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Joyce Broccolino Scholarship Award

The Maryland Dressage Association’s Joyce Broccolino Scholarship award is unique. The JBB scholarship is awarded only to Maryland Dressage Association members in good standing as are all of the other MDA awards. However, this award or scholarship does not require any riding skills at all. It is not exactly the same thing as the President’s unsung hero’s award either.

This scholarship is awarded to the senior member who has shown the most service to our club, Maryland Dressage Association, over the past year or past several years. This includes riders and non riders alike.

For the Joyce Broccolino Scholarship, our Omnibus states, “...not based on test scores or accumulative work credits, but, rather on cumulative service…” Our Omnibus also further states, “sustained interest in MDA …”

This particular award was created to honor the hardworking and dedicated volunteers of our club. In that respect it is similar to the President’s unsung hero’s award. However, a committee reviews, evaluates, and presents to the board their selection. The selection is not always an easy one.

This scholarship was created and named after one of MDA’s founding members, Joyce Broccolino, whose boundless energy, good sportsmanship, and hard working dedication helped so much to get the fledgling dressage club in 1982 up and running. Joyce was not an upper level dressage rider, but, rather like many of us, a lower lever, beginner dressage rider. She had boundless enthusiasm for any and all tasks and was great at inspiring others.

I know that there are many of our members who very much fulfill the qualifications for this scholarship, and I hope that all of you will please apply.

I would also like to remind you to please mail your applications to me, Margaret Scarff at 4406 Carico Lane, White Hall, MD 21161. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 410-692-6921 or MDAnews@aol.com.

The applications are due 10 business days after the Finals Show, and again, I am hoping that all of our deserving members will apply.

ANNAPOLIS, MD (Sept. 4, 2007) The state's first Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus positive sample of mosquitoes since 2004 has been confirmed. The mosquitoes were collected from the Pocomoke River swamp in northern Worcester County. The virus was detected in a pool of Culiseta melanura or dark swamp mosquitoes a species rarely found outside of its swamp habitat. The dark swamp mosquito feeds primarily on birds. The Pocomoke swamp is the area of Maryland where EEE is most frequently found due to the high number of mosquitoes and a high population of breeding and migratory birds.

"We have known that EEE is active on the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland for years and conduct active surveillance to detect its presence," said Maryland Department of Agriculture Mosquito Control Chief Cyrus Lesser. " The presence of EEE in mosquitoes increases the importance for people to take precautions to prevent mosquito bites. The Maryland Department of Agriculture will continue to monitor mosquito populations in the lower Eastern Shore region and increase mosquito control measures through September."

EEE is spread only by the bite of an infected mosquito and can cause a swelling of the brain (encephalitis). The disease in humans and other animals is rare but can occur when an infected mosquito takes a blood meal. EEE disease occurs primarily in rural areas close to swamps and marshes with high mosquito populations. Humans, equine and ratites (flightless birds such as ostriches and emus) can contract the virus. Clinical signs of EEE in horses and ratites include apprehension, depression, listlessness, paralysis, lack of coordination, weakness, head-pressing, circling, and stumbling. These symptoms are not exclusive to EEE, so it is important to seek professional veterinary diagnosis immediately if any of the signs are present.

Although EEE tends to occur in humans less frequently than West Nile virus (WNV), it can be far more devastating. Up to 50 percent of EEE infected persons who develop neurological symptoms may die compared to fewer than 10 percent who die following WNV neurological illness. Many EEE survivors have long-term neurological damage. Typical symptoms of EEE in humans include fever, headache, mental confusion, vomiting, extreme tiredness, muscle aches, and sometimes seizures and coma. Individuals reporting these symptoms should be referred to their health care provider. Symptoms usually occur four to 10 days after exposure to a mosquito carrying the virus. There is neither a specific treatment nor a vaccine for use in people. There are however, effective vaccines against both viruses for horses, ostriches and emus (also known as ratites) and owners are encouraged to get their animals vaccinated and boostered in a timely manner in consultation with their veterinarian.

People are encouraged to take the following personal protection measures against EEE:

1, Wear insect repellents, according to product labels, especially if you will be outside between the hours of dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
2, Wear long sleeves and long pants to help avoid mosquito bites.
3, Avoid mosquito infested areas.
4,Install and inspect window and door screens in homes and stables and repair any holes found.
5, Vaccinate horses, mules, ratites and donkeys according to your veterinarian's advice.

The standard advice to eliminate standing water around homes to reduce mosquito breeding areas is ineffective against EEE since the mosquitoes are only endemic to swamp and marshland. In residential areas away from marshes, people should actively remove standing water.

The last reported human case of EEE in Maryland was in 1989. Two equine cases of EEE in Maryland were confirmed on July 28, 2003, for the first time since 1996. The human and equine cases occurred on the Lower Eastern Shore. This is the second occurrence of mosquito-born virus in Worcester County in 2007. The first was a probable human case of WNV illness reported in August.

If you have not yet seen this Musical Freestyle, you're in for a real treat.

You may have to CTRL+Click to access it. Thank you to Sue Van Norman for the link.

http://beboframe.com/FlashFrame.jsp?Size=S&FlashBoxId=3309347442

Maryland Hay Supply List Being Updated, MDA Seeks Suppliers Maryland Livestock Producers Need to Find Sources of Hay Due to Drought

ANNAPOLIS, MD - Aug. 9, 2007 - With rainfall shortages in Maryland wreaking havoc on pastures and hay fields, Maryland livestock producers are already exhausting hay supplies that would normally feed their animals through the winter. While the Maryland Department of Agriculture has a listing of hay sources on its Web site, www.mda.state.md.us, it is seeking updates to better connect hay suppliers with those who need it to feed their animals.

“Many livestock and horse owners are desperate for feed supplies because in many areas there is no pasture and hay supplies are diminishing,” said Agriculture Secretary Roger Richardson. “We are asking those with hay available to contact us so that we can provide an up-to-date listing to our farmers.”

To list hay supplies, please contact Mark Powell at 410-841-5770, 410-841-5987 (fax) or www.marylandsbest@mda.state.md.us. Livestock producers can log onto www.mda.state.md.us to find hay listings or call 410-841-5770 to receive a print out of the listings.

July 19, 2007

It was a double-medal day for Team USA at Deodoro Stadium as Maryland’s Christopher Hickey aboard Regent won the coveted Gold medal on a two-day averaged score of 70.725% after performing his freestyle before an appreciative crowd. New Jersey’s Lauren Sammis, who had led the scores at the end of the Team competition, finished in Silver-medal position (69.925%) after delivering an entertaining freestyle aboard Sagacious HF. The Bronze medal was won by the Dominican Republic’s Yvonne Losos de Muniz aboard Bernstein las Marismas with an average of 69.500%.

Fifteen combinations were invited to contest the Individual medals on Wednesday at Brazil’s National Equestrian Center located 45 minutes outside of downtown Rio de Janeiro. It was a cloud-covered event with cool temperatures. However, the action in the arena warmed the fans of dressage from across the Americas who came to cheer on their countries. Today’s final was decided by an average score taken from the Intermediaire I score posted on Monday and today’s Intermediaire I freestyle score.

The top three riders were a repeat of those that sat in the top three spots after the first Individual competition. Following today’s freestyle, Sammis was able to edge out her Dominican competition and raise a spot and perform alchemy to change what could have been a Bronze into Silver. She was aided by her freestyle score—71.300%—compared to her competition’s 69.700%.

But, it was Hickey, the 38-year-old rider who has competed in a multitude of disciplines as well as dressage, who outperformed his competition to bring home Gold. His mount, the nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, Regent, is owned by Brenna Kucinski,

All throughout, the rider rode his tests boldly and with confidence…and it paid off. In a very complicated freestyle set to pulsating techno beats followed by undulating ambient percussion, one mistake could have caused a horrible domino effect, and Hickey was careful to keep things in balance and on par with the performances he has put in over his Pan Am debut.

“When I make one little mistake, especially in the canter, which I did today, it can go down the drain very quickly because things come up so fast,” he said. A mistake in his tempis was a place where things could have gone very wrong. “I intended to re-ride the three-tempis. I came into the three-tempis between the pirouettes, and my brain was saying three-tempis and my legs did two-tempis. I did a few and then thought, ‘Oh my God, these are twos! They are supposed to be threes! It was too late to do anything about it. It’s a complicated freestyle that has well-calculated risks.”

Of all the freestyles performed today, Hickey’s music was truly a standout and a very good match for his mount.

“My music is very powerful and was done by a friend of mine, Anne Guptill of Equestrian Arts Production, and my partner, Richard, picked most of the music out,” said Hickey. “My horse is a strong, big-moving horse, and he can be very expressive when he picks himself up decides to show off. I think that music really works well for him…with a different kind of horse, it would not be as successful of freestyle, I think. When that horse hears that music, and that music helps me, it’s a wonderful thing.”

Hickey will leave South America to travel to Germany. He will meet up with his five-year-old horse that has been chosen to be in the Young Horse World Championship in Verden, Germany.

Sammis, aboard the eight-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, Sagacious HF (owned by Hyperion Farm) couldn’t have been happier with her medal bid.

“I have a young horse,” said Sammis. “For me, this is only the beginning of his career…he’s brilliant.”

She acknowledged that to get to a Pan Am medal-winning moment, it takes more than the efforts of just one person, plus a long journey for anyone willing to set out on it.

“It takes an enormous team to make one horse go down that centerline,” she said. “You have six minutes in the arena, and you have months and years of training. It’s a real commitment, so I would like to thank everybody who has helped me along the way. The experience in Brazil has been just a magical time. The people have been just so generous and helpful. It’s just been wonderful.”

Turning her attention to her performance’s strong points, Sammis said, “It was probably my pirouettes, but also I think that a strong point was that this horse was able to go into this environment and really try his best. Movement aside, his temperament is unbeatable. But, I have to say that the pirouettes didn’t hurt!”

Throughout the competition, each of the American riders showed grace and gratitude, not only for their hosts and dealing with other competitors, but for each other. Sammis noted that for this group of riders it was a first experience in being part of an international team. “The type of support you have from other team members has just been amazing…to go in and not feel like you are only riding for yourself, but you are riding for everybody else. It’s rare in this sport that you are cheering your competitors on, hoping they do better and better! It’s a great feeling,” she said. Hickey added, “I was lucky enough to compete on the North American Young Riders Championships two times, and that was a wonderful beginning. This is all of that and 10 times more. The biggest thing I’ve learned from this experience is respect. I have so much respect for people who have been in my shoes in past years. And, I know what was put in to get here.”

Published at eurodressage.com

Maryland Dressage Association member and head trainer for Hilltop Farm, Christopher Hickey with Hilltop Farm's Regent is on the Gold Medal Dressage Team at the Pan American Games in Brazil.

New Jersey's Lauren Sammis on board Sagatious HF lead the way with a whopping 70.200% followed by Floridian Kathline Poulin-Neff and Brilliant Too and Christopher Hickey and Regent.

The United States won the team gold with a combined score of 68.633%, Canada followed with a score of 67.250%, and Brazil, the host country, was third with 64.933%. The individual medal competition for dressage will start today.

Congratulations to all of our competitors!

Anne Arundel County Executive Candidates Weigh in on Horse Park Proposal

Maryland Horse Council Quarterly Meeting Aug. 22, 2006

Goucher College VanMeter Hall - Room B10 1021 Dulaney Valley Road Baltimore, MD

Get The Latest On The Maryland Horse Park!

Meet & Greet 6 p.m. - Courtesy Maryland Horse Breeders Meeting 7 p.m.

For directions, please enter Goucher College into mapquest.com

Maryland Horse Council P.O. Box 233 Lisbon, MD 21765

410-489-7826

410-489-7828 (Fax)

www.mdhorsecouncil.org

admin@mdhorsecouncil.org

The USEF Selection Trials at Gladstone.

What a trip! The top 12 competitors of the nation at Prix St. Georges, Young Riders, Riders with disabilities, Intermediaire, and Grand Prix all showing in the same venue and at the same time, with the Grand Prix riders vying for a position on the American Dressage World Cup Team. The top six dressage scores will be the finalists for the dressage jury to consider for the places on the World Cup Team going to Germany this summer. The Jury meets on June 19 to make the final selections.

The four days were completely filled with great upper level riding as well as beautifully choreographed musical freestyles. It was a dressage lover’s heaven.

The riders with disabilities were terrific. They could have beaten the socks off most riders who have no disabilities. That just goes to show you that you can do anything if you put your MIND to it. They all rode beautiful upper level tests, beautiful freestyles, and they all deserved a gold medal.

The young riders were just awesome. Our future as dressage competitors will be a force with which to be reckoned. The only disappointment is that Noel Williams on Pik L, the current winner of the Caitlin Ben Dror Memorial Scholarship sponsored by Camda Dressage Association, was not there. Pik L was not quite up to par so it was decided to skip this show and give him some time off. We all hope to see them back in the show ring soon.

Oliver, a beautiful, brown Dutch stallion by Idocus, was the Brentina Cup winner. This was a true family affair. He is home bred, raised, trained and competed by an amateur rider, Elizabeth Austin. Oliver was bred by Elizabeth’s mother. Just goes to show that you do not have to have a big named professional trainer or a big farm bred horse to win at a big show. Congratulations to the entire family.

Michelle Gibson is back is great form with her new Hanoverian gelding. She was a picture perfect ride. The pair was a poster board example of the training scale. Relaxation, harmony, and fluidness seeped throughout the tests. Their scores were near perfect too. She was clearly the Intermediare winner. Michelle will be a big contender and definitely the one to watch at Grand Prix in a few years. Anky will have to move over.

California rocks! Nearly all of the best scores over the four days of Grand Prix riding came from the California riders. What beautiful tests. Steffen Peters was way ahead of the pack with Laurelyn Browning’s Floriano. Guenter Seidel was right behind him on Richard and Jane Brown’s Aragon. That should come as no surprise to anyone. However, Leslie Morse, Arlene Page, Heather Blitz and Suzanne Phelps clearly wowed the judges too. Leslie Morse and Tip Top were also from California. Of the top six placings, the top three placings were California riders. The California Dressage Association is a very proud organization today.

USEF Festival of Champions – Intermediare The winners are decides on three scores. One at Prix St. George, 35%, Intermediare I, 45% and Musical Freestyle 20%.

1. Michelle Gibson and Lex Barker - 73.431 %
2. Katherine Pouline- Neff and Brilliant Too, 70.268%
3. Jan Ebling and Rafalca, 70.078%
4. Marie Meyers and Fandango 69.590%
5. Melissa Jackson and Wellington – 69.501%
6. Guenter Siedel and Princeton – 69.468%

Grand Prix Championship. The scores were compiled from Grand Prix 45%, Grand Prix Special, 35% and Grand Prix Musical Freestyle – 20%

1. Steffn Peters and Floriano – 77.209%
2. Guenter Siedel and Aragon – 73.394%
3. Leslie Morse and Tip Top – 73.232%
4. Arlene Page and Wild One – 71.722%
5. Heather Blitz and Arabella – 69.214%
6. Suzanne Phelps and Cooper – 68.152%

The Caitlin Ben-Dror Memorial Scholarship Fund show team is pleased to announce the winner of the 2006 scholarship, Noel Williams. Noel will receive the sum of $3000.00 and a blue and grey, (Cait’s colors), embroidered wool horse cooler that says; “Caitlin Ben-Dror 2006 Memorial Scholarship”.

Noel Williams is the young rider who rides Pik L, the horse Cait would have competed on this year. At Devon in 2005, with Cait on her shoulder, Noel and Pik L won Jr. Young Rider. Congratulations Noel, and good luck in 2006.

The Board of Directors for the fund, led by Margaret Hawkins, as Chairman of the Board, is working on the specifics for an additional scholarship to be awarded later this year. Information will be distributed to local clubs, so that interested young riders can apply. We will vote on the specifics for this scholarship at our next board meeting and additional information will be forthcoming.

Rabies Detected in One Queen Anne's County Horse No Risk to Humans or Other Horses from this Incident Reminder to Vaccinate Domestic Animals Including Equine

ANNAPOLIS, MD (May 4, 2006) - Tests from one horse on a Queen Anne's County farm have determined that the horse died from rabies, most likely contracted from the bite of a wild animal or bat. The horse was kept outside in a pasture on the farm. None of the horse's pasture mates have left the farm recently and a hold order from the Maryland Department of Agriculture prevents those horses from leaving the farm or interacting with other horses for six months according to standard procedures. None of the horses are showing signs consistent with rabies at this time and all have received treatment to reduce the risk that they would develop rabies. A number of workers on the farm are being treated as a precautionary measure by the Queen Anne's County Department of Health for possible indirect exposure.

"The Maryland Department of Agriculture and the Queen Anne's County Health Department are working closely with the farm owners and workers to monitor the situation," said State Veterinarian Guy Hohenhaus. "We want to assure residents that there is no risk to them or their horses from this incident. That said, rabies is present across the state and it is important to check the veterinary records of domestic animals like dogs, cats and horses to see that they are current on all vaccinations, including rabies."

Rabies is transmitted through a bite of a rabid animal and no person was bitten by the infected horse. Rabies is a fatal disease but easily preventable with up-to-date vaccination. Preventative treatment for rabies is effective in humans but must be started as soon as possible after exposure.

Information about rabies is available from your personal physician or veterinarian or online at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rabies and www.merckvetmanual.com (search for equine rabies).

Note: The farm will not be identified as this is not a contagious human or animal health concern for which public notification is necessary.

George Williams to Conduct USDF Region 1 FEI Jr/YR Clinic Hosted by MacNair's Country Acres, Raleigh, NC

George Williams will be the featured clinician at the 2006 USDF Region 1 FEI Jr/YR Clinic scheduled for May 20-21, 2006, in Raleigh, NC. This clinic is generously hosted by McNair's Country Acres and organized by Eliza Sydnor. The 2006 FEI Jr/YR Clinic Series is made possible through funding provided by The Dressage Foundation.

George Williams started riding dressage seriously in 1973. As a 17 year old he traveled to Germany to study with Egon Von Neindorff. It was there at the Reitinstitute von Neindorff that he earned his German Bronze Rider Medal. After winning two national AHSA and USDF Championships in 1981, Williams followed his mentor, Karl Mikolka, to ride the famed Lipizzan stallions of Tempel Farms in Illinois. After a 20 year association with the dancing white horses, Williams decided to follow his dream to compete internationally.

In 2001, he began his partnership with the charismatic and popular black, lop-eared Westfalen mare, Rocher, owned by Chuck and Joann Smith of Gypsy Woods Farm in Richwood, Ohio. Working with US Olympic Team Coach, Klaus Balkenhol, in 2003, the pair's highlights included fifth place in the World Cup in Sweden, USDF Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle Horse of the Year as well as being named Dressage Horse of the Year by The Chronicle of the Horse. They achieved a BCM ranking of 16th in the world. After an injury forced them to withdraw from the 2004 Olympic Selection trials, Rocher returned to competition in 2005 earning the title of the 2005 USET/Collecting Gaits National Grand Prix Champion as well as a team bronze at the CHIO Aachen. However, the crowning moment of the year was winning the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Freestyle at Dressage at Devon for an unprecedented third time. Williams has coached four NAYRC Individual Medal winners and numerous NAYRC Team Medal winners. He has earned the USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold Medals. Recently Williams was co winner of the USEF William Steinkraus Equestrian of Honor Award for his success in 2005.

Rider applications are being accepted by USDF through April 15, 2006. Applicants must be current USDF Participating Members between the ages of 14-21 currently riding at Third Level or above. Auditors of all ages and levels are welcome and pre-registration as well as walk-in registration is available. Rider applications and auditor registration forms are available at http://www.usdf.org/Programs/AdvancedYoungRider/index.asp or by contacting Sheila Forbes, USDF Director of Programs, at (859) 271-7879 or sforbes@usdf.org.

ANNAPOLIS, MD (March 8, 2006) - Test results on the two horses isolated in the Detention Barn at Pimlico and the two horses from Laurel Barn 9 that are isolated in a barn at Bowie are negative for equine herpesvirus, bringing to closure the entire outbreak in Maryland. The Maryland Department of Agriculture has lifted the "General Animal Hold Order" at Bowie and expects to do the same at Pimlico after the final veterinary exam later this afternoon. All four horses that tested negative for EHV-1 are free to resume normal activities.

