My name is Annalise Brown. 

I will be telling you how riding in dressage competitions has helped me learn and grow as a rider. The first thing I learned was that I need to do exercises to help me build muscle. For example, doing push-ups is an exercise that helps me build muscle in my upper body so that I can be able to hold the contact that I have with my horse. Squats help make my legs stronger. 

Another exercise I do is stretches to help relax my legs. It is important to be able to relax my legs because if you do not have loose legs, it can be hard to keep your heels down. Another reason I do these exercises is because they help relax and loosen parts of my body so that the horse I am riding listens to my aids better.

When your body is tight, your horse doesn't listen as well but when you do exercises to make your body

looser, then the horse you are riding responds better.

Second, riding in shows has helped me grow more confident. For example, I am no longer scared

of riding in front of crowds at dressage shows. Previously, when I rode in my first show, I was really

nervous because it had been my first time riding in a show ring. I was worried that I would forget how my

test went, I also thought that other people would not like my riding. Now I am confident, and I am not

nervous about riding in shows anymore.

The last thing I learned was how to ask the horse I am riding to pick up the correct canter lead. It is

important to have the correct canter lead because it can be too rough on the horse when they are not

balanced at the level I am riding. When my legs get tight, I become unbalanced at the canter and my horse becomes unbalanced, then my horse picks up the wrong canter lead.

These are the things I learned in English dressage this year which have helped me become a better

rider.

Year End Awards Checklist

Review Award Rules

1. Earned the required number of scores to qualify at each level including for the Dressage Team Challenge

2. Minimum of four volunteer hours (or payment to GVDS of $25/hour needed)

3. Final Score Check with Rhiannon Rowe

4. EVERYTHING COMPLETE BY OCTOBER 20

5. Changes/Additions/Deletions after that date

GVDS Secretary Arlene Rhodes was recently awarded Third Level class winner AND High Score at the inaugural Grand Valley Horse Rescue online show.  

Congratulations Arlene and Wrangler - well done!

Good morning everyone!

Our final show of the season, GVDS Schooling Show III on October 12-13
is open! We highly encourage costumes and freestyles at this show! We
have added a special class as well, Saturday only, Costume on the Rail
class. This will be judged as a group class, so show us your
creativity!

The prizelist is posted! Entries are available online at
horseshowoffice.com. If you have already entered and would like to
enter the costume class, send me an email and I will add it for you.
Costumes are welcome during regular classes as well. See you there!

Darby

GVDS Show Secretary

After a crazy weather weekend, we ended the show with a very special event.  Barbara Progess, our fearless Volunteer Coordinator, had the culmination of her equestrian career with her Century Ride with partner Savannah.  Riding First Level Test 1, Barb performed beautifully.  She was honored by the judge Michell Combs, Savannah's owner Betsy Small, Coach and friend Inka Spatafora and GVDS officers Arlene Rhodes and Susan Gregg.  Barb has a long history with dressage and eventing in Colorado and Utah. Be sure to read her story.  Congratulations Barb and Savannah.  We all love you very much and are so proud of you.

Back by popular demand, the October schooling show (NO recognitions) will feature fun events, plus some serious judging from Kathy Simard.  We will again have the popular stick horse class which will be divided into Junior/Young Rider, Adult Amateur, and Open divisions and judged.  This year we will feature a costume class!  Rumor has it the ladies from the Eagle Valley area are already working diligently on their costumes, so everyone else better start on theirs too!  Riders may compete in their costumes (if it can be done safely for the horse and rider), but riders who are not showing can also participate in only the costume class. 

This show is also a great time to try a musical freestyle.  GVDS does not have a minimum score requirement to ride a freestyle, so anyone can do it even if you ride at an Introductory Level.  Pas de Deux and Quadrilles are also welcome.  If you and your horse like to dance, get a freestyle ready to ride.  And of course, wear your costume!  More information on this as we get closer to the show.

Send us a picture with a brief explanation so we can share it with others.  This photo is from a recent Sue Martin clinic held at Donna DuBois' farm in Silt.  Beautiful weekend, excellent learning opportunities and a great setting.  Show us what you have going on?

If you believe this to be true, then you won't want to miss this informational clinic conducted by Bill Heflin from Iron Forest Forge.  Bill is an active member of the Rocky Mountain Farriers Association and is an expert with both western and English sport horses, off the track thoroughbreds, and corrective shoeing.  Join us on Saturday, September 28 to learn more about a wide variety of hooves and how to use proper shoeing to maximize your horses natural talent.  More information and registration to come soon.

Vision Farm is offering a Ride-A-Test with Julie Haugen, a classical and western judge.  Julie did a clinic for GVDS is 2022 and it was awesome.  Take advantage of this opportunity to participate in a ride-a-test on September 1 in DeBeque.  Entries open on July 22 and close on August 12.  Contact Darby Savoca for more information.  If you are a novice scribe or would just like more practice, this is a perfect opportunity to do so.

Entries for the Schooling Show II close on August 14!!  The Saturday show is nearly 75% sold out; Sunday is 60% sold out.  Remember that this weekend counts as one show - same judge for both days equals one show.  So if you need two shows to qualify for a year-end award, this will not satisfy that requirement.  You will also need to show in October.
Concerned about the heat?

• ALL riding is performed under cover - both warm-up and show rings have roofs putting all performances in the shade.

• The warm-up ring is misted. 

• It's a schooling show, so no need to wear a coat.  

• Sleeveless shirts and tank tops are not permitted.

• If you're concerned about your horse standing at the trailer in the sun, you can always get a day stall so your equine partner can be more comfortable.

All entries are done online through HorseShowOffice.  You will need to print and sign your entry form.  You can upload it to your entry before the show or bring the signed copy to the show office when you check-in.  The uploading is done via the link in the entry confirmation email.  Please let us know if you have any questions or problems getting entered.  You do not need to be an IT expert to enter, so give it a try.  Easy, peasy.  

We are excited to welcome Michelle Combs from Arizona as our judge. She has received RAVE reviews from other competitors and fellow judges, both for English and western classes.  Great judging makes the show more fun and educational.  GVDS strives to find the best judges we can to try to provide a good showing experience.

Are you showing one of the smaller horses or ponies?  National Dressage Pony Cup high score and reserve high score ribbons will be awarded to small horses (less than/equal to 16 hands) and ponies (less than/equal to 14.2 hands) but they must have a measurement on file in the show office.  Don't forget to sign up with Darby Savoca if you need a measurement.  Animals already measured do not need to be remeasured.

And of course, don't forget to sign up to Volunteer.  Remember you need four volunteer hours to be eligible for a year-end award. If you are a youth scholarship recipient, you still have the four hour requirement in addition to the two hours if you are showing at the show.  If you have questions about volunteering, please contact Barbara Progess.

Lots to remember from this note, but all of it important.  See you at the show on August 24.

Karen Harkin
GVDS President