Blog Posts - Nebraska Dressage Association

Schooling Show Championships are coming up!

9/4/2019

NDA Schooling Show Championships—Sep. 22
Prize list has been posted!

The official prize list has been posted on the NDA website for the NDA Schooling Show Championships, which will be held at the Lancaster Event Center on September 22. Register soon—closing date for this show is Sunday, September 15, 2019. Opening date is August 7, so get your entry organized now so you can enter right away!

How do championships work?If you and your horse have earned qualifying scores in two NDA-recognized schooling shows this year, you are eligible to compete in the championship classes at the NDA Schooling Show Championships. Be sure to check out the full qualifying rules, and then make sure you get entered into the appropriate championship class. Don't forget to provide copies of your qualifying tests along with your entry!

Championship classes for each level are the highest test of the level (i.e. Training 3, First 3, etc.) and unlike regular schooling shows, test readers and whips are not allowed. So make sure you memorize those tests!

Not interested in championship classes?No problem! In addition to the championships, we're also offering an open schooling show with no prior qualifications necessary. Take this opportunity to ride in the last schooling show of the NDA season. Both championship and open classes count toward NDA year-end awards.

Also—we need your help!
Can you volunteer to help us make this show possible? We need all kinds of volunteers: scribes, gate stewards, test runners, everything! If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Diane Fucinaro at dfucinaro@gmail.com. Thank you SO much for helping!

(Plus, it's the last show of the year where you can get your much-needed NDA volunteer hours for year-end awards!)

Congratulations to our 2019 NDA Scholarship winners!

8/6/2019

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!"

Volunteers needed for the Cornhusker Classic!

4/26/2019

We are a little over a month away from the 2019 Cornhusker Classic and are still in need of many volunteers to help out with this flagship show for NDA.

If you know you are not showing, please consider signing up for a job. It's a great way of meeting the membership and watching some lovely horses.

If you are a rider, we have 'Floater/Rider' positions available where you could be called on to help out after your rides.

The Runner positions are great for any mature younger siblings or people wanting to get their steps in for the day!

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Diane Fucinaro on the Volunteer Committee.

Thank you for your consideration!

Half Price Tickets to the Showcase Symposium

3/8/2019

Special ticket deal for a limited time!
Half Price Tickets to the Showcase Symposium at the International Omaha!

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!

Show Information

Buy Your Tickets

You can now support NDA through Amazon!

2/24/2019

Nebraska Dressage Association is now a part of AmazonSmile! Just click here to set NDA as your charity of choice, and then start all your purchases from smile.amazon.com. Shop as usual, and Amazon will donate a portion of all your purchases to NDA. It's that easy!

What is AmazonSmile?

AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon that lets customers enjoy the same wide selection of products, low prices, and convenient shopping features as on Amazon.com. The difference is that when customers shop on AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com), the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to the charitable organizations selected by customers.

There is no cost to NDA, and there is no cost to you!

All you have to do is to remember to start your shopping at smile.amazon.com (instead of amazon.com). THANK YOU!

International Dressage Rider Katherine Bateson-Chandler Joins the Dressage Foundation Showcase at 2019 Burlington Capital International Omaha

2/21/2019

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.

“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!”

Katherine Bateson-Chandler competing at the Festival of Champions (c) Taylor Pence/US Equestrian

Purchase Tickets to the Showcase

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.

Congratulations to our NDA Scholarship Winners!

7/10/2018

NDA is excited to announce the 2018 winners of the NDA Educational Scholarship Program:

JUNIOR / YOUNG RIDER
Rebecca Barry
"At the end of June, I have the opportunity to ride my horse, Wiley, in a clinic with George Williams. I'm very excited to get feedback from someone who has so much experience working with young riders. This clinic will push me towards my goal of competing at Second Level and, eventually, earning a Bronze Medal. I'm very thankful to have received this scholarship which will make riding in this clinic possible for me."

PROFESSIONAL
Bess Binfield
"I am overjoyed and thankful to be chosen as one of the 2018 Nebraska Dressage Association's Scholarship Recipients! I am grateful for the opportunity to be able to attend an amazing 4 day clinic at La Riata Ranch this July! I look forward to strengthening my partnership with my beloved horse Pfilario. Thank you NDA!"

