Fall sure seems to be fast approaching. The weather has been absolutely wonderful. Jeepers certainly has been lots of different colors this year. Started the year out black, after first clip she roaned out. Then black again. Second clip she hennaed, roaned and got a traditional appy blanket look with black and white spots. I’m thinking she has been visiting the hair salon way too often. I am now noticing her black spots are beginning to run together. By winter I’ll have a black horse again.

You all know we are facing CRDA’s elections. Sure it not ‘til the end of the year, but getting people to step forward is kinda like pulling teeth. So here I go again, pleading, begging, cajoling. Don’t you wanna help the club continue to offer a variety of shows, clinics and workshops?

What do we do at the monthly meetings? Well this month we discussed the upcoming elections. Surprise! The Awards Banquet for next year. What do you think of the awards that are handed out? The need to finalize CRDA’s Show Schedule for 2005. And as part of that - doing away with the December Show and adding a fourth show in June. The July show might move to August, the May and October shows will stay put. Want to add your thoughts about show dates?

We also discussed possible clinicians for next year. So far Jeanne McDonald, Shelly Francis, Jennifer Baumert, Jane Savoie, Lynne Kimball Davis and Bill Warren are being considered. Is there anyone you would like to ride with? Are you available to run a clinic? In addition we are considering having Kelli Mason offer another Musical Freestyle Clinic. Interested? And perhaps offer an evening discussion in March, before show time rolls around, from the judge’s point of view.

Seems this newsletter is really about getting your input, your involvement, because as I review what I have written I realize we also need volunteers to manage the four shows. We have split the responsibilities into pre-show registration and day of the show running. I hope you consider volunteering. Email me and I can give you an idea of what is actually involved. It is not too hard. LOL. Come on, what have you got to lose? A day of your life?

One exciting thing, actually several but you had to be there, came out of the meeting. We are going to set up a Video/DVD lending library! Carol Burkhart has offered to be chief librarian. She is working on developing a list of titles that would be of interest to CRDA members. She is also graciously accepting donations. Hopefully we can put the library on our web site for easy access. So is there any video you would really really like to view but not buy? Do you have any videos that you have seen enough times already and are willing to share? Do you prefer video or DVD format? Come on and help us with these details. Any thoughts on how long a video/DVD should be loaned? Two weeks, three? We will mail them out to you, and you just mail them back!

We still have several upcoming events. Registration for our October 10 Schooling Show is now open. Be sure to send in your entry form soon to Laurie Roberts. You can download an entry form from our web site: crdressage.org.

October 23-24 is a Centered Riding Clinic with Deb Moynihan at Tower Hill Farm in Mendon. We are working with the Norfolk Hunt Pony Club. Each morning will begin with a lecture and unmounted groundwork followed by mounted semi private rides. Deb is a dressage trainer as well, so this clinic is a terrific opportunity to work on your body position and see how it impacts your horse’s movements. Semi-privates/per day: $35 for Pony Clubbers and Junior CRDA members; $45 CRDA adult members; $55 non-members. Auditors/per day $5. To sign up for both days or just one, or for additional information contact Jamie Greenebaum (508) 533-5075 or jamie@g2partners.com. Overnight stalls are available for those interested for an additional fee.

Melanie Tenney will be doing a clinic on November 3 at Tower Hill Farm, in Mendon. Privates (45 min) $90 members/$100 non-members. Semi-privates (60 min) $60 members/$70 non-members. Contact Kate O'Brien at (508) 650-4731 or email workmoor@hotmail.com.

And finally, Rica Trujillo contacted me about upcoming clinics with Renate Lansburg at Course Brook Farm. The dates are September 12 and 26. If you are interested you can contact Rica at (617) 563-4158 or rica.trujillo@fmr.com.

See you in the saddle.
Jamie

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