Lexington, KY (November 19, 2014) – The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce and congratulate its new USDF Certified Instructors. The exam was held October 24-25, 2014, at Phantom Hill Farm in Ft. Collins, CO, with examiners Sarah Geikie and Lilo Fore. The USDF Instructor/Trainer program is designed to set a standard of excellence in dressage training and instruction in the United States, and to educate dressage riders, instructors, and aspiring instructors.

Sheila Buschette of Molt, MT, Stacy Williams of Ivins, UT, and Joan Clay of Ft. Collins, CO, are the newest USDF Certified Instructor/Trainer at Training through First Level. The new USDF Certified Instructors/Trainers at Third through Fourth Level include; Alejandro Salazar of Placerville, CA, Clayton Martin of Blanca, CO, Dolly Hannon of Golden, CO, and Gwen Ka’awaloa of Elizabeth, CO.

“It is our pleasure to recognize these accomplished individuals and we are proud to have them as representatives of the USDF Instructor/Trainer Program,” stated Kathie Robertson, USDF Education Department Manager.

For more information on the USDF Instructor Certification Program, to view a calendar of workshop or testing dates, or to obtain details on hosting a workshop or testing session, please visit the USDF website at www.usdf.org or contact the USDF education programs department at instructorcertification@usdf.org.

Lexington, KY (November 17, 2014) – The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce that Christiana Logan of North Plains, OR, has been selected as the recipient of the 2014 USDF Youth Volunteer of the Year Award, sponsored by the USDF Youth Programs Advisory Subcommittee. This prestigious award honors one outstanding youth volunteer who has contributed both nationally and locally to USDF and dressage. As the winner, Christiana will be presented with a perpetual trophy, donated by the Akin family of Warwick, NY, in honor of Lendon Gray, which is permanently on display in the Roemer/USDF Hall of Fame, will be featured in the yearbook issue of USDF Connection, and will receive a “keeper” trophy.

Christiana, eighteen-years-old, already has many years of service as a volunteer at USDF-recognized competitions under her belt. In 2014 alone, she dedicated numerous hours of volunteer service at competitions and clinics, including the Dressage for the Ages ODS League, Heart of the Valley, and Washington and Marion County 4-H Dressage Clinics. Her volunteer work was a tremendous help in keeping the shows and clinics running smoothly. Christiana has assisted show management in every aspect, from helping plan to organizing and running events. This year, Christiana proved to be an excellent contributor in unexpected situations. When a show manager had to be pulled away from a competition for personal matters, Christiana took charge and stepped up to the show manger position, assisting the show secretary with the rest of the show, while being a participant herself.

“What is even more important than her dressage, academic and leadership accomplishments, to me, is just what an incredible human being she is. She is always considerate, inclusive, supportive, yet holds strongly to the standards she has set for herself. I truly could go on and on about this amazing, dedicated, thoughtful, responsible, smart and talented young lady who has chosen to support and promote the sport of dressage.” stated Carol Jackson, who nominated Christiana.

The USDF Youth Programs Committee selected Christiana based on her passion for both horses and dressage. The committee wholeheartedly commends Christiana for her dedication to dressage and the ability to be a positive role model for other youth, through exceptional volunteerism.

Moshi

I blew it. I mean I really blew it. I was trying to show off to the cute new mare in the barn, and I ended up tripping over my own feet and landing with a splat in the mud. I was so embarrassed I thought I’d light up the sky a bright red. Good thing I’m covered in black hair or there’d have been a rosy glow all over the gentle hills of Vermont. I wanted to shrink my bulk down to mouse size and disappear in one of Indy’s rabbit’s holes.

Don’t you just hate it when you make a public mistake? It’s bad enough when you make a mistake that only you know about. When everyone else witnesses your shame, it makes it really hard to let it go.

So, what do you do?

First, as I always say, you have to honestly feel your feelings. Don’t hold back. Resisting emotions just give them more power. FEEL them. Hold on to them as long as you can. You’ll be surprised how fast they dissipate.

Then, you can do one of two things. The most powerful is finding the humor in the situation, and laughing about it. If you can make your faux pas into a funny story, it will take so much of the sting out of it! Not everyone can do this, however, so if the humor in the situation can’t be found, you just have to forgive yourself. Recognize that you did the best you could, and move on. Remember, you can’t change the past, but you can change how you hold it in your mind. Let it go…

I decided to play up my moment of clumsiness and pretend to fall again. My clowning around made the pretty mare laugh. It was good to see her happy. I suppose I can handle the occasional dent in my dignity in exchange for making someone smile.

How do you make your friends smile?

Love, Moshi

From Indy:

I got to play in the mud today. It’s so wet out there I couldn’t help it. Chasing rabbits is dirty work! When I came in the house, Jane made me go straight to the bath tub and take a bath. I don’t know who got wetter, her or me!

I love water, but I don’t like baths. It feels a little like I’m trapped in that small bathtub. I much prefer the pond or the swimming pool. But I know Jane likes her house to be clean, so if I want to live inside with Jane and Rhett, the mud has to go.

IndySometimes you have to do things you don’t want to do. It’s just part of life. Like going to work or doing laundry. You just have to do it. The payoff for doing those things is worth it, or you wouldn’t be doing them.

The next time you have to do something you don’t want to do, think about the benefit you receive in exchange. It might be money, or greater skill, or freedom, or affection. Give more attention to the payoff, and you’ll feel better about the work.

I love my soft giant pillow in the front hall. I’m very willing to suffer through a bath in exchange for sleeping on my own bed. How about you? What are you willing to do, to get what you want?

