USDF Official Podcast

Chair of the USEF Dressage Sport Committee Rules Working Group, Janine Malone joins us to discuss the proposed rule changes that could affect dressage riders and judges and 2018 Adequan®/USDF FEI-Level Trainers Conference presenter Johann Hinnemann  shares his theory on training.

Johann Hinnemann is recognized worldwide as a trainer and coach, having served as Canada's team trainer and German National Coach, alongside Klaus Balkenhol. His student roster reads like a "Who's Who" of Olympic medalists and various national champions, including Steffen Peters, Coby van Baalen, Marlies van Baalen, Ulla Salzgeber, and Heiki Kemmer.

Janine Malone, Zebulon, NC, is a USEF Registered Dressage Judge and Technical Delegate, FEI Level 3 Steward, and member of multiple committees, including the USDF Sport Horse Committee, the USEF  Licensed Officials Task Force and Competition Management Committees.

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• USEF Rule Change Proposals

USEF Senior dressage judge and L Education Program Faculty member Debbie Reihl -Rodriguez joins us to talk about flying lead changes and we have visualization exercises from part four of our series on the mind/body connection with Sandy Venneman.

Debbie Riehl-Rodriguez, Arvada, CO, is a USEF Senior ('S') Dressage Judge, Registered ('R') Dressage Sport Horse Breeding Judge, and USEF L Education Program Faculty member. Debbie has also earned her USDF Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medals.

Sandy Venneman PhD, Sealy, TX, is an experimental psychologist, with a lifetime teaching certificate in secondary education, Sandy combines psychology with 40 years experience riding to help equestrians reach their potential. Coaching riders in the use of psychology to improve their riding, she instructs and gives mounted and un-mounted clinics nationwide.

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• US Dressage Finals

This week we are joined by two USEF Senior Judges; Dolly Hannon joins us to talk about what to do when things go wrong in a freestyle test and Marilyn Heath discusses Judge responsibilities. In our education segment, we have part three of our series on the mind/body connection with Sandy Venneman.

Janet ‘Dolly’ Hannon, Arvada, CO, is a USEF Senior (‘S’) Judge, USDF Certified Instructor through Fourth Level and Chair of the USDF Freestyle Committee. Dolly has also earned her USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold Medals.

Marilyn Heath, Naples, FL, is a USEF Senior Dressage Judge, L Education Program Faculty member, USDF L Program and Judges Committee member, and USDF Lifetime Achievement award recipient.

Sandy Venneman PhD, Sealy, TX, is an experimental psychologist, with a lifetime teaching certificate in secondary education. Sandy combines psychology with 40 years experience riding to help equestrians reach their potential. Coaching riders in the use of psychology to improve their riding, she instructs and gives mounted and un-mounted clinics nationwide.

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• USDF Freestyle Rules, Guidelines, and Definitions

September is National Preparedness Month, so this week we are focusing on how to be prepared to deal with extreme weather. Dr. Michele Frazer from Hagyard Equine Medical Institute stopped by the USDF office to talk about how to be prepared for the most common natural disasters. Mark Coley from US Equestrian joins us to talk about the USEF Equine Disaster relief fund and we have an excerpt from a convention education session on dealing with emergencies featuring Dr. Laura Werner.

Dr. Michele Frazer DVM, DACVIM, DACVECC, Lexington, KY, joined Hagyard Equine Medical Institute as an Internal Medicine Specialist in 2004. She has a particular interest in critical care medicine and regularly speaks at nationally recognized meetings including the AAEP and ACVIM forums and publishes in veterinary journals.

Laura Werner DVM, MS, DACVS, Lexington, KY, joined Hagyard Equine Medical Institute as a Surgery Associate in the Davidson Surgery Center in 2011. She has worked as an FEI Veterinary Delegate at some of the top Three-Day eventing competitions in the United States.

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• Hagyard Equine Medical Institute

This week we announce winners of USDF service awards and learn more about American Dressage Legend, Liz Searle. We have tips on lateral work from Lilo Fore, and part two of our series on the mind/body connection with Sandy Venneman.

Liselotte (Lilo) Fore, Santa Rosa, CA, is a USEF "S" dressage and Young Horse Judge, a USEF "R" Dressage Sport Horse Breeding Judge, and retired FEI 5* Dressage and FEI 3* Para-Equestrian Dressage Judge. Lilo was a founding member of the USDF Instructor/Trainer Program and still serves an examiner and instructor along with being co-chair for the committee.

Sandy Venneman PhD, Sealy, TX, is an experimental psychologist, with a lifetime teaching certificate in secondary education, Sandy combines psychology with 40 years experience riding to help equestrians reach their potential. Coaching riders in the use of psychology to improve their riding, she instructs and gives mounted and un-mounted clinics nationwide.

