UNDIAGNOSED POISONING, EQUINE - USA (05): (FLORIDA) SELENIUM
************************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>

[1]
Date: Tue 28 Apr 2009
Source: Yahoo News, Associated Press (AP) report [edited]
<http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090428/ap_on_re_us/us_dead_polo_horses>


Officials blame mineral overdose in horse deaths
------------------------------------------------
Florida's top veterinarian on Tuesday [28 Apr 2009] blamed the deaths
of 21 elite polo horses on an overdose of a common mineral that helps
muscles recover from fatigue.

Florida's state veterinarian, Dr Thomas J Holt, said toxicology tests
on the dead horses showed significantly increased selenium levels.

The horses from the Venezuelan-owned Lechuza Caracas team began
collapsing [19 Apr 2009] as they were unloaded from trailers at the
International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington before a
championship match. Some died at the scene, others hours later.

"Signs exhibited by the horses and their rapid deaths were consistent
with toxic doses of selenium," Holt said.

The team was preparing to play in the sport's US Open and was seen as
a top contender.

A Florida pharmacy that mixed a brew of vitamins and minerals for the
team on order from its Florida veterinarian said Tuesday [28 Apr
2009] that the strength of selenium was incorrect. Jennifer Beckett,
chief operating officer for Franck's Pharmacy in Ocala, Florida,
would not say whether the incorrect amount was specified in the
veterinarian order or was a pharmacy error. "We continue to cooperate
fully with the authorities as their investigations proceed," she
said. "We cannot discuss further details." Lechuza had no comment on
the toxicology report.

The polo team had hoped to get a compound similar to a name-brand
supplement known as Biodyl. The supplement is used around the world
but hasn't been approved by the Food and Drug Administration [FDA] in
the US.

Veterinarians often turn to compounding pharmacies like Franck's for
medications that can't be found on shelves, but the dispensaries
generally can only recreate unapproved drugs in limited
circumstances, such as for health reasons.

The FDA and state authorities are investigating.

Biodyl is a supplement made in France by Duluth, Georgia-based animal
pharmaceutical firm Merial Ltd. It wasn't clear how close Franck's
mixture came to the name-brand drug. Lechuza said what they ordered
was supposed to contain vitamin B, potassium, magnesium, and selenium.

The injections provided by Franck's were given to the horses just
hours before their deaths.

Dr Murl Bailey, a toxicology professor at Texas A&M University's
College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, said selenium
is a common mineral needed in small doses by humans and animals for
growth and tissue stabilization. It can also help muscles recover
from fatigue.

"It's a naturally occurring mineral in the Earth's crust," Bailey
said. But he said it was generally not needed as a supplement since
most people and animals get it in their food.

Bailey said an overdose of selenium can cause the veins in the body
to dilate, "so there's really no blood coming back to the heart."

"The horses go into shock," he said. Necropsies previously revealed
bleeding in the horses' lungs.

Dr Tam Garland, a toxicologist at the Texas Veterinary Medical
Diagnostic Laboratory, said the horses' deaths would likely have been
painful, and irreversible after the overdose. "Hemorrhaging in the
lungs tells me these horses couldn't breathe," Garland said.

[Byline: Brian Skoloff]

--
Communicated by:
Sara M Volk, PhD
Department of Pathology
Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases
<http://www.utmb.edu/CBEID/virology.shtml>
University of Texas Medical Branch
Galveston, Texas
USA
<sara.m.volk@...>

Our May Clinic with Amy will be May 10 & 11 at Stoney Meadow Farms in Bonner
Springs, KS.  Rides are $85.  Please contact Maggie at
stoneymeadow@... or 913-908-6992.  Also check out our website at
www.stoneymeadowfarms.com

About Amy:

Amy the the resident dressage trainer at Stoney Meadow Farms.  She trains and
teaches through the FEI levels and is a nationally recognized trainer, coach and
clinician.  A talented rider, Amy also is a gifted teacher.  She has the ability
to work with riders and horses of all levels and is a patient mentor to all. 
Our weekend clinics are intended to provide more lesson opportunities with Amy
for those of us who have to work full time jobs :)

2008 was a special year for Amy and her students...two students completed their
USDF Gold Medals, two completed their USDF Silver Medals and one completed their
USDF Bronze Medal.  In additon, students earned numerous other titles such as
Regional Championship Reserve Champion, several Arabian National Sporthorse
Championships, USDF All Breed Champion and other top 5 placings, High Point
Awards at individual shows up through FEI level and GMO year end awards.  Amy
has students already qualified for 2009 Regional Championships through FEI
levels.

