Meet the winners!

​NDA is excited to announce the 2020 winners of the NDA Educational Scholarship Program. Since we had no applicants for the "Professional" category, we awarded two winners in the "Adult Amateur" category:

ADULT AMATEUR
Kathy Hanford
"I am so honored receiving the NDA scholarship! I feel that this program is one of the best that NDA offers for encouraging their members to continue their dressage journey.  The Missy Fladland clinic was this past Wednesday and Thursday. I was amazed how much both Gem and I got out of it. Missy has a way of presenting foundational concepts in a different way, so that a couple of light bulbs lit up and I now have concrete tools to use."

ADULT AMATEUR
Dmitri Lombard
"Very honored and excited. I'm really looking forward to this opportunity [to be a working student in South Carolina], and this takes some of the financial weight off my shoulders. Super excited to bring my experience back in a year."

JUNIOR / YOUNG RIDER
Lexie Kment
"Thank you so much! I am so blessed to have this opportunity! This scholarship will give me the ability to continue my equestrian journey with lessons from Katherine Bateson."

COVID-19 has made 2020 a challenging year for horse shows. While we all wait patiently for what we hope will be an eventual return to "normal," let's have some fun with a virtual competition!

Take this opportunity to ride a test, get scores and comments from a judge, AND compete as a team with your friends or barnmates!

Some notes about the virtual show:

• FREE office fees to members of any GMO, including NDA.
• You'll provide a shareable link (YouTube, Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.) with your entry.
• Your ride must take place between May 1, 2020 and May 22, 2020.
• Schooling show tack and attire—fun colors are allowed.
• Video your ride from C in a small or standard dressage arena WITH letters.
• Readers are allowed, but no coaching or other communication from trainers.
• Videos must include sound!
• Each video must start with a sign indicating rider, horse, and test ridden.
• Video must end with a 360° view of the mounted rider as an equipment check.
• Score sheets will be e-mailed unless you add $5 to have paper tests mailed.
• Classes will be placed and posted online for bragging rights (no ribbons).
• Individual high point prizes WILL be awarded to the highest score at each level.
• You can compete as a team of 3 or 4 people; the lowest average score will be dropped.
• Team placings will be posted for fame, not fortune.
• Results will be posted by June 1, 2020.
• Scores are not eligible for NDA year-end awards.
• We will NOT score videos that cannot be judged due to poor quality.

​Be sure to visit the website, where you can find the entry form, as well as some guidelines and tips for making sure your arena is set up correctly, and you can pay for your entry via PayPal.

If you have any questions about the show, be sure to contact the show manager, Heidi Helmer, the show secretary, Kathy Hanford, or the NDA Competitions Committee.

Meet the winners!NDA is excited to announce the 2019 winners of the NDA Educational Scholarship Program:

ADULT AMATEUR
Michelle Rohman
"I am very excited to use this scholarship to further my dressage education through riding in a clinic with Michelle Folden. Michelle has been instrumental in helping my horse establish forward-thinking gaits and, as I make the difficult jump to second level, I’m eager for her help in cementing the foundation for collection and the movements that accompany it."

JUNIOR / YOUNG RIDER
Alexa Starner
"Thank you so much to the NDA board for considering my application and awarding me one of the annual NDA scholarships! I plan to use it to attend clinics with Sarah Martin. Of these clinics, I hope to take Sarah's expertise and apply it to my daily rides and lessons to continue to work towards our goal of successfully competing in first level."

PROFESSIONAL
Kate Rawlinson
"I’m so grateful to NDA for this opportunity to pursue a freestyle clinic. It’s a part of our sport that I’ve always wanted to explore but never really had the opportunity to. I’m really excited to be able to work on fitting music to my horse. Many people explain dressage to beginners as 'dancing on horseback' and Image has been ready to really put on his dancing shoes for years!"

Symposium with George Morris and Katherine Bateson-ChandlerThe Dressage Foundation (TDF) is excited to be sponsoring the Showcase Symposium at the International Omaha this year. It will be held on Friday, April 5th and will feature George Morris and Katherine Bateson-Chandler working together to teach dressage and jumping riders. Here's a link for information.

To encourage lots of Region 4 friends to attend, The Dressage Foundation is offering NDA members a very special ticket price—HALF PRICE tickets to the Showcase! Use the Ticketmaster offer code TDFDS, but keep in mind this offer will only work until March 16th. So get your tickets today!

This is a very special price JUST for our local community in Region 4. Enjoy half price tickets and we'll see you in Omaha!

Internationally known dressage rider and trainer, Katherine Bateson-Chandler will be joining forces with legendary show jumping trainer George H. Morris at the 2019 Burlington Capital International Omaha. “The Midwest’s Largest Horse Event” returns to the CHI Health Center arena in Omaha, Nebraska, April 4-7, 2019.

