COVID-19 Update

I hope this issue finds you all safe and well. As the country begins to loosen the hold caused by COVID-19 VADA/Nova is cautiously returning to holding events. As a board we have made the decision to cancel the Schooling Show scheduled for June 27th, and to discontinue discussion of holding a replacement event at Frying Pan for the end of July. These decisions allow us to focus on creating our competition plan in line with Virginia, USEF, USDF and Morven Park guidance. As of today, VADA/Nova plans to resume competitions with the August Schooling Show, August 1st at Morven Park. We are working on our full licensed show competition plan which we will use to run the August Schooling Show allowing us to test our policy, process and procedure prior to holding the Au-gust Licensed Shows at the end of August.

Please be aware that there will be many changes en-acted and that these are done to keep everyone safe. We will be communicating these changes over the next couple of months so that there are no surprises (please see the article in this newsletter on page 11 as the first of these communications). The USEF and USDF have released videos and processes that I encourage you to view to get an idea of how we are required to proceed.

We are revising our August Schooling Show prize list and will post it in the next two weeks so that all can review and understand the changes. As a heads-up electronic entry will be required with all forms and payment received before entry is confirmed; there can be no exception to this requirement. We will not have day stalls at this show so please decide and prepare accordingly. More information will be coming as we move forward. Please ensure that you are reading all e-blasts sent and checking for updates through our website and FaceBook page.

I cannot emphasize enough that there will be no leni-ency in the rules and processes that are set; these are put in place to ensure everyone’s safety and we will immediately address any violation to maintain our responsibility to all.

Once we have solidified the plans required for our August shows, we will turn to completing work on our other programs, awards, etc. and determine the best approach to address them in 2020 while laying out the plan for 2021.

Thank you all for your continued support! Please stay safe and well.

Diann

VADA/NOVA, Inc. Newsletter Volume 49 Issue 3June 2020

In This Issue...

The Times (and Horse Shows) are a ChangingDressage- An Eventer’s Perspective

Spotlight On- Dr. Kelly Foltman

Piaffe & PassagePresident’s Letter

Diann Carpenter

Volunteer OpportunitiesJuly 10-12 VADA Dressage at Lexington

Aug 1 Schooling ShowAug 22-23 Licensed Show

Oct 31 Schooling Show

Websites to check out

VADA/NOVA www.vadanova.org

VADA State www.virginiadressage.org

Region 1 www.USDFREG1.org

Officers

VADA/NOVA Board Members

Mary Callanmcallan@vadanova.org

703-966-9357

Diann Carpenterdcarpenter@vadanova.org

540-216-6528

Jessie Ginsburgsardburg@aol.com

703-927-8270

Judy Grassjgrass@vadanova.org

703-620-4923

Anne Harringtonaharrington@vadanova.org

703-599-7696

Dilly Jackson cjackson@vadanova.org

304-283-6959

Sheli Kingmking@vadanova.org

703-868-9062

Michelle Lachnermlachner1@gmail.com

540-851-2799

Diann Landaudlandau@vadanova.org

703-727-2507

Maloree Razzinomrazzino@vadanova.org

571-201-0210

Lisa Ricelrice@vadanova.org

703-314-7461

Rachel Ricerrice@vadanova.org

703-887-0507

Lisa Rowelrowe@vadanova.org

240-401-4523

Carol ThomasCarolThomasVA@gmail.com

703-966-4349

Diann CarpenterMichelle LachnerAnne Harrington

Carolyn “Dilly” Jackson

PresidentVice President

SecretaryTreasurer

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Classified ads are free for two months to our members, and are also posted on our website.

Ads are limited to 40 words per ad.If you are interested in placing an classified ad,

please email rarice91@yahoo.com

2

VADA Meeting MinutesMay 6, 2020

Meeting held via teleconference

Members present: Bettina Longaker, President (C’ville), Sheli King, Vice-President (NOVA), Jessie Ginsburg, Treasurer (NOVA), Alison Douglas, Secretary (Central), Sherri Booye (C’ville), Sandy Tobey (SVDA), Anne Draine (NEVADA), Robyn Nunally (SVDA), Angie Stanaway (NEVADA), Joanne Collins (F’burg), Bethany Larson (Central), Laura Nelson (SWVADA), Jane Palmer (ShenVADA), Beth Rippel (SVDA), Anna Simmons (Fred), Annie Connelly (SWVADA), Nancy Doody (C’ville) Dianne Boyd (NOVA), Rachel Rice(NOVA), Salena Arreguin ( C’ville), Gardy Bloemers (C’ville) Meredith McGrath (SWVADA), Lorna Parson (SVDA)

The meeting was called to order at 8:04.

Anne Draine made the motion to accept the minutes from the last meeting. Sherri seconded and the Board ap-proved unanimously.

Treasurer’s Report: Jessie reported little activity. Combined balances are just over 107K because of show expenses. Ribbon expense was a little over 10k and will cover a couple of years. We took full advantage of the 10% discount from the supplier.

COVID-19 Issues And How They Relate To The Following:

Overall- Requirements from USEF- refer to bottom of minutes. Horse sports are the first ones to go live so we will be the cutting edge. Gardy reported from the VHC perspective that they have no official statement from the VA Governor or Sec of Agriculture. However, they have told them that we don’t have a lot of spectators. If all goes as planned, June 5th will be groups of 50 okay to gather. Any USEF guidelines and restrictions would be followed by VADA for all our show, including schooling shows and the Chapter Challenge.