In 1995, Amy won the Region 4 Grand Prix Championships on Biskrah, an Oldenburg
gelding she trained to Grand Prix. In 1997, Amy earned her USDF Gold Medal
riding Biskrah.  Her mentors have been Felicitas von Neumann-Cosel and Willi
Schultheis.  Amy also works with Alf Athenstaedt, former Director of Training at
Tempel Farms.

Amy has most recently trained and shown EM Destine to FEI and looks to return to
the show ring in 2009.  Destine is owned by KCDS and MASA member Dr. Deb
Davenport.  Destine has won Regional Championships as well as numerous USDF All
Breed Awards.

>
>Our May Clinic with Amy will be May 9 & 10 at Stoney Meadow Farms in Bonner
Springs, KS.  Rides are $85.  Please contact Maggie at
stoneymeadow@... or 913-908-6992.  Also check out our website at
www.stoneymeadowfarms.com
>
>About Amy:
>
>Amy the the resident dressage trainer at Stoney Meadow Farms.  She trains and
teaches through the FEI levels and is a nationally recognized trainer, coach and
clinician.  A talented rider, Amy also is a gifted teacher.  She has the ability
to work with riders and horses of all levels and is a patient mentor to all. 
Our weekend clinics are intended to provide more lesson opportunities with Amy
for those of us who have to work full time jobs :)
>
>2008 was a special year for Amy and her students...two students completed their
USDF Gold Medals, two completed their USDF Silver Medals and one completed their
USDF Bronze Medal.  In additon, students earned numerous other titles such as
Regional Championship Reserve Champion, several Arabian National Sporthorse
Championships, USDF All Breed Champion and other top 5 placings, High Point
Awards at individual shows up through FEI level and GMO year end awards.  Amy
has students already qualified for 2009 Regional Championships through FEI
levels.
>
>In 1995, Amy won the Region 4 Grand Prix Championships on Biskrah, an Oldenburg
gelding she trained to Grand Prix. In 1997, Amy earned her USDF Gold Medal
riding Biskrah.  Her mentors have been Felicitas von Neumann-Cosel and Willi
Schultheis.  Amy also works with Alf Athenstaedt, former Director of Training at
Tempel Farms.
>
>Amy has most recently trained and shown EM Destine to FEI and looks to return
to the show ring in 2009.  Destine is owned by KCDS and MASA member Dr. Deb
Davenport.  Destine has won Regional Championships as well as numerous USDF All
Breed Awards.

KCDS Kids Camp for 2009 will be a Junior Rider Symposium!!

After several very successful years of Kids Camp held at Longview Horse Park,
the Kansas City Dressage Society board has opted to try a different format for
2009.  One of the main purposes of our organization is dressage education for
the young and not so young alike.  Using the Symposium format will offer Junior
Riders the opportunity to have focused instruction from a top clinician, Laurie
Hedlund, in a symposium setting along with several educational sessions from
area equine professionals.  A symposium setting is designed to engage not only
the rider but also the other symposium participants and auditors.

Laurie is a FEI level competitor who has earned her USDF Bronze and Silver
Medals as well as a USDF “L” judge graduate with distinction.  She is also a
USDF Certified Instructor through Second Level.  For the past 17 years Laurie
has been under the tutelage of Alf Athenstaedt, former Trainer and Director of
Performance at Tempel Farms.  Laurie has ridden with dressage notables Michael
Page, Michelle Gibson, Betsey Steiner, Lars Holmberg, Charles DeKnaffy and
Catherine Haddad.  Laurie has also been a guest student at Gestut Ammerland in
Germany.

Laurie is calm, quiet and focused both as a person and as a rider.  And she
inspires the same in her students and throughout her clinics.  Junior riders
will benefit from her patient and caring style.

