Dressage at Fair Hill 2010 - A Success
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