2020 Clinic: Williams-Warren Clinic to be held June 27th and 28th at Stave Mill Farm in Esmont, VA. Sheli reported that we’ve gotten two grants- Dressage Founda-tion ($2000) and USDF($1000). Both USDF and The Dressage Foundation have promised that if we postpone, funds will still be available. Sheli and Gardy have figured that we could have 46 auditors. Concerns are hotel stays, meals, and if riders still want to participate. Clinicians

and facility are available for the same time next year if we decide to postpone. Sheli recommends that we post-pone and concentrate on DAL. Tina proposed that we try to do a webinar instead. Gardy suggested a series of educational seminars. After board discussion, a motion was made by Sheli and seconded by Sherri to postpone to next year and the motion was approved unanimously. Gardy also offered that she is going to investigate doing something on her own with a couple of riders. Please contact her directly.

DAL: Diane reported that we hopefully will be in phase 2 which gives us the possibility of having the show. Diane and Tina have reached out to officials and essential personnel who have said they will participate. One of the main things we have to look at is the size- just using 4 rings. On a good note, VHC has finished some nice improvements. The new restrictions will affect the show office- VHC has put up plexiglass partitions. Compet-itors will have to have complete online entries. Entries will have to be completed before entering the property. USEF has a new release form which is part of the entry, that can be signed electronically but requires 6 signatures. We are still working thru the details on how we reduce other paper- tests, packets, programs. We have to limit the amount of people in the show office. Other concerns are feeding volunteers and cleanliness with bathrooms. The barns are a big risk for group gatherings so we are also thinking about how we handle that. There will have to be changes to hotel rooms for volunteers as well as vol-unteer check in. To go forward, we have to be concerned about how the facility gets classified by the state which could determine whether the facility would be allowed to operate. Dianne recommends we move forward, and everyone agreed. Tina says we should have the individ-ual SHAC but there will be no teams and no awards cer-emonies at all. Tina wants to stress that the riders need to understand the risks and responsibilities they have, not only to themselves and their horses, but to everyone else on the grounds.

GAIGS: October 8-11. If it goes forward, it will be a big show because many people are excited that it’s back in VA.

Webinars: Gardy reported that George is willing to do online seminars as have others. She says if we do this it needs to be organized and would need a committee to plan. Tina has looked into Zoom and says basic pricing is free for 100 people and 45 minutes. Anna Simmons and

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Rachel Rice have zoom accounts and are willing to share with the club. We’re going to form a committee, those interested please contact Tina.

Chapter Challenge: Meredith reported that she is not comfortable moving forward. Sandy Toby has volun-teered to take over as manager. Sheli and Tina have volunteered to help. The date is August 15th. The board thanks Meredith for all her hard work over the years for this event. We are going to survey membership to see if we have the interest in having the show. The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:24 pm

Next meeting will be held via teleconference on Wednes-day June 10th at 8 pm.

Respectfully submitted,Alison Douglas

THE BELOW IS FROM THE USEF- PLEASE READ ALSO TO SEE COMPLETE COVID-19 TOOLKIT GO TO USEF.ORG AND CLICK ON THE READ BUTTON ON THE BLUE BANNER AT THE TOP OF THE HOME PAGE.

On June 1 the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s suspension of its owned and named events will expire, and shows may resume once again. But what will shows look like? And how will everyone stay safe in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic?USEF CEO Bill Moroney joined USEF General Counsel Sonja Keating, USEF team physician Dr. Mark Hart, Equestrian Sports Productions President Michael Stone and trainer John Madden to share information and answer questions in an hour-long webinar on May 4. “Personal and community responsibility is the founda-tion of transitioning to the new normal,” said Moroney. “There won’t be one unified national approach to open-ing the country,” he continued. “Restrictions and behaviors will vary depending on what the state and, in some cases, the local government imposes.” Stone put the challenge bluntly. “The most important thing we have to realize is we just have one chance to get it right,” he said. “When we kick off, we have to do it correctly.”

The USEF will have mandatory and recommended best practices outlined in the USEF COVID-19 action plan, which will be published later this week. According to

Keating, that action plan will be a fluid, living document that can be adjusted as needs change. Key elements of the plan include risk assessment; temperature monitoring of volunteers, officials and staff; social distancing; banning spectators from competitions; limiting the number of en-trances and exits; requiring all entries to be completed online; and using posted orders of go and published ridetimes. Participants will have to sign a revised waiver and release of liability and assumption of risk and indemnity agreement.

Individuals can be removed from the grounds for failing to adhere to the requirements by the organization or of-ficials.

Hart addressed the most basic question of all: Is it even safe to consider going back to competitions? His answer: yes and no.

“Equestrian sports are inherently safer than some other sports because we don’t have contact with other people,” he said. “In equestrian sports—barring a couple of our disciplines such as vaulting and para—we can maintain social distancing. Do we overwhelm a local medical sys-tem with our sport? We’re not showing that we’re im-pacting the local medical providers that way.”

Hart emphasized that individuals would have to make the decisions that are best for them npersonally. He said that the USEF has been working with other national federa-tions and international federations to create protocols.

