July Show and Ride and Review – Deborah Spence is a very popular judge and clinician! On July 9th, our show, held at Chalice Farms in Port Orchard, went from 8am to 7pm with 19 classes including several Western Dressage which is becoming more popular with each show. Deborah then followed with a Ride and Review Clinic with another full day of 9 rides. We are so appreciative of her spending all this time with our riders and members.
Show Schedule – Our next planned shows are the weekend of August 12 and 13 and will be held at the Bainbridge Saddle Club. This is the first year that we are coordinating shows with members of the BSC and we are really pleased to expand our show schedule by partnering with this group. Judges will be Kimberly Weise “L” and Linda Coates-Markle “L”. Entries close August 4th.
Centurion Ride by Mary Craft and Furiant: Another pair of local senior equestrians danced their way in to the record books in Port Orchard on May 6th. Mary Craft and her horse Furiant, Joined the Dressage Foundations Century Club becoming the 294th member. The Century club recognizes Dressage riders and horses whose combined age totals 100 years or more. Horse and rider perform a Dressage test of any level at a Dressage show and are scored by a Dressage Judge. The Century Club was formed by the Dressage Foundation in 1996 to encourage and reward our older senior riders and their mounts. The Century Club ride has evolved into a serious endeavor for senior riders from all across the country.
Craft, a retired Circuit Judge, aviation enthusiast and equestrian guided her Hanoverian Gelding Furiant through his paces with confidence and ease. Herman Aguayo, a previous recipient of the Century Award, and resident of Port Orchard, presented the special black and gold ribbon to Mary Craft after her ride. People gathered at the Kitsap Saddle Club to join in the celebration honoring this pair in the tradition of the Dressage Foundations Century Club.