2023 IDEA Educational Grant Recipient

Christel Carlson
Spokane, WA

Christel used the Idaho Dressage & Eventing Association Educational Grant to pay for a judge conference for the World Dressage Breeding Championships in Ermelo, Netherlands.

“I utilized the funds to help me attend a judge conference in Ermelo, Netherlands August 3-6 for the World Dressage Breeding Championships.  There was a large group of judges from the Americas in attendance.  We host shows at the farm that serve as qualifiers for our National Championships (which is the qualifier for entry to this World Championship).  I have had the pleasure to officiate at the USA Championships so I was very excited to be involved in the judge conference with Marietta Sanders (5* dressage and World Breeding judge from Netherlands) to observe and discuss the best of the world.

Some take away thoughts.  Basics apply to all dressage tests.

1. In Europe the 4-year-olds are shown two at a time together to help the young horses feel more confident but it’s more challenging to judge that way.
2. Walk: use of body, overtrack and rhythm clear - remains clear in transitions and corners.  Discuss use of back (swing more a trot/canter concept) and follow the hand with a lower neck in the stretch.
3. Trot: balanced, clear tempo and rhythm with a forward tendency.  Willingness to keep the contact and connection with elasticity (tail swinging?), cadence and lift of shoulders especially in medium phase.  Hind leg needs to be quick and direct to generate power and lift of shoulders (hind toes lift, not drag?), does it take weight behind in the lengthening or push out behind?
4. Canter: suppleness, straightness, and power.  Can they find another gear for lengthening with the hind leg jumping under?  If the canter is rocking (head, shoulders) the stride is shorter and it generally is a connection issue.  Watch the time of front leg on the ground and separation of the hind legs in the stride (biomechanics).
5. Submission: happy team, straightness, elasticity, and suppleness, less holding by the rider's hand and more natural balance watch expression of face, ears, mouth and contact, tail.  All transitions, halt and rein back considered here as well as ability to stretch to hand walk and trot and lengthen in trot and canter.

4 Year Olds: Elasticity and suppleness with clear rhythm of paces with ‘ability’ to collect.
5 Year Olds: Have ‘willingness’ to collect so overall picture is one of balance - requires a good rider with a well trained horse.
6 Year Olds: Must ‘show collection’ with self carriage from the horse, not just short neck from rider hands, show suppleness with a forward tendency and medium/extended paces show more power and take more weight behind in the transitions.
7 Year Olds: Test is very complicated and most horses lose elasticity due to the technical aspects.  Exceptional horse and rider to perform this test well.”

2023 IDEA Educational Grant Recipient

Adrienne Baisch
Eagle, ID

Adrienne used the Idaho Dressage & Eventing Association Educational Grant to pay for a riding clinic with Benjamin Pfabe at her own facility in Eagle, ID.

"This past year has been an exciting one with the opening of our new barn, shows, and clinics.  I feel so grateful to have been awarded the IDEA grant.
I used the grant to help pay for clinic rides with Benjamin Pfabe.  Initially, I viewed these clinics as preparation for the 2023 show season, but in the end I gained some much needed teaching inspiration from them as well.  As an instructor and trainer it is sometimes a challenge to find new words or perspectives to work with.  Benny was great with sharing positive feedback, homework, and effective coaching.  We are definitely looking forward to having him back!
Thank you again for the monetary support from the IDEA in 2023!!"

2023 EIC Educational Grant Recipient

Cassee Nalazek
Idaho Falls, ID

Cassee used the Eastern Idaho Chapter Educational Grant to pay for a riding clinic with Stephen Birchall at Clockwork Farm in Idaho Falls, ID.

“Had an amazing opportunity last August to clinic with Stephen Birchall!  He was beyond insightful and encouraging all while pushing me as a dressage rider.  I accomplished beautiful countercanters (which is hard on a horse that loves flying changes 😂), leg yields, and more to prep for the move up to Second Level!  He truly made me feel like my goal of achieving my Bronze Medal is totally possible!  Absolutely love his approach to theory along with practice, which is obviously something I believe heavily in since I’m a high school teacher.  I was beyond blessed to have this opportunity because of being awarded the EIC grant this year.  Overall, the time with Stephen was so awesome and I learned so much!"