December 6-7, Donida Equestrian Center will be presenting “Dressage through the Levels of 2015″.  At this symposium the new USDF 2015 test movements Training Level through Grand Prix will be demonstrated and scored.  Additionally Scott Hassler and Janet Foy work with each horse/rider combination to correct the basics and move them up the levels. Janet and Scott will give examples and demonstrate training exercises to help the horses/riders achieve the correct basics and balance for their level. Both interacting with the audience for consistent question and answering periods.  For more information and to register as an auditor for this clinic please follow this link to the Donida website: Dressage through the Levels of 2015, or  you can also view their flyer which is below:

Dressage through the Levels of 2015 Flyer

The Hixsons will be hosting a dressage clinic with Meg Hays on Saturday, Sept 6th.  If you ride an Arabian or Half Arabian, Meg has been to the Arabian Sport Horse Nationals and has won several Regional and National titles.  She has also shown her horses at open competitions.  She is willing to work with traditional dressage breeds as well as the non traditional breeds. This clinic is open to  CWDS members only and the lessons are $40.00 for 45 min.  To register please complete and submit the following form:

Meg Hays Sept Clinic

Arthur Kottas was accepted as an Eleve in the Spanish Riding School of Vienna at the age of 16. He rose rapidly under the tutelage of Col. Podhajsky to become Bereiter and then Chief Rider, both in the shortest time in the school’s history. He was elevated to the post of First Chief Rider in 1995, and served until his retirement in 2003.  At the same time he operated his own training stable, coaching riders up to Olympic level. He is also a master of the use of in-hand work in the training of piaffe and passage. Due to his in-depth knowledge of classical dressage as well as his experience in the successful training of competition horses and riders, he is currently in huge demand world wide both as a clinician and as a lecturer. This is the only West Coast venue for clinics with Herr Kottas.

All breeds and levels are welcome. Both amateurs and professionals are encouraged. 

For more information about the clinic, please contact Lisa Scaglione.

lascaglione@earthlink.net      www.lisascaglionedressage.com      (503) 504-2006

To see more information about Arthur Kottas, please visit his website at:  http://arthur.kottas-heldenberg.at/

Two of us traveled over the pass Tuesday evening to learn what it takes to be a scribe.  Beth Glosten teaches this class as her contribution to the sport and what a fine job she does! Eight of us listened and watched and then were given the opportunity to scribe for several rides as Beth judged. My goodness, I will never again take for granted the comments I receive on my tests. It takes concentration to legibly write all the comments made by the judge, to get the right tone and exact words to express the judge’s thoughts.   I found an article that sums up the evening and thought I’d share Jennifer Walker’s tips for a scribe:

Serving as a dressage scribe is really pretty simple.  All it takes is good listening and fast writing skills. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

1. Arrive at the show grounds early so no one worries that you won’t make it. You’ll also want to have plenty of time to find the show office, get your scribe kit, and meet the judge.

2. Make sure you have the tests and plenty of pens. You should have a red pen for marking errors.

3. Ask the judge if she gives scores or comments first, and tell her if you’ve never scribed before, or if you have any questions.

4. Check the number on the horse to the number on the test. Every horse must have a number, and you must make sure that the pre-printed test matches. Write the number in the space provided at the top of the side of the test where you write the scores. If you can’t see the number, ask the rider as she rides by.

5. Write the score in the Points column. Do not write in the Coefficient or Total column.

6. The judge will usually fill in the collective marks, but may dictate them to you. Make sure she signs the front of the test.

7. Sometimes the tests move quickly. The most important thing is the score-if you miss comments, you can try to go back and complete them, but make sure you get the score. If you didn’t hear or understand something, ask.

8. Keep an eye on the rider in the ring to make sure you’re on track and writing in the right place. You will often be writing about one movement halfway through the next. If you’re not sure which movement a comment or score goes with, ask. “Was that for the transition?” or “Was that for number 6?” Judges are usually understanding of this.

9. Write as legibly and clearly as you can. Abbreviations are often necessary, but write out words if you have time, and make sure your abbreviations make sense. You can make a big O for circle or draw a square for “square halt.”

10. Do not offer commentary about the riders. Do not write anything the judge didn’t say.

11. Take a cue from the judge as to whether she’s interested in chatting or letting you ask questions. If she doesn’t offer, stay quiet and let her concentrate.

Scribing at dressage shows is a great way to see and learn about dressage, while giving back to the dressage community. Give it a try, and you’ll find it a rewarding experience.