Lexington, KY (December 1, 2014) – The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce that Terry Ciotti Gallo has been named the 2014 USDF Volunteer of the Year. This award recognizes a USDF member who, through consistent and cumulative volunteer activities, has demonstrated exceptional commitment towards carrying out USDF’s mission. As the winner, Terry will be presented with a perpetual trophy, established by Lisa Gorretta, which is permanently on display in the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame, will be featured in the yearbook issue of USDF Connection, and will receive a “keeper” trophy.

Terry, of Winter Springs, FL, has made major contributions as a volunteer to dressage on the national, regional, and local level. Her dedication to education is evident through her work with the USDF Judges Committee and the USDF “L” Program, as well as serving as member of the USDF Freestyle Committee, six years as its chair. Terry has been at the center of all freestyle education that has been developed over the years.

“Her dedication and passion for promoting musical freestyle, and riding to music, has brought us all to a new level of sophistication and understanding. She is a person that we all hope will continue to share her knowledge for many years to come, and is a joy as a person and musical ambassador,” stated Dolly Hannon, chair of the USDF Freestyle Committee.

“Terry’s love for dance and music can be clearly seen in her selfless volunteer work with freestyles. Her dedication over the years is to be commended,” added Marilyn Heath, 2013 Roemer/USDF Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.

For more information on the USDF Volunteer of the Year Award, visit the USDF website or contact the USDF office at voyaward@usdf.org.

Wellington, FL (December 9, 2014)— The award that the United States Dressage Federation calls its “most prestigious honor” has been presented to a powerful, expressive KWPN gelding and his rider, Katherine Bateson-Chandler of Wellington, Florida. After a year of impressive achievements in the dressage arena, Alcazar— owned by Jane Forbes Clark— earned the Adequan/USDF Dressage Horse of the Year Year-End Award for his performances with Bateson-Chandler in the Intermediate II level.

The Adequan/USDF Year-End Awards are presented to select riders and horses that have had not only a few successful shows, but an entire year of achieving high scores in competition. The most recent Year-End Awards were given after the close of the USDF competition year, which ran from October 1, 2013 to September 30, 2014. Katherine Bateson-Chandler and Alcazar (Contango x a Ferro mare) received the prestigious Adequan/USDF Dressage Horse of the Year Award for the Intermediate II level with their year’s impressive mean score of 71.941 percent.

Internationally successful Grand Prix champion Bateson-Chandler has competed on Alcazar for the past two years, and is loving the experience. “He has the perfect temperament for a competition horse— very brave and self confident. He has presence and is extremely trainable,” she once commented about her award-winning mount. The nine-year-old dark bay gelding and Bateson-Chandler have had numerous successes leading up to receiving this Year-End honor. Earlier this year, they earned the FEI High Point award after winning the FEI Intermediate II division at the Kentucky Dressage Association CDI in May.

Jane Forbes Clark, a long-time supporter of high-performance equestrian sports around the world, purchased Alcazar in 2012. The beautiful horse was an excellent fit for Bateson-Chandler, who has ridden and trained Clark’s horses for eight years. “I know how lucky I am and thank her every day,” Bateson-Chandler said about working with Clark. The equestrian took over the position from Robert Dover when he retired from competition, as she had worked as Dover’s groom and assistant trainer since the age of sixteen.

Bateson-Chandler spends her summers training and competing in Europe with Alcazar and her other top mounts, including Clark’s KWPN Wellnetta. In Europe, Bateson-Chandler trains with Olympic Gold Medalist Carl Hester. As many judges and spectators have done, Hester noticed something special about Bateson-Chandler and Alcazar. “Alcazar has beautiful hind legs and a great work ethic,” he once commented. Bateson-Chandler, too, is also impressed with Alcazar’s efforts and talent. She is thrilled to have had the opportunity and ability to ride him to earn the Adequan/USDF Dressage Horse of the Year Year-End Award. “You don’t get these sort of horses every day,” she said, “maybe once in a lifetime.”

For more information about Katherine Bateson-Chandler and her star equine partners, visit here or follow the international competitor on her Facebook Page.

Photo: Katherine Bateson-Chandler and Alcazar are awarded the USDF Dressage Horse of the Year Year-End Award at the Intermediate II level (Photo courtesy of Katherine Bateson-Chandler)

Written by Jane Savoie

You may also have noticed that others’ opinions may not be the same as yours.

I overheard Jane talking to a friend who’s feelings were hurt by a conflict of opinions. Jane shared something a business associate had told her.

Understand that about 10% of the people in your life will love you no matter what you say or do. Another 10% are going to hate you, or at least not like you, no matter what you do. The other 80% are not going to care about you very much one way or another, and are going to be too focused on their own lives to worry about what you’re up to..

