tracking up · 2020. 3. 31. · our top athletes will pick themselves up and most will overcome...
TRANSCRIPT
Informing equestrians for more than 40 years. USDF- and USEA-affiliated Group Member Organization. Our members are automatically Group Members of USDF.
Tracking Up
April 2020
Newsletter of the South Carolina Dressage & Combined Training Assn.
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Tracking Up, the newsletter of the South Carolina Dressage & Combined Training Assn. (SCDCTA), is published monthly throughout the year. Tracking Up is delivered electronically to SCDCTA members; subscription is by membership only.
Articles and opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the SCDCTA officers, board members, or the editor. All items submitted for publication are subject to editing or omission at the sole discretion of the editor. SCDCTA holds the copyright to every newsletter edition, including for the SCDCTA logo.
Contact the editor directly ([email protected]) for issue- specific deadlines for submissions.
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Full page (7”x 10”): $40 members; $50 non-members Half page (7”x 5”): $30 members; $40 non-members Quarter page (4”x 4”): $20 members; $30 non-members Business card: $10 members; $20 non-members Classified ad*: $10 non-members. *All SCDCTA members get one free classified ad per issue.
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Letter from the Editor
Advice from Jeremy Steinberg
Volunteering for the SCDTA
SCDCTA News
COVID-19 Impact on SCDCTA Awards
Choosing a saddle for the Dressage Horse
SCDCTA Board Meeting Minutes
Calendar
Corrections for March Photo Captions
SCDCTA Business Member List
Forms
ON THE COVER: Jeremy Steinberg between rides (see story, Page 4). Photo courtesy of Jeremy Steinberg.
Officers and Board Members
PRESIDENT Marcy Hippey
VICE PRESIDENT Justine Wilson
TREASURER Carol Freligh
SECRETARY Lisa Hinkle
COMMITTEES (alphabetical order)
BANQUET Tierney Boyd
CLINICS/EDUCATION Alison Head
COMMUNITY OUTREACH Melissa Vaughn
[email protected] ELECTIONS
Lisa Hinkle [email protected]
JUDGES Ronnie Trotter
JUNIORS/YOUNG RIDERS Kathryn Butt
MEMBERSHIP Carol Freligh
NEWSLETTER Janet Hawkins
SHOW RECOGNITION Tricia Carr
SOCIAL MEDIA and COMMUNICATIONS Lisa Hinkle
SPONSORSHIP and ADVERTISING Tierney Boyd
WEBSITE Marcy Hippey
YEAR-END POINTS Sharon Anderson
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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Letter from the Editor By Janet Hawkins
What a difference a month makes! The last letter I wrote was happily clarifying
how we would count points from all the schooling shows we were about to enjoy as we moved into a lovely South Carolina spring. Now, our lives are upside down, focused on keeping our distance from each other instead of enjoying great camaraderie with our horses and riding friends.
The final two weeks of top dressage competition at the 2020 Adequan Global Dressage Festival were cancelled for March, as were other FEI events across the world.
We will not crown 2020 World Cup Champions for Dressage or Jumping in April because the Final was cancelled.
The Summer Olympics are postponed a year until 2021, as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) seeks to resolve massive logistics and safety issues.
In this issue of Tracking Up, we review other equestrian activities closer to home that are impacted by the COVID- 19 situation.
It’s important to remember that our country and especially our horse people are a resilient bunch.
Our top athletes will pick themselves up and most will overcome this huge hurdle, because overcoming hurdles is what got them where they are today.
The majority of our riders will enjoy more quiet time with their horses, or welcome new foals to the world, or use the time to improve their knowledge about riding.
Our juniors will observe and learn how to rebound from setbacks and to appreciate normal things that otherwise may be taken for granted.
This issue of Tracking Up features two relevant articles that underscore these points.
Jeremy Steinberg shares life lessons and equestrian advice to professionals, would-be professionals and amateurs, based on his own climb up the ranks as a professional.
Jessica Gregory, SCDCTA’s Junior Volunteer of the Year for 2019, describes what it’s like to volunteer at shows. She was not able to ride in 2019, so decided to make the best of her situation by learning what goes on behind the scenes at horse shows.
Stories like these give us strength to cope and to hope for better times to come. We look forward to an end to the outbreak and a return to normal dressage and eventing activities.
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Education
Jeremy Steinberg, an FEI trainer based in Aiken, favors a training philosophy that incorporates classical dressage principles, the FEI Training Scale and modern biomechanics. His life philosophy focuses on work/home balance and a strong community support system. He brings both doctrines to bear in his lessons and advice to professionals, aspiring professionals, and amateurs alike.
In competition dressage, Steinberg commented that he sees a disconnect between what the FEI rulebook states and what judges reward. He points to the piaffe as a good example of when this may occur:
• In a “pedestal piaffe”, the horse’s hind legs do not carry the weight, but these piaffes often get better scores than they should.
• If the hindquarters are not carrying, by definition, the horse is too much on the forehand.
• Instead of saying “sitting too much” or “too far under,” a judge should comment “horse is too much on forehand.”
• Other piaffe faults that are
sometimes incorrectly rewarded include the bouncing croup and swaying from side to side.
The rule books are clear that these are not correct, yet judges are influenced by what’s popular, exciting, or winning elsewhere, Steinberg said.
