IDCTA_Scribe_January_2012

January 2012

IDCTA
Page 1
What’s
Inside:
President’s
Perspective
2
Welcome New Members
2
War Horse:
A Special IDCTA Event
3
IDCTA War Horse
Ticket Order Form
3
2011 IDCTA Awards Banquet
4
This is It!
4
IDCTA Sponsorship Form
5
IDCTA Members Successful
at 2011 Dressage at Devon
6
WDCTA hosts Dressage
Through the Levels
with Steffan Peters
and Janet Foy
7
No Justice in Dustville
8
Not Messing Around
9
Save the Date: Area IV
Annual Meeting
with Colleen Rutledge
9
IDCTA & TopLine Equestrian
Center Lesle Law Clinic
10
Help Colleen Rutledge
get to Badminton
11
2012 Wayne Eventing Derby
11
It’s Not About The Jacket -It’s About The Boots
12
2011 IDCTA Mini Event
Championships
12
IDCTA 2012
Membership Form
13
Calendar of Events
14
Classified Ads
14
JANUARY 2012
VOL. 19 NO. 1
The time has come!
The Scribe is now electronic! See Scribe Editor Jennifer
Kotylo’s article on page 4 for complete details on the transition.
IDCTA
January 2012
President’s Perspective
By Ed Eichelberger
January, 2012
VOL. 19 NO. 1
NEWSLETTER EDITOR
Jennifer Kotylo, jkotylo@yahoo.com.
Members are encouraged to submit
comments, articles, news, photos. Deadline:
10th of preceding month. E-Mail is best!
ADVERTISING & PRODUCTION MANAGER
Mary Jo Downen, TypaGraphics
Please send checks, disks, printed materials
to Mary Jo Downen, 33062 Pearl St.,
Kirkland, IL 60146
Advertising Rates
All Ads must be prepaid and received by the 10th of
the preceding month. Ads must be “camera-ready”
and sized to fit; those requiring extra work my be
subject to additional graphics charges. Please see
www.idcta.org for complete ad submission
information.
Send Ads & Checks to:
Mary Jo Downen, 33062 Pearl St., Kirkland, IL 60146
Phone: 815-522-2285
Fax: 815-522-3813
E-Mail: typagraphics@gmail.com
Full Page ............................................ $100.00
Half Page ............................................ $60.00
One-Third Page ................................... $40.00
Quarter Page ....................................... $30.00
Business Cards .................................... $20.00
Classifieds
(first 25 words, additional words 50¢ each)
Members .............................................. $5.00
Non-members ..................................... $10.00
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS
Eliza Ardizzone
224-723-5089
eardizzone@att.net
Becky Bowen
630-513-8839
RMCBowen@aol.com
Patti Gruber
847-561-8194
PattiBrutus2@aol.com
Deanna Hertrich
262-537-2629
freehorsefarm@aol.com
Denise Ingeman
262-210-2316
denise.ingeman@aurora.org
Jennifer Malott Kotylo
Katie Lindsay
312-719-0283
jkotylo@yahoo.com
630-377-7597
flutie60184@sbcglobal.net
Dawn Morgenstern
224-623-2089
dpmorgenstern@comcast.net
Christine Neff
Julie Poveromo
probably be very expensive. Junior/Young Riders will not be participating in 2013 although
that may eventually change. Speaking as a
retired teacher, taking students out of school in
November to compete is not, in my opinion, a
very good idea. However, the USDF Executive
Board believes that “if you build it, they will
come”. They are probably correct.
Finally, the IDCTA election ballots have been
counted, and your IDCTA officers and directors
for 2012 are the following:
Ed Eichelberger, President; Molly Fine, Vice
President for Dressage; Cindy Zitko, Vice President for Eventing; Julie Mehling, Secretary;
Deborah Garris, Treasurer.
Board of Directors: Eliza Ardizzone, Becky
Bowen, Patti Gruber, Deanna Hertrich, Denise
Ingeman, Jennifer Malott Kotylo, Katie Lindsay, Dawn Morgenstern, *Christine Neff,
*Julie Poveromo, Mairi Thennes. (* indicates
a new board member)
Kathy Lower
Angela Martin
Dawna Ullrich
Alison Rehfus
Debbie Rosema
BOARD MEMBERS
IDCTA
Page 2
Welcome
New Members
Paid Advertisement
This month I have news from the 2011 USDF
Convention of special interest to dressage competitors. The USDF Board of Governors approved a USDF National Head-to-Head Championships. The resolution passed allows the
USDF to establish these championships beginning in 2013 at the Kentucky Horse Park.
At this time I can only report the general
outline of this competition. The idea is that the
regional Champion and Reserve from each of
the nine regions will be invited to participate in
the National Championship. A championship
class will be offered for all levels, Training
through Grand Prix for both Open and Adult
Amateur divisions as well as an Open Freestyle
division. In order for each of the Regional
Championships to be completed and allow
travel time for the qualifiers, the date for the
National Head-to-Head Championships will
be three weeks after the last Regional Championship. For the first National Championship
this will be sometime within November, 2013.
After the first year (or two) the site of the
National Championships will be moved, probably alternated from coast to coast.
There are many obvious difficulties with the
outline mentioned above. Believe me, they
have all been voiced. Certainly, the November
weather in Kentucky is uncertain. The problem
is that it will take several years to move all
Regional Championship dates into September
due to venue booking issues. Also, because we
have a very big country, some competitors will
always have to travel thousands of miles with
their horses to compete. Another problem for
Adult Amateurs may be in taking the time off
from work. Also, these championships will