"These negative tests bring this EHV-1 outbreak to official closure in Maryland as all hold orders have been lifted and there are no reported signs of the virus anywhere in the state," said State Veterinarian Guy Hohenhaus. "This is good news for all of Maryland's horse owners and related businesses. We thank all parties involved for their patience and diligence in stopping the spread of the virus. While this event is now over, we remind all horse owners that a robust vaccination program is important, as well as adopting a good standard of bio-security protocols for their farms and horses. We recommend that horse owners consult with their private veterinarian on which vaccines and biosecurity measures are most appropriate for a particular horse and farm."

Last month, the MDA lifted the Hold Orders on Barns 5, 6 and A at Pimlico while the Maryland Jockey Club lifted its self-imposed quarantine. Three horses from three different Pimlico barns were euthanized in January. The last clinical case of the virus at Pimlico happened January 19. There have been no outbreaks at the Bowie Training Center where approximately 600 horses are stabled.

The farm in Kent County where two horses were euthanized due to EHV-1 was released from a Hold Order on Saturday, March 4, 2006 after all 17 horses at the farm tested negative for the virus. The last clinical sign of the virus on the farm was on February 4.

Equine herpesvirus causes upper respiratory infection and can also cause neurological disease. There is currently no known method to reliably prevent the neurologic form of EHV-1 infection. More information about the virus and preventive bio-security measure is available at www.mda.state.md.us.

March 3, 2006

Dear Maryland Horse Owner:

On behalf of Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., I need to call your attention to an extremely serious matter that we all have been hearing and learning about a great deal recently. Unfortunately, it seems that Maryland and other states have seen an increasing number of equine herpesvirus cases in many segments of the horse industry – recreational and competitive – in the past few years. The Governor shares your deep concern and has asked Deputy Secretary Dr. John Brooks and me to keep him well informed of the situation since its beginning last month, and to take all action within our power to prevent its further spread.

Our 87,000 plus horses are not only an important part of the State’s economy, they are often considered by many like family. As a huge supporter of the State’s horse industry, Governor Ehrlich has been fighting for slot machines for better purses, supporting a funding source for the Maryland Horse Industry Board’s activities which includes our initiative for a state-of-the-art Maryland Horse Park, introducing increased funding for agricultural land preservation, and most recently, allocating $10 million in his budget for direct purse enhancements.

No one is happy about the recent herpesvirus cases and their impact on this industry. In the first two months of this year, six horses succumbed to the neurologic form of the equine herpesvirus at three different locations. I know that many other horse owners and employees at these facilities and at other facilities have suffered tremendous economic loss. Many have also undertaken monumental efforts to save their animals. In some cases, this diligence appears to be returning dividends as more horses are recovering and the stables are getting back to business.

The recent cases of equine herpesvirus draw our attention to preventive measures such as vaccination and on-farm biosecurity. While much is unknown about this disease, particularly the neurologic form for which there is no specific vaccine, I want to assure you that the Maryland Department of Agriculture is using the best research and protocols at our disposal to prevent and control this condition. We are cooperating and consulting with other states in the mutual battle against this virus. I urge you to learn as much as you can about this worrisome disease and about measures you can take to keep your horses and ponies healthy by visiting our website at www.mda.state.md.us. Should you have any questions, please contact the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Animal Health staff at 800-492-5590 or 410-841-5810.

In closing, please know that Governor Ehrlich is committed to seeing our Maryland horse industry grow and prosper. Together we can make it happen.

Sincerely,

Lewis R. Riley Secretary

FYI - From Harford Horse Shows Association:

A Special Meeting has been planned to address questions and concerns regarding the Equine Herpes Virus currently affecting our area. To all of our members and associates, please view this as a mandatory attendance. This illness has a direct effect on not only our organization and the 2006 season but all equine activities for 2006 in the Hartford - Baltimore County Areas.

March 2, 2006

7:00 PM

American Legion

Hickory Avenue, Bel Air, MD

This meeting is for adults only. A $5 donation is requested and will be donated to Equine Herpes Research.

Speaker: Dr. Amy Polk, DVM, Diplomat ACVIM

For more information, please contact Debbie Wilson, Olney Farm, Joppa MD - 410.638.1539

Congratulations to everyone who applied and won an award this year! The awards were very beautiful thanks to MDA's hard working Awards committee. Special thanks go to Debbie and Amanda Carroll, Tina Lortz, Elaine Wilterdink, Janet Knox and Alaine Seheut for a fine job on the awards and the banquet Also many thanks to all of the donors to our silent auction and everyone who helped with the awards and banquet.

The award winners are as follows:

Introductory Young Rider
Champion - Shawa Seybold and Big Mack
No Reserve Champion
Training Level Division A Young Rider
Champion - Kimberly Moxley and Argyle Street
Reserve Champion - Evelyn Kipp and JayBee.
Training Level Division A Senior
Champion - Alaine Seheut and Dios
Reserve Champion - Marilyn McFadden and Zip's Status Symbol
First Level Division A Young Rider
Champion - Logan MacKubin and Plu Perfect
Reserve Champion - Erin Spencer and Rose
First Level Division A Senior
Champion - Aime Morrill and Clark's Dusty Bailey
Reserve Champion - Judy Provencal and GW Ranchman
First Level Division B Young Rider
Champion - Logan Mackubin and Plu Perfect
No Reserve Champion
First Level Division B Senior
Champion - Max Despain and Wave of Hope
Reserve Champion - Melissa Harlinski and Air Jordan
Third Place - Jill Blackburn and Chenecour
Second Level Division A Senior
Champion - Max Despain and Wave of Hope
Reserve Champion - Melissa Harlinski and Air Jordan
Third Level
Champion - Christina Lortz and Diesel
Freestyle First Level
Champion - Max Despain and Wave of Hope
Uscta - Novice Level
Champion - Max Despain and Wave of Hope

Perpetual Award Winners

The Pumpkin Award Alaine Seheut and Dios
The Sterling Plate Max Despain and Wave of Hope
The Whispering Spring Plate No successful applicant.
The Penny Lane Award Aime Morrill and Clark's Dusty Bailey
President's Unsung Heroes Award Linda Seybold, Brenda Rice, Debbie Carroll, and Linda Elliott.
Instructor of the Year - Tracey Hurline

Congratulations again to everyone and I hope next year to see a lot more award winners.

The following MDA members have achieved excellence in writing, which includes contributions to either our club's newsletter, or our web site. Please congratulate these members for helping the MDA achieve our goal of "Gaining And Sharing Knowledge of Classical Dressage".

Young Riders Column

1. Region 1 Youth Team Championships at Morven Park – Margaret Scarff

USDF Region 1 Newsletter

What's New in Region 1?

Greetings!

Horse Park Supporters, Please Attend!

Herpes myeloencephalitis

As this deadly disease is no longer confined to Pimlico Race Track, it is important that all horsemen in the area do what they can to protect their animals and stop the spread of EHV1.  The information currently being presented in the media is not based on facts.  For instance, news reports cite that the farm in Kent County, which is affected by the disease, is that of a race track trainer.  In reality, the farm belongs to Kim Meier-Morani, a MCTA club member and noted Event Rider and Trainer. 

This is part of the message from Susan Newton-Rhodes, a friend and boarder at Kim's farm: 

I am writing to give you some information and background on what is happening at Kim Meir-Morani's farm in Chestertown, Maryland.  As you may know, Kim had to put down one of her horses last Thursday (January 26th) due to suspected EHV -1 (autopsy results will be in this week). The State Vet (Dr. Hohenhaus) upon arrival at the farm immediately quarantined the facility.  The transmission of the virus stemmed from a horse that was transported to the farm for training from the Pimlico Race Track.  Thus far, Kim has eight horses affected by the virus, 1 -death, 2 - with neurological symptoms (recovering), 4 with temps and no symptoms and 1 which started a temperature (103) yesterday. The horse affected yesterday is my horse.

Please keep Kim in your prayers as she is dealing with a heartbreaking issue that no horse owner should ever have to face.  I will keep folks updated as information comes available." 

You can also check at www.thehorse.com for more information. 

The following information was written by Dr. Laura Reilly. (reillylk@vet.upenn.edu)

Herpes myeloencephalitis is a very confusing disease, but here are a few important facts:

1. The cause is equine herpes virus 1 (EHV1), which can also cause respiratory signs and abortions.  It is also known as rhinopneumonitis.

2. The virus is shed in respiratory secretions, and horses get it by inhaling the virus or from contaminated objects such as buckets, tack, etc.

3. On a farm, you may have just one horse or almost all of them affected. There may or may not have been known cases of respiratory disease or abortion beforehand.  We don't know why some horses develop the neurological disease and others don't, but stress may play a role.

4. The signs of the neurological form include fever, incoordination, and weakness, usually most obvious in the hind limbs. There may be weakness of the tail and difficulty urinating and defecating. The horse may go down and be unable to get up.  In most cases, the signs show up about a week after exposure to the virus.

5. There is no specific treatment for EHV.  Some horses recover completely, others do not, and if they are down, the prognosis is poor.

6. The vaccine for Rhino does not seem to prevent the neurological disease, although some vets feel it may reduce the number and severity of cases. 

So what should we be doing at our own farms? I think we need to think carefully about moving horses around right now.  New horses should be investigated as to where they've been the last few weeks, and then isolated for 2 weeks (not a bad idea in any case).  Don't let horses mingle at riding lessons, shows, etc.  Disinfect buckets, etc if they have been used by other horses.  Monitor horses carefully for signs of disease, and call the vet right away if you suspect a problem, so a diagnosis can be quickly made.  Although the vaccine may not prevent the disease, we may want to booster our horses in case it could reduce the severity of illness. **Note that animals known to be exposed to the virus probably should not be vaccinated - it may make things worse.

Kim Meier-Morani's first-hand account of dealing with the outbreak of EHV1 at her farm - Information she wants all horseman to know.

This time of year there are lots of vans heading south.  Make certain that you know who's been on that commercial van recently, if they have disinfected the van, with what disinfectant and how long ago it was disinfected.

A Virus generally cannot live outside of the body for more than 2-3 days.

Don't accept new horses into your barn without checking to make certain that they have come from a facility free of ANY contagious disease for a period of time extending at least 3 weeks.  ASK!  I STUPIDLY ASSUMED I WOULD BE TOLD IF THE HORSE CAME FROM A PLACE WITH A CONFIRMED FATAL VIRUS!

Common sense rules for bringing in any new equine:

Take the temperature and isolate the new horse for at least 2 weeks.

What to do if your horse has a fever? Contact your Veterinarian.

  The first sign of EHV SEEMS to be an elevated temperature, but the rules regarding Rhino are quite varied.  I would isolate and catalog temperatures on any horses suspected of having Rhino; you should contact your veterinarian for any temperature of 102+.

  How am I treating the horses on my farm during this epidemic?  At the first sign of an elevated temperature, we give 12 (800mg?) tabs Acyclovir (sp) 3x/day.  I believe this is human herpes medication.  Elevated temperatures average IN MY BARN-(always assume this can vary) for 3 days.  Any time during or after this phase, watch for neurological signs, such as:

a wobbly behind

unable to back up

tripping behind (unable to cross legs properly) when turned slowly in small circle

Fat hind legs may well be a pre-neuro sign

Dragging hind toes (and front).

It MAY be true that if they "go respiratory" (cough/snot) they won't "go neuro".  I don't know, but have been praying for snot and cough anyway.

Neuro signs=BAD.  At the onset of neurological signs, we begin jugging with DMSO and, gave Dexmethazone and Banamine along with the acyclovir.  At the onset of neurological systems, you have to plan for the worst-case scenario, and it is prudent to move the affected horse(s) into an indoor/ a large shed/broodmare stall/near a big door/garage so if they go down you can get them up and out (this is gross but important-dead or alive.)

  I've had 8 horses with elevated temperatures and 3 of these horses developed neurological symptoms.  The first horse that was affected on my farm went neuro and was put down 24 hours later.  This was my daughters 5 yr old Pony Club horse and a terrible loss for us all.   If the horse goes down and can't get up it's nearly over and hardly any make it, or so I've been told.  It happens fast, so you have to pay attention.

    The second neuro case recovered from the fever and wobbled 24-36 hrs later.  She's doing well now.  Before she could not put head down to eat (no balance) so we made her a "table", and she had to be catheterized because their bladder can become paralyzed for 2-3 days.

     The third neuros early symptoms were confusing, as he began with fat hinds.  In hindsight we should have DMSOed right then, but with fat legs we started with Dex and Banamine.  2-3 days later when he began exhibiting definite neurological symptoms we did DMSO.  By the way, there is no proof DMSO works, but many veterinarians will still use this drug.

Where are we now?

On February 2, the second neuro case is being weaned off drugs.  She wobbled last Wed.  She has access to a small paddock with 1 friend and will it will take weeks/months to (hopefully) return to normal.

The case three neuro is better after 2 DMSO jugging days and still in the Indoor.  FYI; this is my good eventer Merle, and he was the full brother to my daughters mare that had to be put down.

Bottom line: RESPECT this disease.

The trouble with Pimlico is that they told all track personal, etc, that the EHV1 outbreak was under control, and they allowed horses in and out of the track barns and tracks.  They were even planning on racing on the 4 th.

  IT IS NEVER UNDER CONTROL UNTIL AFTER THREE WEEKS OF NO SYMPTOMS ON THE ENTIRE, REPEAT ENTIRE PROPERTY.

We don't want any more sick horses. Be notified and be careful.

USDF Announces 2005 GMO Volunteers of the Year
The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2005 Regional Group-Member Organization (GMO) Volunteer of the Year award.

The commitment of volunteers often proves to be the backbone of USDF GMOs. The GMO Volunteer of the Year award enables USDF to recognize members’ outstanding service on the local GMO level.

USDF congratulates the following 2005 GMO Volunteers of the Year.

Region 1: Margaret Scarff of White Hall, MD (Maryland Dressage Association)

Region 2: Angie Carbol of Gurnee, IL (Illinois Dressage & CTA) Region 3: Don Faso of Liburn, GA (Georgia Dressage & CTA)

Region 4: Sarah Patrick of Sioux Falls, SD (Dakota Dressage & Eventing)

Region 5: Heather Petersen of Colorado Springs, CO (Rocky Mountain Dressage Society)

Region 6: Jeffrey Jones of Central Point, OR (Oregon Dressage Society)

Region 7: Carol Plough of Riverside, CA (California Dressage Society)

Region 8: Beth Jenkins of Sherborn, MA (New England Dressage Association)

Region 9: Frances Luse of Fort Sam Houston, TX (Dallas Dressage Club)

USDF GMOs are groups of individuals at the local level who share a common interest in dressage. These “grassroots” organizations are the very foundation of the United States Dressage Federation. When you become a member of a GMO, you automatically become a Group Member of USDF. There are nearly 130 GMOs in every one of the ten USDF regions, ranging from as few as 25 members to several thousand members.

Founded in 1973, the United States Dressage Federation is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to education, the recognition of achievement, and the promotion of the sport of dressage. For more information about USDF membership or programs, visit www.usdf.org email usdressage@usdf.org, or call (859) 971-2277.

The correct mailing addresses of where to send the applications of the year end awards, scholarships, and rider achievement medals are:

Year End awards, perpetual trophies, and rider achievement awards
should be sent to Amanda Carroll, 3829 Salem Church Road, Jarrettsville, MD. 21084.
Her email address is Tcarroll660@earthlink.net.

All Scholarships except the Joyce Broccolino Scholarship should be sent to Christina Lortz 17050 Wesley Chapel Road, Monkton, MD. 21111.
Her email address is neuropt@yahoo.com.

Good luck to everyone who applies, and I hope to see everyone at the year end awards banquet.

Maryland Horse Council - Trails & Greenways Meeting The Future of Maryland Trails - 2006 and Beyond Get ideas and contacts for your organization! Great networking!

A few reminders for the remainder of 2005:

JUNIOR AND ADULT EDUCATION GRANTS Remember that we have grant money available to the GMOs for educational events that LOSE MONEY in 2005. The amounts available are $700 for the Juniors and $1500 for the adults. I have so far received one application for a Junior grant and have one coming for an Adult grant. I would love to get these processed if possible by the November meeting (Convention at the latest).

All you need to do is send to me by mail or email a description of your event – number of participants, format etc… and a budget showing how the event failed to break even (whether intentionally or by accident).

I will collect all applications until the beginning of November and then see where we stand in terms of dividing up the grant money. Priority will be given to GMOs that did not receive grants in 2004. Any questions, feel free to email me.

REGION ONE MEETING Sunday, Nov. 6th, 9 AM to 3 PM at Morven Park, Leesburg, Virginia. Registration is $15 for breakfast snack and lunch. PLEASE let me know as much in advance as possible and try to get your checks in early. Checks can be mailed to me at: 38595 Purple Martin Lane, Hamilton, Va 20158. I will be working on an Agenda, so if you have any items you would like to see discussed, again send me an email. Region1dir@usdf.org or lookingglassfarm@erols.com .

BLMs and REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS These shows are coming up the first and third weekends of October. Please try to be supportive of the GMOs that have taken on the task of organizing and hosting them and whenever possible encourage your members to sign up to volunteer. I know from personal experience that it takes an awful lot of manpower to run any show, let alone one so large. Any volunteer incentives you could offer from your own club would be an added bonus. Contact information for these shows can be found on the regional web site, www.usdfregion1.org .

JUDGES EDUCATION SESSION As you may know, USDF has implemented a new program to provide continuing education to L Graduates and USEF judges of all levels, designed to be run at the GMO level and open to auditors. PVDA and VADA/Nova are working together to offer a continuing education program for judges at the Adult Team Competition, Saturday, October 29th at Morven Park, Leesburg, Va. The instructor will be Sally O’Connor (S), and the session will include live rides, video tapes and discussion opportunities. For more information, you can visit the PVDA web site, www.pvda.org , or email me (see above).

With the aftermath of the category 5 hurricane that swept throught the south, there are many relief efforts that are going on simultaneously.For hurricane relief and help for people there is the Red Cross and the Salvation Army. These and other fine organizations are doing a lot to relieve the suffering of our neighbors and brothers and sisters.

The devastation in New Orleans was so lethal because the levy that protected the city from the waters of Lake Ponchetraine did not break until 8PM the night after the hurricane went through the Gulf Coast. No one had any idea of the silent death that was approaching until it was too late for them and their animals to escape.

Not only were human beings severally affected by this disaster, but, so were the pets and other livestock that were left behind. There are also many organizations ready to help all of these creatures and these organizations also need your help. If you can help in any way, please contact one of the organizations of your choice.

All of the following websites have links and contacts for the relief effort.

www.redcross.org
www.salvationarmyusa.org
www.usdf.org
www.aspca.org

These and several other fine organizations have several listings of where you may donate resources or time and money. Remember only by the Grace of God did a disaster of this magnitude not strike anyone of us. Please try to help if you can.

The MDA Sponsored Heavenly Waters Dressage Show held on June 25 and 26, 2005 again offered all breed awards. There were many participants for this popular award this year. The awards recipients were:

Appaloosa - Impressive Ebony - Mary Butler owner, rider
Danish Warmblood - Madrid - Denise Rotko owner, Barbara Strawson rider
Dutch Warmblood - Trust Me Deri Jeffers owner, James Armstrong rider
Fresian -Black Hawk - Andrea Lematta owner, Barbera Strawson rider
Hanoverian - Wixen- Mary Smith owner, Sara Zolchak rider
Holsteiner - Lombabo - Amanda Chambers owner,rider
Lipizaner - Plu Perfect- Kelly McKubin owner, Logan McKubin rider
Oldenberg - Fandango - Colleen Budzrich owner, rider
Quarter Horse - Perfect Investment - Amanda Carroll - owner, rider
Shire - Clark's Dusty Bailey - Aime Morrill owner, rider
Swedish Warmblood - Biljard - Hilltop Farm owner, Tami Glover rider
Thoroughbred - Wave of Hope- Max Despain owner,rider
Trakehner - LakotaLucy Wilson owner, Filppa Boughton - rider
Westfalen - Prosecco - Denise Rotko owner, Barbara Strawson rider

Please join me in congratulating everyone who participated in the all breed awards and our show. Well done everyone.
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Thanks to all of our Heavenly Waters Volunteers
By Margaret Scarff


Our annual recognized dressage show, Dressage at Heavenly Waters, went off without a glitch again this year due to efforts of all of our helpers. As everyone knows, MDA could not even begin to organize and run such a show without the unselfish help of our dedicated volunteers. Please join me in thanking all of them.

