413-627-2699 ▲tipads@neda.org
NEDA 2022 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
Secretary:
Heather Stone
617-480-8077
secretary@neda.org
Treasurer:
Cathy Liston
207-572-6124
treasurer@neda.org
COORDINATORS
and MANAGERS
Education Coordinator and
Judge Education Manager:
Karen Roberts
413-478-5671
education@neda.org
Judge Education Facilitator:
Karry Brothers
518-768-1233
judgeed@neda.org
Symposium Organizer:
Beth Beukema
508-320-6549
fallsym@neda.org
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
Awards Coordinator:
Cathy Liston
awards@neda.org
Year-End Awards:
Viviane Pilicy
yea@neda.org
Follow us!
@NEDAdressage
#NEDAdressage
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
Board Recruitment:
Open
volunteer@neda.org
Ombudsman:
Lainey Johnson
978-568-0523
ombudsman@neda.org
Member-at-Large:
memberatlarge@neda.org
Leslie de Grandmaison
603-759-4642
Sara Carlisle
978-853-8163
Public Relations Coordinator:
Krista Nordgren
207-749-6643
pr@neda.org
Photography:
Carole MacDonald
508-366-7886
photo@neda.org
A TIP OF THE HAT
TIP Editor:
Angela Prenosil
413-627-2699
TipEditor@neda.org
Graphic Design:
June Evers
845-294-0656
jevers@warwick.net
TIP Advertising:
Angela Prenosil
413-627-2699
tipads@neda.org
USDF REGION 8
Regional 8 Director:
Helen van der Voort
region8dir@usdf.org
Regional Youth Coordinator:
Bobbi Carleton
bobbicarleton@aol.com
ADDITIONAL CONTACTS
& OFF-BOARD ROLES
Membership Services:
Tammy Paparella
978-257-1374
region8dir@usdf.org
Summer Show Manager:
Paul Cormier
508-995-5988; 508-847-2931
springshow@neda.org
Northeast Region OPL:
Jennifer Dillon
opl@neda.org
Scholarships:
Amy Bresky
978-270-3880
scholarships@neda.org
Partners in Education Tier 1:
Angela Prenosil
413-627-2699
edpartners1@neda.org
Accountant:
Carol Gordon
774-225-8878
accountant@neda.org
Youth Liaison:
Josie DeChaine
413-464-4911
youth@neda.org
NEDA Stallion Auction, Recruitment:
Open
stallionrecruit@neda.org
NEDA Stallion Auction:
Amy Riley
stallionauction@neda.org
Cover: Finley Peterson with Mystic Max
Photo: Susan Stickle
4 TIP OF THE HAT NEDA.ORG February 2022

NEDA Fall Symposium 2021
with Johann Hinnemann
October 23 & 24, 2021
at Bear Spot Farm, Concord, MA
PART TWO
Prix St. George
A
PART ONE FEATURED IN JANUARY 2022
BY GINA DAILEY
fter each day’s lunch break,
Ashley Madison was the first
rider. We were treated to
watching her ride Carol Lippa’s
Bellissimo son Bella Mondo (“Bob”). The gorgeous
gelding immediately showed the elastic
and expressive gaits of a top-class horse. He
was exciting to watch and displayed a character
matching his athleticism.
In the trot half pass, as with several of the
other horses, Jo wanted Ashley to come out of
the corner, pick her line, turn onto that line, and
then add the bend (haunches-in with Bob’s
head facing the destination point). Most important
is the trot quality: first the rhythm, then
the forwardness.
In the extended walk, Jo said that the neck
should get lower but not too low nor behind the
bit. The horse should look like he is eager to
get to the end of the diagonal (or long side).
They then moved on to half steps, first asking
from the walk and then from the trot. You need
to keep the forward sense at all times, because
you can’t half halt if you don’t have the forwardness.
The eventual goal is to be able to
accordion from half steps to piaffe to half steps
and to be able to control each step.
Jo mentioned that it’s a luxury having a
horse like Bob who wants to go forward. The
rider must, however, be sure that the horse
responds to the rebalancing aids. Bob’s trot
is very good, with an excellent hind leg, and
Jo complimented Ashley on her ability to influence
the trot with her seat. She needs to
do the same in the canter, which can be improved
by using the canter pirouette. For the
pirouettes, they started with working pirouettes
around Jo, asking Bob to really bend his
hocks. Ashley then rode an almost on-thespot
collected canter, transitioning to piaffe—
Ashley Madison on Bella Mondo
Jo says it’s all the same collection. When they
did a similar exercise the next day, Jo reminded
everyone of how important it is when
working at home to be very careful to feel
when the horse is getting tired, because that’s
when tendons can get injured.
Jo had Ashley and Bob finish with one of
the exercises that he used for SanSi: cantering
on the centerline and going forward for two
strides, collecting, going forward again, collecting,
doing a half pirouette, and then going
back in the opposite direction and repeating.
After several repetitions, Jo asked Ashley to
circle and let Bob canter long and low to finish
the session.
On the second day, Jo had Ashley work on
very steep canter half passes to help her get
the feel of the haunches being truly under the
horse, always with a walk and pat as soon as
they reached the long side. Bob’s canter left is
better, but the steep half pass is harder for him
to the left because he’s not strong enough. Jo
had Ashley ride a shallower half pass in this direction
to keep the integrity of the canter.
Ashley gamely complied when Jo then asked
her to cross her stirrups for some flying
changes, which Jo said would let her better feel
how to make the changes more expressive.
When they moved on to the canter zig-zag,
Jo was not satisfied with the flying changes and
the second half passes, so he had Ashley ride
a circle around him in haunches-in while he
used an in-hand whip to get Bob’s inside hind
leg more active and his hocks bending more.
The rider must be sure that the bend and
flexion are there, and should only do five or six
strides, walk, and repeat. Once again, Jo emphasized
the need to give the horse a chance
to breathe.
On the first day, Ashley rode passage from
piaffe, but on the second day Jo had her try it
from walk. He said that’s one of the most difficult
exercises, because you are going from a
gait which has no impulsion to the movement
with the most impulsion. Bob had not done
passage transitions from walk before and got
a bit excited at first, lifting his head and
breaking into canter several times. Jo emphasized
keeping everything simple for him;
thinking just walk to trot, letting Bob relax, then
collecting the walk and asking him to go
forward to passage.
Intermediare
David Collins on Shengli
David Collins rode his handsome chestnut
gelding Shengli. Shengli is light on his feet, ath-
Continued →
February 2022 NEDA.ORG TIP OF THE HAT 5
EDUCAtION NEWS
Photos: Carole MacDonald