Bateson-Chandler and Morris will be part of the event’s educational “Showcase,” sponsored by The Dressage Foundation, a ticketed clinic that will be held on Friday, April 5 at 4:30 p.m. The pair will also give free demonstrations and mini clinics in the “Horse Discovery Zone” at other times during the four-day event.

“We are delighted that Katherine Bateson-Chandler will be part of our Showcase this year,” said Mike West, CEO of the Omaha Equestrian Foundation (OEF) which hosted the highly acclaimed 2017 FEI World Cup Finals in jumping and dressage. “Her dressage knowledge and years of experience, combined with Morris’s legendary horsemanship skills as the ‘Founding Father’ of hunt seat equitation, will help riders of all skill levels and also give equestrian enthusiasts a memorable experience that is not-to-be-missed!”

Lisa Roskens, founder and chairman of OEF, said the idea of bringing these two stars together is to help, “Build a bridge between the disciplines, to give each something to appreciate/understand from the other.” She said that the whole idea arose when dressage riders attending last year’s Showcase expressed how they were pleasantly surprised with Morris’s flatwork. She thought that the jumper riders could benefit from a greater understanding of dressage and that in turn, dressage riders could also benefit from the different perspective of jumpers.

Known for her accomplishments both in the U.S. and abroad, Bateson-Chandler was a member of the U.S. Dressage Team at the 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games™ which placed fourth overall. She has many small tour and FEI grand prix victories on her resume. She recently won the CDI3* Grand Prix Special and took second place in the both the FEI CDI5* Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle with her top horse “Alcazar,” owned by Jane Forbes Clark, at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, Florida.

Born in Great Britain, Bateson-Chandler became an American citizen and is now based in Wellington. She currently trains with 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist Carl Hester of Great Britain when she’s in Europe and also competes there. At age 16, she started working as a groom for six-time Olympian Robert Dover at his New Jersey and Florida farms. She then worked as Dover’s assistant trainer, gaining a wealth of knowledge and experience, and was Dover’s “wing woman” at two World Championships and two Olympic Games. Bateson-Chandler took over the reins in 2005 when Dover retired from competition and began her own training business in 2008.
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“We are so thrilled to have Katherine join us,” added West. “We really think that she is the perfect complement to George Morris and that everyone who attends the Showcase will come away as a better rider than they were before!”

Upcoming Deadlines

February 28:
Kid's Art Contest: Children ages 8 - 12 are invited to create their best piece of "horsey" art work for the chance to win fabulous prizes

National Anthem Contest: The Omaha Equestrian Foundation is looking for talented high school soloists, duets, and choir groups to enter the Omaha Steaks National Anthem Contest for the opportunity to perform at the opening ceremonies of the International Omaha April 4-7, 2019.  The winning act will receive a $1,000 prize.

March 15:
Ride with George Morris: To apply, simply send a 250-word essay telling us what it means to you to ride for the legendary George Morris.

Omaha Equestrian Foundation Grant: This grant will be awarded annually and shall be used to ward expenses for an educational, competitive or other developmental experience.  The goal of this grant is to further the OEF mission of growing equestrian sport in our region through education.

If you are interested in being a demo rider, please email Margo Hamilton at [email protected] or call 402-450-8294 to confirm your availability for these days and specify which test or section you would like to ride. It is advisable to be sure you are quite proficient in your chosen test and all its movements as you may be asked to repeat certain movements a few times for the participants.

Adult Amateurs, Juniors and professionals are all welcome to participate. A range of breeds of horses with different strengths and weaknesses are also welcome. Riding helmet, boots and a well put together clinic outfit is the expected turnout for the all demo riders.

​NDA will keep a list of “alternates” at each level in case of unforeseen circumstances which may prevent riders and horses from being able to participate at Session B. If you are an alternate, you will be notified of this status, please do keep your schedule clear to fill in as necessary.

The FEI World Cup™ Finals are equestrian sports' top annual indoor championship for jumping and dressage horses and draws the top names in the sport, including Olympic, World and European Champions. The 2017 FEI World Cup™ Finals at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha include the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final and the FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final and will be the biggest event on this year's international equestrian calendar. Riders representing over 25 countries are expected for the Midwest's first-ever international showdown and 70 of the world's top riders in two Olympic disciplines will join more than 60,000 fans from all 50 states and 20 countries for 5 days of action-packed competition and so much more!
 