847-337-3607
cneff4848@aol.com
309-310-2703
juliepoveromo@aol.com
INFORMATION HOTLINES
CT Volunteers - Becky Bowen
CT - Cindy Zitko
Dressage - Molly Fine
Dressage Volunteers - Debbie Garris
708-807-1571
630-830-4801
716-573-5390
312-401-1157
President: Ed Eichelberger
815-436-4593
acornhillfarm@earthlink.net
VP Dressage: Molly Fine
VP CT: Cindy Zitko
716-573-5390
mollymfine@gmail.com
630-830-4801
cynthiazitko@sbcglobal.net
Secretary: Julie Mehling
331-645-3435
julie.mehling@yahoo.com
Treasurer: Deborah Garris
312-401-1157
debbie@dgarris.com
MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN
Mairi Thennes
815-790-2918
2301 N. Elmkirk Park, McHenry, IL 60051
E-mail: athennes@ameritech.net
Address Changes: Must be sent to Mairi
Thennes in writing, either via e-mail or
legible, handwritten regular mail.
Visit our Website: www.idcta.org
A monthly newsletter published by the
Illinois Dressage & Combined Training
Association, An Illinois Not for Profit
Corporation. Opinions expressed within
are those of the authors, unless
otherwise indicated.
The IDCTA is a USDF Group
Member and USEA Affiliate
Member Organization.
This organization’s members
are automatically USDF
Group Members
January 2012

IDCTA
Page 3
War Horse: A Special IDCTA Event
Mark your calendar NOW for this very special event!
IDCTA has arranged for a private screening of the upcoming movie War Horse
on Sunday, January 8th, 2012 at AMC Theater, South Barrington, IL. A
continental breakfast will begin 10 a.m., followed by a private showing of War
Horse with fellow IDCTA members and horselovers. Ticket price is $25. There
will be gift certicates available for purchase, so take advantage of this great
opporunity for a unique holiday gift!
Get your tickets NOW by using the order form below, or contact Deanna
Hertrich at 262-537-2629 or freehorsefarm@aol.com for more information
on this exciting event!
I.D.C.T.A War Horse Ticket Order Form
Mail Order Form To: I.D.C.T.A.
C/O Deanna Hertrich, 3490 252nd Avenue, Salem, WI 53168
Ticket Delivery:
[ ] Pick up at event
[ ] Mail To:
Name: ___________________________________________________________________
Address: _________________________________________________________________
City: __________________ State: __________________ Zip: _____________________
Order Information:
Number of Tickets: ___________ x $25.00 = $ __________
+ $ 5.00 [ONLY IF USING A CREDIT CARD]
Total: $ __________
Billing Information:
[ ] Check [Make checks payable to the I.D.C.T.A]
Check Number: ___________
[ ] Credit Card [Subject to a $5.00 convenience fee]
Credit Card Number: _______________________________________________________
Expiration Date: ___________/___________
CCV Number: ___________
CC Billing Zip Code: __________________ [Only needed if using a Credit Card]
Illinois Dressage and Combined Training Association • www.idcta.org
IDCTA
WATCH FOR YOUR INVITATION IN THE MAIL!
January 2012

Page 4
This is it!
Our first edition of the electronic Scribe! Of
course, I decided that I couldn’t just let the
print version go. Its way too scary for me
to make such a leap of faith, so for at least
three months you will be receiving our oldformat print version of the Scribe in addition to your electronic version. You will be
able to get your electronic version one of
two ways. You will receive an email link in
your inbox from IDCTA announcing that
the on-line version is available. You will
simply clink onto the link and it will take
you to the latest edition. Alternately, you
can go directly to www.IDCTA.org and
click the link at the top of the page that will
take you to the current edition. To access
the current version through the website,
you will need your user name and password. (For older editions, you will not need
a user name or password.) If you, for
whatever reason, do not know your user
name and password, please contact Molly
Fine at 716-573-5390 or mollymfine
@gmail.com.
When we go electronic only, (hopefully
in April 2012) we will be making some
changes the Scribe given the flexibility of
the electronic medium – larger font sizes,
color and quicker arrival just to name a
few.
The print version will still arrive in your
regular snail-mail mailbox at least through
March 2012, just so that we have ample
time to work out any bugs in the electronic
system in case they should arise.
I welcome any comments or criticisms of
our new Scribe and will endeavor to incorporate any of the suggestions that come my
way.
All the best,
Jennifer Kotylo
Editor, The IDCTA Scribe
Recent “L” Program
Graduates
Region 2:
needed for the
*Rachel High, IL
IDCTA 2011 Annual Awards Banquet
*Caryn Vesperman, WI
January 21, 2012 
Lisle/Naperville Hilton
*Noel Williams, OH
Sara Justice, OH
Contact: Dawn Morgenstern 224-623-2089
dpmorgenstern@comcast.net
Well Done!
January 2012

