The Newsletter for the Southeastern Chapter of the Virginia Dressage Association Volume Number 29 Issue Number 7 July 2017 PRESIDENTS LETTER – JULY 2017 SVDA is having probably our biggest show season ever with very large SVDA Sponsored shows and more sanctioned shows than I can ever remember. We also have many riders out there at USEF licensed shows. It promises to be an excellent awards season. Be sure to get your 8 hours of volunteer time in and THANK YOU TO ALL our dedicated volunteers and fun loving competitors! The topic of this month’s newsletter is highlight some of our show policies. These policies appl y to SVDA schooling shows since sanctioned shows are allowed to run their shows as they see fit. The policies and rules are here to keep the playing field even for all competitors and to have some consistent organization (read – don’t descend into chaos!) during the show. Our schooling show policies are on our website under the Membership tab in the Membership manual. We have a document on how to schedule a schooling show that we thought would be interesting in case you were wondering how it’s done. They are included in this month’s newsletter. Notes on Rules: We generally follow USEF rules except we always allow relaxed show attire and braiding is not required. If you chose to go without formal show clothes, you must wear a shirt with short or long sleeves, and a collar (no tank tops allowed). If you ride without a jacket, no neck wear is allowed and your shirt should be open at the throat. Per USEF, Riders through First Level may wear half-chaps, gaiters or leggings in solid black or brown, without fringe, matching the color of their boots, and made of smooth leather or leather-like material. All other USEF equipment rules for warm up, competition and guest horses apply. Formal show clothes and braiding are required if you compete in a year end Championship class. Notes on Scheduling: We generally don’t allow rides out of order from the rest of the class (ROO) except for very extenuating circumstances. Show secretaries do their best to accommodate special requests but are under no obligation to do so and often with large shows are unable to accommodate special requests, i.e.: “I am trailering with XXX and we need our ride times to be close together”. Higher level rides are NOT guaranteed to be early in the AM. Show secretaries often don’t know where a horse or rider home farm is, so yes you may live in Suffolk and have to be in Virginia Beach for an 8am ride time. If there is a scratch before or during the show and you fill it – you MUST ride the same test as the scratched ride because all riders in the same class must ride together and therefore be judged under the same circumstances. Half-halt
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The Newsletter for the Southeastern Chapter of the Virginia Dressage Association
Volume Number 29 Issue Number 7 July 2017
PRESIDENTS LETTER – JULY 2017
SVDA is having probably our biggest show season ever with very large SVDA Sponsored shows and more sanctioned
shows than I can ever remember. We also have many riders out there at USEF licensed shows. It promises to be an
excellent awards season. Be sure to get your 8 hours of volunteer time in and THANK YOU TO ALL our dedicated
volunteers and fun loving competitors!
The topic of this month’s newsletter is highlight some of our show policies. These policies apply to SVDA schooling
shows since sanctioned shows are allowed to run their shows as they see fit. The policies and rules are here to keep
the playing field even for all competitors and to have some consistent organization (read – don’t descend into chaos!)
during the show. Our schooling show policies are on our website under the Membership tab in the Membership
manual. We have a document on how to schedule a schooling show that we thought would be interesting in case you
were wondering how it’s done. They are included in this month’s newsletter.
Notes on Rules:
We generally follow USEF rules except we always allow relaxed show attire and braiding is not required. If you chose to go without formal show clothes, you must wear a shirt with short or long sleeves, and a collar (no tank tops allowed). If you ride without a jacket, no neck wear is allowed and your shirt should be open at the throat. Per USEF, Riders through First Level may wear half-chaps, gaiters or leggings in solid black or brown, without fringe, matching the color
of their boots, and made of smooth leather or leather-like material. All other USEF equipment rules for warm up, competition and guest horses apply. Formal show clothes and braiding are required if you compete in a year end Championship class.
Notes on Scheduling:
We generally don’t allow rides out of order from the rest of the class (ROO) except for very extenuating circumstances.
Show secretaries do their best to accommodate special requests but are under no obligation to do so and often with
large shows are unable to accommodate special requests, i.e.: “I am trailering with XXX and we need our ride times to be
close together”. Higher level rides are NOT guaranteed to be early in the AM. Show secretaries often don’t know
where a horse or rider home farm is, so yes you may live in Suffolk and have to be in Virginia Beach for an 8am ride time.