"We are so excited that the legendary Isabell Werth is coming to Omaha!" said Lisa Roskens, Chairman of the Omaha Equestrian Foundation, producer of the 2017 FEI World Cup™ Finals. "The Dressage Showcase segment with Isabell Werth will give fans a rare opportunity to learn from an international star who has won more Olympic medals than any dressage  rider in history and we are delighted that she has chosen Omaha for her first-ever exhibition in the U.S.!"
 
Werth is the most decorated dressage rider in history and is currently ranked number one in world. She is a five-time Olympic veteran who has won a total of nine Olympic medals including the Individual Gold at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. She has also won five Team Gold medals (2016 in Rio, 2008 in Hong Kong, 2000 in Sydney, 1996 in Atlanta and 1992 in Barcelona), plus four Individual Silver medals (2016, 2008, 2000 and 1992).
 
Werth has also won four Team and three Individual Gold medals, plus an Individual Bronze and a Team Bronze, at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ (WEG). She has won three European Championships and has twice been the FEI World Cup™ Dressage champion, winning the Finals in 2007 in Las Vegas aboard Warum Nicht FRH and in 1992 in Gothenburg, Sweden aboard Fabienne.

​Dressage Showcase
The Dressage Showcase takes place on Friday, March 31 starting at 3:00 p.m.There will be four horses used in the "Young Horses to Grand Prix with Olympic Champion Isabell Werth Presented by the Dressage Foundation." Included will be two young horses (5-7 years old), a Small Tour horse and a young Grand Prix horse. Werth will explain her training methods and the stepping stones she takes in bringing a young horse up the levels to the highest level of dressage - the Grand Prix.
 
"This promises to be a historic occasion and we are so honored to be able to bring dressage fans in the U.S. this unprecedented opportunity to learn first-hand from one of the greatest riders in our sport's history," Roskens said. "Coupling this with the chance to see the best horses and riders in the worldcompeting for the title of World Cup Champion guarantees everyone who attends an experience that they will truly never forget!"
 
Schedule and Ticket Information
The 2017 FEI World Cup™ Finals Omaha 2017 will run over five days, March 29-April 2. A variety of ticket packages are still available, but the VIP Tickets in the first 5 rows are the best seats in the house and include access to the VIP Hospitality Lounge throughout the event! The VIP Hospitality Lounge will feature full meals, open bar, live music, concierge service and other amenities, all included with each VIP ticket. There are also All-Session tickets available and each all-session package includes admission to five sessions. To order VIP tickets call 402-930-3079 or email [email protected] for more information.

Hospitality Packages are also still available. The elegant Suites are spacious, comfortable and overlook the entire arena with seating for 20-25 people. Wait service, food, drink and access to the VIP Lounge are included throughout the event. Ringside tables gets you up close to the action in comfort and style with In-Arena seating for 6 or 8 people, complimentary wine and heavy hors d'oeuvres along with access to the VIP Lounge throughout the event. For more information on hospitality packages call 402-930-3079 or email [email protected].

Exceptional Shopping, Live Entertainment and Educational Exhibits
The event's unique Boutique Shopping Village and  Tailgate Lounge were designed specifically around the warm-up arena so that visitors will be able to browse, shop and dine while watching the world's elite competitors warm up their horses. Over 140 vendors will be on hand boasting wares ranging from top-of-the-line equestrian products for both horse and rider, barn equipment and FEI World Cup™ merchandise to stunning jewelry, beautiful artwork and the latest in fashions. Spectators will be able to shop-till-they-drop while enjoying all the action!
 
The entire Horse Expo will be hopping Thursday through Saturday night. Live bands, food and drink, pony races and high-end shopping will entertain the crowd until 11:00 p.m. each evening.
 
The Horse Discovery Zone offers hands-on learning area including the Runza Gallery of Breeds, Riding Style Museums, Durham Museum, Omaha Children's Museum, Henry Doorly Zoo, Blacksmith Shop, Wheelwright, The Tack Room, U.S. Pony Clubs and Citizens Foundation for the Omaha Mounted Patrol. The Demonstration Arena will offer educational demonstrations throughout the day with presentations on styles of riding, Parade of Breeds, vaulting, Pony Club Games, long-lining, grooming, driving and so much more! Equimania! offers youth education stations and interactive displays including anatomy, dental, evolution, skeleton in motion, Tree of Life, Digestive tract, nutrition and water, horse behavior and colors, grooming, safety. The Horse Discovery Zone Theater will host ongoing presentations of domestic and international short films and documentaries from the 2016 Equus Film Festival as well as a selection of horse related programs.
 
For more information about the 2017 FEI World Cup™ Finals in Omaha, hotel information and to purchase tickets, please go to www.OmahaWorldCup2017.com, charge by phone at 800-745-3000 or at the CenturyLink Center Omaha box office.
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