NEDA Tip of the Hat Nov Dec 2022

N E D A ’ S A W A R D W I N N I N G m A G A z I N E
ATip of the Hat
Nov/Dec 2022

PRESIDENt’S LEttER NovEmbER 2022
A
ll good things must come to
an end at some point. My wonderful
time as NEDA President
has reached that point. My
tenure runs out Nov 30th and with great
sadness I will be stepping down. As I told the
NEDA Board earlier this year, my decision
has nothing to do with the role and everything
to do with my professional job.
I took over as NEDA President Dec 1st,
2019. Mid Dec 2019 I was asked to take on
an additional role at work. I am a Full Professor
in the management department at
Bentley University. In addition to the many
aspects of that job, I was offered the MBA
Program Director job. The MBA program
represents half of our graduate school, it
was a surprise and a huge honor.
In the first few months as President of
NEDA and MBA Director, the pandemic hit.
For various reasons, Bentley suffered significant
leadership turnover. We faced a race
crisis on campus, a complete overhaul in
how and where we taught, and a threat to
enrollments. By fall 2020, my team and I had
designed and rolled out two new programs,
increasing our MBA enrollment by 25%. In
2021, in addition to the expanded programs,
I taught 5 overload courses. This year I am
finally getting to the work I had been hired to
do - redesigning the entire MBA program -
except that this has now been extended to
revitalizing all our graduate degree programs.
I lead a small and dedicated team,
but this is a complicated, time-consuming,
project with a very aggressive timeline. And
as always, nothing was taken off my plate to
make room for this.
During this time NEDA had its own pandemic
related issues to deal with. We had to
work hard to find alternative offerings for our
membership, follow USDF's pandemic
NEDA is a
Group Member
Organization of USDF.
Our members are
automatically USDF
Group members.
policies, and figure out how to keep the bare
bones of the organization running with no
event income. We launched new programs,
moved our Spring Show, brought in a new
Treasurer and Accountant, and dealt with a
myriad of other issues.
I came to the realization early this year
that I cannot do justice to NEDA and my job.
I feel that I am not doing NEDA a service,
am always two steps behind, and not progressing
on projects I wanted to achieve. I
love NEDA and am grateful to the Board and
membership for letting me represent it. It is
time to let someone else take over. The
other option is to retire from my profession,
but Bolero is not quite ready to earn us both
a viable income.
The NEDA Officers spent time talking to
Board members about who might be interested.
Through these discussions, and our
own experiences, we felt this was an opportune
time to reconsider how the NEDA
Board functions. NEDA is taking this leadership
transition as a point of time to reconsider
how we are organized, how our board
functions and is structured, and how we
could become more efficient and effective in
the delivery of all our events and services.
As such the Board approved a Leadership
Transition Committee. The Transition
Committee will work over the next few
months to envision the appropriate Board
operations and leadership. The objective
will be to support functionality and innovation
across NEDA’s activities. The Transition
Committee is comprised of three
Officers plus three Board members. The
initial logistics will be managed by our Secretary,
Heather Stone. The Transition Committee
will choose a chairperson early in
their process.
All NEDA operations will continue to be
managed with care and professionalism.
The membership and our fellow GMO's
need not worry about anything. NEDA is in
good hands.
In closing I want to thank you for the
many comments I received about my presidential
ramblings in these letters, and for the
many wonderful (and sometimes painful)
conversations I have had with members at
events. You have made me feel truly connected
to our community. I ask each one of
you to pass forward that connection, reach
out to others and appreciate their part in
making NEDA a great organization –
whether on the Board, as a member, a volunteer,
a competitor, a trainer, or a family
supporter. It takes a village and NEDA is a
cool village to hang out in. Rest assured that
while I am stepping down as president, I am
not leaving the community. Bolero and I will
be back on the show grounds, hope to see
you there!
Cheers
Iris
Iris
Nov/Dec 2022 NEDA.ORG TIP OF THE HAT 3
PRESIDENt’S PAGE

