IMPULSIONmay/june 2013 kentucky dressage association

photos by Bob Tarr/BobTarr.com

MORE PHOTOS INSIDE

VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION

ISSUE

Scholarship winner trains

with Tina Konyot

Dear KDA Members,

Show season is well under way, and I am proud to say our Spring Warm-Up, 27th Annual Dres-

sage Show, CDI3*, and CDI* went very well. We had wonderful weather and supportive sponsors, vendors, and ad-vertisers, but our volunteers were the real key to our show’s success.

Each year I am so impressed by the dedication of our staff and vol-unteers. I have been involved with KDA shows for the last six years and it has been a great experience and a real education. Being involved with show management gives a competitor like me a whole new perspective and understanding of dressage shows. It’s a process all dressage competitors should experience. Managing a show

like KDA’s takes a mass of volunteers: We had more than 100 (not including board members and the show commit-tee) who worked 264 four-hour shifts during the week of our show. That is over 1,000 hours of work in a week. We have volunteers who aren’t KDA members come back each year to help us, members who compete and find time to work, and members not show-ing come to help, many driving several hours. All of them work to make KDA shows the best they can be.

The KDA show committee is well into the planning stages for the 2013 Festival of Champions, which will be held Oct. 9-12 at the Kentucky Horse Park. Holding the FOC for the first time in Lexington will be fun and exciting, and it too will take a mass of volunteers. It isn’t too early to sign

up, and if you would like to volunteer, contact Sandy Kraatz at kdavolun-teers@gmail.com. If you want to join the show committee, contact Sheila Woerth at swoerth@insightbb.com

I truly appreciate all our show vol-unteers and commend them on a job well done last week. Competitors, it is very important always to thank the show volunteers no matter what show you choose because without volunteers we would not be able to compete in the sport we all love so much.

Sincerely,

Michelle MoreheadPresident

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Managing a show like KDA’s takes a mass of volunteers, we had over 100 (not including board members and the show committee) that worked 264 four-hour shifts during the week of our show. That is over 1,000 hours of work in a week.“

k e n t u c k y d r e s s a g e a s s o c i at i o n : w w w. k e n t u c k y d r e s s a g e a s s o c i at i o n . o r g

KDA MISSIOn STATEMEnT

The Kentucky Dressage Association, Inc., a 501 (c) (3) non-profit, is a group member organization of the United States Dressage Federation.

The purpose of the KDA is to promote and strengthen the art and sport of Dressage in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. KDA will provide leadership to its members to assist them in fostering individual and collective

growth by providing education, publications, competitions, exhibitions, and increasing general public awareness for Dressage.

Follow us on Twitter @KYDressageAssocThe Impulsion is a publication of the Kentucky Dressage Association since 1977.

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photos by Bob Tarr/BobTarr.com and Bill Kraatz

KDA SPRINg WARM-UP & 27TH ANNUAL DRESSAgE SHOW

>>>>>RESULTS AT WWW.SHOWSECRETARY.COM<<<<<

TRAINER TIDBITBY JENN BOBLITT

Straightness is the key to collec-tion and honest connection. Check for straightness by riding a 20-meter circle and asking your horse to counter-bend. The horse should stay in balance and easily supple to the outside without trying to turn off the circle or falling onto the inside shoulder. You can do this exercise at all gaits. A more advanced exercise for developing straightness in the canter is to ride counter-bend at counter-canter.

– Jenn Boblitt is based out of Louisville, Ky. You can contact her at jennboblittdressage.com.

WANT TO BE A JUDgE?“L” Education Program Developed by the USDF Judges’ Committee, this educational training program features a faculty of expe-rienced, USDF-approved, United States Equestrian Federation recognized “S” judges. This program offers a comprehensive curriculum created to teach participants and auditors to evaluate dres-sage performance at Training through Second Level.

Purpose1. To give competitors, trainers, and instructors broader insight into the evaluative tech-niques of judging dressage;

2. To qualify individu-als to judge schooling shows.

3. As part of the prereq-uisites to enter the United States Equestrian Federation ‘r’ Judges Training Program;

4. To serve as continuing edu-cation for licensed judges.

– USDF. More information on the L program can be found at

usdf.org.