“Half the people who have it don’t know they’re infected,” he said. “They’re transmitting the virus for one to two weeks and don’t know it. Masks reduce that person from transmitting the virus. I strongly advise at this stage that we consider recommending masks.”

Stone discussed the changes he’s been preparing at ESP, the team behind the Winter Equestrian Festival (Florida). They’re planning to move all the entries online, put plexi-glass in front of show secretaries, ask everyone to wear masks, add extra cleaning staff (including bathroomattendants), look at disinfecting sprays used in hospitals to spray down warm-up jumps, and require social dis-tancing, including within “tribes” from the same barn. He said he expects local health authorities will be inspecting horse shows to see how they are handling things. They’relimiting the number of people who can come with each rider to three: a groom, trainer and family member.

Continued from previous page

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Competitors will be able to sign up to ride on a first-come, first-serve basis, and if there are too many people, and time slots run out, too bad. He’s looking into text messag-ing apps to send a mass text in case of a storm, and he’s planning to tell people to shelter in their cars rather thansqueezing into tents in case of inclement weather. “We’re following the [U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] guidelines,” he said. “We’ve worked a little with the [World Health Orga-nization] risk assessment tool, which is really good, and we have very little risk. I think most organizers will be able to come out. I would ask people be respectful of everyone else. This isn’t a joke; this is serious. We want to get the business up and running; so many people who are self-employed haven’t had work for a month. We need to work with them to get business going.”

Madden, who runs John Madden Sales in Cazenovia, New York, emphasized personal responsibility and remember-ing the big picture. “We have to be really good citizens to our staff, clients, organizers,” he said. “With local, coun-ty, state, national governments, federations and organi-zations, we have to be really good citizens to the world. This is not isolated like a hurricane or an earthquake. We might be enjoying the sun in Kentucky and having a great horse show, but other areas of the world could be under tremendous stress due to COVID-19 pandemic. We have to be sensitive to that so we’re not a burden.”

He pointed out that as a sport we’re already well suited to putting others first, as we need to put the horse’s well-be-ing before winning. On a practical level, he pointed out that good practices should begin at the barn at home and continue at the horse show. “We’re already wearing masks, social distancing, clean-ing things,” he said. “It’s important to develop good hab-its of disinfecting. Go through your day and think about what happens. Who’s going to feed the horses? Who’s opening the stall door? Where will I put disinfecting de-vices? Are we going to keep the air moving in different places? Do I need to buy extra equipment so I can keep everything separate?”

Other QuestionsThe panel stayed on after the presentation, and Mark Coley, the USEF director of development, read questions that had been submitted beforehand or during the presen-tation.

• With so many horse shows rescheduling, will the mileage rule still be in effect?Yes. Shows that conflict with other shows within the

allotted mileage will still have to go through the exemp-tion process. That said, the USEF board has approved a resolution permitting Moroney to modify rules to cre-ate flexibility and the nimbleness needed to counter the effects of the COVID-19 crisis. “The resolution by the board allows me to have the flexibility to alter timelines to expedite the process a little more and to bring groups of competitions together to look at as a unit rather than a one-off,” said Moroney.

• Will USEF or state governors be the ones to OK competitions?The USEF will defer to state and local governments. “We urge the organizers to conduct the risk assess-ment from the WHO and do it in partnership with state and public health authorities,” said Keating. “That will guide the decision.”

• Will there be restrictions on those traveling from areas with a high density of COVID cases to areas with a low density?Not from the USEF, but state and local governments may make their own decisions that competitors must abide by.

• How will social distancing work at the riding rings?“We’ll have specific ride times for people and limit people who can come with the horse to a trainer, groom and one family member,” said Stone. “We’ll have social distancing at all the rings keeping people separate.”

• When will we get access to the updated waiver and release form? How do we handle releases from grooms and others who don’t sign an entry blank?The waiver document is finalized, and Keating said the USEF will make sure it’s available. She encouraged or-ganizers to have everyone on the show grounds sign, from licensed officials to volunteers to grooms.

• Will the USEF require masks, and if not, why not?Hart pointed out that there’s a fine line between rec-ommendations and requirements, and that he’d strong-ly consider asking organizers to implement policies requiring masks.

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VADA/Nova Meeting MinutesMay 11, 2020

Meeting held via Zoom

The meeting was called to order at 7:15 pm. Diann Carpenter, Anne Harrington, Michelle Lachner, Dilly Jackson, Sheli King, Lisa Rice, Jessie Ginsburg, Lisa Rowe, Carol Thomas, Rachel Rice, Mary Callan, Maloree Razzino, and Diane Landau; Licensed Show Management - Dianne Boyd.