If there is a scratch before or during the show and you fill it – you MUST ride the same test as the scratched ride because
all riders in the same class must ride together and therefore be judged under the same circumstances.
The meeting was called to order at 8:01pm. Present were Tina Longaker (C’vlle) - Pres, Jessie Ginsburg (NOVA) - Treas,
Alison Head (NOVA)- V-Pres, Alison Douglas (Central) – Sec’y, Sherri Booye (C’ville), Robyn Nunnally (SVDA), Beth
Rippel (SVDA), Dianne Boyd (NOVA), Jane Walker (Central), Sheli King (NOVA), Susan Ellis (NE), Alison Thompson
(F’burg), Jane Palmer (ShenVADA), Anne Draine (NE), Angela Stanaway (NE), Katherine Abrams (SWAVDA), Meredith
McGrath (SWAVDA), Nancy Moody
Anne Draine made a motion that we approve the minutes from the May board meeting. The motion was seconded by
Sheli King, and was passed unanimously.
Treasurer’s Report- Jessie via email reported that the combined balances are $107,032. Bills for DAL are coming in.
Jessie requests that anyone who sends a check to her to deposit or makes an online deposit, specifies what it’s for. If for
sponsorships, please indicate which show it’s for.
Chapter Updates- Central Chapter is working on a new website as is SWADA. C’ville had info on the Bill Warren clinic on
their website.
By-Law Subcommittee Report- next update will be after they meet in August.
DAL Update- Tina reported that entries are open. Diane reported that prize list is out. Nancy Doody reported on
sponsorship- all chapter sponsorships are in. She’s finalizing other sponsors. We do have some new one. She does have
some holes in logos and is working on them. Other than that, she’s pretty much wrapping everything up. It’s looking
good compared to prior years. Diane reported that Alison Campbell will do the food.
Fall Show Update- Dianne reported that everything is pretty much on track. She’s multitasking the DAL with this show as
she can, i.e hotels, food, etc.
Chapter Challenge Show Update- Susan reported that they will be having a management meeting next week and then
after that a meeting with chapter reps. She’s working with VTO regarding prizes. Susan is also working with the Howard
Johnsons for a block of 30 rooms for competitors and volunteers with a $79 rate.
2018 Statewide Clinic- Alison reported that Morven should be in good shape. They are redoing rings. She will look into
dates for the spring. Once we get a date, Tina will start contacting clinicians. On the list are Jeremy Steinberg, George
Williams, Lilo Fore, Lendon Gray and Janet Foy.
Online Silent Auction for Awards Banquet- update from Jessie next meeting.
Shel Gafford Nominations- These are due to Tina by August 1st. Tallies are to be finished by October 31st. Forms are on
the VADA website. Chapters need to get them out to their memberships to meet the August deadline.
New Business- none
Next meeting will be held via teleconference at 8 pm on Wednesday the 9th of August.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:35pm.
Respectfully, Alison Douglas
SVDA 2017 Calendar
Schooling Show Schedule Date Location Judge Open Close O7/02/17 Terra Ceia Sandy Toby (L graduate) 6/5/17 6/19/17 07/30/17 Amazing Grace Farm Danielle Hinkey (L graduate) 7/3/17 7/17/17 08/27/17 Bridlewood Estates Kris Montgomery (L graduate) 7/31/17 8/14/17 09/24/17 SSTC Margaret Little(r) 8/28/17 9/11/17 10/22/17 SSTC Leeann Hansen (r ), @ C 9/25/17 10/9/17 Kris Montgomery (L graduate)
Licensed Show 2017 July 14/16– Dressage at Lexington July 29/30 – Raleigh Sumer Dressage I & II Sept 2/3 – Labor of Love , Williamston Oct 5-8 – GAIGS Williamston Oct 12-15 – BLM Lexington March 25/26 2018 – March Magic, Williamston
Sanctioned schooling shows Wakefield Airfield 4-H Center Aug 19 &20, Sept 17, Oct 8
Deep Creek Stables July 16, 2017
Chestnut Oak Show Series: May 21 September 24 October 22 November 12
SVDA Schooling Show Information In order for the schooling show entry process to run as smoothly as possible, the entry procedures are as follows. Please
read this notice carefully and save it for future reference.
