HEATHER BLITZ DRESSAGE - PRESS RELEASE - United States ...

REGION 3 NEWS, PLUS A LITTLE EXTRA……
What do horses in love do on the internet?
They E-lope!
HEATHER BLITZ DRESSAGE - PRESS RELEASE
HEATHER BLITZ NAMED U.S. OLYMPIC DRESSAGE TEAM ALTERNATE
Pan American Medalist Reaches Olympic Heights in Paragon's First Grand Prix Season
Wellington, FL. June 18, 2012
Pan American team gold and individual silver medalist Heather Blitz from Wellington, Florida
and her nine year old Danish Warmblood gelding Paragon (Don Schufro x Pari Lord) have
been named as the U.S. Olympic Dressage Team Alternate. Blitz will travel with the squad to
London on July 9th to be in training in England until the team is announced.
"I'm thrilled with the opportunity to participate as a member of the Olympic squad, It's a great
honor and a privilege for Paragon and me to be selected. And I believe it's the best possible
situation for a young horse to benefit from this exposure," said Blitz. "We gained invaluable
experience on the Pan American Games team last year which will stand us in good stead for
this next adventure.."
The partnership finished sixth in the final selection trial at Gladstone, NJ this past weekend and
following the withdrawal of Todd Flettrich and Otto - another horse that Blitz trained to Grand
Prix level - they were the next ranked combination to be promoted to the alternate position and
invited to join the squad.
Blitz and Paragon also finished sixth in the U.S. Equestrian Federation's National Grand Prix
Championship at the Festival of Champions in their first season at Grand Prix level together,
which is itself a noteworthy achievement especially for a young horse. Paragon is not only a
Grand Prix rookie but also a big horse at 18 hands who is still developing. His achievements
already demonstrate world class quality and talent, which will continue to mature and establish
him as one of the top horses in the country. Paragon is a U.S. bred Danish Warmblood bred by

Richard Freeman's Oak Hill Ranch in Folsom, LA.
"Oak Hill Ranch produces high performance Danish Warmbloods and demonstrates that
American riders do not have to look overseas for Olympic prospects," added Blitz.
Blitz and her chestnut gelding have become a crowd favorite and now have a tremendous fan
base. "I'm enormously grateful to everyone who has supported us in so many ways with fund
raising efforts, and my generous sponsors and donors who have made our Olympic campaign
possible. It takes a huge effort to make this journey and I'm very fortunate to have this support.
The next few weeks will be a great adventure and I'm so proud of Paragon for getting this far
already. He is a wonderful partner with a great personality, and he's also a bit of a ham who
enjoys the attention," said Blitz.
Blitz will take Paragon to some events whilst in England and is planning to compete at the
famous Hickstead Showground in Sussex.
...ends...
For more information, please contact Chris Stafford, chris@chrisestafford.com
For more biographical information please visit the website at www.heatherblitz.info
For information about Oak Hill Ranch and U.S. bred Danish Warmbloods visit -
www.oakhillranch.com
You know you are horse Person if you do………………
You cluck to your car when you go up a hill.
Your horse’s hair is in better condition than your own.
You refer to your car as “my portable tack room”.
You are excited when your friend tells you that there is a huge sale at the bridle shop,
and then you are disappointed when you realize they mean the bridal shop.
You have the vet’s number but not your kid’s pediatrician on your speed dial.
Your spouse can track dirt into the house all they want, but God help them if they muddy up
the tack room.
Your house is a mess, but the barn is as neat as a pin.
Your nice clothes are the ones without horse hair all over them.
You have to go to your friend’s wedding in riding clothes because you took too long at the
barn.
Only horse people would spend hundreds of dollars on a show for a 95 cent ribbon!

–author unknown
In This Issue
Century Club Corner
Mid-Year Update
Equestrian Fundraising
School
News and Reminders
Quick Links
TDF Website
Fundraising School
Upcoming Deadlines
Recent News
More About Us
Make a Donation
Century Club
Your TDF Update: June 2012
We are halfway through the year already - wow! We thought it would be
a perfect time to give a quick snapshot of the grants and scholarships
awarded so far, as well as show the number of dressage enthusiasts who
have been touched by our financial support. Keep reading to learn more!
Mid-Year Update
From January 1, 2012 - June 1, 2012:
� 40 groups and individuals across the country received a grant
from TDF.
� Over $96,000 has been awarded.
� More than 1,200 people have attended a TDF-funded event or
received an individual grant.
� Funding support was provided to non-profit organizations,
dressage groups, instructors, breeders, judges, high
performance teams, young riders, and adult amateurs!
Please help us continue to provide financial support for the advancement
of dressage by considering making a donation! Donations come in all
sizes - small, medium, large, and extra-large - and each are vitally
important to us!