Steinberg said he seeks a world with
All photos courtesy of Jeremy Steinberg
EDITOR’S NOTE:
Jeremy Steinberg is a well-known dressage rider, instructor and columnist for The Chronicle of the Horse. He makes his home in Aiken, SC. He makes his living everywhere else, traveling up to 48 weekends a year for clinics. “Tracking Up” was fortunate enough to catch up to him recently at his farm nestled in the equestrian community of Three Runs Plantation.
Advice from Jeremy Steinberg
By Janet Hawkins
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integrity, without hypocrisy, but added—a bit ruefully—that he believes these are lacking both in competition dressage and in the world at large. He said he no longer gets up in the morning thinking “I can’t wait to compete,” but does still wake up thinking “I can’t wait to ride!”
Advice for Young Professionals
There have recently been many articles and blogs in the national horse press about the stresses and strains of being or becoming a professional horseperson. As a long-time pro, Steinberg had to develop ways to withstand the pressures and balance the demands of work, horses and home.
He said he generally advises aspiring high- performance horse professionals to find other ways to make a living and to own horses as amateurs. The uncertainties around acquiring and training talented horses to Grand Prix are numerous. How can one develop a string of talented prospects? How can one financially support the dreams they have? Will the horses stay sound? Will the owners remain supportive? Even if they are supportive, what pressures are created by trying to juggle their priorities with the horses’ needs? Even worse, what personal strains come from dealing with a wide variety of owner personalities?
These issues have been consistent from Steinberg’s days as a young trainer and continue to color the experiences of today’s young professionals-to-be, he said. For those determined to join the ranks of professional horse trainers and equestrian athletes, Steinberg advised close examination of their strengths, weaknesses, and motivations. There is an impatience with today’s youth riders who want to get to the top without putting in 10 or more years of apprenticeship with a professional to become true trainers and horse people, Steinberg said. Not only did he have ongoing mentors, they were tough and quick to scold, he added.
Steinberg also spent four years as the USEF Dressage Youth Coach, charged with developing the next generation of dressage riders to international standards. During this period, he came to believe that too much emphasis was placed on winning and buying expensive horses instead of teaching.
Jeremy is a USEF High Performance rider and has ridden in the National Championships.
He competed in the US League final for the World Cup.
He has won numerous regional championships up to Grand Prix.
2010, in Starting
Equestrian Background
Jeremy Steinberg won the individual gold and team silver at the North American Young Rider Championships in 1996.
He has brought 11 of his own horses to the Grand Prix arena and competed others at that level.
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The sweet spot for his own ongoing professional success lies in his love for teaching, Steinberg said, noting that if he had not leapt headlong into horses, his alternate career would likely have been teaching high school. Because he loves to teach, it is less difficult to maintain the necessary grueling schedule of weekend clinics and travel. And to restore balance and reduce stress in his life, he limits himself to a boutique lesson business in Aiken during the week.
Another key piece of advice he offered aspiring pros was to seek out and maintain relationships with equestrian mentors, who can provide an emotional support network when times are hard. Finding such individuals and cultivating relationships over time is not always a smooth process, but well worth the effort, he said, urging aspiring professionals to “be brave and be persistent in finding kindred spirits.”
For example, Steinberg noted that he had a long and especially strong bond with his mentor, teacher and trainer, Dietrich von Hopffgarten. His mentor’s death in 2004 left a huge hole in his emotional support network, Steinberg said. Lacking someone to regularly explore training and teaching ideas with, to challenge, or even occasionally to argue with, Steinberg said he found his riding suffering as he buckled to pressure from owners and others around him. He freely admitted that he was not always true to himself, sometimes pushing horses too hard when faced with various sorts of pressures.
Advice for Adult Amateurs
Adult amateurs face different, but equally stressful, challenges. They usually need to work to support themselves, their families, and their horse habit, and work schedules don’t necessarily coincide with ideal ride times. Ambitious adult amateurs can find themselves extremely frustrated in trying to reach their dressage goals. But Steinberg said he believes it is possible for the average adult amateur to break out of the vexing cycle of endlessly repeating the lower levels.
In fact, it’s possible for adult amateurs to achieve great things in training and competition, Steinberg said, though it doesn’t come easy. The amount of work is especially hard. For example, he said some highly successful amateurs he knows may get up at 4:30a.m. to ride a horse before going into an office for a full day’s work; they may ride again after work. These intense folks are constantly stressed, but the love of competition and
Steinberg says the sweet spot for
ongoing equestrian professional
success is a love for teaching
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riding seems to help offset the negatives. As with the aspiring professional, the ambitious amateur must realistically assess her or his strengths, weaknesses, and motivations.
Some common missteps tend to keep amateurs from maximizing their time and resources, Steinberg said. One issue is that the amateurs don’t find and stick with an instructor that they really believe in, who has proven over and over that s/he knows how to train a horse— and a rider—to the aspired level. These amateurs bounce from one professional to another. The unfortunate result is that they are forever stuck with getting the basics right (as defined by the different instructors or clinicians) and can’t move ahead.
During his clinics, Steinberg prefers to teach a rider for several days, touching on basics, as most clinicians do, but also trying to provide a challenge for the rider. He also gives clinic participants homework that will take them a few weeks or months to complete. When he returns for the next clinic, the first thing they do is to evaluate progress against that homework.
