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Thursday, November 10 2016 / Published in General

Jeanne McDonald’s Talents: From Day Job to Horse Job

 

Jeanne McDonald Photo by Stacy Lynne Photography

Jeanne McDonald
Photo by Stacy Lynne Photography

For the past 33 years, Jeanne McDonald has brought her talents to Dressage at Devon (DAD), first as a rider in the performance division, then as a competitor in the breed show with Tantris (Traumdeuter/Aktuell/ Volturno) and many of his offspring bred at her farm. In the past 12 years, she has served on the judging team at DAD in both Breed and Performance divisions. And DAD is lucky to have her.

Jeanne was an equitation rider and eventer before becoming a dressage queen, and is now a FEI**** and USEF “S” dressage judge, a retired USDF/USEF dressage sport horse judge and a USDF bronze, silver and gold medalist. She’s still an active competitor, having competed in dressage for more than 26 years and trained all three of her horses to Grand Prix.

Since 1990, she has owned and operated Turning Point Farm located near Devon, Pennsylvania, a boarding, training and breeding facility.

Getting Started

Like many equestrians, Jeanne’s parents “didn’t understand” their horse-loving daughter. But they supported her, and she got her start at New Canaan Mounted Troop, grooming and mucking to make money for her lessons while working on a Connemara breeding farm.

As an adult, Jeanne started out with a day job — working in medical research at Harvard. But, as Jeanne said, the real start to her life began when she purchased Moleque (a Portuguese slang term for a smart but naughty and funny boy). She trained and learned with Moleque, eventually showing him Grand Prix as a 22-year-old. After moving to Pennsylvania and one more attempt at a normal job, she turned to horses full time and forever.

Jeanne judging at Dressage at Devon Photo courtesy of Jeanne McDonald

Jeanne judging at Dressage at Devon
Photo courtesy of Jeanne McDonald

As a trainer, Jeanne moved from teaching Pony Club to becoming equine director at Harcum Junior College to training the upper-level riders she works with today at her farm.

While she clearly loves all aspects of her equestrian life, when the name Tantris comes up, Jeanne smiles. “When Con Brio, the horse I’d been training from Prix St. Georges to Grand Prix was to be sold, Mo Swanson said, ‘Jeanne, why don’t you get a stallion?’ I said, ‘Sure Mo, find me an approved stallion, between 16.3 and 17 hands, with four good gaits — character, canter, walk and trot.’” Jeanne counts “character” as the most important “gait.”

While horse shopping in Europe, Jeanne met Tantris just out of the 100-day testing in December 1992, but was told he wasn’t for sale. Not to be deterred, she went back six weeks later and was able to purchase him. It turned out that not only was Tantris a great dressage horse — he won the GAIG/USDF Reserve Championship at Intermediaire II and Grand Prix at Region 1, New Jersey — as an approved Oldenburg sire, he consistently passed on his positive traits of a kind and willing attitude and quality walk and canter while adding an uphill topline with a very strong back and super-quality feet.

A Judging Career

Jeanne began her education as a judge because as a rider and competitor, she wanted to understand what judges were looking for. But the more she learned, the more interested she became, and today she’s in high demand from national and international shows around the world.

Jeanne and Trystiana, a Tantris baby. Photo by Stacy Lynne Photography

Jeanne and Trystiana, a Tantris baby.
Photo by Stacy Lynne Photography

Judging has changed quite a bit in the last few decades, according to Jeanne, particularly in scoring. For instance, she says, in the mid-90s, the scoring of the tests was “opened up,” encouraging judges to use the entire scale of marks. Plus, she said comments were often infrequent. “I always try to give constructive comments. If I give an 8, I try to tell the rider how it could be a 9.”

Her history with Dressage at Devon has allowed Jeanne to watch changes there as well. “When DAD started, it had a big presence on the circuit, with status and size. Today, it continues to be a very important dressage show with a strong tradition. The volunteers and supporters of Dressage at Devon have put a great deal of effort into making it a ‘full positive experience,’ both for competitors and spectators —  providing excellent exhibitions, shopping and dining. It’s unique among dressage shows.”

Jeanne added that DAD has had a positive impact on U.S. breeders. “The show has always been very supportive of U.S. breeders. The ‘Born in the USA’ award was first initiated at DAD, and has since been replicated at many shows around the country. This award showcases horses born in the U.S., proving that excellence in breeding is not just a European phenomenon.

“There are so many classes at DAD that it requires the participation of many judges. It’s a wonderful place to catch up with friends from around the world,” added Jeanne.

For more on Jeanne, visit turningpointfarm.com. For more on Dressage at Devon, visit dressageatdevon.org.

 

 

 

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We are starting a ‼️new series‼️ here on o We are starting a ‼️new series‼️ here on our socials where we share some of the lovely stallions, and their breeders featured in each month's magazine. Our first feature on this #STUDSunday is...