Page 5
IDCTA
IDCTA
January 2012

Page 6
IDCTA Members Successful at 2011 Dressage at Devon
By Amanda Johnson
Breed division highlights from IDCTA members include Amanda Johnson’s Foley who
won the Suitable to Become a Dressage Horse
(5 & 6 Years Old) and Kristin Cooper’s Charleston, ridden by Amanda Johnson, who placed
4th in the Suitable to Become a Dressage Horse
(4 Years Old).
Performance division highlights from IDCTA
members include a second place finish in the
Intermediare I division in the CDI*/J/Y by
Patricia Becker on Leoluigi owned by Lezlie
Rehagen with a 65%. Amanda Johnson on
Braxton, owned by Kristin Cooper, won the
Fourth Level Championship with a 74.083%,
and received the American Trakhener Association Perpetual Trophy. Amanda Johnson on
her own Foley, placed second in the FEI 5 Year
Old Class on Thursday with a 7.72 and won
the All-American Hanoverian Young Dressage
Horse Award, which was a $2,000 award half
going to the owner and half to the breeder of the
horse.
Results from IDCTA members
Tuesday: Suitable to be a Dressage Horse (4
years old) 4th Place, Charleston, owned by
Kristin Cooper, ridden by Amanda Johnson
Wednesday: Suitable to be a Dressage Horse
(5 & 6 years old) 1st Place, Foley, owned and
ridden by Amanda Johnson
USEF Materiale 4 and 5 yr old Stallions &
Amanda on her home-bred, Foley
Paid Advertisement
Braxton and Amanda Johnson competing at Devon
Geldings, 7th Place, Charleston, owned by
Kristin Cooper, ridden by Amanda Johnson
Thursday: FEI 5 Year Old Test, 2nd Place 7.72,
Foley, owned and ridden by Amanda Johnson;
Fourth Level Test One, 4th Place 66.47%,
Braxton, owned by Kristin Cooper, ridden by
Amanda Johnson
Friday: FEI 5 Year Old Test, 4th Place 7.0,
Foley, owned and ridden by Amanda Johnson;
Fourth Level Test of Choice, 2nd Place 70%,
Braxton, owned by Kristin Cooper, ridden by
Amanda Johnson
Saturday: Fourth Level Test 2, 3rd Place
68.789%, Braxton, owned by Kristin Cooper,
ridden by Amanda Johnson; FEI Prix St Georges,
9th Place 62.921%, Leoluigi, owned by Lezlie
Rehagen, ridden by Patricia Becker
Sunday
Sunday: Fourth Level Test 2, 3rd Place 69.82%,
Braxton, owned by Kristin Cooper, ridden by
Amanda Johnson; Fourth Level Test 3, 1st
Place 74.083%, Braxton, owned by Kristin
Cooper, ridden by Amanda Johnson; FEI
Intermediaire I, 2nd Place 65%, Leoluigi, owned
by Lezlie Rehagen, ridden by Patricia Becker
Paid Advertisement
Dressage at Devon is a magical place to show,
and it has been one of the most prestigious
dressage shows in the country since 1975.
The show is held the last week of September
and runs into October. It starts on Tuesday with
the Breed Show running until Thursday, and
then the Performance Show runs from Thursday to Sunday. This was a World Cup Qualifier, which provides thrilling competition Saturday night. The Grand Prix Freestyle was won
by Adrianne Lyle on Wizard, who traveled all
the way from Idaho. Dressage at Devon is a fun
show to visit, with educational seminars
throughout the days, competition going until
10 pm most days, and the best shopping
around!
January 2012