letic, and very keen about his work. David and
Shengli are competing at I-1 and schooling I-
2. Jo said that a horse competing at this level
should be a little rounder. He suggested using
the snaffle rein more and keeping the curb rein
looser. At the start of the warmup, Jo said that
Shengli should use his back more and get his
withers up. With Jo’s help, Shengli improved
throughout the session.
While David worked on many short diagonals
at both trot and canter, Jo emphasized
the use of the bend in the corner and being
careful about when to change the bend. As with
many of the previous riders, Jo had David work
on trot-canter-trot transitions on a circle but
added leg yielding out during the downward
transitions to make the transitions smoother.
For the canter-walk-canter work on a circle, Jo
wanted more snaffle rein. Next they brought
the circle smaller at the canter, flexing to the
inside and bringing the haunches in, while
being sure to keep the front end on the line of
the circle.
David next worked on short diagonals in
the canter with no flying change at the end. Jo
had David stay in counter-canter and keep the
canter small to help get the hind legs under the
horse. In a good flying change, it should feel
like the bascule of a show jumper. As David
had been a show jumper in Europe, he appreciated
that comment, because the way Jo had
David’s horse cantering did in fact remind him
of a jumper’s bascule. Jo asked “It’ a different
canter for you now, yes?” and was met with
David’s emphatic “Yes!” When they moved on
to four-tempi changes, Shengli threw in some
two-tempis. Jo said he might be getting a bit
tired from all the work on going rounder, so they
stopped for the day.
On the second day, Jo was pleased with
how Shengli started out. The horse seemed
to be picking up from where they had left off
the previous day and already was moving
better. They worked again on the trot-cantertrot
transitions on the circle, with Jo wanting
to see a visible half halt before the upward
transitions. Jo noted that more outside rein
contact was needed so that the horse’s spine
follows the line of the circle. They moved on
to cantering on the centerline. Jo was not satisfied
with Shengli’s first turn onto the center
line, and he explained that during the turn
David should think of shoulder-in and push
the haunches out.
When working on medium and extended
trot on the diagonal, Jo emphasized the importance
of not allowing the horse to raise his neck
and lower his back as he lengthens. David and
Shengli also worked on Jo’s familiar exercise
of haunches-in on the long side before the trot
half pass, with Jo noting that you can’t get
shoulder freedom without hind-end activity.
When asked about the piaffe work, David
said that he usually starts in hand. He dismounted
and fastened the outside rein to the
girth, to Jo’s approval. Jo usually employs side
reins to serve the same purpose and said that
too often he sees people working in hand with
very loose reins and they can’t keep the horse
straight. Once David started the piaffe work, Jo
instructed him to concentrate on the rhythm
first, then to allow a little bit of forward
movement. When David remounted, Jo had
him trot first before helping with the piaffe from
the ground. He encouraged David to keep his
upper body a little bit forward to get the weight
off the horse’s back, enabling Shengli to swing
more freely through his back.
When David and Shengli returned to the
canter work, Jo emphasized the need to
create power in the canter for the pirouettes
and the flying changes. In the tempi changes,
one should renew the canter between each
change. To create the increased power, Jo
had them work on haunches-in on the circle
and also canter circles with the canter almost
on the spot.
Grand Prix
Bobbi Carleton rode Roxanne Bok’s Espumante,
a lovely, super elastic, and plucky
grey Lusitano with a lot of heart. During their
warmup, Jo said that the trot needed to be
more rhythmical and cadenced. He said it had
taken him a long time to understand cadence
and was enlightened after reading a judge’s
comment that Jo’s horse “just turns the
shavings.” Jo said that Bobbi’s horse needed
to march, lift his legs and nearly passage,
showing more swing. Once you get lift and cadence,
you can ask him to go more forward but
only to the extent that he can still maintain the
cadence. To develop more cadence, Jo had
them work on trot leg yields across the arena.
Because the canter departures needed to
be more uphill, Jo had Bobbi work on transitions
between collected canter and canter-onthe-spot
on the long side and then on the
centerline. He explained that in the Grand Prix
HINNEMANN- cont’d
Bobbi Carleton with Espumante
Photo: Carole MacDonald
test, the canter centerline accounts for five
marks (two for each pirouette and one for the
flying change in between), so you really need
to have the control that the canter-on-the-spot
teaches you. He also pointed out that you can’t
school a thousand pirouettes, but it’s okay to
school lots of canter-on-the-spot.
In the piaffe, Jo told Bobbi to be careful not
to let Espumante drop his neck. It’s okay to
compromise and let the neck get a little bit
short so long as the poll is the highest point. He
had them piaffe, go a little bit forward, piaffe
again, and repeat several times. The horse
started to relax and breathe. Jo advised Bobbi
to think almost rein back in the piaffe so that
the horse doesn’t go forward when she’s not
asking him to. In the passage, he said that her
horse needed to go more forward but not too
Continued →
February 2022 NEDA.ORG TIP OF THE HAT 7

HINNEMANN- cont’d
much. He also recommended the use of lots of
halts during piaffe and passage to give the
horse a chance to breathe. The passage improved
and the horse was quicker to get into
the rhythm and able to stay there a bit longer,
but Jo cautioned not to do more than six or
seven strides at a time so that the horse remains
relaxed.
On the second day, they started the session
in canter (Bobbi had already trotted outside in
the warm-up arena) and right away had a
much more energetic and better canter than
the previous day. They worked on medium
canter and followed with tempi changes, which
Jo noted were starting to come through the
horse’s back much better. They did the basic
canter-walk-canter work on the circle and Jo
said that when Bobbi does this at home, she
should be sure to get the correct canter each
time so that the horse develops the right
muscles. To help improve the canter, they
worked on a canter circle, halt (or two tiny walk
strides, which seemed to work better for this
pair), then into canter-on-the-spot.
Bobbi practiced the extended canter exercise
several times, where she transitioned to
walk before finishing the diagonal. Jo said they
should do their extensions this way at home
and work on extensions in between collected
work. Jo said that Espumante, in particular,
needs this exercise since he likes to get strong
and come against the rider’s hand. Likewise,
in the half pirouettes he tries to take over and
do full pirouettes, so it’s important to control the
movement and break it down into quarter
pirouettes, then a quarter plus a half pirouette,
and ultimately a full pirouette. While working on
walk pirouettes, Jo noted the importance of
controlling the neck to help the hind end.
For the piaffe work, they started in walk, did
two steps of piaffe, walked, did two steps of
piaffe, etc. This was much more relaxed than
the piaffe work the previous day. To help keep
the piaffe relaxed, they also did half steps,
maintaining the relaxation, then into piaffe, with
a relaxed walk in between each attempt. Jo
was pleased with the second day’s piaffe work,
commenting that as he had expected the
knees were no longer up too high, and the
horse’s hocks were no longer out behind him.
At various points throughout the symposium,
especially when the horse in the ring
was taking a walk break, Jo shared other
8 TIP OF THE HAT NEDA.ORG February 2022
training tips. He discussed the different types
of trot: working trot where the hind feet should
step into the footprints of the front feet, collected
trot where they step behind the footprints
of the front, and medium or extended
trot where the hind feet step beyond the footprints
of the front feet.
Jo talked about the importance of the rider
having supple wrists. If you press your thumbs
down flat against the reins and your index
finger (as so many riders are taught to do), it
makes your wrist stiff. Instead, you should
press the tip of your thumb against your index
finger and keep the thumb joint bent.
On a more global point, Jo said that riders
should be willing to make mistakes. For example,
push for more activity in the walk—if the
horse starts to jig, you’ve learned how far is too
far to push.
Several of the symposium riders mentioned
after their rides that they had found Jo to be extremely
helpful. There was nothing startling in

