Dressage Shows, Clinics and Events 2013

April 2013
Mette Rosencrantz Clinic

In April Slate and I rode in a two day clinic with Mette Rosencrantz when she came to Heber City.  She was very fun to ride with, and very encouraging about our chances to get a qualifying score at a CPEDI3*. April 13-14, 2013  
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Photos by: Impulsion Images

May 2013
Mary Wanless 3-day Clinic

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In May we were lucky enough to get into a three day clinic with biomechanics guru Mary Wanless.  She was amazing  at helping me not only understand what I needed to do to help my horse move correctly, but HOW to do it through detailed visualization techniques and explanations of what muscles to engage or relax. May 10-12, 2013

Idaho Dressage Festival

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Later in May we participated in the two day Idaho Dressage festival show.  For our first show Slate and I did surprisingly well!  Here is Slate, my trainer Annie Sweet, and me posing with our first blue ribbon.  Our class results are in order of occurrence below:

May 18, 2013
2nd Place: AA First Level Test 1 - 63.7% 
1st Place: AA Training Level Test 3 - 69.4%

May 19, 2013
1st Place: AA Training Level Test 3 - 67.6%
1st Place: AA First Level Test 1 - 70.0%
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U.S. Para Equestrian Dressage Symposium

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At the Carlisle Academy Integrative Equine Therapy & Sports in Lyman, Maine, I attended the U.S. Para Equestrian Dressage Symposium.  While there I was able to ride twice with Catherine Haddad Staller, and twice with Gil Merrick on an incredible Lipizzaner named Tito (thanks to owner Cyndy West!). I learned a lot, was able to see old para friends, and meet many new para equestrians and trainers.  What great opportunities! May 30 - June 1 , 2013
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June 2013
Golden State Dressage Classic CPEDI3*

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Slate, Dan, Annie and I made it to California a few days early to get ready for our first CDI.  We arrived at the Rancho Murieta showgrounds the day before the jog and met some fantastic people.  Unfortunately the day of the jog, Slate pulled up lame with a stone bruise and I was unable to show!  It was very disappointing to work so hard and travel all that way and have to sit and watch.  Luckily the poultice applied by the vet worked and he was sound the next week at home for riding. 

July 2013
Sage Creek Equestrian III & IV USDF/USEF Recognized Shows

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Slate and I finally get the opportunity to ride our Grade III Para tests in front of a judge!  Thanks to the show management for adding a separate Para class for us!  This was the first Para test ridden at a recognized show ever in the state of Utah.  We were happy to get a decent score at each show that can be used for our USEF Para National Ranking.  
July 26:  62.5 %
July 27:  61.8%

Millbrook USDF/USEF Recognized Show

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At the Millbrook show we improved our score on the Para Grade III Team Test with a 65.4% from "O" Judge Gary Rockwell! August 10, 2013

August 2013
Utah Dressage Society Show II

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We ended the showing season with our best score yet on the Para Grade III Individual Championship test with a 70.2% score!  It was a great feeling and made all the hard work worth it!  August 25, 2013

October 2013
Training at Arroyo Del Mar 

Slate and Lara spent a month in Del Mar California training with Steffen Peters and his Assistant Dawn White-O'Connor. Dawn worked with her most of the month and Steffen worked with her the last week.  It was an immense learning experience and so fun to get to know the wonderful people at Arroyo Del Mar Stables! Oct. 14 - Nov.19
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Slate, Annie Sweet, Dawn Whire O'Connor and Lara Oles at Arroyo del Mar.
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Lara and Slate with Steffen Peters, who is currently the top dressage rider in the United States.

November 2013
U.S. Para Dressage Symposium

Nov. 20-23, 2013, Lara and Slate went to Winters, California for the Western U.S. Para Dressage Symposium sponsored by the United States Para Equestrian Association, and rode with visiting trainers from Great Britain, Clive Milkins and Dennis Callin.