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2008 PVDA Ride for Life
A HUGE SUCCESS!!
(Details to follow shortly)
Plans are underway for the 5th annual PVDA Ride for LifeTM (R4L), which will be held June 28-29, 2008, at the Prince Georges County Equestrian Center, Upper Marlboro, MD. The R4L has two interlaced components. It is a two-day USDF-licensed (recognized) dressage show, with classes from Introductory Level (non-recognized classes) through Grand Prix. The R4L is also a fundraiser for breast cancer research, benefitting the Johns Hopkins Breast Cancer Center (JHBCC). R4L donations to the JHBCC have been $3,307 for 2004, $3,337 for 2005, $30,782 for 2006, and $45,000 for 2007. The goal for 2008 is $70,000!!!
In addition to the daytime show, on Saturday evening, June 28, the R4L has a Gala Dinner and Dancing Horse Challenge. This special evening is perfect for both individuals and families from both the equestrian and the general communities. Held in the spacious competition hall/indoor arena, it will feature live musical entertainment, dressage exhibitions by top professionals, a musical freestyle challenge between dressage and Western reiners showcasing their partnership between horse and rider, and various entertaining exhibitions, including the World Equestrian Games Gold Medal vaulter. Doors open at 6:00 PM for the Dancing Horse Challenge and donations are suggested. Tickets for the Gala Dinner that evening will be available and fabulous Silent Auction items will be displayed for bidding.
How can you help and participate? There are opportunities for sponsorships at many levels, collection of donations by riders (who compete for High Pledge Awards and qualify for the Rider Raffle), donation of clinics and items for a Silent Auction and a Rider Raffle, and indoor and outdoor space for vendors. Non-riders may compete in the “Phantom Horse Class” by bringing in donations similarly to riders. You can also place advertisements or tributes in the Show Program. And of course, you can be a volunteer for the show and the benefit; there are volunteer opportunities before, during and after the show. More information is available on the R4L web site. | | |
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New USEF Draft of the Performance Standard Published 23 April 2008
The USEF Dressage Committee released the newest draft of the proposed Performance Standard on 23 April 2008. It is available for you to read and review HERE. The USEF has also established a survey on their website to collect member comments and opinions on the draft. The survey will be available until 15 June 2008, and the information collected will be used by the Dressage Committee during their summer meeting, 1-2 July 2008. This survey is open to USEF members, USDF Participating Members, and USDF Group Members.
PVDA has a separate survey on its website to collect as much input from members as possible. Your position and comments on this proposal will be used by the PVDA Board to form any response needed to the next step in this process. Whatever your opinions or concerns on this issue, please use this opportunity to tell the PVDA Board how you wish to be represented in the wider dressage community. Of the responses tallied to date, the membership is running 20% in favor, 80% opposed.
The current draft of the proposed standard is more detailed than the version released at the 2007 USDF convention and subsequently tabled at the January 2008 USEF convention. The current version specifically addresses issues such as of the status of eventers, includes the current USDF Medal System as part of the qualifying process, specifically states who will be grandfathered in at which levels, and provides an appeal process. Scores for advancement to 4th Level can be earned with any Third Level Test, rather than solely with 3rd Test 3.
A review of the points assigned at each of the qualifying score ranges shows that 75% of all 3rd Level rides and 74% of all PSG rides will be able to earn the points needed to move to the next level. Riders scoring at the lower end of the range will have to do more rides to earn the required points to move up, which will impose costs in terms of entry fees, transportation and stabling, and time on those riders.
There are some issues that were raised in the many discussions that occurred in the dressage community that are not yet addressed:
- What will it cost to administer the record-keeping?
- How will this cost be funded?
- Will qualification changes be recorded / available in a timely manner?
- How will issues of judging inconsistencies be handled, i.e., high scores given to poor rides?
- How will poor riding in the warm-up area be handled?
- What will the impact be on the All Breeds Annual Awards?
- Will there be a process for evaluating the impact of the qualification rules in the year or two after it is fully implemented?
In addition, many posters have questioned what the problem statement is for this rule change; under USEF rule changes procedures, when a rule change is put forward, it must state a specific problem that it will address (and solve), as well as other options that were considered as possible solutions. None of this information has been made available in conjunction with this rule change.
The full score analysis can be seen here.
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PVDA President competes across The Pond
The adult amateur’s life is full of great joy and great challenges. The reality of trying to fit in time for a demanding career as an executive, a good marriage, and still compete at the FEI levels is at times overwhelming. However, I would not have it any other way.
Dressage sport is humbling, and no more so than when one pushes the boundaries and tries to take a step up. I have been fortunate with my husband’s and now my work, to be able to train in Europe twice. Right now, I am at the Pidgley’s top stable in England training with Markus Gribbe, while my young horse left at home is progressing under the superb tutelage of Felicitas von Neuman-Cosel. Let me tell you that it is easier to send a horse out for training and competition than to try to achieve great results oneself! Read more here |
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| 7/12/2008 12:00 AM | Jan Brons Clinic, Annapolis, MD | | 7/12/2008 12:00 AM | Schooling Show, Church Hill, MD | | 7/13/2008 12:00 AM | PVDA Schooling Show, Potomac Riverside Farm | | 7/13/2008 7:00 PM | PVDA Board Meeting | | 7/15/2008 12:00 AM | Cesar Parra Clinic, Upper Marlboro, MD | | 7/19/2008 12:00 AM | PVDA Schooling Show, Windsor Stables | | 7/20/2008 12:00 AM | PVDA Schooling Show, Chimney Hill Farm | | 7/20/2008 12:00 AM | Schooling Show, Leonardtown, MD | | 7/26/2008 12:00 AM | IEO Book Signing, Picnic and Trail Ride, PA | | 7/26/2008 12:00 AM | Alexander Technique Clinic, Charlotte Hall, MD |
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Please contact the webmaster@pvda.org to report any problems with the website or to request any corrections. Feel free to offer suggestions or comments. All feedback is appreciated.
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