2021 Region 9 Championships Recap
The 2021 Great American Insurance Group/USDF Region 9 & Southwest Dressage Championships and HDS Autumn Classic was again held at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center, in Katy, TX. Houston Dressage Society, the staff, and volunteers did a great job !!! We appreciate all their hard work, time, & dedication!
There were 342 exhibitors, 6 rings, and nearly 2000 rides this year. Including riders from Florida, and California. Largest champs since 2018, and third largest since 2011.
Theme was Renaissance Faire, including stall decorating contests, the popular daily horseshoe hunt, and the new axe throwing. Along with competitors party, and barbeque.
The Battles of the Barns silent auction, benefitting the Region 9 Jr/Yr’s, was able to return to its traditional format during the show. Happily we were also able to hold our Awards Banquet this year. Awarded was the Region 9 Horseperson of the Year to Arlene Gaitan; & the Region 9 Teaching Excellence Award was presented to Alex du Celliee Muller.
Also the inaugural presentation of the Nancy Murray Memorial award was given. The winner was Ashlee Watts.
2021 Battle of the Barns Jr/YR Auction
This year’s auction was a great success! We were so glad to be able to have a live auction again. It was held in the upstairs lounge during the Region 9 GAIG/SWDC Championships. With 17 of the Region 9 barns represented, it was an imaginative and beautiful display from jousting lessons coordinating with this year’s show theme of Renaissance to the winning basket with the highest bid called “Rose Gold” donated by Proud Meadows. The Houston Dressage Society each year has been very supportive in their donation of a free tack stall to the basket with the highest bid!
The funds generated from this auction go toward team building social events, the annual USDF Region 9 Jr/YR clinic, and support for the team at the NAYC competition which will be held, again this year, in Traverse City, Michigan.
All the Junior Riders, Young Riders, and myself wish to thank everyone who donated a basket and everyone who bid on a basket! Your thoughtfulness and generosity are very much appreciated!
2021 Horse Person of the Year, Arlene Gaitan
Arlene Gaitan for many years has been instrumental in organizing and implementing activities within the Alamo Dressage Association. She has repeatedly served as president of ADA and helped organize the Ride for the Cure show as well as all their other shows and educational events for over a decade.
But in additional to all the events within her GMO, she has served as Editor of the Region 9 Omnibus from 2015 to 2019. Arlene now heads the advertising efforts for the Omnibus.
She also put together all the segments of the USDF “L” program for our Region. Including the testing requirements which are always the more difficult to organize. Additionally, she has continued to provide the continuing education activities needed by all “L”s.
Arlene has definitely enhanced the dressage community within Region 9.
2021 Teaching Excellence Award
Congratulations to the 2021 Teaching Excellence Award Recipient, Alex du Celliee Muller. This annual award recognizes dressage instructors who have demonstrated excellence in teaching and training.
Nancy Murray Memorial Award
Recipient Ashlee Watts with Olva Pharo who designed the award.