I’m clean now, so I’m going to go to the hallway and take a nap. Wake me when it’s dinner time, will ya?

Love, Indy

Jane Savoie
1174 Hill St ext.
Berlin, VT 05602
Jane’s Website
DressageMentor.com

When:
Friday, January 16, 2014 at 7:00 pm

Where:
Belle Herbe Farm, 3206 Old Hampton Drive, Wellington, Florida 33414

Charitable Beneficiary:
JustWorld International, Inc.

Gala Co-Chairs:
Maria Newman and Hillary Oswald

Gala Committee:
Heidi Greene, Aly Beaumont, Carole Clarkson, Arlette Rigby, Kristen Carollo, Kathryn Quirk, Jennifer Santana, Joyelle Edwards, Michelle Rodriquez, Marcia Holzer, Lorrie Greene, Cathy Zicherman

Event:
Step back in time to Ancient Greece for the 12th Annual JustWorld International Gala, located in the heart of Wellington, Florida. Generously hosted by Belle Herbe Farm, the festive night hosts a series of fundraising events that will directly benefit the non-profit organization. The night will feature a sit down dinner, accompanied by a silent auction, live auction, and entertainment under a tent beneath the stars. Last year, the Gala raised over $440,000 to fund and sustain JustWorld’s mission of building a brighter future for children around the world.

Ticket Price:
$250 per person
Event and Table Sponsorships Available

For Table Sponsorship information or to RSVP online, please visit

Contact: +1.561.333.9391 or jwinfo@justworldinternational.org

Media Contact: Kendall Bierer
JustWorld International
phone (561) 309-9873 fax (561) 753-3386
jwinfo@justworldinternational.org

Andrea Taylor assists Ashley Gowanlock, riding Maile, at the 2012 London Paralympic Games. Photo by Matthew Murnaghan/Canadian Paralympic

November 20, 2014

BY: EQUINE CANADA

Equine Canada and Para-Equestrian Canada are pleased to announce that Andrea Taylor, of Langley, B.C., has been awarded the Petro-Canada Coaching Excellence Award in recognition of her achievements at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014.

As the national team coach of Canadian Para-Dressage Team, Taylor coached Lauren Barwick to individual silver and bronze medal finishes at the Games, riding Off to Paris, Equine Canada’s 13-year-old Oldenburg mare.

Taylor is a seasoned international dressage competitor who became involved in Para-Dressage when she donated her own Grand Prix horse, Dior, to Barwick to ride at the 2004 Paralympic Games. Named as a national team coach since 2007, Taylor has become an integral part of the ongoing success of the Canadian para-dressage program and team, which currently is ranked sixth in the world.

Taylor has coached many successful riders, including adult amateurs, junior and young riders. As an athlete, Taylor competed internationally at the Grand Prix level with Dior. In 1989, she was a member of the gold medal team and won the individual gold medal at the North American Young Riders Championships. She has been a short and long-listed rider with the Canadian dressage team, and in 2000, Taylor represented Canada at the International Dressage Derby in Sydney, AUS, where she won the team bronze medal and was named Leading Foreign Rider.
“I am really proud to accept this award on behalf of the whole Canadian Team — especially my fellow Team coach, Mary Longden,” said Taylor, who had to be NCCP certified to be eligible for the award. “It takes a hard-working, focused group of people to help the team members to do their job — in this instance, win — at the world level.

“I love coaching and trying to figure just what each horse and rider combo needs to be able to be the best at their level. It takes commitment from both sides and that is what we had at these Games. Lauren and Off to Paris’ huge success in France made me proud to be a coach and one of many supporters in this fantastic sport called dressage,” added Taylor.
“Being awarded her second Petro-Canada Coaching Excellence Award is a testament to Andrea’s dedication to a pursuit of excellence with her athletes,” said Kalie McKenna, Equine Canada Manager Coaching. “As a certified Level 3 coach, Equine Canada is proud to have her as an ambassador of our coaching program and look forward to seeing what Andrea and her athletes accomplish next.”

Petro-Canada Coaching Excellence Awards were awarded at the Petro-Canada Sport Leadership Awards Gala, which took place in Ottawa on Friday, November 7, 2014.
These yearly prestigious awards recognize coaches whose athletes have excelled at world championships, Olympic and Paralympic Games, and at the Special Olympics World Games.

From November 24, 2014 through December 28, 2014, Ronald shaffer Interiors will be hosting an Art Show at 1800 Upland Road West Palm Beach, Fl 33409. The art of Ann Friedlander and Michele Hundt will be featured as well as the Jewelry of Lily Zilo.

These 3 friends who are part of the equestrian community of Wellington, Fl find time to pursue creative endeavors also. Lily Zilo moved to Wellington from Rome with her husband and 2 daughters. She is a dedicated and successful International amateur dressage rider who competes regulary.

Michele Hundt is the owner of ShoChic, an upscale boutique that sells dressage apparel. She numbers International riders among her customers as well as ameteurs and young riders with an eye for style. Michele’s flair for color and design so apparent at ShoChic can be seen in her stunning paintings.

Ann Friedlander moved to Wellington because it is the top place in the U.S> for dressage. Focused on her riding, she did not paint for awhile. In 2013 following a serious accident Ronald Shaffer encouraged her to resume painting. She is riding and painting now. Her colorful drawings and paintings range from delicate to bold and are sure to stimulate your imagination.
While there are an array of Art Shows in South Florida, you will not want to miss this gem in West Palm Beach.

Lexington, KY (November
19, 2014) – The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce
and congratulat …