I hope that everyone is coming to the Weekend Educational Program that Dressage4kids puts on. We have a truly amazing program this year. A full day just for kids competing at the FEI level or getting ready to. This should be required of all riders planning to try out for NAJYRC (which is being moved to KY, lots closer than CO!) Also a full day on How to Teach -- this is a unique program for all instructors and also should be a requirement. There is a three sessions series for Supporting (not smothering) your competitor for parents and instructors. We are also honored to have two wonderful vets -- Brendan Furlong will speak about Keeping the Dressage Horse Sound -- he has been the team vet at numerous Olympics, World Games, etc. and Michael Stewart will talk about the new treatments for laminitis as well as the mental and physical aproach to preventing burnout in the horse. There will be special programs for pony clubbers and special sessions for little kids. There are also sessions just for parents. And general talks cover stable management, riding theory, judging, and going to the Olympics as a Groom. All the info will be on the dressage4kids website shortly. And best of all thanks to very generous sponsorship the fees are very low.
I want to thank all the amazing people who have been part of my life in 2008. None of the things for which I get credit would happen without the efforts of many people behind the scenes. Those who have written me lovely notes, Thank You. Those of you who have challenged me, I thank you. Those of you who have shared your love of horses, and learning with me -- how lucky we are.
I want to wish everyone a wonderful 2009 -- it's going to be a challenging year, but we are up to it, I know we are.