A generic entry form can be located on website or in the newsletter and may be duplicated. Please fill in the date and
location blanks on the form when you send in your entry.
A list of coming schooling shows will be printed in each newsletter and on the website and will include the opening date,
closing date and entry secretary for each show.
Opening date (first date your entry can be postmarked) will be two weeks before the closing date.
Closing date (last date your entry can be postmarked) will be the Monday thirteen days prior to the show. (If Monday is
a holiday, entries postmarked Tuesday will be accepted)
Entries will be accepted on a first come, first served basis by postmark. Members will be accepted before non-members
before the closing date but after the closing date non-members and members will accepted equally until the show is full.
Non-members must pay the non-membership fee.
Entries must be paid in full by the closing date of the schooling show; or the ride(s) cannot be scheduled. The late fee
of $5.00 per ride applies if the entry or entry fee is received after the closing date. The late fee also applies when
scratched rides are filled after the entry date. (3/96) Telephone entries are not accepted!
Ride times will be available the Weds - Fri before the show. The entry secretary may be phoned between 6:00 pm and
9:00 pm only. Please do not leave a message on the secretary's answering machine asking her to call you back. Some,
but not all, Entry Secretaries e-mail ride times. Please call if you have not received an e-mail by the Friday prior to the
show. When possible ride times will be posted on the SVDA website. www.gosvda.org
Tests: Current USDF or FEI tests and WDAA tests will be utilized. Professionals may ride and be scored/ placed in Intro.
(4/13)
PLEASE NOTE: SVDA members who enter SVDA Schooling Shows for Year End Awards are required to complete eight
volunteer service hours, the first four of which must be done by July 1. Please see the “SVDA Volunteer Jobs Info”
Volunteer requirements for new members who join after the show season is in progress: extenuating circumstances will
be examined on an individual basis.(2/96)
Judges: The use of local USDF “L” certified graduates are acceptable for schooling shows as long as the USEF thirty day
rule applies; to paraphrase, one cannot ride for credit in front of a judge with whom one trained within the last thirty
days. (1/98)
Riders must be prepared to ride in a small arena for Introductory Level through Training 3. (2011)
Refunds: Similar to the policy with USEF Licensed shows, after the closing dates –there are NO REFUNDS regardless of
the reason. Under extreme circumstances, a show entrant may write a letter to the SVDA board for consideration for a
refund, but this will be granted only under extreme and unusual circumstances. Before the closing date, riders may
scratch for any reason and their checks will be destroyed. (2010)
Over filled shows: SVDA shows will generally only be scheduled for 9 hour days including lunch and break. If shows are
oversubscribed, in order to accommodate as many riders as possible: each rider will be limited to 2 tests. Please
indicate on your entry which will be the 2 tests that you prefer to ride. If you don’t indicate which tests you want to
ride, the SVDA entry secretary will chose the 2 highest level tests for you. SVDA members will be given preference over
non-members up to the closing date. After the closing date– non-SVDA members will be accommodated on an equal
basis with members on a 1st come, 1st serve basis. (10/11)
SVDA Schooling shows are occasionally cancelled due to poor weather, including previously wet weeks which can affect
warm-up and parking. Every effort will be made to reschedule the show to another date at the same farm but that is
not always possible. If a post-phoned show is rescheduled, previously scheduled riders will have 1st choice at re-entering
the rescheduled show. Reasonable efforts will be made to contact riders from the original show, however it is the
rider’s responsibility to contact the entry secretary to let them know that they do wish to ride. If a rider does not
contact the entry secretary within 5 days of the new date, it will be presumed that they do not wish to ride and the
checks will be destroyed. New riders will only be scheduled if there is enough room in the schedule to accommodate
them. (2010)
When scheduling a show – entry secretaries are not responsible for fulfilling requests like “please schedule all my rides
near the person I am trailering with”. If you enter a show – be prepared to be there all day. Occasionally we will try to
accommodate people who have to go to work but that is not guaranteed. (2010)
We hope that this Schooling Show Season is enjoyable for both you and your horse. Please contact the Schooling Show
Chairman with comments or suggestions. And please call the Vice President to volunteer. Our schooling shows would
not be possible without your help.