Do you worry about what people think of you? Maybe it’s time to realize that it’s just not that important what other people think. If you like yourself and follow your own heart, that’s really all that matters. Trying to please everyone is not only impossible, it will make you crazy. Let it go!

I’ve decided to quit worrying about whether that new mare at the barn likes me or not. She will or she won’t. I can only be my authentic self and give her the opportunity to decide.

Are you your authentic self when you are around other people? I’ll bet you are. Remember, your horse can tell if you’re being “real” or not… and he or she cares about you no matter what. He’s in the “loves you” 10%.

Love, Moshi

Today was a great day! I had so much fun playing with my friends! We wrestled and chased each other until we were so tired we collapsed in the shade. It was a blast!

I just love it when I get to spend time with my friends. Sure, we argue on occasion, but that’s just part of being in a relationship. Sometimes we disagree. The nice thing is, we have learned to agree to disagree. I don’t demand that my friends accept everything I believe, and they don’t demand that of me.

The world we think we know, we interpret through our own special filters. Those filters are unique to each one of us, based on our life experiences, as well as our DNA. My blue sky may look totally different than your blue sky. But that doesn’t mean we should argue about it. There are very few subjects that are worth fighting over. Minds are rarely changed, and getting someone to agree is usually just not that important.

I’ve heard it said that your friends and acquaintances may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel. I decided a long time ago that I am going to be one of those dogs who is very aware of how I make my friends feel. And I want them to feel good.

My friend Jane makes me feel good when she pets me and tells me how much she loves me. I tell her the same thing by licking her with great enthusiasm, and staying close by her side.

How does your dog tell you he or she loves you? He does, you know…

Love, Indy

Lexington,
KY (December 9, 2014) – The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) would like
to congratulate the twelve-y …

Tanya Strasser-Shostak and Action Tyme were the 2014 Overall Florida International
Youth Dressage Champions.
Photo copyright Susan J. Stickle

Wellington, FL – December 4, 2014 – The Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) is pleased to announce that the 2015 Florida Youth Dressage Championships will once again be held during its competition this winter at The Stadium at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL. The event will take place March 11-15, 2015, during AGDF’s week 10 CDI-W competition.

The Florida Youth Dressage Championships are proudly presented this year by Dressage4Kids, PanaCavallo and Cavalleria Toscana, and Hampton Green Farm. The championships are open to all nationalities.Riders under 25, no matter what country they are from, are encouraged to sign up and participate! Competition includes four FEI Divisions: a Pony Division, a Junior Division, a Young Rider Division and an Under 25 Grand Prix.

“We are very excited to once again host the Florida Youth Dressage Championships,” said AGDF Director of Dressage Thomas Baur. “We want to see the youth riders engage in the international spirit of the AGDF, and this is a wonderful way for them to experience exciting competition against their peers.”

Bebe Davis and Fievel Mousekewitz won the 2014 FEI Junior Division. Photo copyright Susan J. Stickle

Melanie Montagano and Ga Deva topped the 2014 Brentina Cup Under 25. Photo copyright Susan J. Stickle

Newly appointed USEF Dressage Youth Coach George Williams looks forward to the competition and is happy to see the championships return to Wellington in 2015 as AGDF gears up for a winter of top international sport.

“I am definitely looking forward to the youth championships again this year,” Williams stated. “I think each year it gets bigger and more important as a competition. It is an international competition that is open to riders from all countries. It is not limited to just North America, so it allows our U.S. riders an opportunity to compete against riders from other countries. That is a valuable experience and obviously a wonderful learning opportunity for our riders. I think that by having these opportunities, we really encourage and give our riders incentive to compete on a higher level.”

Katrina Sadis and Poldy 10 won the 2014 FEI Pony Division. Photo copyright Susan J. Stickle

Youth under the age of 25 interested in competing must apply in writing by submitting a letter of intent by midnight EST on February 15, 2015 to LendonGray@gmail.com. The qualifying process will be that the top 15 ranked pairs in each division that have submitted a letter of intent will be invited. Lendon Gray will identify the 15 top ranked riders for each division and notify them for their participation.

Special youth activities are scheduled for the week as well as the CDI competition during week 10 of AGDF. Please don’t get left out, sign up now for this amazing experience! For more information, please visit here

APPLICATIONS: A letter of intent stating your name, the name of your horse, the division you wish to compete in and your contact information must be submitted to Dressage4Kids at LendonGray@gmail.com by February 15, 2015.

ENTRIES: Riders must make their entries through their National Federation as well as with Adequan Global Dressage Festival as they normally do for the CDI competition by the published closing date of February 24, 2015. In addition, they must submit their qualifying scores to the competition secretary by midnight EST on February 2, 2015.

