The Dressage Academy

09/03/2024

Big thank you to Equine Professionals Club for the lovely article. It is always fun talking to Katie Staib!

This week’s member spotlight Monday is not one to miss! ✨ The Dressage Academy✨, located in Colts Neck, NJ, is a youth-only boutique dressage training program that specializes in developing riders interested in pursuing the FEI pathway. 🎖️

Click on the link below to read more about their program, vision, and insight!

https://equineprofessionalsclub.com/developing-the-next-generation-of-young-riders/

09/01/2024

It was a great day for TDA and the "golden ponies" at Dressage at Stone Tavern! Ella Austino and Schermeer's Hof Cinderella won their First 3 Class with a 75%! 🤩

Then Assistant Trainer, Quinn Ridgway, piloted Atomic Bomberman to the win at Training 3 with a 73.4%. 👏 A great experience for this talented up and coming pony!

Thank you to Dressage Experience Show Management Services, LLC. for a beautifully run show. Always a pleasure!

Pictured: Ella Austino and Schermeer's Hof Cinderella a 2015 NRPS mare (Don Cremello du Bois x Cupkeshof Winobert x Floras Hof Minstrel). Bred by St De Middenweg/ Fam. Barendregt. Owned by the Austino Family.

08/15/2024

I know I owe you all two blog posts on the FEI Youth Pathway. They are definitely coming, but in the meantime I have something to say.

The future of dressage is YOUR responsibility.

Let me say it again.

The future of dressage is YOUR responsibility.

I was cruising through Facebook over breakfast looking for some content to wake me up, and I didn't have to go far. A lovely young rider who is an acquaintance of mine posted some photos from a recent schooling show. The first comment I saw I will not even bother to repeat here. Suffice it to say it was so nasty and condescending it actually took my breath away for a moment. Mind you, this is directed towards a kid, towards a child.

Why? Why must we insist on eating our young in dressage?

Tell me, have you really ever taken the advice of someone who ridiculed, discouraged and shamed you? By contrast, how often have you listened to someone who inspired, guided and lifted you up?

I was just reading a post the other day (and I wish I could find it — if someone knows the author, please tell me) about going to a local dressage show versus a western event. The author described how unwelcome and demoralized she felt after the dressage show. Then by contrast how she showed up to the western event with the wrong equipment and not a clue about anything that was going on, and the organizer welcomed her right away: "I see you are new to this. We are so glad you are here."

It takes a concerted effort at all levels of the sport to adopt that "We are so glad you are here" mindset. Because it only takes one person and one bad interaction to leave someone so discouraged that they stop trying and quit the sport for good. I'm certainly not perfect — I often have to remind myself. The next time you are frustrated by someone's lack of experience, instead get curious:

"Can I help you with that?"

"Do you have any questions?"

"Do you know which way to go?"

"We are so glad you are here."

In case you missed it, our numbers in dressage are declining rapidly. The lack of depth in our U.S. program is scary. There are many reasons for this, but one of the most commonly stated is the social barrier to entry. In short, we are unwelcoming, unforgiving and, at times, downright cruel to newcomers.

So I will say it one more time. The future of dressage is YOUR responsibility.

📸 Priceless Equine Productions

08/05/2024

We could not be more proud of Marley McCourt and Hide D4K!

At their very first FEI North American Youth Championships they absolutely smashed all of their goals, earning personal bests in the Junior Team and Individual tests, and qualifying for the freestyle. 🙌

The highlight of the week was a 67.2% in the Individual for 9th place among the most talented youth riders in North America! What a great experience for this team's first season at this level!

Pictured: Marley and Hide D4K, a 2012 KWPN gelding (Andretti x Tango x Gribaldi). Bred by W.G. Gijsbers. Owned by Dressage4Kids.

