Lendon Youth Dressage Festival Midwest, with Courtney King-Dye, and Emerging Dressage Athlete Program Clinic, August 5-7

Recently reported by dressagedaily.com, Hampton Green Farm will be the location of the first Lendon Youth Dressage Festival held in the Midwest.

[In addition to the Dressage Festival, it will also hold the] first regional “Section A” Clinic for the new Emerging Dressage Athlete Program, both events to be held during the weekend of August 5-7 at HGF’s Fruitport, Michigan farm. Courtney King-Dye will be a Special Guest and Judge. The regional “Setion A” Clinic on Friday and Saturday is for dressage riders under 21 who are interested in working with Lendon Gray and qualifying for the invitational “Section B” sessions in Wellington, Florida with Robert Dover and Courtney King-Dye. Interested applicants must apply on-line at www.dressage4kids.com.

The Lendon Youth Dressage Festival Midwest will be held on Sunday and is open to all riders of any discipline under 21. A mini-version of the original, the LYDF Midwest is modeled after the highly successful LYDF held every year in New York in July, which annually draws over 250 youth riders from the United States, Canada and South America and which brings aspiring equestrians together with top judges and professionals who judge them in three categories: A Written Test, Equitation and Dressage. The Prize List for the the LYDF Midwest will be posted on this site shortly and Entry Forms will be available on-line.

US Dressage Riders Missing From Aachen Dressage Competition

Recently reported by dressage-news.com, US Dressage Riders will be curiously absent from the Aachen under-25 competition in Germany next month and none met the qualifying criteria.

The Under-25 division aimed at competitors between Young Riders and the senior ranks has exploded in Europe with classes attracting large numbers of entries with top quality riders and horses and a large and growing fan base. The Under-25 division has been embraced as vital to the future of the sport.

“We are very aware of this gap in our ranks in the Unites States, as well as the desperate need for more junior and pony riders to come up the ladder,” said Anne Gribbons the U.S. Equestrian Federation Technical Advisor, essentially the national coach.

Debbie McDonald who won medals with Brentina in Olympics and World Equestrian Games and a World Cup title is designing an “ambitious” Under-25 program for the U.S. that should be implemented next year, she said

The CHIO Aachen introduced an Under-25 Nations Cup in 2010 and will stage it again this year at what is the premier horse show in the world with a CDIO5* Nations Cup, CDI4* and a CDI for Under-25s that will fill the 8,000-seat permanent dressage stadium July 13-16.

Caroline Roffman, the International Equestrian Federation’s “Rising Star” for 2010, was invited by the organizers to compete in next month’s competition.

Caroline of Wellington, Florida, told dressage-news.com that she was excited to compete with Lux, a nine-year-old Danish warmblood gelding by Lobster. However, a pre-competition veterinary examination found issues that her vet said would not prevent the horse from competing at Aachen but recommended a break from competition for the sake of the long term development of Lux.

“I’m really, really disappointed,” Caroline said. “I’ve been so excited about this ever since I received the invitation. The horse comes first, though, and we decided this was best for Lux.”

In anticipation of an invitation to Aachen, the USEF sought applications. Horse and rider combinations were required to submit three scores from FEI Grand Prix, FEI Young Rider Grand Prix 16-25, FEI Intermediaire II with an overall minimum average of 66 per cent. At least two of the scores had to be at the Young Rider Grand Prix or Grand Prix level and one Grand Prix score must be from a CDI.

No riders qualified. And Caroline withdrew.

“The U-25 riders are getting a lot of attention in Europe,” Anne Gribbons said, “and of course that group is the one to target to help them move on to the Senior Grand Prix division. And, as usual, they have greater numbers and lesser distances to travel than we do to get new programs started.

“We are very aware of this gap in our ranks in the Unites States, as well as the desperate need for more junior and pony riders to come up the ladder.

“That is the reason I have intensively worked with the USEF and the committees to create a system of education we hope will produce depth in the future and fill in the holes.

“Debbie McDonald is designing an ambitious program for next year and the age group between Young Riders and Grand Prix under 25 is one of the areas she will target.”

Nine-time Paralympic dressage gold medallist Lee Pearson will miss September’s European Championships in Belgium with a back injury.

