DRESSAGE CLUB TEAM SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY 12866 A History of Dressage at Skidmore: August '02 issue of USDF Connection. Skidmore Dressage Member Rides at J&W Nationals! Margaret Bailey, 04, qualified during the 01-02 show season for the chance to ride at the Inter-Collegiate Dressage Nationals, held at Johnson & Wales University. Bailey qualified as one of four from the Northeast region. She came in 7th at Training Level 4. Dressage Team Gets the Boot in Van Lennep Controversy ... Matt Hancock, Opinions Editor, The Skidmore News, 23 February 2001   What is Dressage? Webster's defines Dressage as "the execution by a horse of complex maneuvers in response to barely perceptible movements of a riders' hands, legs, seat and weight." Simply, dressage is the basic training of both horse and rider. Dressage at the highest level of competition tests rhythm, balance, harmony, and suppleness of the horse and rider. Interscholastic Dressage offers the opportunity to learn and compete at three different levels: USDF Introductory, a walk-trot division for riders new to dressage; AHSA Training Level, in which riders perform at the walk, trot, and canter; and AHSA First Level, for students riding with knowledge of the "balance and thoroughness" dressage training seeks to create in the horse. For more information, contact the United States Dressage Federation. How do the shows work? All competitors in the interscholastic shows ride horses provided by the host school; because of this, riders are not responsible for shipping costs, bathing, or braiding horses. Each team has four members, and each school can have up to two teams. One member rides at First Level, one at Intro Level, and two at Training Level. The lowest of the four scores is dropped from the overall team total. Each team draws a set of horses, and riders have ten minutes to warm up the unfamiliar horse before performing before a judge. At the end of the day, the score sheets are returned with judge's comments to help the competitors improve their rides at the next show. If I make the team, how much time should I plan for? The team, as it stands, is in-active. It is student run and desperate for members, so try-outs will not be held. We do, however, look for team spirit and a desire to learn about dressage. Riders of all abilities are encouraged to attend campus meetings. The team officers will help dedicated new members by organizing weekly lessons at a Saratoga stable. We will each try to attend the lessons of our fellow teammates so that when show season begins, each rider will feel that he or she has the support needed to ride their best. Generally, there is one unmounted team meeting a week as well. Typically there are four-six shows per semester; always on weekends. Traveling time is involved to the away shows. What can I do to prepare for the team? Riders should try to ride as many different types of horses as possible. Who was the coach? H. Rick Albertson brought to Skidmore Dressage his expertise from competing on the Florida and New England dressage circuits. Rick is experienced in training young and old horses from Training to Grand Prix. H. Rick Albertson is involved in the competitive horse world, as a competitor on his own and clients' horses, as an AHSA technical delegate, and a clinician throughout the country. He also travels to Asia to train both horses and students. Dressage Team Alumni L to R: Erica Ferland '98, Meredith Smith '00, Lynne Prodger '01, Gretchen Lindquist '00, Chriss Cardwell '00, Brooke Miller '99, Helen Whalen '00, Kim Collins '01 at the Johnson & Wales Show   Click here to see a few more photos...   Where We Are From... Ellie Rutan, 05 ME Margaret Bailey, 04 ME Jenny Sheffield, 03 OH     For further information on Skidmore Dressage, contact: Skidmore College Student Affairs Office Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 Phone (518) 580-5760 BACK TO THE VAN LENNEP RIDING CENTER HOMEPAGE