The symposium will be held at Stoney Meadow Farms, Bonner Springs, KS and riding
slots will be limited to 10 Junior Rider participants from ages 12 – 18. 
Younger participants may be considered if space allows.  Preference will be
given first to KCDS Junior members.  Riding participants will each have a
private lesson on their horse both Saturday and Sunday as well as several
educations sessions.  Non-riding participants are also encouraged and may
participate in all sessions, meals and lectures.  Riding and non-riding
participants are also invited to stay at Stoney Meadow Farms through the
Symposium weekend.

The symposium style format will benefit riders, non-riders and auditors alike as
Laurie will talk through the exercises used, corrections, successes as well as
engage the other participants and auditors in the sessions.  Area professionals
will provide educational sessions on topics to help participants learn about
horse care.  Topics may include equine nutrition, hoof care, veterinary health,
acupuncture and massage therapy.

Tentative Schedule –
o Friday – June 19
 4PM – 6PM – Arrive with Horses – NOTE Coggins & Health Certificate
Required!!
 6PM – Dinner
 7PM – Laurie Lecture and Q&A

o Saturday – June 20
 Breakfast
 Symposium rides
 Educational Session – Cathy Moreland – Equine Massage
 Symposium rides
 Lunch
 Symposium rides
 Educational Session – Dr Mike Tarrant – Equine Acupuncture
 Symposium rides
 Dinner and evening session

o Sunday – June 21
 Breakfast
 Symposium rides
 Educational Session – Dr Katie Young – Equine Nutrition
 Symposium rides
 Lunch
 Symposium rides
 Educational Session – TBA – What do I do until my vet gets here?
 Symposium rides
 Close

Junior Symposium Fees

• Junior Rider Participant = $250 – includes stabling for one horse, meals
noted above, snacks, all educational sessions and two private lessons. 
Participants may also stay at Stoney Meadow Farms through the Symposium.
• Junior non-rider Participant = $60 – includes meals noted above, snacks
and all educational sessions.  Participants may also stay at Stoney Meadow Farms
through the Symposium.
• Junior Auditors = $20 – includes all symposium lessons and daytime
educational sessions only.  Does not cover evening sessions, meals or staying at
Stoney Meadow Farms through the weekend.
• Adult Auditors = $30 - includes all symposium lessons and daytime
educational sessions only.  Does not cover evening sessions, meals or staying at
Stoney Meadow Farms through the weekend.

Enrollment for Rider and Non-rider Participants opens April 1, 2009 and will
close June 5, 2009.  The 10 Rider Participant slots will be filled on a first
come first served basis when accompanied by a completed application, other
required forms and deposit.  A waiting list will be maintained.  50% of the fee
is required upon enrollment and the other 50% is required by June 1, 2009.  Fees
are only refundable if we can fill the slot with another participant.

Enrollment application and other required forms are located at
www.kcdressage.com as well as attached to this email.

Questions may be directed to Peggy Keller at mmrkeller@..., Carol Davis at
cdavis913@... or Maggie Stonecipher at stoneymeadow@...

Hello,

This email message is a notification to let you know that
a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the usdfregion4
group.

   File        : /Region 4 Membership Trends 2004-spring 2009.pdf
   Uploaded by : slp4mag <slp4mag@...>
   Description : Group memberships reported to USDF 2004-spring 2009 Region 4

You can access this file at the URL:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/usdfregion4/files/Region%204%20Membership%20Trends\
%202004-spring%202009.pdf

To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit:
http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/groups/original/members/web/index.htmlfiles

Regards,

slp4mag <slp4mag@...>

This may be helpful in Region 4 where we have such long distances to cover.


----- Original Message -----
Subject: Find a Ride to an Equine Event on ClubEquestrian.com
Date: Mon, 6 Apr 2009 16:18:44
From: U.S. Equestrian Federation <U.S._Equestrian_Federation@...>
To:  <slp4mag@...>

  Find a Ride to an Equine Event on ClubEquestrian.com

     If you are having trouble viewing this page, please click here .

