Half-Halt - Southeast Virginia Dressage Association

Half-Halt
The Newsletter of the Southeast Virginia Dressage Association
DECEMBER 2011 | VOLUME 27| ISSUE XII
CONGRATULATIONS TO TINA BODNAR AND CHAGALL ON THEIR USDF BRONZE
MEDAL!
It is with great humility that the day after my birthday Chagall and I scored a 60.769 in Third Level test 3 at
NCDCTA Harvest Moon Dressage. This score completes my personal goal of getting the USDF Bronze
Medal. This goal has been incredibly difficult. I started in October of 2005 and got my 1st and 2nd level
scores fairly quickly. But third level is another story.
After spending a year working for Jamie Nicolato, getting weekly
lessons, and having the opportunity to ride some of her horses I
improved my riding skills enough to ride with more tact, feel and
looseness. Still, showing 3rd level was hard. Although, in 2010,
I got two scores in the 60's under the same judge (to
have a valid score you need two different judges). That's when
the hard part began. God knew I probably would have gotten a
big head about our accomplishment if we had achieved it that
quickly. The next few tests were always in the 50's. I was starting to not believe in myself. I couldn't work at Jamie's anymore
so we did clinics when we could. We worked with Janice Mumford, Kris Montgomery, Sue Remondini, Tristan Butler and most
recently, Kathy Rowse, who helped me improve some individual
test movements, and voluntarily
gave me some advice on Sunday. And, Debbie Rodriguez, who
has been someone I can turn to anytime and who, also voluntarily, helped me on Sunday with some test
movements. And, I can't forget my new friend, Jennifer Freeland, who started helping me to improve the quality of his gaits and keeping throughness.
To all these individuals I owe a debt of gratitude. I never realized
how hard this was going to be when l set this goal. We could not
have done this without you. If I have forgotten anyone, I apologize,
my mind is in a whirl.
And, thanks to all the people who were praying for us. As many of
you know, I love the Lord and rely on Him for everything. He is my
source of peace, strength, courage, confidence, security, patience
and so much more. He was with us as we entered that ring. I know
your prayers helped us to achieve this goal.
And finally, a special thanks to my dear husband Rich. He stayed at
home and took care of the other horses so we could go to the show.
When I think of how wonderful he is as a support to my "horse" addiction, I am so grateful. I could not do this without his daily support.
I am so blessed. So, with the support, prayers and technical help of
so many I can put this goal to rest. Whew! Next goal, Second level musical freestyle, just for fun....
Peace in Christ,
Tina Bodnar and my little hero,DECEMBER
Chagall
2011 | VOLUME 27| ISSUE XII
2011 Board of Directors
MEET YOUR 2012 SVDA BOARD OF DIRECTORS!
President
Kathy Rowse
krowse@verizon.net
President - Kathy Rowse
Vice Pres - Robyn Nunnally
Secretary - Daniele Rowland
Treasurer - Shari Cutchin
Awards Chair - Carol Gonyo
Clinics & Programs - Janice Mumford
Juniors Chair - Tristin Hardy Butler
Licensed Shows Chair - Donna Rowland
Membership Chair - Reeta Edmundson
Scholarship Chair - Sandy Johnson
Schooling Shows Chair - Kristen Tessenear
Ways & Means Chair - Diane Rombs
Webmaster & Newsletter Chair - Wendy Murray
Members at Large : Mary Winchell, Robin Jones, Grace Williams
VADA Representatives: Robyn Nunally, Beth Rippel, Sandy Johnson
Vice President
Robyn Nunnally
robynnunally@aol.com
Secretary
Danielle Rowland
iam3264@aol.com
Treasurer
Shari Cutchin
fourk9@aol.com
Clinics and Programs
Janice Mumford
liljesco@aol.com
This is the dedicated and hard working group of people who make SVDA the great organization it is!
Awards Chair
Carol Gonyo
tullagonyo@cox.net
We would like to also encourage members to participate and ALL member are always
welcome to attend our Board Meetings. Please contact Kathy at krowse@verizon.net
for the meeting schedule and join us!