Jill Blackburn
Jean Bosley
Catherine Brown
Suzane Brown
Fred Brundick
Susan Brundick
Bell Carlson
Pat Cameron
Elizabeth Converse
Max Despain
Linda Elliott
Linda Fabizsak
Susan Fradel
Sue Hafner
Jillian Hayden
Lita Hughes
Amy Hughes
Ginny Kidd
Evelyn Kipp
Janet Knox
Kristen Layfield
Anne Lyons
Patty McCandless
Marilynn McFadden
Lynn Moffett
Brenda Rice
Chris Sorenson
Grayson Scarff
Jennifer Stalfort
Mary Stapleton
Martha Strauss
Alyson Weege
Trish Wilson
Elaine Wilterdink
Robert Wilterdink

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USDF Region One Clinic
By H. Henley


RIDERS SELECTED FOR USDF REGION 1 ADULT CLINIC FEATURING KATHY CONNELLY

The following riders have been selected by the USDF Region 1 Adult Clinic Selection Committee to participate in the USDF Region 1 Adult Clinic scheduled for July 23-24, 2005, at Horizon Hill Farm in Glenmore, Pennsylvania, organized by Susan Nicholas:

SELECTED RIDERS
Training Level: Jeanette Bair Woodstock FDF Hanoverian Maryland
Training Level: Jill Murray Takoda Nokota Pennsylvania
First Level: Leigh Frazier Fortune’s Samson Morgan Pennsylvania
Second Level: Bette Jo Spaziani Minanda KWPN New Jersey
Third Level: Laura Serkes Rosenstolz Hanoverian Virginia
Fourth Level: Gail Osterlund Omar KWPN New Jersey
Fourth Level: Gail Carpency Napoleon KWPN Pennsylvania
F.E.I. Level: Karen Bates O’Neil BWP North Carolina

ALTERNATE RIDERS
FEI Level: Linda McDowell Joshua Dutch New Jersey
Second Level: Janet Youse Georgetown Hanoverian/Dutch Pennsylvania
First Level: Susan Neilson Sichi Roca Dutch Pennsylvania


Kathy Connelly will be the featured clinician. As an international rider and competitor Kathy Connelly represented the U.S. at the 1989 FEI World Cup Final in Sweden and at the FEI North American Championships. She holds national titles at all of the FEI levels including 1988 Grand Prix Freestyle Champion and 1989 U.S. World Cup League Champion. She has trained extensively in Europe with the late Herbert Rehbein, and with Ernst Bachinger from the Spanish Riding School. Kathy is a USEF "S" judge and trains horses and riders of all levels at her dressage facility, Apple Valley Farm, in Harvard, MA, and in the winter in Wellington, FL. Kathy is co-author of the book, Dressage Insights - Excerpts from Experts (Half Halt Press, 1994).

Auditing opportunities are available for this clinic. Don't miss out on this chance to see one of the most respected instructors in the United States. Current USDF members who pre-register to audit by July 15, 2005, will receive a pre-registration discount off the walk-in/non-member auditing rates. For further information, visit www.usdf.org/adultclinics.asp, or contact USDF at (859) 271-7877 or adultclinics@usdf.org.

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James Armstrong and Gustaaf do well at the Virginia Charity Free Style
By Anita Shelbourne


With a routine based soundly - pun intended - on dance music, notably disco, James Armstrong and Gustaaf won both the grand prix class and the audience favorite award at the Celebrity Dressage Freestyle at Keswick on June 18.

Gustaaf was recently retired from grand prix competition, having attained national stature, but owner Patsy Ward still sends him to exhibitions and events such as the Keswick fundraiser with Armstrong, his long-time show partner.

The dark chestnut gelding excelled especially at the passage during his performance. The reserve championship went to 23-year-old Andrea Velas, also from Maryland, and the Andalusian Excelso. Theirs was perhaps the most interesting ride of the evening, although the crowd did not warm to it.

Velas rode to flamenco music - not an unusual choice for musical freestyles for Spanish horses. But where other riders tend to select lush and heavily orchestrated versions of flamenco, restyled to suit modern listeners, Velas went with classical flamenco. Her music consisted solely of a single guitar and the staccato, percussive pounding of heels. Because classical flamenco is performed to syncopated rhythms virtually impossible to follow with an untrained ear, not only was the routine difficult for the audience to appreciate, it must have been difficult to perform correctly. Yet Excelso’s hoofs touched down at precisely the right moments, on the beat - at least, as far as I could tell. The judges must have approved, too, awarding the pair a score of 66.17 to Gustaaf and Armstrong’s 71.25.

Winning at intermediare were James Koford and Neostan, with a routine based on a native American theme and incorporating spoken words, chants and flute music. Reserve went to Peta Jean Wylie, a local rider, and Maestro.

For unusual presentation, one highlight of the class came was Ann Moss’s appearance on Helium, riding side saddle to Civil War-era music performed old-style with fiddle, bass and pennywhistle. Riding astride, Moss returned on Helium, along with Deborah Tsang and Oz, to execute a beautiful pas de deux to music from “Swan Lake.” If you think it’s hard matching the movements of one horse to music (and it is), try two. They were the only entry in the upper-level class, for which they received one of the highest scores of the evening, at 74.41.

While final scores were being tabulated, four riders staged a grand finale. Bruno Greber, trainer at Ashanti Farm of Gordonsville, appeared first with Delacroix, performing to the “Pink Panther” theme. When he exited, Armstrong, Koford and Hokan Thorn, who trains for Far-A-Field Acres of Quinque, rode into the ring and wowed the crowd with bold, beautiful passes at the extended trot, the passage and more. Their music? The cleverly chosen disco tune “It’s Raining Men.” The awards ceremonies for the upper-level classes followed.

The last music that departing audience members heard as they drifted toward their cars was the theme to “Superman,” fitting for a fundraising event that benefits the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation. The star of the Superman movies, who had been paralyzed in a riding accident in Culpeper, died last year.

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Memorial Service for Denny Moyer
By Margaret Scarff


There will be a memorial service for Denny Moyer,husband of Maggie Moyer, on July 10, 2005 at the Loganville Fire Hall, Mill Street, Loganville, PA. from 2 to 4PM.

Denny passed away at home after a long illness with cancer. He will be sorrily missed.

Maggie and Denny were early members of MDA and both were very active in the club at that time.

Condolences may be sent to Maggie at 9899 Loop RD Seven Valleys, PA 17360 In Lieu of Flowers donations will be accepted for the Loganville Volunteer Fire Station, PO Box 141,Loganville,PA 17342 or the VNA Home Health/Hospice services, 218E Market Street, York, PA 17403 .

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MDA Writing Award Winners for 2004
By Linda Elliott


At long last, the results you have been waiting for. Congratulations to all our winners, and many thanks to all who wrote or contributed their articles and news to both our Newsline and web site.

We also appreciate the efforts of Max Despain, our Writing Awards judge, and Lisa Dill, our Writing Awards "judge at E". Max is a major in the U.S. Air Force and a full-time graduate student at the University of Delaware. She is working on her PhD in English Literature and will eventually be a senior professor at the Air Force Academy when she is finished with her degree. Max has been riding since she was 11, although her mother insists her second word was horse. Formerly president of the Country Plains Riding Club at Incirlik Air Base in Turkey, she has a lot of experience with horse clubs. She and her 12-year-old thoroughbred, Hopi, are still trying to figure out their niche and hope to compete at 2nd level again at the schooling shows this year. Max and her husband, Ken, and other critters (Seattle, the dog, and Tater Tot, the cat) live in Darlington.

Lisa is an adjunct professor of writing at the University of Delaware and a manager for a small public relations firm in Wilmington. A competitive hunter/jumper rider since she was six, Lisa owns a show jumper who, if he can stay healthy, will be showing this year. A native of Wilmington, Lisa is also a freelance writer, and is currently at work on her first novel.

Young Riders Column

1. Morven Park Results (July) - Mary Hardester
2. YR Dressage Festival (Sept) – Mary Hardester
3. Quarterline – About Sheena Little (June) – Rio Sites
4. Quarterline – (Jan) Jessica Hardester
5. Quarterline (Mar) Rio Sites
Recap/Review of show Clinic or other MDa-Sponsored Event
1. Michael Kierkegaard Clinic – Margaret Scarff
2. Horse Expo 2004 – Jean Bosley
3. Lameness in Dressage Horses – Elaine Wilterdink
4. Sagamore Show – Jill Blackburn
Educational
1. House Bill 84 – Carolyn Cote
2. Another West Nile Update – Margaret Scarff
3. The Ulf Moeller Clinic at Hilltop – Margaret Scarff
4. Farnam Loses the 1st Round – Margaret Scarff
Announcement and/or Promotion of show, clinic or other MDA Event
1. End of Year in Sight – Jean Bosley
2. Clinic With Michael Kierkegaard – Aime Morrill
3. What Pilates Has Done for Me – Jill Blackburn
4. Schleese Saddle-Fitting Clinic – Aime Morrill
Solicitation of Help or Participation in MDA Event
1. Maryland Dressage Assn (front page) April Issue – Margaret Scarff
2. Dressage At Heavenly Waters – Linda Fabiszak
Topic of Interest To MDA Members
1. Newsline Jan/Feb Issue – Margaret Scarff
2. Joyce Broccolino Exemplified Good Sportsmanship – Linda Elliott
3. Newsline July Issue – Margaret Scarff
4. Maryland Horse Council Presents How To Run a Successful Association – M. Scarff
5. MDA Policies – Elizabeth Ensor
6. Newsletter on the Web – Jean Bosley
Miscellaneous
1. The Tease – Linda Fabiszak
2. Winter Visitors – Linda Fabiszak
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Susan Fradel is the new MDA Board Member
By Margaret Scarff


Susan Fradel, Sue, was elected to the vacant board position at the regular MDA general membership meeting held at the William Watters Church last night, June 7th.

MDA would like to thank all of the members who also ran for the board position. Along with Sue, they all would have been good additions to the board. It is great that MDA has so many qualified individuals who are willing to serve as board members.

Congratulations again to Sue Fradel

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Braider for Dressage at Heavenly Waters
By Margaret Scarff


Lee Swift will again be available for professional braiding for the Dressage at Heavenly Waters Show held June 25 and 26, 2005.

Having your horse professionally braided can do much to reduce stress for an already frazzled horse owner, trainer, or rider. A professional braider will also help make your horse look his very best in the ring. A beautiful neck on the horse looks even better with a good braid job.

If anyone would like to contact Lee Swift for her braiding services, her phone number is 410-692-9616.

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Equestrian Massage for horses at Heavenly Waters
By Margaret Scarff


Alyssa Taylor is a certified Equestrian Massuese who will be available on Saturday and Sunday, June 25 and 26 at Dressage at Heavenly Waters for massages for your horse.

Massages do relax muscles and free up any unecessary stiffness associated with tense muscles. Just ask anyone who has had a massage just how much better they feel and how much more flexible they are after their massage.

If you want that extra edge in the show ring, you just might want to have Alyssa work on your horse. Alyssa may be contacted at 443-417-0069 or inforersi@aol.com for an appointment.

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World Cup Finals to be Aired on Outdoor Life
By H. Henley


Outdoor Life Network to Air Highlights of the 2005 FEI World Cup Dressage Final June 6

Tune in June 6 at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), on Outdoor Life Network, to see Anky Van Grusnsven, Edward Gal, Debbie McDonald and Robert Dover compete at the 2005 FEI World Cup Dressage Finals held in Las Vegas on April 23, 2005.

Debbie McDonald was truly the crowd favorite as she rode to the well known Aretha Franklin's "Respect."

"I think it was pretty obvious I was having fun out there and that was my goal coming into this competition," McDonald said. I think I achieved my goal tonight. I have to say, it was the most amazing atmosphere to ride in and I don't think that can be duplicated. If it can, then we're really coming along in the sport."

Robert Dover as well as the top three competitors all finished with scores greater than 80. "I think that we've seen here in Las Vegas a breakthrough for our sport, not just in our country, but in the world," said Robert Dover. "I think that dressage proved itself to be a sport worthy to be viewed by millions of people all over the world on television, and when they see it for what it is, they're going to realize it's a lot of fun to watch. We'll get into the living rooms, and the family rooms of families all over the world and they'll want our sport to be on TV. That's what's going to take us to the next level."

Don't miss this opportunity to see the highlights of the 2005 FEI World Cup Dressage Final, June 6 at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on Outdoor Life Network.

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Rolex and World Cup to be show on NBC May 8th
By H Henley


Tune in to see two hours of the world’s finest equestrians May 8th on NBC Sports. Highlights from the 2005 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Presented by Farnam will air at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, followed by highlights from the 2005 FEI Budweiser World Cup Jumping Final from Las Vegas at 5:00 p.m.

This is a not-to-be-missed television event and the first broadcast of its kind for equestrian sports in the United States. It all happens on May 8th, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. EDT, on NBC Sports.

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USDF Championship Region Change
By Barb Ballard


Regional Championship Region Change due July 1, 2005

Competitors who are planning to ride in a Great American Insurance Group/USDF Regional Dressage Championship outside of their home region will need to submit a Declaration of Region Change Form to the USDF office by July 1, 2005. Qualifying rides can be earned in any region, but USDF will presume qualified horses will compete in the region in which the rider resides unless a Declaration of Region Change Form is submitted. The Declaration forms are only applicable for the year in which they are submitted. If you changed your region for 2004, and wish to do so again, you will need to submit a new Declaration of Region Change for 2005.

The form can be found at:www.usdf.org/pdf/ChangeRegionForm.pdf and must be received in the USDF office by July 1st. Once the required qualifying rides are earned and recorded, the horse and rider combination will be listed on the Qualified List by Championship Region on the USDF website. Riders should check the Qualified List at: www.usdf.org/Programs/RegionalChampionships/2005qualifying/index.asp and do a score check at: www.usdf.org/scorecheck/scorecheck.asp to make sure all records are correct prior to the closing date of the Great American/USDF Regional Championship they intend to enter.

For any questions regarding the Great American/USDF Regional Dressage Championship program please contact Barb Ballard at bballard@usdf.org or 859.271.7896.

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All Breed Awards are offered again at Dressage at Heavenly Waters
By Margaret Scarff


Dressage at Heavenly Waters is once again offering All Breed awards to the highest scoring horse of its registry. If anyone is interested in participating in the All Breed awards, please submit a copy of the horse's registration papers, or other suitable proof, to the secretary's stand by the day of the show.

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Columbia Horse Center remains closed


The Columbia Horse Center in Laurel is hoping to reopen in May, but remains under a "general hold order" from the state Department of Agriculture after the death of a fourth horse on April 10.

Shaggy, a school horse in his 20s, came down with the same acute neurological symptoms of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) that felled three of his barn mates in three days during March. Like them, he was also euthanized.

A fifth horse, Radar, also showed signs of the illness, but he "seems to be making a full recovery," said the center’s general manager, Nanci Steveson.

The hold order simply means that no horses come in and no horses come out of the center. Two aisles in the barn with the sick horses are still under strict quarantine protocols – anyone going in must be suited up appropriately – but in the center’s other barn, boarders who keep horses there are now able to visit them.

However, the center is still not able to hold any of its usual riding lessons and other classes.

"We’re looking forward to opening up again, believe me," Steveson said. The Department of Agriculture said the hold order is an extension of existing preventative measures for at least another 21 days. "This situation is being handled with the utmost professionalism and cooperation among all parties," James Fearer, acting state veterinarian, said in a statement. "The Maryland Department of Agriculture, facility managers, horse owners, and private veterinarians are taking every step necessary to bring the occurrence to closure."

EHV-1 is an upper respiratory infection that occurs in horses, but the virus can also cause neurological disease, resulting in a swiftly progressing paralysis. It is not known why the neurological form of the disease occurs instead of the respiratory form, nor why or how the horses at the Laurel center became ill.

The virus is transmitted between horses through coughing or sneezing over a distance of 35 feet, or by direct contact with infected horses, feed, and equipment.

All of the horses at the Laurel center had current vaccinations.

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Misty of Chincoteague still lives on
By Aileen Humphreys


Note: Most of us grew up reading the famous story of "Misty of Chincoteague" by Marguerite Henry. The enchanting child's story is completely true and the pony round up still goes on. There was also a descendant of Misty that was competing in upper level dressage a few years ago. However, that descendant of Misty of Chincoteague had many crosses to the thoroughbred breed. Still, it was so good to read that some of the original Misty's descendants had gone to do well.

Misty of Chicoteague is now stuffed and on display on the island she helped to make famous.

But a new part of the Misty legend began recently in Lancaster County, when Tug, a descendant of the famous pony, was born at Meadowind Farm in Manheim.

Like countless other children, Tug's owner, Kendy Allen, read Marguerite Henry's "Misty of Chincoteague" in elementary school and fell further in love with horses.

"I was in a 'horse atheists' family," she said, explaining her parents' and siblings' lack of interest in equine matters.

But Allen turned that all around for her own family. She and her husband, Keith, sold their farm in Manheim in 2004 and moved to Chincoteague, Va., to help run the Chincoteague Pony Centre, which the couple co-founded in 2000.

It all started when they bought Misty II, the original Misty's granddaughter, after they saw her in 1987.

The Allens brought her to their farm, where she gave birth to four of her eight foals, including a pony named Black Mist. Black Mist grew up and gave birth to Morning Glory. And on April 5, five-year-old Morning Glory had her first colt, dubbed Tug because of a difficult birth.

Tug's birth is significant because he will be the last Allen pony born in Lancaster County. Tug was born in Manheim at Meadowind Farm, owned by Clayton and Julie Good.

Allen brought a pregnant Morning Glory from Virginia to Lancaster while here on business so she could keep an eye on her and assist with the birth. Allen said Black Mist, Tug's grandmother, was the first known Misty descendant born in Lancaster County, and that Tug may be the last. "It's like the royal line," Allen said of the Misty lineage.

Allen and her family established a relationship with Marguerite Henry, author of the 1947 children's book that made Misty famous. In the book, Henry chronicled the story of one of the ponies born on Assateague Island, where two herds of about 150 ponies each run free on the 37-mile-long barrier island, divided by a fence into Maryland and Virginia sections.

The National Park Service manages the island, which includes the Assateague State Park and the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. The Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company runs the Virginia herd and keeps the herd down to around 150 animals by selling off foals every July For the fire company fund-raiser, which started in 1924, the ponies swim from Assateague to Chincoteague for the auction.

Marguerite Henry's connection to the island began when she was sent there by Rand McNally in the mid-1940s to write a book about birds, her friend Peter Stone said in an interview Monday. At a dinner party back in Chicago, an editor asked her if she had learned about the ponies. She returned to the island and met the Beebees, characters known to those who read the book.

Stone's friendship with Henry started with a business relationship: his family's firm, the former Breyer Molding Co., made model horses, and he thought Henry might be interested in turning her horse characters into models. Stone sent an Arabian model in the mail. Eventually, Henry responded, and the Misty model was made, followed by a Stormy model. Stone now is president of Misty of Chincoteague Foundation Inc. which works to preserve the Misty legend through buying land where Misty lived and purchasing original artwork from the book.

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New USDF Rule affects All Breed Awards
By H. Henley


USDF Announces All-Breeds Award Rule Change

The USDF All-Breeds Award Program, one of USDF's most popular award programs, which recognizes the accomplishments of specific breeds in dressage, announces changes to its program rules. The All-Breeds Award program now requires owners to declare for the participating breed registry that they wish their horse to be recognized for USDF All-Breeds Award purposes. This program requirement has been put in place to administer the one horse/one breed/one award rule that was approved at the 2003 USDF Annual Convention.

Declarations must be on record with USDF by September 30, 2005. In order to declare for the All-Breeds Award program, owners need to submit a copy of their horse's breed papers. If there is no USDF All-Breeds Award-sponsoring organization for the breed in which the horse has papers, the owner may elect one recognizing registry for awards. This can be done by submitting written declaration sent with a copy of the horse's breed registry papers. A complete listing of USDF All-Breeds award sponsors is available on the USDF Web site at www.usdf.org. USDF recommends that owners contact the registry that they wish to declare for further requirements.

