Lower Puget Sound Dressage Club
Flying Changes – April 2017 Article
Annual Awards Banquet: The annual LPSDC Awards Banquet was a huge success
thanks to organizers Anne Montgomery and Cheryl Rife. Held at the Inn at Gig
Harbor on February 4th, 84 people enjoyed a delicious banquet dinner, bidding on
great items in the Silent Auction, eating scrumptious desserts from the Dessert Auction and then
celebrating this year’s winners with the awards from LPSDC and from Washington State Horseman. Karen
Walling and Arthur won Adult Amateur High Point, Tatiana Mroz and Krissy won Junior High Point and
Shannon Lockwood won Open High Point. To see all awards, visit our website www.lpsdc.com .
Educational Funds: At the February Board Meeting it was decided to use the proceeds from the Dessert
Auction to fund two educational initiatives – a new competitive grant for Junior riders which will help the
fortunate winner to pay for lessons and other activities to improve their riding and the second to help
with the funding of the Vicki Mears Adult Rider Scholarship Fund which also provides a rider grant.
Clinics: In addition to all the planning and activity with the Banquet, we have also been providing our rider
community with clinics. We held our fourth annual Musical Freestyle Clinic with Cynthia
Collins/Luna Tunes Freestyles February 25-26, 2017. Nine riders and around 15 auditors
participated, and enjoyed the process of learning how some wonderful freestyles got created,
from Training level to I-1. It was held at Beth Anderson-Ness’ amazing Starr Valley Farm. We are
so privileged to have a facility like that available in our back yard. As always we could count on
Cynthia to do her magic, so there will be some very competitive dancing teams out there this
show season. Thank you Cynthia, Starr valley Farm, riders and auditors for being a part of this
wonderful weekend.
On April 7th, we will hold a Show Season Strategy Workshop with Jen Verharen. Jen has gained national
notoriety being a successful life skills coach, with a particular specialty in helping riders be their best. This
workshop focuses on helping riders learn simple strategies for handling their stress and fears
constructively to be able to focus and ride your best, even under pressure!
Show Season: Our show season will start with the May 6th show that will be held at Kitsap Saddle Club
with Amanda Wilgenburg “L” as judge. The following day, our second show at the same location will be
judged by Anne Appleby “R”. This is just the beginning of a packed show season with 8 shows and 1 Ride
and Review planned for our members and horse community. All the information about our shows and the
Omnibus can be found on the website: http://www.lpsdc.com
ODS Convention: Our Treasurer and 2016 USDF Finals ribbon winner –
Christine Erickson (3rd place in First Level Musical Freestyle) attended
the ODS Winter Retreat. She provided a summary to LPSDC members at
the February meeting. The primary take-away is how much ODS
provides LPSDC in support and marketing. We are going to make a more
concentrated effort to promote ODS as part of our show season so that
members are aware of the partnership that we have with ODS. In
addition, we want to meet with other chapters in Washington that are
part of ODS and get to know our representatives as well.