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• USDF Service Awards

This week we learn more about American Dressage Legend Fiona Baan. We meet Chase Shipka, winner of the Fiona Baan “Pursuit of Excellence” Memorial Trophy, and Sara Geikie educates us on riding and improving the walk.

Sarah Geikie, Lebanon, CT is a FEI 4* Dressage and Young Horse Judge, USEF Senior ('S') Dressage Judge,  USDF Certified Instructor through Fourth Level ,and Instructor/Trainer Examiner.  Sarah also serves on the USDF Judges and Freestyle Committees.

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• Hall of Fame and Lifetime Achievement

This week we have interviews with Youth/Young Adult Dressage Sport Horse Breeders Seminar presenter Kevin Reinig, and participants Nila Venkat, and Bree Kenney. We also start a new series on the mind/ body connection with Sandy Venneman PhD.

Kevin Reinig, Rancho Murieta, CA, and his wife Ericka started their breeding, training, and sales business KEFA Performance Horses in 2003. Kevin has served on the executive board of the California Dressage Society for six years and has been the president since 2013.

Sandy Venneman PhD, Sealy, TX, is an experimental psychologist, with a lifetime teaching certificate in secondary education, Sandy combines psychology with 40 years experience riding to help equestrians reach their potential. Coaching riders in the use of psychology to improve their riding, she instructs and gives mounted and un-mounted clinics nationwide.

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• Laura Graves Interview

This week, Lisa Gorretta joins us to talk about the 2017 US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan® . We have answers to your questions about the Great American/USDF Regional Championships and part four of the series on rider biomechanics with Dr. Hilary Clayton.

Lisa Gorretta, Chagrin Falls, OH, serves as the USDF Vice President, she is also a USEF ‘R’ Technical Delegate, FEI Level 2 Steward and Co-Chair of the USEF Dressage Committee.

Hillary Clayton BVMS, PHD, DACVSMR, MRCVS, Mason, MI, is an equestrian, veterinarian, author, researcher, and clinician, Dr. Clayton has conducted targeted studies on bitting, saddle fit biometrics, kinematics and kinetics, and locomotion . She established Sport Horse Science, LLC. and is vice president of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation. Dr. Clayton has been inducted into the International Equine Veterinarians Hall of Fame, the Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame and the Midwest Dressage Association Hall of Fame. As a rider, Dr. Clayton has earned her USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold Medals.

Quick Links

• 2017 US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan®

This week retired FEI 5* and USEF "S"Dressage Judge Axel Steiner joins us to expand on his upcoming USDF Connection article on National vs. International Judging. We have an excerpt from the 2016 Competition Open Forum and part three of the series on rider biomechanics with Dr. Hilary Clayton.

Axel Steiner, San Marcos, CA, is a retired FEI 5 * and USEF "S" dressage judge. Axel has judged at Olympic Games, Pan American Games, FEI World Cup Dressage Finals, and numerous other championships. He is also an L Education Program Faculty member and popular commentator for high-level competitions.

Hillary Clayton BVMS, PHD, DACVSMR, MRCVS, Mason, MI, is an equestrian, veterinarian, author, researcher, and clinician, Dr. Clayton has conducted targeted studies on bitting, saddle fit biometrics, kinematics and kinetics, and locomotion. She established Sport Horse Science, LLC. and is vice president of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation. Dr. Clayton has been inducted into the International Equine Veterinarians Hall of Fame, the Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame and the Midwest Dressage Association Hall of Fame. As a rider, Dr. Clayton has earned her USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold Medals.

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• USDF Member Perks Partners

This week Instructor/Trainer Program Faculty member Kathy Simard joins us to discuss the importance of the consistency of aids; Senior Competition Coordinator Cristen Brown returns to talk about All-Breeds Awards; we have part 2 of the series on rider Biomechanics with Dr. Hilary Clayton and we learn more about American Dressage Legend, Lieutenant Colonel Hans Moeller.

Kathy Simard, Littleton CO, is a USDF Certified Instructor through Fourth Level and member of the program's Training –First Level Faculty. Kathy is an L Graduate with Distinction and has earned her USDF Bronze and Silver Medal.

Hillary Clayton BVMS, PHD, DACVSMR, MRCVS, Mason, MI, is an equestrian, veterinarian, author, researcher, and clinician, Dr. Clayton has conducted targeted studies on bitting, saddle fit biometrics, kinematics and kinetics, and locomotion. She established Sport Horse Science, LLC. and is vice president of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation. Dr. Clayton has been inducted into the International Equine Veterinarians Hall of Fame, the Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame and the Midwest Dressage Association Hall of Fame. As a rider, Dr. Clayton has earned her USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold Medals.

Quick Links:

• Adequan®/USDF All-Breeds Awards