NYSMHS Sport Horse Happenings
May 5th and 6th 2012 - NYSMHS DRESSAGE CLINIC WITH MICHELLE
LABARRE AT FINGER LAKES MORGANS
From Christine Sackett: The NYSMHS Dressage Clinic with Michelle LaBarre
held this past weekend (May 5th and 6th) at Finger Lakes Morgans in
Bath, NY was a huge success again this year (our fourth year in a row).
Over the two days, Michelle gave eighteen individual lessons, and the
riders and horses all made noticeable progress. Although Morgans were
most represented, there were a number of other breeds this year (a
Friesian, an Andalusian cross, a Connemara cross, several Thoroughbreds,
an Appendix Quarter horse and even a Warmblood).
Quite the range of shapes, sizes and even colors! This variety made the
clinic especially interesting and educational for those auditing this
year and, of course, Michelle also made it a lot of fun.
On behalf of all who attended, I would like to give a big thank you to
Finger Lakes Morgans( Nick and Robin Pelham and Danielle Rice) for their
generosity in hosting and sponsoring the event. The new PA system was
fantastic! I would also like to give a special thank you to Michelle
LaBarre for inspiring all of us with her knowledge of, and passion for,
dressage.
NYSMHS Dressage Update
Submitted by Christine Sackett
It looks like 2011 will be another great year for the NYSMHS and its
dressage enthusiasts. I hope you will join in on the fun!
Dressage Clinic. For the third year in a row, the NYSMHS along with our
good friends at Finger Lakes Morgans (Nick and Robin Pelham and Danielle
Rice) and Creekside Morgans (Joe and Marion Gaigal) will be sponsoring a
two-day dressage clinic with Michelle LaBarre. Anyone who has attended
one of Michelle’s clinics knows that she is a knowledgeable and skilled
clinician full of energy and enthusiasm. She seems to know just what
each horse and rider pair needs to improve their performance, and I note
she has a lot of experience working with Morgans. The clinic will be
held on May 7 and 8 at Finger Lakes Morgans in Bath, New York.
Additional information and the registration materials are available on
the NYSMHS website.
Even if you are not a dressage or sport horse enthusiast, I encourage
you to come and watch. You will not be disappointed and will likely take
home some training tips that will help you in whatever discipline you
show your Morgan.
WNY. As most of you know, the WNY moved to its beautiful new location in
Hamburg last year. What a great facility! Although we will not be
offering dressage at the 2011 show, we look forward to adding it again
in the future. Many improvements are being made to the grounds, and I am
hopeful that large sand rings suitable for a dressage competition will
be added soon.
CNY. Dressage is coming back to Elmira! As you have heard, the Amateur
Show is now the Central NY Morgan Show, and the show committee has made
exciting changes, including adding two days of dressage. The show will
be held on June 11 and 12 at the Chemung County Fairgrounds in Elmira.
The dressage judge is Valerie Knight (“R”) from Walworth, New York. I am
very appreciative of the show committee’s interest in adding dressage to
their show so please spread the word. We are looking forward to a good
turnout.
NY Regional. In an effort to expand our division, we added a second day
of dressage at the Syracuse show in 2005. We saw a steady increase in
our numbers until 2009 when we were nearly fully subscribed, with
dressage tests running from 9 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon. It
was great! Unfortunately, our numbers were down in 2010 (due in large
part to the fact that our show conflicts with the USDF Region 8
Championship) but we still had a very respectable showing and the
quality of the horses was exceptional.
For 2011, the dressage competition will be held on Thursday and Friday,
September 15th and 16th. Our judge is Lisa Schmidt (“R”) from Hampton,
New Jersey. If her name sounds familiar, it is likely because she judged
at New England last year and was very well received. Let’s make the 2011
show our biggest and best yet! And, please don’t forget Sport Horse
Suitability (Class No. 110). Although held bright and early on Friday
morning, it is a wonderful opportunity for our sport horses to strut
their stuff in the coliseum for all to see. Last year, Judge Scott
Peterson was impressed not only with the caliber of the horses but also
with the professionalism of the handlers. Remember all sport horses can
go in this class – they do not have to be competing in the dressage
division.
New Helmet Rule. It is hard to believe that a year has passed since
Courtney King Dye’s accident. As she continues on her long road to
recovery, the USEF now requires that all dressage riders wear a riding
helmet which meets or exceeds ASTM/SEI standards for equestrian use and
carries the SEI tag. There are exceptions but none will apply at either
CNY or NY Morgan so helmets will be required.
New USDF/USEF Dressage Tests. As you prepare for the 2011 show season,
remember that there are new tests this year. The official dressage tests
are revised every four years so it’s out with the 2007 tests and in with
the new 2011 tests. Of note, there is a new Introductory C test which
incorporates canter. Also, there are now only three tests at Training,
First and Second level, the same as Third and Fourth level. The prize
list for both CNY and NY Morgan incorrectly include Test 4. The
corrected dressage sections have been posted on the NYSMHS website.
And finally on a personal note. I want to congratulate my niece Kristen
Sackett and her mare CSCM Lady Jane (Corinthian Classic x Spring House
Monica) who was the USEF Region 2 Morgan First Level Dressage Champion.
She placed sixth in the nation. Kristen and Jane’s accomplishments are
especially meaningful for me because Janey was the last horse my mother
bought. Over the years, my mother often received calls from horse
traders and dealers who had Morgans they were trying to peddle. They had
figured out that she had a soft part in her heart for Morgans and would
do just about anything to find them a good home. In response to one such
call, she found a lovely two-year old Morgan filly living in a garage.