IDCTA
Page 7
Wisconsin Dressage & Combined Training Association hosts
Dressage Through the Levels with Steffen Peters and Janet Foy
By Renee Kemph McKinley, IDCTA and WDCTA member; Photos by
www.SportHorseStudos.com
notable lower level horse-rider
The weekend of November 19th & 20th the teams were Lisa Froehlig on
WDCTA hosted a very well organized and Wunder Woman (who had a
extremely informative clinic featuring Steffen great clip job!) and Shannon
Peters and Janet Foy at Sunflower Farms in Langer on Dahlcinae. All of
Bristol, Wisconsin. The auditor population the horse-rider combinations
was in proportion to the amount of people that demonstrated ways that we
you would see at something as big and nation- can improve our riding step
ally advertised as the yearly USDF Trainers’ by step up through the levels
Symposium in Florida. I believe there were by always keeping the basics
in mind.
over 300 auditors.
Steffen has rules. In fact,
Our area’s rock stars of dressage were definitely out and about, and Steffen commented he has three: 1: Suppleness;
on the quality of the horses and riders in our 2: Suppleness; 3: Suppleness.
Steffen lectured during the
area. He seemed especially impressed with
the Prix St. Georges-Intermediare 1 lineup rides about being very picky
which included Amanda Johnson on Braxton, every time you ride, even in
the warmup.
Every transiSteffen Peters and Janet Foy,
tion,
every
with Amanda Johnson on Kristin Cooper’s Braxton
single aid we
need to constantly hold the
horse to the highest standard what about the future? Can the horse come
during our training sessions. I together in balance? Does the horse answer
think that most of us are guilty of the contact into the hand? How much? Steffen
letting our horses get away with talked about testing how much contact the
small answers to our questions, horse will accept by experimenting with a bit
an “almost,” a “kind of,” instead more collection even early on. It was interestof really getting the correct an- ing to see some of the lower level horses go
swer and letting the horse clearly from a frame more on the forehand to a frame
understand what we want. By better balanced over the haunches just by
holding the horse to higher stan- experimenting with the connection and condards we can become more fine- tact. It was always a given that the horse had
tuned, more harmonious and to be supple throughout the work, and that was
ultimately more successful in addressed simultaneously with the contact
and connection.
our training and competing.
So how do we get there, to that elusive
The contact issue was adAmanda Johnson riding Kristin Cooper’s Braxton
dressed in every single ride in all contact-connection-suppleness? Steffen walked
levels from training up to Grand the lower level riders through the process. He
Prix. From the time the young had them pick up the contact, squeeze a little
Patricia Becker on Leoluigi and Katie Foster on horse starts his training career Steffen recom- into the bit and listen to the horse’s answer.
Sacramento. Nichole Smith rode Ebikur in the mended keeping a high standard regarding the
continued on next page
Intermediare 2-Grand Prix lineup, and some connection. Reaching for the bit is great, but
Janet Foy and Steffen Peters with clinic participants
IDCTA
continued from page 7
He encouraged the riders not to be afraid to
experiment with the connection. You may
need to tap with your whip, close your leg and
squeeze into the rein. If the horse grabs or pulls
or yanks, tap lightly with the whip. In order for
the horse to clearly understand what we want
there must be a relaxation or a softening of the
aids, or even just an ability to move forward, to
reward the horse for his acquiescence. Always
be very clear in what you are asking the horse.
Too much leg and the horse moves forward
instead of into the contact. Be more controlled
and accurate. Don’t miss training opportunities. You don’t need to make a huge correction,
but you do need to make a clear correction. Be
in charge. Even in the lower levels always test
the carriage, the elasticity and control. Training movements only comes after the horse is
warmed up and in a proper connection with
suppleness and self-carriage. Always address
problems such as a heavy contact before practicing the movements. Steffen continually
encouraged the simplicity of first developing
the self-carriage and connection.
Steffen also discussed rider position throughout his lecture. Keeping our legs draped on the
horse’s side in a light, steady contact without
continually driving was important advice to
prevent constant “noise” to the horse so that
subtle leg aids could be heard. Keeping our
aids light yet sharp help to engage the horse’s
brain, which is more important than any physical force we humans can place on such a large
animal. A heavy pushing leg only drives the
horse onto the forehand. We need to develop
this sensitivity to the lightest possible aid to
teach and communicate with the horse so that
eventually we can develop expression, which
only comes after suppleness and sensitivity.
By always keeping our standards high during
our riding, even our warmup, using the lightest
aids possible to get the desired reaction, we
can learn to communicate effectively with our
horses. An appropriate example that Steffen
used to demonstrate this more subtle communication was how when we are talking to
someone who does not speak our language
and we are trying to communicate something
we usually just talk louder, but yet the person

Page 8
still does not understand us.
We are only louder. Turning
up the aids louder does not
improve our communication
with the horse.
Janet Foy did a great job in
enlightening the audience on
the judge’s perspective. She
explained from the lower levels up what is expected in
each level and what you can
do for a higher score. For
example, in training level a
consistent stretch through to
the bit with contact would be
more important than a true
uphill balance, which not all
horses have naturally and has
to be developed up the levels.
She also explained how scoring has changed throughout
the years. In the past it was
unheard of that someone could
actually get a 10 on a movement. The committee recognized this and realized it meant
that the movements must be
too difficult for that level and
Patricia Becker with Leoluigi. Photo by Renee McKinley.
they removed either the movement or the sequence of the
movements to make a 10 at
least possible. She also shared
some of the competitors’ feelings, such as was due in large part to the dedication of their
Second Level being the great black hole of volunteer base, which consisted of a Core
competing. Her insight on the judge’s view of Team as well as Weekend Volunteers which
the canter pirouette was also consistent with were recognized by name in the program.
Steffen’s teaching, that if the tempo and control Without the dedication of these volunteers and
in the pirouette were very good but the pirou- the time and effort that they put forth this major
ette itself was a bit large, it could still be an 8. educational opportunity would not have been
The two lectured together quite well and were available to the 300 plus people who were able
consistent in their attitude of what is important to experience America’s dressage superstar,
Steffen Peters, up close. I came away with so
in our riding and competing.
The WDCTA did a fantastic job in organizing much information that will help me far into the
this amazing learning experience. The list of future with my daily riding. A big thank-you to
sponsors was quite impressive, and they were the WDCTA and the volunteers that worked so
hard to make it happen.
a big reason that such an
opportunity was available
to us. The vendors were
also quite generous in their
sponsorship of the event.
The WDCTA’s ability to orBy Kim Keper and Steve Allen
ganize such a production
Come hear the tale of a blue ribbon ride ,
Flexed in the poll and collected in stride,
The fiery steed Crescent a virtual blur,
She sprang to the canter with nary a spur,
the crowd gave a gasp, quite clearly stunned,
Could this equine feat be in T -Level one?
Brave Crescent did supple and came on the bit,
She took every cue, each letter she hit.
Yet once scores were posted no justice was served,
The blue ribbon went to some nag undeserved.
The mob then turned ugly, they shouted and booed,
For alas poor Patricia and Crescent were screwed.
Yet plucky Pat said she was not nearly done,
“A little more brandy and I’ll score eighty-one!”
No Justice in Dustville
Paid Advertisement
WSDCTA Dressage Through the
Levels Clinic
January 2012
January 2012