Special Issues

1. Continuing Impact of COVID-19 a. In terms of re-starting 2020 competitions, VADA/

Nova will follow guidance in the following order:i. Morven Park ii. Loudoun County Governmentiii. Virginia State Governmentiv. USEFv. USDF

b. The Executive Board made a proposal to the full board to cancel the tentative June 27 show at Morven and to discontinue discussion of an end of July activity at Frying Pan. After some discussion to see if there might be any way to organize something for the members, the Board decided that with Northern Virginia county gov-ernments planning a slower re-opening it would be diffi-cult to plan something confidently. A motion by Rachel Rice was made to accept the Executive Board proposal with the Frying Pan Park deposit rolled over to 2021; Diane Landau seconded. The Board approved unani-mously and further emphasized that the dressage camp would roll over to 2021.

c. Diann Carpenter offered that we may be able to offer a clinic in the October timeframe with auditors attending via Zoom or some other way to be interactive. We may need to use that approach in 2021 as well. Education and Clinics Committee to follow up.

d. The Executive Board made a further recommenda-tion to take the time between now and August to create a full plan following the USEF licensed show guidelines, any USDF guidelines, and in coordination with Morven Park and test the implementation of that plan at our August Schooling Show scheduled for 1 August which will allow for adjustment and refinement prior to our Licensed Shows at the end of August. To that end, we are working with our Licensed Show Management teams to

have them run the schooling show. We are also looking to hire either a certified First Responder or contract our Licensed Show EMT for this first schooling show. The board will check into the requirements from a legal and liability perspective if it is possible to have volunteers versus contract employees provide this service at future schooling shows. We will also contact our Licensed Show EMT to obtain his input and recommendations.

e. Action Plan for August schooling show – The Ex-ecutive Board recommends hiring the licensed show management to develop a plan, including purchasing PPE, sanitization plan, etc. We also will need to develop necessary processes and procedures. Dianne Boyd said that she hoped that USDF will publish the checklists they promised soon, which will simplify the planning process. If we can accomplish the schooling show successfully, then the main differences between that and the licensed show will be stabling and having multiple competition days.

f. The Licensed and Schooling Show committees will need to consider the cost of these additional measures and that we may need to adjust show fees as a result.

g. Sheli King reported that USDF is expected to issue some guidelines that are still TBD that may involve some rule changes. Any plans that we develop before they are released will need to be realigned with the USDF guide-lines when they are available.

2. Board Activitiesa. Zoom is now available for the Board to use to sched-

ule mini-clinics, discussions, etc. Rachel Rice moved that we add two more accounts; seconded by Sheli King; all approved. All agreed that doing events with Zoom auditors would be a good idea. A proposal to video and Zoom clinics was discussed (Diann Carpenter proposed an Inside Out clinic (skeleton/muscles painted on the out-side of the horse/rider) and Anne proposed looking into something with Michael Alway on natural horsemanship for dressage). Diann and Anne will follow up on those two; other board members and VN members should feel free to suggest other ideas.

b. Melinda Freckleton has agreed to do a Zoom session – preference is for biosecurity for the horse, rider, and barn and to do it before DAL. Anne to follow up.

Regular Agenda Items

1. Board Itemsa. Review and Approval of Minutes of April 13 minutes 1. Minutes were unanimously approved via email and were posted on the website.

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b. Treasurer’s Report1. Reconciled balances as of 04-30-2020:

• Savings acct: $45,160.14• Business acct: $82,132.15• Paypal: $ 1656.47. Some reconciliation needed

with membership.2. Permission was asked to move $1000 to savings

so the account won’t go dormant The Board approved unanimously.

2. Review/Update of Action Items a. The Secretary reminded everyone to check the list and complete any actions still open. In particular, we still do not have all conflict of interest waivers. This is a re-quirement if you intend to stay on the Board. An updated version of the form will be provided and completed forms will be consolidated by Diann C.

3. Membership Committee (Anne Harrington)a. 157 members as of 5/11/20b. Committee Report: A Zoom conference to discuss

the transition of membership management to a web- based platform took place May 1 including Diann C, Michelle, Sheli, Anne, Lisa Rowe, Judy, Rachel, and Megan Carpenter). The discussion was a good begin- ning, but enough questions were raised that the decision was made to proceed with two follow up activities:

a) Develop a requirements list/flow chart of data and how it is used

b) Ask another dressage organization (PVDA or NEDA) to join a Zoom meeting and walk us through how their membership management platforms work and answer questions. Michelle reached out to PVDA but didn’t receive a response; Anne is reaching out to NEDA, which uses the same platform as PVDA and is in the process of doing an update.

4. Publications Committee Report (Diann Carpenter)a) Newsletter – The May newsletter was completed and has been posted on the website and should be mailed on Thursday of this week. b) All board members are working on the structure and content of the newsletter including the regular features that have been historically present and to develop content we want to include on a regular basis.

a. Ideas for more standard content.1. Bring back Member of the Month2. Provide Views from all aspects of competition

(judge, TD, competitor, volunteer, show manage- ment)

3. USEF/USDF updates4. Favorite links (videos, podcasts, blogs, etc)5. Input from Members on content they would

like to see would be appreciatedb. June newsletter – input due May 20 c. The committee continues to look at different ways we can communicate with our members. The following are under consideration:

1. Adding a Blog to the current website that will unify our connection to other social media

2. Adding a user-friendly user interface to the existing website

3. Reviewing other dressage groups integrated websites/membership platforms

5. Schooling Shows – August Schooling Show – see discussion above

6. Licensed Shows -- August Licensed Show – see discussion above

7. Clinics and Educationa) The Board stressed rolling over the dressage

camp to 2021 and looking into possible activities before the end of the year. 8. What can VADA/Nova Do During Lockdown

a). Per the Board decision in April, a check for $100 was sent to VHC in response to its fundraising effort

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Homestead FarmSchooling Shows

Anna Mitchell DressageSummer Series

SHOWS HELD AT:Homestead Farm8382 Burwell Rd.Catlett, VA 20119

SHOWS HELD AT:6175 Keyser Rd.Hume, VA 22639

More information at www.HomesteadHorseFarm.com

More information at www.MitchellDS.com

Spencer Sport Horses

Jun 13Sep 20

May 17- CancelledJun 28Aug 22Oct 18

Jun 20- CancelledSep 27

SHOW DATES

SHOW DATES

SHOW DATES

Safe Sport Reminder:

All competitors in USEF licensed shows are required to take the Safe Sport course AND

those who took the course previously need to complete a refresher before they can compete.

