collective remarks - houston dressage society newsletter... · 2018-08-06 · jan 11-13 whit...
TRANSCRIPT
In this issue:
Crutcher Ranch Schooling Show Report
1
Scholarship Opportunities 1
President’s Message 2
Calendars 2
Ida Anderson Long Lining Clinic Info
4
Recognized Shows Info 7
HDS Awards Banquet 8
Treasurer’s Report 10
Member News 13
Gregor’s Story 14
Philosophical Guidelines for Classical Dressage
17
Crossword Puzzle
18
Are Horses Good for Kids?
19
Classified Ads 27
January 2008
Collective Remarks Houston Dressage Society
Neither Wind Nor Rain Nor Cold: Nice Last Chance Show at Crutcher Ranch By Terri Smith It was dark and stormy - at 7 a.m.! This was the second go-round with bad weather for the Crutcher Ranch schooling show. The No-vember 24 show was postponed when a wet cold front blew in, bringing gusty winds and heavy rain. By setting a December 15 rain date, show manager Patricia Hardmeyer gave many riders one more chance to improve their scores in hopes of recognition at the HDS Awards Banquet. But December 15 did not look very promising either. An aggressive band of thunderstorms moved across west Houston and Fulshear at sunrise. The rain drummed on the roof of the large covered arena, making it hard to hold a conversation. The wind changed directions and picked up a distinct chill. The tall sliding doors at the end of the arena rattled ominously. Under the broad expanse of roof, though, everything was ready for showtime. Judge Donna Meyer arrived early and the dressage arena was set up on springy, well-raked footing. A brand new set of letters was in place for the occasion. A couple of competitors were grooming their horses and pin-ning their numbers to saddle pads. The hammering rain tapered off but the now decidedly north wind did not. Everyone reached for a jacket.
(Neither Wind Nor Rain continued on page 12)
2008 Scholarship Opportunities Get the most from your membership by making it a goal to apply for one of the many scholarships, grants and benefits offered to dressage riders by HDS, Dressage Foundation, and USDF/USEF. A fairly comprehensive list is shown on pages 21 and 22 of this newsletter. Everyone is encouraged to utilize and benefit from these programs – they are for YOU! If you feel unsure about applying, feel free to ask questions. Application forms and full details/criteria can be found on the relevant websites (listed below). If you have questions, feel free to contact Susan Shiba, HDS Education Chair, who will be happy to point you in the right direction. Houston Dressage Society www.houstondressagesociety.org The Dressage Foundation www.dressagefoundation.org United States Dressage Federation http://www.usdf.org/awards/grants/
(Scholarship Opportunities continued on page 21)
Marilyn Kulifay, previous recipient of a $750 grant from The Dressage Foundation Carol Lavell Gifted Fund for Adult Amateurs
January 2008
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FROM THE PRESIDENT Kathy Jones
Houston Dressage Society www.houstondressagesociety.org
Collective Remarks is a monthly publication of Houston Dressage Society,
a non-profit tax-exempt corporation.
Submissions
Submissions are encouraged from all HDS members. Contact
Advertising
Submit classified ads in plain text or Word format and in final form.
Display ads must be high resolution (300+dpi) in electronic format.
Submit ads via email to [email protected].
Deadline is 15th of the month prior to the month of publication.
Change of Address
Contact Nancy Walker-Taylor at
[email protected] or 281-893-8631.
Houston Dressage
Society is a USDF Group Member O r g a n i z a t i o n (GMO) and all members are auto-matically USDF
Group Members (GMs). For Partici-pating Membership, members must apply directly to USDF.