A Tip of the Hat
Contents:
3 President’s Page
n Education News
5 Congratulations USDF L Graduates
6 Year-End Virtual Banquet Info
7 Letting Joy Be Your Compass
11 NEDA Cleans Up at USDF
GMO Awards!
13 NEDA Know-How Series:
An Interactive Discussion with
Dr. Jenny Susser
16 Donate While You Shop
Amazon Smile Info
n Competition News
17 NEDA Adds New Show to Their Series:
Welcome to the Fall Kickoff Show!
19 NEDA Fall Kickoff Show 2022 Volunteers
19 Congratulations Fred Earnshaw
20 2022 NEDA Calendar
NEDA, Recognized, Schooling,
Virtual Shows & Partners in Ed. Events
n Sport Horse News
21 Ponies Rock!
n Membership News
23 Youth News: Ellie Sloan
24 NEDA says Goodbye to
Dr. Richard Sheehan
25 New Hampshire Report
26 Region 8 News: The Kids are More
Than Alright
27 Rhode Island Report
28 Stallion Paddock
30 Advertising Rates
A Tip of the Hat is a publication of The New England
Dressage Association, Inc., a non-profit, tax exempt
corporation.
MEMBERSHIP QUESTIONS
memberentry@neda.org
A TIP OF THE HAT ADVERTISING
Classified ads must be submitted to the Advertising
Editor via email in plain text (.txt) or word (.doc).
Display ads and photos may be submitted via email
to the Advertising Editor. Ads must be high resolution,
press ready PDFs with all images and fonts embedded
or high resolution TIF, JPG or EPS, MS Word doc templates
are available for your use at neda.org and can be
converted to PDFs.
All ads must be submitted to the Advertising Editor.
Contact: Angela Prenosil
413-627-2699 ▲tipads@neda.org
NEDA 2022 OFFICERS
President:
Iris Berdrow
781-589-6422
president@neda.org
Vice President-Activities:
Kate O’Connor
508-612-6985
vpactivities@neda.org
Vice President-Services:
Jennifer Dillon
508-641-3121
vpservices@neda.org
Secretary:
Heather Stone
617-480-8077
secretary@neda.org
Treasurer:
Cathy Liston
207-572-6124
treasurer@neda.org
COORDINATORS
and MANAGERS
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Education Coordinator :
Karen Roberts
413-478-5671
education@neda.org
Judge Education Manager:
Karry Brothers
518-768-1233
judgeed@neda.org
Symposium Manager:
Beth Beukema
508-320-6549
fallsym@neda.org
COMPETITIONS COMMITTEE
Beth Jenkins
508-655-6490; 508-733-3672
shows@neda.org
Spring Show:
Paul Cormier
508-995-5988; 508-847-2931
springshow@neda.org
Schooling Shows Manager:
Peter Chavonelle, Jr.
schoolingshows@neda.org
Sport Horse/Breed Shows:
Kathy Hickerson
603-673-4344; 603-557-4054
sporthorse@neda.org
Awards Coordinator:
Cathy Liston
awards@neda.org
Year-End Awards:
Viviane Pilicy
yea@neda.org
COORDINATORS and MANAGERS
SPONSORSHIP COMMITTEE
Sponsorship Coordinator:
Kari Cincotta
781-654-7694
sponsorship@neda.org
Sponsor Facilitator:
Emily Larson
203-606-0388
sponsorfacilitator@neda.org
Sponsor Development:
Open
203-606-0388
sponsordev@neda.org
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
Membership Services Coordinator:
Dawn Mackenzie
518-657-1773
membership@neda.org
Board Recruitment:
Open
volunteer@neda.org
Ombudsman:
Lainey Johnson
978-568-0523
ombudsman@neda.org
Member-at-Large:
Jennifer Bagley
860-428-4325
memberatlarge@neda.org
Leslie de Grandmaison
603-759-4642
Sara Carlisle
978-853-8163
Public Relations Coordinator:
Krista Nordgren
207-749-6643
pr@neda.org
Photography:
Carole MacDonald
508-366-7886
photo@neda.org
A TIP OF THE HAT
TIP Editor:
Angela Prenosil
413-627-2699
TipEditor@neda.org
Graphic Design:
June Evers
845-294-0656
jevers@warwick.net
TIP Advertising:
Angela Prenosil
413-627-2699
tipads@neda.org
USDF REGION 8
Regional 8 Director:
Helen van der Voort
region8dir@usdf.org
Regional Youth Coordinator:
Bobbi Carleton
bobbicarleton@aol.com
ADDITIONAL CONTACTS
& OFF-BOARD ROLES
Membership Services:
Tammy Paparella
978-257-1374
region8dir@usdf.org
Summer Show Manager:
Paul Cormier
508-995-5988; 508-847-2931
springshow@neda.org
Northeast Region OPL:
Jennifer Dillon
opl@neda.org
Scholarships:
Amy Bresky
978-270-3880
scholarships@neda.org
Partners in Education Tier 1:
Angela Prenosil
413-627-2699
edpartners1@neda.org
Accountant:
Carol Gordon
774-225-8878
accountant@neda.org
Youth Liaison:
Josie DeChaine
413-464-4911
youth@neda.org
NEDA Stallion Auction, Recruitment:
Open
stallionrecruit@neda.org
NEDA Stallion Auction:
Amy Riley
stallionauction@neda.org
Anja Rittling riding Fuersten-Liebe at Fall
Kickoff Show 2022. Photo: Diane Holston
4 TIP OF THE HAT NEDA.ORG Nov/Dec 2022

Congratulations!
thE foLLoWING cANDIDAtES GRADuAtED
H
fRom thE NEW ENGLAND DRESSAGE ASSocIAtIoN’S
uSDf L EDucAtIoN PRoGRAm fINAL ExAm
(Held September 24-25, 2022, in Saugerties, NY)
H
H
EDucAtIoN NEWS
H
HH
*Madeleine Austin, VT
*Matthew Beasley, CT
Carly Collari, MA
Joy Congdon, VT
Casondra Dillon, ME
Abigail Laukka Hardy, ME
Amy Libby, ME
Cathy Liston, ME
Paula Oliver, PA
*Stephen Ruggiero, CT
*Denotes those who have graduated with distinction from the USDF L Education
Program and may be eligible to enter the USEF/ USDF 'r' Licensed Dressage
Judge Training program. The above USDF L Graduates will be listed on the
USDF website
USDF L Education Program Final Exam Graduates with Lois Yukins
Congratulations again!
A job WELL-DoNE!
R
Nov/Dec 2022 NEDA.ORG TIP OF THE HAT 5

Letting Joy Be
Your Compass
WRITTEN BY: MEREDITH BRISSON, MSW
AND SARAH CARLAN, MSW
EDucAtIoN NEWS
WhAt kEEPS you comING bAck?
What compels you to continue
the familiar routine of
horse-life that requires getting
up early, staying up late,
going to the barn no matter
what the weather, writing endless checks,
and swinging your leg over the saddle -
even when we all know that life with horses
is less than predictable and filled with the
most incredible highs and lows?
How do riders - even when faced with extraordinary
challenges, scary setbacks, and
the inevitable bad-timing life can throw at us -
keep going?
As two mental health professionals
working with equestrians, this is a question
that comes up time and time again. We
want to let you in on the “special sauce” that
we think sets the foundation for resilience
and sustainability when it comes to riding
and training.
The magic is in the micro-moments of
witnessing yourself choosing and taking
action on what is most important to you – or
moments of JOY.
Let’s pause for a quick moment, because
some of you are probably rolling your eyes
and thinking this is going to be another article
filled with “good vibes only” and “turn
that frown upside down” messaging. We
profess the opposite! It is in the spirit of
identifying and accepting the full spectrum
of our emotions and then making intentional
values-based decisions about what steps to
take next, that you can remain anchored to
your “why” and flexible enough to create
meaningful momentum.
joy IS A PRActIcE,
Not A DEStINAtIoN
Why the focus on joy? Because unlike
happiness, which is contingent on external
factors (a compliment from a stranger,
buying a new pair of breeches, or getting a
blue ribbon), joy comes from within. Joy can
be cultivated and accessed despite external
circumstances because it is a function of
your perspective and ability to align with
your values. It is therefore, always within
reach - even in moments that you least
expect it. Your horse show day might not include
a ribbon or a score that the rest of the
horse world deems “a success”, but if what
you value is growth and learning and your
leg yield was 10% better than at the last
show, you can find joy in that moment. By
learning to focus on perspective taking and
values alignment, you are building your capacity
for making choices that amplify joy in
riding, horsemanship, training, and life.
Why IS thIS ImPoRtANt?
We all know that riding, horse care and
the road to success in life is never all sunshine
and roses. But if you can use joy as
your compass for seeking meaning and direction
in any given circumstance, it invites
you to let go of the narratives or “rules” that
are no longer working for you and engage
Nov/Dec 2022 NEDA.ORG TIP OF THE HAT 7