Corner
This just might be a
record-breaking year for
Century Club
memberships! Congrats
to these teams:
John Stone and Heru+ (TX)
- Team #101
Martha Hall and Ozzie (NC)
- Team #102
Leslie Hubbell and Waps
Classic (MD) - Team #103
Midwest Dressage Association received a Violet Hopkins Fund grant for
a clinic with Dr. Jenny Susser.
Equestrian Fundraising School -
Next Session Begins July 2nd!
The next session of the Equestrian Fundraising School, presented by
The Dressage Foundation, will be starting July 2nd! It's hard to believe
that the first session is almost over. We have enjoyed getting to know
our students, and look forward to helping them in their future fundraising
endeavors. There are so many things we want to share with you about
the School, but our current students say it best:
"The program affirms that I have been on the right path, though I still
have a long way to go and a lot to learn about the fundraising side of
riding. Anyone hoping to compete on the international stage and needing
funding should consider taking this course." Kim Jones, US Para-
Equestrian Team alternate for the Alltech 2010 World Equestrian Games
"I have enjoyed approaching potential sponsors, which is a surprise to
me, and I am surprised by the friendly and generous response to my
requests. The Equestrian Fundraising School has been an excellent
experience so far." Anne Moss, Delaware Valley Combined Training
Association President
"This program gets you inside the horse world to learn how to fundraise
for yourself and others. The School is a unique combination of learning,
hands-on approaches and applications to get the job done. This course
was an opportunity to expand my learning and connect to others that
share the same passion. I am glad that I took the reins and did it." Sarah
Medler, dressage rider
Visit dressagefoundation.org/equestrian-fundraising-school to apply
today!

News and Reminders!
Beginning June 1st, recipients of grants from The Dressage Foundation
will receive an added bonus, thanks to CenterLine Dressage (IL), a
Group Member Organization of the United States Dressage Federation.
In honor of its 40th Anniversary, CenterLine Dressage has presented
forty $100 checks to The Dressage Foundation, to be given out to grant
recipients. Read more...
Congratulations to Laurie Weiser (NC) of Blume Farm Hanoverians for
being the first recipient of the Elysium Farm Fund for U.S. Breeder
Excellence Grant! She will travel to Verden, Germany, to take part in the
Hannoveraner Verband Breeders' Course. Read more...
FINAL REMINDER TO INSTRUCTORS!
Applications for the Continuing Education for Instructors Fund are due in
our office by July 1st! Grants of up to $1,500 are available to
attend the USDF Instructor Certification Program. Application Details
ATTENTION REGION 9 MEMBERS!
Nominations for this year's Region 9 Teaching Excellence Award are due
July 1st! Email jenny@dressagefoundation.org with the name and
contact information of the instructor that you would like to nominate.
More details are available on the Region 9 website.
Please contact us at (402) 434-8585 with any questions. Have a
wonderful summer!
Jenny Johnson, Administrative Director,jenny@dressagefoundation.org
Melissa Filipi, Development Director, melissa@dressagefoundation.org
The Mission of The Dressage Foundation is "To cultivate and provide financial support for the
advancement of dressage."
Thanks to Vickie Rollack for alerting us to the opportunity for an Amateur
Owner to be awarded a training scholarship for 2013 by the Dressage
Foundation:
The Carol Lavell Gifted Fund: This Fund was seeded with Donations received in
special remembrance of Carol\'s great dressage horse, Gifted. Many other
friends of The Dressage Foundation have added Donations and the Scholarship
Fund has grown steadily over the years. This Scholarship enables Adult
Amateurs to set aside quality-time, in concentrated training away from the
daily pressures of job and family, with a horse the recipient owns.
Each year The Dressage Foundation receives a larger number of applications for
this Scholarship. In order to give this opportunity to as many new Adult
Amateurs as possible, we award the scholarship only once to a recipient.