About Steinberg’s Philosophy and Influences
If one’s teachers were a pedigree, Steinberg’s equestrian education traces directly back to the FEI Training Scale (originally the German Training Scale):
• Melle Van Bruggen, US Dressage Coach;
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• Dietrich von Hopffgarten, a long- time pupil of Egon von Neindoff; and
• Martina Hannover, a long-time pupil and friend of Herbert Rehbein.
However, he also has studied and incorporated the various classical schools of dressage as well as “others”— approaches that apply in certain situations but haven’t necessarily coalesced into a comprehensive school of thought. Especially as a result of Dietrich von Hopffgarten’s teachings, Steinberg said his teaching today goes well beyond a strict adherence to the FEI Training Scale.
In addition to long-time mentor von Hopffgarten and his other teachers, Steinberg credits Paul Belasik as a major influence. He first encountered Belasik during a clinic around 1997/98. The two didn’t cross paths again for many years. However, in the years after von Hopffgarten’s passing, Steinberg realized he needed expert emotional support to withstand the pressures surrounding him as a professional. Remembering the shared point of view with Paul, Jeremy contacted him to see if he could visit with him in his travels, or even just talk with him about losing Dietrich and told him he needed someone to connect with on riding at a philosophical level. The two met again when Steinberg had a clinic to teach in Pennsylvania, near Belasik’s home farm. After the clinic, Steinberg was found to have a ruptured appendix;
Belasik not only took Steinberg to the emergency room, but visited him daily during his hospital stay and additional recuperation period at a local hotel.
The pair are now fast friends for life and talk and visit regularly.
Today, Steinberg still uses the version of the FEI Training Scale that von Hopffgarten emphasized and taught to all his students. For him, the FEI Training Scale, as written, states the “what,” but not necessarily the “why.” Steinberg prefers von Hopffgarten’s approach that uses a training scale as a problem-solving tool with a very straightforward and easy-to-interpret and apply system.
Steinberg also focuses on the sciences of physics, astronomy, and biomechanics as applied to riding. He aims to use science to explain why a student is having a problem, as well as how to fix it. In his riding, he said, he also thinks of himself as a scientist. What shall we experiment with today? What is the outcome? Is it replicable, a concept that is fundamental to science. Importantly, is it replicable with very different horses?
“If you understand the mechanics of pulleys, levers, and weights, you do not try to drive a horse into an extended trot with a deep heavy seat,” he said. “That just puts them on the forehand.”
Jeremy said he sees classical dressage as a general system that can be applied to more than one horse body type and get similar results. It’s akin to ballet,
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where a wide variety of body types are taught to accomplish the same movements by adhering to common principles of physics and biomechanics.
He cited relaxation, from the bottom rung of the FEI Training Scale, as an example, asking, “How does one teach relaxation to a horse? Rote repetition of a basic movement is a formula for a bored horse, not a relaxed one. However, balance, one of the starting points of the classical dressage approach, is a teachable concept. And once balanced, many horses find relaxation as a result. Balance is the ’why’ behind the ’what’ and reveals the short-comings of a strict interpretation of the FEI Training Scale.”
For instance, when learning to canter, a three-year-old horse may perform the gait with four beats. “Rhythm” is an important component of the training scale and prescribes a three-beat canter. Therefore, this hypothetical horse lacks
rhythm and, probably, relaxation as listed on the training scale.
Tempo becomes the more relevant tool, Steinberg said. By finding a tempo at which the horse feels balanced, a rider can help the horse learn to be supple— accepting the aids and making a connection. This, in turn, can give the rider the tools she or he needs to create a more correct three beat canter.
Another example is the horse that is wide behind in a trot lengthening. Most judges strictly following the training scale would say the horse is wide behind and mark it accordingly. But the rider needs to understand why the horse travels wide behind to correct the problem that is hindering a more correct lengthening. For instance, if the horse isn’t picking the front feet up quickly enough, going wide behind may simply be a way to avoid stepping on himself, thus the horse is too balanced on the forehand—basic biomechanics.
Katie Erpel, one of Steinberg’s Aiken students, has arranged a clinic bringing Paul Belasik to South Carolina. The current date, April 6-7, is subject to change according to shelter-in-place directives from state and local authorities.
Tracking Up will catch up with Belasik for an interview about classical dressage for a future article in these pages.
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EDITOR’S NOTE: Jessica Gregory was the SCDCTA Jr. Volunteer of the Year for 2019. In this article, Jessi shares her experiences—the highs, the lows and new learning--from volunteering at SCDCTA shows last year. Photo of Jessi and Mystic Gold is courtesy of Amy Garner.
Volunteering for SCDCTA: An Eye-Opening Experience
By Jessica Gregory
Education
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been a member of the United States Pony Club for ten years and have reached my C2 HM rating with my C2 riding test to follow soon. I ride with Sandra Bussey-Turner of Mad Kat Dressage. I’m entering my fourth year as a member of SCDCTA and look forward to further competition and participation in clinics that this amazing organization has to offer.
-- Jessi Gregory
mare have named Mystic Gold. I
I’m a senior at Waccamaw High School in Pawleys Island and have been accepted into Clemson’s Animal and Veterinary Science Program for the 2020 Fall semester. I started riding horses 11 years ago at 6 years old. My riding partner is an OTTB
The 2019 show season was a time of growth for me as an individual. Due to circumstances, I was unable to compete at any shows. However, I did not allow that to stop me from participating in SCDCTA events. Through my experiences with volunteering, I have come to realize how much work is put in to run a show and that our show officials deserve a lot of respect and praise.
