The Chehalem Mountain Chapter Ride-a-Test held in July to benefit the Linda Acheson Education Fund was a great success.  Thanks to the people mentioned below CMC was able to raise and present a check to the ODS Linda Acheson Education Fund for $1005.

A big thank you goes to Amanda James of Clover Valley Equestrian Center for generously providing her facility for this event, and to the boarders who graciously shared their arenas with us for two days.  We couldn’t have done this without the appropriate venue and Amanda immediately volunteered her facility when we came up with the benefit Ride-a-Test idea.  Thank you Amanda for all the kindness you’ve shown our chapter and ODS over this past year.

Thank you to the instructors who volunteered their time and expertise to make this event successful for everyone:  Tracie Bjugan, Kathy Casey, Estelle Keating, Mija Paris, Anne Stevens and Suzi Ronning.  Had they not volunteered their time to this cause our funding idea could never have become a reality.

I also want to mention the instructors who volunteered and were waiting in the wings to work with our riders, had more people signed up to ride.  Thank you Ashley Bertell, Sarah Gammie, Debbie Spence and Debbie Spitzenfiel for also supporting the cause.

Each of the instructors I mentioned above responded almost immediately to the idea of a benefit Ride-a-Test.  They all believed in this fundraising event and were happy to volunteer their time to make this a success.  I’m sorry we didn’t get enough riders to utilize all of the instructors that were willing to help, but it was nice knowing these fine women were ready and willing to be part of this event.

Another thank you goes out to all our riders:  Laurie Adair, Kristen Astle, Jane Baer, Ashley Bertell, Kris Brown, Andrea Canning, Jo Ann Cooke, Bijoux Doherty, Kristina Durant, Jordie Gredvig, Sharon Knowlton, Chrissy Logue, Adrienne Raymond, Katherine Rickert, Suzi Ronning, Shannon Salyer, Lisa Scott, Amalia Thornton, Ralen Van Domelen, Ryan Westlund, Melanie Woody and Janis Worrall.

Had any of these riders not taken the time or interest to sign up and ride with us we never could have raised the money we did, so a big thank you to each of you for coming to ride for us.

Last, but not least, a big thank you to the volunteers who kept the event running smoothly, and weathered the cold and rain on Sunday to put away the arena: Ashley Bertell, Kris Brown, Amanda James, Sylvia Kantas, Cary Kraft, Janet Kraft, Suzi Ronning, Becki Watt, and Janis Worrall.  We rely on volunteers for every event, show and clinic that’s put on, so we appreciate the people who are willing to give up their free time to make these things happen.  I don’t know that we can ever thank our volunteers enough, but we hope they know how much we appreciate all that they do, so other people can enjoy what they love doing.

Even though CMC managed to raise $1005 for the education fund there is still a long way to go.  If ODS members manage to raise $1000 a year going forward, it will still be 14 years before the fund can be used; that will be 2025.

Making the fund a reality is going to take everyone’s help and commitment.  I would like to encourage everyone and every chapter to find ways to raise money for the education fund, and for all members to support any benefit sponsored for the fund.  Our benefit Ride-a-Test was ridden by 10 CMC members, 3 general members and 9 riders that are not ODS members.  Think how much more we might have raised had more than just 13 of the current 1000+ ODS members ridden with us, or made a small donation.  Sharon Knowlton

(Lincoln, Nebraska) July 28, 2011 – The Dressage Foundation’s Continuing Education for Dressage Instructors Fund has awarded a $1,250 grant to Mija Paris (OR) to help her attend the United States Dressage Federation’s Instructor Certification Program.

Mija said, “This funding will be used to attend Instructor Certification workshops, and will help expand my dressage education as a rider, trainer, instructor, and judge.  It will allow me to access new information to help me develop a more well-rounded knowledge base.  In addition, I will be able to pass along the new knowledge I gain to my students.”

Maryal Barnett established this Fund in 2007, in order to provide grants for dressage instructor education.  Since that time, over $10,000 has been awarded to USDF Group Member Organizations and individual dressage instructors.

“We want to encourage dressage instructors and GMOs to take advantage of the grants that are available for furthering instructor education,” said Jenny Johnson, Administrative Director for The Dressage Foundation.  “If instructors continue to learn and improve, then everyone benefits.”