IDCTA
Page 9
Not Messing Around
By Marissa Lefevre
Photos by loveabovephotography.ocm
There comes a time in every competitor’s life
when we stop to analyze our goals in this sport
we all love. This year was my time. My ultimate
goal continues to remain in the future, but once
I did the analysis and accepted the plan, I
launched my journey with the motto “We’re not
messing around anymore”. I remember walking into my partner’s stall, starring him in the
eye and reciting my motto over and over so he
would accept it too….“WE ARE NOT MESSING AROUND ANYMORE!”. My workaholic,
Swedish Warmblood, Bondir, gave me his
usual willing expression, but I knew that because he was 18, we didn’t have any time to
“mess around” so away we went with both of
us saying “YES!”
The next day our plan began to unfold by
mapping out the shows that we would be able
to attend, considering our training and of course
our finances. I realized that going down the
centerline in front of as many judges as possible was the best plan to qualify for Regionals.
Sharing a quiet moment
After all the training
that we had put in,
not-to-mention all the
medical set-backs we
had overcome, this
was our year to qualify
for championships at
Prix St. George and
attempt to rank within
the top ten in the region. We had a team
of supporters including Bondir’s amazing
massage therapist,
Christine Helminiak
with Diamond C
Equine Sports Massage who pampered
him with twice weekly
sessions to keep his
muscles loose. And
then there was the
phenomenal supplement company called
Blue Ridge Distribution who helped sustain my “insulin resistant” companion with
incredible results.
The pressure was off after we received our
qualifying scores in the first two shows. However, we needed to continue to work hard to
sustain and build on those results with the
shows that followed. As the Championships
approached I was excited by my support team,
including the entire boarding facility of Cliffwood
Farm in Richmond, my fiancé, family, and
amazing friends.
We took off for Ohio at 4 a.m. the Tuesday
before Championships and had some good
results considering the horrible wet weather
and the fact that we (actually, my fiancé) had
to move our stabling three times due to flooding, UGH! When my championship ride finally
came, Bondir was tired and ready to go home
but was able to rally for the ride. During our
warm up on that beautiful day, a very wise
Melissa and Bondir
fellow competitor told me to “Smile, and enjoy
every moment, after all, you made it here!”
Those words stopped me in my tracks and
helped me realize that this was a joyful moment in my life, no matter what the outcome.
So that is exactly what I did, I savored every
moment of my ride. All things considered, we
did very well, finishing 6th in a deep field and
we enjoyed every minute. We began to achieve
our goals, but not without my amazing support
team. Bob Clifford and Cliffwood Farm; Christine Helminiak and Diamond C Equine Sports
Massage; my great friend and shoer Jay’me
Stevens; Jodie LeFevre and Beads for Steeds
Browbands; Mandy Solner and Love above
Photography; our amazing supplements from
Blue Ridge Distribution; my awesome fiancé
Chris Center; my parents, and countless friends.
Bondir and I are “not messing around any more
- Intermediare 1 here we come!”
SAVE THE DATE – SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2012
FOUR STAR RIDER COLLEEN RUTLEDGE WILL BE THE FEATURED SPEAKER
AT THE USEA AREA IV ANNUAL MEETING AND AWARDS DINNER.
THIS WILL BE IN THE CHICAGO AREA, LOCATION AND PRICE TO BE ANNOUNCED.
A FUN EVENING FOR ALL AGES IS PLANNED WITH GREAT FOOD, GREAT PRIZES,
GREAT AWARDS, AND GREAT COMPANY
Colleen gained national recognition this past spring when she and her off the track Thoroughbred Shiraz finished
12th at Rolex, their first Four Star competition, and later the same year traveled to England and breezed around
the toughest cross country course in the world at the Burghley Horse Trials. She has her sights set on Badminton
in the spring of 2012. Get to know Colleen and hear her story!
IDCTA
January 2012

Page 10
IDCTA & TopLine Equestrian Center
Offer a jump clinic on March 31st and April 1st with
Leslie Law
Cost: $385 clinic, stabling, lunch, $325 clinic, lunch (priority given to IDCTA members)
Weather permitting: day stalls $35 at time of clinic
Checks payable to IDCTA
TopLIne Equestrian Center, 42 W 220 Plank Road, Hampshire, Illinois 60140
Send Entries to: Cynthia Zitko, 4422 Edinburg Lane, Hanover Park, IL 60133
630/830-4801 OR 708/302-3468 Email: cynthiazitko@sbcglobal.net
Opening Date: November 1, 2011
Early enrollment deposit of $100.00 accepted until opening date of March 1, 2012
Entry form and a copy of NEGATIVE COGGINS (within 1 year) must accompany full payment.
Closing Date: March 20, 2012. Withdrawal before closing date: Refunds less $35 office fee. Withdrawal after
closing date: Refunds less $35 office fee ONLY if space can be filled from a waiting list. Bounced checks require payment in
cash, money order or cashier check before closing date.
RIDER_____________________________________ IDCTA # ____________________________________________
HORSE __________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS _______________________________________________________________________________________
PHONE # ________________________________________________________________________________________
EMAIL ___________________________________________________________________________________________
Beginner Novic/Young Horse____Novice____Training____Prelim/Intermediate____
STABLING: YES________NO________
ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST SIGN THE FOLLOWING RELEASE:
WARNING: Under the Equine Activity Liability Act, each participant who engages in an Equine Activity expressly
assumes the risks of engaging in and legal responsibility for injury, loss or damage to person or property resulting from the
risk on Equine activity. I understand that this is a high risk sport and I am participating at my own risk. I hereby release
and hold harmless: IDCTA, TopLine Equestrian Center, its owners and employees, attendants, spectators, Leslie Law and
all others involved from all liability for accidents, damage, injury or illness sustained or caused as a result of my participation
in this IDCTA jumping clinic. Riders will be notified of ride times by e-mail. (Parent/Guardian if under 18)
Signature_____________________________________ Date: _______________________
January 2012