I started off my volunteering experience at the 2019 Dressage Low Country Classic I and II show at Mullet Hall, and then again at the 2019 Cinco de Mayo show. Each time, I was a warm- up ring steward which meant I was in charge of watching the riders in warm-up and sending them in their order to their designated show ring. First thing in the mornings, I’d report to the show office to receive my walkie-talkie and clipboard with the order-of-go. So, after helping my friends care for their horses, I’m at the show office at 7:30, half an hour before the first ride. By this time, there is normally already a rider entering the warm-up ring. Each day I would work non-stop for about six hours since there are riders warming up during the designated
It’s long hours in the sun or rain, but there are qualities that make volunteering enjoyable. For one, this was a way for me to be sociable in the equestrian community. Our conversation doesn’t stop at my asking, “What is your number?” If I think your horse looks good or if I see that you are riding extremely well, I will tell you because I want you to know that I care. Beyond that, I like to help you while you are warming up. If you dropped your whip or need me to fix the number on your horse's bridle, ask me and I'll help you as best as I can. Beyond helping you, I also love to watch you ride and see how you work with your horse. I have always been told that one way to learn is by watching others. I hear what trainers tell their riders and it’s like I’m auditing a clinic, in a way. Maybe something that works for you and your horse could help me out with my own riding.
lunch time as well.
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However, just like most things, there is a bad side to volunteering. While the show is going on, I am considered responsible by the riders, trainers, and spectators even if it is out of my control.
One time, the EMT was running thirty minutes late to the show venue. I had fifteen or more frustrated riders in one warm-up ring and the first rider had been in warm-up for over an hour. Constantly, and always in a hostile tone, I was asked, “Why can’t we just start without the EMT?” or “Do you have any idea how long it will be?”
No. I do not have control over when the show starts, nor did I make the rules. I can’t help that you didn’t hear the announcement about running early or behind time, but never assume that I don’t care about you. I am giving my time to run this show for you. I cancelled plans with school friends so I could be here for you. Treating a volunteer like they are incompetent and indifferent is uncalled for and rude.
By far the biggest thing I learned while volunteering is that there is a team of people that work tirelessly to put on every competition. The numbers have been crunched, personnel contacted
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ribbons ordered, entries sorted, judges arranged, and so much more for every single show you go to. These people are not to be taken for granted. You should thank everyone in the show office just like you thank your judge after your ride. You should thank your scribes and your ring stewards because no one has to work those shows for you. Everyone putting in the time to make your show experience better is there voluntarily. They work hard so that you can get your qualifying scores and USDF medals. The least that all of us can do is thank them.
Even though my 2019 show season didn’t go as I had planned, I gained an experience that opened my eyes to everything behind the scenes of the horse showing world. I’ve gained a new appreciation for everyone that works with SCDCTA and other equestrian organizations. I now know that show officials deserve a lot more respect than they are normally given, and I plan on showing my appreciation more in the future. Sometimes, you must experience something for yourself, in order to understand it fully. Even with some stressful events, I still enjoy the time I spend volunteering for SCDCTA, and I believe it helps me understand how I can help at future competitions.
SCDCTA News
South Carolina L Program Section C is postponed
SCDCTA has decided to postpone Session C (collective marks, rider biomechanics) of the L program. Previously slated to be held May 9-10, the session will now be Sept. 12-13. The instructor will be Marilyn Heath, and the location will remain in Aiken. We will continue to update everyone with any additional changes. Questions about the upcoming L program clinic should be directed to Alison Head.
Cinco de Mayo Dressage Show The Cinco De Mayo show, scheduled for May 2-3 at Mullet Hall Equestrian Center is POSTPONED until Labor Day weekend, Sept. 5-6 and will be called "Fall Back to Cinco De Mayo".
Owner Non-member Number for USDF Regional Schooling Show Awards As noted in Tracking Up March 2020, horse owners must have at least a USDF non-member number in order for awards points to be counted in the USDF Regional Schooling Show Awards Program. To secure a USDF non-member number at no charge, please e-mail your request to [email protected].
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SCDCTA News
By Tricia Carr
On March 24, the USDF updated its March 18 recommendations and plans regarding the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19 in the U.S. and precautions being taken across the country to mitigate spread to the virus.
The USDF will not count any scores earned at USEF-licensed/USDF- recognized competitions from March 20 through May 3, 2020 for any USDF championship or awards program, nor shall scores earned during that period be recorded as part of a horse’s or rider’s official record with the USDF. This restriction will also apply to scores earned at schooling competitions participating in the USDF Regional Schooling Show Awards Program.
As a GMO of the USDF, SCDCTA follows the guidelines set forth by our parent organization. Therefore, for the period March 20-May 3, no scores earned at any SCDCTA-recognized schooling shows will be considered for year-end award qualifications. What exactly does this mean for the current show roster? During that time period, only one schooling show—scheduled for April 19—will be affected. SCDCTA and the manager of that show have been in communication; the manager is planning to move to May 23. Please visit the Middleton Place website and/or contact show management for more information.
The USEA has instituted a similar suspension of score-counting; in keeping with that organization's restrictions, SCDCTA also will not count any points earned at any events, horse trials, or combined tests during this time period toward year-end awards.
