March 2023
Greetings Region 8!
Well, the weather continues to be strange. For those stuck in the Northeast for winter, we’ve been able to spend more time than usual in our outdoor arenas – except for all the rain. I compared the average Boston January 2022 temperature to January 2023, and it was 10 degrees warmer this year – 31 vs. 42 degrees!
In an exciting piece of news, our own Region 8 Champion and National First Level Junior Champion Caroline Colby was profiled on WMUR TV. You can see the link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbB8qcW1mP8
As promised in an earlier newsletter, I will highlight a few educational opportunities…
The USDF Instructor/Trainer Program consists of two parts – educational workshops and Instructor Certification testing – and it is designed to educate amateurs and professionals who wish to further their education in the classical system of dressage. This program is broken down into two groups: Training through Fourth Levels and FEI Levels. For more information, click on the links below.
Training through Fourth Level:
FEI:
A program is available to GMOs to help them create and if eligible, receive grants for educational programs. The primary objective of the GMO Education Initiative (formerly known as the National Education Initiative) is to create and support new and affordable programs to engage members. GMOs hosting these programs can be confident they are delivering high caliber instruction and educational content consistent with classical principles of dressage and the Pyramid of Training. Events are USDF University accredited and members who attend automatically earn education credits.
Participation in this program demonstrates commitment to providing quality educational opportunities and the promotion of classically correct dressage training at all levels and in all locales.
GMOs hosting approved programs are eligible to apply for a USDF GMO Education Initiative Grant.
More info here: https://www.usdf.org/education/gmoei.asp
And finally, don’t forget our partner The Dressage Foundation. It has grants available for almost anything and they are always happy to direct you to the appropriate application. There is an extensive list here: https://www.dressagefoundation.org/grants-and-programs/apply/index.html
In addition, The Dressage Foundation is asking for your help by completing a brief 10-question survey. Contribute to a stronger, more vibrant future for U.S. dressage by taking part! Your feedback will be instrumental as TDF plans for 2023 and beyond, bringing our community unique opportunities for growth and development. Survey link: https://bit.ly/3YdSsvm
Some other dates to look forward to include:
4/4/2023-4/8/2023 FEI World Cup in Omaha NE
9/21/2023-9/24/2023 Region 8 GAIG/USDF Championships in Saugerties NY
11/9/2023-11/12/2023 USDF Dressage Finals
11/29/2023-12/2/2023 2023 Adequan/USDF Annual Convention in Omaha NE
Please let me know if you plan to attend the World Cup in April – I will be there and it would be fun to get together!
All the best,
Helen
vandeh13@gmail.com