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Contact Cheryl Maye at (703) 431-9096 for more information
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You can find ALL of the stallions featured towards the back of the magazine in the equestrian gallery. Keep a look out EVERY Sunday for a new handsome STUD muffin🧁 and don't forget to subscribe to get your very own edition of Sidelines Magazine, the magazine for horse people, about horse people 🦄

📸  SAS Equestrian
‼️ROB JACOBS COLUMN‼️ The purpose of this ‼️ROB JACOBS COLUMN‼️

The purpose of this month’s column is to help the young equestrians of our sport develop and maintain healthy friendships within the industry. Cultivating healthy relationships with other members within the industry is not as easy as one may think. As a young equestrian, it may be difficult navigating friendships at the barn and at horse shows. Typically, kids have friendships within the barn they ride at but also friendships with others from different barns in their area. 

Initially, it may seem as though making other friends in the sport would be easy and ideal; after all, there is the common interest of horses. However, because of the natural therapeutic benefits of horses, the sport has a history of attracting all types of people, with a wide range of personalities. This can be both an advantage and a drawback. We are now in an era that acknowledges the growing need to discuss and manage one’s mental health. 

One thing I have learned is that we are likely to notice mental health challenges at an age younger than most people may think. Some of the friendship dynamics I have observed over the years have caused me to pause and really think about the future of our sport. Without looking for a source to blame for the cause of this, i.e. social media, parents, school, teachers, etc., I think if all adults involved worked to encourage, affirm, love, and respect our youth, the likelihood of them developing authentic friendships with their peers may increase.

Both humans and horses were designed to have connected relationships. These relationships allow a greater sense of security when one experiences challenges in life. Cultivating the quality and authenticity of these relationships requires intentional work. 

Thank you Rob for providing your helpful insight on developing healthy relationships. Check out his tips in his column you can find in the link in our bio.
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Don't get caught without your green on today!🍀🍀
 
In today's featured article, we have Jessica Howington, who is dressed for the occasion in her green shirt! Jessica is the Owner/Rider at CrownView Dressage, a Realtor with Showcase Properties of Central Florida, and a Nurse Practitioner! Jessica has been involved with horses since she was a little girl. Everything from bareback to eventing she tried until she found her love for dressage.

Today, she and her family own CrownView Dressage, a 157-acre training, boarding, and breeding facility in Ocala, Florida. Jessica started training and teaching but felt as if her life was still missing something. Until Jessica focused on horses full-time, she didn’t realize how important the healthcare field was to her life. Jessica missed seeing patients and being in the medical field. Jessica is now back to working again as a nurse practitioner while also focusing on training her five competition horses, including her Grand Prix mare Cavalia. 

Jessica feels lucky 🍀 to have two amazing parents who have supported her in all of her endeavors and instilled the importance of work ethic, morals, dedication, and sacrifice. 

You can read all about Jessica and how she's finding fulfillment in her busy lifestyle in this month's edition of Sidelines Magazine! Click the link in our bio for more 

✳️Tag us in your “lucky” photos for a chance to be featured on our story! Happy st. Patrick’s day everyone!🍀🍀

📸Photos by Melissa Fuller, msfullerphotography.com 

#stpatricksday #irish #stpattysday #green #ireland #luckoftheirish #stpaddysday #shamrock #happystpatricksday #lucky #saintpatricksday #leprechaun #stpatricks #stpatrick #kissmeimirish #clover #paddysday #march #potofgold #stpattys #love #beer #guinness #shopsmall #handmade #stpatricksdaydecor #stpatricksdayoutfit #fourleafclover #stpatricksdayparade #luckycharms
Like many equestrians, eventer Devon Tresan is no Like many equestrians, eventer Devon Tresan is no stranger to balancing a busy schedule. From serving as president of the Pony Club South Region Youth Board to working on her online high school courses and modeling gigs, Devon has nearly every minute of her time planned out. And with her horses right in her backyard in Ball Ground, Georgia, she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Devon’s fast-paced lifestyle stems from growing up around her parents’ animal casting business, Animal Casting Atlanta, where they train and provide animals for projects in the film industry. Devon’s parents, Carol and Greg, took her on her first film job at just two weeks old; both parents pushed Devon toward acting when she was younger. While Devon didn’t want to be an actor herself, she did follow in their footsteps with her love of animals, especially horses. 

“My parents’ company has provided animals for ‘The Hunger Games,’ ‘Black Panther,’ ‘Suicide Squad,’ a majority of the Marvel TV shows, ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ and so many more,” Devon said.

Devon started her equestrian journey when she was 9 years old. Initially, the Tresans bought a flashy gray Welsh pony, I Am Superman, for Devon to take in the hunter ring. However, Superman lived up to his name and proved to be too speedy for the job. 

“He was super cute and just a great little ride,” Devon said, “but he was still a pony! He made me work hard for everything we accomplished together. I was lucky enough to ride with a trainer who did both hunters and eventing, so we were able to switch disciplines pretty easily. Those eventing lessons together kickstarted my love for the sport.”

Read all about Devon and her busy life in this month's edition of Sidelines Magazine. Click the link in our bio for more
@TrDevon Lane Tresan  @Devontresan

📸Photo by Carol Lane Tresan
📸Photo courtesy of Devon Tresan
📸Modeling photo by Sara Hanna, @atlphotos 

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