JOY- cont’d
in action steps that feel worthwhile and
meaningful. Approaching circumstances,
especially challenging ones, in this way is
the foundation of resilience. Resilience is
built on grounded optimism where you can
acknowledge the reality of the moment and
then add a perspective of how to connect it
with your values. In doing this you are creating
the opportunity to find joy now and in
the future.
What does this mean or look like in real
life? Let’s start with what it doesn’t mean! It
does not mean that you need to be happy
that your horse came up lame a week
before the show for which you’ve been
training all summer. Frustration, disappointment,
and grief are all valid and understandable
emotions in these circumstances!
What grounded optimism might look like is
allowing yourself to “feel all the feels” before
intentionally pausing to create space for
what is also true and important to you. It
might sound something like this in your
head: “This absolutely sucks AND I realize
that in order to keep my horse sound I need
8 TIP OF THE HAT NEDA.ORG Nov/Dec 2022
to change my strategy. So glad I discovered
this before it was too late.”. This strategy
allows for the full spectrum of emotion and
keeps you grounded in the actions that can
foster joy. In this example, you are inviting
future moments of noticing how the choices
you’ve made in caring and preparing your
horse have created success and greater
wellbeing (i.e., that first show back after recovery
or executing a movement that requires
full strength and mobility).
cuLtIvAtING joy
IN youR RIDING
Joy can be found in moments and even
in micro-moments. It is found in being
present and noticing what makes you feel
connected with your unique “why” and what
“lights you up”. At times you might naturally,
almost unconsciously, be pulled in that direction.
For example, you might have a
routine of going for a hack after a schooling
session in order to take in the beauty of the
seasons and enjoy some moments of relaxation
with your horse - an action in
alignment with your value of connection and
gratitude. You might also look forward to
gathering and decompressing in the stabling
area with your barn mates after a long
day of showing, because you place value in
camaraderie.
Other times leaning into joy may need to
be a more intentional choice and shift -
noticing the first breath of relaxation after a
warmup that was riddled with tension. It
might look like acknowledging the ease
with which you navigated an anxious
moment in your ride because you value
building and maintaining trust in your relationship
with your horse. Once you begin
practicing noticing these moments, they will
seem to multiply. It’s a beautiful mental
muscle to build!
LEt’S bREAk thIS DoWN!
1. Identify what you value (i.e., what’s
most important to you) in your relationship
with your horse and in your
training philosophy. When doing this, it’s
important to differentiate between goals
and values. Goals are destinations –
they are finite (“I want to qualify for Regionals
this year”). Values on the other
hand are the direction you are headed
(“I want to prioritize building trust” or
“Being in community is important to
me”). Values are the how and the why.
Some questions that might help you
define this are:
n What is most important to you in your
riding?
n What do you find most meaningful?
n What qualities do you want to
embody in your riding/relationship
with your horse?
n How would you like people to characterize
you as a horse person?
n What is important to you about how
you engage with your horse?
2. Use this to identify action steps that
point in the direction of joy:
n Look creatively at the circumstance
you are currently in. How might you
make it more engaging, fulfilling and
in alignment with your values? What
small step can you take in this
moment that might bring you even
5% closer to what’s important to you?
3. Use “AND” to help find a perspective
that creates the possibility and opportunity
for joy. Allow yourself to identify

JOY- cont’d
what is hard about the current situation.
Add an AND to include an acknowledgment
of what matters (value) and/or
something you are grateful for. Example:
I made a frustrating mistake in
that test AND it gives me really valuable
information about how I need to show
up and focus for my next test.
kEEP thE “mAGIc”
IN thE mIx
As you set off on your daily training ride
or grapple with a season that didn’t quite go
as planned, we challenge you to remember
to include the “secret sauce” of joy as a part
of the equation for how to proceed. Using
joy as your compass gives you the opportunity
to find your inner strength. It is not a
path to avoiding certain experiences or
emotional states. Rather, it is about knowing
you have the strength and resilience to navigate
the inevitable ups and downs that will
come your way. Moving in the direction of
joy keeps you “in it” with deep intention and
a choice to turn towards what matters.
Doing more of what matters keeps you
coming back for more. Let's keep creating
the space within us that sparks the joy of
our equestrian journey… step by step,
stride by stride!
Meredith Brisson, LICSW and Sarah
Carlan, MSW are both lifelong horse
women and professionals in the counseling
and coaching fields, with a particular
focus in working with equestrian
riders and trainers. They enjoy collaborating
in their work as it highlights their
mutual value in community and connection.
To learn more about each of their
private coaching practices please go to
www.meredithbrisson.com and
www.sarahcarlan.com
Advertise!
BIZ CARD
AS LOW AS $55
FOR NEDA MEMBERS!
10 TIP OF THE HAT NEDA.ORG Nov/Dec 2022

Cleans Up
at
USDF
GMO Awards!
Congratulations!
Best Overall Layout and Design
for a GMO with 500 or more members:
NEDA website
Best Amateur Photograph
for GMOs with 500 or more members:
Paul Cormier
Best First-Person Experience Article
for GMOs with 500 or more members:
Iris Berdrow
“My Florida Immersive Training Program”
Honorable Mention General Interest Article
for GMOs with 500 or more members:
Suzy Frazer
“Young Rider Development and Tips for our Youth Aspiring
Riders”
EDucAtIoN NEWS
NEDA is looking
for members who
are interested in
representing
their state!
Reach out to
membership@neda.org
Nov/Dec 2022 NEDA.ORG TIP OF THE HAT 11