The USDF continues to assess the situation on a day-to-day basis; as our parent organization updates its position. SCDCTA will keep our members apprised of new developments. Our board of directors is committed to rigorously follow new guidance as it is released. The situation facing us is complex, and the period of restriction may be extended. If additional SCDCTA recognized schooling shows would be affected by new changes, those venues will be contacted and our members promptly notified.
We appreciate each of our members and show venues that support the SCDCTA. Everyone, please stay safe as we weather this storm together!
For the period March 20-May 3, no scores earned at any SCDCTA-recognized schooling shows will be considered for year-end award qualifications.
COVID-19 Impact on SCDCTA Award Recognition Points
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CHOOSING A SADDLE FOR THE CHANGING DRESSAGE HORSE by Mike Scott
Education
Dressage riders are known for their attention to detail, and care in selecting the tack that their horses wear is a key area of focus. The saddle is a particularly specific and intimate piece of equipment, playing a central role in facilitating communication between horse and rider via the seat and leg aids. That means that a correctly-fitted saddle is critical to a healthy, happy, successful dressage horse.
Regular use of a qualified saddle fitter— both to help select an appropriate saddle and to tweak an existing saddle to more precisely fit a given horse—is an important part of ensuring that the saddle used is the best possible fit for a horse-rider team. The saddle fitter must consider several major parameters when
selecting a saddle and customizing it to the individual horse’s back.
But selecting a saddle for a dressage horse is not a “one and done” activity. Because horses’ musculature changes as they move up the levels and gain strength, endurance, and scope, the saddle that fits perfectly in the first year of work cannot be expected to fit by the time the horse is succeeding at Second or Third Level, nor will the ideal mid-level saddle work for the horse when he progresses to Grand Prix competition. Saddle fitters are not mind- readers, nor can they predict how a certain horse will develop, so there is no way to promise that a certain saddle can be adjusted “forever.”
What Will Happen at My Saddle Fitting?
Whether a saddle fitter comes to your home barn or you haul to the fitter’s shop, a saddle fitting appointment will generally include some common steps:
• The fitter will evaluate the horse’s standing conformation. • The fitter will evaluate the horse’s movement, often both on the longe and under
a rider. • The fitter will make tracings of the horse’s back to get precise graphical
representations of the back shape; there are numerous tools, from the simple to the more complex, that a fitter may employ to collect the required information.
• If a new saddle is needed, the fitter will provide likely prospects that will be examined both with the horse standing and in movement under the rider. The saddle’s suitability for the rider will also be evaluated at this time.
• If an existing saddle is being tweaked to accommodate a developing horse, the fitter will make the necessary changes.
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Thus, regular appointments with a qualified fitter can help the dressage rider ensure they have the right saddle at the right time. There are so many challenges fitters need to take into consideration when fitting horses; among these are where the horse is in his career. The categories described below are broad, and each will serve as an umbrella for other steps that a fitter would follow depending on results of the fitting appointment.
The Young Horse
The key issue for starting the young horse is a saddle that is safe, comfortable, and stable, and that puts the rider in a balanced position. Many will start a young horse in a western saddle or an old beater saddle that’s been kicking around for years. Either of these options are good, but the fit to the horse must be good. When purchasing a saddle for a young horse early in his career, the horse’s well-being is the paramount consideration; however, there are many other things to consider, including:
• Saddle tree shape. A critical consideration is the shape of the tree, including the angle of the tree point or gullet bar. This must match the horse’s profile. If the horse has a curvy back, a tree with a slight curve should be used. Conversely, if a horse has a very flat back or lifts a lot naturally in movement, a straighter tree would be needed. Moderately- shaped backs give riders the biggest selection of saddles to try.
Adjustable tree saddles. Many of the adjustable tree saddles on the market are very good and can be helpful in keeping up with changes in the developing young horse due to the ability to adjust the gullet size. The important thing riders must remember, however, is that only the front of the saddle widens; the rest doesn’t. So, it’s important to make sure that the channel (space between the panels that contact the horse’s back) is wide enough to accommodate the horse’s spinous processes. Another key factor is ensuring that the panels cover a sufficient area to provide an adequate bearing surface.
• Seat placement for the rider:
Saddle seat position can be forward, center, or rear. In the young horse, the thoraco-lumbar region—area behind the saddle—is not yet strong enough to carry the weight of the rider in a rear seat position.
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• This becomes even more important in the case of a larger rider on a smaller horse. There is a specific area—generally around thoracic vertebrae 10-13—on which a horse can comfortably carry the rider without hindrance to his soundness and comfort.
• Resale value: It is a good bet that the first saddle purchased for a horse will not continue to fit him as he matures and develops. Like human teenagers, the juvenile horse will grow—often rapidly—in height, weight, and musculature.
A quality used saddle might cost a little more, but will also be more likely to hold its value over time, meaning the owner can sell the saddle when it no longer works for the horse for a good price, money that can help offset the price of the next saddle. There are many folks that buy and then sell such saddles for what they paid or even more years later.
While there is no reason to avoid buying a brand-new saddle for a young horse, many owners may find themselves unpleasantly surprised by the high rate of depreciation upon resale or trade in.