2008 CLINICS / SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDAR For more details, go to www.houstondressagesociety.org
Jan 11-13 Whit Watkins Clinic Renaissance Farm Sport-horses, Cypress, TX
Beth Schwind Greenbaum 281-373-4752 or [email protected]
Jan 26-27 Long Lining Clinic with Ida Anderson *
HDS event - Canaan Ranch, Fulshear, TX
Marilyn Kulifay [email protected] Susan Shiba [email protected]
Feb 2 HDS Awards Banquet Cadillac Bar Party Room I-10 @Shepherd, Houston
Martha Guyton [email protected] Dawn Sabo [email protected]
Mar 17 Richmond State School Mounted Musical Presentation
Richmond State School Richmond, TX
Martha Guyton [email protected]
April 11-13 Dr. Cesar Parra Isabella Farms Cypress, TX
Dawn Kittel www.isabellafarms.com 281-352-0944
May 24-25 Symposium w/Linda Zang (“O”) & Stephen Clarke (“O”)
HDS event - Canaan Ranch, Fulshear, TX
Marilyn Kulifay [email protected] Susan Shiba [email protected]
July 26-27 Hilda Gurney (“I”) Dressage Breeding & Judges Seminar
HDS event - Canaan Ranch, Fulshear, TX
Marilyn Kulifay [email protected] Susan Shiba [email protected]
* Special drawing at the Ida Anderson Clinic for auditors and participants! Must be present to win!
Greetings! Our December presentation at the Richmond State School had to be cancelled. The RSS changed our originally scheduled date and the scheduled riders could not make the new date. If anyone is interested in riding at the RSS in the future, please contact Martha Guyton or me. We always need FEI level riders and juniors. It is a very rewarding experience. Our next show is March 17th for St. Patrick’s Day. As you can see from the financial report in this month’s newsletter, HDS was able to break even at the show. We attribute this to the sheer number of entries that we had. We had a record 355 entries and 15 non-competes. This is almost 100 more entries than last year. The other major factor that helped us to allow more entries was to move the musical free-styles to the new east arena. This prevented us from having to shut down one ring in the main arena. On Friday and Saturday, that meant approximately ten to eleven hours of rides. We are busily preparing for the new Winter Show. We hope to see you there. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Marilyn Kulifay, Brenda McCall, or me. We need you! Look for the nomination form for the Charlotte Raisbeck Good Sportsmanship Award on the HDS website. Nominations must be submitted by January 15th. I want to thank Syrisse Longbottom for the wonderful new HDS website. She has spent many long hours to get it up and running. Thank her when you see her. With the holiday season upon us, I wish you and your families the best.
Collective Remarks
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ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS
for
Charlotte Raisbeck Good
Sportsmanship Award
Describe how your nominee has distinguished himself/herself in order to be considered for the Good Sportsmanship Award. Include facts, dates, and examples demonstrating how the nominee has made an impact beyond the expectations of HDS members. Winner to be announced at HDS Annual Awards Banquet on Feb-ruary 2, 2008.
Deadline for submitting a nomination is
January 15, 2008
To obtain a nomination form, go to
houstondressagesociety.org
Please mail your completed form to:
Liz Glass, Awards Chair 18821 Autumn Breeze Drive
Spring, TX 77379
Or scan and email to [email protected]
If you have questions, call 281.376.6845
2008 RECOGNIZED SHOWS CALENDAR For more details, go to www.houstondressagesociety.org
Jan 19-20 HDS Winter Shows I & II (Judges: Gen. Burton; Brenda Minor; Marlene Schneider)
Great SW Equestrian Center, Katy, TX
Susan Peacock, Show Secretary www.showsecretary.com
Mar 8-9 Freestyle Farm Frostbite Katy, TX Christi Raisbeck 281-533-0141 [email protected]
Mar 30 Topsider Farm Dressage I College Station, TX Ginni Cifelli 979-690-6788 [email protected]
