CVDA Clinics

Our clinics are designed to inform and educate our members (and attending non-members), whether riding or auditing.

If you've taken part in one of our clinics, please take a moment to complete the CVDA Clinic Assessment Form. Your comments help us improve our future clinics!

Below are the clinics we held in 2011. Please check back for a listing of our new clinics for 2012!

Meanwhile, check out our last clinic of the year, "Gymnasticizing Your Horse with Joe Forest".

CVDA Critique Day

Critique Day offers lessons focused on test riding: ride your test of choice, which the clinician will judge, just like a schooling show. The clinician will then give a verbal critique and a mini-lesson focused on areas that need work; riders have the option of re-riding their test. Tests are returned to the rider at the end of the lesson with written comments.

Clinicians: Joy Congdon, Leslie deGrandmaison, Katie Rocco
Date: May 7, 2011
Opening Date: April 11, 2011 • Closing Date: April 23, 2011
Location: Green Mountain Horse Association, So. Woodstock, VT
Secretary: Jean Sangdahl • (802) 492-5914
Manager: Louise Duda • (802) 492-3327

Fees: CVDA Members: $55 • Non-CVDA Members: $75 • GMHA Stabling: $30
See Omnibus for further information.

Expanding Your Basics #1

CVDA has created a clinic series that defines, reviews, and applies the basics of the training pyramid to advance you and your horse whatever your level.

Clinician: Jane Hannigan
Date: May 21
Opening Date: April 15 • Closing Date: May 7
Location: Fay Brook Farm, Sharon, VT
Secretary: Sue Schwaiger • (802) 773-4352
Manager: Barbara Goulette • (802) 479-2416

Day stalls available (reserve with Secretary)

Fees: CVDA Members: $60 (private) $45 (semi-private) • Non-CVDA Members: $90 (private) $$65 (semi-private) • GMHA Stabling: $30
See Omnibus for further information.

Entries may not be postmarked prior to opening day. Current Coggins MUST be included with entry form. Scratches after closing date will be reimbursed (less $15 office fee) only if space is filled.

Here is a perfect chance to audit—and it’s FREE!

Download ride time schedule.

Download Helmet Agreement Form and Trainer Release Form.

Clinic with Janet Foy (FEI 'I' Judge)

Date: May 28
Opening Date: April 22 • Closing Date: May 14
Location: First Choice Riding Academy, Enfield, NH
Secretary: Terri Satterlee • (802) 228-2103

Use these private 45-minute lessons to work on test movements of your choice!

Fees: CVDA Members: $135 • Non-CVDA Members: $190

Entries may not be postmarked prior to opening day. Current Coggins MUST be included with entry form. Scratches after closing date will be reimbursed (less $15 office fee) only if space is filled.

Here is a perfect chance to audit—and it’s FREE!

DOWNLOAD CLINIC / RIDER SCHEDULE.

2011 USEF New Dressage Tests

with Janet Foy

(FEI 'I' Judge, USEF 'S' Dressage Judge)

Date: May 29 • 8:30 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. • Check-in: 8:00-8:30 a.m.
Opening Date: April 22 • Closing Date: May 14
Location: First Choice Riding Academy, Enfield, NH (or TBD, depending on numbers of participants)
Secretary: Terri Satterlee • (802) 228-2103
**Note: USDF University Credit will be available.**

 This program will focus on the 2011 New Dressage Tests from the perspectives of the rider, trainer and judge. Janet will use video to accompany her discussion of the 2011 New Tests highlighting riding correct patterns, tips for achieving your maximum scores, discussion of the tests from the judge's perspective including a review of judging methodology and the collective marks. If you are planning on competing this season, this is the program not to be missed!

Fees: CVDA Members: $35 • Non-CVDA Members: $65
(NOTE: Preregistration is required!)
Lunch will be available for purchase on-site.

Entries may not be postmarked prior to opening day. Scratches after closing date will be reimbursed (less $15 office fee) only if space is filled.

Download Entry Form. 

CVDA Adult Dressage Camp

This year's CVDA Camp will welcome horses and riders of all levels. Participants will immerse themselves in high quality dressage instruction, educational seminars, incredible food, and the opportunity to socialize and enjoy!

Clinicians: Deb Dean Smith, Sharon McCusker, Ruth Hogan Poulsen, Judy Whipple, and others.
Date: June 14-15
Opening Date: May 13 • Closing Date: June 1
Location: GMHA, South Woodstock, VT
Secretary: Terri Satterlee • (802) 228-2103
Manager: Penny Williams • (802) 263-5205

Fees: CVDA Members: $365 • Non-CVDA Members: $425 • GMHA Stabling is included • Audit fees apply.
See Omnibus for further information.

Entries may not be postmarked prior to opening day. Current Coggins MUST be included with entry form. Scratches after closing date will be reimbursed (less $15 office fee) only if space is filled.

