GVDS Bits of News

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

Bristol’s goals for this year were to be able to step into classical dressage on her own horse, Watch Joe Light, and show at her first recognized shows. Her goal has been to have harmonious and positive rides on her horse while experiencing new things together.

Sienna and Pistol working together on their new found passion of dressage. Sienna's goals for this year are to improve the quality of Pistols canter, to compete in the next GVDS schooling show,  continue to boost her confidence while riding and competing on Pistol and to become more familiar with the dressage discipline in general.

Annalise’s technical goal for the year was to be able to identify her canter leads without looking down. Her overall goal was to be able to have more correct contact, communication, and clear aids to her horse.  She has been showing a Rivers Edge Equestrian lesson horse, Muffin, in classical dressage.