Please see https://www.usdf.org/competitions/usefsafesport.asp for more information on the program and how to access training materials.

8

Compass Rose SHOWS HELD AT:2714 Logmill Rd.

Haymarket, VA 20169

SHOWS HELD AT:9205 Bessie Clemson RdUnion Bridge, MD 21791

More information at www.WEBSITE

More information at www.CompassRoseFarm.com

Jun 14- CancelledOct 3

Jun 13 July 12Aug 30 Sep 20

Oct 31

SHOW DATES

By Chance Farm

SHOW DATES

ATTENTION!! IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR VADA/NOVA MEMBERS

Due to the schedule disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to give high-est priority to the health and safety of all involved in our shows and other activities, the VADA/

Nova Board has decided to extend to November 30, 2021, the membership term for all who have paid their dues through June 10, 2020. We have aligned our

policy with the current stay-at-home guidance from Governor Northam. The Board took this extraordinary step in recognition that many of you had show and clinic

schedules planned that you will not be able to fulfill and that even as the pandemic situation improves, we will likely still be subject to a number of restrictions. We

recognize how difficult this period has been for everyone and are extending this small gesture to our members in the hope that we will soon be able to enjoy our sport again

together. If you already have a membership card for 2020, you will not receive a new one, but your membership will be extended in our database until the end of the 2021 membership year. If you submit your membership form between now and June 10, your card will show Novem-ber 30, 2021 as the expiration date. Meanwhile, be safe, stay healthy, and follow VADA/Nova

on Facebook and check our website, www.vadanova.org for news and updates.

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Best of luck to all competitors.

10

The Times (and Horse Shows) are a Changing

It’s no surprise that COVID-19 continues to dominate the news; I suspect this will be part of our new normal for some time to come. As you all no doubt know, the USEF & USDF suspended all licensed competitions until May 31st. But as progress is being made to flatten the curve and the suspension date has passed, GMOs and other show organizers are beginning to think about moving forward to resume competitions (see the letter from VN’s President, Diann Carpenter on our plans to get started.). As we start the process, we want to share with you what we are doing and what you can expect to see (and be required to do) once shows start up again.

As Bill Moroney, CEO of the USEF said at the start of each of the many webinars USEF has held on the safe return to competition, there is simply no way anyone can eliminate all risk; all we can do is act to minimize it to the maxi-mum degree possible. And rest assured, VN is doing all that we can to do just that.

The USEF has published a very detailed COVID-19 Action Plan, in addition to many great resources, all of which are available at https://www.usef.org/media/coronavirus-resources. We urge all our members to closely review that material. In addition, USDF has published a comprehensive list of best practices to help guide show management as they begin to think about the changes they will need to make to ensure that the shows they host are as safe as possible for competitors, officials, volunteers and show staff. These can be found at https://www.usdf.org/docs/an-nouncements/BestPractices051920.pdf

The planning process is comprehensive, to say nothing of the actual implementation of these steps. Among the things we will be doing to ensure a safe show environment are:

- Completing the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Mass Gathering for Sports Risk Assessment tool;- Working with the state and local governments and public health authorities to determine risks and mitigation

measures;- Developing a COVID-19 Emergency Response Plan (in addition to the Accident and Isolation Plans we

already prepare);- Monitoring, on a daily basis, the temperature of show staff, officials, volunteers and service providers prior

to entering the show grounds;- Requiring and enforcing social distancing throughout the entire show grounds, including at the warm-up and

competition rings;- Modifying stabling layouts to aid in social distancing;- Limiting the number of people on the show grounds by not allowing spectators and limiting the number of

people who can accompany each competitor;- Minimizing the amount of time riders must spend in the show office by asking that all paperwork, including

the newest USEF required waivers, be submitted electronically, and- Requiring all individuals on the show grounds to wear face masks, except for riders when mounted.

Much responsibility for the success of our plan will fall on competitors. You will be required to monitor your temperature daily, comply with social distancing requirements, wear a face mask at all times except when mounted, limit the amount of time you spend on the show grounds, notify competition management if you are diagnosed with the virus within 14 days of the competition and follow all other rules set by the USEF and VN. Most importantly, act responsibly and stay at home if you are displaying any symptoms – no competition is worth placing anyone’s life in jeopardy!