About the Adequan Global Dressage Festival:

The Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) is one of the world’s largest international and national dressage circuits featuring 7 FEI Dressage events, including a 5* and the only FEI Nations’ Cup Series CDIO in the Western Hemisphere. The AGDF offers more than $650,000 in prize money for the seven international competitions, making it one of the richest circuits in the world. The Stadium at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center facility includes the Van Kampen covered arena (made possible by Kimberly and Frederic Boyer and family) and four outdoor arenas with world-class footing, 200 permanent stalls, and a VIP seating area.

Please visit

or call 561-793-5867 for more information.

Adequan Global Dressage Festival is located at

The Stadium at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center
13500 South Shore Blvd, Wellington, Florida 33414

Wellington, FL (December 4, 2014)— At ShowChic’s upcoming Shop Talk, equestrians can get the inside scoop on how to score big. The Wellington, Florida based dressage fashion boutique ShowChic is known for helping dressage riders look like winners as they enter the show ring. With Bill Warren and Bill McMullin’s upcoming Shop Talk presentation on the view from inside the judge’s box, riders can learn how to get the scores to match the styles.

Scheduled for Tuesday, December 9 from 6:30 to 8:30 P.M., ShowChic’s December Shop Talk will focus on a judge’s journey from learner judge to FEI judge as well as provide insight as to how judges determine dressage scores. The event will be followed by a Q&A session, giving the audience an even greater opportunity to get inside the mind of a judge — and hopefully add a few extra points to those scores!

Known and loved as “the Bills,” this dynamic duo is sure to impress. Warren is an FEI 3* judge, a USEF ‘S’ judge, and USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold medalist. McMullin is a USEF ‘r’ judge, USDF certified instructor, and is a USDF Bronze and Silver medalist. Operating under the name Warren-McMullin Dressage, the renowned judges travel throughout the year, but are based in Stoughton, Massachusetts in the summer and Loxahatchee, Florida in the winter.

Both Bills maintain a full schedule of riding, training, and judging. In addition, they are constantly improving their own education and the education of their students with world-class instruction from Conrad Schumacher and George Williams. ShowChic is pleased to invite the dressage community to learn from the Bills at the December Shop Talk.

The December Shop Talk with the Bills follows November’s presentation from dressage rider and advocate Karin Reid Offield, and will be followed by other highly-anticipated lecturers in the months to come. Upcoming speakers include equestrian icons such as New York Times best-selling author Tami Hoag, Canadian Olympian Ashely Holzer, and Parelli Natural Horsemanship founders Pat and Linda Parelli.

Each month’s Shop Talk is hosted by the fashionable dressage boutique, ShowChic — an equestrian apparel boutique dedicated to promoting dressage and dressage fashion. Throughout the season, dressage enthusiasts will be invited to head to ShowChic’s show room to learn from the best and do some quality shopping while they are at it.

Owned by dressage enthusiasts Michele and Doug Hundt, ShowChic carries everything a rider needs to dress for success including sought-after brands such as Pikeur, Cavallo, Arista, Kentucky, Equiline, and Eurostar.

For more information about ShowChic, Shop Talks, and ShowChic’s top-of-the-line products visit www.showchicdressage.com or call 561-319-2121.

Photo: Bill McMullin and Bill Warren—“The Bills”— will present a judges’ view of dressage at ShowChic’s December Shop Talk (photo courtesy of Warren-McMullin Dressage)

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce plans for the 2015 USEF Developing Dressage Program. The USEF Developing Dressage Program is made possible by a generous gift from Akiko Yamazaki and Red Husky Foundation through the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation. Debbie McDonald returns in 2015 as USEF Developing Dressage Coach, as the program seeks to identify talented, developing combinations with potential for future team and international success.

The program will expand its focus on FEI Under-25 athletes in 2015, with the goal of increasing exposure of talented U.S. combinations in European CDI competitions. U-25 program applicants will first participate in observation sessions. From there, selected combinations will move forward to training sessions, led by McDonald, and potential consideration for grants and European competition. Additionally, the program will increase efforts to build the depth of upcoming talented combinations at the CDI Small Tour and USEF Developing Prix St. Georges and Grand Prix levels through observation and training session opportunities throughout the year.

For further information on the 2015 USEF Developing Dressage Program, click here.

Those interested in being part of the 2015 USEF Developing Dressage Program must submit a Developing Program Application.

Applications for the U-25 program and Spring/Summer Observation and Training Sessions are due January 1, 2015 (first deadline) or January 30, 2015 (second and final deadline).