Recently reported by bbc.co.uk, Paralympic dressage rider Lee Pearson is out of the Europeans.

The 37-year-old fell from his horse during a training session, injuring his back and putting him out of the saddle for eight weeks – meaning he will miss the selection events in July.

An MRI scan revealed he had fractured three vertebrae and crushed a fourth.

“The news came as quite a shock. It’s just uncomfortable to ride,” he said.

“I never dreamed it could be broken. I thought I must have sprained it as I’m able to carry on with life pretty much as normal.”

Although the fractures are stable and Pearson expects to make a full recovery, he has been advised not to ride to allow everything time to heal.

The European Championships – the last major Para dressage event before the London Games – take place in Belgium on 1-4 September.

Pearson added: “Nothing is set in stone and I could be riding again sooner than I think but either way it’s much more important that I’m injury free and back in form for the Paralympics next year.”

The five-strong team for the European Championships will be chosen after the two remaining selection events at Hickstead and Hartpury next month.

British riders have won team gold at every Paralympic, World and European Championship since the sport began.

Performance Manager David Hunter added: “It’s very unfortunate that Lee has had this accident but we are relieved to hear though that it has been picked up early .

“We expect to see him back on board soon and fighting fit for London 2012.”

Paralympic Dressage Competitor Back On Track

Recently reported by the bbc.co.uk, a Warwickshire paralympic dressage hopeful has told of her delight at finding a new horse to train with, after her own dressage horse became lame.

Ruth MacCarthy, 26, of Wellesbourne, has been unable to train for the 2012 Games since January after her horse Whisper ruptured a ligament.

An owner has now given her his horse on a long-term loan.

Conquestadore, nick-named Carlos, has been flown over from Germany and has completed his first week’s training.

‘Really panicking’

The 12-year-old is owned by David Marsh, from Lewes, in Sussex.

He contacted Miss MacCarthy after she was featured on BBC Midlands Today.

Miss MacCarthy said: “Of course I’m delighted. I was really starting to panic and worry that I would never find a new horse in time, but at the same time I didn’t really want to believe that.”

Miss MacCarthy, who works as a paralegal, has been riding since she was four years old but broke her back, hip and pelvis when she was 19 when the horse she was riding fell on top of her.

She no longer has the full use of one of her legs but was back in the saddle within 12 months – before she was able to get out of her wheelchair – and hopes to compete in the grade 4 Paralympic dressage.

Her horse ruptured a ligament last July while not being ridden and is now pregnant and due to give birth within the next two weeks.

Miss MacCarthy said Carlos had only been ridden by able-bodied riders before but had competed at the advanced level in dressage.

She said he was adapting well.

By Guest Contributor

To have a safe and enjoyable Dressage eventing experience, you need the right horse for the job. It starts with choosing the right horse to partner with for entry level eventing.

Your first event horse doesn’t need to score a 10 at the trot in his dressage test or gallop forever. He needs to be fun to ride and able to carry you safely and comfortably around your first few entry-level events, both in and out of the ring. Don’t worry about winning at this stage; just learn the sport and see if you really like it.

On the ground, your horse must have great manners. Your mare or gelding needs to be able to cross-tie, stand politely for the vet and farrier, load easily and tack up without problems. A horse that’s unpredictable to work around in his stall, kicks or rears, is unacceptable. Under saddle your horse needs to be fairly athletic and have a reasonable aptitude for the three stages Dressage.

Specifically for Dressage competition – In addition to three good gaits if your horse takes both leads, steers well, accepts the bit well and maintains a consistent head and neck position with the front of his face just ahead of the vertical, he has the basic ingredients you need for entry-level dressage tests.

If you’re shopping for your first event horse, where should you look? A young racetrack reject is not a suitable candidate; and if you’re just learning the sport, don’t take on a green horse. A better prospect is the experienced, older eventing horse that’s out of a job because his rider has gone off to college. His vet bills may be higher, but he has a lot to teach you. Quarter Horses and older Warmbloods who’ve been around the block are also good choices for entry level eventing.

