Get Fit For Riding & Life - Watch If You Missed It!

Available to View on YouTube

Members are encouraged to watch this Livestream event! Arnulfo Virtusio, better known as Avey, started as a personal trainer in California in 2004. He started in a commercial gym, LA Fitness, under Dr. Sam Baktiar, who joined with physical therapist, Loren Middag. The business, called Fitness Concept, moved to a private gym in Chino,CA, where Avey trained for about six years. He then decided to establish his own personal training business, now located in Oregon, WI.Avey has a wide array of clients from teenagers to retirees, as well as patients recovering from injuries. Avey enjoys working with athletes including equestrians and those involved in team sports. Avey gave WDCTA an hour workout to show you how to start your strength training journey. 

It was streamed live on YouTube and is available afterwards for review on YouTube here.

WDCTA Education Zoom Presentation

Learn about “The Most Common Saddle Fit Issues” 
Tuesday July 16^th at 7 pm Central Time

Stefanie Reinhold will be making a presentation to help understand the basic principles of saddle fitting and how to spot the most common fitting issues.

Every horse and rider combination is unique and if you are planning on buying a saddle it is a good idea to understand the basics of fitting any manufactured saddle.  Concerned about issues with your horse, which may be because of the saddle not fitting correctly?  You also learn how to spot the most common fitting issues.

Stefanie is knowable about both dressage and western saddles.   She is also the co-author with Jim Masterson on the “Beyond the Horse Massage” book which provides an interactive method for alleviating soreness, strain and tension.

WDCTA/USDF Educational Event "Know The Dressage Movements"

WDCTA will be featuring a Zoom presentation for the USDF “Know the Dressage Movements” program which was put together by the 'L' program and the Judges committee. The program must be presented by a USEF “S” licensed Dressage Judge. We are lucky to have a lifetime WDCTA member, Jayne Ayers, S”, volunteering to make the program presentations for us. WDCTA members will not be charged, however, non-members will need to pay to attend.

L Graduates who complete all three of the Zoom presentations and pass a USDF quiz will receive three hours of L Graduate CE. The quiz will be sent out from the USDF office by the roster sent in by WDCTA. If you would like to earn one university credit you will need to attend all three presentations.

The three program presentations (to earn L Graduate and credits all three must be attended).

• Session 1 – Training and First Level Tues May 7th 7pm Central Time
• Session 2 – Second Level Wed May 15th 7 pm Central Time
• Session 3 - Third and Fourth Level Wed May 22nd 7 pm Central Time

During the presentation each dressage level will include the purpose of the level and the movements required for each level. The movements in each level will be cover:

• Directives from the score sheet,
• Criteria,
• Why do it – Gymnastic effect?
• What can go wrong?
• A review of the important aspects of the Level

For non-members to sign up please use this online form, (must pay through Paypal).

Megan McIsaac Receives TDF Grant

 Source: The Dressage Foundation

The Dressage Foundation (TDF) is pleased to announce Megan McIsaac (WI), as the recipient of the $5,000 Team Tate Mentorship and Leadership Fund Grant for 2022. The Fund, established by the Tate family in 2020, provides financial assistance to dressage professionals to further their business, leadership, and riding skills.

Megan is a USDF Certified Instructor through Fourth Level and owns a facility in Wisconsin that offers lessons, training, and summer camps. Megan will use this grant to participate in an entrepreneur workshop and monthly leadership coaching with Bedros Keuilian and for dressage training with her mentor, Kathleen Raine, in California. Megan's goals are to improve her leadership and communication skills, as well as work on Grand Prix movements with Kathleen.

Megan said, “This grant from the Team Tate Mentorship and Leadership Fund is a gift to professionals like me! As I am working on balancing my life between personal time versus professional time, my student’s goals versus my own career goals, and simply running a business, there never seems to be enough time or money. I feel so fortunate to be able to step away from my business and focus not only on my riding goals and work with my dressage coach, but to be able to work with a business coach to further develop my business and leadership skills. Thank you to TDF for believing in me and supporting my dreams.”

The goal of the Team Tate Mentorship and Leadership Fund is to provide grants of up to $5,000 for dressage professionals, age 25 and over, to receive business, leadership, or personal coaching education, and to work with their dressage mentors to improve equestrian skills. The online application form can be found at www.dressagefoundation.org under “Grants and Programs” -- “Dressage Instructors.” Applications are due on or before July 15th.

Read more: WDCTA Member Receives Grant

Website Note - Website Upgrade 

Welcome to the new website for WDCTA. We're still "unpacking" as we "move in" to the new site, there may be a few links here and there that are not working yet, so if you are having problems, please drop a note to Stephanie. 

New Virtual Show Opportunity for Members & Non-Members

Image © Shorthorse Studios. Used with Permission.

Looking for feedback on how your training and rides are going? Prepping for a big show? To get feedback without leaving your barn, participate in the WDCTA October Virtual Show. All forms of dressage are eligible: Traditional, Eventing, and Western! Divisions are Open, Amateur or Jr/Young Rider. See flyer for information on how to register and attend. Judged by USEF 'r' dressage judge. Cost per class is $30 for WDCTA Members, and $40 for non-members.

Ribbons awarded for First through Third place!