NEDA kNoW-hoW
SERIES
An Interactive Discussion with
Dr. Jenny Susser ─
EmPty tANk SyNDRomE:
Why RESILIENcE IS Not ENouGh
EDucAtIoN NEWS
NEDA
BY SUSAN SELLEW
was delighted to welcome
back sports psychologist
Dr. Jenny Susser to its Know-How series on
March 24th. Her topic at our zoom meeting
was Personal Energy and how our energy
affects us and, specifically, our riding. She
is an advocate of keeping a journal, so it
was no surprise that when using the Chat
feature to interact with listeners, she asked
us to use pencil and paper to discover
things about ourselves.
Dr. Susser has been studying and researching
personal energy and how to
manage and increase it for a decade. Initially,
she thought it was two-dimensional—you
either have energy or you are tired. However,
when she started to study it in depth, she discovered
that personal energy is difficult to
measure because it is actually multi-dimensional.
In addition, and important to riders
and non-riders alike, she discovered that we
can learn to create more energy.
Why is energy so important?
The pandemic brought to everyone’s attention
the topic of burnout, especially in the
health care and teaching professions. She
asked if we would be willing to talk in the
Chat about what we were experiencing regarding
our energy and burnout. Responses
came from people who are clergy, first responders,
critical care nurses, educators,
and psychotherapists. We are all feeling this,
no matter what our profession, and Covid
has drawn this out of the shadows and onto
center stage. Through Dr. Susser’s research
on burnout in nurses, she learned that it’s not
new. It has been an epidemic since 1980!
Dr. Susser’s mission is to raise our
awareness about energy and how to improve
it. For years, this subject didn’t exist
DR. SuSSER’S mISSIoN
IS to RAISE ouR
AWARENESS About
ENERGy AND hoW to
It
qImPRovE
because energy was so difficult to measure.
To raise your level of awareness about
energy you will need to develop a
database—your personal reference point—
so that you know when you are deviating
from this baseline. The pandemic crushed
our energy baselines, and we are struggling
to recover. Dr. Susser asked, “When you are
exhausted, how well do you: think, move,
feel, create, connect, sleep…” the list goes
on and on and includes ride. Studies show
that when you have had four hours or less of
sleep, you test cognitively as if you are
legally drunk. The problem is that you do not
realize that you are making bad choices. In
Dr. Jenny Susser
this exhausted state, you don’t feel well, you
cannot connect with other people, your
memory is impaired, and learning and understanding
disappear. She asked, “How do you
ride when you are tired?” One listener mentioned
it is hard to be empathetic toward
one’s horse in this state.
Dr. Susser presented Maslow’s Hierarchy
of Needs pyramid that shows how we
function. As we move up the pyramid from
having our basic safety needs met, we see
that our capacities increase and grow. The
interesting thing about burnout is that we
get stuck in the lower levels of the pyramid.
Originally our basic needs had to do with
safety and food, but now that we do not
have to worry about sabretooth tigers, our
priorities have become emotional and psychological
where we worry about our jobs
and our ability to make ends meet. Our
thoughts are capable of bringing us down
from the higher levels of the pyramid to the
basic survival needs. It’s harder to generate
empathy, generosity, curiosity, connection—
all higher brain functions that require
energy. If your brain thinks you are in sur-
Nov/Dec 2022 NEDA.ORG TIP OF THE HAT 13

NKH - SERIES- cont’d
vival mode, it will hijack energy, which is
why you cannot get out of basic survival
needs mode and furthers your exhaustion.
What is “personal energy”?
Dr. Susser presented another pyramid. The
base of this four-tiered pyramid is physical,
followed by emotional, mental, and spiritual.
This is a multi-dimensional way of thinking
about energy was developed by Dr. Jim
Loehr. It’s easy to think about our physical
needs: eat, sleep, and drink. There are two
types of emotional needs—positive and negative—you
feel good or bad or anywhere between
on the spectrum. Our mental needs
are how well we can focus and, as everyone
has witnessed for themselves, we find it difficult
to focus when tired. Our spiritual energy
is our connection to things that bring
meaning to our lives. You can always tap into
spiritual energy like a 24-hour gas station,
and it is very powerful but, if you are exhausted,
it is difficult to get there. You actually
have to have a bit of energy to connect
with spiritual energy.
The pandemic created a perfect storm
with everything else going on in the world,
and many people have not recovered emotionally.
Dr. Susser recommends that if you
are limping along and not talking about your
feelings, you need to do so. Find a friend or
confidante to share your feelings with, she
advised. “When your emotional stuff is burdensome,
being not well is a much greater
burden than talking about it.”
Physical energy is multi-dimensional. If
you are feeling unenergetic physically, you
can create some energy emotionally, and it
will flow up and down the pyramid. For instance,
you can create energy mentally by
playing Wordle or working on a puzzle, and
you can create physical energy by going for
a walk.
What is resilience?
Resilience has been defined as bouncing
back, like the Bobo the clown punching bag;
we just suck it up and keep on going. Dr.
Susser feels that we are all resilient if we are
here but feels it has turned into a badge of
honor that is not necessarily a good thing: “I
can take it, I can take it, until you just can’t
take it anymore,” she cautions. We have to
find a way to take care of ourselves and restore
our balance rather than over stress our
bodies which can lead to a heart attack
among other physical problems.
Low Energy
We make mistakes when our energy is low.
Use your pencil and paper (journal) to
connect with these five questions:
n What does it feel like to have
low energy?
n What does it look like?
n What kind of things do you say?
n What kind of things do you do?
n What kind of things do you avoid?
There were numerous Chat comments in
response to these questions, and I recommend
you listen to the presentation on the
NEDA website to capture them all, but here
are a few of Dr. Susser’s responses:
n Carbs are your friend when exercising
because, when your energy is low,
your brain goes into survival mode.
Carbs are fat that feed energy to our
bodies for survival.
n Spending time with your horse is a
good way to recover energy.
NEDA KNOW-HOW WEEKLY WEBINAR SERIES
NEDA KNOW-HOW
is BACK!
Every Thursday night
in Jan., Feb., & March
It’s FREE!
Need more info:
membership@neda.org
SCAN HERE
FOR INFO
AND LINK TO
SCHEDULE
14 TIP OF THE HAT NEDA.ORG Nov/Dec 2022

