Quarter 2 - May 10, 2026

To fellow Members of SBC-CDS,

We’re off to a fantastic start in 2026! Our new CDS President Gary Getz said he hopes the CDS chapters will increase their focus on educational events in 2026. Hence, we are busy planning activities and clinics that benefit a broad audience.

The Chapter Scribe Clinic was held February 28^th at SBCC led by Diane Welcenbach. As one of the attendees I can verify we all learned a lot and are ready to try our new skills as scribes.

The Janet Jones Master Class was held on March 7^th at Mulligans Café & Bar and was a delightful event with 55 attendees from both within and outside of our chapter.

Our next virtual show is June 11th. Five of us rode a test for the April show and I was astonished at how fast my score was returned and how helpful the Judge’s comments were.

We’re excited for our Spring Dressage Show coming up at Earl Warren Fairgrounds. Despite the high fuel prices we hope to have a successful, safe and fun show!

Stay tuned for upcoming activities your Board is putting together – Equestrian Bodywork seminar, Tour of Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Center, and Wine Tasting in the Santa Ynez Valley.

Please stay in touch and let us know how we can further support your dressage journey!

Lisa White

Chapter Chair

Lisaellen2@gmail.com

425-894-2774

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Upcoming Events
Previous Events
Member Questionnaire
Transitions Blog: Member Features
Other Events
Membership Updates
Sponsor's Corner

KEEP THE GOOD TIMES ROLLING BY SCROLLING. This first quarterly is so full of new and wonderful information, you may have to click on "read full newsletter" at the bottom of the email to see the whole newsletter! Don't miss a thing!

Spring Dressage in Santa Barbara May 15 & 16, 2026 at Earl Warren Showgrounds!

USDF/USEF Level 3 Show

Official qualifying competition for 2026 USEF National Championships, North American Youth Championships, WBC/Young and Developing Horse and PARA Championships

New This Year - Prix Caprilli Classes

Recognized for CDS Pony & Para Rider Awards and US PRE & IAHLA High point series.

Judges: TERESA STEWART (S), JOAN WILLIAMS (S)

Competitors > Registration has closed, but please check for updates: https://entry.foxvillage.com

We always look for volunteers!

Mahatma Ghandi ""The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."

Want to volunteer at the show or any other SBC-CDS event or join a sub-committee with board members? Contact Sara Beth Cutter at sbcutter@gmail.com or 808.990.6200

SBC-CDS EVENTS:

May 23, 2-4pm > A unique Bodywork Clinic with Taryn Simone. Introduction to Anatomy and Body-working. Learn how to help your older horse move about with comfort & freedom, and your younger horse recover from shows & workouts. Room for 10 participants and 5 participants to bring horses. Equine Masterson Method bodywork demonstrations followed by guided work in pairs on participant horses. $75. 1150 San Antonio Creek Road. Trailer parking available. Refreshments provided. RSVP to Stephanie at steph9291@sbcglobal.net

June 11-13 > SBC-CDS Virtual Show. Judge: TBA, Closing Date: June 11, 2026, Contact Wendy Brown at 818-522-1340. Email - wbrownphd@gmail.com More info HERE. IMPORTANT: NEW CHAMPIONSHIP REQUIREMENT: In order to be eligible for VHS Championships, each rider must now film an equipment check, otherwise ride will not be included in overall championships placings.

July 18, 2026 > Alamo Pintado Tour with wine tasting to follow. Look for the invite in your inbox soon

July 2026 > Jec Ballou Equine Conditioning Webinar: The key differences between schooling and conditioning. Date & Location TBD

July 17–19 > CDS Central Adult Amateur Clinic with Patty Mayer. Twin Rivers Horse Park, Paso Robles. Contact: John Rees at JOHN@johnarees.com https://www.california-dressage.org/adult-amateur-clinic-standing-rules We hope one of our winners will be able to go. If you want to encourage them they are (in order of being drawn): 1. Carolyn Adams 2. Sara Beth Cutter 3. Susan Soderman 4. Lisa Uchimaya 5. Emily Freund

August 15-16 > Summer Dressage/ RAAC Central in Santa Barbara. USDF/USEF/ RAAC Level 3 Show, Earl Warren Showgrounds - Competitors > please watch for upcoming show announcements or check foxvillage.com for updates: https://entry.foxvillage.com Want to volunteer? Contact Sara Beth Cutter at sbcutter@gmail.com or 808.990.6200

Oct. 10-12 > SBC-CDS Virtual Show. Judge: Ulf Wadeborn USEF S Dressage, Closing Date: October 10, 2026. Contact Wendy Brown at 818-522-1340. Email - wbrownphd@gmail.com More info HERE.

Graduating Class of 2026 - 6 new Scribes!

New board chair Lisa White and Margaret Fleming attended the 2026 CDS Annual Meeting and Symposium, which brought the dressage community together for a weekend of connection, education, and celebration. From leadership updates and award recognitions to inspiring symposium sessions, the event highlighted a shared commitment to growing the sport and supporting its members.

