Thanks for setting up this interactive web-site for Region 4! Dakota
Dressage & Eventing has had a YahooGroups web-site and listserve
since last September and we have found it a great way to communicate
with our members who span both South and North Dakota. We also use
the chat room feature to hold meetings and on-line book club
discussions during the winter months when travel can be difficult.

DDE is planning several activities in 2004, some of which include:
* a schooling show series with show locations aimed for Vermillion,
Sioux Falls, Aberdeen, Pierre, Bismarck (ND) and possibly other
locations (i.e., Rapid City).
* Two recognized dressage shows with classes through the FEI and a
fun team competition as part of the Missouri River Show Weekend in
Ft. Pierre, SD, June 12-13. The judges are Sarah Geikie, 'S' (CT)
and Marie Johnson, 'R' (WI). Barb Funk is our TD. Susan Lesmeister
Nickle is the show secretary. Please contact her at
slesmeiste@... or check the show web-site:
www.groups.yahoo.com/group/MRSW for more information. We would love
to see you that weekend!
* A USDF Instructor Certification workshop with Melanie Tenney for
training - second level tentatively scheduled for Sioux Falls or
Huron, SD. This is a follow-up workshop for Participating Instructors
who were in the DDE/USDF workshop series in SD in 2003. Demo
riders/horses may be needed.
* A USDF Instructor Certification Pre-Certification exam scheduled
for September 18-19 at the state fairgrounds in Huron, SD. This will
be held in conjunction with the Iowa Dressage & Combined Training
Association, who will also have their own Participating Instructors
ready for pre-cert this year.
* Though early in planning, we may be hosting a sport horse breeding
seminar with a very successful breeder from the Netherlands (Ruud
Walters) this summer or in 2005. Mr. Walters has bred several
successful dressage offspring and fully approved stallions (e.g.,
Dream of Heidelberg who stands at Gestute St. Ludwig in Germany). If
you are interested in this, please let me know, as it will help us
with our planning.

I want to thank the GMO newsletter editors in the region for the very
useful newsletter exchange we've started. I hope you noticed several
of your events/activities listed in our last newsletter.

Happy riding to you all!

Sarah Patrick, Newsletter Editor
Dakota Dressage & Eventing
46846 W. SD Hwy. 38
Sioux Falls, SD 57107
(605) 338-1174