n Scrolling on FB generates dopamine
which is why it is so addictive.
n Meditating is an important tool for recovering
energy.
Recovery: the key to energy
What happens to you when your energy is
high? What does it feel like? There were lots
of Chat comments here, too. Dr. Susser says
that what we are missing is balance. We are
apt to try to get everything accomplished
when we have energy and then we crash.
Don’t do that. Instead, learn to expend
energy and recover energy to stay in
balance. We don’t focus enough on recovering
energy. Begin to think about recovering
your energy the way you think about your
horse’s recovery after exercise; we are much
better at taking care of our horse’s energy
than we are our own.
If spending energy is easy, how do you
“recover” energy? How do you put gas in the
tank? What helps you feel like you are
getting energy back? Chat comments included:
sleep, exercise, getting outdoors,
walking your horse, laughing, talking with
friends, yoga, meditation, and more.
Dr. Susser said that it is important to
focus our intent on recovering energy. Most
of us don’t think of these things as recovering
energy; they feel like treats. However, we
should do these things every day because
they make us feel good. This is where we
fail, because we make these things feel like
special occasions, not everyday occurrences
which is what they should be.
Sleep is the ultimate recovery, but you
need to have energy to fall asleep. If you are
exhausted when you fall into bed, you are
unlikely to sleep well. The more you can
balance your energy throughout the day, the
less you will need sleep as a dramatic rehabilitative
event, and your sleep becomes
more natural and restful. The circadian
rhythm of darkness releases melatonin in
your brain but popping melatonin pills is not
enough. The brain’s lymphatic system does
not begin to remove free radicals in the brain
until you’ve had seven hours of sleep.
Energy & Performance
The better your energy is, the better you will
perform. Dr. Susser wants us to have a
strategy and plan for what we need to do to
maintain energy for a horse show (or any
other important activity), and to practice it
before the show. Include it in your list of
things to bring to a show: hay, shavings, etc.
She calls the 45 seconds when you circle the
outside of the arena before entering the ring
the “dead zone” because it takes a
tremendous amount of energy to transition
from warming up to going down the center
line. You need to conserve energy so that
you have enough left to ride your test. Limit
or avoid activities that cost you energy while
giving you nothing in return. One suggestion
NKH - SERIES- cont’d
is to write down every little thing you have to
do at the show so that you don’t have to keep
running through that list in your brain.
Dr. Susser’s contact information is: Dr-
Jenny@DrJenny.com and www.Empty-
TankSyndrome.com
Nov/Dec 2022 NEDA.ORG TIP OF THE HAT 15

Support NEDA everytime you shop at no cost to you!
Key this link into your browser:
httPS://SmILE.AmAzoN.com/ch/23-7243296
When the link opens, click the button!
And NEDA gets 0.5% of your purchase at no cost to you!
16 TIP OF THE HAT NEDA.ORG Nov/Dec 2022

NEDA Adds New Show
to Their Series:
Welcome
to the
comPEtItIoN NEWS
Fall Kickoff
Show!
BY KASEY FEOLA
In September, Apple Knoll Farm welcomed dressage competitors
back to their facility for the inaugural NEDA Fall Kickoff
Show. As a Level 2 recognized competition, the show was not
only a qualifying competition for the 2023 GAIG/USDF Regional
Championships but also a chance for riders to earn scores for both the
2022 National Dressage Pony Cup and the 2022 NEDA Series of National
Dressage Pony Cup. The kickoff show was a late addition to the
competitive calendar but addressed the NEDA board’s desire to offer a
geographically friendly opportunity to get scores, show miles, and memories
before the 2022 GAIG/ USDF Regionals and the 2022 show
season officially comes to a close in the Northeast. (Goodbye, snowbirds,
we barely knew ye!)
Continued →
Left: Praire Mulligan and Michelle Ganno-Sherwood. Right: Kerstin
Laudemann on E'Toile JKA. Photos: Diane Holston. Bottom right photo: Leah Drew
Nov/Dec 2022 NEDA.ORG TIP OF THE HAT 17

FALL KICK OFF- cont’d
A hot September sun dawned on a full
horse show comprising of two arenas judged
by well-known ‘S’ officiants, Lois Yukins (MA)
and loyal NEDA Member Jeanne McDonald
(PA). Securing top judges was a high priority
for show organizers. As Fall Kickoff Show
brainstormer, Beth Jenkins, stated, “We
wanted to give anyone who had upcoming Regionals
rides a chance to get critical insights
from accomplished judges, but we knew that
all our competitors would benefit from the
feedback of an experienced judge.”
Open Second Level Competitor, Kerstin
Laudemann, of Essex, MA attended the NEDA
Fall Kick Off to give her gelding, L'Etoile JKA
(AKA “Linus”), more show experience in
preparation for his Second Level championship
debut at HITS later that month. When
asked for feedback Kerstin enthusiastically responded,
“I appreciate any opportunity to
attend a day show in our neck of the woods.
It’s easier when you don’t have to travel out of
state for good shows.”
Adult Amateur Competitor, Anja Rittling,
echoed Kerstin’s opinions. “I wish Massachusetts
had more local day shows, and the
NEDA Fall Kickoff checked those boxes.” Anja
Kasey with Princess
Salute. Photo: Leah Drew
was close enough that she could shuttle her two
horses, Felicia CHF and Fuersten-Liebe (AKA
“Filou”), between their show times from her
stable at her home.
Both riders went on to have extremely successful
Championship rides and they credit
the NEDA Fall Kickoff Show for a boost of
last-minute confidence in the Championship
arena. Anja and Filou earned their titles as
the 2022 Region 8 AA Training Level Champions.
Kerstin and Linus placed fifth in the
Open Division of the Region 8 Second Level
Championships.
Regional Championships were not the only
things on the minds of competitors at the Fall
Kickoff Show. Kerri Papanicholas was there to
ride the Pony Cup test on her small but fierce
German Riding Pony, Codex One. Their eyes
were set on getting scores for the NEDA Pony
series and Kerri enjoyed the addition of the
Kickoff show to her calendar. “The show was
well run, and the show was low stress enough
that all of us could just focus on showing.”
By the time the last salute was given, nearly
eighty-one riders had ridden down centerline
and trailered their horses away with either past
goals achieved, or future ones inspired. The
NEDA board and show volunteers delivered the
show both NEDA members and fellow dressage
needed to squeeze in show experience and
create memories within our very special community.
Show organizers hope to see equal attendance
and reception at the tentatively
scheduled 2023 NEDA Fall Kickoff show!
Canine Correspondent, Princess,
on the NEDA Fall Kick Off Show
I had a ball at the Fall Kickoff Show with my
mom and big brother. Riders looked quite
fetching in their show outfits. Colors are allowed
these days, but I couldn’t tell either way. Show
volunteers gave lots of pets and kept competitors
on a short leash. Some coaches really
hound their students in the warm-up but it’s all
to help them achieve their ultimutt goals. Remember,
riders, anything is pawsible. Don’t stop
retrieving!
Princess and Viviane
18 TIP OF THE HAT NEDA.ORG Nov/Dec 2022

