On those wonderful sunny days we just had I finally got to put a saddle on Jeepers and throw my leg over her back. What a wonderful feeling. This is the first time I have not ridden all winter, and I have to say it was a welcome change of pace for both of us. She especially loved it. I did notice the most amazing thing happened during the winter months – her girth shrank! Can you imagine that?!?!?

If you too have found that your tack has shrunk over the winter, or are desperately in need of some new items to better prepare you for the show season, be sure the check out CRDA’s Used Tack Sale – May 2 at the Spring Schooling Show at Apple Knoll and also on May 22 at Adult Camp. This is a great opportunity to find terrific deals on a wide range of tack and supplies, including saddles, bridles, leathers, girths, stirrups, blankets, brushes, bits, and much much more. And this is a great excuse to do some spring cleaning for all that horse paraphernalia that accumulates in the barn, tack trunk, basement, garage and even the trunk of your car. Karyl Spiller, (508) 533-8440, is coordinating the sale. If you have anything you would like to sell, give her a call. If you prefer to email, contact me. I have attached a pdf (Acrobat) file of a flyer for the Used Tack Sale. If you could print it out and post it at your barn, local tack show, feed store, supermarket, wherever you like, that would be greatly appreciated. Hand it to a friend who is not a CRDA member.

The response to the May Show as been so overwhelming that we are adding a third ring! This means that I, as show manager, am in desperate need for VOLUNTEERS!!! HELP!! I am beginning to hyperventilate. Needed are ring stewards, runners, office help, scorers and more. We will also need help manning (womanning) the tack sale area. With three rings – well it will be a three ring circus - so come and help out! Please let me know what you would like to do and how many hours you can work. Remember you don’t have to work all day. A couple of hours is fine. The more the merrier!

Back by popular demand CRDA will be hosting Sarah Geikie at Tower Hill Farm in Mendon, MA on Wednesday June 16th. Sarah is an "S" judge, faculty chair of the USDF Instructor Certification Program, and certified to teach through fourth level. She cites "teaching and communicating" as her strengths and quietly prides herself on her experience and skill will all breeds and types of horses. Last November’s clinic with Sarah filled up quickly, so contact Barbara Gokey at (508) 883-7511 or email billg@gis.net to reserve your place. Privates are $75 for members, $85 non-members; and Semi-privates are $50 members, $60 non-members.

Pam Murray, our tireless president, is pleased to announce a Junior/Young Riders Clinic with Kate Poulin on June 26th at Tower Hill Farm in Mendon. Kate Poulin has been on several USDF Young Riders Teams, including a Gold Medal Team. The clinic is open to all Junior/Young riders at any level. Privates are $40 members, $50 non-members; and Semi Privates $25 members, $35 non-members. Contact Pam Murray at (508) 429-2096 or murr56@erols.com.

A brief recap about the Centered Riding Clinic on March 21. Over 40 people turned out to listen to Deb Moynihan explain the principles of Centered Riding. Deb gave an animated discussion with lots of one and two person exercises. Based on the amount of laughter and talking that went on during the "groundwork" session, everyone really had a great time. One of my favorite exercises was to help you relax your (the rider’s) poll, and thereby help your horse relax theirs. You traced a figure eight with your nose. Go ahead and try it. After the groundwork session, the clinic moved to the indoor ring for lessons. With each rider, Deb physically manipulated legs, hips, arms, shoulders, and back to allow the rider to experience correct body alignment and position. She emphasized that there are two pupils involved, number one is the rider, number two is the horse. The rider needs to work 75% on themselves. As they change, so will their horse. Linda Bogins had signed her daughter Courtney up for this clinic as a way to get her out of the winter doldrums After her lesson, Courtney, a C1 in Pony Club, exited the indoor with a huge smile on her face. She said to her mom, "I have two things to say. One - WOW; and two - Thank You Mom!" "I had so many ‘ah ha!’ moments during the lecture and especially during my lesson," remarked Jen Rizzo who rode her 8 year old mare Matti. "Deb helped me to accomplish so much; we made some tremendous breakthroughs!…I am so impressed that she knew ‘exactly’ what was wrong at each point during our ride and immediately would tell me to zero in on it and how to adjust myself and thereby fix it." Even auditors came away with new knowledge. Mary Butler of Franklin was one of the auditors, "I really wished I could have brought my mare. And right after watching three of the riders, I rushed home and hopped on my girl. Just being aware of the need to think vertically and to flex my own poll made a huge difference! I was thrilled. I can’t wait to try more things I learned when I ride again."

CRDA sure has a lot going on. And I haven’t had the time to talk to Kelli about the Musical Freestyle Clinic. I’ll give you an update next month. Hope you get to attend something in the upcoming months. Oh don’t forget about the lecture series and Friday night demo ride at the Adult Camp. Check out our web site: crdressage.org for details.

See you in the saddle,
Jamie

P.S. Sandy Jackson needs to retire her horse. Is anyone looking for a companion horse? She has good barn manners, and gets along well with others (horses). She has a tendon issue and needs time to heal. In about a year she should be fine for light trail riding. She is 15.3, TB/QH, 18 years old. Anyone interested can call Sandy at (508) 853-9207.

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