This new rule applies to all horses participating in the All-Breeds Awards program, not just those with multiple registry papers on file with the USDF. If your horse is on file with the USDF with multiple registrations and you did not declare your choice by October 1, 2004, your horse's breed registry for the All-Breeds Award will be the registry in which the horse was first registered (foal papers). This new policy does not affect a horse's eligibility for any other USDF or registry program.

Please check the USDF Web site at www.usdf.org for complete declaration instructions and to confirm that a declaration for the All-Breeds Award program has been made for your horse. This can be done by (1) accessing your score check and looking for the "All-Breeds Declaration" line towards the bottom of that document, or (2) accessing the web list for currently competing life-time registered horses without a declaration on file. This Web site list includes horses that are life-time registered; with at least one score entered for the 2005 competition year, and is updated weekly as show results are received.

Please send a copy of your papers to: Attn: Christine Walker, USDF, 220 Lexington Green Circle, Suite 510, Lexington, KY or FAX (859) 971-7722. Questions and declarations may be directed to Christine at cwalker@usdf.org.

Founded in 1973, the United States Dressage Federation is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to education, the recognition of achievement, and the promotion of the sport of dressage. For more information about USDF membership or programs, visit www.usdf.org, e-mail usdressage@usdf.org, or call (859) 971-2277.

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Maryland Dressage Association Board Position now available


As of last month, our board member, Tracy Hurline resigned as a board member due to her travel plans.

As a result of her resignation, MDA now has vacancy on our board. If anyone is interested in filling the position, please let one of our board members know, and please send me an email at mdanews@aol.com or phone at 410-692-6921. We would love to hear from all of you!

A new board member will be chosen at the next General Membership Meeting to be held on June 7, 2005 at 1401 W. Jarrettsville Road, Jarrettsville, MD, the William Waters Church. The meeting starts at 7:30PM.

If you are not interested in becoming a board member yourself, come out and vote your favorite person in. Hope to see everyone there.

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Diagnosis is found on Deaths of Howard County, MD., Horses
By Sue Dupont


News release from the Maryland Dept. of Agriculture FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Sue duPont, 410-841-5889

April 5 Update on Equine Health Concern in Howard County Equine Herpesvirus-1 Confirmed, Precautionary Measures Remain in Place, Situation Remains Isolated and Contained

ANNAPOLIS, MD (April 5, 2005) - The Maryland Department of Agriculture has received a definitive diagnosis of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) or "rhino" as the cause of equine illness at the Columbia, Md. facility. The virus, which causes upper respiratory infection, can also cause neurological disease, which the three euthanized horses experienced. The two other horses in the same barn that were showing signs of illness are doing well and no additional horses are showing any abnormal symptoms.

"We are relieved to have a definitive diagnosis and that no additional horses are showing signs of illness," said Dr. James I. Fearer, acting state veterinarian for Maryland. "All parties involved have made the assumption from the start that this could be an infectious or contagious disease of horses, so we will not have to change our protocols in any way and the measures appear to have prevented any spread of the virus. However, precautionary measures on the farm will remain in place until we are certain that the incident is concluded."

There is currently no known method to reliably prevent the neurologic form of EHV-1 infection. It is recommended to maintain appropriate vaccination procedures in an attempt to reduce the incidence of the respiratory form of EHV-1 infection, which may help prevent the neurologic form. Transmission of the virus can occur via coughing or sneezing over a distance of up to 35 feet as well as by direct contact with infected horses, feed, and equipment.

"It is important to note that all of the horses had current vaccinations and that the incidence of the illness is no fault of the owners or facility managers," said Dr. Fearer. "Why the neurologic form of EHV-1 occurs occasionally is not yet known in the veterinary community. The situation in Columbia was unfortunate and has been handled with the utmost professionalism and precaution from the onset."

Facility managers, horse owners, private veterinarians, public health officials, MDA staff and all parties involved are to be commended for their extraordinary cooperation in bringing this incident to closure as soon as possible. Based on what we know about the occurrence, horse owners and the equine community outside of the Columbia facility can continue with their everyday activities and with their plans for competitions with confidence. As always, horse owners are urged to monitor the health of their animals as they always do and to work with their private veterinarians with any concerns.

The Maryland Department of Agriculture placed an "investigational animal hold order" on the facility on Friday, March 25. Even before that time, facility managers began making sure that no non-resident horses come in contact with the affected horses or the barn in which they are housed and canceled shows and lessons. Personnel handling and caring for the horses are only working in that barn and are practicing strong sanitation and preventative protocols.

Up-to-date information on the situation will be posted on the MDA website at www.mda.state.md.us in the newsroom/news release area. For more information from MDA, contact Dr. James I. Fearer, acting state veterinarian at 301-334-2185.

A general brochure on biosecurity practices for livestock and poultry, including equine, is available by calling 410-841-5810 or logging onto http://www.mda.state.md.us/pdf/biosecur.pdf

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Update on Euthanized Horses in Columbia - April 1st.
By Sue duPont


April 1 Update on Equine Health Concern in Howard County Additional Negative Tests Results, Precautionary Measures Remain in Place, Situation Remains Isolated

ANNAPOLIS, MD (April 1, 2005) – The Maryland Department of Agriculture has received additional test results in its efforts to diagnose the illness that caused three Columbia, Md. horses to be euthanized. Tests for mosquito-borne diseases – West Nile virus, Eastern equine encephalomyelitis, and St. Louis encephalitis – were negative as were test results for bacterial disease and for equine protozoal myeloencephelitis (EPM). Rabies was ruled out as a cause of illness earlier this week. Toxicology and other viral testing are continuing with results expected next week.

The two other horses in the same barn that were showing signs of illness are doing well and no other horses are showing any abnormal symptoms.

“We continue to wait for test results to determine a conclusive diagnosis and feel this remains an isolated incident that has not expanded beyond a specific area of one barn,” said Dr. James I. Fearer, acting state veterinarian for Maryland. “Until a diagnosis is made, however, precautionary measures on the farm will remain in place. For now, lessons and other public access to the facility are postponed. We are cautiously changing on-farm protoctols to allow some animals away from the affected barn to be turned out so that their health is not adversely affected by remaining inside for long periods of time. Also, some very controlled visits by horse owners are being permitted.”

Facility managers, horse owners, private veterinarians, public health officials, MDA staff and all parties involved are to be commended for their extraordinary cooperation in bringing this incident to closure as soon as possible. Based on what we know about the occurrence, horse owners and the equine community outside of the Columbia facility can continue with their everyday activities and with their plans for competitions with confidence. As always, horse owners are urged to monitor the health of their animals as they always do and to work with their private veterinarians with any concerns.

The Maryland Department of Agriculture placed an “investigational animal hold order” on the facility on Friday, March 25. Even before that time, facility managers began making sure that no non-resident horses come in contact with the affected horses or the barn in which they are housed and cancelled shows and lessons. Personnel handling and caring for the horses are only working in that barn and are practicing strong sanitation and preventative protocols.

Up-to-date information on the situation will be posted on the MDA website at www.mda.state.md.us in the newsroom/news release area. For more information from MDA, contact Dr. James I. Fearer, acting state veterinarian at 301-334-2185.

A general brochure on biosecurity practices for livestock and poultry, including equine, is available by calling 410-841-5810 or logging onto http://www.mda.state.md.us/pdf/biosecur.pdf

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USDF Announces Changes to Hall of Fame Criteria and Deadline Reminder
By H. Henley


USDF Announces Changes to Hall of Fame Criteria and Deadline Reminder for 2005 Hall of Fame and Lifetime Achievement Award Nominations

USDF Hall of Fame Award-Improved Criteria At the 2004 United States Dressage Federation (USDF) Annual Convention, the Board of Governors approved the Historical Committee's revised criteria for Hall of Fame nominations for people and horses. The newly revised criteria will allow for broader recognition of the accomplishments and successes of those people and horses that have positively influenced the sport of dressage in the U.S.

Persons who will be considered for induction into the USDF Hall of Fame are those who have made outstanding contributions to the growth, development, quality, popularity, and appreciation of the sport of dressage in the United States. Past inductees into the USDF Hall of Fame are:

Lowell Boomer (1996),
Chuck Grant (1997),
Colonel Bengt Ljungquist (1998),
Violet Hopkins (1998),
Colonel Donald W. Thackeray (1998),
Lt. Col. Hans Moeller (2000),
Captain John Fritz (2000),
Jessica Newberry Ransehousen (2001),
Major General Guy V. Henry, Jr. (2001),
Ivan Bezugloff, Jr. (2002),
Kyra Downton (2002), Colonel Hiram Tuttle (2002),
Major Anders Lindgren (2003),
Margarita Serrell (2003),
Karl Mikolka (2003),
Captain Andrew de Szinay (2004),
and Dr. Max Gahwyler (2004).

Horses to be considered are those who have contributed to excellence in dressage through their performance records in the dressage arena or their breeding records, or have served as ambassadors of the sport. Horses previously inducted into the Hall of Fame are: Keen (1997), Gifted (1997), and Graf George(2000).

USDF Lifetime Achievement Award

Individuals who will be considered for the USDF Lifetime Achievement Award are those who have demonstrated a lifelong dedication to USDF as a volunteer through leadership, or the development of programs and projects, and that have made outstanding contributions to USDF's mission. Previous recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award are: Lazelle Knocke (2002), Elizabeth Searle (2002), Peter Lert (2003), Marianne Ludwig (2003), and Kay Meredith (2004).

Nomination Deadline

The deadline to nominate candidates for the 2005 USDF Hall of Fame and Lifetime Achievement Award is APRIL 29, 2005. Nominations received after this date may not be considered until 2006.

Specific nomination criteria for both awards, as well as the nomination forms, can be found online at www.usdf.org, or by contacting Kim Sodt in the USDF office at (859) 271-7876 or ksodt@usdf.org.

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The Dressage Foundation
By John Boomer


The Dressage Foundation Moves to New Office Location

FEBRUARY 2005 -- Effective February 22, 2005, The Dressage Foundation will be in a new office location in Lincoln, Nebraska. The new address information is: THE DRESSAGE FOUNDATION Wells Fargo Center, Suite 732 1248 'O' Street Lincoln, NE 68508 Telephone: 402/434-8585 Fax: 402/436-3053 Email: john@dressagefoundation.org Website: www.dressagefoundation.org

The Dressage Foundation, formed in 1989 by Lowell Boomer, was housed during its early years in the offices of Boomer's Printing Company at very low cost. Since 1997, it has been housed in the office of John Boomer Consulting Services, Inc., again at great economic advantage to the Foundation. The move is a part of The Dressage Foundation's Strategic Vision to build assets to the $10-million mark by 2010, locate the offices in a permanent home, and prepare for an eventual management transition, as approved by the Board of Directors in 2001.

Two Housewarming Gifts

John and Lynn Boomer have donated office furnishings, equipment, machines and supplies appraised at $11,600, providing a nice "housewarming gift" to the Foundation for its new office home.

Friends of the Foundation have created the "Lowell and Gladys Boomer Fund," in which donated dollars are being escrowed to prepay the Foundation's $140,000 occupancy expenses through 2010 - a gift of gold, freeing up future dollars for grants and scholarships to help the sport of Dressage.

THE DRESSAGE FOUNDATION NAMES 2005 GOVERNANCE TEAM

FEBRUARY 2005 -- At the January 28, 2005 meeting of the Board of Directors, The Dressage Foundation elected the following governance team for 2005:

Board Of Directors

Jonathan R. Burton (VA) Chairman,
John H. Fritz (IL) Vice Chairman,
Ralph F. Dreitzler, III (WA) Treasurer,
Clay Teske (NE) Secretary,
John F. Boomer (NE) President and CEO,
Lowell Boomer (NE) Founder,
Barbara Cadwell (WI),
Lazelle Knocke (NJ),
Lois Arnold (AZ),
Judith Noone (MA),
Maryal Barnett (MI),
Michael Poulin (FL),
Vivien Bobo (MA),
Michael Matson (MD),
Joseph E. T. Carr (KY).

Finance Committee

Ralph F. Dreitzler III (WA) Chairman,
Dr. Anne Barlow Ramsay (FL),
Harold Hestnes (MA),
Vivien Bobo (MA),
Clay H. Teske (NE),
John F. Boomer (NE).
Development Committee
John F. Boomer (NE),
Chairman, Michael Matson (MD),
Janet Brown (CO),
Judith Noone (MA),
John H. Fritz (IL),
Lazelle Knocke (NJ),
Martha Caldwell (OR),
Joseph E.T. Carr (KY),
Clay Teske (NE).
Grants Committee
Jonathan R. Burton (VA) Chairman,
Barbara Cadwell (WI),
Michael Poulin (FL),
Glenda McElroy (CA),
Axel Steiner (CA),
Clay Teske (NE),
Kay Meredith (NC),
John F. Boomer (NE).
Staff
John F. Boomer (NE) President and CEO;
Lynn Boomer (NE) Administrative Director.
"We are proud of our governance team, and the volunteer service they provide," said John Boomer, President and CEO. "Our volunteers are unpaid, not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless," said Boomer.<>/p>

THE DRESSAGE FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES 2005 GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS Totals Exceed $136,000

FEBRUARY 2005 -- "The Grants Committee and The Board of Directors of The Dressage Foundation have approved the funding of eleven grants and scholarship programs for 2005, with a total value of $136,050," said John Boomer, President and CEO, following the Foundation's January 28, 2005 Board of Directors meeting. "We congratulate the receivers and thank our Donors for making possible this level of giving to help the sport of Dressage," Boomer said.

In 2005, The Dressage Foundation will provide funding support to the following grants and scholarship programs:

Advanced Young Rider Olympic Dream Program, funded and administered by The Dressage Foundation, sends four young American riders to Europe for their introduction to International Dressage, $25,000.
USDF FEI JR/YR Clinic Series, administered by USDF with funding help from The Dressage Foundation, is training young riders of today to become the instructors, competitors and judges of tomorrow, $25,000.
USDF/USEF Young Rider Graduate Program, which is administered by USDF and USEF, and funded fully by The Dressage Foundation, $10,000.

USDF GMOs will receive funding from the Foundation's Violet M. Hopkins Fund, to conduct educational seminars/clinics for riders of all levels, administered and funded by The Dressage Foundation, $30,000.

Nine Adult Amateur Dressage riders will receive help from The Carol Lavell Gifted Fund. Scholarship amounts increased to $750 for 2005, with the possibility of additional scholarship opportunities available. Administered and funded by The Dressage Foundation, $6,750.

A Dressage Instructor, USDF certified, will receive The Major Anders Lindgren Scholarship for training overseas, administered and funded by The Dressage Foundation, $6,000.

Dressage Judges will receive educational help, administered by USDF, funded through the Edgar Hotz Judges Endowment Fund, established by The Dressage Foundation, $7,500.

Dressage Instructors will receive financial assistance for training/certification through the Foundation's Founders' Endowment Fund, administered by USDF, $2,800.

Freestyle Dressage, through The Dancing Horse Fund, administered and funded by The Dressage Foundation, $3,000. McPhail Equine Performance Center, Dr. Hilary Clayton's special research project, to improve performance and reduce risk of injuries in Dressage horses. Funded by a grant from The Dressage Foundation, $10,000.

Eckart Meyners Instructor Training Program (EMITP), first-time U.S. series of symposia in 2005, made possible with funding help from The Dressage Foundation, to help spread this training philosophy to instructors, trainers, riders and their horses throughout the United States, $10,000

For complete details on these grant/scholarship programs, see The Dressage Foundation website at: http://www.dressagefoundation.org .

The Dressage Foundation is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization, whose mission is to cultivate and provide financial support for the advancement of Dressage. Donations to the Foundation are fully tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. For more information contact: The Dressage Foundation, Wells Fargo Center, Suite 732, 1248 'O' Street, Lincoln, NE 68508; phone: 402/434-8585; Fax: 402/436-3050. Email: john@dressagefoundation.org. Visit our website at www.dressagefoundation.org.

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Update on Horse Euthanasia in Columbia, MD.
By J Burk, Jr.


A press release from the Maryland Department of Agriculture

CONTACT: Sue duPont, 410-841-5889

Mar 30, 2005

March 30 Update on Equine Health Concern in Howard County Rabies ruled out, horses responding well to treatment, precautionary measures remain in place

ANNAPOLIS, MD - March 30, 2005 - The Maryland Department of Agriculture has been able to rule out rabies as the illness that caused three Columbia, Md. horses to be euthanized. The negative rabies test results are the first to come in and further test results are not expected until the end of this week or the first of next week. In addition, the two other horses in the same barn that were showing signs of illness are alert and responding well to treatment.

"While we didn't expect rabies as a cause of illness, we are leaving no stone unturned in our efforts to determine an accurate diagnosis," said Dr. James I. Fearer, acting state veterinarian for Maryland. "Until a diagnosis is made, precautionary measures on the farm will remain in place. We thank the facility managers, horse owners, veterinarians and all parties involved for their extraordinary cooperation and in bringing this incident to closure as soon as possible. Based on what we know about this isolated occurrence, horse owners and the equine community should continue with their everyday activities and with their plans for competitions. As always, we urge horse owners to monitor the health of their animals as they always do and to work with their private veterinarians with any concerns."

The Maryland Department of Agriculture placed an "investigational animal hold order" on the facility on Friday, March 25. Even before that time, facility managers began making sure that no non-resident horses come in contact with the affected horses or the barn in which they are housed and canceled shows and lessons. Personnel handling and caring for the horses are only working in that barn and are leaving their outer wear in the barn and disinfecting their shoes before exiting the barn. Feed and hay deliveries are being made away from the barn and will be brought in by staff working in the barn. Owners of horses housed in different areas of that barn have been asked to stay away for the short term and that request has been honored.

Up-to-date information on the situation will be posted on the MDA website at www.mda.state.md.us in the newsroom/news release area. For more information from MDA, contact Dr. James I. Fearer, acting state veterinarian at 301-334-2185.

A general brochure on biosecurity practices for livestock and poultry, including equine, is available by calling 410-841-5810 or logging onto http://www.mda.state.md.us/pdf/biosecur.pdf

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Review of Dona Ruth Dressage Clinic at Liberty View Farm
By Margot Wolman


Dona Ruth was a big hit at Liberty View Farm's first dressage clinic since opening in April 2004. With six 50-minute private sessions, students received individual attention which allowed for significant and noticeable improvement. Gail Richter-Nelson wrote: "I learned from every horse and rider, not just my own. And I left excited to keep working on what my horse and I practiced during our lesson."

More clinics and a combined test are scheduled for 2005. Keep checking www.libertyview.net for additional information,. or call Margot 410-795-6769.

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Horse Health Alert
By Margot Wolman


From Saturday, March 26, 2005

I just heard that Columbia was closed, horse shows cancelled becasue of the sudden illness and humane euthanasia of 3 horses in the last 2 days. The preliminary thought is that its a neurological form of Rhino for which there is no vaccine. Tests are still underway, so this is not a 100% for sure diagnosis. Here's a link to the press releases for the state vet: http://www.mda.state.md.us/news_room/news_releases/index.php
No conclusions in what is stated there yet, however.

The chat is that there's a 2 week gestation period for the disease to appear. And it seems that its fairly contageous.

---

Here's what's being posted about it...
After speaking with one of the state vets that was at the property yesterday here's what you look for. Exposed horses will show a fever only for about one day of around 102 will go off feed etc. Then they seem to be feeling better then it hits them basically without warning and it's only a matter of hours before they have to be put down. It was not a long going noticable illness. In fact the pony seemed to be doing fine, ate her feed Friday morning and starting showing neuro signs shortly after and within hours had to be put down. She said for safety precautions any horse that had attended last week should be quarantined away from others and their temp checked twice a day. Also if possible anything...stall...tack..etc that had been in contact with them needs to be sterilized.

There's also a big concern that horses that were at a Columbia show last weekend have been infected and may be spreading the disease. Plus, some of the horses at Columbia last week might also be at the PG Equestrian show this week!