Janet Jones, PhD gives Masterclass in Santa Barbara

Dr. Janet Jones presented "Brain to Brain: Cross-Species Communication" in the morning, followed by "Embodiment for True Harmony" in the afternoon, to about 60 horse enthusiasts at the beautiful Santa Barbara Golf Club. The day's itinerary included private lessons for those who wished to try new ideas with their horses. Lots of wonderful people with great questions helped facilitate excellent communication with their beautiful animals.

Virtual Dressage Shows

Several riders participated in the first Santa Barbara Chapter Virtual Dressage show, getting us started in competing with The Tucson, Arizona Chapter for the most participation honors. It was a great turnout with tests being shown in Intro Level through Intermediate I. You can find the results and watch some of the rides by clicking on the link HERE.

TRANSITIONS BLOG

Golden Through and Through

Stephanie Gustafson’s Journey with Three Remarkable Dressage Horses

Meet Stephanie Gustafson — Ojai-based dressage rider, retired equestrian director, and founder of Symmetry in Motion Equine Bodywork and SBC-CDS board member — who balances competing three standout while launching new educational and social events for the Santa Barbara County CDS.

Virtual Dressage Competitions

Wendy is our point person for Virtual Shows and she is the one who schedules our Chapter shows on Virtual Horse Sport. As Wendy will tell you, the benefits of virtual shows are many! She encourages you to try one!

OTHER RELATED EVENTS

Dressage Clinics & Schooling Shows & other Events

Please note that private clinics and schooling shows are not sponsored or endorsed by SBC-CDS, but are shared as a courtesy and to benefit our members. If you are hosting a clinic or schooling show in or near Santa Barbara County and would like us to include them in our next newsletter, please provide detailed information including contact information to nicole.silverliningpr@gmail.com no later than July 30, 2026. This is for events happening after August 10, 2026, the publishing date of our next newsletter. Late or incomplete submissions can not be included.

Please contact organizers about the events.

May 30-31 > Paul Belasick Clinic, Ojai, CA. Contact Stephanie Gustafson at 805-798-1303 or Steph9291@sbcglobal.net

June 5 - 7 > Western States Horse Expo: A Murieta Equestrian Center Event with 6-time Olympian Steffen Peters, 916-985-7334, letters@horsexpo.com horsexpo.com

June 6-7 > Dressage at Fox Canyon Farm, 3 Star, Level 2 Show, 7202 Balcom Canyon Rd. Somis, CA 93066. Contact Kim Goto Miner at mystikfarms@gmail.com

June 7 > On the Bit Schooling Show. Santa Ynez Equestrian Center, 195 North Refugio Road, Santa Ynez. Contact: Allyson Hartenburg at OnTheBitSYV@Gmail.com

June 28 > Ventura County Schooling Show, Every Rose Ranch, Somis, Contact Shirin Amier at 805-208-3138 or shirin.amier2@yahoo.com

July 12 > Schooling Show at Canada Larga Ranch, 3501 Canada Large Road, Ventura, CA 9300. Contact Shirin Amier at 805-208-3138 or shirin.amier2@yahoo.com

August 2, 2026 > Ventura County Schooling Show, Ojai Valley School, Ojai, Contact Shirin Amier at 805-208-3138 or shirin.amier2@yahoo.com

August 29-30 > Paul Belasick Clinic, Ojai, CA. Contact Stephanie Gustafson: 805-798-1303 or Steph9291@sbcglobal.net

September 6 > Ventura County Schooling Show, Every Rose Ranch, Somis, Contact Shirin Amier at 805-208-3138 or shirin.amier2@yahoo.com

September 27 > On the Bit Schooling Show. Santa Ynez Equestrian Center, 195 North Refugio Road, Santa Ynez. Contact: Allyson Hartenburg at OnTheBitSYV@Gmail.com

November 22 > On the Bit Schooling Show. Santa Ynez Equestrian Center, 195 North Refugio Road, Santa Ynez. Contact: Allyson Hartenburg at OnTheBitSYV@Gmail.com

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL

The CDS membership renewal has had some technical issues. Please contact CDS directly to renew (or become a new member) until the issue is resolved. 831-659-5696

BOOK CLUB!

Please contact Margaret at 805 403-1131or khoeta@aol.com regarding your interest in participating in this recurring event.

2026 Book List – The order of reading will be announced soon!

> How to Ride the Horse You Thought You Bought by Anne Buchanan

> The Imperfect Ride by Andrea Monsarrat Waldo

> Fur Mama by Diana du Pont

> Stable Core by Joyce Krame

Learn More ore watch previous webinars:

https://www.usdf.org/education/book-club.asp

DRESSAGE ACCOMPLISHMENT CLUB

This is an accomplishment program for anybody who shows dressage (or similar) tests outside of USEF/USDF

Dressage Schooling Shows, Western Dressage, CDS-only shows, Working Equitation, Eventing, Pony Club Shows, Breed Shows Online Shows.