3EvENTS & EDucATIoN KDA SCHOOLINg SHOW

Aug. 4, 2013

KDA FALL SHOWOct. 12-13, 2013

Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, KYDressage Complex

Judges: Joan Humphrey (S) (FL), Peggy Klump (S) (CA), Scott Peterson (S) (NY)

USEF DRESSAgE FESTIVAL OF CHAMPIONS SPONSORED BY DUTTA CORPORATION

Oct. 9 - 12, 2013Rolex Arena

Judges: Janet Foy, Anne Gribbons, Natalie Lamping, Gary Rockwell, Linda Zang and Foreign Judge Andrew Gardner

2014 gREAT AMERICAN INSURANCE gROUP/USDF REgIONAL DRESSAgE CHAMPIONSHIP

DATES AND LOCATIONS SELECTED The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) has selected the dates and locations for the 2014 Great American Insurance Group/USDF Regional Dressage Championships, presented by SmartPak and supported by Merial.

Region 1 (Oct. 2-5) at the Bob Martin Eastern Agricultural Center, Williamston, NCREgION 2 (OCT. 9-12) AT THE KENTUCKY HORSE PARK,

LExINgTON, KY Region 3 (Oct.16-19) at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center, West Palm Beach, FL Region 4 (Sept.5-7) at the North Iowa Fairgrounds, Mason City, IA Region 5 (Sept.18-21) at the Colorado Horse Park, Parker, CORegion 6 (Sept. 18-21) at the Idaho Horse Park, Nampa, ID

Region 7 (Sept. 25-28) at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, Burbank, CA

Region 8 (Sept. 18-21) at HITS on the Hudson, Saugerties, NY Region 9 (Oct. 9-12) at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center, Katy, TX

SAVE THE DATE!THE 2013 ADEqUAN/

USDF ANNUAL CONVEN-TION WILL BE DEC. 4-7, 2013 IN LExINgTON, KY.

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“Think, Jackie. Think.” I heard this entreaty often during the two unforgettable months I spent training with U.S. Olympian Tina Konyot in Palm City, Fla. Indeed, it became my mantra in the saddle and out as Tina encouraged me to think not only about what I do in the saddle but also how I manage and care for my horse, Win-ston. In the end I took away important lessons about riding and horseman-ship.

I met Tina, a gifted dressage rider from a legendary equestrian fam-ily, in April 2010 at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky. She was in the Bluegrass to compete in the Ken-tucky Cup CDI and to attend the races with her boyfriend, Hall of Fame trainer Roger Attfield. Tina had won the Freestyle the previous evening, and I approached the elegant blond in the Keeneland paddock to introduce myself and offer congratulations. Her horsemanship and obvious love for her stallion Calecto V had made me an instant fan.

Casually acquainted now, I fol-lowed her triumphs in subsequent seasons and her able representation of the United States at the London

Olympics. I had no firm plans to head south

for the 2013 winter season, but my husband encouraged me to consider Florida, where his job takes him early every year. His suggestion made me think of Tina. Gathering my nerve and wondering if she remembered me, I made a hesitant contact late last fall. We talked, I sent a video, and to my great delight she agreed to take me and Winston for training. It seemed

like serendipity when I won a gener-ous adult amateur scholarship from the Kentucky Dressage Association to help defray some expenses.

We arrived at her Palm City farm in late January. Training did not get off to a good start. Winston, who is otherwise pretty perfect, was full of himself in the crisp, breezy weather. Spooky, strong in the bridle, and im-pressed by his new surroundings, he tested me the first few days. I, in turn,

LEARNING To ThINk By Jacqueline Beasley

Showing a Thoroughbred?The KDA Fall Classic 1 Show has been approved by the Thoroughbred Incentive Program. NEW for 2013 – Riders and owners should obtain a T.I.P. number for all horse/rider combinations. T.I.P. number applications are done online at

www.tjctip.com. T.I.P. numbers must be provided to the horse show.

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Training with Olympian Tiny Konyot broadens this rider’s perspective

Tina Konyot and Calecto V, left, and Jacqueline Beasley with Winston

Photos by Teresa Duke

Many of us in longstanding partnerships have the tendency to “keep with the program” when things go reasonably well. Tina challenged me to really “think” about all aspects of horse care. “

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reverted to a rank amateur, all my worst habits resurfacing under Tina’s all-seeing eye.

“Keep your ass in the saddle, Jackie,” Tina intoned as my tendency to become light in the seat intensi-fied those early days. “Don’t let your hands be so hectic.”

It’s no exaggeration to say I checked my ego at the door those first few days.

Tina encouraged me to try a drop-nosed cavesson on Winston, noting that all the top European riders use this equipment when schooling in the snaffle. The switch produced nice results as Winston quickly became pliable in my hands. About a week in, Winston settled, and we began to make progress.