If you like the challenges eventing offers, after 18 months or so you’ll be ready to decide whether to keep your horse or sell him. If you both take to eventing, perhaps you’ll stay together and continue refining your skills. As always, talk with your trainer about this decision and what options you have.

By Guest Contributor

Arabian Horses are widely popular in Show Jumping, and other eventing sports for good reason.

Endurance

Once horses used in the dessert conditions of the Arabian Peninsula by warriors who utilized their endurance for long journeys and their energy to carry them into enemy territory, Arabian horses have quickly taken their place as one of the most popular breeds in North America. The endurance and lung capacity of the Arabian horses make them a popular option for those who enjoy spending a day out on a long ride.

Loyalty

However, it isn’t just distance riders who feel a rush of excitement when they see one of these horses for sale. Horse lovers who know the breed understand that, with an Arabian, they’ll have a loyal companion. This too is rooted in history; on early battlefields with harsh conditions, Arabians and their riders often shared food and drink, as well as shelter. In many circles, it’s been guessed that Arabian horses grew to know that they relied on their owner for care – a hypothesis that asserts not only the connection between horse and owner, but also the intellect of the breed.

Intelligence

The high intelligence possessed by Arabian horses – coupled with their ability to bond with their owners – contributes to the breed’s ability to be trained for performance within the dressage ring, during a jump course and during a number of cutting and reigning activities. Similarly, the breed is often trained for racing, particularly for endurance events.

Universally Liked

From trail to track, from professional riders to families with children, from the Middle East to Europe and North America, it seems as though there is a common fondness for Arabian horses that is easy to understand. The desire to care for the breed has roots that go back to the early days of Islam, when the prophet Mohammed instructed his followers to be kind to the breed – particularly to the mares that pass down the genetics of the breed – with promises of a great reward to follow.

Obviously, Arabian stallions also contribute to the lineage of the breed, and often stud services are advertised along with horses for sale. In both cases, those who are looking for Arabian horses are often able to search based on the discipline of the animal – whether it’s been well suited to dressage, jumping, endurance, racing or the horse has spent a great deal of time on the trail. Also, because the lineage of the Arabians is important, in many cases, those looking to purchase an Arabian are able to learn more about the horse’s sire or dam as well as about its general bloodlines.

Most Arabian horses fall into one of fifteen bloodlines: The bloodlines include Davenport, Russian, Egyptian, Spanish and – within the United States – domestic. To some buyers, the bloodlines and the discipline are more important than to others. An experienced Arabian owner is likely to know what he or she is looking for. An owner who intends to race his Arabian horses will be looking for more specifics than a family who understand that the breed is rarely timid or skittish, and, based on it’s bonding with human companions, a great match for their kids who want to have a horse of their own.

These days, when it comes to horses for sale, the Arabian is priced at a level that is comparable to other breeds – including those breeds developed, in part, on a foundation of the Arabian. British Thoroughbreds, French Percheron and even the American Morgan all carry on a bit of the Arabian bloodline. Despite the fact that so many breeds have been developed based on Arabian stock that are available within the United States, Arabian horses remain numerous – outnumbering all of those in other countries combined.

There are many great reasons why Arabian horses are so popular with those who are looking to buy. For the most part, Arabians have attributes that leave them suited for a wide variety of purposes. Whether you are looking for a horse that will be the envy of the stable, a winner on the track, or the horse that teaches your child an appreciation for riding or dressage, you’re likely to discover that the Arabian is a breed that you should pay close attention to; it’s likely to be just what you are looking for.

Recently reported by horsechannel.com, Equine Canada has announced a helmet rule, requiring Dressage Helmets be used by all riders at the Fourth Level and lower.

In response to increased safety concerns in the dressage community, Canada’s governing body of equestrian sport has announced a new rule mandating helmets for some dressage competitors.

Equine Canada announced the new rule in March and it will take effect on May 1, 2011. Under the rule, all riders competing at Fourth Level or below must wear ASTM/SEI or British Standards Institution (BSI) certified protective headgear while mounted at a recognized show. The rule also mandates helmets for any non-competing riders on the showgrounds as well as riders on non-competing horses. This would affect horses or riders schooling on the grounds of a show where they are not competing.

