Sue Springsteen Earns USEF Dressage Gold Medal

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DVCTA member Susan Springsteen’s mare Fanale (Wuemmestern/World Cup I) competed in her first Grand Prix competition the weekend of July 17, 2010 at the NJ Horse Park and scored over 60%. This score allowed Sue to secure her USEF Gold Medal in dressage.

Sue points out that “Alchemist earned my Intermediare scores, Cidor got my first 60%+ Grand Prix score and Fanale sealed the deal with her score.”

Fanale (Wuemmestern/World Cup I) and Sue have been partners since Fanale was 3 years old.  Sue’s dedication and hard work has taken Fanale from green-bean all the way up to Grand Prix.  What a great story.  CONGRATULATIONS SUE AND FANALE!

   

Dressage at Fair Hill 2010 - A Success

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By Carol Lippa

When DVCTA Chair, Mary Grace, notified the board that we needed a new manager for DVCTA at Fair Hill, I didn’t step forward.  It’s a big job, best suited for someone with lots of time and a higher profile in the dressage community.  But, everyone else took a step back, placing me in the forefront.  When asked, it was too hard to resist the challenge, especially since the organizing committee members were wonderful.  After numerous meetings and mounds of paperwork, it was finally time.  

Minus the usual June heat, the weather cooperated, and rides went off on schedule.  The most striking thing was how pleasant the riders and trainers were, and how much fun everyone seemed to be having.  The photos in the DVCTA Website Photo Gallery and quotes below speak for themselves. 

“I had my first experience of Dressage at Fair Hill this weekend, and I have to say I was very impressed with the helpfulness, courtesy, and general kindness of every person I met who was involved with the show.  The show secretary answered every question quickly and fully; the web master created a labeled picture of the show grounds for me; the stable manager responded immediately to my call about a broken board; the volunteers with clipboards gave out information cheerfully (even on the run!); and the ring steward calmed my teenage daughter's frazzled nerves with kindness and a drink of water when she was almost in tears from a frustrating warm-up.  For a novice show mom like myself, these were very important details that mitigated the effects of the heat and humidity, and gave us an emotional leg up to a successful finish for the day.  In addition, the facilities were clean and well-organized; the water, trash cans, and manure pile were conveniently situated; and the test results timely.  The loudspeaker was nicely audible but not intrusive--I've been on these grounds for other occasions when the PA sound was awful, so I know someone did some work with that!  The footing was great, and our friends who came to watch were grateful for the spectator tent.”   -Donna Kurylak

“Congratulations on the Fair Hill Dressage Show. You did a terrific job. Lots of smiles - The volunteering was fun!” -Connie Scholz

“Thanks again for a great Show and for this help!!  My student Kathy Hechler also commented on what a great feel and time she had at the show this year, I told her to also thank the board for all of your hard work!!  I will return to Fair Hill now, it was a very nice show and very well run!! (I had not been back in about 5-6 years....)” -Jeanne McDonald

 

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2011 USEF Dressage Tests

The USEF Test Writing Sub-Committee is in the process of revising all USEF Dressage Tests (Training – Fourth Levels) for 2011, which will take effect December 1, 2010 (the beginning of the USEF competition year). As work continues, the Test Writing Sub-Committee has made the following recommendations, which were supported by the Dressage Committee and announced during the USEF Dressage Committee Open Forum at the USDF Annual Convention in Austin, Texas, on December 3, 2009:

  • Reduction of the number of tests per level to three (3) tests for ALL levels.
  • Only Training Level tests may be held in a small arena (as included in the 2010 Rule Book). First Level Test 1 may no longer be held in a small arena.
  • Allow either rising or sitting trot for both Training and First Level Tests.
  • Have a clear distinction between each level. In particular, requirements for Fourth Level will be reduced to illustrate a clear difference between this level and PSG.
  • Collective Marks will remain the same as current tests (Gaits x2, Impulsion x2, Submission x2, Rider x3).
  • Keep all test times at six (6) minutes or less if possible.
  • Re-writing of directives to update language and clarify description and intention of movements for both officials and competitors.
  • Support the concept and possible development of "Rider Tests".

The USEF Test Writing Sub-Committee anticipates presentation of final test drafts for approval during the USEF Dressage Committee's June meeting. Therefore, new test material should be available for public distribution by late summer 2010. All test information and updates will be posted on the Federation website, www.usef.org.

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"Scoring Variables and Judge Bias in United States Dressage Competitions"
Journal of Quantitative Analysis in Sports
Vol. 6 : Iss. 3, Article 13.
DOI: 10.2202/1559-0410.1251
Diaz, Ana E.; Johnston, Mary S.; Lucitti, Jennifer;
Neckameyer, Wendi S.; and Moran, Katy M. (2010)
Available at
: http://www.bepress.com/jqas/vol6/iss3/13

ABSTRACT
Dressage is an Olympic equestrian discipline with rules governed by The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). After questions arose regarding dressage scoring during the 2008 Olympics, the FEI undertook studies of dressage scoring at international equestrian competitions in Europe. These studies included investigations of scoring scales and judging bias. Based on those results, the FEI recommended the use of statistics to improve the consistency of judge training in dressage competition. The authors performed a statistical analysis of dressage scores earned by riders in the United States. This work demonstrates the lack of consistency in judging in the United States. This is the first published study that looks at U.S. dressage results. It includes a very large data set considered representative of the population of riders in the U.S. Dressage is a subjectively judged sport. The final score, not the class placing, is of greatest importance when assessing rider results. The authors show how mainstream statistical tools can identify factors impacting the final dressage score. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to demonstrate the existence of key variables which impact scores. The analysis shows there are variations in scoring patterns by horse breed, as well as the existence of high-scoring and low-scoring judges. Finally, the analysis shows that there are increased standard deviations at the "extremes" of the judging scale. This would indicate there is variability in interpretation of scoring at the upper and lower ends of the scoring scale. Analysis of Means (ANOM) identified five judges whose scores were statistically different than the grand average scores.
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DVCTA  Dues Increase for 2011 Membership Year

As of August 1 DVCTA dues will increase.  Anyone who joins or renews after August 1 will be a member for 2011.  USDF will increase its dues for 2011 which has caused us to have to increase ours.  Regular members will now be $55.  Family (affiliate) members will be $20.  Business members will stay at $75.These changes were approved by the board earlier this year.

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USDF Announces Dues Increase for 2011 Membership Year

United States Dressage Federation (USDF) has announced a membership dues and horse registration fee increase for the 2011 membership year, which begins December 1, 2010.  At the 2009 Adequan/USDF Annual Convention in Austin, TX, the following dues and fees were approved by the Board of Governors (BOG); 1-year Participating Membership (PM) - $75,  Youth PM - $60, 5-Year PM - $300, Life PM - $1500, Business Membership - $200, Group Member Organization (GMO) Membership - $20,  GMO Supporting Family Membership - $10, Horse Identification Number (HID) - $25, and Lifetime Horse Registration (LHR) - $95.

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 Entries Open for August 22, Horse Trials

 

 Flyer: Jr. Young Rider Paper Chase 2010

Paper Chase August 7 and  August 25

 

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