April 3-6 Texas Dressage Classic I & II Tyler, TX Julie Madriguera 281-221-0544 [email protected]
April 5-6 San Antonio Spring I & II San Antonio, TX Jan Colley 512-267-2545 [email protected]
April 12-13 Fort Worth Spring Fling I & II (NAJYRC)
Glen Rose, TX Susan Peacock 405-749-9777 [email protected]
April 26-27 HDS Spring Classics I & II (Judges Barbara Ebner (“S”); Sonja Vracko
(“S”); Amy McElroy (“R”); Mercedes Alatorre (“FEI-C”); TBA)
Great SW Equestrian Center, Katy, TX
Susan Peacock, Show Secretary www.showsecretary.com
May 10-11 Dallas Dressage Club I & II (NAJYRC/Markel YH)
Irving, TX Michelann Tachibana 469-628-3754 [email protected]
June 14-15 HDS Summer Shows I & II (NAJYRC/Markel YH/Devel YH)
Great SW Equestrian Center, Katy, TX
Julie Harkness, Show Secretary [email protected]
July 19-20 Windy Knoll Farm Summer Shows I & II (Judges Bill Solyntjes, Kathy Rowse)
Windy Knoll Farm Magnolia, TX
Fran Dearing 281-356-2883 [email protected]
Aug 30-31 HDS Laborious Day Shows I & II (‘09 NAJYRC/Natl JR/YR Brentina/ Markel YH/Devel YH) (Judges Tom Poulin (“S”); Debbie Riehl-Rodriguez (“S”); TBA)
Lone Star Expo Center Conroe, TX
Julie Harkness, Show Secretary [email protected]
Sept 6-7 San Antonio Dressage Fall I & II Boerne, TX Jan Colley 512-267-2545 [email protected]
Sept 13-14 Dallas Yellow Rose I & II Irving, TX Michelann Tachibana 469-628-3754 [email protected]
Sept 14 Topsider Farm Dressage II College Station, TX Ginni Cifelli 979-690-6788 [email protected]
Sept 20-21 Windy Knoll Farm Fall Shows I & II (Final qualifier 2008 GAIG/USDF Reg 9 Championships) (Judges Dr. Chopra; Sue Mandas)
Windy Knoll Farm Magnolia, TX
Fran Dearing 281-356-2883 [email protected]
Oct 31; Nov 1-2
Southwest Dressage Championships & HDS Autumn Classic
(Judges Judges Maryal Barnett (FEI-C);
Joan Humphrey (S); Marianne Ludwig (FEI-I); Joan Macartney (FEI-I); Lorraine MacDonald (FEI-I); Brenda Minor (FEI-C); Others TBA)
Great SW Equestrian Center, Katy, TX
Susan Peacock, Show Secretary www.showsecretary.com
Recognized Schooling Show Dates to be Announced Soon!
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January 2008
Collective Remarks
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Collective Remarks
REGION 9 OMNIBUS
The Omnibus will no longer be mailed free of charge. Price for
omnibus not pre-ordered is $12.00.
Order form is located on Region 9 website at
www.usdfregion9.org and the HDS website at
houstondressagesociety.org.
RECOGNIZED SHOWS
Competitors! Heads Up for 2008!
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HDS Members!
Please sign up to VOLUNTEER
for the
New HDS Winter Shows I & II
January 19-20 at GSWEC in
Katy, TX
Contact
Brenda McCall at [email protected]
1. Dogs must be on leashes at all recognized shows. (USEF rule)
2. No smoking in the facility barns or aisle ways. Look for designated smoking areas.
3. Make sure to keep aisle ways clear so that horses can pass and careful not to block gates into the arenas.
4. Competitors are solely responsible for getting into the arena at their ride time. (Make sure you are ready to enter at A at your ride time.) Judges will be given clocks set to official show time, so make sure that your watch is set to official show time, too.
5. HDS will not have an official show photographer for the following shows:
• HDS Winter Shows January 19-20, 2008
• HDS Summer Shows June 14-15, 2008
• HDS Laborious Day Shows August 30-31, 2008
Anyone can take photographs at these shows. Show management reserves the right to revoke this privilege for any single person or all persons at their discretion.
6. HDS will have an official show photographer at the following shows:
• HDS Spring Show April 26-27, 2008
• Southwest Dressage Championships October 31 - November 2, 2008
No other photographers will be permitted at these shows. Any person wishing an exception must contact the Recognized Show Chair in writing 30 days in advance of the show and request permission to take pictures.