     �

     �

     �
     �
     ClubEquestrian.com Introduces
       Ride Share Program
       In an effort to help equestrian enthusiasts and competitors to save money
in a tight economy and to promote eco-friendly horse transportation, the United
State Equestrian Federation now presents the Ride Share Program on
ClubEquestrian.com. Often the logistics of long-distance travel is an unforeseen
roadblock in the path to equine events. This new tool allows equine enthusiasts
and competitors to post information about open trailer spots as well as inquire
about rides. Information such as where a trailer is leaving from, open trailer
space and potential lay-overs will be readily available.

         Check out the Ride Share Program by logging on to ClubEquestrian.com and
going to "My Tackroom" or visit www.clubequestrian.com/tools/rideshare .

     �

     �

  If you no longer wish to receive any notifications from the United States
Equestrian Federation, please reply to this message with "Unsubscribe" in the
subject line or simply click on the following link:
Unsubscribe United States Equestrian Federation 4047 Iron Works Parkway
Lexington, Kentucky 40511 United States
Read
  the VerticalResponse marketing policy.

Think of all the horses and riders she has helped . . ..


----- Original Message -----
Subject: [GMOPrez] We sadly announce the passing of Sally Swift
Date: Fri, 3 Apr 2009 20:38:58
From: Nancy Spear <ledaprez@...>
To:  <GMOPrez@yahoogroups.com>

FYI

Nancy Spear
President - Little Egypt Dressage Association
www.ledressage. org
Region 2 GMO Coordinator

--- On Fri, 4/3/09, sue hughes < prideandjoyfarm@ yahoo.com > wrote:

> From: sue hughes < prideandjoyfarm@ yahoo.com >
> Subject: Fw: We sadly announce the passing of Sally Swift
> To: "Nancy Spear" < ledaprez@yahoo. com >
> Date: Friday, April 3, 2009, 5:26 PM
> --- On Fri, 4/3/09, Centered Riding Office
> < centeredriding@ comcast.net > wrote:
>
> > From: Centered Riding Office
> < centeredriding@ comcast.net >
> > Subject: Fw: We sadly announce the passing of Sally
> Swift
> > To: Undisclosed- Recipient@ yahoo.com
> > Date: Friday, April 3, 2009, 12:12 AM
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >  
> > It is with
> > deep regret that I must
> > inform you of the passing of our beloved Sally
> Swift.  Sally struggled with pneumonia
> > since the
> > end of January, and although she tried very hard to
> get
> > better, she was not able
> > to get back on her feet.  She
> > peacefully slipped away today as one of her friends
> read to
> > her.  We are all deeply saddened by the
> > loss
> > of this gifted, caring and gentle woman. 
> > The world will not be the same without her.  Our
> thoughts and prayers go out at
> > this
> > time to Sally’s family, friends and caregivers who
> are
> > struggling with this
> > great loss.
> >
> >  
> > You can be comforted to know that when Sally
> > first discovered she was
> > seriously ill with pneumonia in January, she spoke
> about
> > the peace she felt
> > in knowing that Centered Riding was in the good hands
> of
> > such competent
> > caretakers.  Centered Riding and Sally's
> > Centered Riding family meant
> > the world to her - it and all of you captured her
> greatest
> > pride. 
> > She spoke about knowing that no matter what the
> > outcome of her illness
> > might be, Centered Riding was in "very good
> > hands."  She trusted the
> > many "loyal soldiers" who would carry on her
> > life's work.  What we can do
> > most to honor Sally now is to carry on her work
> > of teaching
> > others with humility and integrity and offer others
> > the unconditional
> > positive regard that Sally had for each and every
> > person that came her
> > way.  Despite being a woman of great
> > accomplishment, Sally never
> > elevated herself above others, but opened her heart
> with
> > acceptance and
> > friendship.  Today, all of us that knew Sally
> > personally or came to "know
> > her" through her work, feel as though we HAVE
> > lost a dear friend. 
> > This is the enduring gift Sally has left for our
> > hearts and memories. 
> > Centered Riding is the enduring gift she has left for
> the
> > world.
> >  
> > Following is the announcement on our website
> > regarding Sally’s life and
> > accomplishments.  More details
> > will
> > be posted about the memorial service for Sally as they
> > become
> > known.
> >
> > Linda Galt Powley
> > President
> >  
> > LEGENDARY
> > WOMAN, AUTHOR AND
> > FOUNDER OF
> > CENTERED RIDING LEAVES
> > THE HORSE
> > WORLD IN MOURNING
> >  
> > Sarah Rodman Swift known to her worldwide
> > following as “Sally Swift”
> > passed away on April 2, 2009. 
> > Sally
> > was less than three weeks away from reaching her
> > 96th birthday.  She was born on April 20, 1913 in
> > Hingham, Massachusetts to Rodman “Tod” Swift and
> > Elizabeth Townsend Swift.  She had one sister, Agnes,
> who died
> > in
> > 2004.
> >  
> > Sally Swift was known all over the world for her
> > innovative horse-riding
> > methodology known as “Centered Riding.” 
> > She was the author of two books Centered
> > Riding and Centered
> > Riding II – Further Explorations which, together,
> > have had sales of more
> > than 860,000 copies worldwide in fifteen different
> > languages.  Sally was the Founder of Centered
> > Riding, Inc., which is the non-profit organization
> that
> > oversees the worldwide
> > membership of instructors and horse riders.  Sally
> began Centered Riding at the
> > age
> > of 62 upon her retirement from the Holstein
> Association in
> > Brattleboro
> > Vermont.  Her first book,
> > Centered
> > Riding was published in 1985.
> >
> >
> > In August of 2006, Sally Swift was inducted
> > into the United States
> > Dressage Foundation’s Hall of Fame. 
> > In June of 2008, she was presented with the seventh
> > annual Equine
> > Industry Vision Award by Pfizer Animal Health and
> American
> > Horse Publications,
> > an award which recognizes innovation, ingenuity and
> service
> > across the entire
> > equine market.
> >  
> > At the age of 7, Sally was diagnosed with
> > scoliosis, lateral curvature of
> > the spine.  She worked for many
> > years with Mabel Ellsworth Todd, author of “The
> Thinking
> > Body” who believed that
> > you could control parts of your body with your mind
> when
> > you couldn’t direct
> > them with physical movement. 
> > Sally
> > used concepts of her work with Mabel Todd to develop
> the
> > Four Basics of Centered
> > Riding.
> >  
> > Sally was homeschooled until 7th grade
> > and then attended
> > Milton Academy in Milton Massachusetts for her
> > 7th through
> > 12th grade education. 
> > She graduated from Cornell University in 1947 with a
> > B.S. in
> > agriculture.  She worked for 21
> > years at the Holstein Association of America located
> in
> > Brattleboro, Vermont,
> > retiring in 1975. 
> >
> >  
> > Upon her retirement from the Holstein Association
> > in, Sally began
> > teaching her friends at the rate of $10 per lesson and
> $50
> > per day for a
> > clinic.  She never advertised
> > – her
> > teachings spread by word of mouth. 
> > Before long, she was going up and down the East
> > coast with her
> > teachings.  In the early
> > 1980’s,
> > when Sally was in her early seventies, she began
> travelling
> > to other locations
> > in the U.S., Canada and eventually to Europe.  In
> 1988, at the age of 75, she went
> > to
> > Australia to work alongside Richard Weis, who was her
> first
> > apprentice.  Sally continued to be very active
> > in
> > Centered Riding until her recent illness.
> >  
> > During the days of her illness, Sally was
> > surrounded by her friends and
> > Centered Riding family who loved her. 
> > She was closely attended to by her long-time friend,
> > Lucile Bump, also of
> > Brattleboro, her devoted friend, Munson Hicks, her
> > care-givers, and her special
> > friend Francois Lemaire de Ruffieu.  
> >  Sally was well-loved my
> > many, many people. 
> > Despite her fame, breadth of knowledge
> > and accomplishments,
> > she greeted all who journeyed down her path with
> warmth and
> >
> > humbleness.
> >
> >  
> > Plans
> > for a memorial service in honor of Sally Swift are
> underway
> > and will be
> > announced on this website. 
> > In lieu of flowers, donations
> > in Sally’s memory can
> > be made to Centered Riding, Inc. P.O. Box 157,
> > Perkiomenville, PA, Windham
> > County Human Society, 916 W. River Road, Brattleboro,
> VT
> > 05301, The
> > Heifer International Foundation. 1015
> > Louisiana St., P.O. Box 727,
> > Little Rock, AR 72203 or Amnesty
> > International,
> > 16th Floor, 5 Penn Plaza, New York, NY 1001
> >  
> > The world was made a better place by Sally Swift,
> > and the horse world and
> > all who came to love her deeply mourn her
> > passing.
> >  
> >  
> >

