by Tigger Montague
Eight riders from three VADA chapters (Shen Valley, Charlottesville, and Central) meet once a month to practice quadrille routines for the Lion King Production at the USDF National Symposium in Raleigh, November 1-3.
The horses and riders in this quadrille are all at different and varying levels of dressage mastery: there are fourth level horses, second/third level horses, and training level horses; there are friesans, warmbloods, an arabian, and a saddlebred cross; one rider is a hair dresser, another rider runs a business with her husband, a couple of riders are in the horsebusiness professionally, and there is a junior.
With great determination, these riders come every month to practice. The Shen Valley riders trailer two hours one way to get to rehearsals. And they never miss a rehearsal. All the quadrille riders show up ready for practice on time--a phenomena that is soley due to their incredible committment.
From a choreographer's point of view, a quadrille poses a host of interesting and complex issues: symmetry, balance, making it interesting to watch while avoiding the tendancy to get a little too "kamakazee" or a little too careful, spacing of the riders and the movements with the music, and yet not making things too complicated that it looks difficult. Add on top of that, the fact that what I visualize in my head I cannot always explain, and I have a tendancy to always want to keep tweeking things as the creative process evolves, so that what was rehearsed at the last practice session may now be slightly or even majorly changed by the next rehearsal.
You'd think they'd want to lynch me.
Instead, they ride, they concentrate, they have to keep their horses very adjustable at all times, whether more forward, or more waiting; and be aware of the horses in front of them, behind them (and if in pairs) beside them. They also have to listen to the musical cues. There is no question in my mind that riding in a quadrille is 10 times more difficult than riding a kur. And with eight horses in the ring at one time and a character (the Baboon, Rafiki), there's a lot going on at one time Now add the character Simba, doing two tempiis through two concentric circles of quadrille riders, and you can see that this is lot more complicated than even a normal four horse quadrille. I have a feeling that these riders will never have a problem dealing with a crowded warm up arena in a show after The Lion King is over!
Oh, sure we've had some near misses in the thread the needle serpentine, which the first couple of times we practiced it looked like a Buster Keaton movie, with a bit of stock car demolition thrown in ----and keeping the pinwheel in perfect unison and not looking like a wierd pretzel takes a lot of practice. Most of these horses and riders have never even ridden a pas de deux let alone a multi-horse quadrille.
Imagine, giving up your Saturday to be yelled at by Captain Bligh, the choreographer; then after two hours of practice, you are subjected to a lecture/demonstration of the fine art of grooming and clipping, the art of Presentation by a Master Groom. Then you are reminded by Captain Bligh to work on your seat, work on your canter, keep taking lessons every week with your instructor. Then you have to drive one or two hours home with a trailer. And you've had nothing to eat since breakfast.
These riders inspire me. They remind me that the real beauty of our sport is the relationship we have with our horses---be they fancy european horses or quarter horses. Quadrille riding takes a rider out of the anal, it's all about me mentality and into the wider sphere of multi riders performing as one. And because of the nature of quadrille riding (the whole is the essence), it sort of takes the Q out of DQ.
And it is fun. Even after near collisions, there are smiles; when a difficult pattern becomes easy it's as big a thrill as getting your first line of tempiis, or an effortless canter trot transition, or a perfectly balanced halt.
The horses enjoy it as well ---a quadrille poses different challenges to the horses than they deal with in their day to day training, and I think they really enjoy working in a group. There is an element of relaxation and reassurance that horses get from working closely with other horses.
The Lion King quadrille (that I refer to as The Not Ready For Broadway Players) will be debuting some of the scenes from the production at the Celebrity Freestyle, June 15, as an exhibition. This will be the first time they have performed these routines in public, so there will probably be a hiccup and an oops here and there. But before anyone is quick to point out the mistakes or the not so perfectness, keep in mind the incredible difficulty of quadrille riding, and the courage and committment of these very dedicated riders.
President Robin Jones called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm on Monday, May 20, 2002.