Juniors Chair
Tristin Butler
tristin@elfenridge.com
Licensed Show Chair
Donna Rowland
donna.g.rowland@usa.dupont.com
Membership Chair
Reeta Edmundson
reetaedmundson@cox.net
Scholarship Chair
Sandy Johnson
pemcorgiluv@aol.com
Schooling Show Chair
Kristen Tessenear
diamkr2001@yahoo.com
Ways and Means Chair
Diane Rombs
promisedlandarabians@yahoo.com
Newsletter and Webmaster Chairs
Wendy Murray
vablonde25@aol.com
Members at Large
Mary Winchell and Robin Jones
VADA Representatives
Beth Rippel
Robyn Nunnally
Sandy Johnson
JR/YR TEAM NEWS
Chick-Fil-A calendars
for sale - only $10!
Great Holiday gifts,
packed with free
coupons! Contact Tristin to purchase or get
yours to sell! Half of
the proceeds to go the
Jr. team for fundraising. 757-615-4975
tristin@elfenridge.com
Don't forget to set aside items for the Annual Silent
Auction Fundraiser held at the SVDA Awards banquet in Feb. Horsie items or regular items, all proceeds go to the Jr. Team.
DECEMBER 2011 | VOLUME 27| ISSUE XII
Southeastern Virginia Dressage Association
Annual Awards Banquet
February 4, 2012
Grand Affairs @ Virginia Beach: 2036 Pleasure House Road, Virginia Beach, VA, 23455; telephone 757-460-9786.
Closing Date: January 20, 2012. Please mail reservations early.
Organizer:
Carol Gonyo, 920 Forest Lakes Drive, Chesapeake VA 23322,
email: tullagonyo@cox.net, home phone: 757-436-2374.
Reception starts at 6:00 PM with dinner starting at 6:30 PM. There will be assorted salads, several main courses,
seasonal vegetable, dessert, tea & coffee. A cash bar is available.
$25.00 per person
(Subsidized by SVDA)
During the reception please plan browse the SILENT AUCTION – benefit the Junior Young Rider Fund.
SVDA Awards include:
- Schooling show & Licensed show awards
- High Score for Schooling and Recognized shows
- Bronze, Silver, and Gold Metal Awards
- Achievement Awards
- Excellence in Sportsmanship (you voted for)
- Most Improved Rider Award (you voted for)
- Captain Andy Award for the Junior Rider High Score (Recognized or Schooling shows)
- Bob Snyder Award (voted by SVDA Board Members)
- Oak Haven Farm Perpetual Award
- New: Steel Magnolia Award
********************************************************************************************
2012 SVDA Banquet Reservation - PLEASE PRINT NAMES CLEARLY-
Attending Member Name:_________________________________ Phone:____________
Email:___________________________________________________________________
Address:_________________________________________________________________
Guest:___________________________________________________________________
Guest:___________________________________________________________________
Guest:___________________________________________________________________
Guest:___________________________________________________________________
Total Number Attending_______x $25 = $___________Total
Guest names must be on reservation form.
Please make checks out to SVDA and mail BEFORE January 20, 2012 to:
Carol Gonyo, 920 Forest Lakes Drive, Chesapeake VA 23322-7559
DECEMBER 2011 | VOLUME 27| ISSUE XII
DECEMBER 2011 | VOLUME 27| ISSUE XII
Welcome to Ask the Trainer/Judge Column!
SVDA’S “ASK THE TRAINER/JUDGE ”
BY: MARTY-ANNA SCHRIEBL
Submit your Questions to…
patriotfarm@wildblue.net
Dear Ask the Trainer,
The holidays are coming up (lots of food) and winter is coming so I know my riding may be limited by the bad weather (no
indoor ring). Can you give me some tips on how to stay fit and flexible, especially in my core?
Signed, Always Dieting in Denbigh
Dear Always Dieting in Denbigh,
Its hard staying motivated in the winter months, but this is the time to set the ground work for the upcoming show season. Athletes of
every kind will take an off season, but will not completely stop training. They will cross train, or set personal strength and conditioning
goals in order to prepare for the upcoming year. Your first step is setting a personal goal. Here are some ideas...
