anatomy in motion...riding horse at meraki farm in fombell, pa. on september 21. rhianna gave a...
TRANSCRIPT
Issue 1
TREA’s Peggy Brown clinic in late October 2017 had Peggy demonstrate The Visual Rider while riding in a "bone suit.” For this event, on Friday evening TREA provided complimentary food, wine and cheese. Eighty-nine people attended! Throughout the weekend riders learned riding biomechanics with Peggy under saddle, and both Saturday and Sunday morning Peggy gave lectures to start the day: Achieving an Independent Seat and Contact and Connection – Biomechanics of Hands and Arms. Peggy is not only President of CenteredRiding.org but the originator of anatomyinmotion.com with
author Susan Harris. TREA would like to thank Elaine Shetler-Libent from Keller Williams for donating the chairs, Hoffman Electric from Gibsonia for breakfast, and Robin Birk from The Tack Store from Timber Ridge.
Anatomy in Motion Presented by Peggy Brown
In this issue:
Anatomy in Motion Clinic with Peggy Brown……page 1
An Introduction to TREA………………………….....page 4
Seasons Greetings from Sunny Wellington, FL….page 5
Juniors in 2018…………………………………………..page 6
Year End Awards Programs……………………….….page 7
2018 Calendar of Events…………………….…………page 8
January 2018 Issue
Peggy will be back to Coventry November 2 and 3, 2018 for
“The Visual Rider.” Look for further details on Facebook and
future newsletters.
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TREA 2017 EDUCATIONAL EVENTS
• Robin Birk - Mock Horse show with L Judge Robin Birk judging at Timber Ridge Equestrian Center in Ruffs Dale, Pa. July 30
• Loretta Pettinato - An Introduction to Western Dressage Lecture at Meraki Farm in Fombell, Pa. August 29
• Kristin Hermann - Understanding Simplified Gymnastic Training for all Horses at Arete Farm LLC, Clinton, Pa. August 31
• Rhianna Pankhurst - Gymnastic Stretching for the Riding Horse at Meraki Farm in Fombell, Pa. September 21
• Peggy Brown President of CenteredRiding.org and founder of AnatomyinMotion.com at Coventry Equestrian Center in Washington, Pa. Oct 27, 28 and 29
GYNMASTIC STRETCHING FOR THE RIDING HORSE TREA would like to thank Rhianna Pankhurst for being able to sponsor her Gymnastic Stretching for the Riding Horse at Meraki Farm in Fombell, Pa. on September 21. Rhianna gave a lecture on the benefits of stretching a horse and then her students demonstrated with Rhianna’s coaching.
…many local dressage enthusiasts stepped up to the plate to help TREA collect funds for expenses. Robin Birk's Mock Horse Show - practice tests at Timber Ridge Equestrian Center in Ruffs Dale, Pa. July 30 did just that, it helped provide TREA with the funds for insurance. USDF L Graduate with distinction Robin Birk, who is enrolled in the USEF ‘r’ judges program, hosted and donated this day of judging and this was the first time she did such an event at her farm. She judged from Intro to Fourth Level. There was a great turnout of riders and auditors. Robin not only did this for TREA, but she got to practice her judging in order to take her small USEF ‘r‘ judging test in the fall. Currently waiting on the results, Robin will soon be the only small ‘r’ dressage judge in the Western Pa. area.
Above: Rhianna demonstrating stretching on her horse
When TREA was organized the summer of 2017…
Above and Right: Rhianna coaching a student
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INTRODUCTION TO WESTERN DRESSAGE TREA board member and Western Dressage rider Loretta Pettinato presented “An Introduction to Western Dressage” lecture at Meraki Farm in Fombell, Pa. August 29th. About 15 people attended this event, all new to Western Dressage. A lecture and handouts were presented as well as great food, snacks and drinks. Next time, we will have a demonstration of Western Dressage tests.
President of TREA Kristin Hermann presented another fund-raising
event for TREA: Understanding Simplified Gymnastic Training for all Horses. This event was a Powerpoint presentation which was held at Renee Shiska’s Arete Farm in Clinton, Pa. on August 31. About 30 people attended and donated to TREA.
TREA is excited to announce its first open meeting at Uphill
Dressage (UphillDressage.com) on
January 9, 2018 beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Accomplished rider, trainer,
clinician and fun competitor Lisa Hall will discuss “Show like A Pro.”
Food and beverages will be available.
Participate and learn about Three Rivers Equestrian Association (USDF
GMO and USEA affiliate) that embraces all aspects of horsemanship.
Coming to a barn near you soon!