Officers / Board Members present: Pam Bennington, Cathy Caspole, Karen Davis, Chris DeVuyst, Hal DeVuyst, Gary Goodale, Gabriele Hooten, Robin Jones, Jan Keener, Harriet Keyes, Blanche Mahoney, Beckie Mitchell, Pat Nelson
Members / Guests present: Tiffany Mioduszewski, Anna Alford.
Motion was made and seconded to approve April minutes.
PRESIDENT'S REPORT:
1. Robin confirmed that several volunteers have agreed to work on the newsletter. Robin will notify the general membership when the newsletter is available on the website.
2. Motion was made and seconded to award SWVADA volunteer hours for demo rides at various events.
VICE PRESIDENT'S REPORT: Suggestion was made to move recognized show to August, changing the May show to a schooling show.
TREASURER'S REPORT: Copies distributed, info in newsletter as usual.
SECRETARY'S REPORT: None
VADA REPORT:
1. Grant money can be rolled over for two years. There will be no restrictions on how we choose to use the money whether clinic, speaker, instructor, etc. as long as the money is used for educational purposes. We need to apply in advance and describe what we plan to do with the money, offer an opportunity to VADA to participate.
2. Survey by personal contact or email on what the membership want.
3. Contact VADA for information on adult team.
4. Robin to email BLM sponsorship forms.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Commonwealth Games: Cathy Caspole is requesting volunteers for all position.
Green Hill Park: No report.
Membership: Currently 113 members. The omnibus has been distributed to new members.
Newsletter: Frances Yeardley, Louise Rozene and Heidi Clay will handle various aspects of the newsletter.
Education / Clinics: Blanche Mahoney introduced guest Anna Alford who talked about TREC which SWVADA is considering adding to the July show. Anna gave a brief description of the aspects of TREC which include orienteering, mastery of gaits or control of paces, and an obstacle course. Phases can be offered individually or in combination depending on available space. Further information will be provided as plans are formalized for the July show.
Equipment: Looking for ideas for rings.
Hospitality: No report.
Omnibus: No report.
Points/Awards: All scores are up to date except for the BREA show.
Ribbons & Trophies: No report.
Public Relations: No report.
Horse Show Committee: No report.
Juniors/Young Riders: Offer combined training dressage test.
Video Library: New video on bits from Mylar.
CURRENT PROJECTS:
April Schooling Show: Cathy Caspole and Pat Nelson reported that Green Hill's PA system is effective and relatively easy to use.
Recognized Show: Soliciting sponsorships for classes. Need volunteers.
Adult Camp: No report.
Meeting adjourned at 9:08 pm by President Robin Jones.
Respectfully submitted
President
Robin Jones (540) 473-3598
Vice President
Pam Bennington (540) 774-6924
Treasurer
Blanche Mahoney (540) 989-4948
Secretary
Chris Devuyst (540) 586-4686
Board Members
Cathy Caspole (540) 776-8396
Susan Dallas (540) 992-3114
Karen Davis (540) 562-4357
Hal DeVuyst (540) 586-4686
Gary Maupin Goodale (540) 334-5852
Jan Keener (540) 261-3315
Harriet Keys (540) 989-4198
Marie Klimchuk (540) 989-8709
Laura Nelson (540) 382-0078
Pat Nelson (434) 283-1055
Chairpersons
Adult Camp
Laura Nelson, Marie Klimchuk
Commonwealth Games
Cathy Caspole
Education Clinics
Person Needed
Equipment
Cathy Caspole
Green Hill Park
Pam Bennington
Hospitality
Blanche Mahoney
L Program
Jan Keener, Judy Gustafson
Membership
Nancy Frank
Points/Awards
Beckie Mitchell, Becky Cairns
Omnibus
Gary Maupin Goodale, Harriet Keys
Sanctioning
Gary Maupin Goodale
Public Relations
Karen Davis
VADA Representatives
Robin Jones, Harriet Keys
Video Library
Pat Nelson
Young Riders
Person Needed
Newsletter submissions:
Please send SWVADA newsletter news and advertising material to:
Louise Rozene, P.O. Box 1110, Amherst, VA, (434) 946-2211,
isocom@aol.com
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Monthly Meetings
Time: 7 pm
Location: Shoneys, Troutville, VA. Exit 150 A off I-81.
