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Bench Fund
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By Bess Reineman
Bench Fund Chair
August 2007
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| Photos by Donna Meyer |
We want to thank Houston Dressage Society for graciously pledging to donate all the proceeds from the Battle of the Barn Baskets that will be made during the American Bankers USDF Region 9 Championships/SWDC Championships/HDS Autumn Classic shows in November at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, TX.
To date we have received $3,465 for the bench fund. This includes the silent auction during the Regional Summer Meeting, which made $767. We have $5,682 that has been pledged to be given by summer 2008.
That is a grand total of $9,147. The Battle of the Barn Basket proceeds should put us over the $10,000 mark.
We are just $2,000 shy of our goal.
There are still three spots open for the two chances for a "USDF lifetime membership" drawing. So far seven people have pledged the $1,000 to be included in the drawing. For those still interested, $500 can be given this year, and $500 next year. It is tax deductible!!!!
Thanks to everyone !!!
Send donations to:
Region 9 Bench Fund
C/O Bess Reineman
3797 FM 2915
Lovelady, TX. 75851
Any questions, contact Bess at reinemanb@gmail.com or (936) 636-7245.
Committee members are Donna Meyer, Evie Tumlin, Sally Chionsini and Frances Luse.
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Nominations
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By Bess Reineman
Nominating Council Chair
June 2007
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PM delegates are:
Laura Freeman
Bruce Lawrie
Brenda McCall
Mandy Meyers
Evie Tumlin
Mary Wetzel
Jeanette Snow and Gillian Gourley are our region's volunteer canvassers.
GMO delegate proxies are due in the USDF office by Oct. 1.
GMO delegate authorization forms are due in the USDF by Nov. 1.
Thanks again !!!!!
Any questions, contact Bess at reinemanb@gmail.com or (936) 636-7245.
Other convention news: The 2008 USDF National Convention is Dec. 3-7 in Denver, CO.
Anyone looking for a roommate, please contact Evie Tumlin, etumlin@cedarwindfarm.com
The 2009 USDF National Convention will be in Austin, TX!!!!
Central Texas Dressage Society will be the host GMO. A regional committee has been formed to study ideas to help promote our region to the nation. Plans will be discussed at the regional meeting during the Orlando convention. Put on your thinking caps, and let us know.
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| USDF Regional Adult Clinics |
| How to be chosen as a clinic participant |
*From the November 2003 From the Director article
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By Evie Tumlin
Region 9 Adult Education Coordinator
contact Evie at etumlin@cedarwindfarm.com
There are a number of "little" things that you can do to improve your chances of being selected for these clinics as well as any other that you need to apply for. Keep in mind that the selection committee will have a number of applications to sort through and the more they have the pickier they may be about details. Here is a list of do's and don'ts that may well improve your chance of being selected.
- DO fill out the application completely. Missing pages or incomplete applications are usually the first ones in the "no pile." If you need extra space, include additional sheets.
- DO print or type the application. No one on the selection committee is into code work, and committee members don't want to take time to decipher unclear writing.
- DON'T have conflicting information on the application. Under Selection Criteria the first question is "At what level are you currently riding?" The ninth question is "at what level is your horse currently trained?" We all know a horse can be trained to a level above that which you are riding, but what often appears is the opposite. The answer of fourth in the first question and the answer of first in the ninth makes it difficult for the selection committee to determine what level you fit into. Viewing the tape usually fixes this, but don't leave it up to guesswork on the committee's part.
- DO send in a video. If there are a large number of applicants the second ones in the "no pile" are those without video. Remember the first ones were those with incomplete applications.
- DO put the level and test on the competition part of the application. Just the date, location and score are not enough.
The videos have a special do's and don'ts section.
- DON'T send a video of a lesson or clinic. This often does not show all the horse's or your current work.
- DO make a special video for this. Show all your current work. First the work at your present level, that which is listed on tests from that level, then the work of the level you are schooling. If you are stating you are second level but don't show any shoulder-in or medium gaits the committee is likely to decide you aren't in fact second level. An option to this is to send a video of a ride at a show.
- DON'T send a tape that is 30 or even 20 minutes long. You can get it all in in 10-15 minutes, or fewer. When the selection committee has a stack of tapes to go through it doesn't want to see you spend 10 minutes warming up.
- DO make sure that all gaits are shown on the tape. The selection committee doesn't need to be wondering if the horse has a walk or a canter.
- DON'T have more than one horse on the tape. If you are applying with more than one horse use separate tapes. You don't want the committee to be wondering or guessing which horse is which.
- DO have the tape rewound and cued up to the start of your ride. Again when the committee has several tapes to go though "little" things start to irritate them.
- DO dress for the occasion. Formal attire is not necessary but breeches, boots, a shirt tucked in and neat hair are preferred.
- DO label the tape with both your name and the horse's name.
- DO make sure the video is current. The committee doesn't want to see what you and your horse were doing a year or even six months ago.
- DO check the quality of the tape. Tapes that are out of focus, jerky, bouncy, poorly lit (meaning that all that can be seen is a silhouette) are very difficult to view not to mention that some will make the viewers seasick. Remember you are one of many applying. A good clear tape is a necessity.
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