Thank you to Hoffman Electric and the following for sponsoring our Peggy Brown clinic:
Thank you Robin Birk for hosting the Mock Horseshow this summer to help get TREA up and running. Please visit the Tack store of Timber Ridge, owner Robin Birk. Save the Date!
Be sure to check out our Calendar of
Events on page 8.
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AN INTRODUCTION TO TREA
Hello, my name is Kristin Hermann and I am the President of Three Rivers Equestrian Association. We call it Three Rivers to encompass the Western Pa. and Ohio Valley areas, in addition to the fact we like the acronym TREA. TREA was formed by a few inspired individuals who really felt education for all equestrians would be fun and that collaborating with all forms of riding would be an excellent idea. Most of TREA’s members and Board of Directors are “dressage riders,” but we all see dressage as a means and not an end. The word dressage means the “gymnastic training of the horse,” so all horses benefit by being trained in dressage. I personally see it as “Yoga for Horses.” Hunter riders may call it “flatwork,” but either way all horses benefit whether trained in dressage or with flatwork.
With good basic training all horses will perform better within its specific discipline and stay sounder. I loved Deb Bennet in the eighties who pushed “dressage” for even the competitive trail horse.
TREA is growing, and it is a lot of organizational work. We, however, have a lot of support from many facilities and that is one of our goals--to collaborate with as many facilities as possible and not isolate our membership. We might not all agree, but we have horses as a common denominator. TREA will be conducting membership meetings at facilities in the Three Rivers and Ohio areas. We want our members to feel welcome, and we want our members to participate.
Because of our vast vision, we are going to expand our awards program to most forms of riding, but will have a dressage foundation to our awards. For example, we are going to offer hunter awards, but you will need a few dressage scores to accompany your hunter points. We are going to offer gaited dressage, an OTTT award, pony award and even become an affiliate of the U.S. Eventing Association
to encourage the growing mini-trial interest in our area.
TREA’s vision is a growing adventure that gets us excited when we talk about it.
TREA became a United States Dressage Federation GMO in mid-summer of 2017, and since then we have already had many educational events such as: Stretching for Horses, Western Dressage, a mock horse show, Biomechanics of Training, and hosting an international clinician, Peggy Brown, who is the President of Centered Riding.
TREA has also supported other facilities when hosting educational events at Meraki Farm, Timber Ridge Equestrian Center, Arete Farm and Uphill Dressage to name a few. If you want TREA to sponsor an educational event at your barn just reach out to any one of us. This is what we are all about: collaborating, supporting and encouraging all the facilities and riders in the area despite the discipline. If we have not reached out to you, please reach out to us, whether it is money for breakfast, coffee for your auditors, or if you are in need of volunteers.
TREA has a Facebook page, website http://www.threeriversequestrianassoc.org/ and a growing membership list. If you would like to help us organize and or have any suggestions on what our members would have an interest in, please let us know.
Thank you, everyone, for such an overwhelming welcome and we look forward to seeing and working with all of you.
Kristin Hermann, President
Kristin riding her horse Brach.
TREA Board and Branches Board and Committees
President - Kristin Hermann ([email protected])
Vice President - Ingrid McNamara ([email protected]) Secretary - Christen Mineo Carter ([email protected]) Treasurer - Loretta Pettinato ([email protected])
Awards - Adriana Furda ([email protected])
Banquet - Stacy Segal ([email protected])
Education - TREA board
Junior Rep - Ingrid McNamara ([email protected]) & Sonya Bell ([email protected])
Newsletter - Mary Louise Schroth ([email protected])
Sanctioned Shows - Rhianna Pankhurst ([email protected])
Directors
Rhianna Pankhurst ([email protected])
Stacy Segal ([email protected])
Mary Louise Schroth ([email protected])
Branches
Hunter /Jumper - Sue Stepusin Mini Trials/Eventing - Laura Ann Kosiorek Smith Public Relations - Robin Birk
Issue 1
Selfie Corner Send us your selfie!!!
Season’s Greetings from sunny Wellington Florida! For those of you who do not know me, let me introduce myself. I am Rhianna Pankhurst, a Director on the board of Three Rivers Equestrian Association. During the Spring/Summer/Fall I have a training/lesson program based out of Meraki Farm right outside of Zelienople, PA. During the winter months, I am lucky enough to be able to transport my business and spend the winter in the Equestrian mecca of Wellington, Florida. I was first introduced to Wellington 7 years ago. I had taken a position with a Dressage stable, and it was based in Wellington during the winter. Wow, the first winter I spent here was an eye opening and inspiring experience! Fabulously talented horses, impeccable and luxurious barns, and famous trainers I had only read about or seen on TV seemed to be around every corner. I was immediately, and still continue to be, absolutely humbled by the experience. Even though it is very humbling to be here, part of the reason I continue to do whatever I can to make it possible to come to Florida every winter is for the educational opportunity and inspiration that this town has to offer. Where else can you accidentally stumble across a clinic being given by the Classical master Christoph Hess when you stop to ask for directions because you are lost, or see a schooling session with the famous Valegro, before he was famous and World Champion?!?!