Turn on Rt. 11 toward Hollins, Shoney's on right! Join us!
Come early for dinner.
Next Meeting: June 17, 7:00 P.M. Shoney's in Daleville.
June 15
VADA Celebrity Freestyle Challenge, Keswick, VA
Contact: Nancy Lowey (540) 672-3454
July 6
SWVADA Dressage Schooling Show at GHEPC
Contact Blanche Mahone (540) 989-4948, btlbeam@cox.net
August 10
BREA Combined Test (XC) and Dressage Show at GHEPC
Contact Liz Leeger (540) 745-5153
August 24
SWVADA Dressage Schooling Show at GHEPC
Contact Jeanette Shires (540) 961-7363, eekwine@bev.net
VADA is sponsoring another round robin clinic this year. SWVADA sends one instructor to another chapter, they send one to us. This is done on a volunteer basis with VADA reimbursing expenses to the instructor. If you are an instructor, looking for a way to expand your client base, this is an excellent way to meet new customers and complete volunteer hours.
Welcome
Sara and Dan Kominsky would like to announce the arrival of their daughter, Cecelia Grace Kominsky, from Baku, Azerbaijan. Cecelia arrived on May 25 and will be one year old on June 9, 2002.
Congratulations to Robert, Cortney and Spencer Martin on the arrival of Grant Alexander born February 8, 02. All are thriving. And rumor has it they are moving back!!!
Congratulations to Tiffany Mioduszewski who just acquired a 5 year old Anglo-Arab named Diamond.
Kelly Grant, Pam Benningtons daughter, graduated on May 11 with a Master's Degree in Physical Therapy after three long, hard years. Congratulations!!
Muffin Pantaze's mare, Marengo, had a gorgeous filly on Mother's Day.
Spring Knoll Farm is happy to announce the sale of "Poplar Forest," Hannoverian yearling colt by Parabol out of Em Chatham. John & Louis, the buyers, have taken him, "Piper" to his new home in Aiken, SC.
Volunteers needed for the Celebrity Freestyle in Keswick on June 15.
Be ahead of the crowd and fulfill your state-level volunteer requirement early!
Volunteers are needed to take tickets and sell programs, and set up tables. There are lots of other little jobs as well.
For details, contact Shannon Pedlar, volunteer coordinator, at
sgp588@onebox.com.
BLM Finals
Volunteers are needed to staff the 20th Annual Bengt
Ljungquist Championship Finals, October 17-20, 2002 at the Virginia Horse Center
in Lexington, VA.
Jobs available each day include scribes, scorers, ring stewards, runners,
gatekeepers, and awards managers. All volunteers get credit towards VADA
Year-End Award requirements, gifts, a chance to win tickets to the USDF National
Freestyle Symposium, and more.
Anyone interested should contact Kristen Pagelsen, Volunteer Coordinator, at
kristen.pagelsen@vadanova.org
or (540)687-3375
You can fulfill your state volunteer requirement by getting $400 or more in sponsorships or advertising for the BLM Finals! Shows such as the BLM finals are a primary source of income for VADA, and provide funding for such programs as the Round-Robin Clinics.For additional information on sponsorship and vending opportunities,
contact Dianne Boyd at boyd_d@mediasoft.net
The Virginia Dressage Association is proud and happy that the Bengt Ljungquist Memorial Championships will take place at the Virginia Horse Center on Oct. 17-20, 2002. The championship classes will take place as a part of the VADA Fall Dressage Competition; the Association's USAEq recognized show. County Saddlery will be the title sponsor for this exciting event.
This competition honors the memory of Col. Bengt Ljungquist, author, coach, and inspiration for an entire generation of dressage riders, and a man whose influence is still felt throughout the sport. Colonel Ljungquist provided standards to which every dressage rider and trainer aspires.