The Mature, Active Horse
The same criteria that are important for fitting a saddle to a young horse also apply to a mature, fit horse in regular work. When a horse is competing and moving up the levels in dressage, he will continue to change and develop as he gains strength and muscle development, and as training maximizes his range of motion. The horse can change dramatically through his working life. While a saddle fitter can continue to adjust a horse’s first well-fitted saddle, the degree of alteration is limited. The possibility always exists that the horse will need a new saddle at certain points in his career. In addition to the issues affecting saddle choice for the young horse, the saddle fitter must consider the following issues when fitting a saddle for a more mature horse:
• Saddle size. The size of the saddle is a key consideration when fitting the horse. In addition to the tree width and shape, the saddle fitter will scrutinize the tree point angles, the seat size, the width of the channel between the panels and the precise placement and structure of the panels.
• Bearing surface. The saddle fitter also must confirm that the panels offer adequate coverage along the longissimus muscles, the long back muscles upon which the saddle—and rider—sit. The bearing surface must
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end at or before the 18th thoracic vertebra. If the panels—including their gussets, or lack thereof—are not the correct design for the horse, or the tree is not the correct shape, this will also affect the bearing surface.
• Saddle placement. To properly fit the saddle, it must be placed so that it doesn’t impinge the scapula. It also must be placed carefully so the rear of the panels doesn’t sit past the 18th thoracic vertebra and into the thoraco-lumbar junction.
• Horse and rider response. It goes
without saying that the horse must like the new saddle, demonstrated by moving freely and comfortably. But choice of saddle also depends on the rider. The saddle also must support the rider in the correct position. For instance, a saddle that fits the horse can still put the rider in a chair seat or, conversely, with the legs too far back, both of which will pose problems.
Some riders may need a seat more centered, while others need a slightly forward seat to put them in the correct position on a particular horse, for instance. Some riders may need a longer stirrup bar or a wider twist. The twist can be a particular issue for some horses; many riders like the close contact feel that comes with a narrow twist, but horse owners should keep in mind that when the twist is narrow, that shape follows all the way to the bottom of the tree. The result? Pressure along such key muscles as the longissimus, spinalis, latissimus and trapezius. Pressure in these areas can hinder the horse from breathing correctly, as most back muscles aid in expiration and inspiration, as well as bad behavior, apprehension, and anxiety. This will contribute to a less than enjoyable experience.
Design trends can often play a role in riders’ choices of saddles. A rider may want to follow particular trends, such as deep seats, narrow twists, huge thigh blocks, and bling. The question that each horse owner must ask when considering these fashion options is this: Is this more important to you than proper fit? Both correct fit and fashion can be achieved, but saddle fitters would prefer to see riders give more thought to their horses than to fashion statements.
At left, Mike Scott at work.
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This article only scratches the surface of the in-depth analysis a good fitter will conduct of you and your horse. In addition to these basic parameters, a number of mitigating factors must also be considered in saddle fitting, including but hardly limited to:
• Lameness or coming back from
such; • Asymmetry issues like high/low
syndrome; • Old injuries that can cause the horse
to experience issues like a dropped hip
• The horse’s age; • The type of riding being done; and • The skill of the rider.
Some of these points will be addressed in a future article from Scott.
Contact a fitter today to see if your existing saddle is appropriate, needs flocking or repair, or if you are looking for a new saddle.
SCDCTA Wants to Hear from You! Want to see more news and photos from your fellow members? So does Tracking Up! We love to share your accomplishments, everyday activities, and cute photos.
We’d also love articles on your training or competition experiences, reviews of books, videos or products, or even just sharing a bit about your favorite horses. Send questions, ideas, completed articles (in MS Word), photos (jpeg) to [email protected]. If sharing a professional photo, please make sure you have provided photographer credit.
You can also share news and photos via the SCDCTA Facebook group! To make sure the editor is aware of your posts, please tag “Janet M Hawkins” in anything you’d like to see in the newsletter.
introductory awareness classes for horse owners. Scott encourages trailer-ins to his shop for saddle fittings and sales, as well as making farm calls in S.C. and N.C. He sells Kentaur saddles and his own brand, SaddleGuy Saddles. For more information, visit www.saddleguy.com or contact Scott at [email protected].
certification one-day with along
professional teaches classes,
Mike Scott, Camden, is an MSA- certified saddle fitter who has trained extensively in England, as well as with a number of saddlers across the U.S. He owns the equine massage (Equine Massage/Muscle Therapy) and saddle fit (The Saddle Guy) schools, where he
April 2020 21
EDITOR’S NOTE: Following Is a summary of the minutes Jan. 30, 2020 meeting of the SCDCTA Board of Directors, lightly edited for space and content. These minutes were inadvertently omitted from the March 2020 issue of “Tracking Up”.
Membership: The board discussed a goal of increasing membership; related to that goal, the board discussed possible ways to attract eventers, including establishing an SCDCTA member low-point award at in-state events similar to the successful programs initiated with Stableview and Bruce’s Field.
SCDCTA News January 2020 Board Meeting Minutes
Members for 2019 Type Number
Business 12 Jr/YR 21
Senior 142 Total 175
Horse Registrations 59 Board Members 9
Lifetime Members 7 New Members 49
Members to date for 2020
Type Number Business 11
Jr/YR 14 Senior 125 Total 145
Horse Registrations 10 Board Members 12
Lifetime Members 8 New Members 36 SCDCTA received one free ticket to the
gala.
who with recognized multiple shows
Year-End Awards: For 2020, Sharon Anderson will take over as points and awards chair. Carol Freligh will make sure she is up to speed on procedures. All plans are in place for the upcoming awards gala and silent auction. Carol will send an email request for all donor names from board members for inclusion in the program. Tierney Boyd has provided small prizes for third- to sixth-place winners. Schooling show managers
Communications and Secretary’s Report: All required documentation with USDF is up to date for the current membership year. Lisa Hinkle updated the board on issues with Mailchimp and planned solutions going forward, with future updates to come outside the meeting. She encouraged board members to be active on SCDCTA’s social media with updates to their committee’s activities.
