Congratulations to our CDS Championship Competitors!

Three SBC-CDS Chapter Members Compete

at the

CDS Championships in Del Mar

The Santa Barbara County Chapter is proud to have been represented by three great competitors at the CDS Championships September 24-27 in Del Mar, where each horse and rider team achieved new levels of success. They were supported in many ways by their teacher, Louise Caccese. They reflect below on their experience at this big show in this tough Covid-19 year.

Louise Caccese:

I want to thank the show staff and volunteers at the CDS Championship Show in Del Mar. They did such a fabulous job putting on this competition. We had a great time. The judges were incredible. The venue was beautiful. I give special thanks and appreciation to my husband Michael who helped us, as he always does, in every way. He unloaded cars and horse trailers, held horses, and kept us all organized. He took photos and was a cheerful and efficient "go-fer" throughout our show weekend. I couldn't do all that I do without his support. I am so proud of all three of my students. They worked so hard to get to the CDS Championships. They placed well in large classes against top level horses. Sophia Blake, 14 years old, took second place in dressage equitation. Lisa White placed fourth in second level. Michelle Freels won the Musical Freestyle Challenge Award.

Michelle Freels:

CDS did a great job considering Covid-19 and the fires. The Del Mar facility was amazing. It was not the same without the usual socializing we enjoy at shows — no welcome parties, no get-togethers, everybody stayed within the social distance requirements. This whole year has been tough for us. I didn't think I would ever show. My horse Wynonna and I worked hard. It was a big accomplishment for us to show at the Grand Prix level. It wasn't my best performance. It was hard to stay focused, but I was really happy with my experience there. It was great to have Louise Caccese there and a couple of old friends from up north who came down to groom for me. Everyone in the Santa Barbara group had a good time working together.

Lisa White:

"I have never done anything like this in my life!" Then I bought Bethoven. He is a schoolmaster, and he showed me how to go to a show. He's teaching me the whole game. I am doing my best to catch up to him. Del Mar was such a nice venue. There were 150 competitors. It was quiet in our barn area. Santa Barbara horses were all stabled in the same row. The people across the aisle were very nice, calm people. Going with Michelle Freels and Beatrix and Sophia and Krista was nice. Sophia rides Bea's horse Figgy Pudding. We had all gone to the RAAC show in Paso Robles together a couple of weeks before, so we, horses and people, had developed a camaraderie. It had been 104 degrees at Paso Robles, so being at Del Mar by the ocean with temperatures in the 70's was great. Del Mar is well run. The staff did Covid-19 checks 24/7. The classes ran on time. Everyone was so cooperative. The layout at Del Mar is very good. All the arenas are separated by visual barriers, landscaping, and shops—there are no two arenas side by side. There were two judges, at E and C, so I benefitted from the additional feedback. I learned that Bethoven is a pretty reliable partner. I am going to put more effort into training myself to be more relaxed and centered at a show. When I get keyed up, he feels it, and it affects our ride.

Sophia Blake:

Del Mar was my first regional competition. I expected it to be a really big show with a lot of nice horses, and it was! I was impressed by the level of competition at that show and the beautiful horses. We saw a million dollar horse! It was fun to watch them do the higher levels of dressage. Everyone seemed very friendly. Figgy was good. We had already been to Del Mar before, so we both knew our way around. It was my first time with two judges. Figgy kind of eyed the judge at E, but my trainer Louise had rehearsed a two-judge set-up with us at home, so we went through our tests with no problem. Louise was really helpful. She would go up to the ring with each of us and make sure we had everything we needed. There were no callers allowed at this show, and it was also my first show with no callers. I rode about five tests. I thoroughly memorized the tests and made sure I knew them. It all went very well. I feel really grateful for the experience of going to the CDS Championship Show.

Krista Blake:

I grew up riding Western and participated in 4H. Two years ago, Sophia began working in dressage with my support. I never had any experience quite like this when I was growing up. Being the parent of a dressage competitor is definitely unique. The Santa Barbara dressage community is extremely supportive. We are really blessed to be a part of it. Without the generosity of Michelle and Beatrix, who allowed Sophia ride Bea's Figgy Pudding, none of this would have been possible.

Congratulations to these wonderful pairs

and their support teams!

You made SBC-CDS so proud at the Championships!

Santa Barbara County Chapter of

the California Dressage Society | Website