Throughout our time together Tina, with her wealth of experience and intuitiveness, made other good suggestions about tack and equipment. For instance, a girth change anchored a saddle that had a tendency to move forward. As she got to know me, she politely questioned why I fed Winston a certain grain or had him shod a par-ticular way. I did not always have the best answer. Many of us in longstand-ing partnerships have the tendency to “keep with the program” when things go reasonably well. Tina challenged me to really “think” about all aspects of horse care.

I ultimately changed Winston’s feeding program to better support the athlete he is. Getting input from her longtime veterinarian, I also modified Winston’s shoeing. His feet look better already.

Witnessing close-up the manage-ment and training of an elite athlete such as Calecto constituted an impor-tant part of my training experience. “I get up every day because of this horse,” Tina would often say. Here are

some things I observed about their special partnership:

•Tina pays attention to every detail in the care and training of Calecto. Little is left to chance. The training and management arc is tailored to the build up to and participation in compe-tition and to ensuring a happy athlete.

•Tina is instinctively quick to praise her horses. Corrections are equally quick. Her frequent pats and verbal praises made me realize I do not thank Winston nearly enough when he does a good job.

•Tina places great emphasis on walking. Every riding day begins with at least 20 minutes of walking on a loose rein and concludes similarly. Trail riding is an important part of her program, and she rides off the farm once or twice a week.

•Tina believes in making it fun for the horse. You will never see her drill-ing a movement or a sequence over and over. She often will pop Calecto over a small log on the trail or wade into a pond.

A typical training day began with Tina riding Calecto first. As I strug-gled with various exercises or move-ments, Tina would pointedly demon-strate the proper way to ride a deep and collected canter, for instance, or perform the working pirouette as I watched railside. She showed me the

way through riding, and the images remain vivid.

During my riding sessions we worked a lot on basics – transitions between and within gaits, more honest connection, and adequate bend. Her philosophy and teaching approach nicely complemented those of my home trainer, Linda Strine, who has helped me for many years. Tina en-couraged me to “think” about setting up a good walk as I made the down transition and to “think” as we came through a corner and into half-pass without haunches leading. Tina’s use of imagery also helped. For example, she described the horse’s body posi-tion in a proper leg yield as a half-moon shape. She often encouraged me to think of “blending” one movement into the next.

Gradually, my seat deepened, my hands became less hectic, and Tina would be quick to praise me as move-ments and exercises started to flow. not that I didn’t get the sharp remind-er to “keep my ass in the saddle.”

I also benefited from having Tina ride Winston a number of times. Her expertise enabled us to make progress with piaffe steps and a more expres-sive canter. He really looked marvel-ous beneath her.

Watching Tina compete several times made me appreciate how her training at home and her warm-up at competition are very similar. She is always composed, and her regal presence makes her the focus of many observers. Tina and Calecto brought home their share of blue ribbons dur-ing the season, and I felt happy to be a very small part of the team.

Two months passed all too quickly for me and Winston, but I am confident the benefits of my training experience with Tina will endure.

Tina Konyot and Calecto V

Thanks to our big show sponsors!

Hagyard Equine Medical Institute for sponsoring the Electronic Scoreboard!

Zoetis for sponsoringthe Competitors’ Party on Saturday!

Sound Eklin for sponsoringthe Welcome Happy Hour on Thursday!

Equine Medical Associates, PSCfor sponsoring the DC Hospitality Tent!

7Show SNAPShoTS

Michael Barisone traveled 10 hours from Long Valley, NJ, with HF Victor (Gribaldi x Miana x Burggraf), owned by Virginia Alling, and won the Grand Prix with a 67.66 and the Grand Prix Special with a 68.208. Photo by BobTarr.com

Jeri Fuller-Matheny and her Hanoverian mare, Whimzical Princess, made their second-level debut at the KDA Spring Warm-up Show. Fuller-Matheny also earned both second-level scores for her Bronze Medal in the process. Photo by SuzanneFischer.com

(Left) Rhiannon, a 5-year-old RPSI mare, won the high score RPSI award at the KDA Spring Warm-Up Show. She is owned by KDA member Chris Rosenberry and ridden by KDA member Rebecca Nelles. Photo by Jennifer Harber

1314 ‘O’ Street, Suite 305, Lincoln, NE 68508 Email: info@dressagefoundation.org

Donations of all sizes are greatly appreciated!

Grants and scholarships are available for young riders, adult amateurs, instructors, trainers, groups, and more.

You can make a difference by helping us support dressage-related education across the country!

Visit www.dressagefoundation.org or call (402) 434-8585 to donate or learn more about available funding.