As the 2009 recipient of the Dressage Foundation's Gifted Fund scholarship, I'd like to echo Joann's message.  As I am making final plans for my training, I am so grateful to have this incredilbe opportunity made possible only through this scholarship.  I will be going to California in October to spend 10 days with Sue Halasz followed by several days with Steffen Peters.  As an AA working full time, taking time away for this type of intensive training was only a dream.  TDF Gifted Fund scholarship has allowed me to take my dream and turn it into reality.  For that I am extremely grateful!

Maggie Stonecipher

Kansas City Dressage Society Treasurer 

-----Original Message-----
From: Joann
Sent: Mar 27, 2009 10:40 AM
To: usdfregion4@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [usdfregion4] TDF Gifted Fund Scholarships - AA plan now to apply!

As the 2008 Region 4 recipient of the Dressage Foundation's Gifted Fund scholarship, I wanted to take a few minutes to remind all the adult amateur riders about this opportunity and the September deadline.

Will you please send this on to your newsletter editors too?

The Dressage Foundation has multiple programs, one of these is the Gifted Fund Scholarship, which now gives the recipient $900. Full details are online at
http://www.dressagefoundation.org/Help_For_Adult_Amatuers.htm

The scholarship is described on the site as "The Carol Lavell Gifted Fund:
Seeded with Donations received in special remembrance of Carol's great Dressage horse Gifted. Many other friends of The Dressage Foundation have added Donations and the Scholarship Fund has grown steadily over the years. This Scholarship enables Adult Amateurs to set aside quality-time, in concentrated training away from the daily pressures of job and family, with a horse the recipient owns."

The scholarship information states, "We look for riders who want to work on their riding in a situation that is normally unavailable to them because of their other obligations. We encourage the rider to work with a trainer with which they have a working history."

Many of us take regular lessons, but to me, five to seven days away with my horse, focusing only on my riding, had not happened since early in college! The Gifted Scholarship gave me the opportunity to pack up & haul to my regular instructor for 5 days, something I could not do without the extra funds the scholarship provided. I rode a lesson every day on my own horse, and a second lesson to focus on my seat and basic position to continue to advance up the levels. We made memories that week that will always be with me, and the impact of that week is something I have reflected on often, both in my riding, and in establishing a stronger partnership with my horse.

With the grant application deadline still several months away, now is the time to begin your planning and application, and request the letters of recommendation!

As I glance around the dressage world, many of us have been touched by TDF, directly or indirectly. Jan Brons was recently announced as a recipient of a larger grant from TDF, and I remember auditing a clinic he gave, and thinking how gifted this man is... The GMO that I am a part of has received several grants from TDF to help hold clinics, and the impact of those grants is felt by a large group of people! Perhaps you personally know others who have received TDF funds.

As we move into show season, its with a big smile that I got to tell Lynn at TDF that my GMO was once again going to have a benefit class at our fall show (any show can add this, contact TDF). TDF also has an online book of memory, a lovely way to remember someone in our sport. While so many non profits are struggling to survive, I urge anyone who can to support TDF in any way you can...

Enjoy your trips down the centerline,

Joann Messersmith

Dakota Dressage & Eventing's Competition Committee Chair
USDF Region 4 Competition Management Coordinator
www.YourNextSportHorse.com home of Le Imbrie
Joann@YourNextSportHorse.com

Nebraska Dressage Association 32nd Annual Cornhusker Classic I (#607) & II (#84250)

• USEF Licensed / USDF Recognized Shows, Saturday May 16th
  and Sunday May 17th, 2009
• Cornhusker Classic Schooling Show, Friday May 15, 2009

**NEW VENUE** Lancaster Event Center, 4100 N 84th St, Lincoln NE 68507

Lancaster Event Center boasts INDOOR performance arenas, footing composed of sand/clay, separate INDOOR sand/dirt warm-up and outdoor lunging areas.

Visit www.nebraskadressage.org for prizelist and entry information.