Be stronger--start resistance training. Resistance training builds muscle that supports our joints. Strong muscles reduce the stress
across our joints that will decrease pain, allow us to move through a greater range of motion, and decrease injury. For riding, strengthening the back, and scapular muscles will help to resist the forward tendency when our horses pull or become strong in the bridle.
Stronger hips and hamstrings will help keep our leg position down and back. Stronger abdominals will help absorb the bounce in our
sitting trot. Muscles are like shock absorbers, strengthen them appropriately, and you will be able to glide across the diagonal in medium trot.
Tips: 1) Gravity is the first weight with resistance training. It is amazing how heavy your arms and legs are when you lift them
against gravity.
2) Build muscular endurance first. Gradually work your way up in reps with a low weight, or no weight up to 20 reps (and
not sore the next day or two) prior to adding weight.
3) Make sure your core is strong enough to support the added weight you may try to lift. This is true with anything in life:
kids, manure buckets and water buckets count too. If you lose your core stability during an exercise and cannot correct it, then
you will need to modify down the exercise. For example, in the group fitness class I teach: Fit to Ride, I will add a stability ball
to challenge a basic exercise prior to adding weight. This helps activate and challenge core stability during the exercise.
Be less out of breath--start cardio training. Cardiovascular exercise strengthens the heart so it can work more efficiently. This gives us
more energy, allowing us to do more prior to fatigue. Being cardiovascular fit will get us ready to ride in those relentless lessons without having to stop due to being out of breath. There are various ways to exercise your heart, but the main thing is to do something that
can keep your interest for 30-45 minutes. Bike riding, walking/jogging, swimming, or continuous upbeat dancing are all examples.
Tips: 1) Start with 20-30 minute intervals at a low resistance. Build time and increase
pace prior to adding resistance
(such as on a bike or elliptical)
2) Monitor your heart rate. Your target heart rate for cardiovascular exercise is 70- 80% of your heart rate max.
(HRmax=120-age) If this intensity is too high for you to start, begin at 60% and build up from there.
Be more flexible--start a stretching program. A tight muscle is not a strong muscle. When muscles become too tight, they become
painful and are unable to contract as needed to work. Many times we are tight in one direction and weak in the opposite because we
are not able to work into that range of motion. As result, it is important to stretch the tight muscles and exercise the opposite muscle
group into end range in order to help maintain your new lengthened range of motion.
Tips: 1) A long sustained stretch of 20-30 seconds up to 3 repetitions is an effective way to stretch.
2) Do not bounce into the stretch, it will reflexively contract the muscle you are
trying to stretch--counteracting the
purpose of lengthening the muscle fibers.
3) Areas to target include:
DECEMBER 2011 | VOLUME 27| ISSUE XII
Calves:
Hip flexors: Rock forward until you feel stretch in front of thigh. You can also do this on a stair to avoid kneeling on floor.
Hamstrings
Adductors
or
Tensor Fascia Latta/ Iliotibial Bands
Trunk extension
Cross train: Choosing an activity that will challenge your core stability and cardiovascular endurance will be a good choice. Ballroom
dancing, Yoga, Pilates, Group Fitness classes are all activities that have can positively challenge you and indirectly improve your
riding. They also are activities you do as a group or with a partner. Getting your friends involved will give you the motivation to keep it
up, and have fun. If you cannot have fun in your activity, it will not likely keep your interest and motivation to continue.
Best of luck, hope this helps you stay fit and flexible in Denbigh over the holiday season!
Danielle Rowland, DPT
Doctor of Physical Therapy, USDF Gold Medalist and program founder of FIT to Ride
DECEMBER 2011 | VOLUME 27| ISSUE XII
By Natalie DeFee Mendik
Photos: Patricia Worth, WO Equine Marketing
Exercises demonstrated by Debbie Rodriguez
Reprinted for SVDA with permission of Debbie Rodriguez
Ready,Set,Get Fit!