April 2020 22
Schooling Shows: 2019 SCDCTA-Recognized Schooling Shows
Type Number Schooling shows 26
Schooling horse trials 0 USDF/USEF shows 0
# Aiken area 23 # Lowcountry 1
# Other 2 # Cancelled 1
2020 SCDCTA-Recognized Schooling Shows as of Jan 30
Type Number Schooling shows* 26
Schooling horse trials 1 USDF/USEF shows 13
# Aiken area 34 # Lowcountry 4
# Other 2 # Cancelled 3
*Two additional Middleton schooling shows are pending
their lunch during showgrounds break.
Low Country Dressage Classic: Marcy Hippey updated the board on the upcoming Lowcountry Dressage Classic I and II, to be held Feb. 23-24. The board discussed the need for volunteers and noted the many incentives offered generally makes it easy to fill jobs at these shows. The board discussed possible options for cheaper lodging on Johns Island, noting that the expense of hotels on the island may impact entries. The board also discussed the need for a place for judges to go to relax on the
April 2020 23
Judges @ Schooling Shows 2020 as of Jan. 30 (Scheduled on SCDCTA Calendar) Judge Number Credentials Comments
Valerie Swygert 13 r Apple Tree Joanna Parent 2 L Grad w/Dist.
Kathryn Butt 2 L Grad
Cathy Howard 2 L Grad Carol Brewer 2 L Grad
KC Betzel 1 L Grad
Lisa Campbell 1 R
D. Laigle 1 L Grad w/Dist.
Carol Bishop 1 R
Lela Wulf 1 r (eventing)
Suzanne Ronning 1 L Grad
Schooling Shows: In relation to discussion about attracting eventers to membership, Tricia Carr noted that no horse trials or events were recognized in 2019. It was also noted that Tricia has added several new schooling show venues, including a schooling horse trial, to the 2020 roster.
We are planning to go forward with a schooling show championship in Aiken around Nov. 15. We will piggyback the show onto Stableview’s Eventing Academy and will include combined tests among the classes offered. We will get use of Stableview for free and will pay for half of the judges. Any horse/rider pair who is eligible for 2020 year-end awards is eligible to compete in the championship schooling show.
The board briefly discussed the concept of double points awarded to championship winners, but generally agreed this would not be appropriate. No vote was taken.
Education: The educational program is currently focused on the L program. The C session is coming up; Kathy Rowse will be the clinician. Any excess money from the first three sessions will be used to help offset the cost of the D session. Alison Head reported that auditing has been strong for these clinics. Scribes will be needed for the D session.
Newsletter: Lisa will be stepping down as editor after the February e-bulletin, to be published after the awards gala. Janet Hawkins has volunteered to take over starting with the March e-bulletin. She plans to return to a monthly publication schedule. Lisa will work with Janet to ensure she is up to speed.
Website: Member Ken Maginnis is working on updating and improving the website, under Marcy’s supervision. A major update in the near future will be addition of a store to make paying for membership, clinics, goods, etc. easier. Suggested changes should go through Marcy or Lisa.
Miscellaneous: The board discussed administrative issues related to 2020 and longer- term goals for the GMO and naming conventions for board members.
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April 2020 SCDCTA Schooling Shows
Cancelled or Postponed
Region 3 USDF-recognized Shows Cancelled
Select Region 1 USDF-recognized Shows
16-19 Tryon Spring Dressage, CANCELLED
Area III USEA-recognized Events Cancelled
Clinics and Other Events
6-7 Paul Belasik Clinic, 4124 Snaffle Bit Dr., Aiken, SC, Contact Jeremy Steinberg, www.steinbergdressage.com
May 2020 SCDCTA Schooling Shows
13 Stable View Schooling Dressage Show,
USDF Regional Schooling Show Qualifier, Aiken, SC, SCDCTA # 201025, www.stableviewfarm.com
23 SCDCTA Dressage/CT Schooling Show, Middleton Place Equestrian Center, Charleston, SC SCDCTA# 201009, www.middletonplaceequestriancenter.com
Region 3 USDF-recognized Shows
9-10 Greater Atlanta Dressage Southern I & II,
Conyers, GA, www.gdcta.org 9-10 May Day Qualifier I & II, Jacksonville, FL,
www.southeasthorseshows.com 9-10 American Dressage Concours I & II, Venice, FL,
www.foxleafarm.com 9-10 Dressage by the River, Newmarket, TN,
www.river-glen.com 16-17 Dressage in the Spring at Bruce's Field, Aiken, SC,
www.aikenhorsepark.org 16-17 Gold Coast May Dressage, Wellington, FL,
www.gcdafl.org 23-24 Chattahoochee Hills Dressage May I & II,
Fairburn, GA, www.chathillseventing.com 23-24 Dressage Under the Oaks II, Weirsdale, FL,
www.orlandodressage.com 30-31 Summer Sizzler Dressage I & IA, Newberry, FL,
www.southeasthorseshows.com
Clinics and Other Activities 16 Stableview Eventing Academy Schooling Day,
Aiken, SC, www.stableviewfarm.com 17 Stableview Eventing Academy Horse Trial & Show,
Aiken, SC, www.stableviewfarm.com
May 2020 (continued)
Select Region 1 USDF-recognized Shows 2-3 Tryon Spring Dressage 2, CANCELLED 8-10 Dressage in the Sandhills, Pinehurst, NC,
www.carolinadressage.com 23-24 Mayday Dressage, Pinehurst, NC,
www.carolinadressage.com
Area III USEA-recognized Events 9-10 Horse Trials at Majestic Oaks, Reddick, FL,
www.majesticoaksocala.com 16-17 Chattahoochee Horse Trials, Fairburn, GA.
