SIGN IN YOUR ACCOUNT TO HAVE ACCESS TO DIFFERENT FEATURES

FORGOT YOUR PASSWORD?

FORGOT YOUR DETAILS?

AAH, WAIT, I REMEMBER NOW!

Sidelines MagazineSidelines Magazine

  • LOGIN
  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • Subscriptions
    • Flipbook
    • Subscribe Options
    • Order Individual & Back Issues
  • Podcast
  • Marketplace
    • Business Ads
    • Directories
      • Barns, Farms, Trainers & Clubs
      • Equestrian Services
      • Real Estate
      • Stallions
      • Tack & Feed Stores
    • Classifieds
    • Horse Trailers for Sale
  • Advertise
  • Blogs
    • Show World
    • What’s Happenin’
  • Partners
  • Contacts
    • Contacts
    • Employment
0
Friday, October 23 2020 / Published in General

Reflections on the 2020 Festival

By George Williams

In my column last month, I wrote about “the summer that never was.” Well, I stand corrected!

It turned out that for U.S. dressage, in the quaint little town of Wayne, Illinois, we had one glorious week of summer. The 2020 US Equestrian Festival of Champions at Lamplight Equestrian Center held the week of August 17–23 was, by all accounts (and in yours truly’s opinion), a tremendous success and motivator.

It was, hands down, the highlight of the summer — but how could it not be? For those of you who don’t know, the Festival is the National Championships for 14 dressage divisions that include the 4-, 5- and 6-Year-Old Young Horse, Developing Prix St. Georges and Grand Prix, FEI Children, Pony Rider, Junior, Young Rider, U25 (aka Brentina Cup), Intermediate I and Grand Prix Championships. As if that’s not enough, it also includes the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals. In other words, it’s one heck of an event! To compete at the Festival, athletes and horses must earn an invitation through a qualifying process.

First, let me assure you that great precautions were taken to protect everyone as best as possible from the coronavirus. Usually, the Lamplight show grounds generates enthusiastic crowds. This year, spectators were not permitted. However, US Equestrian did a super job of live-streaming the entire competition allowing the viewer to be even closer to the action than if they were actually there. Dedicated volunteers took temperatures and issued daily color-coded wristbands as you came onto the venue.

Each morning, I felt trepidation as I drove from the hotel to the show grounds. My mind was working overtime, wondering about an occasional mild headache, a suppressed cough, sniffle or sneeze caused by the morning sun. Things I would never normally worry about — were these all symptoms of something greater? It was always quite a relief to be told my temperature was completely normal and I was allowed on the grounds with a new wristband.

By the end of the week, many of us figured out which type of mask was our favorite. Some of us even changed outfits — I mean masks — throughout the day. Let’s be honest, wearing a mask all day long is not fun. In the morning when it was a little cooler, if you breathed, you fogged up your sunglasses. That was one of the great decisions you had to make: Do you squint, or do you try to coach with a foggy view? And, somehow, smelling your own breath from time to time throughout the day was a little disconcerting.

However, when all was said and done, these and the mandatory social distancing (although I did discover some people need to learn to speak louder if they want listeners to catch everything they have to say) all were only minor inconveniences. Most important was that by making these practices mandatory and strictly enforcing them, we were able to have a National Championship during COVID-19. Hooray for us! One thing can be said about dressage people: Most of us are sticklers for details and generally follow the rules.

As youth coach, my focus was of course on the youth divisions. We have a number of talented young athletes coming up through the levels and it’s exciting to see.

What I believe will be a game changer and will have a real impact on development of our youth riders is the new Quality Marking Score component on the FEI Children tests, which was introduced last January by the FEI. In a way, its first official debut at a national competition in this country was at the Festival.

The Quality Marking has four components, each of which is designed to judge the skill of the rider by two judges sitting together on the long side while the judge at C scores the technical aspect of the tests. The Technical and Quality markings each make up 50% of the final score. Thus, the Quality marking becomes the great equalizer, meaning that regardless of the horseflesh, good, correct riding should win. In my humble opinion, this is a great improvement to the Children tests and should inspire instructors to teach good, basic riding skills to their young students!