The Bengt Ljungquist Memorial Championships were founded in 1983, and for 19 years have been a model for regional championships throughout the United States. Dressage organizations in Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina participate in this regional endeavor. These organizations have a membership representing a diverse population base. Riders throughout our region strive to qualify at over 60 member horse shows. The Championship is awarded to participating organizations throughout the area. In recent years, the show has been held at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds in Raleigh, the Prince Georges Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, Md., and the New Jersey Horse Park in Allentown, N.J., as well as at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, Va. Beautiful venues such as these promote the sport and please the competitors. The past two years have seen a tremendous growth in this show. The Saturday evening performances of musical freestyles continue to drawn audiences from both the participants as well and the local area.
Championship classes are held for every level of dressage, attracting qualifiers from the lowest levels to the highest levels of competency; from beginning young horses to experienced campaigners. Spectators will especially enjoy the Saturday evening performance of musical freestyle competition, where riders and horses dance together to carefully chosen music. This show is the culmination of a yearlong odyssey for horses and riders, and will present the very best this region has to offer.
Like the dressage organizations in the participating states, the Virginia Dressage Association focuses on the promotion of the sport of dressage both within the equestrian community as well as the community at large. In addition to the horse shows held throughout the year and support for major regional shows like the BLM Championships, VADA supports a number of charitable activities. Notable is the Celebrity Freestyle, in its third year, with all proceeds going to the Christopher Reeves Paralysis Foundation. VADA also supports a number of youth development activities through active participation in the USDF Young Riders programs. Grants and scholarship programs are available to both young riders and adults.
Sponsoring or advertising at a prestigious Horse Show of this magnitude allows people from North Carolina to New Jersey to become buyer of your products. We invite you to participate in our show, as it will provide you with value for your advertising investment. See following information on Sponsorships, Advertising and Vending.
Sponsorship Opportunities
One of the goals of VADA is to have each and every class sponsored. Please take the opportunity to contribute to the overall and ongoing success of this major regional championship. We have 82 open classes and 17 championship classes for which to find sponsors.
Diamond Sponsor (Ideal for Vendors)
* Vendor space 12 feet by 10 feet
* Full-page advertisement in Program (Camera ready copy to be received by August 30.)
* Banner space in indoor Arena for two company banners to be provided by Sponsor
* Announced by public address system at various times during the day by both announcers.
* Logo (provided by sponsor) or name used on correspondence throughout show year (from time of contract until show is wrapped), and on Sponsorship pages.
* Patrons Reception and seating for four guests
* Promotional materials supplied by sponsor at centrally located Welcome and Information Booth
* Promotional materials supplied by sponsor inserted into Rider packets.
* 4 official programs plus Sponsor Appreciation Gifts
* Cost: $500, includes vendor spaceEmerald Sponsor
* Half page advertisement in Program (Camera ready copy to be received by August 30.)
* Banner space in indoor Arena for two company banners to be provided by Sponsor
* Announced by public address system at various times during the day by both announcers.
* Logo (provided by sponsor) or name used on correspondence throughout show year (from time of contract until show is wrapped), and on Sponsorship pages.
* Patrons Reception and seating for two guests
* Promotional materials supplied by sponsor at centrally located Welcome and Information Booth
* 2 official programs plus Sponsor Appreciation Gifts
* Cost: $250
BLM Championship Class Sponsor
* Program listing with sponsored class and "In Appreciation"
* Half page advertisement in Program (Camera ready copy to be received by August 30.)
* Announced in conjunction with sponsored class
* Logo (provided by sponsor) will be used on Sponsorship page
* Sponsor is invited and urged to participate in awards ceremony.
* Promotional materials supplied by sponsor at centrally located Welcome and Information Booth
* 2 official programs plus Sponsor Appreciation Gifts
* Patron's reception for two guests
* Cost: $150Open Class Sponsor (includes NAYRC classes)
* Program listing with class and on Sponsorship pages
* Mentioned by announcer with sponsored open class
* Promotional materials supplied by sponsor at centrally located Welcome and Information Booth
* 1 official program
* Cost: $35Friends of the BLM Championships
* Name listed on the Friends page of the Show Program
* Cost: $25Advertising at a prestigious Horse Show of this magnitude allows people from North Carolina to New Jersey to become buyer of your products or services. We invite you to participate in our show, as it will provide you with value for your advertising investment. Advertising rates are:
Advertising (Camera Ready, Black and White only)
* Back Cover $500
* Inside Front Cover $300
* Inside Back Cover $300
* Full Page $250
* Half Page $125
* Quarter Page $ 65
* Business Card $ 20Note: Extra charge for material that is not camera ready or on disk
Please use the order form below to send in your class sponsors and advertising.