ADULT AMATEUR
Lana Erickson
"Receiving the NDA Scholarship will allow Skye and I to take the next step in our partnership as well as help me assure we both have the tools to allow her to enjoy her work, making her a better teacher for the students who utilize her in their learning. We can't wait to work with Pete Rodda, and Sarah and Clayton Martin!"

Congratulations to all our deserving winners!

Looking for PM Delegate nominations!

2/27/2018

The United States Dressage Federation (parent organization of NDA) is looking for PM Delegate nominations for the 2018-2019 year.

What is a Participating Member (PM) delegate?

A PM delegate represents the interests of all USDF Participating Members within their respective region on the USDF Board of Governors (BOG). As a PM delegate, you will be asked to vote on governance issues at the BOG General Assembly held at the USDF Annual Convention (2018 Convention is in Salt Lake City, UT), as well as issues that may arise throughout the year. Communication is key if elected as a PM delegate. PM delegates should communicate with their Regional Director to stay informed on important regional and national issues, as well as with the Participating Members within their region whom they will be representing on the BOG

How do I nominate myself or someone else to run in the PM delegate election?

Nominations can be submitted to the USDF Nominating Committee liaison at nominations@usdf.org or by calling 859-271-7897. Receipt confirmation of the nomination will be provided. If confirmation of the nomination is not received within 24 hours, please follow-up or resend the nomination.
Nominations can also be submitted to your region’s Nominating Committee Representative, PJ Koehler by texting or leaving a voice message at 636-577-1449.

What is the deadline for PM delegate nominations?

All nominations for the PM delegate election must be received no later than April 15. Nominations will not be accepted after the April 15 deadline per the USDF Policies and Procedures.

When do the PM delegate elections take place?

Voting begins June 1 and ends at midnight on June 30 and winners will be announced by 8/1/2018.

What positions are open for Region 4 Participating Members interested in serving on the Board of Governors?

President
Treasurer
Region 4 Director

How and when do I nominate someone to run in the Board of Governors election?

Nominations can be submitted until 6/1/2018 using the same process outlined above for the PM delegate election. Nominations will also be accepted from the floor at the Board of Governors meeting.

Apply to Ride in the Dressage Showcase

12/5/2017

Ride with Gold Medalist Hubertus Schmidt

The International Omaha invites upper level dressage riders to apply for an opportunity to ride with German Olympic Gold medalist Hubertus Schmidt. The International Omaha will be held April 12-15, 2018 at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha and features both jumping and dressage competition. Presented by the Omaha Equestrian Foundation, which hosted last year’s highly acclaimed FEI World Cup Finals™ in jumping and dressage, the 2018 International Omaha features a new Dressage Team Challenge as well as the ticketed Dressage Showcase with Schmidt.

In the Dressage Showcase on Friday, April 13, riders at third level or above will ride in an hour and a half clinic-style format conducted by Schmidt before a live audience. Schmidt will work one-on-one with each rider for approximately 30 minutes. Applications are currently being accepted to ride in the Showcase from riders at third level or higher, who wish to participate at that level or on a young horse aged 5-6-7.

Applications are available at: https://www.internationalomaha.com/dressage-showcase-application

Those chosen to ride in the Dressage Showcase with Hubertus Schmidt will pay $2,000, which includes the opportunity to ride in the Showcase, a stall from April 12-15, two all-session VIP dressage tickets with daily access to the VIP Lounge and Patio with complimentary food and drink, and a one-room, three-night stay in the official International Omaha hotel, the Fairfield Inn.

Questions can be addressed to contactOEF@omahaequestrian.com

Application to ride

Welcome your 2018 NDA Board of Directors!

12/1/2017

Congratulations to our newly elected 2018 NDA Board members! Welcome new member Angie McClelland to the board, and welcome back returning board members Heidi Helmer, Gracia Huenefeld, and Miya Higgins.

Your 2018 NDA Board:

Jane Fucinaro—President
Heidi Helmer—Vice President
Margo Hamilton—Secretary
Kathy Hanford—Treasurer
Miya Higgins—Junior Representative
Gracia Huenefeld—Board member at large
Kathy Lewis—Board member at large
Angie McClelland—Board member at large
Judy Seward—Board member at large

The first meeting of the 2018 board will be January 8, 2018, at 7:30 pm, at Misty's Steakhouse (Havelock) in Lincoln, NE. All NDA members are welcome to attend.

We look forward to serving you!