Article & photos by Nancy Brannon
Mid-South Dressage Academy (MDA), Hernando, Miss., started its 2022 Dressage show season March 26-27, 2022 with the USDF rated Bunny Hop Dressage Show. Judge was Debbie Riehl Rodriguez “S” from Colorado, with TD Joyce Hardesty.
Owner Elizabeth Clifton was pleased with the turnout, although she said this is usually their smallest show of the year, owing to the weather and the fact that folks haven’t had much opportunity to ride. However, the fair weather and pleasant temperatures (high 50s, low 60s) drew riders from a five-state area: Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee and Mississippi. There was a full day of rides both days running from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Elizabeth was also pleased to see at least six Young Riders at this show (ages 15-18) who were riding at third and fourth levels. Caitlyn Massey, of Massar Stables in Arlington, Tenn., rode Mikato at third and fourth levels and scored a whopping 80% in USEF Dressage Seat Equitation. Randi Cron, of Huntsville, Ala., rode Expert ACB at third level, scoring 68.250%. Lauren Hammond, also from Massar Stables, rode Fantasia at third level and USDF Dressage Seat Equitation, scoring 76.000%. Emerson Blandford, of Murfreesboro, Tenn., rode Stortebeker in FEI Young Riders. Aislin Falasco rode Unscripted at third level, scoring 68.125%. And last year’s first and second level champion Adeline Batcheller brought a young horse (5-year-old) to show at training level.
“It’s nice to have a bunch of young riders coming along so well,” Elizabeth said. MDA will host a Jr./Young Riders clinic June 3-4, 2022 with Jos Sevriens, followed by a schooling show June 5th.
As always, these Dressage horses are immaculately groomed and shining, with riders equally neat and tidy, riding with kind hands that clearly and subtly communicate the cues to their horses.
There is always delicious, nutritious food for lunch at MDA, too. A solid favorite is the Rosemary bread that Elizabeth gets from Mrs. Hippie Eats in downtown Hernando. [check it out at https://www.mrshippieeats.com/] The bread is fresh baked from scratch with no preservatives. On Saturday at this show, there was a green salad, homemade egg salad, and homemade (made by Marty, from scratch) chocolate chip cookies.
Alex du Celliee Muller had a high score of 76.200% in the USDF Materiale Class on Nikita 3H. Natasja Kraska rode her new horse Navarro d’Noble in training level, scoring 70.345%. Amanda Molter had high scores of over 70% on Diamond Caliente in third level. Find full results from this show at www.foxvillage.com.
High Point Scores for the show:
Pony Champion: Jennifer Van De Loo, Intermediate I, Duke of the Dawn, 66.471%
Pony Reserve: Aislin Falasco, Third Level, Unscripted, 67.875%
FEI: Alex Du Celliee Muller, Prix St George, Imperial WRF, 68.382%
Amateur Adult: Amanda Molter, Third Level, Diamond Caliente, 69.375%
Open: Cathy Zappe, First Level, Balistar MWF, 67.4241%
Jr/Young Rider: Randi Cron, Third Level, Expert ACB, 68.250%
Next at MDA is the Fairytales themed schooling show on April 24, followed by the USDF Spring Time I & II shows, April 30-May 1.
Mid-South Dressage Academy (MDA), Hernando, Miss., started its 2022 Dressage show season March 26-27, 2022 with the USDF rated Bunny Hop Dressage Show. Judge was Debbie Riehl Rodriguez “S” from Colorado, with TD Joyce Hardesty.
Owner Elizabeth Clifton was pleased with the turnout, although she said this is usually their smallest show of the year, owing to the weather and the fact that folks haven’t had much opportunity to ride. However, the fair weather and pleasant temperatures (high 50s, low 60s) drew riders from a five-state area: Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee and Mississippi. There was a full day of rides both days running from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Elizabeth was also pleased to see at least six Young Riders at this show (ages 15-18) who were riding at third and fourth levels. Caitlyn Massey, of Massar Stables in Arlington, Tenn., rode Mikato at third and fourth levels and scored a whopping 80% in USEF Dressage Seat Equitation. Randi Cron, of Huntsville, Ala., rode Expert ACB at third level, scoring 68.250%. Lauren Hammond, also from Massar Stables, rode Fantasia at third level and USDF Dressage Seat Equitation, scoring 76.000%. Emerson Blandford, of Murfreesboro, Tenn., rode Stortebeker in FEI Young Riders. Aislin Falasco rode Unscripted at third level, scoring 68.125%. And last year’s first and second level champion Adeline Batcheller brought a young horse (5-year-old) to show at training level.
“It’s nice to have a bunch of young riders coming along so well,” Elizabeth said. MDA will host a Jr./Young Riders clinic June 3-4, 2022 with Jos Sevriens, followed by a schooling show June 5th.
As always, these Dressage horses are immaculately groomed and shining, with riders equally neat and tidy, riding with kind hands that clearly and subtly communicate the cues to their horses.
There is always delicious, nutritious food for lunch at MDA, too. A solid favorite is the Rosemary bread that Elizabeth gets from Mrs. Hippie Eats in downtown Hernando. [check it out at https://www.mrshippieeats.com/] The bread is fresh baked from scratch with no preservatives. On Saturday at this show, there was a green salad, homemade egg salad, and homemade (made by Marty, from scratch) chocolate chip cookies.
Alex du Celliee Muller had a high score of 76.200% in the USDF Materiale Class on Nikita 3H. Natasja Kraska rode her new horse Navarro d’Noble in training level, scoring 70.345%. Amanda Molter had high scores of over 70% on Diamond Caliente in third level. Find full results from this show at www.foxvillage.com.
High Point Scores for the show:
Pony Champion: Jennifer Van De Loo, Intermediate I, Duke of the Dawn, 66.471%
Pony Reserve: Aislin Falasco, Third Level, Unscripted, 67.875%
FEI: Alex Du Celliee Muller, Prix St George, Imperial WRF, 68.382%
Amateur Adult: Amanda Molter, Third Level, Diamond Caliente, 69.375%
Open: Cathy Zappe, First Level, Balistar MWF, 67.4241%
Jr/Young Rider: Randi Cron, Third Level, Expert ACB, 68.250%
Next at MDA is the Fairytales themed schooling show on April 24, followed by the USDF Spring Time I & II shows, April 30-May 1.
