Quarter 1, 2, 3 - July 2, 2024 | |
CHAIR'S CORNER
Dear SBC-CDS members,
I am delighted to be representing the Chapter as Chair this year and thoroughly appreciate everyone’s vote of confidence. I’ve been involved with our Chapter since the mid ‘80’s and have enjoyed witnessing the immense growth and internal development over the decades. I couldn’t be more inspired by supporting our remarkable Board of Directors for 2024.
We have enhanced our Board of Directors with five new members: Carolyn Adams, Pam Allman, Kelly Thoits, Lotus Vermeer, and Lisa White.
Carolyn is enthusiastically leading our social activities as Chair with many great events to come. Pam has taken over as Treasurer with decades of CPA experience. Kelly is a dressage instructor for Juniors at ‘In the Irons Farms,’ bringing her youthful passion and expertise. Lotus has miles of business and equine proficiency and has blessed us already with her wisdom. Lisa has always been a great support to our Board and has currently taken on the mighty task of producing our Chapter's Newsletter.
Please find our new as well as seasoned Board of Directors on our website HERE.
We look forward to our Summer Dressage Show August 17-18, 2024 (Click HERE for details and to enter.) Check out our website, (click here) to see our educational and social events so far for 2024. Keep an eye out on this tab for future events!
I look forward to seeing you all at any of our upcoming events or at the show coming up next month. Until then, ride on and thrive!
Gina von der Burg
SBC-CDS Chair
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Meet your Board of Directors: | |
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From lower left:
Lynne Sherman, Carolyn Adams, Karen Christensen, Margaret Fleming, Allyson Aldrich, Mary Couch, Christi Sulzbach, Gina von der Burg, Lisa White, Lotus Vermeer, Kelly Thoits. Not Shown: Pamela Allman
For a list of board member titles and contact information visit out site HERE.
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(Around the table from left front:) Kristi Troyna, Gina von der Burg, Kelly Thoits, Lisa White, Margaret Fleming, Allyson Aldrich, Carolyn Adams. Some new members are not in the photo, but welcome to our Santa Barbara Chapter. We are so excited to have you! | |
MEET YOUR BOARD - A Gathering for New Members
SBC-CDS invited all new members to get acquainted with the chapter board at the Santa Barbara Biergarten on Sunday April 28th. It was a beautiful and festive gathering.
Everyone received a gift sample of ProBios Blend Probiotics, a new product from Solid Ideas, the folks who make Mare Magic. Attendees enjoyed selections from Biergarten’s innovative menu. The beers and seltzers were excellent. It was a perfect way to spend a sunny afternoon and we are so excited to have all our new members!
Thank you to board member Allyson Aldrich and Carolyn Adams for hosting the event. And yes, those table markers are repurposed from stirrups!
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The Winning Stride: Mastering the Mental Game of Riding with Dr. Caroline Vetter
Caroline Vetter, a clinical & sports psychologist, held a lively lecture/discussion about how equestrians can conquer fear, distraction and self-doubt in their riding.
A rider herself, she taught attendees practical physical and mental behaviors they can use to create positive focus, overcome blocks, and stay energized and enthusiastic on their dressage journey. She supplied an eight-page handout of her PowerPoint presentation so we can review and practice what we learned. Shoreline Farms, LLC provided a lovely setting for the May 11th gathering.
The setting was made even better by the sound amplification and snacks provided by SBC-CDS.
Thank you, Shoreline Farms!
Topics included:
· Performance and getting into the zone
· Managing fear and anxiety in the saddle
· Reconnecting with why you enjoy the sport. Finding your joy through
riding once again
· Managing perfectionism and a harsh internal critic
· Developing a growth mindset
· Values based goal setting to set you up for success no matter the obstacles
We hope all attendees climbed back on their horse with a renewed or new sense of confidence and calm.
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SPRING DRESSAGE IN SANTA BARBARA
Our spring show at Earl Warren was a great success. Judges Gwen Ka’awaloa ‘S and Dinah Babcock ‘S’ had a chance to evaluate several SBC members, as well as riders from San Luis Obispo County, Ventura County and more, over the weekend of May 18-19, 2024.
While the weather was not as sunny as the judges expected, the cloud cover gave a nice respite to our athletes. Judge Ka'awaloa was impressed and shared with one of her scribes: "Everyone here has been so welcoming and helpful. I'd come back any time if I'm invited!"
The atmosphere was relaxed and the highly anticipated Champaign class had a great turnout (and surprising winner!)
Click on the button below to find out who our High Point winners were and visit our website soon for more photos and reports from the show.
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A huge thanks to Michele Bandinu and Hilo Nick for saving the arenas on no notice and another big thanks to Samantha Flynn, Masha Felderhof of Twenty Four Carrots and Michele Bandinu with Custom Hardscapes, Inc. for their generous donations, which helped alleviate some of the financial burden.