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The Place For Your Face


MDA members, your webmaster hears your requests. You want more articles and pictures on Your web site. Well, we want you to get that! We want to hear FROM you, ABOUT you and SEE you. If you send us your horse-related article, we will do our best to publish it on the web. We all crave more information on Dressage training, horse-breaking, equine health and nutrition, breeding, and other appropriate horse-related subjects. The webmaster herself is currently experiencing a horse-training drought, so articles on our site are getting stale.

We also are revising our classified ads section, in response to popular demand. Publish your own classified ad and email a picture to go with it, and it will be published. Please limit the size of your digital photo to 140 X 140 pixels, and make sure it is clear. Once the Classified Ads program is revised, you will be able to publish you own pics with your ads. With no annoying deadlines.

The price is right, too. Free is always a good price. Better than paying $400 to the Equiery to get your picture on the front page, right? We are listening to you, cherished MDA members. Please email your pics to mdanews@aol.com, along with the text from your classified ad. You may continue to publish your own ads without pics.

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Region One Meeting
By Alison Head


As I am sure you all know, the next Region One meeting is Sunday, March 6th at Hilltop Farm, Colora MD, from 9 AM to 3 PM. Cost is $15/ person and all GMO members are invited to attend. I MUST have reservations by the Monday before the meeting (and need to have received checks because at that point I am committed to the number of lunches ordered). Checks should be payable to USDF Region One and mailed to me at: 38595 Purple Martin Lane, Hamilton, Va. 20158. Walk-ins will be accepted but cannot be guaranteed lunch.

Previously, I mailed out the draft Agenda for the meeting. The final agenda will be available at the meeting.

On Saturday afternoon, Hilltop Farm is conducting an educational seminar entitled “Keeping your Sporthorse Happy and Sound”. Speakers include veterinarians, a massage therapist and Scott Hassler, Hilltop’s Director of Training. Reservations for the seminar should be made through Hilltop – 410-658-9898.

A limited number of rooms are available on the farm for overnight guests. Inquiries should be made through Hilltop. For those that are staying, we will have some sort of dinner planned for Saturday night.

Attached to this email are bids for the 2006 BLM Championships and GAIG Championships, submitted by VADA and ESDCTA ( ESDCTA’s says 2005 in the title, but the bid is for 2006 – not to worry). PVDA has also submitted a bid, which will arrive in the mail (hopefully I have correct addresses for everyone). Copies of these bids will also be available at the meeting. We will be voting on the bids during the meeting, so please take the time to review them.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me – region1dir@usdf.org . Get those reservations in! I only have a few so far… Alison Head

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Maryland Horses Get Their Own Radio Show
By Margaret Scarff


The Radio show, Marylnd Horse Radio, will air Monday thru Friday at 10AM on WBIS 1190-AM.

The show will talk about all of the aspects of Maryland Horse Industry not just racing and breeding. Mr. Stan Salter, the radio show's producer, does acknowlege that the racing and breeding industry does compose of nearly 80% of the Maryland horse industry; however, the other aspects of the horse industry will be given equal air time as well.

Mr. Salter wants to include horse educational courses available at the University of Maryland and other horse farms.

He also organized the popular television show about Maryland's racing industry that aired on Channel 2 at 12 noon on Sundays. That show is supposed to restart soon.

Mr Salter grew up on a horse farm and began galloping race horses at the age of 14. His father was a horse trainer and his mother managed a large horse farm so it was predicitable that he would get into the horse business after college.

The new radio show should be very popular.

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Candace Andelman, MDA Pioneer, Died on January 1st
By Bill Obrigkeit


On January 1, 2005 the MDA lost one of its earliest members and one of it's strongest volunteers. Candace Lamb (formerly Andelman) died at 12:34 a.m. after a battle with brain cancer.

Candace was a member very early in the MDA's history, so many people who are newer members may not have had the pleasure of knowing her. The MDA owes a great deal of gratitude to Candace, as she was a very strong volunteer. Some of the things Candace did for the MDA were instrumental in making the MDA a respectable organization in the USDF. We were just a fledgling group of Dressage enthusiasts at the time, but Candace lobbied the USDF to hold their national Convention here in Baltimore, which they did due to her efforts. The MDA was the official host of the USDF convention that year; however, Candace was the true hostess. She coordinated everything from the rooms for the meetings and reservations for the out of towners to the silent auction donations, and down to the centerpieces for the Awards Banquet. The young riders were Candace's favorite and she rallied them to help with the check-in and greeting of the guests.

Many a schooling show was held on Candace's farm on Old York Road at which Candace supplied the Lunch for the Judge and volunteers, with something she had made which was always delicious.

Our original Awards Banquets were held at the SPCA on Falls Road, thanks to Lita Hughes, who worked there and got us into the lovely old house on the property. Candace, however, organized the meal and cooked it there in the kitchen, with help from volunteers she got to help her from the club (and my Parents). It was always a very nice time.

Candace died on January 1, 2005 in Naples FL where she had lived since 1997. Her ashes were spread over the bay there, along with those of her beloved Bedlington Terrier Boris Badenough. She will be sorely missed by those of us who were privileged to know and love her. I wanted her friends in the MDA to know that she is gone but will never be forgotten.

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Silent Auction Donors


Every year at the MDA Annual Awards Banquet a big attraction is always the Silent Auction. We could not begin to hold such a nice event without the help and support of our donors. I would like to join MDA in thanking all of those who supported this year's silent auction by donating something towards it.

The silent auction also could not have gotten off the ground without the hard work of Elaine Wilterdink, Bernadette Lindeman, and Margaret Scarff, the silent auction organizers. Elaine was very hard pressed to keep things running smoothly the day of the Awards Banquet because Bernadette was unable to attend the Awards Banquet and Margaret was in Lexington, KY. getting an award of her own from USDF, but, Elaine proved once again that she was more than upto the task.

Our 2004 Silent Auction donors are:

Mrs. Crystal Thomas of Stoltzfus Feed and Supply
Mrs. Kate Warner of Warner's Feed Supply
Laura Stopper of Dover Saddlery,
The Mill of Bel Air
Powl's Feed Service
Elaine and Meredith Wilterdink
Margaret and Grayson Scarff
Patty and Ron McCandless
Bernadette Lindemann and Michael Kirkegaard
Christine Carmadello
Aime Morrill
Robert Wilterdink
Linda Seybold
Lunn Moffett
Judi Provencal
Max Despain


I just want to say "thanks" again to all of the 2004 donors who made this year's silent auction such a big success.

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President's Unsung Hero Awards for 2004
By Margaret Scarff

As you know, every year at the MDA Annual Awards banquet, the President selects an Unsung Hero for an award. The Unsung Hero's Award is selected by extraordinary work behind the scenes that is observed by the President and usually goes unrecognized by any other award.

There are always many people who are "unsung heros" in my eyes, and selecting one of them for an award is always hard. All of their efforts for the benefit of MDA is appreciated and considered priceless.

For this year's award winners, again, the choice was hard. Four individuals came to mind as truly extrodinary vounteers,giving much of their time, jumping in whenever help was needed and to choose one over the other was almost impossible.

This year's award winners are:

Patty McCandless, our former treasurer
Elaine Wilterdink, our current treasurer
Susan Brundick our former property chair
Fred Brundick our web person and nominating chair


I know that all of the MDA members will congratulate all of these fine people for their outstanding service.

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Directions to Caitlin Ben Dror's Viewing and Service
By Deb Cousin(CAMDA)


Dear CAMDA Members,
My first official duty as your new president is the most difficult. Below are the directions to Caitlin Ben Dror’s viewing and services. The viewing will be from 6PM to 9PM on Friday at the JJ Hartenstine Mortuary, Inc. – 19 S. Main Street, Stewartstown. The services are Saturday at 11 AM at her church, Stewartstown Presbyterian. It is located next door to the funeral home and the exact address is 16 College Ave., Stewartstown.

FROM THE NORTH
Take the Shrewsbury exit, the one with WalMart, and turn left (east). You are on 851. You follow 851 and turn right at Main St. in Stewartstown; it is a “T” intersection. The funeral home is about a block south on your left. There is a Wachovia Bank across the street. You may park at the church, which is the side street of the funeral home. Do not park in the bank parking lot.

FROM THE SOUTH Take the Shrewsbury exit, the one with Wal Mart and turn right (east). You are on 851. You follow 851 and turn right at Main St. in Stewartstown; it is a “T” intersection. The funeral home is about a block south on your left. There is a Wachovia Bank across the street. You may park at the church, which is the side street of the funeral home. Do not park in the bank parking lot.

FROM WHISPERING SPRING FARM
Take Dutton Rd north to Stewartstown Rd and turn right. This is a curvy road as you travel east and becomes one lane as you cross the creek, so drive slow. After the stop at Ridge Road, proceed through on Stewartstown Rd and you will pass the water treatment plant on your right. Just pass this is a narrow street called Church. It is only on your right. Turn right and follow this to Main St., a “T” intersection and turn left. The funeral home will be right there on the corner of Main and College. The church is just to the east of the funeral home.

If you would like to bring a dish, please bring it to the church. There will be a celebration of Cait’s life after the service. If you have a favorite photo of you and Cait, Margaret is preparing a memory book and would cherish everything.

Please think of everyone who rode with Cait and share this memo or give them a call. Our phone tree has been incredible, but there are so many people that touched Cait’s life, we are not sure if we have talked to everyone.

Margaret is coping as best she can. We are a terrific support group and barn work has never been done so fast before. Margaret appreciates your calls and cards and all of the personal notes, sharing thoughts of Cait. Cait’s memorial is in the York Daily Record (it was in Tuesday’s paper) and you can access it on the Internet. I have been told you can post notes. Margaret smiles as she hears of them and will treasure reading them. Pictures can be placed there as well.

My cell phone is 717-676-0148 if you have questions, or there is someone at Whispering Spring Farm who will pick up the phone.

Deb Cousin

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USDF announces 2004 Hall of Fame Inductees and Lifetime Achievement Winners
By H Henley


USDF Announces 2004 Hall of Fame Inductees and Lifetime Achievement Award Winner

The Hall of Fame inductees are:
Captain Andrew Bela de Szinay, in recognition of his leadership and tireless devotion to advance the sport of dressage in the U.S. He promoted, led, and championed the cause of young riders and became the father of the young rider program. Captain de Szinay's monthly articles shaped the sport for 15 years through vision, creativity, and deep understanding. As a very popular judge, he provided direction and encouragement to dressage riders at all levels.
Dr. Max Gahwyler, in recognition of his innovative contributions to the education of dressage riders in the U.S. His three books, The Competitive Edge - volumes 1, 2, and 3, have sold tens of thousands of copies all over the world. Dr. Gahwyler's creative, popular lectures on the local, regional, and national level have inspired thousands of dressage riders. His clinics have provided a firm foundation in the basics to many riders in the U.S.


"The Historical Committee is pleased that two outstanding people who embody the historical developments of dressage in the U.S. will be inducted into the Hall of Fame this year. The efforts of these and previous inductees will be permanently recognized in the Hall of Fame at the USDF National Education Center at the Kentucky Horse Park," said Historical Committee Chair Laura Gorretta.

The USDF Lifetime Achievement Award winner is: Kay Meredith, whose leadership of USDF in its formative years provided the foundation for the organization. She was the first USDF Vice President, and served as President from 1977 to 1982. She also chaired the Nominating and Scheduling Committees, co-chaired the Historical Committee, and developed the first USDF Dressage Instructors' Directory. USDF President Sam Barish said, of the Historical Committee's selection, "Kay made significant contributions to USDF in its critical, early years, and we are very pleased to honor her."

Additional information regarding the USDF Hall of Fame and Lifetime Achievement Awards can be obtained by contacting Kim Sodt at (859) 271-7876 or by e-mail at ksodt@usdf.org.

Next year's nominations for USDF Lifetime Achievement Award winners and inductees into the Hall of Fame are due to Kim Sodt in the USDF office by March 31, 2005.

Founded in 1973, the United States Dressage Federation is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to education, the recognition of achievement, and the promotion of the sport of dressage. For more information about USDF membership or programs, visit www.usdf.org, e-mail usdressage@usdf.org, or call (859) 971-2277.

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Committee Chairs needed
By Margaret Scarff


Now that the elections are over,the next order of business will be forming committees and picking committee chairs. If you have every thought about being more active with MDA, now is the time to get involved. There is a list committees on our web site. Please look them over, and see if you would like to serve on one of them or even be a committee chair! Please contact Margaret Scarff at 410-557-0314 and leave a message or E-mail at Mdanews@aol.com if you are interested.

Our first meeting of 2005 will be on the first Tuesday in January on the 4th.at William Watters Church 1452 Jarrettsville Road in Jarrettsville, MD. Please plan to attend and make you wishes known then. See you there.

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No Maryland Dressage Association Board Meeting in December
By Margaret Scarff

Because of the Awards Banquet on December 7, 2004, there will be no regular scheduled MDA meeting in December.

The next regular scheduled MDA Board meeting will be on January 4, 2005 at the William Watters Church in Jarrettsville, MD. The William Watters Church is at 1452 Jarrettsville Road in Jarrettsville, MD. Everyone is invited.

Have a great holiday.

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Election Results
By Margaret Scarff


After many weeks of nominations, ballot collecting and sorting the votes, Fred Brundick and his committee tallied everything at the Tuesday night meeting and here are the results. One word before the announcement, MDA would like to thank all of the members who voted, all of the members who ran for office, and big thanks to all of the out going board members for all of their hard work for the past two years.

President - Margaret Scarff
Vice President - Brenda Rice
Treasurer - Elaine Wilterdink
Junior Vice President - Jess Hardester
Corresponding Secretary - Linda Elliott
Recording Secretary - Patty McCandless


Board members
Linda Seybold
Carol Foreman
Jill Blackburn
Tracy Hurline
Judy Provencal


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Flim Flam has passed away
By Margaret Scarff


Sue Blink’s great dressage partner, Flim Flam, has passed away due to a ruptured stomach during colic surgery on October 28. The bay Hanoverian was by Wilhelm Tell and owned by Fritz Kundrun.

When Flim Flam was performing, he had such beautiful extensions and tempi that made him and Sue such a joy to watch. Those two made it look so easy to ride such difficult FEI tests.

Sue and Flim Flam were best known for the great performances at the World Equestrian Games in Rome, 1998, Jerez, Spain, in 2002, team silver and at the Sidney Olympics, a team bronze.

The dressage world has lost a great star.

Condolences may be e-mailed to equinebiz@sbcglobal.net or c/o Beth Clark P.O. box 682, Windsor CA., 95492.

Source – Dressage Daily
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USDF Youth Scholarship Convention Award Winners
By H. Henley


USDF Youth Convention Scholarship Winners Named

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) Youth Executive Board is pleased to announce the winners of the USDF Youth Convention Scholarship for the 2004 USDF National Convention & Symposium. The USDF Youth Executive Board selected Megan Dischler, Rachel Maas, Anne Huber, and Danielle Travis, on the basis of their dedication and commitment to the sport of dressage, to each receive a $750 scholarship to attend the 2004 National Convention & Symposium. Profiles of the scholarship winners follow.

Megan Dischler, 18, is from Green Bay, WI. She is active in her school's Spanish club and math club and is the vice president of the environmental club. She is a member of USDF, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), the United States Lipizzan Registry, and the American Morgan Horse Registry. Megan hopes to become a professional rider/trainer at some point in the future, but she has first set her sights on college to help support her riding career. She has wanted to attend the USDF Convention since she started riding dressage, but she has not been able to in the past because of the financial commitment. USDF is pleased that this scholarship will allow Megan to be a first-time convention attendee.

Rachel Maas, 18, is from Fullerton, NE. She is active in volleyball, track, and softball at school and she also serves as a class of 2005 officer and on the student council. Rachel is a member of the Nebraska Dressage Association and competes at Training Level. She believes that attending the USDF Convention will be a great way to expand her knowledge of dressage. Rachel is also a first-time convention attendee.

Anne Huber, 17, is from Bismarck, ND. She currently competes in dressage at First and Second Levels, and she has participated in USDF Junior/Young Rider Regional Team Championships and audited USDF Certified Instructor Workshops. Anne is a member of the Dakota Dressage and Eventing Association, Central States Dressage and Eventing Association, and USEF. She is also active in her school's competitive speech program, Spanish club, and National Honor Society, as well as her church youth group. Anne is looking forward to competing in the North American Young Riders' Championships at some point in her future, and she looks forward to attending the USDF Convention for the first time.

Danielle Leigh Travis, 17, is from Wailea, HI. She will travel from Hawaii to Kentucky in December to attend her first USDF Convention. Danielle participates in her school's leadership day, plays tennis, and is a member of the Hawaii State Dressage Society. She competes in dressage at Second Level and has participated in every show hosted by the Hawaii State Dressage Society. In addition to dressage, Danielle also shows in the children's division at local hunter/jumper shows.

Funds for these four scholarships were raised by the USDF Youth Executive Board through an annual silent auction. This year, the board hopes to exceed last year's amount raised (more than $3,000) to be able to add to the scholarship fund and support special youth-oriented educational programming at future conventions. The USDF Youth Executive Board is asking for the donation of new or gently used items for this year's auction.

Founded in 1973, the United States Dressage Federation is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to education, the recognition of achievement, and the promotion of the sport of dressage. For more information about USDF membership or programs, visit www.usdf.org, e-mail usdressage@usdf.org, or call (859) 971-2277.

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American Quarter Horse Association is encouraging participation in Dressage
By H. Henley


AQHA and USDF Encourage Participation in Dressage More American Quarter Horses Excel in the Sport Amarillo, Texas, October 7, 2004 - The American Quarter Horse Association and the United States Dressage Federation are pleased to announce a joint initiative to support and encourage the American Quarter Horse in dressage.

Earlier in the year, in order to address growing demands for dressage recognition, AQHA announced a one-year trial program to evaluate the number and scores of American Quarter Horses competing in dressage at approved U.S. Equestrian/United States Dressage Federation and Canadian Equestrian Federation shows. As the end of the trial period nears, AQHA's Show Committee is preparing to examine the figures to see how many horses have participated, how many exhibitors are members and evaluate how the proposed test score table is transferring over into point values. (No points will be awarded during this time period.) The amount of participation during the 2004 trial period will determine the future of the program.

AQHA strongly encourages dressage participants to turn in their test scores now. "We are excited to have the program in place and hope the level of participation grows to secure the recognition dressage competitors and American Quarter Horses deserve," said AQHA Executive Vice President Bill Brewer.

In order to make the process of providing scores to AQHA as easy as possible for American Quarter Horse owners, USDF registered horses can visit the USDF Web site at www.usdf.org/scorecheck/scorecheck.asp and download their score check, which will include all rides for the USDF competition year. This score check can be sent to AQHA in lieu of individual score sheets. In addition, USDF will be providing detailed data to AQHA on those American Quarter Horses who compete in dressage, in order for AQHA's Show Committee to evaluate the number of American Quarter Horses participating at USEF/USDF competitions and the scores being attained at the various levels.

The American Quarter Horse is by far the most versatile horse in the world, proven by its success in many different arenas. From cutting to reining and racing to ranching and even dressage, American Quarter Horses thrive in nearly every discipline. In fact, American Quarter Horse stallion My Royal Lark claimed the Grand Champion First Level horse title at the USDF's Southern Comfort Zada Cup at the Clarcona Equestrian Park in Orlando, Florida, amid a competitive field of Dutch Warmbloods, Hanoverians, Oldenburgs and Westfalens, breeds that have traditionally excelled at dressage. American Quarter Horse Association Professional Horsewoman Lynn Palm and My Royal Lark, son of multiple AQHA Superhorse Rugged Lark, emerged Grand Champion First Level, and also earned the event's highest first level score of 68.571 percent. My Royal Lark and Palm have earned six USDF test scores above 60 percent and are already qualified for 2004 USDF Regional Competition, First Level.

Dressage is an intense test of athleticism and obedience. When a horse and rider team competes in dressage, they perform a specific pattern depending on their own dressage level. The average time is different for each test; the shortest pattern is about four minutes, the longest, nine minutes. The test is performed individually in an arena and judged by one or more judges.