Johann with Jane Karol. Photo: Carole MacDonald
his system: no “magic fixes,” no “smoke and
mirrors,” just a confirmation of the importance
of attention to the basics and solidifying their
confidence in how they’ve been training their
horses. Ashley appreciated the emphasis on
being fair to the horse while also knowing when
it’s okay to push for more. Having been especially
careful with the piaffe/passage work, she
HINNEMANN- cont’d
found it encouraging to hear that Bob is ready
for her to ask for more. Similarly, Mary said that
it was nice to hear Jo suggest she keep her
mare rounder—everyone says to ride them “up
and out” when they are young, but Dramatique
is now at the point where she needs to work
with more roundness.
Throughout the Symposium, Jo was a
stickler for not accepting anything less than
the correct response, but he always made
sure to take time to let the horse relax and regroup
when necessary. He was firm and exacting
with the riders while always being kind
to the horses.
Many thanks to Jane Karol and the entire
team at Bear Spot Farm for hosting this very
educational weekend, to NEDA for bravely organizing
their first, in-person, educational
event since the start of the pandemic and, of
course, to Johann Hinnemann for all of his
many insights.
February 2022 NEDA.ORG TIP OF THE HAT 9

BOOK REVIEW
Ute Graf’s Effortless
Dressage Program
BY UTE GRAF & FRIEDERIKE HEIDENHOF
EDUCAtION NEWS
REVIEWED BY SUZY FRASER
“Effortless Dressage” seems like a misnomer
at first glance, because every
dressage rider knows just how much hard
work dressage entails. But, Graf clarifies the
meaning of “effortless” in the book’s preface,
saying, “Effortless riding doesn’t simply mean
sitting up there and resting. It is much more
about balance, body coordination, and constantly
refining the effectiveness of the aids.
It also means working toward using less force
when riding.”
Effortless riding is not just the physical
aspects of the sport either: it is a mindset as
Graf explains in the section titled “Effortless
Riding Starts in Your Head.” Along with
learning the mechanics of riding, gaining the
required physical fitness, and understanding
riding theory, we also have to approach riding
with the right attitude.
The key to effortless riding starts with
motivating the horse by making the work fun
and comfortable. Although this is logical, it’s
easy to override a horse, especially when not
getting the desired response. We want to instill
in our horses an eager willingness and encourage
them to find their own balance—in
other words, give them some independence
rather than dictating every step. Graf reminds
the reader that horses are telepathic, so we
must be very clear with the mental images
and thoughts we are conveying.
Holding the horse together and constantly
pushing are the antithesis of effortless riding.
In addition to being exhausting for the rider,
the horse will likely break stride if the aids are
removed for even a moment. The horse must
be taught to keep going until the rider says
otherwise, which is why the refinement of the
rider’s aids is critical. It is the only way the
horse will learn to respond to the lightest aids
which is at the heart of effortless riding. To
achieve this, the horse is rewarded for his response
to the aid. The rider then consciously
starts reducing the aid with the expectation of
the same response, and quickly rewards the
correct answer. As is always the case when
training horses, patient and consistent repetition
are essential.
Throughout this well-written book, Graf
provides advice on how to achieve the
harmony and effortlessness we see in top
riders throughout the world based on her own
extensive experience training and competing.
In addition, Graf provides the reader with
case studies of several horses she has in
training, going into detail regarding their
strengths and weaknesses and how she addresses
each. Excellent photographs complement
the text.
“Effortless Dressage Program” is a musthave
in any rider’s library, from the casual
rider to the international competitor. Graf is
reassuring, as she urges riders to learn from
mistakes rather than doubting their ability,
and she goes into detail on the mental state
needed to compete successfully, offering a
number of valuable insights. In addition to test
riding tips, she shares advice on emergency
measures within a test—something that
anyone riding down the centerline will find
useful at some point.
February 2022 NEDA.ORG TIP OF THE HAT 11

MEMBER NEWS
Rider Fitness Goes Online
and NEDA Member Goes with It
Carusone is Fitness Expert for Ridely App
EDUCAtION NEWS
Can you guess which part of
the fitness industry experienced
the greatest growth over the last
two years?
If you are streaming workouts from what
used to be your dining room, you know the
answer. And if your dining room is still a dining
room? You can probably guess the answer.
Since 2019, the global online fitness industry
has grown 77 percent into a $10 billion
dollar behemoth. It is projected to grow 30
percent annually over the next several years.
Consumer spending on traditional gym memberships
has declined steadily since 2016.
These are not new trends; the COVID pandemic
simply accelerated them, transforming
the fitness industry – and your dining room.
So, if you are an aspiring rider, like I am,
what does this mean for your own fitness
program? And if you provide fitness training
to riders like I do, what happens next? In
either case, you look for a solution, experimenting
with new ideas until you find the right
thing. And for me, in 2021, Ridely was that
right thing.
In March 2020, my personal training and
Pilates business went 100 percent virtual literally
overnight. One day I was working from
my gym. The next, I was training clients from
my dining room. Even after a return to inperson
training, how I work with clients now
is quite different from what I was doing just
two years ago. However, some things
remain the same; riders are motivated by
fitness programming that meets their specific
needs as athletes and that reflects the
unique requirements of their sport.
Since early 2020, the way in which I
consume training as an athlete and as a rider
changed dramatically as well. When my
trainer’s boxing gym closed, I worked with
him virtually. I used the power of technology
to support my riding as well. From my barn
in Massachusetts, I could work with a top
dressage trainer based in Florida simply
and easily. Perhaps you did the same thing.
Like you, I could tell that working this way
was going to become even easier and even
more popular.
In 2019, I had no idea what the new year
would bring. All I knew that I needed to respond
to the shift in the fitness industry with
a solid online strategy. I wanted my response
to accomplish three things. First, I
wanted to offer engaging online training, delivering
the specialized training/movement
solutions I am known for in a way that let
users share, capture, and track their
progress. Second, I wanted to expand my
business without opening and staffing a
new location. And finally, I really wanted to
reduce my business travel.
Lisa Carusone. Photo: John Carusone
I was already experimenting with making
technology a bigger part of my business. I
created custom videos for clients who
wanted to keep training between gym visits.
I used FaceTime to guide rider clients
through pre-show warm up sessions
wherever they happened to be showing.
However, these approaches lacked a reliable
way to share, capture and track user
progress. Nor were they scalable.
When I work with someone one-on-one,
sharing, capturing, and tracking client
progress is really about the discipline of updating
client records after each training
session and reviewing them before the next
session. When I work with clients who ride,
the challenge is a bit different. I become
part of a team of four; me, my client the
rider, the rider’s horse and the trainer who
works with the rider/horse combination.
The biggest challenge? How all of us can
share, capture, and track rider and horse
progress. I have tried any number of approaches
and can tell you that group texts
are not the answer.
Continued →
February 2022 NEDA.ORG TIP OF THE HAT 13