One of the important mental aspects of riding and training is to stay inspired. It can be hard, as learning Dressage as a rider can, at times, feel absolutely hopeless. It is complicated, technical, a sort of perfectionism; not to mention physically demanding. The progression of training with a horse can be frustrating and it can feel like nothing is happening. Dressage is a little like water dripping on a rock. To the untrained eye, nothing seems to be going on, but the rock(horse/rider) is slowly being shaped by the drip, drip, drip. Sometimes it can be so hard to be motivated. Cold weather, sick/injured horses, financial struggles, and just everyday life can suck the motivation right out of the best of us. That is why it is so important to find something that motivates and really inspires and renews the passion of why you started this horse journey in the first place. Inspiration can come from many sources., and it is important to find the things that inspire you.
Some things that have inspired me in my journey are watching and working with trainers I admire, showing and getting feedback on progress from knowledgeable judges, and sometimes just seeing and feeling the difference in my horses when I get the training right and everything starts to fall into place. Building a supportive “horsey” social circle, and being able to share with other horse lovers’ struggles and accomplishments helps us realize we all struggle at times.
Rider – Sarah
Horse – Lola
Discipline – Dressage and Hunt Seat
Rider - Katie
Horse - Bella Donna
Discipline - Dressage
Rhianna with Tulsa
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One of the eye-opening experiences I have in Wellington is being able to watch well known trainers at shows. Watching an Olympian, whom we all see on seasoned, trained horses at World Championships, come out and have a difficult ride on a young or up and coming horse lets me know that even the best of us have bad days and to keep on trying. Attending educational and social events, and volunteering for Equestrian organizations are all ways to help keep motivation. The internet is a great place to find some motivation and inspiration, especially during the winter months when it is too cold to ride, or the weather impedes getting to the barn. Sites such as Dressage Training Online or Dressage Clinic.com are great resources to learn from good trainers and riders. YouTube has unlimited videos on horse training, free of charge. Find a channel you like and subscribe. Three Rivers Equestrian Association is hoping to be a part of your motivational journey, as our mission is all about providing educational opportunities to Western PA/Eastern Ohio. Over the next few months, I’ll be writing about my experiences here in Wellington this year, and the things I am learning that keep me motivated. Here’s to Happy and Inspired Riding!!
TREA will be offering several Jr/YR categories for riders to enroll for Year End Awards. These categories will include the following: 8 years and under; 9-14 years; 15-18 years; and 18 years and over. In addition, we will be working with our local 4-H, Pony Club and IHSA organizations to help provide educational opportunities for them. Furthermore, there is a discount for these youth programs (4-H, Pony Club and IHSA) if they have 10 or more Jr/YRs that want to join the organization, they will receive a $5.00 discount per membership. In addition, TREA is currently working on a fantastic Jr/YR clinic with a very big name clinician and hope to offer it this year. After all, these riders are our future!
If you want to learn more about how to get involved in the TREA Jr/YR programs, please contact me: Ingrid McNamara, [email protected]
https://www.facebook.com/events/306643563173748/
Rhianna with Asia Rhianna and Asia
We have a lot to offer our
Jr/YR’s in 2018
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Three Rivers Equestrian Association Year End Awards Programs
The Three Rivers Equestrian Association was established to help connect like-minded equestrians that want to further their knowledge of riding and care of their equine partner with a focus in dressage for all disciplines. Even though education is our main goal and theme, we want to recognize those equestrians and horses that have shown their skills in the competition ring. Therefore, TREA will offer a variety of awards to participate in since TREA is a multidiscipline organization. We will offer several branches of awards: Hunters, Jumpers, Eventing, Dressage and Western Dressage. In addition, there will be awards for Recognized and Sanctioned Shows for Open, Adult Amateur and Jr/YR divisions. TREA is working with individual representatives for each discipline on outlining the requirements for each branch of awards in order to make the requirements fair and clear for everyone.
Individuals interested in showing and participating in the awards program must be current members of TREA when earning their scores. To apply for an award, riders must enroll by paying a small fee for the category they want to enroll in and volunteer hours are NOT required to apply. Each discipline is unique as are the requirements for enrolling to the Awards program, so be sure to read the requirements of your discipline. However, your scores are transferable, meaning you can submit scores from your dressage to multiple disciplines.