In the past, those talented American Quarter Horses that have excelled in dressage have received limited recognition. AQHA's Best of America's Horse Program recognizes the top performers competing outside AQHA-approved shows. Competitors receive prizes but no points. AQHA also has participated in USDF's All-Breed Award Program for many years. This is the first time since 1994 that the issue of formalizing dressage recognition within AQHA has begun to move in a positive direction. USDF staff has been working closely with AQHA's Dressage Task Force and AQHA's Show staff to develop this program. "We are very excited to be able to support AQHA during their pilot year. As a sport enjoyed by riders of all ages and horses of all breeds, we encourage all American Quarter Horse owners to learn more about dressage and USDF," said Cindy Vimont, USDF Senior Director of Member Services.

Stipulations for the 2004 one-year trial period:
* Exhibitor membership requirements are encouraged but not required.
* Owners must register the horse with USDF (HID or Lifetime Registration) and provide copy of horse's breed papers to USDF, in order for USDF to register the horse with the AQHA registered name and number. (The horse may compete under another name.)
* Horse must be a registered American Quarter Horse.
* The program will be implemented for a one-year trial period beginning January 1, 2004, to gauge interest.
* Horses will not accumulate official points during the trial period.
* Horses will not be Incentive Fund eligible at this time.
* Dressage is not a World Show event.
Proposed requirements for future AQHA Dressage Recognition:

* Exhibitors must comply with AQHA and USDF membership requirements.
* Exhibitors must meet AQHA eligibility requirements for open, amateur or youth participation.
* Owners must register the horse with USDF (Lifetime Registration) and provide a copy of horse's breed papers to USDF, in order for USDF to register the horse with the AQHA registered name and number.
* Approved events will initially be held at existing U.S. Equestrian/USDF shows, judged by U.S. Equestrian judges, or Canadian Equestrian approved dressage shows, judged by Canadian Equestrian judges.
* USDF will provide data to AQHA for exhibitors competing at recognized USDF competitions.
* Exhibitors competing at approved Canadian Equestrian dressage shows will send score sheets to AQHA for processing.
* AQHA will use a chart to transfer percentage scores to point values.
* Maximum point values will be set for each level to encourage advancement to higher levels.
* Year-end high-point awards and a recognition program are being developed.

The Amarillo, Texas-based American Quarter Horse Association was founded in March 1940 and is the world's largest single-breed equine registry and membership association, with more than 4.5 million American Quarter Horses registered and AQHA membership numbering more than 351,000. To learn about AQHA membership or programs, call (806) 376-4811 or visit www.aqha.com.

Founded in 1973, the United States Dressage Federation is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to education, the recognition of achievement, and the promotion of the sport of dressage. For more information about USDF membership or programs, visit www.usdf.org, e-mail usdressage@usdf.org, or call (859) 971-2277.

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Usdf Announces 2004 GMO volunteers of the Year
By Heather Henley


The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2004 Regional Group-Member Organization (GMO) Volunteer of the Year Award.

The Commitment of volunteeers often proves to be the backbone of USDF GMOs. The GMO Volunteer of the Year award enables USDF to recognize members' outstanding service on the local GMO level.

USDF congratulates the following 2004 GMO Volunteers of the Year.

Region 1: Margaret Scarff of White Hall, MD(Maryland Dressage Association)

Region 2: Kelly Hall of Grayson, KY (Tri-State Dressage Association)

Region 3: Barbara Petti of Ocala, FL (Arrendondo Dressage Society)

Regions 4: Kathy O'Brien of Overland Park, KS (Kansas City Dressage Society)

Region 5:Patricia Orman of Fountain Hills, AZ (Arizona Dressage Association)

Region 6: Gaye McCabe of Salem, OR (Oregon Dressage Society)

Region 7: Maureen Van Tuyl of San Jose, CA (California Dressage Society)

Region 8:( no nominations received)

Region 9: Nancy Kempe of Richmond, TX (Houston Dressage Society)

USDF GMOs are groups of individuals at the local level who share a common interest in dressage. These "grassroots" organizations are the very foundation of the United States Drssage Federation. When you become a member of a GMO, you automatically become a member of USDF. There are nearly 130 GMOs in every one of the ten USDF regions, ranging from as few as 25 Members to several thousand members.

Founded in 1973, the United States Dressage Federation is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to education, the recognition of achievement, and the promotion of the sport ofdressage. For more information about USDF membership or programs, visit www.usdf.org, e-mail usdressage@usdf.org or call 859-971-2277.

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MDA Slate of Candidates for Office for 2005-2006


CANDIDATES FOR PRESIDENT

Carolyn Cote
I have been an active member of MDA since 2001 and I've made many new friends through MDA. I enjoy volunteering at MDA events. This year, I've been able to participate at schooling shows as both a volunteer and as a rider so I understand the positive and negative aspects of the schooling show experience from both points of view. I'm also an enthusiastic participant in lectures and clinics. I've attended lectures by Walter Zettl, Axel Steiner and George Williams and I've ridden in Fred Webber clinics. I hope to improve MDA's sponsorship of similar events.

In my day job, I work as a paralegal for a boutique law firm that specializes in brain and spinal injuries. I specialize in problem solving and playing the role of "devil's advocate" for the firm.

As President of MDA, one of my main roles will be mediator, keeping all the "gears" that make MDA such a great club running smoothly. I believe my work as a paralegal and my experience participating in MDA events gives me the foundation to build MDA into an even better club for all of its members.

Margaret Scarff
I am the current president of MDA. Most recently was nominated as USDF Volunteer of the year. Has been a MDA member since 1983, contributes every year to the Young rider, Joyce Broccolino, and Trophy funds. Donated and supports the Penny Lane Memorial Trophy, has been an active member serving as Scholarship, Horse Show chairs, has been on the clinic committee, has worked at every MDA recognized show and Gala, and has organized the MDA recognized show for the past two years. Very interested in seeing more MDA members, junior and senior become more active at local equestrian activities.

VICE-PRESIDENT

Linda Provenza
I am a full time employee and PT Student at Johns Hopkins University. I am the current Vice-President of the MDA, and in the past I have been among many other duties the Committee Chairman for Year End Awards, Recording Secretary, in addition to showing at First Level. I’ve been 1st Level Champion in 2002, Training Level Champion in 2000. I take lessons with Linda Seybold in addition to studying techniques with Sally Swift, Linda Tellington-Jones and John Lyons. I’ve also taken clinics with Fred Weber, Jim Armstrong, Rebecca Lanquost and Susan Carr.

Brenda Rice
I have owned and ridden horses for forty-nine years. During that time I have participated in many activities such as trail riding, combined training, breeding, and dressage. I have been a member of the MDA for fifteen years. Some of the activities I have been involved in during this time are hosting speakers for MDA meetings, volunteering at MDA shows in many capacities, showing at MDA shows, organizing and hosting last year’s Freestyle clinic, worked on the committee for the first Gala and worked at the Gala.

I have been showing Dressage for approximately fifteen years showing several horses. My present horse, Gretta, and I are presently showing at Prix St. Georges and are working toward the ultimate goal of Grand Prix. I also have been showing a Fourth Level Musical Freestyle this year.

YOUNG RIDER VICE-PRESIDENT

Jessica Hardester
My name is Jess Hardester. I am 15 years old and have been an active member of MDA for the past 6 years. I am a sophmore at Harford Tech High School. I compete at First Level with my Clydesdale/ Thoroughbred mare Summer. I have organized many events for the young riders such as clinics and fund raisers.

The future of the MDA lies in the hands of the young riders. I would like to help build a stronger group of young riders. Also, I would like to help supply them with more activities and events to build their knowledge of dressage. Let’s watch this group of wonderful young riders take off!

TREASURER
Elaine Wilterdink
My son Robert and I have been members of MDA for three years. We are active members and I try to attend the Board meetings. I was asked to be ‘in charge’ of the 2003 silent auction. It raised $472.00 for the young riders. In 2004, we organized the Young Rider’s benefit show at Olney farm and I am secretary for the Whispering Springs schooling show. I am committee chair for Programs for 2004.

RECORDING SECRETARY

Patti McCandless
I have been a member since 2001, and currently hold the position of Treasurer. I am willing to serve as the Recording Secretary as I have worked for many years on the Board of York County Ag Land Preservation, and have been a director on that board since 1990. I ride with my daughters and love supporting them with in their horse endeavors.

CORRESPONDING SECRETARY

Linda Elliott
Linda has been an active participant in MDA since 1983. She has been involved in every aspect of MDA’s operation, including publishing the Newsline, show secretary duties, Recognized show program, among other jobs. In 1995, Linda developed a database driven web site, which allowed members to publish their own classified ads, and to join online. In conjunction, she developed an Intranet that handles the administration of both membership functions and show secretary functions, and allows authorized MDA staff to publish articles directly to the web site. Over the years, she has been a member of the Executive Board, and has continued to provide dedicated and honest service for the benefit of MDA members.

Linda is currently showing her horse Tess, (Flying Colors) an 8-year-old saddlebred mare at First Level. To support Tess, she works as a professional web developer with responsibility for all ebusiness for a credit card company.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS (Five Positions To Be Filled)

Jill Blackburn
I'm a current board member and enjoy being one. This club has many assets. Two that I appreciate are the strong volunteer base and our work credit system, and a large bunch of dressage people who enjoy friendly competition and growing with their horse. This makes are club strong. There will always be issues and bumps and I feel that the club has learned something this year that we can build on in the future. I feel that my best asset to the club is my nature to be a peace maker. Let me put a face to this. You may best know me as the lady that took on the food for the 2003 gala. Or the one who shows the, big for me, bay named Chenucor a.k.a. Charlie.

Carol Foreman
Carol Foreman has been a member of the MDA since almost its very inception. She has been on the Board of Directors for most of that time, but most importantly has been our “Membership Lady” for many years. Carol helps out whenever and wherever needed. She currently owns a 15.2 hand Morgan, Joey.

Mary Hardester
My name is Mary Hardester. I have been an active member for the past 6 years. I have been corresponding secretary for the past two years. I have two daughters active in the club, Jess and Jenny, and I am an active supporter of the young riders. I feel that I would be an asset to the MDA board because of my prior experience.

Tracey Hurline
Tracey is also a long term member of the club. She was President of the MDA for two terms, has been a member of the Board, the Recording Secretary, in addition to organizing the Recognized Show for many years and most recently has been the show organizer for the Sagamore Farm show. She currently owns and rides her Grand Prix horse, Boy Oh Boy, as well as his five year old son, Attaboy. She teaches and boards at her farm in Baldwin, Maryland.

Janet Knox
Janet has been a member of the MDA for so long that in her words “I can’t remember when I first joined!”. She has been on the Board, helps out every year at our Recognized Show, and has most recently been in charge of our Annual Banquet. In Janet’s words “I really like the MDA, I like the members, and I just like hanging out and helping out!” Janet is currently working with Carol Foreman’s horse Joey who Janet reports is the best Morgan horse going.

Judi Provencal
I have been a member of MDA since 1994. I have served on the Board for 6 years, as Recording Secretary, President, and Board member. I also actively show at MDA schooling shows. When I'm not riding, I'm working at Mt. Cuba Observatory and the University of Delaware. I would like to see MDA continue to grow and expand opportunities to its members. We have an active Young Rider program we can be proud of. I would like to see the return of the Charity Gala and an increase in the number of sponsored riding and unmounted clinics/programs.


Linda Seybold
Linda has been an MDA member since early 80s. She was a protogee of the late Lilian Roye, the founder of dressage in the USA. She has also worked with Eicke von Veltheim, a noted FEI level trainer from Germany, Elizabeth Madlener, and Ann Rawle both of whom are noted FEI judges. Linda in her competition days was legendary. Only the Olympic team was able to beat her at the York IEO recognized show. She was also a successful Hanoverian breeder. Gretta and Gold Luck being her best know foals.

Most recently she has devoted her time to coach several of the young riders for their Morven Park trip last summer. She is looking forward to being more active with MDA in the future.

Kate Williams
I am a first grade teacher with a degree in Psychology, and I'm working towards my Masters for School Counseling. I've been riding for 15 years, with the past 6 years riding Dressage. I have one pony that I am currently showing, Olive Oyle, and a 3yr old Paint in training for next season, Zana. I love to volunteer at shows, (when I'm not at the barn working off my board) and really enjoy being a member of MDA.

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MDA Members do well at Devon
By Margaret Scarff


Several of MDA's members have shown that they can show with the best at Dressage at Devon Horse Show. The best horses and riders in the country go to Dressage at Devon every fall. The competition is so tough at DAD that to get a ribbon of any kind is a special award in itself. Also, to go to DAD has become a very social outing for many MDA members. It is so close to home and it is a great opportunity to see many good riders and some Olympic riders compete. The Saturday night performance is usually a sell out. If you look closely, you can usually find several MDA members volunteering to help at DAD. There is always something for everyone, and the shopping is fabulous.

In the breed show division, MDA member Scott Hassler and Hilltop Farms came away with several championships which should not surprise anyone. Hilltop Farm is legendary for producing champion horses. His Cabana Boy won the 2 year old colt championship. Hilltop Farms also came away with ribbons in Get of Sire, ISR/Oldenberg, and Breeders Group. Leslie Carrier came home with 2nd place in Swedish Warmblood class and 11th in the Breeders's Group. Betsy Labell received a 3rd place out of a large Hanoverian class. Good going to all of MDA's breed show competitors.

Jessica Vest, a MDA junior rider, came home with an eight place in Young Rider Prix St. Georges, and a fifth place in Young Rider Musical Freestyle. MDA also congradulates her on her fine accomplishments at DAD.

For a complete listing of all placings at Dressage at Devon, please go to Horsesdaily.com.

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Survey
By Margaret Scarff

The survey results have been coming in and I want to thank everyone who has responded. I would also like to ask anyone who has not yet sent in the survey to please take a few minutes and fill it out and send it in. I know that MDA has asked for a return by October, but, please do fill out the survey even if you think that the results might be late.

The information that you will give the board will be very useful in structuring the future of our club. Please let us know what you think ;after all , it is your club.

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Review of MDA Schooling Show At Sagamore Farm
By Jill Blackburn


First things first. Get well wishes to Pam Knight. She is at home and recuperating. She received a compression fracture to her L1 vertebrae. Pam started her test with 7's, then her horse put in a few moves of his own. Thanks to the 4 nurses who quickly came to help and convinced her to take a ride to the hospital in an ambulance.

Once again we had beautiful weather the day of the show. The day before we had hurricane induced storms deliver tornados to most of the counties that our members live in.

Sagamore Farm is a beautiful and historic place. It was the Vanderbilt's thoughbred farm. Native dancer was from there and is buried in the horse graveyard. When given a tour you can picture the bustle of activity on a grand scale. It was its own community centered around racing. It boasted a quarter mile indoor and three quarter mile out door track, a myriad of other barns for stallions and broodmares. There were several dorms for grooms, hotwalkers and exercise riders. Kitchens to feed all. You can picture the finely dressed gents and ladies in hats, standing in the clockers stand. Every building, fence, bucket, piece of brass was polished to perfection and symmetrically in it's place.

Thanks to Patsy Ward for letting us have the show at this wonderful farm.

And special thanks to Jimmy Mandela, Who prepared the ring and area for us to come in and also for retrieving the keys that the organizer locked in her car.

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Lost and Found
By Margaret Scarff


Someone left a pretty pair of child's or small adult's gloves at the Winter Wind Show. Please contact Margaret Scarff if you have lost a pair of gloves at Mdanews@aol.com or 410-557-0314.

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2005 World Cup Finals for Dressage and Jumping
By H Henley


The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce that the 2005 World Cup Finals in dressage will be held in the United States. For the first time, two FEI World Cup Finals will be held in the same venue at the same time. World Cup champions in both dressage and jumping will be crowned at the conclusion of the Finals, scheduled for April 20-24, 2005, in the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, NV.

Following its previous hosting of two World Cup Jumping Finals (2000 and 2003), Las Vegas Events, Inc. has secured the rights from the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) to bring the World Cup Dressage Final to the U.S. for the first time since 1995 and to hold it jointly with the Budweiser Jumping World Cup Final.

Both USDF and the United States Equestrian Federation have partnered with Las Vegas Events to provide marketing support for the World Cup Finals.

First held in 1986, the World Cup Dressage Final has been held in the U.S. only once, in 1995 in Los Angeles. Germany and The Netherlands have dominated the competition, winning six titles each through 2004. The U.S. won its first title in 2003, when Debbie McDonald of Hailey, ID, and the magnificent mare Brentina emerged as champions. Brentina is owned by Parry and Peggy Thomas of Las Vegas, for whom the Thomas & Mack Center is named.

Las Vegas Events, Inc., the event producer, is a nonprofit company whose mission is to produce and sponsor events that drive tourism to southern Nevada. For more information on the 2005 World Cup Dressage and Jumping Finals, please call Las Vegas Events, Inc. at (702) 260-8605 or visit the official event Web site at www.worldcuplasvegas.com.

Founded in 1973, the United States Dressage Federation is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to education, the recognition of achievement, and the promotion of the sport of dressage. For more information about USDF membership or programs, visit www.usdf.org, e-mail usdressage@usdf.org, or call (859) 971-2277.

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GMO Award Deadlines are coming up


2004 GMO Awards Deadline

This is a reminder to all GMO Officials that all GMO Award applications are due into the USDF office NO LATER than AUGUST 31, 2004. These applications must be submitted by an official representative of the GMO. The following are short descriptions of the awards and prizes that will be given out this year. Please feel free to contact Ross Creech, Group Membership Coordinator, at rcreech@usdf.org or by phone at 859/971-7048 with any questions regarding GMO Awards.

Ruth Arvanette Memorial Fund Grants This grant enables group members to attend the Annual Convention by providing funds to cover the costs of attendance. The USDF awards three such grants from the Ruth Arvanette Memorial Fund each year.

Each grant includes: 1) reimbursement of up to $500 for airfare; 2) reimbursement of the lodging expense for up to 5 nights maximum, and 3) complimentary USDF Annual Convention Package registration. (Some restrictions apply.))

Website & Newsletter Awards One winner will be awarded in each category and awards will be presented at the National Convention & Symposium. All winners will be announced in the Yearbook Issue of USDF Connection. GMOs winning in the Best Layout & Design categories will receive one 1/6 page black and white ad in USDF Connection for use by the GMO. The winning newsletter articles or excerpts will be published in the Yearbook Issue of USDF Connection.

GMO Volunteer of the Year One volunteer winner from each of the nine USDF regions can be awarded. The awards will be presented at the Salute Gala at the National Convention & Symposium in Lexington, Kentucky. The award winners will receive a USDF Director's chair along with national recognition. (Need not be present to win.)

All applications for these awards must be postmarked no later than August 31, 2004. To obtain copies of applications for any GMO Awards please visit the USDF website at http://www.usdf.org/programs/awards/forms.asp.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 220 Lexington Green Circle, Suite 510, Lexington, KY 40503 Phone: (859) 971-2277 Fax: (859) 971-7722 Copyright © 2004, United States Dressage Federation. All rights reserved.
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West Nile and EEE are in Prince George's County
By Sue Dupont


Prince George’s Mosquitoes Test Positive for West Nile virus and EEE Residents across Maryland are Reminded to Eliminate Standing Water, Protect Themselves against Mosquito Bites and to Vaccinate Horses, Ratites

Mosquitoes collected in two separate areas of Prince George’s County are the first this year to test positive for West Nile virus (WNV) and for Eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE). In the first instance, mosquitoes collected on July 19 from a trap in Cottage City, tested positive for West Nile virus. Mosquitoes collected on July 22 inside the Patuxent Wildlife Refuge near Bowie have tested positive for EEE. Laboratory tests from the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene confirmed the presence of the diseases in the mosquitoes on August 4 and 5 respectively.

“We know that West Nile virus is present throughout Maryland and are not surprised to find mosquitoes in this area testing positive for that virus,” says Secretary of Agriculture Lewis R. Riley. “Triple E-positive mosquitoes are, however, found more frequently on the Lower Eastern Shore than west of the Bay. The confirmation of virus-positive mosquitoes serves as a reminder to all residents that it is very important to continue to protect themselves against mosquito bites and to conduct backyard mosquito control activities.”

The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) mosquito control office, with the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, is conducting state-wide surveillance activities to monitor mosquito populations and detect mosquito-borne viruses of public health concern. Surveillance activities for adult mosquitoes use traps and landing rate counts. Mosquito control activities conducted by MDA include larvaciding and spray programs for adult mosquitoes in communities that voluntarily participate in the agency’s program.