In the end, VADA/Nova will make an informed decision, taking into account all available information, to assess whether we believe it is safe to proceed. On the flip side, the decision whether or not to participate is a personal one that only you can make. What we tried to do here is to give you some of the information you will need to make that decision an informed one. We all want to get back to participating in the sport we so love and hopefully, by acting smart and being responsible, together we can make that happen. 11

VADA/NOVA2020 Events and Clinics

SAVE THE DATE

JUNE 13TH - CancelledLow Stress Fix-A-Test at Compass Rose

JULY 22-25 - CancelledDressage Camp at Frying Pan Park, Herndon

JUNE 27TH - CancelledVADA/Nova Schooling Show

AUGUST 1ST VADA/Nova August Schooling Show

OCTOBER 31ST VADA/Nova Autumn Schooling Show & 2020 VADA/Nova Schooling Show

VADA/NOVA2020 Schooling Show Competitions

Morven Park, Leesburg

SHOWS ARE HELD ATMorven Park | 41793 Tutt Ln | Leesburg, VA 20176

All the above shows are VADA/Nova hosted schooling shows and are participating in the USDF Regional Schooling Show Awards Program; Please consult www.vadanova.org for details.

Please remember auditing clinics is free to members and to those that have volunteered for at least 8 hours in the proceeding or current year.

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VADA/Nova Membership Form If you join by June 10, 2020, membership extends

to Nov. 30 of 2021

The Virginia Dressage Association (VADA) is a USDF Group Member Organization. VADA/Nova is VADA’s Northern Virginia Chapters (VADA/Nova). Our members automatically become USDF Group Members.

Current VADA/Nova Member # (if known) _____________ New Member _________________________

Name: __________________________________________________(For office use): date of postmark_____

Address: _____________________________________________________________________

City: _______________________________ State: ________ Zip Code: __________________

Preferred Phone# : __________________________(also used by VADA and USDF) E-mail :_______________

USDF# if known: __________________ Junior riders please give DOB ( mo./day/yr.): __________________

Senior Classification (please check one): _____ Open _____ Adult Amateur Primary VADA chapter: (You may belong to more than one chapter, but the primary chapter is responsible for sending your dues to USDF.) NOVA ShenVADA SWVADA VADA-CH VADACC VADAF NEVADA SVDA

_____ Check here if you DO NOT want your information published _____ Check here if you DO NOT want to receive the VADA/Nova E-News _____ Mark here if you DO NOT want emails pertaining to items that need a membership vote such as elections. _____ Check if you DO NOT want your Newsletter electronically Additional Family Members

Name Email DOB (if Jr) USDF# Adult Amateur? (Check if yes)

For Family Membership, please designate one person as the Primary Family Member

Payment Information: QTY Unit Price Fee Individual or Primary Family Member_____ X $55 $_____ Additional Family Members _____ X $25 $_____ Total $_____ Amount paid using VADA/Nova volunteer bucks. (please enclose bucks) $_____ Total US dollars enclosed. $_____ Make checks payable to VADA/Nova Inc. and mail to: Anne Harrington, VADA/Nova Membership 10411 Breckinridge Ln Fairfax, VA 22030

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Dressage-An Eventer’s Perspective by Ema KlugmanI’ll admit that dressage is not my favorite part of three-day eventing. If it was, I probably wouldn’t make eventing my passion and profession—I would do the far safer sport of dressage! However, over the past several years I have come to appreciate the importance of classical dressage training for eventers.

Most eventers get into the sport because of the adrenaline rush of cross country. We like to go fast, jump big jumps, and push our limits. But none of that is possible without a strong foundation. The training pyramid applies just as much to dressage as it does to jumping, so any shortcuts you take in the flatwork will affect the quality of the other phases. Consider a young horse: he needs to learn to maintain a steady rhythm, stay relaxed, hold a connection, maintain impulsion, and be supple in order to successfully navigate a course of show jumps or canter around a cross country course. Perhaps you can survive a novice level course without a strong foundation, but you need more than

just basic brakes and steering at the upper levels.

Much of dressage is about getting the horse “on the aids,” which is just another way of saying she is always in tune to the next thing you ask her to do. She can go forward or come back or turn right away, while maintaining a good rhythm and con-tact. Dressage riders spend their lives making this communication look invisible. Funnily enough, this type of training—to get the horse more responsive and “on the aids”—is exactly what we aim for in the jumping phases of eventing. A half-halt that takes five strides instead of one means you’ve missed your line to the next jump. A horse that is slow to respond to your leg will have a hard time making it under the time allowed.

Perhaps the hardest challenge of incorporating dressage into an event horse’s schedule is time, because we have to train in three separate sports. There are seven days in a week, which isn’t many when you have three different sports to master. The upper level horses gallop at least once or twice a week, jump once or twice a week, and do another fitness hack or trot set at least one other day. This only leaves two to three days for dressage schooling, assuming they get at least one day off. This means we have to get creative in incorporating our flatwork: we can work on our medium trot out on the hills while we do trot sets, and on jumping days we can school flying changes over poles to warm up, for instance. But even though we probably only do an exclusive dressage school two to three times a week, we are always schooling dressage, really, because it is the foundation of our work.

I had the opportunity to spend this past winter in Wellington, Florida riding show jumpers and eventers, but whenever I could I also snuck over to the Global Dressage Festival. One Friday night we watched the freestyle. Steffen Peters, who won it, seemed to spend about an hour in the arena—he absolutely took his time, and the horse seemed to move in slow motion. Further, I realized that the test actually was very long—the horse had to have been so fit to complete it with the same energy with which he started. That kind of stamina is something we admire in an event horse in the tenth minute of a 4-mile cross country course—so maybe our sports are not so different after all.