Download Camp Schedule:
June 14
June 15
Musical Explorations

Expanding Your Basics #2

Clinicians: Heidi Hauri-Gill and Emily Kannenstine
Date: August 6
Opening Date: July 2 • Closing Date: July 23
Location: Fay Brook Farm, Sharon, VT
Secretary/Manager: Lindsey Quinn

*NOTE: There are no auditing fees for this clinic - come watch and learn!*

Focus on the basics and use them to further develop your riding skills.
Day stalls available (reserve with Secretary)

Fees: CVDA Members: $60 (private) • Non-CVDA Members: $90 (private)
See Omnibus for further information.

Entries may not be postmarked prior to opening day. Current Coggins MUST be included with entry form. Preference given to CVDA Members. Scratches after closing date will be reimbursed (less $15 office fee) only if space is filled.

Here is a perfect chance to audit—and it’s FREE!

Download Entry Form and Helmet Agreement Form and Trainer Release Form.

The 2011 CVDA Kathy Mann Clinic

NOTICE: Clinic has been postponed due to expected bad weather, and rescheduled for September 17-18. Please plan on joining us then for this tenth and final Kathy Mann Clinic. Remember, auditing is free!

Clinician: Cindy Sydnor
Date: [August 27-28] *** RESCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 17-18 ***
Opening date: July 18 • Closing date: August 13
Location: Huntington Farm, 130 Justin Morrill Highway, S. Strafford, Vermont 05070
Secretary: Cindy Catto • (802) 476-3049
Manager: Lisa Geovjian • (802) 259-2024

Download REVISED Clinic Schedule (**9/12/2011, change of rides**)

ROAD REPORT: Vermont 511 and Google Maps may be helpful in planning your trip.  You may not access 91 at Ascutney but must go to Springfield.  Rt 4 between Rutland and Killington should be open this Wednesday. According to Ann Kitchel, 132 from Sharon is open but from 91 and Norwich it is closed. They are using Gove Hill Rd. to get to Strafford: Those coming from 91 south should take the Thetford exit and go right on 113. Turn left on Tucker Hill Rd (as usual). At the end of Tucker Hill Rd.turn left instead of right and take Gove Hill on right. At end of Gove Hill take a right and that takes you past Coburns Store to the farm.
...............................................................

Kathy Mann, a long-time CVDA member, was a regular participant and volunteer in CVDA activities, filling any job from show manager to parking facilitator, while showing her horses Trif and Hogan. She was committed to correct riding and training, and she was deeply committed to the love and care of her horses. Kathy lived to improve with each ride. It was not unusual to hear her chuckling as she and her horse would take one small step closer to becoming their personal best. “The horse is more important than the ribbon.” (Kathy Mann ’01)

For over ten years, the Kathy Mann Scholarship Fund has brought an outstanding, nationally-recognized clinician to the central Vermont area, promoting excellence in dressage instruction for all levels. This tenth clinic will be the final gathering.

Download entry form and Helmet Agreement Form and Trainer Release Form.

New Clinic!

Gymnasticizing Your Horse

with Joe Forest

This clinic will have a strong focus on the proper gymnasticizing of the horse. To achieve correct muscling and fitness the horse needs to work through the back and be supple in the poll. In this clinic you will learn exercises, especially suppling and relaxing exercises, to help your horse use their back muscles more correctly, stretch through the topline and be more obedient to the rider’s aids.

Download Rider Schedule and Directions

Clinicians: Joe Forest
Date: October 23, 2011
Opening Date: September 23, 2011 • Closing Date: October 9, 2011
Location: Greylock Farm, Brownsville, VT
Secretary: Lindsey Quinn • (603) 456-2438
Manager: Sue Berrill • (802) 484-3928

Fees: $55 per rider per lesson. Lessons are a group of 3 for 1.25 hours.
Groups will be formed according to the main area of focus requested.

About Joe Forest

Established in 1973, Horton’s Farm and Joe and Patty Forest repeatedly and reliably produce well trained, confident horses and specialize in starting young horses of all breeds. Their goal is to help you to reach your goal of having a reliable, confident and well trained horse with a solid foundation of skills.

Joe’s philosophy is that a well trained horse requires dedication, education and time, and his training technique allows for each horse to learn at its own pace. Joe has started numerous horses over the years and is a well known and respected local resource for working with young horses and assisting horses of all ages and breeds gain the skills and confidence needed for performing their jobs.

Joe will work with riders focusing on:

  • Gymnasticizing your horse with the use of cavelletti.
  • Distances and how to teach horses to shorten and lengthen stride
  • Different ways of setting up the gymnastic line to target specific problems
  • Confidence building techniques
  • Starting the young horse over cavelletti
  • Resistances and how to work through them

Riders will work in groups of 3; groups will be formed according to the main area of focus requested.

Download Entry Form • Download Helmet Agreement Form

The Half Halt

Now Available

The February 2012 issue of "The Half Halt" is available for download on the Newsletters page.

Thank You, USDF!

CVDA Award

Our CVDA Website has just been awarded Best GMO Website in our size category for the second year in a row!

Reminder

2011 Silent Auction and Annual Dinner

Our special Silent Auction to benefit GMHA was fantastic. Thank you to all who donated, and to all who helped make it so!

Half Halts...

CVDA Members
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