The fifth annual free dressage clinic for junior SCDCTA members, with German Bereiter Wolfgang Scherzer this year, has been set for January 16. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis, and any juniors wishing to participate are strongly encouraged to assist with fundraising. Interested juniors should contact organizer Drew Carlin for details about the clinic or to discuss ideas on how to help raise the money needed to fund it. The junior who raises the most money toward the clinic will win a free massage for her/his horse from Lisa Hinkle (Equinox Equine Massage).

This special free clinic is available only to juniors who are current SCDCTA members. So any juniors wanting to participate in the clinic also must make sure to renew their memberships with SCDCTA; current 2011 memberships expire Nov. 30. A membership form for the 2012 membership year (Dec. 1, 2011-Nov. 30, 2012) appears on the back of this newsletter. Questions about membership should be addressed to Didi Carmikle.

Scherzer, this year’s clinician, trained in Koln, Germany with the Master Horst Behrendt. After earning his Bereiter license, training for a local club in German and mandatory military service, he moved to the U.S. in 1983 and now resides in Alabama. Scherzer rides regularly with Conrad Schumacher to continue his own education, and has trained with Herbert Rehbein and Jean Bemelmans, as well.

Evergreen Farm (Blythewood) is hosting the USDF Region 3 Junior/Your Rider clinic, featuring Jeremy Steinberg, Oct. 29-30, 2011. SCDCTA members ages 14 – 21, riding at any level, are encouraged to apply for the clinic.

Steinberg, who earned Individual Gold and helped win Team Silver for Region 6 at the 1996 USDF Young Rider Championships, was named the USEF National Youth Coach in 2010, and will be conducting national clinics to help locate talented young dressage riders.

Steinberg trained with the late Dietrich von Hopffgarten for more than 12 years; he also rode at the Gestut Vorwerk in Germany, training with Martina and Ralf Hannover, longtime pupils of the late Herbert Rehbein. Jeremy works whenever possible with his friends Guenter Seidel and Debbie McDonald, as well. He currently operates Steinberg-Bryant Dressage with partner Shauntel Bryant at KGF Equestrian in Kirland, WA.

This is a great opportunity for our younger riders to learn and set new goals in a fun and professional atmosphere, while meeting other juniors, as well.

The $300 cost includes two private lessons, theory sessions, lunch both days and two complimentary auditor passes. Any rider interested in participating needs to submit a video and an application, which can be found at www.usdf.org/education/clinics/jryr/dates-locations.asp. The deadline for applications is Oct. 1, so interested members should get their applications in quickly!

Auditors of all ages and levels are welcome and encouraged. Walk-in registration is available the days of the clinic; those who register in advance will get a discount. Online registration is available through Oct. 28 at www.cvent.com/d/ccjck.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Erica Minks (859) 971-2277
Lexington, KY (September 15, 2011)

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce that Drew Carlin of Columbia, SC, has been selected as the recipient of the 2011 USDF Youth Volunteer of the Year Award. This prestigious award honors one outstanding youth volunteer who has contributed on a national and local basis to USDF and dressage.

As the recipient of this award, Drew’s name will be engraved on a perpetual trophy, housed in the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame. This trophy was donated by the Akin family of Warwick, NY, in honor of Lendon Gray. Drew will also receive a $500 scholarship provided from funds raised through the Youth Silent Auction, held annually at the Adequan/USDF Annual Convention.

At only sixteen years of age, Drew’s volunteer efforts and innovative projects have left an inspiring mark on dressage. For the past five years, Drew has been a vital junior representative for the South Carolina Dressage and Combined Training Association (SCDCTA). In order to provide an educational opportunity to fellow youth, Drew took it upon herself to organize an annual junior dressage clinic at no cost to the riders. Through her determined efforts, Drew works to gather donations to run the clinics for free each year. Each rider walks away with a video of their rides and a gift basket with donations from local tack shops and businesses. In addition to Drew’s efforts creating educational opportunities, she also began her own manure composting business called Drew’s Poo, in which 100% of the proceeds go toward youth activities for her local GMO, SCDCTA.