Thanks to a very large, generous donation from Gordon Cadwgan, Carol\'s father,
the amount of each scholarship increased in 2011! Now, up to nine scholarships
(one in each USDF Region) of $1,000 each will be offered each year. Should a
scholarship not be awarded in a given Region, the money will remain in the
Gifted Fund at the Foundation.
Vickie forwarded a flyer, which has the following information:
THE CAROL LAVELL GIFTED FUND provides nine $1,000 scholarships each year to
enable Adult Amateurs to set aside quality time, in concentrated training, away
from the daily pressures of job and family.
REQUIREMENTS:
􀀃􀂇 USDF GMO Member (like STRIDE) 􀀃􀂇 Strong
volunteer history within your GMO/Region 􀀃􀂇 Applicant must
own the horse
The Gifted Fund Scholarships are available for dressage riders at ANY LEVEL!
This scholarship is meant for the adult amateur to have the opportunity to be
in an extended training situation that is not readily available during the
course of daily life. We do not intend this concentrated time to include
clinics, camps, or symposiums.
The model we look for is a training program of 5-7 consecutive days, with the
same trainer, with a horse that is owned.
Applications are available at www.dressagefoundation.org and are due no later
than September 15th of each year.
For more information, please visit www.dressagefoundation.org or contact Jenny
Johnson at (402) 434-8585 or jenny@dressagefoundation.org.
Steffen Peters Wins Sixth USEF National Grand Prix Dressage
Championship
RELEASE: June 16, 2012
AUTHOR/ADMINISTRATOR: Joanie Morris

Steffen Peters and Legolas 92 (Susan J. Stickle)
Gladstone, NJ - Four years ago, Steffen Peters and Ravel, then an inexperienced 10-year-old, won the 2008
Grand Prix National Dressage Championship at the Festival of Champions in California. That performance earned
the pair a trip to the Olympic Games where they were fourth. Four years, an FEI World Cup title, a CHIO Aachen
victory and two Bronze medals at the FEI World Equestrian Games later - Ravel was granted permission by the
USEF selectors to not attend the 2012 USEF Dressage Festival of Champions which was also serving as the USEF
Selection Trial for the 2012 Olympic Games.
So Peters (San Diego, CA) brought Four Winds Farm's Legolas 92 to the USET Foundation Headquarters instead.
The result was the same. The 10-year-old Westphalian gelding, who was imported in December has won his first
National Championship. It is Peters' sixth, tying the record previously set by Robert Dover.
Region 3 Calendar
July 2012
� 14-15 DSDCTA Northwest Florida Classic III (USDF/USEF), Cottondale, FL
� 18 How to Use FaceBook and Twitter, STRIDE, Ocala, FL (See Clinics Page)
� 21 CTDA Schooling Show , Tennessee location TBA.
� 21 Wellington Classic Dressage in the Tropics I (USDF/USEF), West Palm Beach, FL
� 22 Wellington Classic Dressage in the Tropics II (USDF/USEF), West Palm Beach, FL
� 21-22 GHF/Massey Ferguson Summer Dressage Show, GIHP Arenas 8 and 9, Conyers, GA. Contact
August 2012
� 11 CTDA Schooling Show , Tennessee location TBA.
� 18 STRIDE (Ocala) Membership Meeting and Pool Party, 6-9 p.m., Weirsdale, FL Click here for
information
� 24 Ole South Prelude Dressage (USDF/USEF), Murfreesboro, TN
� 25-26 Ole South Dressage (USDF/USEF), Murfreesboro, TN.
� 25 White Fences at Palm Beach Equine I (USDF/USEF), Wellington, FL
� 26 White Fences at Palm Beach Equine II (USDF/USEF), Wellington, FL
� 25 Fall Dressage Concours I (USDF/USEF), Venice, FL