7. If you are interested in serving on the recognized shows committee, contact [email protected].
BEST OF LUCK IN 2008!
SWDC Classes AA JR/YR OP Training Level 61% 61% 64% First Level 60% 60% 63% Second Level 59% 59% 62% Third Level 58% 58% 60% Fourth Level 57% 57% 60% Prix St Georges 57% 57% 58% Intermediare I 57% 57% 58% Intermediare II 57% 57% 58% Grand Prix 57% 57% 58%
Musical Freestyle: National (1st - 4th) 62%
Musical Freestyle: FEI 60%
Pony Championship – Training Level 56%
Pony Championship – First Level 56%
NEW SWDC QUALIFYING SCORES!
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PLEASE WELCOME YOUR NEWEST HDS BOARD MEMBERS!
Charles Saltzer - Secretary
Susan Shiba - Clinics/Education/Scholarships Chair
Our 155 acre, 20 stall barn facility is located near the Woodlands. We offer full boarding & have a lighted indoor arena with misters, 2 jumping and dressage arenas, & groomed trails. Also, some sale horses like the purebred Andalusian gelding pictured above.
Please call (713) 907-2563 for more info.
SCARLET ‘N GREY FARMS
Collective Remarks
(Neither Wind Nor Rain continued from page 1) A few cheers went up as another horse trailer pulled in around 8 am. Within a quarter of an hour, several more trailers arrived, and it started looking like a pretty good turnout despite the wicked weather. Patricia allowed riders to warm up inside the arena, but the weather was clearing fast and riders were able to work outdoors too. Out of 39 rides, there were only three scratches. The horses were amazingly well-behaved and the riders were friendly and earnest. For many of us, this show represented two important opportunities: first—as mentioned above—the absolute end-of-year chance to improve scores for the Awards Banquet, and second, a chance to evaluate our potential for the HDS winter show. Anyone who has competed at Crutcher Ranch has experienced the unique combination of excellent show management and ranch-style hospitality. De-cember 15 was no exception. The show was a perfect example of the tireless efforts made by the schooling show community to meet the needs of local and neighboring riders. I believe I speak for many riders when I say “thanks” to all the barns that take the time and trouble to host schooling shows throughout the year. And “thanks” to all the judges who put in long days at these events. As job and family obligations make their claims on my time, I’m always glad to see so many show options and dates on the HDS calendar. The show at Crutcher Ranch—the very last one of the year—was something we really needed, and the friendly team out there made it a very worthwhile day, storms and all.
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ATTENTION
SHOW SPONSORS, ADVERTISERS & VENDORS
Get the most from your Show Sponsorship and Advertising
by signing up EARLY with HDS!
Contact Kathy Jones
For 2008 Pricing and Program Info
281-955-0803
Have we met?
Photo by SLR Pix Provided by Garner Creek Farms
Foal-ishness
Foals doing what they do best!
Submit your foal pics to [email protected]
Lyndon Rife Dressage • Lyndon and Willkommen earned the USDF All Breeds Hanoverian Third level (67%) and Third level Freestyle (72%) Horse of
the Year Reserve Champion! He was twelfth place overall in the national standings out of hundreds of horses, and fifth overall in the Third Level Freestyle. He was also second in the nation with his Third Level and Freestyle average combined.
• Last month Lyndon shattered his left wrist and fractured his right hand. He is steadily improving and spending just about every
day at the barn once again and is teaching all of his lessons. He is also devoting a lot of time to his two assistant trainers mak-ing certain they have the tools to keep the horses on the right track until he is ready to get back in the saddle. “We have also been touched by how so many of our friends and colleagues have reached out to show their support and offer to give any help that they can,” Julie wrote.
• Chad Bohne from College Station is the newest assistant trainer at Lyndon Rife Dressage. Chad’s horse, Naxos, has joined
him at Lyndon’s barn as well! Sienna Stables
• Sienna Stables, one of three Houston SIRE locations that offers therapeutic programs for individuals with mental, physical and/or emotional disability, is offering Volunteer Orientation and Training on Wednesday, January 16 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. Volun-teers must be at least 14 years of age. RSVP by calling 281-778-0202 or 281-431-1741. For more info, go to www.siennastables.com.