Most mosquitoes do not pose a threat to public health because they are not infected with viruses or other pathogens. Less than one percent of people bitten by a mosquito carrying West Nile virus or EEE will become ill. While EEE tends to occur in humans less frequently than West Nile virus, it can be more devastating. Up to 50 percent of EEE infected persons who develop neurological symptoms may die compared to fewer than 10 percent who die following WNV neurological illness.

People most at risk for developing symptoms of the disease are those over 50 and those with already compromised immune systems; however, all residents should continue to take measures to protect themselves from mosquito bites. These measures include:

• Avoid unnecessary outdoor activities at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active;
• Wear light clothing, long pants, long-sleeved shirts and hats when outdoors;
• Use mosquito repellents registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency according to label directions;
• Remove standing water from flower pots, tarps, trash receptacles, and other containers;
• Flush pet food and water bowls and bird baths regularly;and, • remove unnecessary water-holding containers.


There is neither a specific treatment nor a vaccine against WNV or EEE for humans. There are, however, effective vaccines against both viruses for horses, ostriches and emusBalso known as ratitesBand owners are encouraged to get their animals vaccinated and boostered in a timely manner in consulation with their veterinarian.

The last reported human case of EEE in Maryland was in 1989. The state’s last reported cases of equine EEE was during last year’s exceptionally rainy season. The human and horse cases occurred on the Lower Eastern Shore. The last time a mosquito collection tested positive for EEE on the Western Shore was approximately 10 years ago, also on the Patuxent Wildlife Refuge.

For more information about mosquito-borne diseases, contact your local health department. The following websites are available to provide additional information: arboviral encephalitis, www.edcp.org/factsheets/arboviral.html; West Nile virus, www.edcp.org/factsheets/wnv_fact.html and www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/issues/wnv/wnv.html; the MDA, www.mda.state.md.us, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/.

For more information about Maryland’s WNV-surveillance program, contact the MDA mosquito control office at 301-927-8357 or 877-425-6485 between 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., or visit www.mda.state.md.us.

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All Breed Award Winners at the Heavenly Waters Show


The Dressage at Heavenly Waters Show again had the ever popular all breed awards. There were some new breed registries that participated this year. One of the all breed winners had a broken knee and was about to be put down when he given to his current owner. She cannot wait to take his high score all breed award back to show to his former trainer and owners. The all breed award winners are:


American Saddlebred LA Flying Colors owned and ridden by Linda Elliott
American Shire Clark's Dusty Bailey owned and ridden by Aime Morrill
American Quarter Horse Zip's Country Gin owned and ridden by Carolyn A. Oates
American Warmblood Society Manakawk owned and ridden by Mark Susol
Appaloosa Impressive Ebony owned and ridden by Mary Butler
Arabian cross Fire Proof Number One owned and ridden by Gail Roberts
Hanoverian Wundrous owned and ridden by Hallie Ahmsbrak
Dutch Filipe owned and ridden by Evelyn Susol
Holsteiner Lombardo owned and ridden by Amanda Chambers
Morgan Statesman Masterpiece owned by Anthony Bullard and ridden by Suzanne Bullard
Lipizzan Pluto Triesta 11 owned by Bobbie Lauderdale and ridden by Filippa Boughton
Lipizzan cross Topkapi owned and ridden by Karen Webb
Thoroughbred World Traveler owned and ridden by C. Virginia Class
Trakehner Holm Grove Gresham owned by Holme Grove Farm and ridden by Chris Derr
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A Big Thank-You to all of our Volunteers
By Margaret Scarff


Our(MDA) recognized show this year went off without a hitch this time. This show was kept running smoothly due to the fact that we had so many dedicated volunteers who gave up part or all of their weekend to help out with the show. A BIG thanks to all of them. We could not have put on this show without all of your help.

Our dedicated volunteers are as follows:

Jill Blackburn
Jean Bosley
Angela Boynton
Catherine Brown
Susanna Brown
Fred Brundick
Susan Brundick
Amanda Carroll
Pat Cameron
Christiana Camardella
Carolyn Cote
Max Despain
Linda Elliott
Linda Fabizsak
Carol Foreman
Sue Fradel
Lita Hughes
Jennifer Jones
Sandy Kemp
Evelyn Kipp
Pam Knight
Sara Knight
Janet Knox
Patty McCandless
Terry McNutt
Lynn Moffett
Aime Morrill
Debra Mitchell
Lynn Nienstadt
Judy Potter
Jessica Peacher
Judi Provencal
Grayson Scarff
Margaret Scarff
Linda Seybold
Shawna Seybold
Donna Sites
Rio Sites
Jennifer Stalfort
Mary Stapleton
Martha Straus
Alyson Weege
Cheryl Williams
Kate Williams
Jeannie Blakeslee

The MDA recognized show committee cannot thank all of you enough for the great job that each one of you did.

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Suzanne Hassler and Royal Prince shine at the Young Horse Championships
By Margaret Scarff


In the Five Year Old Championships held in Verden, Germany,MDA member, Suzanne Hassler, with her new horse, Royal Prince, finished in fourth place just behind Dr. Ulf Moller and Amidou. Royal Prince's score was an impressive 8.84 from Judge Jennie Loriston-Clark. Fourth place is the highest placing an American has ever placed in the Young Horse Championships. As a matter of fact, out of fourteen horses, Suzanne was the only American to place at all. Good going Suzanne!

The other finishers were Florencio as the winner and FS Lord Locksley in second place.

source Eurodressage and Dressagedaily.

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The Top Riders are selected for Athens.


After the Bayer Festival of Champions, we now have our long listed dressage team. Brentina and Debbie McDonald are assured of a spot on the team because of their past performance. Brentina was excused from competing in California, but she will go on to Athens.

The great Rocher was withdrawn earlier this year because of a slight tendon strain. Rather than risk further injury, her owners have decided to give the mare some rest with the hope that she return to competition next year. This is a great blow to the American team, not to have Rocher compete for the gold at Athens, but she does have many more years of competition left.

It comes not as a surprise that Robert Dover led the way to Athens on Kennedy. The great Dutch warmblood will be the one to watch. I think that the Germans and the Dutch will have to work very hard to hold on to their placings this year.

The final scores for team selection are arrived at by averaging all four of the tests ridden at the Festival. The first Grand Prix ride is given a score of 30% of the total score, the Grand Prix special is given a score of 25% of the total score, the second Grand Prix ride is given a score of 30%, and the freestyle is given at score of 15%.

The final placings are as follows:


Robert Dover on Kennedy with a 78.478%

Guenter Seidel and Aragon with a 73.886%

Guenter Seidel again on Nikolas 7 at 73.181%

Steffen Peters and Floriano with 72.386%

Leslie Morse and Kingston with a 71.889%

Robert Dover again with Rainier at 70.541%

Tina Konyot and Anna Karenina with a 70.225%

Steffen Peters and Grandeur with a 69.417%

Carol Plough and Komo with a 66.081%

Tami Crawford and Dakota with a 64.073%

Cherri Reiber and G Tudor with a 63.685%

Shelly Francis and Jasper with a 61.726%

and finally Gwen Blake and Joewell with a 60.466%


Among these riders will come our Athens Olympic team.

Source: Cornerstone Dressage
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USDF Publishes Winners of the New IM Award
By H. Henley


The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce the winners of its first Senior Athletic/Academic Achievement Award. The award was established to recognize senior USDF Intercollegiate/Interscholastic Members (IMs) who have a 3.5 or better grade point average (GPA).

The 2004 winners are Krista Egger of Oberlin College (OH); Kathryn Schlesinger of Virginia Tech; Dawn Peterka of University of California, Davis; Sheena Little of Otterbein College (OH); and Laurie Grow of St. Andrews Presbyterian College (NC).

To be eligible for the Senior Athletic/Academic Achievement Award, senior IMs must have at least a 3.5 GPA and must have been a member of their IM organization (IMO) for at least one year, including their senior year. Students must submit an application form and a copy of their official transcripts. All eligible IMs who fulfill the criteria receive a certificate from USDF and recognition in USDF Connection and at the USDF annual convention awards program. This new award was developed exclusively for the USDF's newest category of membership-Intercollegiate/Interscholastic Membership. This membership category was developed in order to provide access to USDF educational programs and to provide communication and recognition of achievement to IMOs and their student members. IM membership is available to students who attend IMO schools. Any school from middle school through college that offers an equestrian studies program or student equestrian club can become a USDF IMO school. USDF also works closely with the Intercollegiate Dressage Association to promote dressage interest, participation, and competitions among schools and students.

For further details about the USDF IMO program and awards, contact Cindy Vimont, USDF senior director of membership services, at cvimont@usdf.org or call the USDF office at (859) 971-2277.

Founded in 1973, the United States Dressage Federation is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to education, the recognition of achievement, and the promotion of the sport of dressage. For more information about USDF membership or programs, visit www.usdf.org, e-mail usdressage@usdf.org, or call (859) 971-2277.

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Heavenly Waters Ride Schedule is Now Available Online
By Margaret Scarff


The schedule of the rides times is now available on the Bfk website,http://www.bfkequestrian.com/HW2004RiderSchd.PDF Please check the schedule to see when everyone is riding. Hope to see you there.

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Volunteers needed for the Recognized Show
By Margaret Scarff


Linda Fabiszak still has a few openings for volunteers for our recognized show at Heavenly Waters on June 26 and 27. If anyone is interested in helping out on either Saturday or Sunday, please give Linda a call at 410-592-2129 or e-mail her at LCFRhythm@aol.com. Even if you can only help out for a few hours either day, that will be a big help. Hope to see you there

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Farnam Company Loses The First Round of a Lawsuit
By Margaret Scarff


The Farnam company which has for years been noted for fine horse care products has come under sever fire in the form of a lawsuit against one of its products, Equitrol.

Equitol is a organic larvacide that kills fly larvae before they can hatch and become full blown house flies. Does this product work? Yes it does. There is a great reduction of house flies in the area of use. This fact makes it so pleasant for owners and boarders of several horses.

So if it is so effective, why is it on trial so to speak? Well, the owners,Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Wrather, of a large facility in California, Cottonwood Ranch are stating that their horses' performance, general health, and reproductive problems trace back to the use of Equitrol. The Wrathers further claim that Equitrol was used as directed.

Farnam is stated that their product is safe used as directed and was tested thoroughly before being placed on the market in 1983. As of this writing the jury awarded the Wrathers over 1 million dollars in damages. Farnam is planning to appeal.

What does this mean to the rest of us? Well, as always, consult your veterinarian before starting any new product especially ones containing any chemicals. Remember that there are natural, non-chemical products to put on your horse during the fly season.

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Maryland Horse Council August Meeting
By Tracy McKenna


Annual Meeting of the Maryland Horse Council OPEN TO ALL MEMBERS AND GUESTS

August 8, 2004 4 - 7 p.m. Carriage Room Laurel Park For Directions, please visit www.marylandracing.com/laurel.html

Light Dinner will be served.

Guest Speakers Dr. Phyllis Cassano State Veterinarian & Dr. John Brooks, DVM Deputy Secretary of Agriculture

What are the State & Federal Quarantine Protocols In Suspected Contagious Infectious Equine Diseases?

In light of the recent suspect Herpes cases, this meeting presents a wonderful opportunity for horse people talk with State authorities, ask questions and/or present their concerns.

Issues covered include:
What are the Federal and State guidelines regarding contagious, infectious equine diseases?
What diseases are included in this category?
Who contacts whom? What is the chain of responsibility?
Is it the horse owner’s or vet’s responsibility to notify MDA(Maryland Department of Agriculture), and do they notify the field vet or the State Vet? At what point do they notify the State?
Are there any county agencies that need to be contacted?
Does the State Board of Veterinary Medicine get involved?
Who is responsible for quarantining, and how does that happen?
What are the ramifications of quarantining?
How can the community be assured that the feed truck on their farm didn’t just leave a quarantined facility?
In the event of a State mandated quarantine due to a suspected contagious infectious disease, does the State take over testing? Or are there any tests that the State requires? If the State takes or requires certain tests, who is financially responsible?
At what point will quarantines be lifted?
Who are the MDA field vets, and what is the MDA hierarchy of responsibility?
Since the State of Maryland contributes financially to the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center in Leesburg via The Maryland-Virginia Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, does the Maryland State Vet have any regulatory sway over the hospital? What happens if a trace back for an infectious disease goes to an Out-of-State facility?
What communication can the community expect from MDA regarding these kinds of cases in the future?

Tracy McKenna Maryland Horse Council P.O. Box 233 Lisbon, MD 21765 410-489-7826 Fax: 410-489-7828
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Tyler Domenech is selected for the archery team in the 2004 Olympics
By Margaret Scarff


Long time MDA member Whitney Domenech's brother, Tyler, has made the archery team for the 2004 Olympics.

Although Tyler is not an MDA member himself, he has helped out many times at MDA functions with his sister and is well known to many of us. He has worked very hard to earn his spot on the team, and all of MDA wishes him the very best of luck this summer. You go Tyler and bring home the gold!

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The Olympic Teams are lining up.
By Margaret Scarff


All eyes will be focused on California in the next two weeks as the USA Olympic selection trials will begin. We have several contenders and one Marylander/Floridian, Jim Armstrong, in the running. The top placings for the USA so far are Lisa Wilcox, Robert Dover, Gunter Seidel, and Cheri Reiber. There are still several shows left and our tenative team will still have to compete in Europe in at least one show before the final selections are made.

The Germans, Dutch, and British top riders who will contend to the teams are: for Germany,Ulla Salzgeber, Isabel Werth, Heike Kemmer, Ann-Kathrin Lisenhoff, Klaus Husenbeth, Martin Schaudt, Hubertus Schmidt, and Ellen Schuten-Baumer;for the Netherlands Marlies van Baalen, Ellen Bonje, Antionette Falandt, Eduard Gal, Anky von Grunsven, Sven Rothenberger, Alex Silfhout, and Arjen Teeuwissen; for the British we will see Richard Davison, Carl Hester, Emma Hindle, and Nicola McGivern.

With this kind of a line-up, we can expect a very exciting competition this summer in Athens.I am going to be rooting for our fellow Marylander. Good Luck Jim.

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Ulf Moeller Clinic At Hilltop Farm
By Jennifer Stalfort


Just a short review of the recent Ulf Moeller young horse clinic held at Hilltop for 3 days (May 21-23) with the 22nd open for auditing. Ulf Moeller is a vet but is a world-known expert in preparing, training and riding young horses. He is head rider and manager for Performance Sales International in Germany, with some 130 odd horses at the farm at any time. Dr. Moeller holds many championships and apart from all that, was a charming, around 40, clinician whose English was very understandable.

At the start, Hilltop brought in some really young horses, one of whom had only been ridden 8 times or so, and then there was a progression of 4 and 5 year old horses with individual owners. Lungeing was not something Dr. Moeller advocated for youngsters, just a little with long sidereins - the purpose being for the horse to "follow its head" and accustom it to the idea of contact. Although the emphasis was on the 5 and 6 year old competitions, there was a lot of good advice for every rider/trainer of a young horse, even if as amateurs with riding time limitations, flying changes may not be accomplished by the time our horse is 5!

Dr. Moeller's advice was to get the 3 gaits established, and then evaluate the horse for physical/mental maturity. Scott Hassler made a point that the canter should be started quite soon after backing, he sees horses who have been under saddle for 6 months and do not have a canter - definitely got the feeling that delay does not help, it is a natural gait for the horse, and no favors are done to horses or riders by putting it off. Every horse is different in its maturity rate, so there was no magic age to back a horse. Emphasis was given to straight lines away from the wall, and the use of corners to differentiate straightness and bending, right from the start. Any "mistakes" a horse made elicited a "no problem" from Dr. Moeller, who merely wanted the rider to regroup, and ask quietly again. He expected quietness from the rider and the head of the horse kept up, no overbending. He also made the point of taking what the horse offers, even if it is not just what you are looking for at the time.

As far as participants in the clinic, I have to mention Royal Prince, the 5 year old stallion Suzanne Hassler rode. His walks have been given "10" and I personally have never seen a horse walk like that. He is part thoroughbred, and he has the very best kind of thoroughbred walk, with warmblood power in addition - looked like a panther. There was also a beautiful New Forest pony stallion, who was a lovely mover, ridden beautifully by a young Dutch working student of Steve Wolgemuth. I did see our president, Margaret Scarff at the clinic, but from the seating, I think Hilltop may have been disappointed in the numbers - there were about 50 people. Anyway, I obviously really enjoyed the day, the lunch, and the horses and would recommend any future event with Dr. Moeller to MDA members.

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USDF News Bulletin
By H. Henley


United States Dressage Federation Announces Increased Web Services. Be sure to visit the updated About Us section on the USDF Web site at www.usdf.org/AboutUs/index.asp. This section now includes the updated USDF bylaws, the USDF Council and Committee Handbook (under the "Councils and Committees") tab, the new "What Is USDF?" brochure, and a new Spectator's Guide to Dressage brochure. For an up-to-date listing of career opportunities in the USDF office, visit www.usdf.org/AboutUs/Jobs.asp.

Horse owners and lessees can now view and print a complete online report of all their horses registered with USDF. Each horse portfolio displays owner/lessee membership information and the name and registration type (horse-identification number [HID] or USDF lifetime registration) of all horses currently owned or leased by that member. The portfolio also includes effective dates of the registrations and memberships. To access this new search tool, visit www.usdf.org/join/horseowners.asp.

Horse breeders can now access a complete report and print a portfolio of all USDF-registered horses whose records list them as the breeder. This new tool will provide a comprehensive breeder portfolio, complete with horse name, USDF number, foal date, breed, and sex. To access this new search tool, visit www.usdf.org/join/HorseBreeders.

In anticipation of the 2005 competition year, artists and photographers are encouraged to enter the USDF Directory cover art contest. All submissions must be received in the USDF office by Monday, August 2, 2004. For all the details on the contest, visit www.usdf.org/Directory/index.asp. All entries must be accompanied by the USDF Directory cover contest release form, which is available at www.usdf.org/Directory/2005CoverPhotoRelease.pdf.

Submitted by H. Henley

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Photographer and Videographer for Dressage at Heavenly Waters
By Margaret Scarff


Dressage at Heavenly Waters will have Frank Barth as the photographer for both days of our recognized show. Frank and his assistant will be able to cover both rings for the two days. There will be a sign up sheet at the secretary's stand.

If you are interested in contacting Frank before the show to arrange for a photograph, you may contact him at 410-480-0602 or ibfrank@comcast.net

We will also have Lou Spinks again as the videographer. Lou and her staff will also be present at both rings. She will also have a sign up sheet available at the secretary's stand.
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All Breed Awards are offered again at Dressage at Heavenly Waters
By Margaret Scarff


The ever popular all breed awards will be offered again at the Dressage at Heavenly Waters Show in June. If you are competing at our show and would like to participate in the all breed awards, all you have to do is bring a copy of your horse's registration papers and leave them with the show secretary the day of the show.

This award has been very popular with exhibitors over the past few years. More and more registries are beginning to participate. If you are bringing a registered horse, ask the secretary of your breed's organization if they would like to sponsor a ribbon for that breed. Most breed organizations do like to hand out awards.

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Improved Footing at Heavenly Waters
By Linda Elliott


The June 26-27 Maryland Dressage Recognized Show at Heavenly Waters Equestrian Center in Bel Air is fast approaching. Foremost in many riders' minds is the quality of the footing in the show arena, as compared to last year. Those that did compete there last year were unhappy with the dry and lumpy competition ring.

David Reidy, the facilities manager, reports that more stone dust has been applied to that arena. In addition, the Bel Air fire department has been contracted to water the arena on Friday evening and Saturday evening. This is a trementous benefit to show management, who dreads having to drag the monstrous hose around the arena, and much more effective.

Along with the new harrow, the additional stone dust, and heavenly water, we expect to see great footing this year!