Jill Allard of Region 3 stated, in Drew’s nomination, “I feel Drew’s contributions are unique because she is a self-starter. Not only has she put in countless hours planning, finding quality clinicians, fundraising and organizing, but the entire project has been initiated by her for the purpose of helping other junior riders.”

The USDF Youth Programs Committee selected Drew for her innovativeness and ability to think outside the box in volunteer efforts. The committee wholeheartedly commends Drew for her dedication to dressage and ability to be a positive role model for other youth through exceptional volunteerism.

For more information about the USDF Youth Volunteer of the Year Award or the USDF Youth Silent Auction, please visit the USDF website at www.usdf.org, or contact the USDF office at youth@usdf.org.

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

Hey Juniors! I wanted to share an amazing story with y'all about an inspiring young rider who recently competed in the 2011 Summer Special Olympics. Leigh Garner, who rode in the past SCDCTA Junior Clinic, traveled with Team USA to Greece this past summer. Her mother sent me an itinerary of their tip:

"June 19 - July 6 TEAM USA Travels to Greece! TEAM USA met in Baltimore, MD, and flew on two chartered planes to Greece. The US Department of Defense arranged travel for TEAM USA.

TEAM USA was made up of 325 Athletes and 125 Coaches and Staff. 22 Summer Sports. TEAM USA EQUESTRIAN - 11 Athletes, 3 Coaches and 2 Staffers (team manager and assistant manager).

Leigh Garner, along with 7 other South Carolina Athletes and 2 Sailing coaches, traveled together.

June 19 - June 24 Training/Sightseeing Isle of Rhodes, Greece. While in Rhodes, the EQ team had access to train on local horses, but they were NOT the horses they would be riding in Athens at the Games. It was an opportunity for the coaches to assess the riders and for the athletes to be on a horse!

June 24 - Tavel to Athens, Greece by ferry....16 hours!

June 25 - OPENING CEREMONIES OF THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS 2011 WORLD SUMMER GAMES. Held in the Panathenaikon Stadium, which was used in 1896 for the
first modern Olympic Games.

June 26 - Horse Matching. All Equestrian Athletes (about 150 total from around the world) met the horses for the first time. All horses were from Greece and Turkey. All EQ events were held at the Markopoulo Olympic Equestrian Center, which was constructed and used as part of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. The facility includes stables for 280 horses, two competition arenas with grass for jumping, one competition arena with sand and for dressage and 6 arenas with sand for training and warm up. A beautiful facility with indoor and outdoor grandstands!

Leigh was matched with a beautiful horse named BABOSA. He is a warm-blood hybrid. Athletes were also placed in divisions on this day. A,B,C. Leigh was B division.

Competition began on June 27 and continued through July 3. Most Athletes competed in three classes.

Leigh competed in Dressage and placed 6th. She placed 4th in English Equitation and 4th in Working Trails.

Leigh's favorite part was making new friends and riding BABOSA. The TEAM USA Equestrian's motto for the games was "Ride All Day, Party All Night"!! They had activities every night and made lots of new friends! We have visited with Leigh's roommate, Johanna, from Williamsport, PA, while her family was vacationing at Edisto Beach in August!! We will see her again when they come to SC during Thanksgiving holidays!

Overall, TEAM USA got 7 Gold Medals, 6 Silver and 6 Bronze!

The closing ceremonies were held on July 4 and was a fabulous event highlighting Greek culture---lots of dancing and singing! And an impromptu dance party by the athletes! It was quite an event.

Tim Shriver, President of SPECIAL OLYMPICS, hosted the opening and closing ceremonies. He is the son of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founder of the Special Olympics organization. Mrs. Shriver passed away this past year so this was a very special time to pay tribute to her and was held in Athens, the birth place of the Olympics. It was quite moving. This trip was a once in a lifetime opportunity for Leigh and our family. Thank you and SCDCTA for your support." - Sally Garner

Wow! That sounds like a trip of a lifetime! For all of you who have never met Leigh, take it from me that she is one of the most enthusiastic riders I have ever met. She impressed us all at the Junior Clinic with her dedication
to riding and love of her horses. I would like to say congratulations to Leigh on behalf of all SCDCTA Juniors! Go Team USA!