RIDELY- cont’d
Given what I do, I am constantly looking
at and evaluating fitness apps. As I revised
my business goals from 2019 to reflect
changes to my business and my athletic
/riding life that happened in 2020-2021, I
took a more comprehensive and critical look
at fitness apps, to see if there was a tool already
available that might work for me.
There is some terrific material available
online for those of us who ride. However, I
was challenged to find a single app specifically
for riders that offered that elusive combination
of engaging content, including fitness,
and a way to share, capture and track user
progress. A few of these apps had real
problems with the reliability of their platform
while others looked very much like they were
still in the early stages of development.
Then, one of my clients told me about
Ridely.
At the time I registered for my Ridely free
trial, the app offered a variety of tightly focused
beautifully produced videos from
well-known European trainers primarily in
dressage and show jumping. It also offered
a way for me to set goals and track
progress in my own riding. The app held me
accountable, prompting me for follow up if I
had not logged my scheduled activities.
Best of all, I had the option of connecting
with my trainer through the app to share activities,
progress, and feedback. So no more
scribbled notes or text messages back and
forth. From what I could tell, Ridely looked
like a terrific solution to what I was after.
Except for one thing. It lacked a fitness
component.
Flash forward to August 26, 2021. I spent
the better part of that day with Nicole Graf,
U.S. Country Manager for Ridely, filming
rider fitness videos at my gym. Over the
course of several months, Ridley will release
11 of my videos in total, where I cover
topics like building rider biomechanics
through the core, balance for riders, mobility
for riders, and pre-ride warmups everyone
can do. The app is even more robust than
ever, offering content for riders of all disciplines
from some of the sports top professionals.
And as Ridely’s fitness expert, I
have a way of meeting business goals I set
in 2019. Not a bad way to come through a
pandemic.
About the author:
Lisa Carusone, NBC-HWC, NASM-CPT/CES,
is a personal trainer and a classically trained
Pilates instructor as well as a Duke Integrative
Medicine trained Integrative Health Coach.
She is a National Board-Certified Health and
Wellness Coach. Lisa offers in-person and
virtual private and semi-private fitness
training, along with in-person and virtual
private and small group Integrative Health
Coaching, at her gym and office in Waltham,
MA. Lisa travels for clinics.
Find her online at LisaCarusone.com or on
Instagram at LisaCarusoneFitnessOfficial.
NEDA KNOW-HOW WEEKLY WEBINAR SERIES
NEDA KNOW-HOW
IS BACK!
Every Thursday night
in Jan., Feb., & March
It’s FREE!
Need more info:
membership@neda.org
SCAN HERE
FOR INFO
AND LINK TO
SCHEDULE
Carl Hester image: Jon Stroud
14 TIP OF THE HAT NEDA.ORG February 2022

Choke: What the secrets of the
brain reveal about getting it
right when you have to.
BY SIAN BEILOCK, PHD FREE PRESS, 2010
REVIEWED BY IRIS BERDROW
Ican’t remember how this book came
across my radar screen, but I do remember
when—right after I choked
during my championship class at USDF
National Finals in November 2021. I had
ridden that test, at home, at away shows, and
at Regional Championships. But, when it really
counted, I went off course—TWICE! I choked.
So, this book is personal for me. I want to
entice others to read it, whether you are calm
and focused all the time, none of the time, or
some of the time. And especially if you train
others who are prone to losing their composure
when it matters.
Beilock defines choking as, “suboptimal
performance” in something you are capable of
doing and have done well in the past, “in response
to a highly stressful situation.” He relates
this phenomenon to all types of
performance—academic, athletic, and professional.
If you are someone who needs scientific
proof of the phenomenon and its root
causes, the book delivers. But you can also
skip right to the nitty gritty—what happens and
how do I prevent it from happening?
There are two particularly salient chapters,
Chapter Six: The Choking Cure, and Chapter
Eight: Antichoke Techniques. I like these because
key points are summarized at the end
of both chapters, a Cliff Notes version for us
busy folks. Here are Beilock’s suggestions interspersed
with my interpretations of how
these points relate to our sport1.
Tips to Ensure Success
Under Stress – i.e., what to
do before the test
BOOK REVIEW
n Reaffirm your self-worth. Keep a journal
that includes a section, things I do well. This is
a practice Meredith Brisson encourages in her
Mental Half Halt Program. We spend so much
time focusing on what is not working that we
forget the many things we can do. Be specific—mounting
your horse, riding deep
corners, balancing your horse through transitions.
As Beilock suggests, this reaffirmation
can boost your confidence and performance.
n Map out your complexities. Remember
that you are a multifaceted individual. This one
aspect of your life does not fully define you. In
my profession, we call this having multiple
identities. Remind yourself of all the ways you
are very successful.
n Write about your worries. Writing for ten
minutes about your worries regarding this ride
or test can thwart the anxieties and self-doubt
that often emerge in high-pressure situations.
Have a plan, recognizing that often the horse
we have today is not presenting the challenges
(or opportunities) we expected.
n Meditate away the worries. You can train
your brain not to dwell on negative thoughts
and instead recognize and then discard
them. Meditation training can help you
harness all of your cognitive horsepower for
the task at hand. Horsepower was Beilock’s
term; appropriate here!
n Think differently. Think about all the ways
you have improved, remind yourself of your
propensity for success. Instead of thinking, for
example, that you’ll never get a flying change
Continued →
EDUCAtION NEWS
February 2022 NEDA.ORG TIP OF THE HAT 15