The Dressage Foundation…Making a Difference in the Dressage Community!

Dressage camp hosted by the Southwest Chapter of Virginia Dressage Assoc. Funding provided by The Dressage Foundation.

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PoNY TAILS ... NoTES FRoM A cowGIRLContributed by Kristi Fly, KDA Education Chair // Equine Body Worker (EBW) // USDF University Certificate // B.S. Animal Science, Equine Sports Med & nutrition

On the Desk …

Summer greetings, all. Our KDA clinic series is ending this month, and I have had a blast getting to know each of our participants and welcoming many auditors and friends. Thank you for your participation, suggestions, and contributions to our series. Thank you to Bill Kraatz, fellow board member, for co-chairing the organization of these clinics. Also, I’d like to take a moment to thank Morris Farm’s Mrs.

Morris for making the best fruit salad ever, and Mike, the exercise rider, for bringing Starbucks hot chocolates and fantastic homemade pastries to the Susan BeeBee clinic. Gillian Vallis, thanks for keeping the coffee on at Pine Knoll during the breezy Cathy Fox clinic. And big thank yous to Sayre at Haylands, Whitney at Morris Farm, and Gillian of Pine Knoll Farm for providing the beautiful facilities that have graciously hosted our educa-tional clinics.

The 2013 educational series has inspired an array of ideas from all of you for a packed 2014 series. I would love to continue hearing from you … ideas, suggestions. nothing is too big or too small. Please email me at bel-lafarm1@yahoo.com.

As always, enjoy your horses, and see you next issue!

Kristi

EDucATIoN

ThANk You!9

Amick, LindaAttanucci, JanetAzar, AlexaBarron, LennineBecht, BonnieBeckler, SamBottom, JohnBradie Chapman FacultyBrinkman-Berkhofer, SamanthaCarl, SamanthaCarr, MeganCharles, DianaCombs, SayreCorsentino, LauraDeaton, AllisonDeaton, Madison

DeGnore, LisaDeRosa, JustinDeRosa, MayaDuke (Beasley), JackieEdwards, JanelleEsquivel, VickyFelice, KathrynFly, KristiFrederico, LisaFulbright, BarbaraGeier, SaraGreen, RebekahGurnee, JudyHall, KellyHamm, EmilyHutcherson, GeraldJacobs, CathyJanick, KristenJohn, MaureenJohnsen, PamJones, CallieKDA Board Members

KDA Show CommitteeKirn, MargoLunsford, KevinMartino, MelindaMcKenney, VirginiaMcKenzie, KatieMenard, PriscillaMenard, DavidMingari, JenniferMingari, RebekahMoore, BudMoore, KarenMoore, PaulaMorrison, BarbaraNelles, RebeccaNelson, Regina

Nikolaenka, DavidNikolaenka, MarinaNorman, MadelineOrtleib, BettyOvaitt, LauraPettit, BobPhillips, KimPosner, SusanQuafe, JudyQuarles, WayneRataj, MaggieReed, AllisonReed, GlennReed, PamReed, RoxieRoberts, JordanRoehl, JanRust, KelleySendelbach, MatthewShaw, KarinShaw, TimShook, MaryLou

Short, CatherineShott, DianeShort, VickieSchulz, BillSkaggs, AndreaSmith, LizSmith, JanetSoltau, KarinSoltau, CarlStobbs, ColinStobbs, JackieStobbs, GemmaStowe, JillStrack , SueStrine, LindaSullivan, Maureen

Swiney, QuinTalley, MeredithTalley, ZachTaylor, LindaThomas, HeatherTolbert, BenjaminTolbert, Griffen

Tolbert, JacksonTolbert, Rachel

Trent, Shannon & Hayland’s CrewUpchurch, MegVanDerZeil, SharonWarren, Vicky

Weinstein, RobinWentz, Nancy

White, JenaWiggs, StanleyWilson, AnnWlonsinski, CariWolf, Allison

kDA voLuNTEERS

SPECIAL THANKS TO BOB TARR, BILL

KRAATz AND SUzANNE FISCHER

FOR THE USE OF THEIR PHOTOS IN

THIS ISSUE.

photos by SuzanneFischer.com

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More than 100 volunteers put in at least 1,200 hours

to help fill a variety of positions.Thank you!