It’s been made clear to me that my job is to prepare today’s youth to be the next generation representing the U.S. at the Senior level in international competitions. I’ve been in my position now for just over five years. One of my goals has been to provide educational experiences, guidance and inspiration to our young athletes through our programs as they develop their talents as equestrians. Standing ringside in my covid-compliant mask at the Festival, I had the strong sense that this was really happening!

It’s always a joy to watch these kids become better, more confident riders and accomplished competitors as they move up through the levels. 

Rewarding? Absolutely! How can it not be rewarding as the national coach when many of them are then invited to be coveted members of the USEF/USDF Discover Dressage Emerging Athlete program through their hard work? Better yet, we saw this year a couple of them move successfully into the next levels of competition in both the U25 and the USEF I-1 National Championships. 

Share this page:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
Tagged under: covid-19, dressage, festival of champions, horse show

What you can read next

Mutt of the Month – Tee
Show Jumper Brian Walker Answers Your Questions
An Ode To The Off Track Thoroughbred

Download Sidelines Digital now from your favorite app store!

Sidelines Magazine - Apple store   Sidelines Magazine - Google Play store   Sidelines Magazine - Amazon store
Update iOS app. Re-download Google Play and Amazon app.

Follow on Instagram!

sidelines_magazine

Sidelines Magazine
Balancing riding and academics can be tough, so Bl Balancing riding and academics can be tough, so Blue Ribbon Scholars is here to help! Whether you need help with a single subject, SAT prep, or transitioning to online school, Blue Ribbon will tailor a unique program to the needs of every student athlete, grades K-12. The exclusive education services provider at HITS Ocala since 2019, Blue Ribbon offers in-person tutoring services throughout the duration of the winter circuit, in addition to our virtual services via Zoom year round, anywhere, anytime! 

Are you showing at WEC this winter, but looking for affordable, fun, and individualized in-person support? Have no fear! In-person tutoring is available anywhere in the Ocala area, and everyone is welcome to attend our programs at HITS. Our tutors are kind, qualified, and understand the needs of competitive student-athlete equestrians. The founder of Blue Ribbon Scholars is an amateur jumper rider who holds a BA from Yale University and Master’s in Education from Vanderbilt. You will be in good hands! Message, email, or call us today to learn more about how we help you accomplish your goals.

blueribbonscholars, hitshorseshows

#sidelinesmagazine #sidelines2023 #forhorsepeople #abouthorsepeople #dressage #hunterjumper #eventing #magazine #horses #wellington #wef #florida #college #school #blueribbonscholars #hitshorseshows #hunterjumper #showjumping #hunterjumpersofinstagram #tutoringforathletes #tutoringservices #backtoschool #equestrian #equestrianlife #equestrianlifestyle #horseshowlife #studyhardplayhard #homeschooling #ocala
📣Exciting News!! 📣 Sidelines Magazine is gr 📣Exciting News!! 📣

Sidelines Magazine is growing!
Thanks to our success we are expanding our sales force and are looking for talented sales people‼️

Come join the team!!
👉For more information email editor@sidelinesmagazine.com
“There is no quick fix when it comes to horses,” said Samantha Wolfram, a 22-year-old equestrian professional. “You can’t flip a switch and the horse comes out broke and is easy to ride.” For most equestrians, this statement is a testament to the grit and reality of the horse business—there are no easy roads to establishing your career. But for Samantha, using her risk-taking, talent and ambition while riding and living abroad is helping set her up for success. 

Growing up an only child in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, Samantha received her first pony at the age of 2 thanks to her mother, who was a horse trainer. “My mom got me a pony like what you see at the fair. However, he was a bad pony—or what I like to call ‘character building,’” she said. Her early start riding was a gift unto itself and by 5, Samantha was jumping crossrails. She was committed to riding until the age of 8, when another sport became her focus. “I was at an age where I wanted to fit in, and being a crazy horse girl did not help with being popular,” Samantha shared.