Individual grants range from $500 to $1,500 each and are awarded twice per year.  Upcoming application deadlines for individual grants are February 1, 2012, and a fall 2012 date to be determined.  GMOs may apply for financial assistance of up to $1,000 for instructor clinics, and those applications are due at least 90 days prior to the event.

For more information about the Continuing Education for Dressage Instructors Fund or The Dressage Foundation, please contact Jenny Johnson at (402) 434-8585 or visit www.dressagefoundation.org.

The Dressage Foundation

The Dressage Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt, donor-driven organization that is dedicated to supporting and advancing the sport of dressage.  The organization solicits contributions, appropriately allocates the donations, and awards grants and scholarships to dressage riders of all ages and levels.  For more information, please visit www.dressagefoundation.org.

How did August get here so fast?  September is coming with ODS Championships and then the ODS Fall Festival and 40^th Anniversary are soon to follow.  Some exciting horse watching and educational opportunities are fast approaching

North Willamette Valley Chapter’s Summer Daze Show at Mount Hood Equestrian & Event Center was a little smaller show than last year, but we had a good smooth running show with fabulous volunteers helping out.  Many thanks to all the volunteers that made the show run well.

Our Camp Out and Trail Ride at Silverfalls State Park was very fun and relaxing.  The park has improved some trails and added some bridge crossings.  The Forest was beautiful and very green, from our summer’s late arrival.  We had several families camping out and had members come for day rides and just come and visit and bring water melon.  Yummy.

With the arrival of fall, we are thinking about next year.  It is a good time to get involved with chapter activities.  Election of officers for next year is coming up.  Planning meetings for next years horse shows are coming.  Please watch your e mail for upcoming meetings and activities.  Be sure and visit our web site too.

Greetings ODS!

Can you believe that September is almost here and the close of our show season is just around the corner? Where did the summer go?

We are gearing up for our 30^th Annual ODS Open & Championship Shows, coming up NEXT WEEKEND, September 9-11 – and WE NEED YOUR HELP J

VOLUNTEERS: Thank you so much for your amazing support in years past! I am pleased to report that our entry numbers are looking good, so we will have at least THREE competition arenas, each running very full days. It takes many bodies to make this show successful, and we still have openings in every volunteer position, from scribes to runners to scorers to gate. So PLEASE set aside a few hours next weekend and come join us at the show. Competitors – your involvement is crucial to fill in many shorter shifts and last minute openings. We are more than happy to work around your ride times, so please contact us with your willingness, and we will then confirm with you after ride times are posted.

Please e-mail John_Craven@ous.edu with your preferences right away – and Thank You, Thank you, Thank you!

RIDE TIMES: Our Show Secretary, Mary, is working hard to process the final entries, as more than half of our numbers arrived after the closing date. She will start working on the schedule today and tomorrow – with the hope of having ride times posted by the end of the week.

CELEBRATE: Did you know that ODS is celebrating its 40^th Birthday? Our Championship show has been around 30 years as well – so we have much to celebrate! Please join us Friday evening at 5:30 p.m., in the breezeway behind the show office, as we host a Birthday Bash for ODS! We will serve cake and punch, and have some fun giveaways and door prizes. You don’t want to miss it!

FOOD BANK: Please remember that the ODS Open & Championship Shows are an official fundraiser for the Oregon Food Bank, so please bring some non-perishable food items to share with those who really need them. Thanks so much!

ODS Show Poster: You have all received the 2011 ODS Championship Show poster by e-mail (and it is posted here: http://www.oregondressage.com/news/2011/2011-ods-championship-show-poster/). Please help us spread the word and encourage the public to join us for this fantastic event. Just print off a few and post them in your barn, your office, your local feed or tack stores and even in your grocery store J

As always, check us out at www.odschampionshipshow.com

Thank you again for your enthusiastic support – we look forward to seeing you soon!

Jennifer Milburn, show manager

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Please click here to download and print a copy of the 2011 ODS Championship Show Poster – the photo was taken 30 years ago at our first Championship Show.

2011-ODS-ChampionshipShowPoster – 2mb PDF file

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Clinics seem to be the going over big this year.  People are doing as many clinics as available to us down here in “Dressage Desert”, as I call it.  Two of our Chapter members attended a Mary Wanless clinic and found it to be quite informative, and a lot of exerciseJ  We have had a couple of clinics with Danica Yates, and they were attended well.  Berniece Pohlmann, hosted the first clinic in March and DeeDee Estes hosted the second clinic in June.  Rain and cooler temps did not dampen the skilled teaching that both riders and auditors received.  Thank you Danica!