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USDF has an online procedure to keep tract of your horse's scores


The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) has released a new online horse search. Horse owners and lessees can now access a complete report of all their horses registered with USDF, and print a one-page portfolio. This new tool will provide a comprehensive owner/lessee horse portfolio, complete with horse name, registration type (Horse Identification number [HID] or USDF Lifetime Registration), and owner/lessee membership information. Also included are effective dates of HID, Lifetime Registration, and owner/lessee membership. This new tool is intended to be used for competition entry purposes, and it will also provide an easy way for owners/lessees to view their portfolio of horses on file with USDF. This portfolio includes all horses currently owned, but it will not include deceased horses or horses that have been transferred to another owner. To access this new search tool, visit http://www.usdf.org/Join/horseowners/. Individual horse records will still be available through the USDF horse registration search, and USDF encourages owners to assist USDF by supplying or correcting pedigree information. In order to ensure correct information, owners are asked to submit breed papers when registering their horses. USDF has enhanced the horse registration search by adding a color-coded system of identifying whether breed papers have been received by USDF. Owners can also send corrections via the Web site. To use the horse registration verification search, visit http://www.usdf.org/Join/HorseSearch.asp. The printable online horse registration verification, available through this search, has also been improved to include a wallet-size horse membership card that can be cut out and used in place of the larger horse certificate. USDF continues to improve its member services available on the Web site, by allowing members direct access to current USDF membership data. These convenient services not only allow members to access the information when they need it, but they also allow members to view data that USDF has on file, inform the office of any errors, and assist USDF in ensuring the accuracy of its data. For more information, visit www.usdf.org or contact the membership department at membership@usdf.org Submitted by H.Henley

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USDF Calendar of Events now Online


USDF Calendar of Educational Events Now Available Online The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce the launch of a new Web-based calendar of educational events. Located at www.usdf.org/CalendarEvents/eventsinformation/, the calendar is searchable by Region and by program type. It features location and contact information for a wide variety of USDF educational programs, including Adult Camps, the USDF/Premier Dressage Adult Clinic Series, USDF/State Line Tack Adult Team Championships, Instructor Certification courses, the "L" Educational Program for Judge Training, the USDF Advanced Young Rider / Junior Rider Clinic Series, Sport Horse educational programs, USDF University sessions, and more. A link to the online list of educational programs and events is also located on the drop-down menu under "Calendar" on the USDF Web site. Founded in 1973, the United States Dressage Federation is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to education, the recognition of achievement, and the promotion of the sport of dressage. For more information about USDF membership or programs, visit www.usdf.org, e-mail usdressage@usdf.org, or call (859) 971-2277.

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Fred Brundick Featured in the Baltimore Sun
By Margaret Scarff


We hope everyone saw the nice article on Fred Brundick, mentioning the Maryland Dressage Assn, in the Harford Co. section of today's (April 11, 2004) issue of the Baltimore Sun. This article resulted from a story idea and press release written by Paula Bollinger, with Fred's help, and recently submitted to the Sun and other media outlets.

Here is a link:
Fast ride into the horse business Equestrian: Fred Brundick had never ridden before 1992. Now the Abingdon resident has a gold medal and a champion title to his name.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/harford/bal-ha.brundick11apr11,0,1747931.story?coll=bal-local-harford

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Sunday Sun on May 9th
By Margaret Scarff


You don't want to miss the Sunday Sun on May 9, 2004. One of MDA's FEI riders, Brenda Rice, is featured complete with a picture in her top hat and tails. Be sure to read this very nice story about women who are still riding and competing beyond their 50th birthdays. Hopefully, that is the coming trend for us all, to be still riding and competing beyond 50 that is.

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USDF Robert Dover Awards


USDF and Dover Offer New Rider Awards/Press release

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce expanded awards for the USDF/Dover Saddlery Adult Amateur Medal program. New for the 2004 competition year, adult amateur riders at Second Level who win three USDF/Dover Medals will receive the USDF/Dover National Merit Award. These National Merit Award winners will then be eligible for the new 2004 USDF/Dover Adult Amateur Medal National Champion and Reserve Champion Awards.

Each USDF/Dover National Merit Award winner will receive a pewter trophy and a $40 Dover Saddlery gift certificate. A press release will also be sent to each winner's hometown newspaper and regional equestrian media.

All 2004 USDF/Dover National Merit Award winners will be eligible for the national awards. The USDF/Dover Adult Amateur Medal National Champion will be the rider with the highest overall average from three scores in Medal-winning rides during the 2004 competition year. The Reserve Champion will be the rider with the second highest average from three scores in Medal-winning rides during the 2004 competition year. The USDF/Dover Adult Amateur Medal National Champion and Reserve Champion will each receive a trophy and a Dover Saddlery gift certificate valued at $1,000 and $500, respectively. These year-end awards will be presented at the USDF Convention in Lexington, Kentucky, November 30-December 5, 2004.

"The adult amateur rider represents an important segment in equestrian sport," explained Stephen Day, president and chief executive officer of Dover Saddlery. "Very often, it is the adult amateur rider who is the backbone of equestrian competitions and organizations. In sponsoring the USDF/Dover Medal, we wanted to create means of recognizing this rider segment for their commitment and accomplishments and simultaneously provide an obtainable goal for the Second Level amateur rider."

The USDF/Dover Medal program was specifically designed for adult amateurs showing at Second Level. To be eligible, the rider must be a member of USDF, be an amateur according to the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) regulations, and receive a 58% or better in a USDF/Dover Medal class.

In 2003, about 270 horse shows offered the USDF/Dover Medal program. This number is expected to increase in 2004 because of the growing popularity of the program and the expanded awards available for amateur riders. All USDF-recognized horse shows are invited to offer the USDF/Dover Medal program. Show managers wishing to do so should contact Krystina Firth at (859) 271-7895 or kfirth@usdf.org.

For more information about the USDF/Dover Medal program, contact The Trueman Communications Group at (301) 407-9007 or dovermedal@truemancommunications.com.

Founded in 1973, the United States Dressage Federation is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to education, the recognition of achievement, and the promotion of the sport of dressage. For more information about USDF membership or programs, visit www.usdf.org, e-mail usdressage@usdf.org, or call (859) 971-2277.

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Bill HB84 is revised


Thanks to all of you who sent in letters, phone calls and e-mails, the House Bill 84 has been amended. The original bill would have included a luxury tax on nearly every aspect of the horse industry. This would have been a catastrophe for many of the horse small business owners as many of the small business owners are barely existing as it is. Mr Justin Ross reported "that part of the bill was taken out."

Maryland has such a large horse industry that the negative economic impact of HB84 as it was written would have been felt everywhere and it probably would have impacted our neighboring states as well. If you think about how the luxury tax could have affected a single horse owner, and then multiply that effect by each aspect of the industry, pretty soon you will have a serious problem. For each horse, there is a farrier, veternarian, boarding facility, show grounds, trainer, park grounds all associated with the horse industry. Then if you add up all of the extra fees that would have been charged because of the new tax, you can begin to see the problem. Not only would the snowball-domino effect of HB84 have adversly affected the horse industy, it would have severely affected our horses as well. Not to mention all of the job losses that would have occured.

The rewritten bill will now exclude the proposed luxury tax on all of the horse industry and some other industries such as boats. As of this printing, HB84 is still in committee.

You can make a difference

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Joyce Broccolino, Remembered for Sportsmanship, Kindness
By Linda Elliott


March fifth marks the nineteenth anniversary of Joyce Broccolino’s death at age 30. Those of you who had the pleasure of knowing her knew what an upbeat, kind and supportive individual she was to her fellow MDA members. When you think of Joyce, you may be remembering the times she had birthday parties for her horses, complete with party hats and beer (yes, Dukie and Johnny like to kick back after a day of hard work trail riding or their tests at an MDA schooling show). How Joyce encouraged her friends and non-friends alike to ride outside of their comfort zone, to strive for previously unexperienced dressage goals. You would know how Joyce loved to compete, and how she never missed an MDA show. If MDA did not have a show or clinic scheduled on a summer weekend, another club or stable did, and Joyce would hitch up her trailer and head out, determined to score big. On non-show days, you would find her schooling her two horses, Johnny and Duke, with serious determination, or taking lessons with Lita Hughes or whatever clinician was available.

Joyce’s competitive drive led her to compete often, including on one occasion when she showed with her wrist in a cast. Her strategy for winning, however, was one that embraced self-improvement. But even more striking was Joyce’s graciousness after her class was pinned. If another competitor garnered the blue ribbon, Joyce would tell that person how happy she was that they won. How glad she was that it was them! And she meant it. That kind of sportsmanship was infectious, and was, to a degree, emulated by fellow competitors. To Joyce, good sportsmanship was proper behavior. She realized that the next time, she might be the one receiving the top prize. By rendering support and generous acknowledgment of others’ accomplishments, her kindness would be reciprocated when it was her turn to win.

Ironically, I really don’t remember how often Joyce did win, and her performance record is gone from my memory. But does it matter? Would anyone today have any more or less regard for Joyce if she had never won a class? Or would she be remembered more fondly if she had won many dressage competitions?

What does remain forever is the “joy” in Joyce’s memory, her humor and kindness, how she gave of herself to MDA, not expecting anything in return, not keeping tabs on volunteer hours, and her outpouring of support for her friends and fellow members, and her devotion to her animals. Her legacy to us is one of giving, not of taking.

When you are gone, how will MDA remember you?

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MDA Site Now Available
By Linda Elliott


Due to web hosting company difficulties, we had to move to a new, terrific hosting company. Hopefully, we will no longer experience the outages we have in the past.

Sincerely,
Linda Elliott
Webmaster

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MDA 2003 Year End Winners


Introductory Young Riders
Champion	My Boy Baylee	Laurel Ensor	66.629
Reserve	Patricia Deere	Evelyn Kipp	58.648
3rd	Katie	Lindsey Laubach	57.647
Introductory Senior Riders
Champion	Jay Bee	Alyson Weege	69.433
Reserve	Genuine Article	Frederick Brundick	67.257
3rd	Perfect Investment	Amanda Carroll	59.396
Training Level Div A Young Riders
Champion	Adieu	Eleanor Blakeslee-Drain	64.741
Reserve	Little Mack	Shawna Seybold	63.588
3rd	Corsair	Robert Wilterdink	60.299
4th	Curtis Lowe	Jessica Hardester	56.826
Training Level Div A Senior Riders
Champion	Clark’s Dusty Bailey	Aime Morrill	66.944
Reserve	Ox Kill Dua Chiarl-he	Aime Morrill	65.856
3rd	Chenecour	Jill Blackburn	62.748
4th	Flamenca Noche	Angela Boynton	58.916
Training Level Div B Senior Riders
Champion	Ox Kill Dua Chiarl-he	Aime Morrill	66.135
Reserve	GW Ranchman	Judi Provencal	63.854
3rd	Clark’s Dusty Bailey	Aime Morrill	61.141
4th	Bo Jangles	Pamela Knight	59.058
First Level Div A Young Riders
Champion	Bentley	Whitney Domenech	59.830
Reserve	Curtis Lowe	Jessica Hardester	58.210
First Level Div A Senior Riders
Champion	Deja Vu Debonaire	Paula Bollinger	61.000
Reserve	Impressive Ebony	Mary Butler	60.306
First Level Div B Senior Riders
Champion	Hooligan	Angela Boynton	58.133
Introductory Pas de Deux Freestyle
Champion	Secret Agenda	Linda Provenza	71.666
	Wunderpferd	Elizabeth Simmeth-Ensor	71.666
First Level Musical Freestyle
Champion	Hell’s Halo	Judy Potter	66.028
Finals Winners
Training Level	Ox Kill Dua Chiarl-he	Aime Morrill	65.417
First Level	Secret Agenda	Linda Provenza	63.429

Rider Achievement Medals

Bronze

Introductory Lindsey Laubach Amanda Carroll Evelyn Kipp

Training Level A Pamela Knight Angela Boynton Jessica Hardester

First Level A Jessica Hardester

First Level B Angela Boynton

Silver

Introductory Jenny Hardester

Training Level A Robert Wilterdink Eleanor Blakeslee Drain Jill Blackburn Shawna Seybold

Training Level B Mary Butler Judy Provencal Aime Morrill

First Level Mary Butler Whitney Domenech

Gold

Introductory Frederick Brundick Alyson Weege Laurel Ensor

Intro Pas de Deux Linda Provenza Elizabeth Simmeth-Ensor

Training Level A Aime Morrill (2)

Training Level B Aime Morrill

First Level Musical Freestyle Judy Potter

Perpetual Trophies
Penny Lane	Deja Vu Debonaire	Paula Bollinger	61.000
Pumpkin	Clark’s Dusty Bailey	Aime Morrill	66.944
Sterling Plate	Hell’s Halo	Judy Potter	67.042


American Quarter Horse Award
Champion  Perfect Investment, Amanda Carroll
Reserve GW Ranchman, Judi Provencal

Training Grants Young Riders - Robert Wilterdink and Jessica Hardester
Senior Riders - Aime Morrill and Jill Blackburn
Dogwood Training Grant - Eleanor Blakeslee-Drain

Joyce Broccolino Linda Fabiszak

Instructor of the Year   Lisa Gruen

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Silent Auction


A favorite tradition at the MDA banquet is always the silent auction. This year the silent auction was for the benefit of the young riders. Mary Hardester and Elaine Wilterdink worked very hard and held a very successful event. There were several donations from members of MDA as well as the local businesses. The silent auction raised over four hundred dollars for the young riders. MDA would like to thank everyone for all of their help with the silent auction. It could not have been held without all of you.

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2003 Writing Award Winners
By Linda Elliott


Educational Articles
1	A Close Call For West Nile	Tracey Hurline
2	Horse Identification Number - or HID	Margaret Scarff
Announcement/Promotion of Show, Clinic or other MDA Event
1	Year End Banquet	Jean Bosley
2	The Young Riders (promo for YR Champ)	Rio Sites
3	The Michael Rabinowitz Clinic	Tracey Hurline
Solicitation of Help or Participation
1	From The President	Margaret Scarff
Topic of Interest To MDA Members
1	How To Spend MDA Training Grants in A Few Easy Steps	Judi Provencal
2	Death By Dressage - A Book Review	Mary Butler
3	A Tribute To Executive Class	Claire Warren
The Young Riders' Column
1	The Young Riders	Rio Sites
2	The Young Riders	Mary Hardester
Review/Recap of Show, Clinic or other MDA Event
1	The Horse Expo	Margaret Scarff
2	The Evelyn Susol Clinic	Margaret Scarff
3	Finals Show at Heavenly Waters	Margaret Scarff

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All Breed Awards at Heavenly Waters
By Margaret Scarff


The following horses were awarded the High Score horse of their respective registries. MDA would like to congratulate all of the owners and riders of these horses, and to thank the registries for donating the high score awards.

American Warmblood Society, AWS - Manahawk - Owner Evelyn Susol, rider Mark Susol
American Warmblood Society 2nd place - Rising Eagle - Owner/rider Kim McClure
American Warmblood Registry, AWR - Rising Eagle - Owner/rider Kim McClure
Appaloosa - Impressive Ebony - owner/rider Mary Butler
Danish Warmblood, In Memory of Alaska, Eclipse - Owner Patti McCandless,rider Lauren Comish
Dutch Warmblood,KWPN - Koskoier - Owner/rider Diana Miller Howard
Dutch Warmblood, 2nd place - Invitation to Dance - Owner/rider Jennifr Allen
Freisian - Sirius Black - Owner Jeriel Garland, rider Benje Brauns
Hanoverian - Gretta - Owner Brenda Rice, Rider - Evelyn Susol
Hungarian Horse - H.S. Szamosszeq Clarion - Owner/rider Kathy Nelson
International Arabian Horse, 1/2 Arab - Fire Proof Number One - Owner/rider Gail Roberts
International Arabian Horse. 1/2 Arab, 2nd place - Bae Wind+/ - Owner/rider Daisy Bicking
Performance Horse Registry - Just Saber - Owner/rider Carolyn Stearns
Trakehener - Happy Hour - Owner Renee Delisk-Howe, rider Marija Trieschman
Swedish Warmblood, SWANA - Valintine - Owner/rider Jillian Kemenosh
Westfalon - Derby - Owner Paula Ziegler, rider Michele Wellman
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Thanks to our Heavenly Waters Show Volunteers
By Margaret Scarff


The Maryland Dressage Association would like to thank all of the following hard working volunteers who gave up their week-end to help at the recognized show. It takes a tremendous effort on everyone's part to bring off a good show.

Jane Arnett - Scribe
Jean Bosley - Scorer, Scribe, Ring take down
Jill Blackburn - Scorer
Susan Brown - Gate Keeper, bit checker
Catherine Brown - Runner
Michael Brown - Runner
Susan Brundrick - Scorer, gate-keeper
Fred Brundrick - Scorer, gate-keeper
Amanda Carroll - Gate-keeper, Scorer
Linda Elliott - Office worker, ring set-up
Elizabeth Simmeth-Ensor - Paddock Manager
Gabrielle Evening - Gate-keeper, ring take-down
Linda Fabiszak - Barn Manager
Sue Ferenz - Scribe
Frank Gould - Gate-keeper, scorer
Mary Hardester - Scorer, runner
Jess Hardester - Scorer
Jenny Hardester - runner
Sally Hoedebecke - Paddock Manager
Lita Hughes - Scribe
Patti McCandless - Scorer
Lynn Moffett - Scorer, awards
Aime Morrell - Ring set-up
Lucia Penn - Gate-keeper, bit checker
Judy Provencal - scorer, scribe, awards
Susan Prudel - Gate-keeper, bit checker
Elice Shelton - T.D. Office worker
Jenifer Stalfort - Scribe
Mary Stapleton - Awards
Cheri Zimmerman - Scorer
Lindsey Zimmerman - Scorer
Taylor Zimmerman - Runner
Vicki Booth - Ring set-up
Deer Creek Equipment for the use of their tractor
Special thanks to Ron McCandless and Grayson Scarff who helped with just about everything
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MDA Heavenly Waters Show Was Heavenly


The show was a huge success again this year, with a big boost from Mother Nature. AND, all the dedicated volunteers of MDA. Their SO's have never been more Significant, either, in contributing their efforts and talents to make the show run smoothly. And all the brave competitors who through their blood, sweat and tears, showed the world what DRESSAGE is. Thanks to all of you - like it says in the Heavenly Waters Show Program, "we couldna done it wouthout you"!

Look for the scores posted at BFKEquestrian.

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Horse Identification Number - or HID
By Margaret Scarff


The new Horse Identification Numbers will be in effect for the MDA recognized show, "Dressage at Heavenly Waters". If you do not have a HID or Horse Identification Number for your horse, you will be charged $20 for one. This is a one time fee, and the HID will stay with that horse for the rest of its life. You will not have to pay for another HID.

If you horse is already registered with the USDF for end of year awards or has a lifetime registration number with the USDF, that number will also serve as your HID.

If you have received a free HID from the USAE, you will still have to pay the $20 fee for a HID from the USDF.

Note that the HID requirement is for recognized shows only. You will not have to have a HID for any schooling show.

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50 Percent Rule Retracted By USA Equestrian
By Margaret Scarff


This rule change is effective MAY 1st, 2003.

Dear Dressage Committee Members,

Please note an Extraordinary Rule Change proposal in reference to the “50% Rule” was approved by the USA Equestrian Executive Committee yesterday. As explained below, this basically retracts the rule which prohibited the awarding of ribbons or prizes to those competitors earning a score of less than 50% in dressage competitions. The rule will continue to apply to the awarding of Championship or Reserve Championships in USDF Regional Championship classes. Notification of this immediate change is being sent to all dressage members, officials, and competition managers via mail and/or e-mail this week.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Thank you,

Jennifer M. Keeler

Sport Manager, Dressage USA Equestrian

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Maryland Horses get their own Radio Show
By Margaret Scarff


The Radio show, Marylnd Horse Radio, will air Monday thru Friday at 10AM on WBIS 1190-AM.

The show will talk about all of the aspects of Maryland Horse Industry not just racing and breeding. Mr. Stan Salter, the radio show's producer, does acknowlege that the racing and breeding industry does compose of nearly 80% of the Maryland horse industry; however, the other aspects of the horse industry will be given equal air time as well.

Mr. Salter wants to include horse educational courses available at the University of Maryland and other horse farms.

He also organized the popular television show about Maryland's racing industry that aired on Channel 2 at 12 noon on Sundays. That show is supposed to restart soon.

Mr Salter grew up on a horse farm and began galloping race horses at the age of 14. His father was a horse trainer and his mother managed a large horse farm so it was predicitable that he would get into the horse business after college.

The new radio show should be very popular.

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