IDCTA
Page 11
Help Colleen Rutledge get
to Badminton!
By Katie Lindsay
Colleen Rutledge is a Four Star event rider
from Mt. Airy, Maryland. In 2011, she rode
in her first Four Star competition at Rolex on
her 15 year old off the track Thoroughbred
Shiraz and finished 12th in a star studded
field that included most of the best from the
U.S., Canada and Great Britain. Five months
later, Colleen and Shiraz, stable name Luke,
ventured across The Pond to tackle the
Burghley Horse Trials, acknowledged by
elite eventers to have the toughest cross
country course in the world. Luke breezed
through the jumping phases making it all
look like child’s play. A less than stellar
dressage phase, something Colleen acknowledges is a work in progress, kept them out of
the top placings, but in their quiet way, this
pair caught the public’s fancy.
At this point in the story, it must be pointed
out that Colleen was not approved for a USET
summer travel grant for the Burghley trip, but
paid for it with funds raised by the hard work
and creativity of her family and friends. It is
also important to note that Colleen and her
husband have three children, two of whom
have special needs, and they are not endowed with stunning wealth.
This past autumn, the USET selectors
published their list of 47 rider/horse combinations who were eligible for training and
future consideration for spots on international competition teams. There is an A List,
a B List, and a Developing Rider List with
several riders listed with multiple horses.
The fact that Colleen and Shiraz were left off
any list stunned the eventing world, especially considering that three of the included
horse/rider combinations had never competed together.
Why should we care? If you are like me,
things that I perceive as unfair or unjust
infuriate me to the point of sleeplessness.
Colleen has announced that she and Luke
will enter the Badminton Horse Trials in
England next spring, and this trip like the
Burghley endeavor, will be self funded. Meanwhile, she will continue her training with
long time coach and eventing icon Jim
Wofford along with intense dressage work
with Linda Zang, an equally iconic figure in
the world of dressage.
Instead of responding positively to the
USET’s annual request for donations to help
fund our international teams, I sent a donation to help Colleen get to Badminton. It was
easy, and I hope that anyone else touched by
her story will see fit to donate. Every little bit
helps!
Colleen is eleigible to receive money from
the American Horse Trials Foundation, and
in turn. Donations are tax deductible. Go to
www.athf3day.org, click on “Donate” and
follow the instructions.
2012 Wayne Eventing Derby
“Neither snow, nor rain, nor gloom of night, stays these couriers from the swift completion of their
appointed rounds.” (attributed to Herodotus)
The above quotation has long been associated with the United States Postal Service. These
words are equally appropriate to describe the 2011 Wayne Eventing Derby that featured riders,
horses, volunteers, judges, trainers, coaches, grooms, ring crew and spectators cheerfully
completing their “appointed rounds” in the cold, the rain, the wind, and yes, even the snow. The
photographs on this page of course designer, Jon Wells and his assistant, Steve Cwian, speak
louder than words – and no, that is not a rifle in Jon’s hands!
By popular demand, the Derby, presented by MJHT, LLC and I.D.C.T.A., will return to
Lamplight on the weekend of April 13-15, 2012. It will be run in the same format, (hopefully
in more attractive weather), at the same price, and with the same emphasis on informal fun. This
is an ideal time to blow some winter rust out and open the pipes before the start of the more
serious Area IV recognized event season.
It’s Not About The Jacket—It’s About The Boots
Twelve years after his first team experience, our columnist thanks the individuals
who made that medal bid and every one since then possible.
By Buck Davidson
Reprinted with permission by The Chronicle of the Horse
Here we are again, getting ready for a team trip
to Mexico; the Pan American Games are right
around the corner.
I rode on my first team at the 1999 Pan Ams
in Winnipeg with Pajama Game, and wow,
how the times have changed since then! Twelve
years ago, I was “the young guy”—only 22—
and I had absolutely no clue that I was going
to represent my country until the day before we
left for Canada.
There were no conference calls and no
emails. And there were certainly no riding
clothes that were my own. (Thanks, Dad.) In
fact, I was still riding in rubber boots. My “call
up” came from Capt. Mark Phillips, and it was
something along the lines of, “So, you don’t
plan on representing your country in rubber
boots, do you?” Given that early admonishment, I hardly thought twice about getting my
new pinque coat on short notice. I needed new
footwear, pronto! But I was going to ride for my
country (even though I rode as an individual
that time).
It’s a strange feeling knowing that now I’m
“the old guy.” I’ve ridden around plenty of fourstars since then, gone head-to-head with the
world’s toughest competition at the Alltech FEI
World Equestrian Games and worn out several
coats. I even have a collection of leather boots
at this point.
But one thing I still need is a medal. My
fellow athletes— Hannah Sue Burnett, Jon
Holling, Shannon Lilley and Michael Pollard—
and I are coming together as your 2011 Land
Rover U.S. Eventing Team, and hopefully that
medal will come in Guadalajara. I know it
would be no less exciting for me, “the old guy,”
than for my four teammates, who will all be
sporting their pinques for the very first time.
No “I” In Team
This whole process of going from “young guy”
to “old guy” has made me appreciate everything a lot more this time around. The initial
shock and laughs that came with acknowledging how much has changed since my formative
years soon gave way to surprise at how much
hasn’t.
While the clothes we wear may be different
today, horses and riders still get to the top level
the exact same way—with hard work, luck and
supportive teams building firm foundations
behind the scenes. The thing I think makes our
sport stand out the most are the volunteers
who give countless hours from the ground up
to make eventing better.
continued on next page
IDCTA
January 2012