Jutta Schott has been with us in April, May and July and we have one more clinic with her in August.  Lots of riders were new to her clinic this year and found her to be most helpful and have signed up for August and next year.  Possibly, we will be adding a couple of extra clinics.  The July and August clinics were held at Destinations End and it was a change of venue that gave people who live in Medford area the chance to ride with Jutta.  We were grateful that Ellen Ahern, of Destinations End was so gracious to let us use her lovely facility.  Contact Carol Taylor for information on these clinics:

Carol Taylor / 2taylors@dishmail.net

Our chapter is pulling together a “Bus Trip/Road Trip” to the “ODS- 40^th Anniversary celebration that is coming up Nov.5^th and 6th.  You will be charged a fee and that will include the bus trip up and back, some meals (please see poster in Flying Changes) hotel, entry to the Anniversary celebrations and Education programs being offered.  Steffen Peters clinic on Sunday.  He will also be the guest speaker at Saturday nights banquet.  We are planning on picking people up along the I-5 corridor.  Contact Elaine Thomas for the details: Elaine Thomas selainet@gmail.com

We are looking into the future and have started planning a BIG show in 2012(recognized).  This will give us plenty of time to plan and hopefully offer some possibly “Team Classes” or “in-hand” classes.  All this is still in the works.  We have a GREAT!!! show committee working on all the details.  Our annual “Aloha Show”(Hawaiian Shirts instead of stuffy Show JacketsJ) August 28^th.  Hawaiian attire and costumes are encouraged for rider and horse, fun times.  October is our Halloween League Show, which is also another fun one, costumes are encouraged.

OK, I am exhausted from telling you all that is coming up and there is more.  I just ordered the 2011 “On the Levels”, it finally is out.  That will give us an excuse for another Video Night and Potluck.

Hope you all continue to have a GREAT!!! riding summer.

Michele Matzen – President – SOJ

The Fort Vancouver Fall Finale Prize List has been updated to reflect changes in show management, additional classes and an updated website address for show information.  The updated Prize List has been posted on the ODS website here: http://oregondressage.com/2011_omnibus/2011-FVC-FallFinale.pdf.

The FVC Fall Finale is comprised of two 1 day ODS League Approved Shows held the first weekend of October in Ridgefield, WA.  If you are showing both days, be sure to send each day on its own entry form.  Entries opened 8/22 and will close 9/17.  Entries should now be mailed to Randie Croshaw at 3500 Blossom Dr. NE, Salem, Oregon 97305-1716.

Please contact show secretary Randi Croshaw at (503) 390-1795 or emt4randie@juno.com or show manager Rose Newman at (360) 281-6550 or rose_newman@yahoo.com if you have any questions.

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Wayne, IL - Competition finished up Sunday at the Lamplight Equestrian Center as the top 6-year-olds and developing horses in the U.S. vied for top honors in the Markel/USEF National Young Horse Dressage Championship and USEF National Developing Horse Dressage Championship sponsored by The Dutta Corp. and Performance Sales International. Additionally, nine competitors would ride for medals in the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals presented by Dressage Today in the 14-18 division. (more…)

Wayne, IL – Competition was in full swing at the Lamplight Equestrian Center as the top 6-year-olds and developing horses in the U.S. took to Ring 2 for their first National Championship classes of the weekend. The day began with competitors in the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals presented by Dressage Today 14-18 division performing in an optional warm-up class.

In the Markel/USEF National Young Horse Dressage Championship 6-year-old division the standard was set earlier. Members of the 2005 foal crop demonstrated fluid gaits and a strong foundation in advanced movements such as half-pass and flying changes. (more…)

The State of Jefferson Chapter – ODS is offering an inclusive Road-Trip package to the ODS 40^th Anniversary Celebration and Fall Festival Education Weekend – November 5 & 6.  Their bus will leave Medford on November 4^th and will pick up passengers all along the I-5 corridor (Roseburg? Eugene? Corvallis? Salem?) and will return on Sunday, November 6^th after the Steffen Peters Clinic.

Contact Elaine Thomas at selainet@gmail.com or (541) 787-7120 if you have any questions or if you wish to make your reservation.

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