📸 Hannah Kinlaw

08/03/2024

We are so happy to sponsor the Region 1 Teams competing at the FEI North American Youth Championships! Every one of you makes us so proud not just with your riding, but with your excellent sportsmanship and character 😊

07/20/2024

Congratulations to TDA FEI Junior rider Marley McCourt and Hide D4K on qualifying for the North American Youth Championships! 👏

Best of luck, and go Region 1!

07/17/2024

Parents of aspiring FEI youth riders! I present to you:

✨️Blog post #2.✨

You thought I left you high and dry? Nope! But this was a big one.

Now that we’ve established what the FEI Youth Pathway is, it’s time to assess if your child is ready for it. A lot of people skip this step. They rush right into learning about the qualifying requirements for North American Youth Championships (NAYC) and Festival of Champions (FOC). I promise we will get into that, but there is so much to think about before you even set down the path to qualify for one of these championships.

Keep in mind, this entire post is going to be based on my own experience and opinions. Nothing you read should be a reflection on any of the organizations I represent. This is just me, Nicole DelGiorno, telling you what I’ve learned over my 20-year involvement with the FEI youth divisions. And I’m not going to pull any punches. Because I hate seeing families set out to make their kids’ dreams come true only to realize that they miscalculated or misunderstood. I may make some people upset in the process. That’s okay, because at the end of the day I know I will have saved you and your child a whole lot of heartache.

There's a lot of information in here, but I'm going to try to make it easier by breaking everything down into multiple checklists. I'm a checklist kinda gal.

So go put on your reading glasses and grab a beverage. This is going to be a journey.

Read more here: https://www.thedressageacademy.com/blog/are-you-ready-for-the-fei-youth-pathway

- Nicole

Pictured: Quinn, Nicole and Dramatika V, a 2008 Hannoverian mare (Dramatic x Londonderry x Rosenkavalier). Bred by Gunther Voss. Owned by Quinn.

📸 Priceless Equine Productions

07/05/2024

What the heck is the FEI Youth Pathway and why does it matter?

I'm going to preface this by saying this post will not apply to everyone. Not even close. Of the youth riders who will come through the sport and make it to the professional level, only a fraction will come through the FEI Youth Pathway. And that’s more than okay. There are plenty of other ways to Rome, and there are many very successful riders and trainers in the world who never competed in these divisions. However, given my background, I get asked about the FEI youth divisions a lot. So I thought I would do a series leading into the FEI North American Youth Championships (July 30 - August 4 in Traverse City, Michigan) that introduces parents (and maybe even some trainers and youth riders) to the Pathway.

So what is the FEI Youth Pathway?

We are going to strip this way down. I'm talking confused and bemused dad at a horse show level. I can see him now. He's standing a few feet off the rail at the warmup, gingerly holding a sweat scraper and a pair of bell boots. He has no idea what either of these items do. His daughter is trotting (or is it cantering?) a sizeable portion of his 401k around the arena. And she's happy. Well, he thinks she's happy. Right now she sort of looks like Serena Williams staring down an opponent across the net.

Yep, Dad, I'm talking to you.

Your kid is talented. Everyone says it. Her trainer. The clinicians you spend too much money on. The judges who score her "in the 70s." And she has a nice horse that she works really hard to keep. Maybe she's putting in some sweat equity at the barn after school and on the weekends. Maybe she's bargained on great grades and model behavior to earn this beloved animal. In any case, she is really invested in this dressage stuff.

Someone — a friend, a trainer, a passerby (let's be real, it's probably Debbie DelGiorno) — pulls you aside and says, "You know, she should really aim for the FEI blah-blah-blah division."

And if you are like many parents, that's where things stop making sense. Heck, even if you have an equestrian background, this can still sound like ancient Greek.

I've got you.

Here take my hand. If you are the drinking kind, pour yourself a glass. We are going to walk through this really slowly...

Read more here: https://www.thedressageacademy.com/blog/what-is-the-fei-youth-pathway

- Nicole

Equestrian centre

06/30/2024

Are you ready to take your riding to the next level?