Louise West
Manager
(804) 994-0268 9; 9;Dianne Boyd
Sponsor and Vendor Coordinator
(703) 777-4846The Virginia Dressage Association is a 502©3 organization. This may provide you a tax benefit. Please check with your accountant.
Jane Gennaro
Fancy Hill Farm, Fancy Hill
Lessons/Clinics/Training
Training to FEI Levels
USDF Bronze/Silver/Gold Medalist
CHA highest teaching certification
(540) 291-1000
Gabriele Hooten
The Solid Rock Farm, Roanoke
Dressage Training/Clinics/Sales
Bereiter-FN
(540) 427-1271
The Solid Rock Farm
:thesolidrockfarm@aol.com
Brigitte Peterson
Encore Stable, Blacksburg
Training/Breaking/Lessons/Clinics/Sales/Consignments
Bereiter-FN
(540) 544-7662
encorestable@aol.com
Pati Pierucci
Rivers' Bend Farm
USET long listed member
Training/Lessons/Sales/Quarantine
(434) 369-5874
mystudmuffins@aol.com
Holly Veloso
Central Manor Farm, Bedford
Sporthorse Breeding/Sales/Training/Lessons/Clinics
(540) 586-6649
Judy Westenhoefer
Central Manor Farm
Lessons/Clinics/Judging
AHSA "R" Judge
USDF Bronze/Silver Medalist
(540) 586-2253
Frances Yeardley
Turtle Pond Farm
Dressage Instruction/Training Through FEI
USDF "L" Certification
(540) 463-1964
TurtlePond Farm
yeardley@cfw.com
As a service to its members, this space will serve as a directory listing the Chapter's professionals and their services. SWVADA in no way endorses those listed here-in. Listings are FREE for SWVADA members. SALUTE editor reserves the right to edit listings. To submit a listing, include your name, contact information (phone, e-mail, etc.), services offered, and e-mail to isocom@aol.com or snail mail to Louise Rozene, P.O. Box 1110, Amherst, VA 24521.
Classified ads are free to all SWVADA members.
Non-members: $5 per insertion.
For sale: Prestige 17/33 dressage saddle. Very good condition. $800. Contact Sharon (276) 638-7340.
For sale: Branded ISR-Oldenburg pretty dark bay, 15.3h, 6 yr. old mare. Well started under saddle. Ready to expand on dressage education or start O/F for a possible career in Dressage, CT or Hunter ring. Very quiet temperment. Asking $10,000. Contact Marie Klimchuk (540) 586-1812 or klimchuk@bellatlantic.net
At Stud: WAYFARER ("Winny" - with the fabulous disposition that he passes to his get). 16.1h chestnut Hanovarian. Qualified BLM with over 70% in first Training Level. Currently successfully showing 1st Yr. Green (3.6) at "A" hunter shows. Come see his babies yearling to 2 coming 4 yr. olds started under saddle. Fee $700. Also "HANS" reg. Westphalian pony. Fee $200. Contact Muffin Pantaze (540) 261-1177 or mpantaze@intelos.net
To Lease: "COPY," older TB mare, 15.2, big body, big mover. Very correct at 1st Level. Wonderful teacher. Easy keeper. Contact Muffin Pantaze (540) 261-1177 or mpantaze@intelos.net
Get Ready To Show SALE: Dressage pads the good ones with small squares and no foam. White and colors. $22. Two "oldie but goodie" dressage saddles (1 barely used) and ditto jumping saddles--all priced to sell! Telephone Tack (540) 261-3315 or jkeener@ntelos.net