Catherine Haddad
• Catherine Haddad, a recent clinician for HDS, placed 6th with Maximus JSS (71.5%) at the World Cup Qualifier and Christmas show in Mechelen, Belgium, earning valuable points toward her Western European League ranking. Catherine is now ranked 8th in the League.
(Member News continued on following page)
MEMBER NEWS Collective Remarks
Gregor’s Story Ma 27, 1973 – Nov 11, 2007
By Marcetta Darensbourg
“His name is Gregor,” I said to Pat Pulliam when she asked who I was videoing at the 1988 North American Championships at Wind Edge Farm, outside of Toronto. We had journeyed to Canada to watch Lurena Bell compete. In addition I was looking for a riding horse as my mare Maui was bred (to Grundstein—giving me ulti-mately Great Scott) and I foresaw months of no serious riding. The horse I tried out wasn’t really trained so well as Maui so I was left to just enjoy the competition. (One other incident of note. It was through trailering to Toronto that the great stallion Grund-stein, competing at Grand Prix and in contention for the next Olympics, developed pneumonia. So I got to visit him in his stall there. He was unable to compete and ultimately put down from that terrible incident—at age 15.) It was October and the drive to the show grounds each morning was spectacular through tunnels of trees of red and gold. I videoed Lurena’s nice rides, my tryout horse, and only one other: a big bay
horse with a star who was just full of “look at me” pizzazz. The program said his breeding was Holsteiner, he belonged to Olympic rider Lorraine Stubbs, and he was listed as an “aged gelding”. He finished 3rd or 4th at Prix St. George and Int.1; and his freestyle was amazing to watch, with 2 tempi changes on the 20 m circle. He blew up in his pirouettes so 2nd was his fate. The thought crossed my mind to walk right up to her and ask if he were for sale. My sane side said “you could never afford or ride a horse like that.” On my return to College Station, I continued to dream of a trained horse and occasionally perused the ads in the Chronicle of the Horse. At Christmas time, there it was: “Top North American FEI horse.” That was it; just a phone number. So I called and the voice at the end of the line described him in a few words. “His name is Gregor,” she said. “I can send you a video if you would like”. I replied, “No, that’s not necessary. I have one already.” I arranged for a flight to Toronto, in early January, driving to Houston, flying to Toronto, taking a shuttle to Rock Eden Farm. I stayed there for 2 hours, reversed the trip and was back at home by midnight the same day. It was soooo cold in Ontario—the snow was several feet thick and ice covered the roads. Gregor clearly was anx-ious to get out of his stall. He dragged Lorraine all over the barn while she tried to get his double
MEMBER NEWS January 2008
Gregor and Marcetta competing at Pine Hill in 1992 Photo by Jim Stoner
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bridle on. She rode him first (thank goodness) and then, my turn. He grimaced and things didn’t go so well. Then I asked her if I could do some lateral work—that got my seat in the saddle and he gave me some of his tricks. I was so glad because had I not shown that, I don’t think she would have sold him to me. [At this point I must mention that before going to try Gregor, Fran Dearing arranged for me to have lessons on a client’s PSG-trained horse. Without this, I would not have had the skills or confi-dence to show Lorraine that I could ride Gregor. For this I am forever indebted to Fran.] I had a list of questions prepared and I fired them at Lorraine at random: Had he ever had surgery? What medications was he on? Has he had any colic problems? Etc. Lorraine’s answers convinced me he was as healthy as a horse. He had just competed and done extremely well; he was 16 and coming on 17—so I didn’t even consider a vet check. Lorraine named her price; I came in about $12,000 less. I wrote her and told her how he would be kept—his own paddock (he always got into trouble when put out with other horses) with grass and trees and nature—I wanted my USDF Bronze and Silver medal from him, but I would not drive all over for competitions. And I would love him and hold his hoof in his final hour. I promised this to her, to Gregor, and to my-self. So I heard nothing. Actually I forgot about it. Then one day a letter: Offer accepted. My life with Gregor began 17 years ago. He