The Dressage Foundation is now accepting applications from U.S. dressage breeders who want to continue their education in the United States or overseas.

The Elysium Farm Fund for U.S. Breeder Excellence, established at The Dressage Foundation in 2011 by Abbey Henderson, provides financial assistance to breeders to pursue educational opportunities related to breeding that will advance their careers, promote sound breeding practices and further enhance the quality of U.S.-bred dressage horses.

Specifically, the Elysium Farm Fund for U.S. Breeder Excellence supports attendance at educational programs related to breeding, such as a United States Dressage Federation (USDF) Sport Horse Seminar, the American Hanoverian Society Breed Orientation Course, the Hannoveraner Verband’s Breed Orientation Course, or similar educational program.  No preference is given to programs focusing on a particular breed.  Preference is given to USDF members.

The maximum amount to be awarded will be $1,000 per year for programs held in the U.S. and up to $5,000 per year for programs held overseas.  The amount awarded will depend on the financial plan provided as part of the application.

Completed applications are due to The Dressage Foundation by May 1^st for consideration.  Grant announcements will be made no later than August 1st.

Application and donation information for the Elysium Farm Fund for U.S. Breeder Excellence is available at The Dressage Foundation website, www.dressagefoundation.org.

For more information about The Dressage Foundation, please contact Jenny Johnson or Melissa Filipi 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.

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Scott Hassler in his most frequent location--beside a warmup or training arena on both sides of the Atlantic. © Ken Braddick/dressage-news.com

United States Young Horse Coach Scott Hassler has hectic schedule training and observation schedule over the next few months beginning with Markel/U.S. Equestrian Federation training sessions February 18-19 at Shannondale Farm in Milton, Georgia Feb. 18-19 and at Twinwood Equestrian Center in Simontown, Texas, April 14-15.

In addition to these sessions, Scott will hold be at two events for “observation” purposes–the Palm Beach Dressage Derby in Loxahatchee, Florida, Mar. 3-4 and the Festival of the Horse in San Juan Capistraño, California Mar. 27-28. (more…)

Dear ODS Members,

Corrections for the 2011 ODS Horse/Rider Awards are due January 30, 2012

Preliminary awards lists have been posted on the ODS Website for the 2011 ODS League Show Horse/Rider Awards, the ODS Licensed Show Horse/Rider and Freestyle Awards and the ODS DSHB Awards – please follow the links in the comments section. Corrections must be turned into the correct awards volunteer (listed on each webpage) by 1/30/2012; any errors discovered after this date will only be corrected online (reprints of plates to be at the members’ expense).  Click here for the Sport Horse Awards: http://www.oregondressage.com/sporthorseawards.html or click here for the Horse/Rider Awards for League and Licensed (including freestyles): http://www.oregondressage.com/riderawards.html

Nominations for the 2012 ODS Futurity are due January 31, 2012

The ODS Futurity consists of riding two tests at the ODS Championship Show in September – USEF Training Level Test 3 and USEF First Level Test 1. The futurity is open to all horses four to six years of age who have not shown at First Level or above (or equivalent test) prior to nomination (including ODS League shows).  The point scores from both tests will be added and the highest total will determine the winner. Both owner and rider of the horse must be ODS members in good standing at the time of the futurity; owner need not be the rider.  Horse must be nominated each year and have fees paid each year prior to competition.    To review all of the ODS Futurity Rules and to make a nomination, please visit http://www.oregondressage.com/2012_omnibus/2012-Futurity.pdf.  Refer to ODS Championship Show Omnibus listing for futurity class entry fees and other show fees that may apply.

Applications for Participants in Part 2 of the USDF “L” Education Program are due February 1, 2012

Oregon Dressage Society is proud to be hosting the second part of the USDF “L” Education Program in 2012.  This program is especially important for ODS because of the tremendous opportunity for learning this program offers participants of Part 1 and of the continuing education opportunity this program provides for current “L” program graduates.  Additionally, the ODS League Show approval requires at least an “L” graduate to be used as an official.  Having candidates successfully complete this program will increase the pool of available officials for approved ODS League Shows.  The application period for the USDF “L” Education Program, Part II presented by ODS in 2012 is now open.   Part II consists of Sessions D1, D2, Sitting/Scribing with “R” or “S” Judges and the Final Exam.   Only 10 participants can be accepted and a few slots are still available.   Auditors are not permitted.  Candidates will selected on a first come first served basis.    Please refer to the ODS website (http://www.oregondressage.com/lprogram.html) for further information, criteria and the application form.

