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Revised
Rules...
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.
A dark tailcoat is also permitted for the FEI Junior Tests.
One whip no longer than 47.2 inches (120 cm),
Cooling vests may only be worn underneath a riding jacket with the
following exception:
If coats are waived, a white or very light solid-colored cooling vest
may be worn over a riding shirt as specified in DR120.6. BOD 1/13/08
Effective 12/1/08
There is no restriction on the length of whip permitted for working
a horse in hand.
The scale of marks is as follows:
Competitions may reserve the right to fill a competitor's subsequent
ride times if that competitor fails to notify the competition
secretary of his/her intention to scratch (ie. is a "no
show"). BOD 1/13/08 Effective 12/1/08
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Congratulations!
Congrats are
in order for Donna Gresso, Angie Gress and Karen Abbattista for
obtaining their bronze medals!
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:: Officers
President
Betty Brown
Vice President
Robin Sego
Karen Abbattista
karen@richardswf.com
Newsletter/Web Editor
Amie DiPiazza
If calling from outside the area please dial 941 area
code
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Greetings!
Show season is now in full swing. I
hope everyone is having fun.
Many thanks to Ann Forest of Equestrian
Imports for the wonderful meeting. It was all about
saddles, fitting and cleaning. Then there was John
who was all about saddle repairs. I really
learned all kind of things.
Double Delight is fast approaching . I can
not wait, it is always such fun.
This is a short one, so much to
do.
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Dressage
has a reputation as an elitist sport. Your average
competitive mount can cost more than a nice car, or in some
markets, a small house. A pair of quality show boots can eat
up an entire middle class paycheck. There are lesson fees and
show fees, trainers and trailers - an endless flow of money, with
no relief in sight. But, I'll let you in on a
secret...you don't have to spend a lot of money, buy an expensive
horse, or have the right clothes to ride dressage...
Hilda Gurney and her Thoroughbred, Keen, dominated dressage in the
mid 1970's. Keen earned 5 USDF FEI level titles, Gold and
Silver medals at 2 Pan Am games, and a team Bronze at the 1976
Olympics. Having been laughed off the track because of his
large size, three year old Keen was purchased by Hilda Gurney for
$1000 (yes, that's one thousand dollars). A horse saved from
being traded for cattle is now recognized in the USDF Hall of
Fame.
Or, consider the case of Seldom Seen, another USDF Hall of Fame
inductee. This American-bred Thoroughbred-Connemara cross
gelding proved to the world that a very small horse of common
breeding, like many people have in their backyard, can compete
against the very best in the world. He won the individual
gold at the 1981 Olympic Festival with rider Lendon Gray. No
dressage pedigree, no big fat price tag, just drive and
determination and recognized potential. Yes, there is
hope for the rest of us!
The object of dressage, as defined by the United States Equestrian
Federation, is "the harmonious development of the physique and
ability of the horse. As a result it makes the horse calm,
supple, loose and flexible but also confident, attentive and keen
thus achieving perfect understanding with his rider."
That's any horse, and any rider. There is no mention of breed
or nationality, of color, or size, or age. The training scale
requires no dues for entry. Dressage can be practiced
anywhere, anytime, by anyone.
There are some conditions, however. We must always keep in
mind the health and happiness of our horse. Never push him
beyond the limits of what he is physically and mentally capable,
for that is the ultimate sin. To break the fragile bond of
trust between horse and rider is unpardonable. To make the
best of what you have to work with, to discover and release the
full potential of horse and rider - that is the greatest of
accomplishments. To have your horse say, "I can, and I
will, because I want to", whatever level you ride, whatever
movement you practice, that is the spirit of dressage.
We can't all be Anky, and ride Salinero. We may not ride at
the upper levels, or ever compete at a show. But, we can
recognize our strengths, and improve on our weaknesses, always
striving and learning. We can work toward a perfect
partnership, whatever the level, whatever the horse. Be honest
in your expectations, have fun,and have hope. Happy
riding!
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With a speech by
Karen Partisch on Cranio- Sacral Therapy at 7:30
April 4th and 5th
Double Delight
we still
need volunteers, please contact Robin Sego for information... sego1@juno.com
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Truths
about horses....
1.
The richest horse people often look the poorest.
2.The
closeness of a horse is one of the sweetest smells in the world.
3. A
solitary ride through the woods is more beneficial than 6 months
with a psychiatrist.
4.The
worse a person rides, the more likely they will blame it on the
horse.
5.The best
thing about going to the barn first thing in the morning is
that the horses don't care how we look.
6. If a
dealer insists that a horse is worth twice what he is asking, then
the horse is probably worth half that much.
7.The best
way to appreciate how someone else rides is to get on their horse.
8. You can
never have too many hoof picks.
9. It is
not always wise to argue with something that outweighs you
by 1,000 pounds.
10.Eight
hours is NOT too long to be in the saddle!
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