CHOKE- cont’d
or one tempis, remind yourself instead that you
have the tools to excel—you have trained a
balanced canter, you have an uphill horse, you
know what to do. Focus on your past successes
to help turn a bad performance into a
good one.
n Reinterpret your reactions. If you get
sweaty palms and your heart races under
pressure, remember that these physiological
reactions also occur under more pleasant
circumstances, such as when you have met
the love of your life. When under pressure,
if you can learn to interpret your bodily reactions
in a positive way (“I am amped up for
the test”) rather than negative (“I am freaking
out”), you may be able to turn your body to
your advantage.
n Pause your choke. Take a few minutes to
do something different. This “incubation”
period helps you to let go of your focus on irrelevant
problem details and instead think in a
new way or from an alternative perspective—
and can produce an “aha” moment that can ultimately
lead to a breakthrough and success.
n Educate the worries. Take the movements
or situations you are worried about, and study
how others get through them. What are the
specific steps to refocus a spooky horse?
Where do I keep my eyes if I want to nail accurate
transitions? Focus on what it takes, not
why it doesn’t happen.
n The Obama effect. Seeing examples of
people who defy common ability can help to
boost the performance of people in these
groups. After all, if Laura Graves can get
from Lendon Gray’s D4K program to the top
dressage podiums in the world on a horse
that literally broke her back, the stereotype
that all the best riders start with the best
horses is not true.
n Practice under pressure. The old adage
that practice makes perfect can do with a bit
of adjustment. Studying under the same conditions
you will be tested under—for instance,
in a timed situation with a judge
—helps you get used to what you will experience
on test day. There is also research
suggesting that testing yourself (rather than
simply studying) helps you remember it
better in the long term. After all, you are
going to be tested during the test, so you
might as well practice being tested.
n Organize what you know. Coming up with
meaningful ways to organize the information
16 TIP OF THE HAT NEDA.ORG February 2022
you need to remember can help take the
burden off your working-memory and actually
help you remember more. For us, this means
how we remember test patterns. I never try to
remember letters, because I know that under
pressure, I will mix them up and confuse
myself. Instead, I remember corner letter,
funny letter, mid letter. Others may be better
with memorizing movements by the letters.
Know what works for you.
Tips to Combat Performance
Flops – i.e., what to do during
the test
n Distract yourself. Singing a song or even
thinking about your pinky toe as Jack Nicklaus
was rumored to do can help prevent the prefrontal
cortex from regulating too closely
movements that should run outside
awareness. My best score at Regional Finals
came after I watched an eagle soaring over
the mountain tops as I was waiting for my turn
to enter the test ring.
n Don’t slow down. Don’t give yourself too
much time to think and to control your highly
practiced movement. Just do it.
n Don’t dwell. Take that past performance
and change how you think about it. See your
failures as a chance to learn how to ride better
in the future. And don’t let that last misstep
define the rest of your ride!
n Focus on the outcome, not the mechanics.
Focusing on the goal, where the
trot/canter transition happens, helps cue your
practiced motor programs to run flawlessly.
n Find a key word. A one-word mantra (such
as flow) can keep you focused on the end
result rather than the step-by-step processes
of performance.
n Focus on the positive. Don’t be helpless.
If you focus on the negative, this can make you
feel out of control and increase the likelihood
that you will not work as hard to obtain performance
goals.
Dr. Beilock offered many great tips, the obvious
(and unstated) tip is do this work! I offer
this review as much for your benefit as for my
own. Hope you find it helpful.

GOLD
MEDAL
• Lisa Apa
• Roberta Carleton
• Giulia Cohen
• Nicole Day
• Jamie Fell
• Jordan LaPlaca
• Michelle Lemieux
• Ashley Maul
SILVER
MEDAL
Congratulations to NEDA Members
Earning these USDF Awards in 2021
• Cynthia Anderson
• Jennifer Ault
• Elizabeth Carroll
• Jacqueline Ducci
• Sophia Forsyth
• Kristin Grosso
• Audrey Humphrey
• Rose Keller
• Maggie Korey
• Huibertje
Kwiatkowski
• Adriana Lafave
• Karen Norton
• Amy O'Neil
• Lisa Raffaele
• Riley Reardon
• Shaunna Smith
• Michele Southwick
• Rebecca Spellman
• Breanna Sprik
• Isabella Thorpe
• Daniela Valentgas
• Lisa Valone
• Alice Vanbokkelen
• Jocelyn VanBokkelen
BRONZE
MEDAL
• Alicia Aiyawar
• Kaylee Angstadt
• Gianna Avery
• Jennifer Barrett
• Susan Carlsgaard
• Elizabeth
Charpentier Allwein
• Megan Cox
• Elizabeth DaPonte
• Josie Dechaine
• Kasey Feola
• Sophia Forsyth
• Tiggy Gates
• Amanda Gervais
• Cornelia Hamilton
• Kendra Hansis
• Erika Hendricks
• Christine Joost
• Yvonne Kalow
• Jordan LaPlaca
• Shelby Lawrence
• Maggie Mae
• Andrea McBurnie
• Kerri Papanicholas
• Megan Paulhus
• Fiona Perreault
• Suzanne Phillips
• Doreen Richards
• Martina
Rozumberkova
• Tracy Ruggiero
• Dana Schron
• Crystal Sekerak
• Quentin Sloan
• Pamela Sorton
• Breanna Sprik
• Gabriela Vitta
• Sophie Wayner
• Kristi Williams
• Emma Zorner
DIAMOND
ACHIEVEMENT
• Vincent Flores
• Jennifer Foulon
• Jannike Gray
• Heather Mason
FREESTYLE
GOLD BAR
• Jennifer Foulon
• Ashley Maul
SILVER BAR
• Cynthia Anderson
• Vincent Flores
• Roberta Haney
• Daniela Valentgas
• Athene Von
Hirschberg
BRONZE BAR
• Julianne Brownson
• Elizabeth
Charpentier Allwein
• Vincent Flores
DRESSAGE
SEAT
EQUITATION
ELEMENTARY
• Quentin Sloan
• Renee Stockfisch
ACCOMPLISHED
• Renee Stockfisch
MASTER’S
CHALLENGE
TRAINING
• Cynthia Dean
• Nancy Nash
• Lorna Schofield
FIRST
• Susan Carlsgaard
• Cynthia Dean
• Dinah Rojek
• Lorna Schofield
• Mary Ann Van
Benschoten
SECOND
• Cynthia Dean
• Don Giorgio
• Dinah Rojek
• Lorna Schofield
THIRD
• Susan Carlsgaard
• Donna Dunbar
• Don Giorgio
• Cathy Liston
• Dinah Rojek
FOURTH
• Donna Dunbar
• Marina Richey
• Dinah Rojek
FEI
• Elizabeth
Armstrong Powers
• Dinah Rojek
q
PERFORMANCE
AWARD
TRAINING
• Alicia Aiyawar
• Sarah Berg
• Kelly Boyd
• Rebecca Corcoran
• Zoe Flannery
• Dawn Frazer
• Kimberly Martin
• Wendy Payne
• Marina Richey
• Charlotte Sekerak
• Lucy Sheldon
• Quentin Sloan
• Anneliese Woods
FIRST
• Alicia Aiyawar
• Sarah Berg
• Kelly Boyd
• Claire Coffin
• Shanda Cuscovitch
• Sydney Dayken
• Kasey Feola
• Erinne Fiscus
• Zoe Flannery
• Liz Julian-Tuggle
• Lily Minchello
• Katherine Orth
• Wendy Payne
• Crystal Sekerak
• Lucy Sheldon
• Quentin Sloan
• Jill Swift
• Amy Wolfe
SECOND
• Alicia Aiyawar
• Sarah Berg
• Kelly Boyd
• Elizabeth
Charpentier Allwein
• Cynthia Dean
• Kasey Feola
• Amanda Gervais
• Liz Julian-Tuggle
• Maggie Knowlton
• Maria McGrath
• Megan Paulhus
• Suzanne Quigley
• Megan Silvia
• Quentin Sloan
• Jill Swift
COmPEtItION NEWS
February 2022 NEDA.ORG TIP OF THE HAT 17