-Drew

Hello Juniors!

I know it is hot outside and while everyone is taking a break from showing, I would encourage you all to start fundraising for the 2012 Junior Clinic.

One of our youngest members Ally Robinson (pictured below) has already gotten a jump start! She recently set up a lemonade stand with one of her friends in support of the junior clinic. I would like to thank Ally for reminding everyone to start raising money!

We can more efficiently and quickly accumulate money for the clinic is everyone pitches in. No contribution is too small!

Here are some ideas:

• Babysitting
• Dog Walking / Dog Sitting
• Stall Picking
• Taking out Neighbor's Garbage / Recycling
• Yard Work / House Work
• Lemonade Stand

-Drew

Hello Junior Dressage Riders,

Spring has definitely arrived in South Carolina! The SCDCTA had its first show of 2011 in February on John’s Island. Although I was not able to attend; I wanted to interview Molly Mead for this article because she was the junior high score winner of the show! Molly Mead is a sophomore at Ashley Hall in Charleston.

Drew: What horse were you riding when you won?
Molly: I was riding Hiver, a chestnut thoroughbred owned by Deborah Stanitski. He is well-known, loved, and cherished by all in the barn yard!

Drew: What was your winning score and what test did you ride?
Molly: My winning score was 69.286, and it was in Training Level 2.

Drew: What did you win?
Molly: I won a lovely long ribbon, and a beautiful halter. On the halter is engraved a plaque saying:”Lowcountry Dressage Classic 2011 High Score Junior”.

Drew: How long have you been riding?
Molly: I had been taking lessons once a week from when I was 6 until I was 12 when I moved to America from England in 2007. In America, I began to half lease a couple of ponies, mostly jumping. Then when Michelle and David Folden took over Stono Ridge Riding Academy in February 2010, I began training in dressage. I love dressage! I ride every day, and have lessons whenever possible to pursue my goals in riding. However, recently I broke my arm after a fall from my horse CJ, so I’m having a couple months off, which is truly heartbreaking. I love my friends at the barn, and riding is my sport and passion. I’ll be riding in the fall again though!

I wish Molly a quick recovery. Molly attended the SCDCTA junior dressage clinic in January of this year. I had such a good time getting to know her, and am happy for her success at the show. She is proof that consistent riding and training pays off!

It was great to see Courtney King Dye on the cover of Dressage Extensions! Happy spring, and see you in the arena!

-Drew

January 22, 2011

The 4th Annual Junior Dressage Clinic was held on January 15th, 2011 at Evergreen Farm in Blythewood. Ten junior SCDCTA members braved the cold for a lesson with clinician Scott Peterson. The day began with a short introduction by Mr. Peterson. Each participant had a 45 minute ride; those who weren’t riding audited the clinic. The group took a short break for a pizza lunch, and continued into the afternoon.

The clinic was extra special this year because it was funded solely by money raised by junior members. Ally Robinson raised $1100 by selling monogrammed coolers. As the top fundraiser she received a saddle pad, zocks, and a free horse massage donated by Lisa Hinkle. I would like to thank Ally, Marguerite Ferguson, Amie Osment, and Sydney Conto for their generous donations!

Each rider received a monogrammed quarter sheet, and a gift bag filled with horse treats, hoof pick, wash mitt, and bumper sticker. Richard Taylor Videos was kind enough to donate his services for the day. He taped each girl’s ride, and they each will receive a DVD with the audio of Mr. Peterson. The Tack Room donated bags for the rider’s gifts, horse treats, and bumper stickers. Sweet Expectations and Panera donated mini cupcakes, pastries, and cookies! The day was filled with great riding, a great deal of food, and hopefully a few new friendships! I would like to thank all the girls for attending:

• Mary Alexander Barron
• Heather Bartlet
• Sydney Conto
• Gracia Huenefeld
• Molly Mead
• Melanie Mills
• Amie Osment
• Ally Robinson
• Ansley Summer

I look forward to seeing you all this season at horse shows using all of your new dressage skills.

See you in the arena!

-Drew