Get to know Samantha in her recent feature "Finding Success in America and Overseas." And never miss an article by subscribing to Sidelines Magazine. Link below!👇
https://sidelinesmagazine.com

Follow Samantha on Instagram samanthawolfram

📸Photos by Kirsten Hannah, kirstenhannahphotography.com

#sidelinesmagazine #sidelines2023 #forhorsepeople #abouthorsepeople #dressage #hunterjumper #eventing #magazine #horses
At 78 years young, Barry Olliff doesn’t intend t At 78 years young, Barry Olliff doesn’t intend to take it easy during his golden years. Inspired by his horse-loving wife, Cyndy, Barry is devoting his retirement to create “A Gathering Place” for anyone who needs one at their Stable View Equestrian facility in Aiken, South Carolina.

Barry and Cyndy have transformed their parcel of land, originally a quail-hunting lodge, into a facility that welcomes equestrians, corporate retreats, weddings, ecotourists and local community members. “This all came about through a fortuitous set of circumstances, with good partnerships, an open and welcoming community and, most of all, our willingness to go where the land led us,” Barry said.

Barry believes fate and good luck have played a big factor in Cyndy’s and his life. “We’ve been in the right place at the right time and fortunate enough to take the right fork in the road when there were choices,” he said. “As we’ve gotten older, we’ve felt it’s up to us to give back. We need to provide opportunities for people to use Stable View however they see fit.”

Keep reading at the link in our bio!!

📸Photo courtesy of Stable View

#sidelinesmagazine #sidelines2023 #forhorsepeople #abouthorsepeople #dressage #hunterjumper #eventing #magazine #horses
Load More... Follow on Instagram

From Our Classifieds Ads

  • Welsh Pony Stallion - Smoke Tree Shameful Thief
    Smoke Tree Shameful Thief (Smoke Tree Prince Of Thieves x Smoke Tree Shameless) 14h Welsh Section B Stallion Stud Fee $650 plus collection fees AI only and EVA negative Cheryl & Paul Maye Fairfield, VA 703-431-9096 www.mayeshowponies.com IF you want to breed Quality, you have to choose Quality!

    [Read more]

  • THE RIDGE/NONA GARSON
    Hunter/Jumper/Equitation/Training/Sales USEF & Schooling Horse Shows New Jersey & Wellington, Florida Locations 908-236-9864 ridgeshows@aol.com www.ridgeshowjumping.com

    [Read more]

Sidelines Articles by Email

Subscribe to Sidelines Magazine Articles by Email

RSS Sidelines Blogs: What’s Happenin’

  • Woodside Recognizes the Best in the West
  • Get More for Your Money with an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage
  • Longines Global Champions Tour of New York Returns to Governors Island

RSS Sidelines Blogs: Show World

  • Conor Swail Was the Best Bet in $15,000 CSI2* Markel Insurance Welcome at San Juan Capistrano International
  • Lillie Keenan Leads in CHF68,000 South Coast Plaza Welcome Speed at San Juan Capistrano International CSIO5*
  • McLain Ward Wins CSIO5* Longines Grand Prix at San Juan Capistrano International

Category

Recent Posts

  • Zayna Rizvi: Horses from Family to Finals

    By Laura Scaletti Portraits by Melissa Fuller &...
  • Samantha Wolfram: Finding Success in America and Overseas

    By Juliana Chapman Portraits by Kirsten Hannah ...
  • Cedar Potts-Warner: At Liberty and Beyond

    Story and Portraits by Jennifer DeMaro   P...
  • Jordan Melfi: Turning a Secret Horse Life Into a Career

    By Veronica Green-Gott Portraits by Shelly Cart...
  • Olivia Williams: From University of Notre Dame to European Dreamin’

    By Veronica Green-Gott Portraits by Melissa Ful...

Copyright © 1987 - 2021 Sidelines Magazine
Privacy Policy · Returns & Refunds Policy · Hosting by Lucian Web Service
· Login

TOP
Get the Sidelines Scoop — your weekly look behind the scenes.Sign me up!