COmPEtItION NEWS
Congratulations to NEDA Members
on Their Placings in the
2021 USDF Year End Standings
VINTAGE CUP
RANK RIDER hORSE
ADUlt AmAtEUR - tRAINING lEVEl
2 Kerry Rose Florever Diamonds
11 Elizabeth Preston Rhia M
ADUlt AmAtEUR - fIRSt lEVEl
4 Catherine Hibbitt Sweet August
14 Clair Glover Bel Air Farms Wow
15 Wendy Payne Olivia DDD
ADUlt AmAtEUR - SECOND lEVEl
3 Catherine Hibbitt Sweet August
8 Lisa Cross Ziggy Stardust
10 Don Giorgio Sensei
16 Leslie Ainsworth-Hanlon Rainsong
17 Lisa Valone Valentino
23 Cynthia Dean Regaliz AA
ADUlt AmAtEUR - thIRD lEVEl
2 Victoria Kahn-Sinclair Lotus
7 Clair Glover BAF W'S Pasquale
18 Lauren Simon Ballantine
24 Susan Patterson Jupiter ISF
ADUlt AmAtEUR - fOURth lEVEl
1 Kathleen Faulkner Galandro
ADUlt AmAtEUR - PRIx St GEORGES
1 Jennifer Huber Duchesse Du Pre
12 Diane Glossman Highlight
23 Lisa Valone Evolution
25 Nancy Binter Arend Z
26 Elisabeth Straus Arlo
45 Daniela Valentgas Haralambos
49 Cynthia Anderson Brigadier
ADUlt AmAtEUR - INtERmEDIAtE I
6 Jennifer Huber Duchesse Du Pre
24 Nancy Binter Arend Z
ADUlt AmAtEUR - GRAND PRIx
6 Jennifer Huber Madame Noir
PROfESSIONAl - tRAINING lEVEl
1 Heather Mason Manuskript SCF
PROfESSIONAl - fIRSt lEVEl
2 Heather Mason Manuskript SCF
PROfESSIONAl - thIRD lEVEl
1 Heather Mason New Beginnings
16 Dawn Frazer Wind Phaerie HU
Listed are the top 25 in Training – 4th level
and the top 50 placings in the FEI levels.
PROfESSIONAl - fOURth lEVEl
2 Heather Mason New Beginnings
7 Jutta Lee Rais
PROfESSIONAl - PRIx St GEORGES
8 Roberta Carleton Flingh's Dream
PROfESSIONAl - INtERmEDIAtE I
13 Jodi Pearson-Keating Rendezvous HTF
15 Elizabeth Oellers Dietrich LJS
PROfESSIONAl - GRAND PRIx
5 Jutta Lee Espirito
7 Cindi Wylie Amado XXXV
10 Jutta Lee Glorious Feeling
15 Leslie De Grandmaison Batistuta V.O.
16 Roberta Carleton Espumante
JUNIOR/YOUNG RIDER
RANK RIDER hORSE
tRAINING lEVEl
5 Renee Stockfisch Immortal Thor
8 Caroline Colby My Lorino
23 Lucy Sheldon Budweiser
fIRSt lEVEl
7 Sydney Dayken Kennebec Dark Star
21 Megan Tursi Chauvinette SCF
24 Lucy Koerner MØLGAARDS Rafiness
SECOND lEVEl
11 Finley Peterson Mystic Max
23 Megan Tursi Chauvinette SCF
24 Lauren Kovacik Allow Me
thIRD lEVEl
12 Fiona Perreault Emico
13 Tiggy Gates Shadow's Dream
19 Sarah Listzwan Brandtoftes Sjubell
fOURth lEVEl
2 Brenna Donovan Scandal LWF
PRIx St GEORGES
8 Leah Tenney Enghavegaard's Tebaldi
16 Lara Erdogus-Brady Goldinettie
29 Siena Harris-Gissler Final Cut
38 Brenna Donovan Scandal LWF
47 Rose Keller Dievittorio O
Y
18 TIP OF THE HAT NEDA.ORG February 2022

ADULT AMATEUR
RANK RIDER hORSE
tRAINING lEVEl
3 Alexandra Krossen Looker SCF
7 Kerry Rose Florever Diamonds
23 Elizabeth Preston Rhia M
fIRSt lEVEl
6 Catherine Hibbitt Sweet August
7 Alexandra Krossen Looker SCF
21 Stacy Rose Silent Partner
SECOND lEVEl
11 Catherine Hibbitt Sweet August
19 Hillary Bryan Valentino G
21 Lisa Cross Ziggy Stardust
thIRD lEVEl
4 Victoria Kahn-Sinclair Lotus
12 Clair Glover BAF W'S Pasquale
24 Caroline Forsberg Sambuca
fOURth lEVEl
5 Kathleen Faulkner Galandro
7 Jacqueline Ducci Lord Tomason
13 Carol McPhee Feeling HW
19 Caroline Forsberg Sambuca
20 Victoria Moricco Flash
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 June 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!
PLACINGS- cont’d
PRIx St GEORGES
5 Jennifer Huber Duchesse Du Pre
44 Diane Glossman Highlight
46 Amy Borner Rothmann
50 Amy Borner Bellini Gold
INtERmEDIAtE I
17 Stephen Ruggiero Dream Works
22 Jennifer Huber Duchesse Du Pre
34 Erina White Daquiri
36 Amy Borner Bellini Gold
INtERmEDIAtE II
1 Alice Tarjan Serenade MF
2 Alice Tarjan Harvest
6 Alexandra Krossen Damani
GRAND PRIx
1 Alice Tarjan Donatella M
3 Alice Tarjan Candescent
13 Jennifer Huber Madame Noir
MUSICAL FREESTYLE
RANK RIDER hORSE
fIRSt lEVEl
2 Catherine Hibbitt Sweet August
4 Alexandra Krossen Looker SCF
10 Kerry Rose Florever Diamonds
12 Stacy Rose Silent Partner
17 Lara Ceppi Bellocq
18 Jennifer Chin Lyndon's Swan Song Of Telynor
SECOND lEVEl
6 Stacy Rose Silent Partner
thIRD lEVEl
7 Kasey Feola Cadence
15 Kerry Rose Benjamin Blue
16 Roxanne Bok Kijony
fOURth lEVEl
6 Alexandra Krossen Nicene
7 Elisabeth Straus Arlo
11 Madison Rezaei Rohanna
12 Victoria Moricco Flash
16 Cynthia Anderson Brigadier
20 Daniela Valentgas Haralambos
INtERmEDIAtE I
4 Stephen Ruggiero Dream Works
9 Erina White Daquiri
17 Ashley Maul Fiaro Lacendos
24 Nancy Binter Arend Z
GRAND PRIx
4 Ashley Maul Caprice
6 Alexandra Krossen Damani
7 Ashley Maul Adiah HP
February 2022 NEDA.ORG TIP OF THE HAT 19