http://www.successinthesaddle.com/Ready_Set_Get_Fit.pdf
Being physically fit makes an impact on your abilities in the saddle. Learn how to get started with the following helpful tips and
exercises. It only takes one look at rider, instructor, trainer, TD
and judge, Debbie Rodriguez, to see that she is a person who
takes physical fitness seriously. This Williamsburg, Virginia,
based FEllevel dressage rider is obviously not one to just take it
easy. In addit+on to being a USEF"5" Dressage Judge, USEF "r"
Dressage Technical Delegate, and USEF"r" Eventing Judge, she
is also an International Sports Sciences Association Certified Personal Fitness Coach. Her journey through the ranks of three day
eventing, and later dressage, has been interwoven with an increasing awareness of the critical role personal fitness takes in
the success and enjoyment of riding. A former event rider, Rodriguez knew that being fit was critical to a clean and safe crosscountry ride, but it still wasn't high on her agenda. "1went kicking
and screaming into a fitness regime," remarks Rodriguez. Upon
the advice of her eventing instructors, Rodriguez maintained her
fitness by running and jumping rope; nevertheless, she struggled
with not enjoying the exercise while simultaneously questioning
its necessity. "1was a young professional, riding eight to 12
horses a day. I could not conceive that I needed to do something
else for my fitness, yet at the same time, I would constantly be
corrected in my lessons for sitting crooked in the saddle and having rounded shoulders," she says. "1didn't realize that my mental
focus and desire could not correct that. I always thought that if I
would just try harder, I could
fix it." Rodriguez's outlook on fitness changed while teaching a
longtime student, a Preliminary level event rider who had the
same issue of riding with rounded shoulders. "One day she came
for her lesson and her shoulders were back," tells Rodriguez. The
key to the amazing change: the student had begun working with a
core fitness trainer. This was a pivotal moment for Rodriguez as
well. "1signed up the next day and never looked back. That was a
turning point in my life. I realized my shoulders weren't back
because I didn't have the muscle structure to put them back, and
riding alone was not going to give me that structure." "You wouldn't take a horse from the pasture and expect it to gallop around a
cross-country course or do an 1-1dressage test; yet, many of us
don't have the same expectations of conditioning ourselves as
riders, as athletes - and riders are athletes, whether we want to
be our not, by the nature of what we do," comments Rodriguez.
"If you are cardiovascularly fatigued and your muscles
are not strong enough, you are less able to regain your balance
or correct your mistakes than you would be if you were physically
ready for that challenge." Rodriguez's fitness regime now consists
of four key elements: core strength, cardiovascular fitness, mobility and balance. These elements work hand-in-hand to develop a
rider who is ready for the physical challenges in any discipline.
DECEMBER 2011 | VOLUME 27| ISSUE XII
CoreStrength
Core strength is a concept riders are familiar with these days,
and with good reason; it forms the essential pillar of the rider's
position. "If you want your horse to be in self-carriage, you need
to be in self-carriage," notes Rodriguez. Having that core
strength is what allows the rider to sit correctly and independently. Core strength also counteracts many of the aches and
pains riders experience. "If you had an arthritic horse, you would
know that you had to keep that horse's muscular strength up to
support the joints," explains Rodriguez. "The same thing applies
with the rider - if you have a little back pain, simply taking antiinflammatories is not enough. The more you build up your stomach muscles and the muscles that support your spine, hips and
shoulder girdle, the better chance you have of relieving some of
the pain and therefore enjoying your riding and being a more
effective rider. One of the biggest benefits I've noticed from core
fitness work is that I have a lot less hip pain, because the muscles
around my hips are a lot stronger and more flexible."
Balance
Proprioception is a term that may be new to many, but the concept behind it is not. In proprioceptive exercises, the development of body awareness is created using muscle memory. Proprioception is essentially the feel of where your body is, where
limbsare, where your center of gravity and balance are, and so
on. This is learned by doing exercises that challenge your balance, so that you learn to engage your core and stabilize yourself. "If you're on the horse and you lose your balance, you inadvertently grab the reins," remarks Rodriguez. "With these exercises, you do exercises that challenge your balance. You train
your body to press down through your heels, engage your core,
and regain your balance through the muscles that center you."
By teaching that habit over and over, your muscles begin to react
on their own without any outside balancing forces. In new skills,
proprioception is learned through repetition, thereby giving us
muscle memory.
