In 2012, we will have several dressage shows for members and nonmembers alike to participate in. Our Recognized show, The Central Oregon Dressage Classic, is recognized by USEF, USDF and ODS. The plans for this show are shaping up to be better than ever thanks to the generosity and sponorship of Brasada Ranch.
Our three League Dressage Shows are recognized by the Oregon Dressage Society. We also have a Year End Awards program for our club, and ODS sponsors a League Championship Show as well as a Licensed Championship show at the end of the season. Be sure to check the Show Information Page for more information on all these events.
Many of our members sponsor various clinicians to come to the area. Check our Calendar for dates and contact information. The ODS website also lists shows and events throughout the Oregon Washington, and Northern California area.
Please click here to join ODS, please click on this link, and make sure to say you want to belong to the Central Oregon Chapter (COC)!
After sending a DVD of a First Level ride of my horse and I to the selection committee (actually, I put it on YouTube), we were chosen as an alternate for the Symposium with Steffan Peters, which was held in conjunction with the 40th ODS Anniversary and year end banquet. That was exciting, but no further action required. Then, at 4 p.m. Friday afternoon before the Symposium, I got a call that someone had canceled and would I like to fill the spot? Why, yes I would!
I had already planned to attend the banquet and symposium, but bringing my horse and all his clothes (he wants to look good too) is another matter. Just making sure to remember everything I needed or might possibly need was a big task! Oh, and then thinking about riding in front of not only Steffen Peters but close to 300 people: Anxiety Level HIGH!
We got safely to Devonwood and I had time to ride in the indoor arena on Saturday. Sunday arrived and it was my time to ride. Zhorik and I bravely trotted in. He was quite surprised to see so many people around the arena and was quite tense. Steffen had us changing direction and using leg yield to gain attention. Something else that he emphasized was finding the “appropriate frame” for each horse – finding the most “productive” training frame. For my horse, he needed to rounder and his neck lower. A training frame may not necessarily be a show frame.
The area we worked on the most was collection. Steffen feels that transitions within the gait need to be used to improve the gait and the collection. At the canter he had me lengthen for a few strides and the bring Zhorik back (a lot) – and he said don’t worry if he breaks to trot. Just put him back into canter quickly and quietly. This is how the horse learns. My canter work improved tremendously and I now use this type of training in my every day work with Zhorik.
I found Steffen very engaging, sincere, and easy to work with. Although he did have an agenda of training principles he wanted to get through to the audience, he was also able to work with each horse and rider to help them with their individual strengths and weaknesses. It was a thrill to ride with an Olympian of his caliber. I highly recommend applying to be a demo rider! It’s never going to happen if you don’t send your tape in!!
Big thank you to my traveling companion, Laura Swenson, and my “groom,” Natalie Perry, and all the other chapter members attending for their moral support! I needed you all!