was to teach me so many things. Almost im-mediately after Gregor arrived, I met Barbara Boyd who invited me to clinic with Hans Biss. Hans knew this good horse—I say that figuratively, however he actually did know Greg’s breeder, Ursula Wolgast of Ahrensfelde, Germany. A couple of years ago I met her in Germany—she was sur-prised that Gregor was still alive. Warmbloods live longer in Texas than in Germany. What I really meant is that Hans knew how the horse was trained and how he should be rid-den. He admonished me: “The muscles of this 17-year old horse are formed. You will tear them down if you “chase” him. Ride him out of balance and you will ruin your nice horse.” This scared the pants off me so I worked hard to understand what this “in the tracks” and “in the balance” meant; why it was so darned important to ride those perfect circle lines. So began several relationships. Certainly early on Lurena Bell also helped me with Gregor and my trainers from years past—Colonel Morris, Auriole Hessemer, Col. Von Ziegner-- sat on my shoulder while I realized my goals. Maui herself prepared me for Gregor. But it was Gregor himself who showed me what the real goals were. To feel harmony and lightness; to work together; to have that wonderful back lift when he offered his powerful passage. Things happened that I wish had not. He had two eye problems and lost the sight in one eye on my watch. I nearly went crazy because no vet at the impressive TAMU vet school knew why—no apparent injury—they said we just had bad luck. I feared so much the other eye would go. This was really my mid life crisis; I couldn’t control this thing. But Gregor survived, learned to cope, and while competition days were over, we were able to do a demonstration when Gregor was 25 or so. We trained with Hans; I learned so much during that time. And then, for years after the training lessons were over, Greg got his legs wrapped and we just walked out on the trail. A year or so ago we stopped this also, but he was groomed and loved by all—he was recognized as a special horse—especially by Jenny Reibenspies and the Aggies who have made contact with Look Sharp Farm. My gratitude to Gregor is matched only by my gratitude to Don Darensbourg. When I saw what Gregor would cost us, I asked, “But can we afford him now?” Don’s response was, “When do you think we could afford him? When you’re 65?” Point well taken. Don helped me every step of the way, through the eye problems and the training and I know he loved Greg as did I. In the last months of his 34th year, Gregor developed a growth on his jaw. It looked very much like the cancer that my pony Scarab had; bone cancer is common in ponies—but not so common in big horses. Eventually it interfered with his breathing and eating; gradually it was clear that the time had come to say goodbye to my wonderful and good friend. So there is one more per-son to whom I must express enormous gratitude: TAMU’s Dr. Mike Martin. His kindness and experience made that beautiful fall day in Gregor’s paddock as simple and normal as it should always be. Gregor is buried there.
MEMBER NEWS Collective Remarks
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1. Everything you do with the horse has to serve the horse’s physical and mental well-being. Everything else must be sub-ordinated to this demand.
2. Everything we do with a horse, every interaction, every aid we apply, every exercise or movement we ride is a learn-ing experience for the horse and either makes him better or worse. There is no middle ground. Therefore, everything must be aimed at improving the horse in some way.
3. The training must make the horse increasingly more reliable, obedient and responsive to the rider’s aids, regardless of the setting in which the horse is being ridden.
4. Trust and obedience are two sides of the same coin. We cannot have one without the other.
5. Dressage is a systematic gymnastic training process that helps the horse to carry the weight of the rider with the greatest possible ease so that he moves with the same range of motion and brilliance under saddle as at liberty.
6. Each new step in training must be prepared and explained to the horse, so that he understands what is asked of him and is capable of executing the request..
7. The horse determines the speed of the progress, since each learning step must be confirmed and the horse must be comfortable with it, before it is safe to move on to the next step.
