Devon Breed Show Pics in the January issue.
The January issue is now in stores! Grab your copy today at one of these locations and preview the Maryland Horse World Expo schedule and vendors. Plus, read about which Maryland-bred youngsters topped classes at Dressage at Devon’s Breed Show. And, shop The Equiery’s 2012 Stallion Directory to breed your future champion.
Great Books for Dressage Riders in the December Issue!
‘Tis the Season! Grab a copy of the December Equiery at one of these locations for some great gift ideas… including some new books that might interest the dressage rider! Did you know that Rider & Horse and Balance in Movement 2 feature photos and videos of one of Maryland’s own top dressage riders? Find out who in the December issue.
Forgot to get your classified to us in time? No worries! Call today to find out how you can still get your ad online for December! 1-800-244-9580.
Dressage at Devon Celebrates 36 Years
Dressage at Devon, September 28 – October 2, 2011, Devon, PA
by Beth Collier
Ever since its beginning in 1975, Dressage at Devon has attracted more than 700 of the country’s top dressage horses and riders. Around 35,000 spectators flock to the historic Devon Fairgrounds in Devon, Pennsylvania for this six-day breed and performance show. New this year was the improved footing in the Gold Ring, where the FEI Grand Prix competitors were allowed to warm up. It rained quite a bit during the show and on Saturday evening but the improved drainage system held up. The two show rings and warm-up rings are all outdoors, making the footing a competitor priority.
The scheduled special exhibition this year was by Guy McLean (pictured left), an Australian horseman who also made an appearance at this year’s Washington International Horse Show. He performed several different exhibitions with horses at liberty while he either rode Western or bareback. His exhibitions usually include pyrotechnics and cracking bullwhips. He used his bullwhips during his first exhibition, but the loud snapping terrified most of the dressage horses throughout the show grounds so he eliminated this element during his other exhibitions.
Read the rest of this entry »
Dressage at Devon Pics in the November Print Edition
Did Pam Link snap your photo at this year’s Dressage at Devon? Grab a November issue today at one of these locations and find out! Plus… do you keep your horse loose and relaxed by riding on the WSSC trails? The trails will be closed to horseback riders as of November 15. Read “News & Views” for more info.
Missed getting your ad in The Equiery‘s November issue? It is not too late to get your ad online. Call 1-800-244-9580 to find out how!
Eastern Shore Dressage!
by Anne Thibo
The PVDA Bayside Chapter is proud to report our second successfull show, the 2nd Annual Dressage Schooling Show on DATE. Last year, we held our first show at Hidden Island Farm on Kent Island, courtesy of Charli and Mike Plumbtree. This year, we chose Crawford’s Chance in Centreville, managed by LKM Dressage as the venue. Ideally, we will rotate this annual event around to different venues in Queen Anne’s County, so stay tuned!
We had almost 50 entries for all dressage (Intro-First level) and eventing tests (Beginner Novice and Novice), which is definately a success for this area. Our lunch entertainment last year was a “Western Dressage” Test, and this year we tried a “Costume Equitation” class…..the picture prooves how much fun we all had!
From left to right: Jeremy Henley aboard Rocket, Charli Plumbtree riding Rastamons Island Dancer, Brianne Reynolds and Peppermint Patty and Sarah Baynard on Straight Away
A special THANK YOU to our sponsors Outback Tack in Easton, Salon Heberto in Centreville and The Narrows Restaurant in Grasonville, who donated the prizes:
High Score Champion: Ami Schine
Reserve Champion: Hannah Irons
Best Eventer: Sarah Baynard
Best Turned-Out Pair: Brianne Reynolds
All winners are also members of the PVDA Bayside Chapter….so look out for us at the Chapter Challenge in November!
Pics from Potomac Riverside
PVDA Schooling Show at Potomac Riverside in Dickerson on September 4th
photos by Dorothy Anderson
Liz Terry riding River Gold – Training Level Reserve Champion (1st in Training Test 1, 4th in Training Level Test 2)
Read the rest of this entry »
Drought to Damp, Mud & Mold… Hay Crisis?
Does your hay look like this? High heat, raging rains and mega mold may be causing a hay crisis this fall. Find out what you need to know in the October print edition of The Equiery, in stores now! Plus, read about how one Maryland rider represented the U.S. at the 2011 World Championships for Young Dressage Horses in Verden, Germany.
Missed getting your ad in the print edition? It is not too late to get your ad online! Call 1-800-244-9580 today to find out how.
The Biomechanics of Dressage
by Anne Thibo
Back in August 2011, Colleen Kelly, a well known Australian clinician, held a 3-day clinic at Breezy Run Farm in Church Hill where the majority of the participants were PVDA Bayside Chapter members. Her focus was on seat and balance and the biomechanics of horse and rider. Friday night consisted of a video lecture and a wonderful BBQ prepared by Vicky Meyer, owner of Breezy Run.
Half way through the lecture, we got hit by a nasty thunderstorm and we lost power for a while, but Colleen’s sense of humor made it a lot of fun, and we coninuted in the dark!
Saturday and Sunday were divided into group training sessions under saddle in walk and trot. One of the biggest “Aha” moments for me was to realize that most of the riders’ bodies in the clinic all leaned to the right or the left, and therfore all our horses got off balance too. Colleen also noticed that all of our stirrups needed to be shortened by three holes….ouch!!!
We all left with a DVD of our rides as a souvenir and to allow us to watch them again and again to keep learning. Colleen will be back in the area soon for the Maryland Horse Expo and more clinics!
RPSI Inspection Held on “Earthquake Tuesday”
by Diane Burt
Even an earthquake could not disrupt the second annual Rheinland Pfalz-Saar International (RPSI) inspection for mares and foals, held Tuesday, August 23 at Tawna King’s Golden Venture Farm in Brandywine. Mild temperatures and low humidity prevailed, and horses remained calm in spite of the 5.8-point earthquake, which was felt up and down the East Coast.
Read the rest of this entry »
U.S. Pan American Team Named
The U.S. Pan American dressage team was announced after the completion of the Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions on September 8-11 in Gladstone, New Jersey. The show was also the USEF National Intermediaire Championship as well as the official Selection Trial for the Pan American Games, which will be held in Guadalajara, Mexico in October.
At the show, Christopher Hickey of Hilltop Farm in Colora placed 10th overall in the Selection Trials riding Witness Hilltop (pictured left). The pair had to ride three tests; Prix St. Georges, Intermediaire I and an Intermediaire Freestyle. Although the pair’s score did not qualify them for the U.S. team, they were the highest placing Marylanders in the competition.
The U.S. Pan American dressage team does include one former Maryland rider. Dr. Cesar Parra, who now is based out of New Jersey and Florida, made the team riding Grandioso, owned by Michael and Sarah Davis. The rest of the team includes Steffen Peters with Weltino’s Magic (Jen and Bruce Hlavacek), Heather Blitz on her own Paragon and Marissa Festerling riding her own Big Tyme.
During the Festival of Champions, Hassler Dressage (Chesapeake City) working student Kya Endreson rode Pik L (pictured below) to the Junior Championship honor. She was the only rider to score over 70% in the FEI Junior Team and Individual tests.
