REGION 6

By: Cera Olsen — Region 6 Director

Region 6 has had so many events, it is hard to keep up! Here are the different AO Updates. We are also highlighting one of our members and one of our facilities this month. Reach out if you have someone who stands out for recognition or an outstanding facility you think we should highlight!!

KDCTA

KDCTA had a Play Day Clinic on Jun 15th and is having a schooling show on July 20th at Blue Barn Farm in Alexandria, PA. 

NYS Working Equitation

NYSWE is thriving in 2024! Membership has grown. We’re holding clinics with Susan L. Watkins, providing local training/lessons, offering open schooling sessions, running two licensed shows in July, and offering two schooling shows in October. Many of our events are offered in Ancramdale, NY and Bloomfield, NY.

We’re thrilled to see that the licensed shows are filling quickly. The closing date is June 20^th. We have sponsorship opportunities available and would appreciate volunteers

• Working Equitation Weekends (Ancramdale/Bloomfield) – June 23, July 14, August 11, September 15 (https://www.facebook.com/events/2081163165591777/2081163178925109/)
• Open Schoolings (Bloomfield) – Wednesday afternoons. Book here. https://calendar.app.google/UvhjfqMacZjU6XuJ8
• Schooling Shows (Ancramdale/Bloomfield) – October 13
• Clinic with Susan L. Watkins (Schaghticoke) – Friday, July 19
• Licensed USAWE Show (Schaghticoke) – Saturday, July 20
• Licensed USAWE Show (Schaghticoke) – Sunday, July 21
• Clinic with Susan L. Watkins (Ancramdale) – Monday, July 22

Become a member or see all of our events at https://www.nyswe.com/calender

EPAWE

EPAWE along with Melissa Gallagher, FEI dressage rider and trainer at Collective Roots Dressage offered 2 mini Clinic sessions on Tuesday, 6/11/24. There were 8 riders over 2 hours who are able to hone in on their dressage skills and apply them to the EOH course. Saturday, 6/15/24, Peer supported play day was attended by 11 riders! WE riders have a lot of insight to share from previously attended clinics and show experience. EPAWE has also added a schooling and licensed show, 9/6–7/24 respectively, with R Judge Amy Star from Tucson, Arizona! This license show will be open to , all levels L1 – L7! 

Northern Virginia Working Equitation (NOVAWE)

The first half of 2024 has flown by, and we welcome the summer months! NOVAWE just concluded a successful clinic with Polly Limond (Mooresville, NC) followed by a USAWE Licensed Show. Thirteen riders participated in the obstacle clinic, receiving detailed insight on how to improve each obstacle. Seventeen riders competed at the show with a glorious, low humidity day. Lots of learning, then a fun, but competitive show with smiles and friendliness about! Results are below. 

Several of NOVAWE members will be heading to Dream Park in NJ for WEE’s Licensed Show on June 22-23, 2024. We wish them safe travels and success!

Member Highlight: Lynsey Moritz, Region 6 Competitor and USAWE TD

How long have you been riding?  I have been riding since I was 7/8 years old. So a long time. 30 years! I don’t really remember life before horses.

What level do you ride? Currently I ride L3. Schooling towards L4. 

How did you start riding? It’s in my blood! No joke! My grandparents grew up riding (my grandfather used to say there were horse thieves on his side of the family). I asked my parents when I could start riding at like 4 years old and my mom wanted to ride as well so it didn’t take long for her to find a place where we both get lessons. I originally wanted to be a barrel racer when I was little-I thought cowgirls were really cool.  My family gave me red cowgirl boots when I was about 4 and that was all she wrote. I have tried all sorts of disciplines-hunters, jumpers, eventing, western pleasure, polo, competitive trail, dressage, and when I landed on WE, I knew I was home. I still love to trail ride and am always up for an adventure.  

 Tell me about your horse. Rui is an 11 year old Lusitano I have owned since he was 1. He is the sweetest guy and we have a blast doing all sorts of fun things together. Any and all problems are 100% homegrown. He is starting to grow up and be a big boy. I have high hopes for the 2 of us-he has all the potential in the world! 

What is your favorite obstacle? I like the side-pass pole because it’s one of the only obstacles I know we can consistently do well. I enjoy the bell corridor with the L back as well. I like how it seems very easy but to get a good back takes a lot of work and it can be rather technical.  

What goals do you have in the next few years.  I’m hoping to continue moving up the levels in the coming years.  This year my goal is to compete with a calm and happy horse; if the scores are there that’s great but I’m not hanging my hat on qualifying. We’re really working hard to have a strong foundation to be successful at the upper levels.  My dream of dreams is to make it to Master level.