www.chatthillseventing.com 29-31 Poplar Place Farm H.T. and Area
Championships, Hamilton, GA, www.poplarplacefarm.com
30-31 Ocala Summer Horse Trials I, Ocala, FL, www.flhorsepark.com
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
May 2-3 Cinco de Mayo Dressage I & II, Mullet Equestrian Center, St Johns, SC POSTPONED to Sep. 5-6
May 9-10 South Carolina L Program
Section C POSTPONED To Sep. 12-13 in Aiken, SC
Middleton Place Schooling Show, Charleston, SC POSTPONED to May 23
Apr 19
SCDCTA Changes and Cancellations
Apr 4-5 USEF/USDF “Spring Fever”
Dressage, Stableview Farm, Aiken, SC CANCELLED
April 2020 25
Recognized Shows
Ginger Reid and Sweet Carolina (with their coach, Laurens Bissell) winners of the National Dressage Pony Cup Championship sponsored by Mad Kat Dressage, LCC I & II.
Rileigh Evans and Newt, winners of SCDCTA Member Jr/YR High Score sponsored by Equinox Equine Services LCC II. Photo by Mom.
Kiara Lutzen and Van Halen, winners of SCDCTA Member Jr/YR High Score sponsored by Equinox Equine Services LCC I. Photo by Mom.
Sara Cundith and Sour, winners of the Thoroughbred Incentive Program sponsored by Mad Kat Dressage LCC II. Photo by Lucy Israel.
Grace Regan and Mr. Brutus, winners of Thoroughbred Incentive Program sponsored by Mad Kat Dressage LCC I. Photo by Mom.
Caroline van Aston, owner/rider, with Milano. Photo by Heyward McDonald.
Sarah Sharpe aboard Amber, owned by Tricia Mills. Photo by Heyward McDonald.
SCDCTA Juniors enjoying the show. Photo by Heyward McDonald.
Editor’s Note: Several photos reported in the March 2020 issue for the LCC I & II were not attributed to the correct photographer. In addition, award sponsors for winners were omitted from the captions. To avoid the need to cross-reference back to March, we have reprinted small versions of the affected photographs below. SCDCTA thanks the sponsors and photographers who contributed.
Corrected Photo Captions for Low Country Classic I & II
April 2020 26
Tara Bostwick Aiken Horse Park Foundation
Aiken, SC 803-226-0121
[email protected] aikenhorsepark.org
Kathryn Butt Mad Kat Dressage Johns Island, SC 843-607-6442
Kaijsa Dignam Two Tales Stables, LLC Ridgeville, SC 843-530-0233
[email protected] twotalesstables.com
Alison Eastman-Lawler Apple Tree Farm Windsor, SC 803-345-0382 / 803-266-5870
Elizabeth (Lisa) Hinkle Equinox Equine Massage Therapy Elgin, SC 803-673-9394
[email protected] equinoxequinetherapy.com
Marcy Hippey Shangri-La Dressage St. George, SC 843-412-6739
Sarah Molesky Oldfield Equestrian Center Okatie.,SC (440) 796-6503
Pippa Moon Pippa Moon Training & Sales Wagener.,SC (207) 650-9220
[email protected] pippamoon.com
Amy Nichols Smiling Horse Farm Anderson, SC 864-933-3529
Missouri ( Missy) Powers Freligh Dressage Hartsville, SC 843-639-9080 / 843-857-6229
[email protected] Freligh Dressage at Black Creek Stables
2020 SCDCTA Business Members
April 2020 27
Susan Todd Hidden Creek Dressage LLC Columbia, SC 803-609-5300
[email protected] hiddencreekdressagellc.com
Danielle Ventura Two Magnolia Farm Aiken, SC 815-814-3571
[email protected] twomagnoliafarm.com
2020 SCDCTA Business Members
Membership Form
April 2020 28
Each SCDCTA Junior member must volunteer for 8 hours at a SCDCTA, USEA, or USDF recognized show or even to be eligible to participate in the Annual SCDCTA Jr. Clinic. The hours do not have to be consecutive or at a singl SCDCTA recognized show. The show manager or judge (if scribing) MUST sign this form. This form must be sent t the SCDCTA Junior Coordinator when all required volunteer hours for the given competition year have bee completed.
SCDCTA Jr. Member Name: .
SCDCTA Number: .
Competition Name: .
Volunteer Activity: .
Total Hours .
Official Name: .
Official Signature: .
Competition Name: .
Volunteer Activity: .
Total Hours: .
Official Name: .
Official Signature: .
*Send form to Kathryn Butt: [email protected] or 196 Mt. Calvary Rd., Trenton, SC 29847
April 2020 29