8. The training must preserve, or even improve, the horse’s soundness.
9. The rider must be sensitive to the horse’s individual strengths, weaknesses, and limitations, since not every horse is physically capable of reaching the highest levels.
10. Each exercise and movement influences the horse’s gait and posture in specific ways. The rider’s responsibility is to select the right exercises for each horse, so that his natural gaits improve.
11. Since (classical) dressage is supposed to be a nature oriented type of training, the movements that are taught to the horses must be either naturally occurring ones that horses show at liberty, such as flying changes, piaffe, passage, and airs above the ground, or they must be useful gymnastic tools that help to supple, straighten, balance and collect the horse, such as the lateral movements. Those movements that do not fall under either category should not be included in the training.
12. Movements that are being ridden without regard for their gymnastic effects on the horse’s gaits are tricks and have no place in a systematic gymnastic training program.
PHILOSOPHICAL GUIDELINES FOR CLASSICAL DRESSAGE
By Dr. Thomas Ritter
Collective Remarks
CROSSWORD PUZZLE
“Dressage Olympians”
Test your knowledge of
Dressage Olympians!
(answers on p. 18)
Reminder!
2008 Beijing Olympics
August 2008
January 2008
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Collective Remarks
BE ECO-FRIENDLY BY
OPTING OUT OF YOUR PRINTED NEWSLETTER
—- AND HELP US TO BETTER UTILIZE
YOUR MEMBERSHIP FEES!
Collective Remarks will soon be available for viewing and downloading from the HDS website at the beginning of each month. Members will also begin receiving a monthly email containing a direct link to the newsletter. By opting out of your printed and mailed newsletter, you can be eco-friendly and save on HDS’ printing costs, paper costs, and mailing costs, all of which continue to increase, which money can then be more effectively spent on educational programs. To opt out of your printed newsletter, please contact Syr i sse Longbottom at [email protected].
Please Remember!
The newsletter will be available in printed form in 2008, but beginning in 2009 it will be available only in
electronic format as part of your membership. Re-
quests for printed versions will incur a print / delivery
surcharge.
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On March 10, 2007, I gave a presentation to the American Youth Horse Council. My pur-pose was to answer the question: “Does a child’s involvement with horses help him to become more ‘successful’; in his/her [later] adult life?” To prepare for this talk, I tracked former students who are now adults. I talked with their parents and other adults involved with youth horse programs. I also talked with employers and school personnel. I read relevant books and articles. My respondents said that horses had had a grounding influence on them as kids, particularly if they had been involved in structured programs. Former students who are now in college said that their connection with horses kept them out of trouble as teenagers. Staying alcohol- and drug-free in high school helped prepare them to thwart negative influences later in life. Structured programs, they said, helped give them goals that kept them involved with horses through their turbulent teenage years. Having a horse in one’s backyard did not alone fos-ter such commitment. Former riders told me that a horse program worked best if par-ents were involved with goal setting and if doing well in school was part of the plan. Horses could be an effective motivator if a child’s involvement with them was contingent upon his success in school. Horseback riding gave kids confidence. An organized program of riding lessons enabled a child to learn in a maximally safe environment. Experimenting with horses owned by friends/relatives could in fact hurt confidence. The same was true for families inadequately prepared for keeping a horse at home. There were many communication skills learned from riding a horse well. Former riding students spoke of an increased awareness of other people and their surroundings. They said they were able to recognize subtle cues that peers, who had not been involved with horses, seemed to miss. The benefit of horses seemed to be particularly powerful when a child was involved in a program that taught compassion for another living creature. Adults who had learned patient, consistent, empathetic communication skills when they had trained horses as youth mentioned how these skills carried over to future challenges when they became parents of their own young children. Respondents said that the community of a positive riding stable gave them constructive peer influences and supportive adult role models. The way a child learned to communicate with a horse was found to carry over to his future relations with other people. If a child was allowed to treat his horse as “stupid” and dispensable, if he was taught to be rough with a horse; it only confirmed that “violence begins when knowledge ends”. The more refined and educated one’s communication with a horse had been, the more refined and educated his future treatment of other human beings was to become. According to Charles de Kunffy, a classically trained horseman, “The virtues of horseman-ship [are] the virtues of a life correctly lived: courage, empathy, compassion and under-standing.” _____________________________________________________________ Kristann Cooper, with an MS in counseling psychology, is Executive Director of Centaur Rising. Suzanne Steven-son is the President of its Board of Directors. The 501©(3) nonprofit organization works to restore Man’s con-nection with Nature. The welfare of all horses is our primary mission, as is the promise of personal growth for humans. This is accomplished through the teaching of classical horsemanship. Please visit our website at www.CentaurRising.org. Reach us at [email protected] or 303-838-5086. Your financial support is very much needed for our work to continue. Thank you!