For scores that are placed by percentage (i.e. Dressage, Eventing, and Western Dressage), riders will just submit their score sheets in with their associated enrollment fees. The Hunter and Jumper divisions will be weighted based on how many riders are in the class and the placing they earned. These requirements are being outlined and will be presented in the next Newsletter and TREA Handbook in 2018. Riders for these classes will need to fill out a form (Competitors Report) and have it signed by either the Show Manager or Secretary to enroll for TREA Year End Awards program. The Hunters Awards program will have several categories for unrated and rated shows. Riders will need to submit 2 dressage scores from either a Recognized or Schooling Show with a score of 60% or higher at the level they are showing (rules will be outline in handbook). Riders will also need to submit a Competitors Report(s) for Hunter classes showing their placing and the number of rides in the class in order to be considered. Dressage scores will be weighted by the percentage as to whether the show was a schooling or recognized show. Riders in the Jumpers Awards Program will be outlined in a similar fashion as in the Hunters Awards Program. These details will be outlined further in the TREA Handbook.
TREA will also be offering several other unique awards in the enrollment program. There will be a Para-Equestrian Award, Gaited Western Dressage and several various age categories for the Jr/YR’s program. All Awards must be submitted within 30 days of earning them. If you are interested in participating in the Year End Awards program then be sure to join TREA prior to the competition. A complete detailed list of the awards will be posted on the website in February 2018.
-- Ingrid McNamara, Vice President
Ingrid McNamara riding Sequel at the Sydmor Dressage Schooling Show, 2017.
Ingrid with her daughter Greta volunteering at a local Equine Event, Petcon, 2017.
TREA Dressage Team Lake Erie College offers each year (pending interest) a team competition called the Prix de Ville (www.lec.edu/prix). This competition is a recognized dressage show but with a twist, a team competition. Riders must compete together as a team and your scores are tallied together to achieve an overall score for that team. The show is open to Jr/YR’s, Adult Amateurs and Professional riders. I have competed and participated in the event several times and really enjoy the venue and comradery that you have with your fellow riders. The show is scheduled for April 7-8 and is a Recognized USDF and USEF show. If you are interested in riding at the event, please contact me, Ingrid McNamara, [email protected].
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR 2018 (So far…)
January 20 Learn to Ride Like a Knight - The Jousting and Medieval Games Clinic Clearview Stables, Oakdale, PA For more information contact Blaine Orris at [email protected]
February 3 - 4 Dolly Hannon Clinic (USDF Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medalist/Western Dressage) Timber Ridge Equestrian Center 236 Racetrack Road Ruffs Dale, Pa. 15679 timberridgeeqcenter.com and dollyhannondressage.com
February 18 TREA board meeting 5:30 pm @ Walnut Grill 1210 Settlers Ridge Center Dr. Robinson Township, PA 15136
March 10 Tack Swap (benefitting ManelyHorses 4-H) 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at Columkille Catholic Church, 103 Church Road, Imperial, Pa, 15126 For more information and to RSVP contact: [email protected]
March 17 - 18 Lake Erie College Dressage Winter Series Show www.LEC.edu/Equine-Events USEF/USDF Recognized Show Lake Erie College Equestrian Center, Concord, OH
April 7 – 8 Lake Erie Dressage Prix de Villes Show
www.LEC.edu/Equine-Events USEF/USDF Recognized Lake Erie College Equestrian Center, Concord OH ** FREE TACK STALL for every 4 horses on a TEAM stabled at the Prix de Villes!
April 12 – 15 Equine Affaire in Ohio Ohio Expo Center, Columbus OH www.EquineAffaire.com
April (TBA) Mini Dressage Camp with Rhianna Pankhurst at Meraki Farm
May 5 - 6 Jackpot Dressage Schooling Show Eden Park Equestrian Complex, Sunbury OH
May 19 Buckeye Equestrian Events - Western Dressage Schooling Show Eden Park Equestrian Complex, Sunbury OH Judge Janice Mumford (USEF WD "r") www.BuckeyeEquestrianEvents.com ** NODA Members: Scores ELIGIBLE for 2018 NODA Year-end Awards
June 23 Dressage Derby of Ohio I (USEF/USDF Recognized) www.LEC.edu/Equine-Events Entries Open May 15 Lake Erie College Equestrian Center, Concord OH
June 24 Dressage Derby of Ohio II (USEF/USDF Recognized) www.LEC.edu/Equine-Events Entries Open May 15 Lake Erie College Equestrian Center, Concord OH
Summer/Fall (TBA)
Evon Montgomery Clinic Coventry Equestrian Center
November 2 - 3 The Visual Rider with Peggy Brown Coventry Equestrian Center
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