Dressage Team Travel

The St. Andrews Dressage Team traveled to Averett University this weekend for 2 days of showing. This year in addition to the team competition our IDA region is running a dressage seat equitation (DSE) competition with a Regional Championship planned for the last show of the season to be hosted by St. Andrews on March 21, 2015. In Dressage Seat Equitation the riders show together in a group in the dressage ring. As in all equitation classes DSE is judged on the rider’s position and effectiveness. “This is wonderful addition to IDA competition,” said Coach Jackie Dwelle. “Ginger Henderson who coaches for Averett and I are developing this competition with the hope that we will have divisions of DSE at Nationals in a couple of years. NCSU Coach Jan Jacobson who is also an “R” judge said that regular dressage competitions are adopting more DSE classes so we are staying abreast of changes within our sport.” At the conclusion of the class the judge speaks to each rider individually telling them what they need to work on to improve their position which in turn will improve the quality of their ride."

The DSE story for Saturday was Sarah Hartley’s first place in the Intro Level class. This was Sarah’s first show ever! A large number of family members were present to make this victory even more special.

Saturday’s team competition demonstrated the quality of dressage in our IDA region. Our riders rode well but were bettered by teams from Averett, NCSU and Longwood. Saturday evening was spent strategizing and watching videos of the rides. Sunday the mental preparation showed with improved placings. Claire Pollard came up with what has become our Regional motto as it is a sentiment shared by all of the coaches in the region. “We are not here to lose, we either win or we learn.” This sums up very well the lessons that intercollegiate competition offers. 

RESULTS - SATURDAY

Team A 5th

First Level Test 2

4^th Bridget Newman60.811%

Training Level Test 3

4^th Megan Pustarfi 61.2%

5^th Claire Pollard 60.4%

Training Level Test 1

3^rd Geneva Masak 64.375%

Introductory Level Test B

2^nd Victoria Smith64.375%

5^th Sarah Lishen 58.438%

Dressage Seat Equitation

Training Level A

4^th Courtney Anderson

Training Level B

2^nd Natasha Worker

4^th McCall DiMarco

Introductory Level

1^st Sarah Hartley

2^nd Nina Jurac

SUNDAY

Team  A 3^rd

Team B 4^th

First Level Test 2

4^th Bridget Newman 67.027%

5^th Alex Varisco  64.495%

Training Level Test 3

2^nd  Claire Pollard 69.4%

4^th McCall DiMarco 67.0%

Training Level Test 1

3^rd Geneva Masak 69.4%

6^th Elizabethe Weeks 67.0%

Introductory Level Test B

2^nd  Sarah Lishen 64.063%

5^th Victoria Smith 62.5%

Dressage Seat Equitation

Training Level A

4^th Courtney Anderson

Training Level B

4th Natasha Worker

Introductory Level A

2^nd Nina Jurac

Introductory Level B

3rd Sarah Hartley

Introductory Level C

1^st Sarah Lishen

NCSU RESULTS OCT. 18^th

Team A 3^rd 11 points

Team B 6th 10 points

First Level Test 1

4^th Bridget Newman 66.034%

Training Level Test 2

1^st Claire Pollard 76.429% High Point Rider

6^th McCall DiMarco 71.786%

Training Level Test 1

6^th Geneva Masak 61.667%

Introductory Level Test B

1^st Victoria Smith 70.625%

4^th Sarah Lishen 64.063%

What have we been doing?

Once again, time has flown by without a blog post. We have had horse show, riding open house, fall break and are gearing up for the next round of shows.  The Hunter Seat team placed third at our home show Oct 3^rd behind NC State and Duke but rallied back at UNC Wilmington to win. The dressage team had its first outing at NCSU Oct. 18^th finishing with a 3^rd place overall. Senior Claire Pollard earned the high point rider ribbon with a score of 76.429% in Training Level Test 2.

While I was traveling with the dressage team, the rest of the equestrian staff worked hard to put on a wonderful riding open house for prospective high school seniors. Friday night we hosted an information session and dinner on campus. Heather led a crew to decorate the patio by the lake which looked amazing. Administrators and members of the Faculty joined us to talk about the program, answer questions and visit with families. Lots of contacts were made with future students and we all came away thinking that the future of St. Andrews looks great. On Saturday, Seniors rode for the Equestrian staff and Juniors joined the staff at the Equestrian Center for tours and information. The feedback we have received from our guests has been fabulous. Several people commented on how our current students genuinely care for the horses.

Looking forward to this weekend, teams will be doing the fall clean up of Hasty Road on Saturday, the IHSA hunter seat team heads out on Sunday for a show hosted by UNC Chapel Hill and Duke and the entire dressage team travels with Liz and I for 2 shows at Averett University, leaving at o’dark thirty tomorrow. Next week, Pebbles and Liz and two students fly to California for the Path Int. conference. At home we are excited to be hosting a clinic with Bernie Traurig next weekend. 

Claire with her High Point Ribbon

Kris Hamilton Clinic - Sept 27, 2014

Kris Hamilton was here last Saturday to work with the dressage team. 12 riders participated and several other students audited the clinic. The clinic started with a theory session from what Kris is calling “The Toolbox Series”. The balance of the horse was the focus and Kris made it easy and fun to understand by encouraging students to always start with something nice when riding and to seek the horse’s approval in all things. “Simplify” was something that she repeated over and over to encourage rider’s to not complicate their riding technique. She taught the group that balance is a product of a clear, steady rhythm. Using balance at the trot we as an example we discussed how scores of 7 – 10 were earned and how scores of 4 – 6 might be assigned. Kris’s message was one of a simple formula of energy and contact to create suppleness and therefore balance.

When we moved outside to the ring these concepts were put into practice by the riders in 3 mounted sessions at various levels. Riders experimented with their horse’s natural energy before taking up their reins and learning about “neck flip”. Riders in the first group worked on their trot and trot lengthenings to show harmony with the horse. Canter circles were taught to another group and the final group, having switched horses just for fun, ended up riding a drill team style pattern demonstrating how riding with a partner helps to motivate both horse and rider. 

Overall, the clinic was very successful for all participants and for the group of students who came out to learn from the sidelines. 

Claire and JB

Drill Team Group

Riders allowing their horses the freedom to simply walk. Kris is explaining to the auditors what is going on.

Kris showing Liv how to "flip" Frampton's neck