Page 12
2011 IDCTA Mini Event Championships
By Deanna Hertrich
Silverwood Farm once again was the site of the
IDCTA mini event Championships, October 2nd
2011. The weather was perfect on the day of
the show as well as those arriving the day
before, both horses and riders enjoying the
fabulous venue Silverwood Farm has to offer.
Beautiful arenas, solid stabling, wash racks,
ample trailer parking, galloping space on cross
country, solid built cross country fences and
stadium along with a hospitable IDCTA office
staff and die hard volunteers make this show
one to attend!
Show time started at 8am to cool and crisp
temperatures with two dressage rings running
on time all morning thanks to Angelika and her
amazing announcing abilities keeping the riders on track. Competitors are treated to the full
works for the IDCTA Championships/mini event
Silverwood Farm is a lovely venue
for competitors & spectator alike!
I’ts Not About the Jacket
continued from page 11
Without the volunteers who set up the dressage rings, decorate the cross-country or rake
the show jumping rings, we don’t have a sport.
For instance, in my entire career, I’ve never
once gone into the ring without a volunteer first
telling me it’s time to go. It’s the small, simple
things like these that we can so easily take for
granted in our sport. So to everyone who’s ever
volunteered—to all those people who’ve
wrangled busy riders at in-gates from Florida to
Quebec to Montana to California—we can’t
thank you enough.
Without these unbelievable people, events
literally couldn’t happen, and therefore the
U.S. Team would never happen either. The
wind, rain, and unbelievable heat doesn’t stop
these guys, and they all have a smile on their
faces.
There are also volunteers who work at a
different level to make the sport better—they’re
the ones putting on clinics in their areas to step
up the level of riding. Without these people, we
simply wouldn’t have the ability to draw team
with scores and comments by USEF/
USEA recognized judges, USDF award
winning competition footing and manicured arenas.
Cross country began at 10:30am; few
minor delays arose, mainly from some
horse and rider parting of the ways.
Overall the courses rode well; each level
had wonderful track to gallop on great
footing, fair for the level with a few good
questions. The water jump was filled
and most seemed quite thrilled to get the
chance to splash on through. A shout out
for all the jump judge volunteers!
Also on board again this year to judge
dressage and stadium along with aiding
in monitoring the flow on the cross course was
Vicki Rauwolf, licensed Technical Delegate. In
addition to her regular scheduled tasks you
could find of Vicki excelling in her specialty;
answering questions of any type plus being an
overall morale booster!
With a Stadium start by 1pm the divisions
wrapped up by 2:30; quite an accomplishment for a schooling show. The Stadium ring is
a large fully enclosed excellently footed arena
boasting solid jumps, well painted poles, lattice, brick and green boxes, gates, planks and
flowers boxes. Courses ran smooth with a
bogey plank that added a few penalty points for
some. Those in the victory gallop were even
accompanied by music as they celebrated their
days end.
After a conflict in dates with our scheduled
photographer and a lack to locate a new one to
step in; horse show dad Mark Gates filled the
role graciously taking pictures of ALL competitors, downloading and viewing at home then
creating a site for them to be viewed and
ordered. What a wonderful example of
volunteerism and dedication, thanks Mark.
Also special thanks to Silverwood Owner
Lisa Froehlig for allowing IDCTA to take over
her facility and for her stadium course design.
Also Deanna Hertrich Cross Country course
design and set up, Cynthia Zitko Cross Country
controller, Becky Bowen secretary, Mairi
Thennes scorer and awards along with the
many individuals who volunteered their time to
jump judge and help in other various positions.
THANK YOU ALL!
As the year draws to a close and we find
ourselves riding into the four walls of the indoor
with the wind howling and snow swirling
dreaming of next seasons show schedule;
make sure you plan a go at the IDCTA show!
members from all across the country.
This team headed to Mexico is proof that the
topnotch clinics all over America are working.
When I was named to the team in 1999, Amy
Tryon was the only one on the squad from
outside the U.S. Eventing Association’s Area II,
which comprises just 51"2 Mid-Atlantic states.
This time around, “the old guy” is the lone
Mid-Atlantic native. We have riders from California, Wisconsin, Kentucky and South Carolina, and it’s very exciting to see our sport
branching out and growing. But this only happens because of dedicated people who work
for nothing but the love of the game.
I know that every rider heading to the Pan
Ams is a beneficiary of some volunteer (or
many) who set up a clinic in his or her area with
a “big name trainer.” Whether it was 10 years
ago or last year, those volunteers were instrumental in giving our new team riders a leg up
and fostering a love of the sport and some
much-needed education in areas that didn’t
have much access to eventing.
So as we go forward into these games and
the Olympics in London next year, I want
everyone who’s given to this sport or equestrian sports in general to realize that you are
part of the “team,” and that you should be
proud of that. It’s volunteers like you who
remind us to appreciate the sport we have and
ride not for ourselves, but for our eventing
community and country.
As riders, we always tend to focus on getting
to wear that pinque team coat. But at the end
of the day we should be reminding ourselves
that it’s not about the jacket— it’s about the
boots. Without all those boots on the ground,
we’d have no jackets on our backs.
Thanks, everyone. I hope we make you
proud.
Buck Davidson is an event rider based in
Riegelsville, Pa., and Ocala, Fla. The son of
eventing legend Bruce Davidson Sr., Buck has
carried on the family name with major achievements beginning during his young rider career.
He was the Chronicle’s 2009 Eventing Horseman of the Year and a member of the Land
Rover U.S. Eventing Team at the 2010 Alltech
FEI World Equestrian Games. He began contributing to Between Rounds in 2010.
This inviting jump is one of many fair
questions on the course
January 2012