NEDA FALL KiCKOFF sHOW
2022 VOLUNTEERs
Volunteers Never Die:
Beth Jenkins (on left) has been volunteering to NEDA for 50
years since early 1970’s. Fred Earnshaw (center), steward
at the show, has been volunteering to NEDA for some 40
years, starting as manager of the NEDA Fall Festival Breed
Show in the 1990’s and now a valued steward. On right is
Beth’s granddaughter Kay Jenkins, age 13, a newbie volunteer,
her first time working alone. She was formally a runner, but
quickly had a walkie talkie and was also helping Fred with
steward duties.
Thank You!!!
Congratulations
to the “Volunteer Award”
Fred Earnshaw
Award donated
by Leslie de Grandmaison
voLuNtEERS
Kathryn Banner
Maggie Beauregard
Sara Bradley
Carly Collari
Dotti Dawson
Fred Earnshaw
Diane Holston
Kay Jenkins
Carole MacDonald
Dawn Mackenzie
Mary Marvuglio
Anne McCann
Kate O’Connor
Kathy Schimmoller
comPEtItIoN NEWS
Thank You!!!
Nov/Dec 2022 NEDA.ORG TIP OF THE HAT 19

comPEtItIoN NEWS
2022 NEDA CALENDAR
Find out how you can get your event listed in the 2023 calendar!
Go to NEDA.org
20 TIP OF THE HAT NEDA.ORG Nov/Dec 2022

PoNIES Rock!!!
In 2019 New England Dressage
Association’s sport horse committee
introduced the Pony Division to their
dressage sport horse breed (DSHB)
show prize lists, as National Dressage
Pony Cup Partner-Series events. In the
years since, returning participants and
newcomers have kept the division alive.
The National Dressage Pony Cup launched
their Partner Show Program in 2019 as a
way to work with show management on
showcasing the talents of ponies. In 2021
NEDA created a NEDA Pony Series yearend
program, with qualifying scores from
the NDPC Partner-Series Test of Choice
classes at the NEDA Spring, Summer &
Fall shows counting towards a Mounted
Pony award, and scores from NDPC Pony
Division classes at New England shows
counting towards an In-Hand Pony award.
As the appeal for smaller mounts for
dressage has grown, breeders have recognized
the need to produce prospects with
correct, quality gaits and strong minds. The
pony division offers an opportunity to show
without the concerns of prejudice from
competing against larger-bodied & largerstrided
competitors- a factor a number of
pony-division participants have experienced
in the past.
As this year’s NEDA Dressage Sport
Horse Breed show at Avalon Farm in NY
approached, wheels were put in motion for
the NEDA event to include not only the
USDF North East Series Breeders Championship,
but the National Dressage Pony
Cup Breed Championship as well. The
NDPC Breed Championship brought a diverse
list of breeds including Haflingers,
Connemaras, Welsh Cobs, Oldenburg and
German riding ponies, judged by Susan
Graham White and Gwen Ka’awaloa.
Participating in DSHB pony division may
seem daunting for those who are new to it.
Photo: Spotted Vision Photography
Photo: Kristin Deluca
Y
Delphine DN with
Shane Diel Owned
by Heidi Humphrey
Heidi first became involved
with DSHB shows 9 years
ago. After her daughter
moved on to horses, Heidi’s
interest in ponies remained.
Interested in bringing more
impulsion & freedom of
movement to ponies in the
US, she began her journey
as a breeder. Her trainer-
Harry Diel, found Delphine
DN in Germany as a 3yo in
2018, and since then she
has proven to be a wonderful
mare & a part of
Heidi’s Breeding program.
Pop Rocks FF,
pictured with
owner- Angela Rice
Angela is an advocate
for dressage poniescompeting
and breeding.
She aims to produce horses
& ponies with solid movement,
good brains and
rideability, with broodmares
that she’s enjoyed
riding, and she has trained
or ridden several of the
stallions she breeds to.
Pop Rocks FF is one of the
ponies Angela enjoyed
competitive success with at
the 2022 NEDA National
Dressage Pony Cup Breed
Championship.
SPoRt hoRSE NEWS
The DSHB pony division is structured
similarly to the USDFBC qualifying division.
Classes are offered for foals, yearlings, 2-
Nov/Dec 2022 NEDA.ORG TIP OF THE HAT 21

PONIES- cont’d
Weatogue Stables, LLC
Bobbi Carleton
Manager & Head Trainer
n USEF ‘r’ Judge
n USDF Gold Medalist
Photo: Susan Sexton
Amenties
include:
n Comfortable,
matted stalls -many
with Dutch doors!
n Heated wash stalls
n Dust-free & heated
indoor arena
n All new dust-free
outdoor arena
n Pasture turnout
n Premium horse care
n Lessons
-Dressage
-Hunt Seat
n Horse Training/
Conditioning
n Coaching at Shows
33 Weatogue Rd.
Salisbury, CT
860-824-7808
860-307-8531 (cell)
and 3-year-olds, mares, and stallions, with championship
classes based on age and gender. While
ponies may cross into the open division (and often
do with great success) scores earned in the pony
division are not qualifiers for the USDFBC series.
A USEF pony card is required for ponies 3 or
older to compete. Annual temporary measurements
are taken until a permanent card is issued
for ponies 8 years or older. Individuals under 3 of
pony breeding and/or with verification of dam/sire
size, may compete without measurement. It is advisable
that competitors check rule books and the
prize list for the most current requirements regarding
entry eligibility.
A common question from those new to DSHB
or the Pony division is if ponies are judged with a
different set of criteria. The score sheets for
prospects or mature horses are the same for the
open and pony division. There is no sliding scale
for scores. The conformation, temperament, and
movement of the ponies- even of the same breed,
can vary greatly, but what they all share is a
breeders’ goal of promoting soundness & athleticism
for sport.
The NEDA and NDPC board members, and the
breeders participating in the events, have a
wealth of knowledge to share. As many DSHB
pony-division participants will agree with, though
the hustle & bustle of a busy show weekend there
is a camaraderie among the “pony people!”
Connie Brown
Advertise!
BIZ CARD
AS LOW AS $55
FOR NEDA MEMBERS!
22 TIP OF THE HAT NEDA.ORG Nov/Dec 2022