kDA voLuNTEERS

Bob Tarr/BobTarr.com

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WANT TO HELP? >>>>>> Contact KDAVolunteers@gmail.com

photos by Bob Tarr/BobTarr.com and Bill Kraatz

OpenTraining Level-Kathryn Stoy 76.2Brianna Zwelling 74Debbie Hill 73.542 1st Level-Linda Strine (Silhouette) 76.774Laura Corsentino 74.677Linda Strine (Xenia) 74.677 2nd Level-Jennifer Truett 71.786Laura Corsentino 69.079Nicole Levy 68.333 3rd Level-Debbie Hill 70.789Angela Jackson 68.553Laura Corsentino 65.256 4th Level-Rebecca Sue Knollman 66.571Linda Strine 65.541Karen Moore 63.286 FEI Level-Angela Jackson 68.553Linda Strine 67.5Debbie Hill 65.921 

AA/JR Training Level-Michelle Morehead 71.6Madison Selsford 71Rallie McAllister 70 1st Level-Rachel Hicks 72.419Cari Wlosinski 69.839Madison Deaton 68.276 2nd Level-Rachel Hicks 69.167Allison Shields 65.357Jennifer Sloan 64.524 3rd Level-Rachel Hicks 72.564Joan Gariboldi 66.41Anne Forby 61.795 4th Level-Maureen Sullivan 68.625Lauren GrifÞn 65.811Dawn White 61.25 FEI Level-Jackie Beasley 67.763Jennifer Van de loo 64.671Stacey Burdick-Taul  61.053 

KDA Member Money Winners for May 2013

KDA Members with the highest scores at each level, from all four days of our May 2013 National Show classes will receive $100 for 1st, $60 for 2nd, & $40 for 3rd. Each member could only win one placing per level per horse/rider combination. Congratulations to all our winners!

Here are a few competitors that missed out on prize money because they werenʼt KDA members- Holly Taylor, Kate Stanton, Darren Chiacchia, Anna Charlott Eklund, Jami Kment, Darcy Gaines, Tami Crawford, Selena Pape, Emily Lindsey, Sarah Baggette, Patricia Beck, Karri McFadden, Elizabeth Felgendreher & others, KDA would love to have them join so they can win next year!!

12MAY 2013 KDA MEMBER MONEY WINNERS

KDA Open and AA High Score Winners for May 2013

Thursday/Friday

Open Division $500 to KDA member Linda Strine

AA Division 1st $500 to KDA member Rachel Hicks2nd $100 to non KDA member Kate Stanton Nichols3rd $200 to KDA member Maureen Sullivan

Saturday

Open division $500 KDA member Kathryn Stoy

AA Division1st $500 to KDA member Rachel Hicks2nd $300 to KDA member Rachel Hicks3rd $200 to KDA member Cariann Wlosinski

High Score Junior Rider surprise winner Catherine OʼRourke

Born in the USA Winners

Linda Strine riding ShilouetteBrianna Zwilling riding GrifÞndorBreeder of GrifÞndor Dr. Frenando Cardenas

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MAY 2013 KDA OPEN AND AA HIgH SCORE WINNERS

PSSSSSTTTT ... THE KDA WEBSITE IS gETTINg A MAKEOVER. CHECK

BACK FOR THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH SOON!

HAVE YOU RECENTLY EARNED YOUR USDF BRONzE, SILVER OR gOLD MEDAL?

We want to feature you! Submit a photo (jpg format please), and a short bio about you and your horse to be featured in upcoming

issues of the Impulsion.

Silhouette

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KDA KEARNEY CANCER 5K KDA would like to thank the

sponsors of the first KDA Kearney Cancer 5K & Fun Walk• Mt. Brilliant Family Foundation• Kentucky Ale• Kevin & Vicki Warren• Jim & Michelle Morehead

ResultsMeN• Overall: $250 Kevin Castille; time 14:28 • 2nd: $150 Patrick Cheptoek; time 14:34 • 3rd: $100 David Justus; time 14:52 WOMeN • Overall: $250 Betsy Laski; time 18:26• 2nd: $150 Zam Zam; time 18:48• 3rd: $100 Maddie Scheuler; time 19:47

>>> Check out pictures from the race and awards at www.Topsinlex.com

oThER NEwS

Sun coming up over the Rolex Arena on Saturday morning. By Jennifer Harber

Dawn before dressage

CONGRATULATIONS to Jodi Koford, the winner of the Borne Saddle raffle. Laura Corsentino accepted the saddle on her behalf. Thanks to Borne Saddlery for their continued support of KDA.

Photo by BobTarr.com

buSINESS MEMbERS

Joya de Andalucia Farms

Beth Coney DVM

Veterinary ServicesPractice Limited to Equine Sports

Therapy, Rehabilitation, Chiropractic