If you are schooling your dressage test and are getting into Second Level, your canter tour is now twice
as long as it used to be. I can't tell you how many times I'm teaching someone in a clinic who wants
to do Second Level, yet after counter canter and a lengthening, they want a break. You should be able to
school twice as long as what's in a test, not half as long. Cardio is a factor," says Rodriguez. "In eventing
and show jumping, if you want to be helpful to your horse on course, you need to be sitting up in the saddle, being just as ready for the last fence as the first fence. It's not fair that, as the course goes on, you
lean on your horse more and more, especially as the horse is also probably getting fatigued. The horse
has to then not only carry himself over the fence, but the rider, too."
Mobility
Loosening exercises in the warmup phase of exercise gently increase the range of motion without putting
stress on the body; at this point, there's not enough blood flow to the muscles for the muscles to have' a
good stretch. Stretching takes place at the end of every workout. Activities such as yoga improve the
body's flexibility through stretching.
Some riders may feel that if they aren't
competing, being fit isn't so crucial; yet,
When you are working out, your heart rate should get
physical fitness is a necessity for every
rider, regardless of discipline and skill level. up into the target zone and stay there for a while. The
heart rate monitor is a neat gadget well known within
For example, a pleasure rider needs core
strength to ride balanced and straight in the fitness circles. Worn like a watch, this device allows you
to monitor your pulse throughout your workout and is a
saddle while facing challenges such as
good motivator against slacking. "If you keep your heart
steep hills. If the horse spooks, the rider
needs to be able to sink the weight through rate up from start to finish for a certain amount of time,
you get much more benefit from your exercise instead of
the hamstrings into the heels so that the
reins don't become a point of balance. Trail constantly taking breaks," remarks Rodriguez. According
to the American Heart Association, your workout's target
riders can become uncomfortable in the
heart rate should be within the 50-85% range. To figure
saddle on a long ride if they're not fit
your 100% heart rate, subtract your age from 220. Then,
enough, resulting in sitting sideways
or shuffling around in the saddle in an effort scale that figure down to your target zone to see what
to redistribute their weight. "Ride is a verb - heart rate you should be aiming for during your workout.
Heart Rate
you are an athlete!" challenges Rodriguez.
Creating and sticking with a regular workout plan increases your energy level and well-being, in addition to helping you get more
pleasure and success out of your riding.
Look for Debbie Rodriguez's new DVD workout series custom
designed for the rider, Success in the Saddle. These six 20minute workout routines can be done in front of any TV or computer
without any equipment. "Anyone can commit 20 minutes
a day, six times a week, or 40 minutes a day, three times a week,
to improve their health, as well as their ability to be a good rider
and partner for their horse," says Rodriguez. These DVDs are
available online at www.successlnTheSaddle.com.
Natalie DeFee Mendik is a freelance writer and
amateur dressage rider based in Pennsylvania.
Cardio
Cardiovascular exercise is aerobic activity that exercises the lungs, heart and muscles. It can take many
forms, such as running or swimming. In addition,
most core exercises also have a cardiovascular
benefit when they are performed as a group of
exercises in a dynamic workout. "A lot of people
say that they don't want to ride their horse to the
point where they need cardio; however, there are
very few situations where it won't come into play.
DECEMBER 2011 | VOLUME 27| ISSUE XII
VADA
Annual Awards Banquet
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Boar’s Head Inn
Charlottesville, VA 800-476-1988
Reception starts at 11 am with buffet lunch beginning at noon
$25 per person
Banquet reservations must be received by January 25th, 2012
For more information and a complete list of awards, check out the website.
Name(s) of attendees ____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
Contact address ________________________________________________
Contact Phone/Email ___________________________________________
(important in case of inclement weather)
Total number of people _______ X $25 = Amount enclosed __________
Interested in volunteering at the banquet? YES/NO
Send your check and reservation form to:
Make checks payable to VADA
Alison Douglas 11909 Halcyon Way Prince George, VA 23875
(804) 339-7495 cell (804) 706-4702 ext 251 work or adouglas@midatlanticcstores.com
Remember there are no chapter baskets this year. We would like chapters to bring small
giveaway items to use as door prizes. We will still have the regular silent auction. The
form is on the website. Please fill out to bring with your item(s) or email me the
information before hand.