ARE HORSES GOOD FOR KIDS? By Kristann Cooper
Centaur Rising
2020
2008 SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
(continued from page 1)
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Collective Remarks
(Scholarship Opportunities continued on page 22)
(continued from page 21)
2008 SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Crossword Puzzle Answers - Dressage Olympians Across: 2.Gigolo; 6.George; 7.Dover; 8.Peron; 9.Lisa; 13.Susan; 14.Rembrandt; 15.Individual; 16.Keen; 17.Bengt; 18.Klimke; 19.Bonfire
Down: 1.Hilda; 2.Gifted; 3.Brentina; 4.Goldstern; 5.Jessica; 10.Ahlerich; 11.Charlotte; 12.Guenter
January 2008
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CLASSIFIED ADS
Have You Renewed Your Membership for 2008?
If not, this will be your
LAST NEWSLETTER!
To renew, contact Nancy Walker-Taylor
[email protected] or complete Application (opposite) & mail to her
President Kathy Jones [email protected] 281-955-0803
Clinics/Education/Scholarships Susan Shiba [email protected]
Recognized Shows Marilyn Kulifay [email protected] 713-861-0761
Vice President Julie Berry 281-814-5449
Junior/Young Riders Cat Smith [email protected]
Schooling Shows James Allen [email protected]
Membership Nancy Walker-Taylor [email protected]
936-273-2416
Awards Chair Liz Glass [email protected] 281-376-6845
Historian/Recorder
Karen Roepke [email protected] 713-503-0363
Secretary Charles Saltzer [email protected]
Special Events Martha Guyton [email protected] 713-629-5588
Volunteer Coordinator Brenda McCall [email protected] 512-966-0578
Treasurer Dawn Sabo [email protected]
Publications/Marketing Syrisse Longbottom [email protected] 936-372-3367
Advertising & Sponsorship Kathy Jones [email protected] 281-955-0803
We’re on the Web! www.houstondressagesociety.org
13035 Dogwood Blossom Houston, Texas 77065
Dedicated to
Furthering the Art and
Education of Dressage
Brenda McCall, Volunteer Coordinator,
‘bridled’ at recent
HDS Dressage Camp. Did you know that Brenda is
also a Master Gardener?
2008 HDS Board Members
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID
HOUSTON, TX PERMIT NO. 403
28
President Kathy Jones [email protected] 281-955-0803
Clinics/Education/Scholarships Susan Shiba [email protected]
Recognized Shows Marilyn Kulifay [email protected] 713-861-0761
Vice President Julie Berry 281-814-5449
Junior/Young Riders Cat Smith [email protected]
Schooling Shows James Allen [email protected]
Membership Nancy Walker-Taylor [email protected]
936-273-2416
Awards Chair Liz Glass [email protected] 281-376-6845
Historian/Recorder
Karen Roepke [email protected] 713-503-0363
Secretary Charles Saltzer [email protected]
Special Events Martha Guyton [email protected] 713-629-5588
Volunteer Coordinator Brenda McCall [email protected] 512-966-0578
Treasurer Dawn Sabo [email protected]
Publications/Marketing Syrisse Longbottom [email protected] 936-372-3367
Advertising & Sponsorship Kathy Jones [email protected] 281-955-0803