Official Qualifying Competition for the 2009 FEI North American Junior and Young Riders' Championships

As the 2008 Region 4 recipient of the Dressage Foundation's Gifted Fund
scholarship, I wanted to take a few minutes to remind all the adult amateur
riders about this opportunity and the September deadline.

Will you please send this on to your newsletter editors too?

The Dressage Foundation has multiple programs, one of these is the Gifted Fund
Scholarship, which now gives the recipient $900.  Full details are online at
http://www.dressagefoundation.org/Help_For_Adult_Amatuers.htm

The scholarship is described on the site as "The Carol Lavell Gifted Fund:
Seeded with Donations received in special remembrance of Carol's great Dressage
horse Gifted.   Many other friends of The Dressage Foundation have added
Donations and the Scholarship Fund has grown steadily over the years.  This
Scholarship enables Adult Amateurs to set aside quality-time, in concentrated
training away from the daily pressures of job and family, with a horse the
recipient owns."

The scholarship information states, "We look for riders who want to work on
their riding in a situation that is normally unavailable to them because of
their other obligations. We encourage the rider to work with a trainer with
which they have a working history."

Many of us take regular lessons, but to me, five to seven days away with my
horse, focusing only on my riding, had not happened since early in college! The
Gifted Scholarship gave me the opportunity to pack up & haul to my regular
instructor for 5 days, something I could not do without the extra funds the
scholarship provided.  I rode a lesson every day on my own horse, and a second
lesson to focus on my seat and basic position to continue to advance up the
levels.  We made memories that week that will always be with me, and the impact
of that week is something I have reflected on often, both in my riding, and in
establishing a stronger partnership with my horse.

With the grant application deadline still several months away, now is the time
to begin your planning and application, and request the letters of
recommendation!

As I glance around the dressage world, many of us have been touched by TDF,
directly or indirectly.  Jan Brons was recently announced as a recipient of a
larger grant from TDF, and I remember auditing a clinic he gave, and thinking
how gifted this man is... The GMO that I am a part of has received several
grants from TDF to help hold clinics, and the impact of those grants is felt by
a large group of people!  Perhaps you personally know others who have received
TDF funds.

As we move into show season, its with a big smile that I got to tell Lynn at TDF
that my GMO was once again going to have a benefit class at our fall show (any
show can add this, contact TDF).  TDF also has an online book of memory, a
lovely way to remember someone in our sport.  While so many non profits are
struggling to survive, I urge anyone who can to support TDF in any way you
can...

Enjoy your trips down the centerline,

Joann Messersmith

Dakota Dressage & Eventing's Competition Committee Chair
USDF Region 4 Competition Management Coordinator
www.YourNextSportHorse.com  home of Le Imbrie
Joann@...

Our April Clinic with Amy will be April 18 & 19 at Stoney Meadow Farms in Bonner
Springs, KS.  Rides are $85.  Please contact Maggie at
stoneymeadow@... or 913-908-6992.  Also check out our website at
www.stoneymeadowfarms.com

About Amy:

Amy trains and teaches through the FEI levels and is a nationally recognized
trainer, coach and clinician.   A talented rider, Amy also is a gifted
teacher.  She has the ability to work with riders of all levels and is a
patient mentor to all.

2008 was a special year for Amy and her students...two students completed
their USDF Gold Medals, two completed their USDF Silver Medals and one
completed their USDF Bronze Medal.  In additon, students earned numerous
other titles such as Regional Championship Reserve Champion, several Arabian
National Sporthorse Championships, USDF All Breed Champion and other top 5
placings, High Point Awards at individual shows up through FEI level and GMO
year end awards.

In 1995, Amy won the Region 4 Grand Prix Championships on Biskrah, an
Oldenburg gelding she trained to Grand Prix. In 1997, Amy earned her USDF
Gold Medal riding Biskrah.  Her mentors have been Felicitas von
Neumann-Cosel and Willi Schultheis.  Amy also works with Alf Athenstaedt,
former Director of Training at Tempel Farms.

Amy has most recently trained and shown EM Destine to FEI and looks to
return to the show ring in 2009.  Destine is owned by KCDS and MASA member
Dr. Deb Davenport.  Destine has won Regional Championships as well as
numerous USDF All Breed Awards.