� 26 Fall Dressage Concours II (USDF/USEF), Venice, FL
Sept 2012
� 1-2 Labor's Reward (USDF/USEF), Aiken, SC.
� 1 Labor Day Classic I (USDF/USEF), GIHP, Conyers, GA. Contact: Mary Lou Freil
� 2 Labor Day Classic II (USDF/USEF), GIHP, Conyers, GA. Contact: Mary Lou Freil
� 8-9 Eckhart Meyners Seat Lessons and Life Kinetik Lessons, Toney, AL. (See Clinics page.)
� 8-9 Poplar Place Farm September Dressage Show (USDF/USEF), Hamilton, GA. Contact: Donna
Stegman
� 16 STRIDE (Ocala) All-Day Driving Clinic by Audrey Hartnett, FL (See Clinics page)
� 15-16 (new date) The Ride Lite Dressage Show (USDF/USEF), Newberry, FL.
� 15-16 GHF/Massey Ferguson Fall Dressage Show, Conyers, GA. Contact
� 19 STRIDE (Ocala) Membership Meeting, 7-9 p.m., FL. Click here for information
� 22 CTDA Schooling Show , Tennessee location TBA.
� 29-30 (moved up to Sept. 15-16) The Ride Lite Dressage Show (USDF/USEF), Newberry, FL.
� 29-30 Pumpkin Patch Dressage (USDF/USEF), Camden, SC.
� 30 STRIDE Schooling Show #4, Florida Horse Park, Ocala. Contact Irene Gentile 352-245-2730.
October 2012
� 4-7 GREAT AMERICAN INSURANCE GROUP/USDF Region 3 Dressage Championships, recognized
by the United States Equestrian Federation, Chattahoochee Hills/Bouckaert Farm, Fairburn, GA. Contact:
Lloyd Landkamer 612-290-8523.
� 6-7 Gerd Hueschmann Dressage Biomechanics Clinic, Southern Pines, NC. (See clinics page)
� 13 CTDA Schooling Show , Tennessee location TBA.
� 13 Atlanta Fall National I (USDF/USEF), GIHP, Conyers, GA. Contact: Mary Lou Freil
� 14 Atlanta Fall National II (USDF/USEF), GIHP, Conyers, GA. Contact: Mary Lou Freil
� 17 STRIDE (Ocala) Membership Meeting, 7-9 p.m., FL. Click here for information
� 19-21 Philippe Karl Dressage Clinic, Brevard County Equesterian Center, Grant, FL. (See Clinics page)
� 20-21 Poplar Place Farm October Dressage Show (USDF/USEF), Hamilton, GA. Contact: Donna Stegman
� 28 STRIDE Schooling Show #5, Florida Horse Park, Ocala. Contact Irene Gentile 352-245-2730.
November 2012
� 17-18 Blue Angel Dressage Show (USEF/USDF), Pensacola, FL. Contact Linda Lester
� 17-18 Poplar Place Farm November Dressage Show (USDF/USEF), Hamilton, GA. Contact: Donna
Stegman
December 2012
July 2012
� 5-8 USDF Annual Convention, New Orleans, LA. See USDF News page for more details.
� 15 STRIDE (Ocala) Annual Banquet and Year-End Awards, 2013 Officer Installation, 7 p.m., FL.
Clinics in Region 3
� 18 STRIDE: How to Use FaceBook and Twitter, 7 to 9 p.m., CF Equine Studies Building, Ocala, FL. Click
here for information
August 2012

�
Sept 2012
� 8-9 Eckhart Meyners Seat Lessons and Life Kinetik Lessons by Certified German Master Gabrielle Nimsky,
Toney, AL. Contact Karin Miles
� 16 All-Day Driving Clinic by Audrey Hartnett, Florida location TBA. Click here for information
October 2012
� 6-7 Gerd Hueschmann Dressage Biomechanics Clinic, Southern Pines, NC. Contact Linda Hoover, 910-
639-9910.
� 19-21 Philippe Karl Dressage Clinic, Brevard County Equestrian Center, Grant, FL. Contact Claudia Harris ,
813-340-9796.
Does This Sound Familiar??????
Why do I like horses? I think I must be mad.
My mother wasn't horsey- and neither was my dad.
But the madness hit me early- and it hit me like a curse.
And I've never gotten better. In fact I've gotten worse.
I hardly read the paper- but I know who's sold their horse.
And I wouldn't watch the news- Unless Mr Ed was on , of course
One eye's always on the heavens-but my washing waves in vain
As I rush to get the horses in- in case it's gonna rain.
I spend up every cent I've got - On horsey stuff for sure.
I buy saddles, bridles, fancy boots - and then I buy some more
I can't sew on a button - I don't even try
But I can back a truck and trailer - in the twinkling of an eye.
It's jeans and boots that I live in night and day
And that smell of sweaty horses just doesn't wash away.
I ache from long forgotten falls. My knees have got no skin.
My toes have gone a funny shape - from being stomped on again and again.
But late at night, when all is still- and I've gone to give them hay,
I touch their velvet softness and my worries float away.
They give a gentle nicker and the nuzzle through my hair
And I know it's where my heart is ----more here than anywhere
author unknown.
For YOUR entertainment - horsey poem and pics!
There is a horse we all know called Astro
He is very playful indeed!
He likes to rip others fly veils off

That naughty, but hunky steed!
So he rips off poor Rio’s fly veil
And then refuses to give it back
So Rio engages in horsey tug of war
Though clearly height he lacks!
Astro throws the veil around
Teasing poor Rio all the way
Then Rio steals it back
But not quick enough to run away

Rio soon realizes
That he is playing with a kid
Admitting defeat and letting Astro win
Walking away farewell he bids
Mummy joins the big boy
For a photo full of smiles
Mummy is such a dag

That lady has no style!
Now time for a big kiss
From my beautiful, beautiful boy
Whom I love with all my heart
Though he thinks everything is a toy

This is what I do when trying to avoid housework and when it’s WAY too hot to ride
Have a Happy 4 th of July…..
Be safe and remember that helmet!
All my best,
Kimmie Taylor

Region 3 Director
taylorhk@comcast.net
850-896-8475