Page 13
IDCTA
IDCTA
January 2012

Page 14
To list your event in the IDCTA Calendar of Events, e-mail to Jennifer Kotylo at jkotylo@yahoo.com
MARCH
March 2-4
Illinois Horse Fair, Illinois State Fairgrounds,
Springfield. Contact Joy at 639-557-2575
March 31 - April 1
IDCTA and TopLine Equestrian Center present a
Jump Clinic with Leslie Law. Hampshire, IL.
Contact Cindy Zitko at 630-830-4801 or
cynthiazitko@sbcglobal.net
APRIL
April 13-15
Wayne Eventing Derby, Lamplight Equestrian
Center, Wayne IL. Contact Katie at
flutie60184@sbcglobal.net.
April 21-22
Classical Dressage Clinic with “S” judge Tom
Poulin at Paddock Hills Equestrian Center, Union,
IL. Contact Lisa Habbley at 815-354-0765 or
lisahabbley@foxvalley.net.
Note: IDCTA Events and Notices are Bold
*Starred events qualify for
IDCTA volunteer hours
Classified Ads
HORSES FOR SALE
4 yr 15H TB, gelding started nicely
under saddle, handled daily. Sire’s
stud fee was $4000. priced right to
the new approved owner, $2500.
Great potential for a Young Rider.
262-515-2737
TACK FOR SALE
FOR SALE: 17 ¾ (45cm) medium
tree black Niedersuss Symphonie
dressage saddle. Retails new $2300,
asking $1000. Call 630-557-0241 or
email LydiaGrayDVM@gmail.com for
more information.
REAL ESTATE
For Sale: Own the farm of your
dreams: www.goldenoakleaf.com.
Located just off of I-90/94, Tomah,
WI. 80 acres, beautiful home, indoor
72X144. Creative offers encouraged.
608-387-0293.
Three acres in unincorp Lake County,
Illinois near Van patton Woods bridle
paths around Sterling Lake. 3 equines
SEPTEMBER
September 9
Combined Test and Mini Event at Paddock Hills
Equestrian Center, Union, IL. Contact Lisa
Habbley at 815-354-0765 or
lisahabbley@foxvalley.net. Entry forms are
available at www.idcta.org.
allowed. 5B brick ranch, 3 remodeled
baths, 2 car attached garage, large
kitchen with woodburning fireplace in
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sunken LR, full bsmt with radiant floor
heating + outside entrance for that
homebased business, 3 season room
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$440,000 847-951-0670
BOARDING/TRAINING
Boarding/training few stalls avail
$575/mnth inc daily turnout Open 7
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Homegrown hay. New arena footing.
Check out trainers’ bios and pics,
www.kellyson41.com, 847-6625144
Classified ads must be paid in full and received
by the 10th of the preceding month (e.g., May
10 for June issue). First 25 words are $5 for a
member (please supply member number) and
$10 for non-members. Additional words are
$.50 each. Mail to: Mary Jo Downen, 33062
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call 815-522-2285. Email:
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Paid Advertisement
FEBRUARY
February 18-19
Cross-country Jump Building Clinic with Dan
Starck. Paddock Hills Equestrian Center, Union,
IL. Contact Lisa Habbley at 815-923-4755 or
lisahabbley@foxvalley.net
MAY
May 19-20
FRVPC Mini-Event. Barrington Hills, Riding
Center. Contact Lauren Foos at 847-381-2695 or
laurenf@placon.com
Paid Advertisement
JANUARY
January 8
War Horse: A special event for IDCTA
members. Continental breakfast 10am followed
by a private showing of War Horse. AMC
Theater, South Barrington,IL. $25. For futher
information, contact Deanna Hertrich at
freehorsefarm@aol.com.
January 21
The IDCTA Awards Banquet, Lisle Hilton, Lisle,
IL. Contact Cindy Zitko at 630-830-4801 or
cynthiazitko@sbcglobal.net
January 21-22
FEI “I” Judge Jayne Ayers Riding Clinic, Paddock
Hills Equestrian Center. Contact Lisa at
lisahabbley@foxvalley.net or 815-923-4755