Youth News
CHATTiNg WiTH:
Ellie Sloan
YOUTH
CORNER
mEmbERShIP NEWS
Who are you and where in Region 8
are you from?
My name is Ellie Sloan, and I am 14 years
old, and I am from Rhode Island. My pony
Bing is a 14.2hh pinto German Riding
Pony that I have had for 2 years.
How long have you been riding and
how did you get started in dressage?
I have been riding for almost nine years
now. I got into riding mainly through my
mom, who had horses growing up, and
suggested I try horseback riding when I
was looking for a sport I liked. I ended up
really enjoying riding horses.
Why or how did you choose dressage
as your discipline?
After 3 years of taking weekly lessons,
I was able to lease my first pony, Mylo.
He was a little 14-hh grey hunter pony.
The barn that I was at (and currently am
at) did a lot of dressage and a little jumping.
I ended up doing way more dressage than
I at the time would have liked, as Mylo
needed more Flat Work. After a couple of
years of working with him, I started to like
dressage more than jumping because he
was starting to understand what I was
asking him. So, once I ended up getting
Bing, dressage was even more fun than
I thought because I was able to have a
horse teach me how to do all of the fun
movements.
If you were to compete in any other
discipline, what would it be?
I actually do compete in other disciplines!
Bing and I do a little bit of jumpers and
eventing. Over the summer a couple of
people from our barn went out and did
a couple of jumper shows and towards
the fall we did some events.
What is a goal you have?
My goal for next summer is to show the
FEI Ponies and possibly go to Lamplight
if it works out. And as well as doing FEI
Ponies I would like to continue showing
third level.
What is your favorite event on
the NEDA calendar?
My favorite event on the NEDA calendar
would have to either be NEDA Spring at
Fieldstone!
Have you taken advantage of any
of the scholarships NEDA offers?
If so, which one?
I have not applied for any scholarships
NEDA offers as I have just turned 14, so I
have been too young in past years.
What is something you have accomplished
that you are proud of?
Something that I have accomplished that
I am proud of is earning my Bronze Medal
this past summer with my pony Bing!
NEDA is important to me because…
NEDA is Important to me because it has
great opportunities to volunteer, attend
clinics, compete at shows, and apply for
scholarships.
Dressage to me is…
Improving a horse's natural way of going,
by making them loose, supple, balanced,
etc. to help them become a happier
athlete and have a good base for any
other discipline.
When I'm not at the barn, I'm …
Probably doing school because I do it
online! I normally wake up do my school
for the day, then head to the barn for the
rest of the day. I am almost always at the
barn because I ride, clip most of the
horses, and help out with Riding camp
over the summer.
Ellie with Benno's
Watermark, aka Bing
Photo: Josie DeChaine
Josie DeChaine, NEDA Youth Liason
We are now entering the beginning
of fluffy pony and heavy-weight
blanket season! Some of us are lucky
to escape to the south, while others
brave the Region 8 weather.
Have tips or stories about your New
England winters or seasons under the
palm trees? Do you want to be our next
interview? Email: youth@neda.com!
Nov/Dec 2022 NEDA.ORG TIP OF THE HAT 23

mEmbERShIP NEWS
NEDA sAYs gOODBYE TO
DR. RICHARD
SHEEHAN
R
Our dressage community
has many supports, one of
which is our veterinarians.
Early in October NEDA said
goodbye to Dr. Richard Sheehan, age 91,
the husband of Jane Sheehan, a forty-year
NEDA Board Member from 1980 until 2020.
“Dr. Dick” as a boy from East Boston got
a job cooling out thoroughbreds at Suffolk
Downs Racetrack. He quit school to follow
the track circuit only to be drafted into the
Korean War. After active duty the GI Bill
enabled him to finish high school, enter pre
veterinary school at UMass and then
graduate with a DVM from Cornell. He
married Jane in 1956 and started an illustrious
career at the New England race-
tracks, as well a myriad of professional organizations.
He also established a clinic at
their home in Mansfield MA where he
treated local equines.
In the 1970s, Doc served on a committee
whose work resulted in the establishment
by Tufts University of the Cummings School
of Veterinary Medicine. One of his favorite
projects during retirement, had been assisting
with the New England Veterinary
Scholarship Trust which raises funds to
defer costs for students attending vet
school. He also funded an endowed award
(Richard J. Sheehan Award) for a Tufts
graduate showing proficiency in equine
medicine and surgery, as well as establishing
a fund for the Equine library.
Dr. Richard Sheehan DVM
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to
the New England Veterinary Scholarship Trust
in his honor. https://www.veterinaryscholarshiptrust.org/donate.html
or Veterinary
Scholarship Trust of New England P.O. Box
3221 North Attleboro, MA 02761
To send his family a message of condolence,
please visit www.shermanjackson.com.
24 TIP OF THE HAT NEDA.ORG Nov/Dec 2022