If you like the shows and the setting at Earl Warren Showgrounds as a competitor, volunteer or spectator or just because you would like to keep the Earl Warren shows alive, we hope you will be part of our next show as a sponsor or volunteer. We are hopeful for our show future with Earl Warren, however, it became clear that additional financial assistance is still needed due to rising costs.
Thank you to all our amazing competitors, sponsors and volunteers for their amazing support, we couldn’t do it without you.
For more photos and this article, click here.
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Central California Adult Amateur Clinic
The Central California Adult Amateur Clinic 2024 with Clinician Heidi Gaian was hosted March 2-3, 2024, at Jackie Eckhaus’ Mountain View Sport Horses in San Luis Obispo. SBC-CDS member Jessica Brown participated with her horse Whisper. Read here what she had to say about the clinic.
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SOCIAL EVENT:
Olympic Viewing Party
Sunday, August 4th 2-6 PM
Porchlight Studio SB
Early Bird Special!!!
Pay by July 15th: $20 members/$25 guests
For more info contact Carolyn Adams at cac.architect@comcast.net
EDUCATIONAL EVENT
Alamo Pintado Tour
Fall
More info on our Events page soon!!
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UPCOMING SHOW
SUMMER DRESSAGE IN SANTA BARBARA
Judge: Debbie Riehl-Rodriguez ‘S’
Dorie Vlatten-Schmitz ‘S’
August 17-18, 2024
Closing Date: August 2, 2024
Host to the Parker Equine Insurance
CDS Central Regional Adult Amateur Competition
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Our shows are CDS, USDF, USEF recognized.
AQHA recognized for points.
Central Coast Awards Program Qualifiers.
Click Here for 2024 Prize List
You can enter online at https://entry.foxvillage.com
For virtual show information, please visit our events page.
Are you curious who qualified for RAAC Awards (Regional Adult Amateur Competition), who is part of the US Equestrian team short list and more? Head over to CDS Dressage Letters by clicking on the button below.
We are excited to host the RAAC at Earl Warren Showgrounds and hopefully welcome some of these hard working riders and horses in Santa Barbara in August!
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We still need support leading our Membership team, as well as a Communications Coordinator. If you feel motivated to jump in and help us out, please reach out to either Karen Christensen kic@cox.net or Lynne Sherman lynnesherman@gmail.com directly. | |
Lorena Whittaker and Beebee | |
Meet (previous and) new member Lorena Whittaker
Lorena first joined the Santa Barbara Dressage chapter about ten years ago, when she was still active with her Arabian mare Corinna. They were mostly trail riding and eventually, Corinna retired. It was not until 2021 that Lorena rejoined the chapter with her new horse Beebee (officially Bella of Navar.)
The beautiful, bay, Arab-Frisian cross was the result of an extensive search with the help of trainer Susan Nelson, who worked with Lorena to find a multi-talented horse that could do Dressage, Western Dressage, and Trail. While in training with Susan, Beebee garnered six ribbons competing in Western Dressage tests in the Tehachapi area. Beebee is now in Santa Barbara where Lorena has been boarding at Shoreline Farms since 2007. Lorena is focused on continuing their training in Dressage with Marianne Kruidenier and showing at the Santa Barbara shows.
As a member of the Santa Barbara chapter, Lorena is looking forward to connecting with the Dressage community and learning more about riding, showing, and specifically to find out what judges are looking for in each level. She started volunteering at our Earl Warren shows, and hopes to participate in social events and getting a chance to practice test taking at a chapter sponsored clinic – one of her suggestions for our SBC educational events! We hope you will welcome Beebee and Lorena the next time you see them!
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And we welcome all our new members in 2024: Mary Anthony, Jerry Beatty, Suzanne Beaudoin, Megwyn Bennett, Joyce Bogartz, Rayven Boshco, Carril Ferro, Samantha Flynn, Tim Forster, Deborah Heier, Alanna Hilzer, Avery Klein, Verena Maier, Emma Marlow, Bobbie McGee, Barbara McIlrath, Jennifer Meinen, Lauren Ogden, Sylvia Rogan, Luana Romanelli, Kristen Scheff, Wendy Shepherd, Kathleen Shevitz, Lisa Teske, Kristi Troyna, Rhonda Uhles-Johnson, Lotus Vermeer, Christina Woodard | |
 
SBC-CDS ATTRACTS NATIONAL CORPORATE SPONSORS
The chapter is grateful for its local and national sponsors. To find out more, click HERE
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LAST BUT NOT LEAST
We bid farewell to chapter member Carole Bennett and her husband Alain, who have run the 'On the Bit' Dressage schooling shows for several years, and look forward to working with Sheila Whistler as she takes the reins for 'On the Bit' Schooling shows (swhistler7@gmail.com) going forward.
We would like to thank Lisa White and Nicole Walther for taking on the huge task of creating our first 2024 newsletter. If you have anything you would like to add like the story of your new horse, or if you would let us feature you (and your mount) as a new member, or if you will be attending any amazing CDS-related or international events in the future (going to the Olympics anyone?) and would be willing to write about it for our next newsletter or blog, please send information to Nicole Walther at lovedressur@gmail.com
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