Ema Klugman is a four-star event rider residing in Clarksburg, Maryland. She also competes at the 1.35m level in show jumping. She is a traditional, dressage, and show jumping “A” rated member of Seneca Valley Pony Club, and recently completed her bachelor’s degree in Public Policy and History at Duke University.

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The GMO book club is reading Dressage For The Not-So-Perfect Horse by Janet Foy and then having a Zoom meeting with her to discuss it!

We have scheduled the Zoom Meeting for June 24th at 7 PM EST.

It looks like the USDF store is closed so it might not be the best place to order the book but Amazon has an E-book version and a few hard copies. Trafalgar Books has plenty of them.

Here’s a link to Trafalgar:https://www.horseandriderbooks.com/product/DRNOPE.html We’ve also set up a registration process through Strider (used to be Eventclinics) so that we can keep track/connect with members reading the book. Here’s the link for that:https://www.striderpro.com/a/ZCj-C2Rjbk-UHCqzv0cu_QJo

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VADA/NOVA2020 USEF/USDF

Licensed/Recognized CompetitionsMorven Park, Leesburg

APRIL 4-5 - CANCELLEDVADA/NOVA SPRING DRESSAGE COMPETITION Manager: Dianne Boyd, 703-850-9704, greyhorse11@gmail.com

MAY 20 - CANCELLEDVADA/NOVA MID-WEEK MAY MEET Manager: Dianne Boyd, 703-850-9704, greyhorse11@gmail.com

JUNE 5 - CANCELLEDVADA/NOVA SUMMER WARM UP Manager: Dianne Boyd, 703-850-9704, greyhorse11@gmail.com

JUNE 6-7 - CANCELLEDVADA/NOVA SUMMER DRESSAGE Manager: Dianne Boyd, 703-850-9704, greyhorse11@gmail.com

AUGUST 22VADA/NOVA SUMMER WIND DOWN I Manager: Michelle Lachner, 540-751-0046, mlachner@gmail.com

AUGUST 23 VADA/NOVA SUMMER WIND DOWN II Manager: Michelle Lachner, 540-751-0046, mlachner@gmail.com

Stay current with all VADA/Nova Activities at www.vadanova.org

Oh Dear, What Will I Wear?Agonizing over what to wear once show season starts again? Check out this excerpt from the 2019 Adequan®/USDF Annual Convention. Presented by Gwen Ka’awaloa, Michelle King, and Donna Meyer. Presentation created by Lisa Gorretta and Jean Kraus.

https://yourdressage.org/2020/04/20/traditional-trendy-or-too-far/?fbclid=IwAR1VlKWEbrbk0N-MWYmCzCpIJoh-bCpSuZ5qCoYUSuXvReMdFDiIoMQVNRUY

Hear a great discussion about what’s fun, what’s fashionable, and what’s not wise: a description of suitable attire for licensed competitions, schooling shows, and clinics. In addition to the presentation, check out this link to https://www.tydac.ch/color/ , the color scale used by FEI. Instructions on how to use the use the scale to check you colors.

Are You Interested in Buying My . . . ??Did you know that VADA/Nova members can run classified ads in the newsletter FOR FREE? Members can place a classified ad in the Passage and Piaffe newsletter for two months at NO CHARGE. Newsletter ads reach the entire VADA/Nova membership. Non-members can get two months of classified advertising for $15. In either case the ad will also be posted on the website.

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So, your horse has been doing well at schooling shows, your confidence and skills as a rider have improved, and you’ve even volunteered at a few licensed shows, so you know your way around a large venue, but you still aren’t sure if you and your horse are ready. The idea of competing at a licensed competition -- with all the rules, the loudspeakers, trailers and show equipment running around – is just intimidating. And that’s without even thinking about the expense, whether your horse – or you – would melt down under the pressure . . .

But there’s another way to get a taste of what it is like to ride in a licensed show that is relatively low risk/low expense and potentially high reward. About 10 years ago, USDF introduced a new concept, the Opportunity Class (see here https://www.usef.org/forms-pubs/Z6TRWhW91y8/oppor-tunity-classes---effective for the USEF fact sheet). At licensed shows, a limited number of Oppor-tunity Classes through Second Level (depending on what level the licensed show is) can be offered for which riders do not have to pay the usual USEF and USDF fees. Riders are also exempt from USEF/USDF horse/rider registration, membership, and drug and medication fees (to cover the cost of required random drug testing). So, think schooling show class, but at a licensed show.

There are some important differences between the schooling shows you may be used to and an Opportunity Class at a licensed show. For example, other than the exceptions above, all other dressage rules apply, including USEF dress, saddlery, and general drugs/medication rules. Another difference is that scores from Opportunity Classes don’t count toward USEF or USDF awards or programs, musical freestyles are not offered, nor are test of choice classes. If the classes are restricted to adult amateurs, you will need to present proof of amateur status.

That said, because it is a licensed show, you will be judged by a “r”, “R”, “S”, or FEI judge. This, to many who ride in these classes, is the real opportunity. If you are wondering if you and your horse are ready for a higher level of competition, you should get clear signals from your scores and the judge’s comments about where you and your horse are in terms of your progress through the training scale and what elements you may want to include in your training program. And you should get clear signals from yourself and your horse whether the bigger licensed show stage is a comfortable place for you.