Kristin Wagner NH Rep
Olympites SSF (Secret x Donatelli x Jazz)
Photo: Dallys Mallefant Photography
Starlette MG (Five Star x Schroeder x Silvano), First
Premium, 2nd in class. Photo: Kathy Hickerson
New Hampshire Report
At the time of this writing, the
beautiful NH fall season has just
started which means championships
not just for riding but also the New
England Breed Show circuit and the
KWPN Dutch warmblood registry Keuring
(nothing to do with coffee pods)

mEmbERShIP NEWS
Sara and Dawn are butting in here, reporting
live from the Social Media and Membership
offices at NEDA, where we have put
together a Youth Committee and are
wishing we had done so years ago!
Our “meetings” are just a group text with
NEDA Youth Liaison Josie DeChaine, Leah
Tenney, Rose Keller, and Leah Drew. In the
beginning, we were worried about trying to
keep up with the notifications, but these
young ladies are a window to such a wonderful
part of our membership- we are enthusiastic
subscribers to the NEDA youth
hype team! They are offering us a shot of
energy, communication savvy, perhaps a
few new slang words, a connection with our
up-and-comers hustling through the afterschool
hours, and we are so grateful for
their work to support NEDA.
REgiON 8 News
The Kids ARE moRE thAN Alright
We hear from your parents, determined
to get every ounce of value we can find for
you - and we love their partnership in that!
We get to see you on social media posting
the good, the hard, the vulnerable; commenting
in support of each other, cheering
on fellow riders who have moved beyond
Region 8, and maybe those who are no
longer technically “youth”. When Year End
Awards season arrives, those of you in the
spotlight have shared wonderful, very real
Youth Thank You Note from Region 8 NAYC
stories of what it took to get there, and we
hear from our other members how inspired
those stories leave everyone.
We see you. We’re cheering for you. Do
not, under any circumstances, stop trying.
Sarah & Dawn
We hope you will all join us in encouraging
them on their various journeys. Wish
a young rider good luck when you see them
at a show, reach out to them on social
media to cheer them on and ask questions
when they manage the NEDA accounts,
and congratulate any successes you see
reported in the Tip via emailing Josie at
youth@neda.org. We guarantee they love
to hear from you, and your day will be
brighter from talking to them.
We can only thank them adequately with
a love letter to the youth of our organization:
You inspire us all. You don’t just wear
your hearts on your sleeves, you saddle
them up and ride them into the showrings
that we adults are nervous to enter. You
don’t just show up to educational sessions
online, you email questions ahead of time,
you examine the recordings, you want to
KNOW! Perhaps the most inspirational of
all: you cheer each other on. Wildly!
26 TIP OF THE HAT NEDA.ORG Nov/Dec 2022

Kathryn Banner RI Rep
Rhode Island Report
mEmbERShIP NEWS
Three Rhode Island pairs, Naomi Weizenbaum on Story,
Sarah Rivers on Bryn, and myself on Silhouette packed up
our trailers and made the l-o-n-g 20-minute trip across
state lines to Meghan Hamilton’s Sleepy Hollow Farm for
a rigorous rider biomechanics clinic with the great Mary Wanless. All
three of us characterized the 3-day session as life-changing. Our
major impression: It is amazing how seemingly minor adjustments
in body position (even one leg) can make major improvements for
the horse and its way of going. Sarah the trainer, Naomi an intermediate
rider, and myself the novice all benefitted from Mary’s keen
eye and ability to communicate to each of us using visualizations,
anatomic cues, and (for me) the dreaded exercise bands! My seat
will never be the same! (I can only hope…..)
I tried to go through the USDF Area 8 Regionals show program
to find Rhode Island riders but alas, the rider home states weren’t
listed. If any Rhode Islanders would like to share their experiences
at Regionals and certainly USDF Finals, please drop me a line!!! I
would also love to hear from our South and Kent Counties and Blackstone
Valley DQ’s as well!
Good Luck to all NEDA members at Finals and Happy Holidays
from your Rhody Reporter,
Karyn Banner
RIdressage@neda.org or message me on FB/instagram
WE NEED you AS A NEDA
StAtE REP, SCAN HERE!
Mary Wanless
NEDA EDUCATIONAL
SCHOLARSHIPS
NEDA members please take note -
Scholarships are currently available
for qualified applicants...
that could be you!
The next deadline for scholarship
applications is June 1st!
To receive an application or an
informational brochure about the
Scholarship Program. Go to:
http://www.neda.org/?page=SCHMAIN
Amy Bresky
Scholarship Chairman
3403 Youngs Rd., Southern Pines, NC 28387
Phone: (978) 270-3880
E-mail: scholarships@neda.org
Don’t Miss the Deadline!
Nov/Dec 2022 NEDA.ORG TIP OF THE HAT 27

Stallion Paddock 2022
28 TIP OF THE HAT NEDA.ORG Nov/Dec 2022

Top quality KWPN young horses,
foals, and imports.
Standing three of the most exciting stallions in North America,
Gaudi (Totilas x DeNiro)
Jaleet SSF (Atleet x Plain’s Liberator)
Floris SSF (Negro x Elegant)
Nov/Dec 2022 NEDA.ORG TIP OF THE HAT 29

STALLION PADDOCK - cont’d
ADVERTISING INFORMATION
Advertise in the TIP!
It’s inexpensive and it works!
Below are advertising rates and sizes.
Go online for more details on advertising.
Or contact: Angela Prenosil 413-627-2699
▲ tipads@neda.org
Advertising three
issues in a row
dramatically
increases
your results!
CIRCULATION:
1,400 dedicated
Dressage riders
with pass along beyond
original recipient!
DISPLAY ADS FOR PRINTED & ONLINE PUBLICATION (monthly, per issue)
Member
Non-Member
Full Page (portrait) 8.625” w x 11.125” h $275 $330
Half Page (portrait) 4.875” w x 8.5” h $181.50 $209
Half Page (landscape) 7.5” w x 4.75” h $165 $192.50
1/3 Page (portrait) 4.875” w x 4.75” h $137.50 $165
1/3 Page (landscape) 7.5” w x 3” h $137.50 $165
Quarter Page 3.5” w x 4.75” h $110 $137.50
Business Card 3.5” w x 2” h $55 $71.50
Advertorial 2 - 4 pages $750 $900
30 TIP OF THE HAT NEDA.ORG Nov/Dec 2022

Tip of the Hat
New England Dressage
Association
87 Henry Rd
North Yarmouth, ME 04097
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Advertise in the Tip!
BIZ CARD AS LOW AS $55 FOR MEMBERS!
Member: $55 per issue
Non-Member: $71.50 per issue
Email: tipads@neda.org