Quarter 3 - August 12, 2026

To fellow Members of SBC-CDS,

I had the honor of interviewing Gina Von der Burg, who passed away in June, for our November member feature (read it here.) I was touched to see so many chapter members attend her celebration of life a few weeks ago. Our second virtual show closed June 11th and Judge David Schmutz waived his fees in honor of the memory of Gina von der Burg!

The Alamo Pintado tour organized by Stephanie Gustafson was very informative and I'm sure I can use a lot of the information for my boys at home. After the tour, I enjoyed chatting with several of you at the Bella Cavalli wine tasting. We enjoyed beautiful weather under large sycamore trees and talked horses. Many thanks to Julie Corlett for setting it all up!

Our Spring Dressage show in May clipped along quietly and efficiently, thanks to Christi Sulzbach, Regina Antonioli and their capable teams. Sara Cutter once again marshalled a grand army of volunteers who kept the show on schedule, safe and fun. Prix Caprilli classes were offered and were well received, and we hope to repeat it all in our upcoming show this weekend!

I hope you’ll join us to cheer on chapter members who are competing, enjoy the shopping, and catch up with friends. I can't wait to see many of you there.

Lisa White

Chapter Chair

Lisaellen2@gmail.com

425-894-2774

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SADDLE UP AND KEEP SCROLLING. This issue's got more content than one email can corral — some inboxes may only show you half the herd! If yours cuts off early, click "View Full Newsletter" below to see the whole stable. Here's a sneak peek at what's grazing further down — don't let it wander off without you:



• Upcoming Events
• Previous Events
• Member Questionnaire
• Transitions Blogs
• Other Events
• Sponsor's Corner

SBC-CDS EVENTS:

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 

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

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. 

If you have dressage scores from non-USEF/USDF shows, like Eventing, Schooling shows, Working Equitation or Western Dressage, consider nominating yourself for the new Dressage Accomplishment Club. For more details click here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/ntvkh3w.

Wine Tasting and Lunch at Bella Cavalli Farms

Members enjoyed wine tasting and lunch with their chapter friends at Bella Cavalli Farm and Vineyard. Members brought their own lunch, and charcuterie was provided. Though the event followed the Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Center Tour (you can read about it HERE), a whole different group of members enjoyed the friendly gathering.

Early attendees learned that Jeff and Joanne Lockwood started planting grapes and opened the winery in 2010. Today, they plant five different vines that can produce up to 12 different wines. One of the favorites was a white cabernet, created without skin contact but aged in a used red wine barrel, which gave it a rare and interesting color. Jeff's motto is: "You cannot make a 'good' wine if you don't start with good fruit. And that's a fact."

Like any good host, Jeff joined the group whenever glasses needed filling, sharing brief bits of information about each wine along the way. Never overbearing or salesy, but always attentive, friendly, and funny, it was clear that Jeff loves his wines and the process behind them. Warm and welcoming, he seems to genuinely enjoy people and a good time.

The setting was unbeatable for this group, surrounded by green pastures and horses. Bella Cavalli, located in the stunning Santa Ynez Valley, is widely known for its beautiful horses and world-class wines.

Learn more about Bella Cavalli Farms & Vineyard on their website: https://bellacavallifarms.com/winery/beginning.html

TRANSITIONS BLOG

Sunshine, Sequins, and Stellar Scores



The 2026 Spring SBC-CDS Dressage Show, held May 16–17 at Earl Warren Showgrounds in Santa Barbara, featured smoothly run USEF/USDF Level 3 competition, sunny weather, a popular new warmup ring in The Dome, an Olympian guest rider, and a lively Saturday Night Fiesta with tacos and churros — all capping off a weekend organizers and volunteers called a true community success.



Read More...

Member Spotlight: A Young Rider with Big Dreams

Olivia Moore, a Santa Barbara high schooler, found her passion in dressage after trying western riding, polo, and jumping, riding Maureen Barnett's Oldenburg, Bleu, through a rewarding 2025 season and earning her Pony Club C2 certification along the way. Now working toward her C3 certification and dreaming of becoming a large animal vet, she's excited for 2026 with a new riding partner at Bella Cavalia in Buellton and looks forward to competing at SBC-CDS shows.

Read More...

Did you join SBC-CDS to be part of a community? Meet other chapter members and better yet, introduce yourself in one of our upcoming blogs! Simply click on THIS LINK to tell us a little bit about you and we will turn it into a member feature!



Meet some of your other Dressage Chapter friends HERE.

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 October 30, 2026. This is for events happening after November 10, 2026, the publishing date of our next newsletter. Late submissions can not be included.

Please contact organizers about the events.

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

September 25-27 > American Dressage Mentoring Program for young committed riders with local dressage trainer and official mentor Barbi Breen-Gurley at Sea Horse Ranch 2566 Sea Horse Ln. Los Osos, CA 93402. Bring your own horse or use one of their school horses. Apply now by contacting Barbi Breen-Gurley at 805-459-0150 or 805-528-0222

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 7 -8 > Paul Belasick Clinic, Ojai, CA. Contact Stephanie Gustafson at 805-798-1303 or Steph9291@sbcglobal.net

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

Summer Dressage in Santa Barbara

Your support is invaluable to our chapter!

Sponsor our Volunteers for $25 towards lunch

Sponsor a class for $75

Sponsor an arena for $1500

You can also become a premium sponsor for $3000 - $5000. So many benefits (See flyer above!)

Every little bit helps!

Questions? Contact Alice Howland

via text at 843-412-2351 or email

sbccdssponsorship@gmail.com

DONATE HERE!

please write "Sponsorship" in the notes section.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST

For current updates, photos and videos follow us on Instagram @santabarbaracds. Thanks to Alice Howland for bringing us the most fun content!!