If you are feeling brave and there is a two-day licensed show, you can enter an Opportunity Class the first day and a regular class the second day, providing show management allows cross-registra-tion. As always, read your prize list carefully – it’s full of important information.

VADA/Nova has a long-established and valued relationship with Morven Park International Equestrian Center. We traditionally hold our licensed shows there and riders can make arrange-ments to school there. That offers yet another opportunity to get comfortable with the show venue at your own pace. I had a horse who was totally convinced that there were dragons – lots of them – somewhere beyond the soccer fields. Over time it got less scary, but I wish that Opportunity Class-es had been around when we started competing. It would have been so much less stressful for both of us start out that way and to feel that the experience was all about us and having fun. Once we are able to start running shows again, we hope to see more horses and riders competing in Opportu-nity Classes. As always, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact a VADA/Nova Board member for more information.

Opportunity Knocks – How to have a Schooling Show Experience

at a Licensed Show

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Kelly grew up horse obsessed. After moving from Southern California to Connecticut when she was nine, she became friends with a girl who’d just gotten a pony. Kelly spent several years at the barn where her friend’s horse was boarded, riding anything that was available. She learned how to ride by watching others when she couldn’t get lessons. She remembers hacking a little pony named Tony who was sporting colored rubber bands in its braids, to her first hunter jumper show.When parents realized loving horses wasn’t just a phase), Kelly got her first horse at thirteen--a Quarter Horse mare, Miss Dexter Bars (aka Piglet). Piglet was Kelly’s teacher and companion from middle school through college. In high school she rode in the local and New England American Quarter Horse Association English circuit. In college she rode on their polo team. While in vet school riding took a back seat, but Kelly took it up again in her senior year.Kelly got interested in dressage in the late 1990’s. She purchased her first real dressage horse in 2000, Peggy, a Hanoverian mare. Peggy is now a retired twenty-eight-year-old and the dam of her current competition horse, Rohan.Kelly says the most rewarding part of dressage is its exactness and harmony. When she’s focused on the movement between herself and her horses, she’s fascinated by how small changes in her body affect the motion of the horse.She has had many horses since Piglet-another Quarter Horse, an off the track Thoroughbred, an Appaloosa Quarter Horse, and then Peggy and Rohan. Kelly recently purchased Owen, another Hanoverian.Kelly strives to earn her silver medal and have a horse she can take to Prix St. Georges. But whatever happens she’ll enjoy the journey. Because of what her horses have given her, she pursued her Masters in Equine Nutrition to im-prove their health. After moving to Virginia in 2001, she switched her focus from general horse care and reproduction to alternative veterinary therapies and dentistry. No longer on call 24/7, Kelly volunteers for several local equine groups including the Loudoun County Equine Alliance (president), Loudoun Rural Economic Development Council (co-chair), Loudoun Parks, Recreation and Outdoor Space Board (co-chair) and is a member of the Virginia Horse Industry Board. Kelly is also a previous board member of VADA/Nova.Kelly is happy to volunteer to do most anything at a show, but she most enjoys being a ring steward. And she appreciates all of the hard work that goes into running shows.

Spotlight on Dr. Kelly FoltmanThis month we would like to spotlight Dr. Kelly Foltman.

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5- VADA/NOVA Summer LS Morven Park vadanova.org CANCELLED6-7- VADA/NOVA Summer LS Morven Park vadanova.org CANCELLED13- VADA/NOVA Clinic Compass Rose Farm vadanova.org CANCELLED13- Spencer Sporthorses SS Spencer Sporthorses spencersporthorses.com13- By Chance Farm SS www.bychancefarm.com 14- Compass Rose SS Compass Rose Farm compassrosefarm.com CANCELLED20- Homestead SS Homestead Horse Farm homesteadhorsefarm.com CANCELLED27- VADA/NOVA CANCELLED Morven Park vadanova.org28- Anna Mitchell Dressage SS Southern Heritage Farm mitchellds.com

12- By Chance Farm SS www.bychancefarm.com22-25- VADA/NOVA Dressage Camp Herndon, VA vadanova.org CANCELLED

1- VADA/NOVA August Show SS Morven Park vadanova.org28- Anna Mitchell Dressage SS Southern Heritage Farm mitchellds.com22-23- VADA/NOVA Summer Wind Down SS Morven Park vadanova.org30- By Chance Farm SS www.bychancefarm.com

20- By Chance Farm SS www.bychancefarm.com20- Anna Mitchell Dressage SS Southern Heritage Farm mitchellds.com27- Homestead SS Homestead Horse Farm homesteadhorsefarm.com

3- Compass Rose SS Compass Rose Farm compassrosefarm.com18- Anna Mitchell Dressage SS Southern Heritage Farm mitchellds.com31- VADA/NOVA Championship and Open SS Morven Mark vadanova.org

Always check the web site: www.vadanova.org for any changes or corrections.

KEY:LS= licensed show

SS=schooling show

VADA/Nova sponsored activities are in bold print

VADA/Nova Partner shows are in italics.

June

July

August

September

October

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VADA/Nova Inc.VADA/Nova Inc.

Michelle LachnerMichelle Lachner16560 Woodgrove Rd16560 Woodgrove RdRound Hill, VA 20141Round Hill, VA 20141

VADA is a USDF Group Member Organization.

Their members are automatically USDF Group Members.

VADA/Nova websitehttp://www.vadanova.org

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