Needless to say, Janey was soon living at her new home at CAJA Morgans.
Dale Vidler broke her to drive and, after my mom’s death, Scott Root
helped to get her in the show ring in the hunter division. The idea was
to sell her but our efforts were half-hearted at best. And I am so glad
we didn’t. Kristen and Jane have worked very hard and become quite a
formidable pair in the dressage ring. Kristen, I am so proud of you and
what you and Janey have accomplished together (and I know Gram is as
well). Congratulations!
Offering up our Dressage 2011 Schedule...
Clinic with Michelle LaBarre
(www.labarredressage.com)
May 7-8, 2011 - Finger Lakes Morgans
Bath, NY
Open to all breeds
With thanks to Finger Lakes Morgans for their generous sponsorship
Clinic entry form and complete info can be downloaded here
NYSMHS Central NY Show – Dressage
June 11-12, 2011 – Chemung County Fairgrounds
Horseheads, NY
Judge: Valerie Knight (R, NY)
Intro to Second Level; restricted to registered Morgans
New York Regional Championship – Dressage
September 15-16, 2011– NYS Fairgrounds
Syracuse, NY
Judge: Lisa Schmidt (R, NJ)
Intro to Fourth Level; restricted to registered Morgans
for further information or contact Christine Sackett at 315-589-209
September News - Congratulations to our NY Morgan Dressage High Score Winners...
Introductory High Score - HD Philadelphia (#238) shown by Karen Lassell; owner W.H. Miner Institute
Training Level Champion - Acadias
Secret Promise (#168), owned and shown by Sandra Wooding
Reserve - Starshine Epsilon Aurigae (#75), owned by Dr. Leigh Semilof,
D.V.M.; shown by Scott Root
First Level Champion - Chandelle High Noon (#133), owned by Jo Ann Squier; shown by Kristen Sackett Reserve - CSCM Lady Jane (#83), owned and shown by Kristen Sackett
Second Level Champion - Foxwin American Maid (#2), owned and shown by Patricia Ross
Joan Ide Sackett Memorial Dressage High Score Award Chandelle High Noon and Kristen Sackett
May News
Another Letter Perfect Weekend
By: Kristen Sackett
It was a year ago that members of the NYSMHS were first introduced to
Michelle LaBarre, an enthusiastic and energetic dressage instructor from
Pennsylvania. Those who attended the clinic were left amazed with the
changes in their horses, the new insight into their discipline, and
walked away with an arsenal of new knowledge.
On May 1st and 2nd, Finger Lakes Morgans (owned by Nick and Robin
Pelham, and Danielle Rice) and the NYSMHS Sport Horse Committee again
hosted another clinic with Michelle looking to continue building on the
knowledge acquired from the previous year. It was another beautiful
weekend, albeit hotter than most would have expected for the first
weekend in May (not that anyone was complaining!). This year, the clinic
with Michelle was held in conjunction with the club’s Mid-Year meeting,
giving members a chance to catch up with each other and also to see what
dressage is all about.
There were eight riders in all, with six Morgans, a Friesian, and a
Thoroughbred who took lessons over the course of the weekend. Michelle
worked one on one with all of the riders making suggestions and
adjustments through positive encouragement on how to achieve noticeable
changes in their horses. She explained her way through two days of very
exciting dressage training with all levels of riders, from those just
learning about dressage to veterans of the sport. Michelle was able to
focus on each horse/rider combination and provided the appropriate level
of instruction, while offering encouragement and pointers to "step it
up" to the next level. Riders and auditors alike could see an immediate
change, almost as if a light bulb went off and an “Aha” moment was
realized.
Although everyone worked hard during their lessons, including the horses
that let us know this with a few moans and groans, there wasn’t a single
person who didn’t walk away with a smile on their face. Everyone had
huge amounts of praise for Michelle and her ability to walk through the
issues they were facing with their horses without bringing on any sense
of frustration; only positive feelings and outcomes arose at this
clinic. By the end of Sunday afternoon every rider was able to walk away
feeling accomplished and looking forward to taking their new found
skills and confidence home.
Finger Lakes Morgans, owned by Nick and Robin Pelham and Danielle Rice
provided a great indoor facility as well as stabling for the
participants and a lovely door prize of horse goodies won by Deb Keiffer.
Creekside Morgans, owned by Marion and Joe Gaigal, along with Nick,
Robin, and Danielle were co-sponsors of the clinic and provided a grand,
delicious breakfast, a hardy lunch, and yummy snacks (i.e. Nick’s famous
cookies) for both days.
Participants included Shannon Walsh, Deb Keiffer, Annette Bakic, Chris
Hand, Robin Pelham, Danielle Rice, Cathy Halm and Kristen Sackett.
There is no doubt that this was another highly successful clinic with
Michelle LaBarre and we hope that there will be more clinics held with
her in the future. Actually, there are plans in the works to hopefully
have more clinics with Michelle over the summer… so be sure to stay
tuned for your opportunity to ride with her. You won’t be disappointed!
Thank you again to Finger Lakes Morgans and Creekside Morgans! The
NYSMHS Sport Horse Committee can’t thank them all enough for their
generosity, hospitality, and for the time and effort they put into
helping us have another successful clinic! Thank you also goes to all of
the participants (and their horses) for all of their hard work and
enthusiasm throughout the weekend!