Equine Canada’s rule follows a similar rule change from the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) that took effect earlier this year. Under the USEF’s rule, all riders are required to wear ASTM/SEI certified helmets while mounted with an exception for riders 18 and older competing only in FEI tests, Prix St. Georges and above.

The specific rule changes where posted by EquineCanada.ca recently.

As of May 1st, 2011, the following rule regarding safety headgear will be adopted by Dressage Canada: E4.0 Safety Headgear

1. ASTM/SEI or BSI approved headgear must be worn by all riders showing Fourth Level and below, regardless of age, when mounted on the showgrounds at EC Bronze, Silver and Gold competitions.

2. ASTM/SEI or BSI approved headgear must be worn by all non-competing riders mounted on any competing horse at EC Bronze, Silver and Gold competitions.

3. All riders of any age while on non-competing horses must wear protective headgear at all times while mounted on the competition grounds.

4. The penalty for contravening 4.0.1 is elimination.

5. Non-competing riders who contravene 4.0.2 and/or 4.0.3 will be instructed to dismount until wearing an ASTM/SEI or BSI approved helmet.

Quality Horse Dressage Boots

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Recently reported by dressagedaily.com, Rafalca ridden by Jan Ebeling won day 1 of the CDI Dressage Grand Prix.

In the CDI Grand Prix class, Jan Ebeling rode his long-time partner “Rafalca” to a decisive win with a score of 69.298%. Ebeling is using this competition as a final preparation for the Reem Acra/FEI World Cup Dressage Finals, and feels that his mount has become much stronger over the last year in order to better tackle the demands of the division. The ground jury agreed. “Rafalca is much more confirmed, consistent and at ease throughout her test than we’ve seen her before,” noted judge Cara Whitham.

For West Coast riders, there was no joking around this April Fool’s Day as a huge field of competitors fought for the blue ribbon in the CDI Prix St. Georges Test at the Festival of the Horse CDI-W/Y/J. Officiating for today’s class were FEI judges Linda Zang (5* USA), Cara Whitham (5* CAN), and Eddy de Wolff (4* NED). “The overall quality in the top group of this class was very good,” said judge Eddy de Wolff. Emerging the hard-fought victor was Steffen Peters riding Jen Hlavacek’s nine-year-old Westfalen gelding “Weltino’s Magic”, which de Wolff described as “a super horse”. After impressive wins at last month’s Mid-Winter Dressage Fair, this pair returned to Burbank to earn a first-day score of 75.395%.

Competing in the CDI Young Rider division, Dressage rider Brandi Roenick topped the list riding “Pretty Lady”, scoring a 66.974%. Additionally Colby Dodd of Canada won the Junior Team test competition.

David Blake and Catapult Reach New Heights at the Dressage Affaire in Del Mar California.

Dressage Trainer and rider David Blake reached a recent milestone with Catapult the 2006 Markel USEF 6 Year-Old National Champion with a successful debut in the Grand Prix in 2011. Catapult the eleven-year-old Holsteiner by Cantor, which Blake owns and has trained since he broke him at 2 years old, was one of six horses Blake competed at the Dressage Affaire in Del Mar, California. Together with his wife Andrea, the couple own and operate David Blake Dressage in Arroyo Del Mar. “Winning the 2006 Markel USEF 6 Year-Old National Championships Catapult marked a huge turning point for my career and business. All of a sudden, people knew my name.” Thanks to his mentor, trainer and friend Steffen Peters, Blake was given another opportunity.

It was in 2006 that Blake began working with Steffen Peters which ultimately led to an invitation to work and train in with Steffen and Shannon. “Now, Steffen & Shannon Peters took a chance on me by inviting me to train and work at Arroyo Del Mar. This was an incredible move for my business and my career.” Together with his wife Andrea Blake they manage a full barn of exciting dressage stock including his two FEI Pan American hopefuls, Lord Albert and Falsterbo who will be doing their next CDI at the Del Mar National the end of April. And now in their first season in Grand Prix competition, Blake and Catapult scored a 66% in Indio on their first outing, won the Open Grand Prix at Mid-Winter Dressage in Burbank and then again in Del Mar at The Dressage Affaire with a 68.93%.

Source dressagedaily.com