Entrees on the buffet: Roasted Breast of Chicken Dijonnaise with Fried Onions
Baked Salmon with Saffron-Pernod Sauce
Vegetable Napoleon (vegetarian entrée)
DECEMBER 2011 | VOLUME 27| ISSUE XII
Janice Mumford
USDF Bronze & Silver Medalist
USDF “L” Graduate
Clinics & Lessons at your Farm
Judging Dressage & Open Schooling
Shows
Call
757.635.8023
CLINICS | LESSONS | JUDGING
DECEMBER 2011 | VOLUME 27| ISSUE XII
About Half‐Halt
Half‐Halt is published monthly
by the SVDA and provided as a
service to its members. News
items, show results, calendar
of events, photos, classifieds
and services directory are
incorporated into the
newsletter.
ELFENRIDGE DRESSAGE SCHOOLING SHOW
Wendy Murray and Judge entertain spectators and receive a 66.200% at their Second level AC/
DC Musical Freestyle.
DEADLINE FOR NEWSLETTER
IS THE 25th OF EACH MONTH
Wendy L. Murray
Newsletter Editor/Webmaster
vablonde25@aol.com
SVDA encourages its members
to submit articles, member
updates, information and
pictures for publication,
however, SVDA reserves the
right to edit, reject or use
materials as and when
deemed appropriate.
SVDA Members:
Submit your Show
Scores, News, Stories or ideas
for publication
in Half-Halt by
emailing Wendy at
vablonde25@aol.com
Sacha Ingram and Master Liam get the high score
musical freestyle at the Elfenridge sanctioned show
with a 76%.
Family and friends support Anna Curran and Chippy Zip as they earn the high score open at the
Elfenridge sanctioned show with a 72%.
DECEMBER 2011 | VOLUME 27| ISSUE XII
DECEMBER 2011 | VOLUME 27| ISSUE XII
DECEMBER 2011 | VOLUME 27| ISSUE XII
DECEMBER 2011 | VOLUME 27| ISSUE XII
Benefits of
Equine Sports Massage Therapy
Enhances muscle tone & increases range
of motion
Assists in balancing the body
Reduces inflammation and swelling in
joints, helping to alleviate pain and
anticipation
Promotes healing by increasing the flow of
nutrients to the muscles and carrying
away excess fluids and toxins
Relieves tension in the muscles
Stimulates circulation and releases
endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers
Helps maintain the entire body and mind
in better condition
“Katie's professionalism and expertise are
well matched with a love and knowledge of
horses that make her services that much
more extraordinary.”
~Wendy Murray
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to
Bettina Strobach on
winning our Facebook
Fan Contest! Bettina
will receive one FREE
Partners Package, a
$100 value!
Winner to be
Championships are
coming!!
Did you know that most
professional athletes use Sports
Massage to help keep their
muscles in top condition for
competition?
Visit www.kjmassage.net for more
information on how Massage can
help your horse!
KJ Massage offers several massage therapy programs geared to specific issues and
lifestyles for Equines, Canines and, of course, their owners and riders. We are able to offer
services on a mobile basis to Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Suffolk and the greater
Hampton Roads area based upon availability.
Visit www.kjmassage.net or call 757-287-6832 for more information
Visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kjmassage
Packages & Discounts Available
DECEMBER 2011 | VOLUME 27| ISSUE XII
DECEMBER 2011 | VOLUME 27| ISSUE XII
Classified Ads
FOR SALE:
German Riding Pants, George Schumacker, 3
pair, full seat, size 32R, front zip, quality breeches,
$85 each, OBO. One pair buff color show pants,
excellent condition; one pair cream color show
pants, wide waist band, excellent condition; one
pair brown pants, new. (Must see to appreciate.
Show pants seldom used.)
Contact Ann, 757-539-2343
DECEMBER 2011 | VOLUME 27| ISSUE XII
DECEMBER 2011 | VOLUME 27| ISSUE XII
Newsletter of the Southeast Virginia Dressage Association
Wendy Murray
SVDA Newsletter Editor
124 Rockland Terrace
Suffolk, VA 23434
vablonde25@aol.com
Training Tip of the
Day: Horses touch
our lives in many
ways. They live
forever in the lessons
we learn from them
DECEMBER 2011 | VOLUME 27| ISSUE XII