Article & photos by LaCresha Kolba
The Central Tennessee Dressage Association (CTDA) held their annual Ole South Dressage Prelude and Classic shows August 21-23, 2015 at the Miller Coliseum in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The shows welcomed 85 competitors coming from Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Texas, and Kentucky to participate and gain points in a USDF and USEF recognized show, as well as toward end of the year High Score Awards and Horse of the Year. The other big draws to this show were the comfortable environment and the last opportunity for dressage riders to score points for regional championships. USDF Region 3 Championships take place October 9-11, 2015 in Conyers, Georgia. Judges for the show were Joan Darnell of Texas and Sarah Geike of Connecticut; Technical Delegate was Joe Coleman of Kansas.
Jen Thompson is a competitor, board member, and serving her second year as CTDA President. Jen says CTDA offers a lot of diversity with USEF/USDF recognized shows, six schooling shows, and their shows include Western Dressage, Gaited Dressage as well as the regular dressage classes. CTDA also has a strong community of volunteers. Jen rides at Green Pastures Farm in Brentwood, Tennessee where she has two horses, one a Danish Warmblood, Robinson, whom she calls, “Lovie.” She describes, “He really lives up to his name as he is a little lover. He gives me his heart every time! He is powerful, cheeky, elegant looking, athletic and very forward. I ride him at the Prix St. George and Intermediate I level. I don’t have him here this weekend, as I am just too busy with the show.” Jen has been riding since she was a child, began showing as a kid in Western classes and Jr. Hunter Equitation. She began showing Dressage in 2001 and loves the discipline, with its athletic and analytical aspects necessary in horse and rider. “The rider’s biomechanics will affect the horse; it is amazing what will happen when you just get out of their way.”
Dressage competitions offer beginning level courses for those who want to get started in this discipline up to the most advanced: Training level, First Level, Second Level, Third Level, Fourth Level, Prix St. George; Intermediate I and Intermediate II; Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle. The Murfreesboro show offered Dressage Seat Equitation, USDF Introductory Test, Pony TOC Intro, and a class for Three Year Old Colts and Geldings. Dressage is an incredibly rewarding discipline, as the rider executes the pattern, feels the cadence of the horse, and recognizes the correct movements.
CTDA offers learning opportunities as well as showing, with a Youth Program and a Learner Judge Program.
CTDA shows foster an atmosphere in which riders feel comfortable and are encouraged. With a strong community of volunteers and enthusiastic participants, CTDA expresses great thanks to all the volunteers, competitors, vendors and show managers who made it a great weekend of dressage. This was CTDA’s biggest weekend of the year!
To find out more information about CTDA recognized and schooling shows, find them on facebook at Central Tennessee Dressage Association or on their website: www.tndressage.com
The Central Tennessee Dressage Association (CTDA) held their annual Ole South Dressage Prelude and Classic shows August 21-23, 2015 at the Miller Coliseum in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The shows welcomed 85 competitors coming from Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Texas, and Kentucky to participate and gain points in a USDF and USEF recognized show, as well as toward end of the year High Score Awards and Horse of the Year. The other big draws to this show were the comfortable environment and the last opportunity for dressage riders to score points for regional championships. USDF Region 3 Championships take place October 9-11, 2015 in Conyers, Georgia. Judges for the show were Joan Darnell of Texas and Sarah Geike of Connecticut; Technical Delegate was Joe Coleman of Kansas.
Jen Thompson is a competitor, board member, and serving her second year as CTDA President. Jen says CTDA offers a lot of diversity with USEF/USDF recognized shows, six schooling shows, and their shows include Western Dressage, Gaited Dressage as well as the regular dressage classes. CTDA also has a strong community of volunteers. Jen rides at Green Pastures Farm in Brentwood, Tennessee where she has two horses, one a Danish Warmblood, Robinson, whom she calls, “Lovie.” She describes, “He really lives up to his name as he is a little lover. He gives me his heart every time! He is powerful, cheeky, elegant looking, athletic and very forward. I ride him at the Prix St. George and Intermediate I level. I don’t have him here this weekend, as I am just too busy with the show.” Jen has been riding since she was a child, began showing as a kid in Western classes and Jr. Hunter Equitation. She began showing Dressage in 2001 and loves the discipline, with its athletic and analytical aspects necessary in horse and rider. “The rider’s biomechanics will affect the horse; it is amazing what will happen when you just get out of their way.”
Dressage competitions offer beginning level courses for those who want to get started in this discipline up to the most advanced: Training level, First Level, Second Level, Third Level, Fourth Level, Prix St. George; Intermediate I and Intermediate II; Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle. The Murfreesboro show offered Dressage Seat Equitation, USDF Introductory Test, Pony TOC Intro, and a class for Three Year Old Colts and Geldings. Dressage is an incredibly rewarding discipline, as the rider executes the pattern, feels the cadence of the horse, and recognizes the correct movements.
CTDA offers learning opportunities as well as showing, with a Youth Program and a Learner Judge Program.
CTDA shows foster an atmosphere in which riders feel comfortable and are encouraged. With a strong community of volunteers and enthusiastic participants, CTDA expresses great thanks to all the volunteers, competitors, vendors and show managers who made it a great weekend of dressage. This was CTDA’s biggest weekend of the year!
To find out more information about CTDA recognized and schooling shows, find them on facebook at Central Tennessee Dressage Association or on their website: www.tndressage.com
