GVDS Bits of News

This is MORE that just information about freestyle judging and how to put together a winning freestyle, this is a chance to do a ride-a-test, either freestyle or any other test, in front of Dolly Hannon!

• Did you participate in the RMDS DIY Freestyle classes and want to check if you are on the "right track" with your music and choreography?  Dolly can watch what you have planned, give you feedback on what might score better or suggestions for improvement.  You do not have to have a finished freestyle to do a ride-a-test.

• Are you a Classical or western dressage rider that is moving up a level?  Or are you on a new horse and want to be sure you are riding at the correct level?  This is your time to work with a judge that you may well ride in front of later this year.

• Are you working on a particular skill within a test and would like some additional help?  This is a great option for someone who does not have access to a regular trainer or coach.

• Are you a judge who would like your freestyle designation?  Attending the Saturday class and taking (and passing) the written test will get you that designation.

Dolly is very excited to participate in this symposium and it is a unique opportunity to have that in our community.  Don't delay in signing up to ride or audit.  Either (or both) roles will be a very valuable experience.

Many thanks to our amazing class sponsors at the 2024 horse shows.  Together, these members donated $1093.00 towards offsetting the costs of the shows.  We are again looking for class sponsors at the 2025 shows.  And it is so easy to do.  Just add it to your entries, select which class you want to sponsor, and pay the fee with your entries.  No need for a separate check.  Your name gets added to the daysheets to recognize your support.  We hope many more exhibitors will sponsor classes this year.  For now, please thank these exhibitors:

• Judi DeVore

• Donna DuBois

• Mary Duke

• Karen Harkin

• Diane Levin

• Kathryn Middleton

• Pam Mycoskie

• Renee Rumrill

• Jessica Schuering

• Sydney Stapleton-Tofany

• Billi Jo Vagneur

Of course we like to say that our innovative programs and educational offerings, our awesome shows staffed by amazing volunteers and our great year-end awards set us aside from other chapters in our region.  But really, none of this would be possible without the amazing support from our sponsors, both for shows and for general support.  

That said, Sponsorship Chair Michelle Ruyle, has been hard at work making our sponsorship package more streamlined and user friendly.  She is anxious to work with our past and future sponsors, but needs help from our members. 

Do you know any equine and non-equine businesses in Mesa, Delta or Montrose counties who might want to be a sponsor?  Where do you shop from feed?  Who is your vet? Who is your trainer?  What restaurants do you eat at?  What lodging venues do you refer your guests to?  All of those are great potential sponsors as those are all businesses supported by our members.  Give Michelle their contact information and she will take it from there.  If you would like to be a sponsor or review the sponsorship package, here it is. In-Kind Sponsors are also welcome and needed.

Back by popular demand, GVDS will again be offering its Youth Scholarship Program for our English and Western riders age 17 and under who show at the GVDS schooling shows.  This opportunity provides a $50 show credit per schooling show in exchange for two hours working at the show.  This credit plus the discount for junior and young riders on class fees makes showing much more affordable.  Applications are due March 1.  Please complete the application AND the photo release to apply.

Our neighbors to the west, the Utah Dressage Society is hosting an L Judging Program in 2025/2026 for those interested in earning their L Graduate certification or in simply deepening their dressage knowledge. To give everyone a sense of what the program will be like, they are organizing the “Taste of the L Program” for March 1-2 at Diamond Equestrian Center in Lehi, Utah.  

This clinic, led by living dressage legends Dolly Hannon and Debbie Riehl-Rodriguez, will have a series of events designed to help enhance your understanding of equine biomechanics, rider biomechanics, the purpose of the movements on USDF tests, and the scoring of those movements.   Auditing this event and the L Program is an outstanding educational experience.  Several GVDS members are L Judges or are working towards becoming an L judge, while others have audited the L program.  It is an excellent learning opportunity whether you pursue judging or not.

Judging by the interest in musical freestyles at the October show, GVDS is pleased to offer a Freestyle Symposium for both English and Western riders!  Presented by none other than the Queen of Freestyle, Chair of the USDF Freestyle Committee and USDF "L" Program Faculty, Dolly Hannon, who will be sharing her knowledge as a judge and freestyle expert.

This event will be held on April 5-6 at or near the Mesa County Fairgrounds.  April 5 will be an off-site in-person lecture How Freestyles Are Judged and How To Create A Winning Freestyle.  April 6 will be Ride-a-Tests, Both Freestyle and Regular (or both if you choose!) at the Fairgrounds.  Stabling is available so plan to attend both days.  Closing date for riders is March 15 and April 1 for auditors.  Please see flyer for more details.

As a valued client of CSU’s Equine Services, we invite you to attend our first online education event dedicated to podiatry.

This four-week series features topics presented by experienced podiatry practitioners.

Register for one or more sessions today! 

https://cdelinkit.cvmbs.colostate.edu/m/1/51669986/02-b25010-e0a34ff8e3ff42428bf41d73eaad6ca0/2/692/190f3ce0-8a88-4080-9011-3042e40a2f73

Presentation topics

Feb. 3, 6 p.m. MST

Anatomy of the equine hoof and digit, Dr. Raul Bras

Feb. 10, 6 p.m. MST

Diagnostics, Dr. Karen Blake

Feb. 17, 6 p.m. MST

Management, prevention, and intervention, Dr. Jaret Pullen

Feb. 24, 6 p.m. MST

Case studies and services provided at CSU, Dr. Jaret Pullen

Please register for FREE by Feb. 1.

If so, we need a few volunteers at the Holiday/Awards Dinner:

• Greeter and nametag distributor (5-6pm)

• White Elephant Organizer (5-6pm & 8-9pm)

This can be the same person or two (or three) different people.  Please contact Karen Harkin if you can help.

Grand Valley Dressage Society's (GVDS) final event of the year is our annual Holiday Celebration and Awards Dinner.  This year the event will be on Saturday, December 14, beginning at 5pm.  The location is again the Redlands Community Center in Grand Junction.  Full details will be out in the next week, but mark your calendar to not miss this event.  Fun, hospitality, making new friends and spending time with old friends and of course, celebrating the success of our winning members.  Everyone is welcome.

Back by popular demand, with be entertainment from Darby and Elijah Savoca and the popular White Elephant gift exchange.  We will NOT have the silent auction.  Instead we will have a Give & Take table.  Similar to what we did at the October show, this is a great opportunity to give away clean but useable items to make room for the "new stuff" you will buy for yourself and your horse during the Black Friday sales!
Since this is an inside event, please bring items at are clean (ie. no muddy blankets please).

Although we have eliminated our regular silent auction, we will have a mini-silent auction of a beautiful quilt, made by Quiltress Extraordinaire Pat Card.  Anyone who has seen her quilts or owns one knows that they are a work of art.  She is kind enough to donate a quilt to benefit GVDS every few years, so please be ready to bid on this fabulous and generous donation.

Congratulations to junior member Bailey Armbrecht and her KWPN mare Night'n Dale on winning the Second Level Junior/Young Rider Championship at the US Dressage Finals!  Bailey and "Cookie" and her pony Snickers Bar, also earned top awards in other classes.  Well done Bailey!  We're proud of you.