Thank you,

ODS Office

Nominations for the 2012 ODS Futurity are due January 31, 2012

The ODS Futurity consists of riding two tests at the ODS Championship Show in September – USEF Training Level Test 3 and USEF First Level Test 1. The futurity is open to all horses four to six years of age who have not shown at First Level or above (or equivalent test) prior to nomination (including ODS League shows).  The point scores from both tests will be added and the highest total will determine the winner. Both owner and rider of the horse must be ODS members in good standing at the time of the futurity; owner need not be the rider.  Horse must be nominated each year and have fees paid each year prior to competition.

Nomination and Futurity fees go into a purse and is divided as follows:

1st place – 30%

2nd place – 25%

3rd place – 20%

4th place – 15%

5th place – 5%

6th place – 5%

To review all of the ODS Futurity Rules and to make a nomination, please visit http://www.oregondressage.com/2012_omnibus/2012-Futurity.pdf.  Refer to ODS Championship Show Omnibus listing for futurity class entry fees and other show fees that may apply.

For questions, please contact the ODS Office at (503) 681-2337 or office@oregondressage.com.

Thank you.

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Dear ODS Members,
Letter Perfect Dressage Show is still accepting entries through 6/17!  The travel restriction between Oregon and Washington has been lifted – and our show is not to be confused with an earlier show which was cancelled!

Show dates:  June 24, 25 & 26 – to be held at the Clark County Event Center, 17402 Delfel Road, Ridgefield, WA. Official qualifier for the Great American / USDF Breeders Championship Series; GAIG/USDF Region 6 Championships. Friday and Saturday are ridden Dressage classes and Sunday is a Dressage Sport Horse Show.

For more information and a prize list, please contact Barbara Tuohino Funk at (360) 687-5477 or look for the show on the ODS show calendar – http://www.oregondressage.com/showsandclinics.html.

Thank you,

Barbara Tuohino Funk

(360) 687-5477

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ODS Sport Horse Award winners from 2003 through 2010 will be sent to owners in early June.   Scores earned in In-hand classes three years of age and younger and materiale classes in at least two ODS approved shows qualified horses for consideration.  Owners needed to be current ODS members.   Highest average score determined the winner in each division.    Owners are invited to submit a photo to ODS for posting on the website.   Please be sure that the photograph is legally clear for such publication.

Dolores Morgan – ODS Sport Horse Awards Coordinator

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Fort Worth, TX —T he American Paint Horse Association (APHA) announced the payout results of its 2010 Breeders’ Trust program—the ninth year of consecutive million-dollar payouts. The 2010 incentive program paid out $1,131,356 to participating horse owners, foal nominators and stallion subscribers. Nominated horses received $14.47 for every Open and Amateur point they earned during 2010. Over the last ten years, more than $10,500,000 has been paid out to subscribers of the program.
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Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Executive Committee approved an Extraordinary Rule Change in the Morgan Division of the USEF Rule Book on March 21, 2011, requiring exhibitors in leadline classes to wear protective headgear at all times while mounted, effective immediately.

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The USEF Executive Committee recently approved a round of changes, effective immediately, to multiple dressage rules that represent significant changes regarding judging and scoring for dressage. Please take the time to familiarize yourself with these changes by reviewing the 2011 Supplement to the Hard Copy Rulebook found here:

http://www.usef.org/documents/rules/ruleChanges/2011/ECapproved03212011.pdf

For additional information please contact Jeannie Putney, National Director of Dressage at (859) 225-6918 or jputney@usef.org.

United States Equestrian Federation, Inc. 4047 Iron Works Pkwy, Lexington, KY 40515 859-258-2472 webmaster@usef.org

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