COmPEtItION NEWS
NEDA Katherine McHugh
Perpetual Trophy
Recognizes the Adult Amateur
NEDA Member with the
Highest Scoring PSG Test
Congratulations
Adriana Lafave!
70.882%
at Beland Stables Fall
Dressage on her horse,
Fair Hero!
Each year, in conjunction with
the year-end awards program,
NEDA offers prestigious perpetual
trophies to recognize
some of the significant accomplishments
of our members. This year, we have three
winners--two from the Sport horse divisions
and one from the mounted classes.
The mounted award honors former
NEDA president, Katherine McHugh, who
worked tirelessly both for NEDA during
her six years as President, and as an
active adult amateur competitor.
Achieving a USDF silver medal was a
great accomplishment for Katherine, and
this award was created to recognize the
NEDA member adult amateur with the
highest PSG score at a recognized show
in Region 8.
Our winner for 2021 is Adriana LaFave,
riding her horse Fair Hero, fondly known
as Finley, a Belgian Morgan cross
gelding. Adriana is an Adult Amateur who
has owned Finley since 2015 and has
brought him up through the levels from
training to PSG during their partnership.
Adriana earned her silver medal on
Finley in September 2021 with a score of
70.882% at Beland Stables Fall Dressage
competition. It’s this score that also
20 TIP OF THE HAT NEDA.ORG February 2022
earned her the recognition of NEDA’s perpetual
trophy for the year.
A USDF bronze and silver medalist,
Adriana trains at Fairfield Farm in
Rochester MA under instruction and
coaching from Barbara Ann Archer and
Bethany Rebello. Prior to owning Finely,
Adriana earned her USDF bronze medal
as well as her training, first, and second
level USDF horse performance awards
on a leased horse.
The Fairfield Show Rider Motto is “The
Will to PREPARE to Win is what separates
the achievers from the dreamers!”
Adriana certainly demonstrated that will
with their performance in their third ever
PSG class at Beland. This team’s
success is a great testament to commitment
and focus and demonstrates that
it doesn’t always require a fancy imported
warmblood to be successful in dressage,
even at PSG!
Next month, we will highlight NEDA’s
sport horse perpetual trophy winners.
Congratulations to Adriana and Finley
on their success and best wishes
for 2022 and beyond!
Left: Katherine McHugh Perpetual Trophy
Top: Adriana and Finely. Bottom: Competition.
Kathy McHugh

2021 NEDA YEAR END AWARDS
PONY
FINAL standings as of 12/08/2021
PONY - MOUNTED
Pony Rider Owner Median Placing
COmPEtItION NEWS
Mystic Max Finley Peterson Finley Peterson 70.451 1
Searah's Ginger Snap Angela Rice Angela Rice 68.575 2
PONY - IN-HAND
Pony Owner Median Placing
Branley Ash Tuckerman Heidi Humphrey 78.750 1
Quillane Ambition Amy Riley 76.450 2
Heidi Humphrey's Branley Ash Tuckerman handled
by Harry Diehl. Photo: Spotted Vision Photography
February 2022 NEDA.ORG TIP OF THE HAT 21

SPORt hORSE NEWS
USDF Breeder
of Distinction Awards
Congratulations to our NEDA members
Who have Earned this Prestigious Award
USDF Breeder of Distinction awards are based upon
scores earned by horses in Dressage Sport Horse Breeding
(DSHB), USDF Breeders Championship Series Final, and
Materiale classes.
These scores are converted to point values, with each
award having a minimum requirement of points earned in
dressage sport horse breeding (DSHB) and USDF Breeders
Championship Series Final classes for the bronze level
award; and a minimum requirement of points earned in
dressage sport horse breeding (DSHB), materiale, and USDF
Breeders Championship Series Final classes for the silver
and gold level awards.
Additional requirements outlining a minimum number of
judges and horses will also apply to each level of the award.
Scores earned October 1, 2000, forward are eligible to
count towards this award.
GOLD BREEDER
OF DISTINCTION
AWARD
• Rachel Ehrlich
• Cara Kettenbach
• Mary Barrett
• Rachel Ehrlich
• Kendra Hansis
• Kathy Hickerson
SILVER BREEDER
OF DISTINCTION
AWARD
• Rachel Ehrlich
• Cara Kettenbach
• Samantha Kidd
• Stefanie Moses
BRONZE BREEDER
OF DISTINCTION AWARD
• Cara Kettenbach
• Samantha Kidd
• Stefanie Moses
• Jennifer Vanover
Want to be listed in the
NEDA Calendar 2022?
Check www.NEDA.org
to see how!
Email us about sponsorship
opportunities!
sponsorship@neda.org
Advertise!
BIZ CARD AS
LOW AS $55
FOR MEMBERS!
3.5” wide x 2” high
Member: $55 per issue
Non-Member: $71.50 per issue
Volume discounts too!
Email: tipads@neda.org
Help us keep The Tip of the Hat
financially viable in print
by advertising in it!
22 TIP OF THE HAT NEDA.ORG February 2022

Broadfields 121 NEDA Dressage Sport Horse
Breeding High Score Perpetual Trophy
Congratulations to:
Fie Studnitz Anderson
~and~
Kendra Hansis
SPORt hORSE NEWS
Top left: Broadfields 121 High point Materiale (new award for 2021) --
Equito's Fürsten Hit owned by Fie Studnitz Anderson with a score
of 87.1%. Photo: Susan Stickle
Right: Broadfields 121 High point Sport Horse in hand--Saleska H2O
owned by Kendra Hansis, with a score of 84.775.
Photo: Spotted Vision Photography
Thank you Broadfields
for Your Continued Support of
These Two Sport Horse Awards!
For many years, Broadfields has
been a consistent and generous
supporter of NEDA.
We thank you and look forward to
many more years of working together!
February 2022 NEDA.ORG TIP OF THE HAT 23