Entries
On entry forms, clearly print the name of the horse and rider. Please make sure your cell # and email address are
legible. Once a Coggins test is submitted, it is kept on file until the expiration date (one year from the date on which the
blood was drawn for the test, not the date on which the test was read.) Check the expiration date of your Coggins test.
If it expires during show season, plan to have it redrawn three to four weeks early. The Coggins can be submitted to the
entry secretary of the next schooling show, to be kept on file.
Make sure the names of the horse and rider and the date the blood was drawn are legible. Also check the spelling of
your horse's name on the Coggins test paper. If the name is incorrectly spelled or if your horse is shown under a name
not on the test paper, attach a note to the test giving the horse's show name, i.e.” Buddy - Shown as Mon Ami". Coggins
tests are filed alphabetically by horse's show name.
Entries must be paid in full by the closing date of the schooling show or the ride(s) cannot be scheduled. The late fee of
$5.00 per ride applies if the entry or entry fee is received after the closing date of the show.
Scratches
If you find you won't be able to participate in a show you've entered, you can withdraw from, or scratch, any or all
classes. Up to the Saturday before the show, call the entries secretary to scratch. The day of the show, you can see the
Show Secretary on the grounds, or call her after the show. The Show Secretary is listed with the volunteers on the
Schooling Show Information page of each newsletter It is assumed that, if you aren't at the show or don't show up at
your ride time, you've had to scratch. If you are unable to ride because your horse is ill or lame the no-refund policy
after the closing date as stated above is still in effect.
The Entries Secretary will attempt to fill scratched rides if at all possible. This is her responsibility, not that of the rider
who withdrew. The Entries Secretary may keep a waiting list of competitors who contact her after the closing date of
the show. There is a late entry fee of five dollars ($5.00) assessed when a rider fills a scratched ride. There is no refund
for the original rider even if the ride times are filled.
Combined Training Dressage Tests
Some of our members have requested that we offer FEI Combined Training dressage tests at our schooling shows. The
board has agreed this can be done. The rider will be responsible for enclosing a copy of the test (for the judge) and a
USDF Test Score Sheet to the entries secretary with her entry. These tests will be ridden HC (scores are for the riders'
information and do not count toward year end awards).
Western Dressage Division:
In 2012, SVDA embraced the new discipline of Western Dressage and include it in year end awards, A two year trial
period in 2012 and 2013 was concluded and Western Dressage has been accepted into the SVDA Schooling Shows and
Awards Division.
2014: WDAA rules will apply with the following exceptions. A rider is required to wear ASTM helmet at all SVDA
functions while mounted. A maximum of 3 test per horse can be ridden at SVDA schooling show.
1) All SVDA schooling shows will offer WD classes 2/12
2) SVDA will offer End of the Year Championship awards for 2 divisions of tests:
Basic Western Dressage and Primary Western Dressage 2/12
3) Will be allowed to participate in SVDA clinics 2/12
4) The SVDA will have a page on their website devoted to WD 2/12
WDAA rules and tests will be utilized on the following links. These are the only published WD rules at this time:
Class Fees: $25.00 Each/SVDA Members | $30.00/NON-SVDA Members
Late Fee: $5.00 Per Class if Received AFTER Closing Date
CHAMPIONSHIP CLASSES: Entrants MUST include a copy of their signed, qualifying test score copy when
entering the Championship Classes listed above.
ENTRY RULES: Entries open one month prior to show date and close on Monday, two (2) weeks prior to the show. A late fee of $5.00 per class will apply if you enter after the closing date or if our signed entry is not received paid in full with a current Coggins test copy before the day of the show. (Late Fees: $25 per ride for SVDA Members, $30 per ride for non‐members). A current negative Coggins copy is required with each entry. USEF Rules Apply! PLEASE NOTE: SVDA DOES NOT ALLOW ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES OF ANY KIND ON THE SHOW PREMISES SVDA Helmet Policy: All riders, youth and adults, must wear a properly fitting equestrian helmet meeting or surpassing current applicable ASTM/SEI (American Society for Testing and Materials/Safety Equipment Institute) standards with chin strap secured while mounted at any time/anywhere on the competition/event grounds. Participants who do not adhere to this policy will be required to dismount until appropriate headgear is obtained. Upon any continued non‐compliance with the helmet po licy, the rider will be disqualified from the competition and will forfeit all entry fees. RETURNED CHECK NOTIFICATION: The current bank rate charge will apply to a RETURNED check for ANY reason. SVDA Treasurer will contact member to arrange payment. If payment is not made within thirty (30) days, the member will be suspended with all rights and priveleges revoked until payment is made. Suspended members WILL NOT receive credit for scores earned while on suspension and will NOT be eligible for year end awards.
MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING: Definition: “Member in good standing” shall mean a member who has paid the annual dues,
submitted all required forms for membership, and is not delinquent in any amounts owed to the SVDA for any clinic, show, or other event. Only members in good standing may participate in organization activities, including but not limited to clinics, shows, volunteer hours, meetings, year-end awards, and events. All applications or requests for participating in such events shall not be processed until the person is a member in good standing. If a check is not deposited by SVDA until after a show, and if the check does not clear due to insufficient funds, then any scores earned at that show shall not count towards year end awards, high score awards, or any other SVDA activity, unless the owed funds and any returned check fees are made good within 5 business days of an email. The date at which a member shall be considered not in good standing shall be retroactive to the date the insufficient funds check was received by SVDA. This policy is not applicable to sanctioned shows where payment is tendered to a group other than SVDA.
Mounting on the right by Sarah Miller
The first thing that comes to mind when someone says or does it is that ‘Farmer’sOnly.com’ ad when
the city girl is mounting the horse on the right. She is mounting the horse on the right; she is wearing red
shorts and high heel wedges. A little later in the ad she is hanging off the side of the horse as it gallops by.
She is supposed to be a really bad rider; actually the actor is a very good stunt rider. The point is supposed to
be that she is an idiot and she shows it by mounting on the right. Most horse people think you’re an idiot if
you mount on the right. It is traditional to mount on the left, it goes back to when Knights rode their chargers
into battle. Most knights were right handed, their swords hung on their left side so they could draw it out. It’s
kind of hard to mount a horse from the right if your sword is in the way. But it might even go farther back to
Roman times, again right handed rider sword on left.
Anyway, how many riders think about training their horses to be mounted from the right? I have
trained all my horses to allow the rider to mount from the right. Those of you who knew Ray Norman, know
that he trained all his horses to stand still for the rider to mount from either side. All that being said, how
many of you have ever thought of mounting on the right? Maybe a few of you, but for the most part I’ll bet
90% of you have never thought about it. Suppose you are on a trial ride and get off your horse for some
reason and then go to get back on and you find that the left side of the horse is on the down side of the hill.
You can’t get your foot up and into the stirrup. Okay, just turn the horse around and now the left side is on
the uphill side…except you can’t safely turn your horse around, the trail is not wide enough; the slope is to
step, or any number of other reasons. What do you do?
Back to what I said earlier, I train my horses to allow the rider to mount from the left or the right. You
never know when it might come in handy. Case in point, I was at a horse show last month, I took a bad fall
and injured my left leg pretty badly. Turn wonderful shades of purple, blue, black and green. From the knee
to toes all kinds of wonderful colors. I could walk, sort of, but when it came time to ride I could not get my left
foot in the stirrup, even from a step stool. (Yes, I know what some of you are thinking even with a step ladder
you couldn’t get on Xander.) Anyway my left leg was unless and there was no way was getting on the horse. I
know what some of you are thinking, I had no business riding in the first place with that injury and I’ll give you
that but when you send the kind of money we spend to go to these Licensed show you are going to find a way
to put your butt in the saddle and hope you stay there. So, with the help of a couple of friends, one holding
the reins, the other holding the left stirrup, I move the step stool to the right and climbed on. You can image
the looks I got. A dressage ride at a licensed show mounting from the right! An FEI rider no less! Those who
know me know what happened and were surprised I was even riding, but I saw the looks from the other
people. OH WELL, I got up. I stayed on. I rode my test. I got a 64% in my MFS and when I got out I got off on
the right side too.
Now you may never have to mount your horse from the right, many horses will shy if you go to their
right side. It’s all a matter of training the horse to accept you on their right side (off side). We, as riders,
usually don’t bother with this, but what if you need it one day? As Clinton Anderson is so fond of pointing out
horse have to be trained on the right side and then the same on their left side. Their brains don’t work like
ours do, we learn and process right and carry it over to the left, horses just don’t.