mEmBERShIP NEWS
PART TWO
Daily Schedule
It won’t surprise anyone to hear that
training in Germany is no vacation. There
wasn’t much time for sightseeing because,
as Hope says, “The horses really took up
the whole day every day. Kariel and I were
often at the barn from 6:30 am until 7:00
pm. We would take a break for dinner and
then go back from 8 to 9. It was a lot of
work, but it was a blast.”
A Typical Week
“A typical week,” says Hope, “was a bit
more intense than I would do at home or
what I would do if I was with Christoph or
Isabel all year round, because the trip was
only three months, so I wanted to get the
most out of it. At home, a typical week would
be to do the movements twice or maybe
three times a week and do two days where
we just work on thoroughness, or transitions,
and things like that. I have one horse that I
only ride four times a week because he just
feels better that way, while I have another
horse who, on the fifth day, we hack only.
With the young ones, I stick to a very similar
schedule but try to include riding on the track
even more. Of course, it changes because I
think it depends on what the horses are
doing and how they’re feeling.”
Observations on Stable
Management
“In terms of stable management, both
barns we went to were absolutely wonderful,”
explains Hope. “They all treat their
horses incredibly well and provide the top
care in the world as you can imagine. It was
amazing to see what the breeding programs
are like, as well as the veterinary and farrier
care. I tried to take mental notes on everything.
Take it all in and be a sponge,” she
advises. Hope says she learned a lot by
asking questions of veterinarians and farriers
and observing different management
styles. When asked how her stable management
compares to what she observed in
Germany, Hope says, “I’m actually quite
proud of how Kariel and I do things and how
my mom has taught me to do things and
Hope. Photo: Patricia Koschel
Hope Cooper
Trains in
Germany
BY SUZY FRASER
CONTINUED FROM JANUARY 2022
treat our horses. I felt like our system easily
fit in with their system. I did enjoy becoming
acquainted with Equitron, which is sort of a
combination of laser and shockwave technology
that’s helpful in treating sore
muscles or working on a weakness in the
horse. I got to experiment a little bit with
things of that type, but I really feel there’s
not much I would change, because we also
give our horses top care and that we try our
best to do a really good job.”
Unvarnished Constructive
Criticism—Or, the Value of
Being Blunt
Although Hope did not find it difficult to
adapt to her new surroundings—other than
the food maybe as she’s a vegetarian—she
did mention that some people might see the
German dressage system’s “blunt honesty
as a negative.” She goes on to say, “I really
appreciated it. It’s a little bit more of a strict
culture than what I’m used to, and more
people are apt to come right out and say
what they’re thinking. If your piaffe isn’t good,
your piaffe isn’t good and anyone will let you
know that. I really appreciated that, because
you get this feeling that everyone who’s in
the ring with you or watching you or knows
you is all in it together. They expect you to
say things, and they say things to you and
it’s really helpful. It’s an environment of constant
learning even if you’re not in a lesson
and just riding on your own. It feels like a
really big community with everyone supporting
one other. In my experience, so far,
this is unique to being in Germany.”
Competing in Germany
“I did compete while I was abroad,” says
Hope, “I did a test of choice class, which is
almost like an anonymous class, because
you get your score but it doesn’t really count
for anything. It was a good way to do both
my and Hot Chocolate’s first Grand Prix. It
was really exciting. Although we did have
plenty of mistakes, I was pleased with and
proud of him, because we’ve been working
together since we both knew almost nothing,
so I felt so much gratitude to get to the Grand
Prix together, and to do it in Germany was
the cherry on top.”
Spectating at shows was another highlight
of Hope’s trip. “I did get to spectate at
the European Championships and a little bit
at the horse show, where I competed. The
European Championships was unbelievable,
watching all the top people: how they warm
up, the relaxation, and then how they take
that relaxation and turn it into power in the
ring. That was a really cool thing to be able
to see in person.”
Selecting a Trainer
When asked what advice Hope would
give to anyone wishing to train in Germany,
she says, “When picking someone to train
with, dive deeply into their system. Learn
from someone who advocates for you and
your horse and someone who will push you
both to be your best! Lastly, just get over
there. Dressage has been a part of German
culture for so much longer than it has been
in the U.S., making the depth of knowledge
over there really special.”
“Lastly, I just want to say how thankful I
am to my parents and barn community for
supporting me through this once-in-a-lifetime
experience. I would also like to thank NEDA
for being such an influential part of my riding
career already, whether it be through financial
scholarships or shows or just the
community that NEDA creates, I am so
grateful to have them as a resource.”
24 TIP OF THE HAT NEDA.ORG February 2022

REGION 8 News
Meet
Helen van der Voort
Our New Region 8
Director
Igrew up in the suburbs of Chicago and after
college in Massachusetts, I moved to the Big City –
New York. My career started in investment banking
which gave me the opportunity to travel extensively and
even spend a few years living in Hong Kong. I was the recipient
of a competitive fellowship from my firm to attend
business school and received an MBA.
I now work as a consultant, which in addition to allowing
me to work from home in the beautiful Hudson
Valley, gives me time to pursue other interests in various
non-profit organizations. I have served in several roles on
the Board of The Southlands Foundation in Rhinebeck,
NY and the board of NEDA.
Helen van der Voort
For the past several years I’ve been
the Volunteer Coordinator for the Fall
Festival and Region 8 Championships,
a huge undertaking. I am a
very active volunteer at local dressage
shows and horse trials.
And of course, it goes without
saying that I am passionate about
horses and riding! I started in hunterjumpers
as a child, and like many
took a break post-college, but returned
to it with a vengeance 20+
years ago. I purchased my first horse
and discovered dressage and
haven’t looked back since!
mEmBERShIP NEWS
NEDA: THE NEW ENGLAND DRESSAGE ASSOCIATION
Membership Benefits
n Unparalled Educational
Opportunities
Including:
l NEDA Fall Symposium
l Weekly NEDA Know-How
Webinar Sessions Jan-March
n Scholarships & Discounts
to audit certain clinics
n 10 annual issues of our awardwinning
periodical A Tip of
the Hat
n Year End Awards & Banquet
n Discounted PRO edition/Ridely
app
n Omnibus Prize List (free if
joined by November 30th)
n Volunteering, Friends and
Comraderie!
n And much, much more!
DON’T MISS OUT!
Join now!
SCAN BELOW
Photos from left: Carl Hester and Charlotte DuJardin headliners NEDA Fall Symposium. Photos: Jon Stroud. Jennifer with
Falbo and trainer Helen Cast. Photo: Emily Bowes. Vincent Flores, Rico Horacio, Leah Teeney, Tessa Holloran at the NEDA
Awards Banquet. Photo: Carole MacDonald. UNH Volunteers. Photo: Beth Jenkins. Last photo right: NEDA Volunteers.
February 2022 NEDA.ORG TIP OF THE HAT 25

Stallion Paddock 2021
26 TIP OF THE HAT NEDA.ORG February 2022

Top quality KWPN young horses, foals, and imports.
Standing two of the most exciting stallions in North America,
Gaudi (Totilas x DeNiro)
Jaleet SSF (Atleet x Plain’s Liberator)
February 2022 NEDA.ORG TIP OF THE HAT 27

STALLION PADDOCK - cont’d
28 TIP OF THE HAT NEDA.ORG February 2022

February 2022 NEDA.ORG TIP OF THE HAT 29

STALLION PADDOCK - cont’d
Advertise in the Stallion Paddock!
BIZ CARD AS LOW AS $55 FOR MEMBERS!
3.5” wide x 2” high
Member: $55 per issue
Non-Member: $71.50 per issue
Email: tipads@neda.org
30 TIP OF THE HAT NEDA.ORG February 2022

Tip of the Hat
New England Dressage
Association
87 Henry Rd
North Yarmouth, ME 04097
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Ask us about becoming a sponsor!
sponsorship@neda.org