The Dressage Academy at Synergy Stables was created to meet the needs of young riders. From your first dressage lesson to international competition and everything in between, we have the experience, network and resources you need to accomplish your goals.

Located in Colts Neck, NJ, we offer youth-focused, horse-first training with a focus on stewardship and independence.

* Full Training
* Lessons
* Leases
* Sales

Learn more at www.thedressageacademy.com.

Nicole DelGiorno
USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold Medalist
L Graduate with Distinction
4-time NAYC Medalist
609-744-4088
[email protected]

Quinn Ridgway
USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist
NAYC Bronze Medalist [email protected]

06/28/2024

What an honor for Marley McCourt and Quinn Ridgway to be selected to ride in the Dressage4Kids Horsemasters Clinic with Olympians, Ali Brock and Lendon Gray! This is an amazing week of education and community building for youth dressage riders. Thank you to everyone who made this possible, especially Hilltop Farm who always makes the kids feel welcome 😊.

Pictured:

Marley and Hide D4K, a 2012 KWPN gelding (Andretti x Tango x Gribaldi). Bred by W.G. Gijsbers. Owned by Dressage4Kids.

Quinn and Dramatika V, a 2008 Hannoverian mare (Dramatic x Londonderry x Rosenkavalier). Bred by Gunther Voss. Owned by Quinn.

📸 Mary Livernois

06/21/2024

The weekend show report just came in 🫡

Claire Barahona and Morisco HGF competed in their first recognized show together in Culpepper, VA and earned not one score below 70%! Their high score for the weekend was 73.8% 🤩 TDA was thrilled to make this match between a talented aspiring FEI Children's rider and this incredible PRE gelding bred by Hampton Green Farm.

If you are a young rider looking for your next dream horse, let our experienced team help you find your next superstar!

Featured: Claire and Morisco HGF, a 2013 PRE gelding (Camaron IX x Idilio II x Macareno XV) bred in the USA by Hampton Green Farm. Owned by Amanda Barahona.

📸 Priceless Equine Productions

06/19/2024

Super proud to have our own Quinn Ridgway selected as a rider for the Sabine Schut-Kery Clinic to benefit one of our favorite shows, Dressage at Devon. What an amazing opportunity to learn from an Olympic Silver Medalist! Big thanks to everyone who made this event possible.

Pictured: Quinn Ridgway and Dramatika V, a 2008 Hannoverian mare (Dramatic x Londonderry x Rosenkavalier). Bred by Gunther Voss. Owned by Quinn.

📸 Jana Bannan Photography

06/17/2024

Let's talk about ponies in dressage.

It's winter season in Florida, and I'm lost and confused. I'm pacing across the bridge at Wellington International, one hand clamped over an ear to drown out the announcer and the other hand pressing my cell phone to my face.

"I'm so sorry. It's a bit hard to hear you. Where am I going? Pony — what?"

An endlessly patient voice repeats again: "Pony Island. Just keep walking past the main arena, and you can't miss it!"

But I have missed it. Several times. I need a GPS to get around this place. I laugh nervously and say for the third time that morning, "Ok great! Be right there!"

Hanging up the call, I send a panicked text to Quinn: "We are meeting at a place called Pony Island... Have they made an actual Island here?!"

I wouldn't be surprised. Looking around, it is clear that no expense was spared on the facility stretching out around me. I catch sight of Quinn walking briskly down the path in my direction, and I wait for her to catch up. Maybe together we can find this mysterious Island of Ponies.

At least it seems we are going in the right direction now. As we walk, we see more and more grooms emerging from intersecting bridle paths with gorgeously turned out ponies in tow. We follow them to what can only be described as some promised land for horse-loving kids.

Ponies. Ponies as far as the eye can see. Bay ones, grey ones, black ones with matching socks, gleaming chestnuts and even the world’s cutest dappled palomino... And it's not adults riding them. It's kids — LITTLE kids. And they are GOOD! One after the other they tackle the course with the focus and tenacity of a competitor twice their age. When they are done, they come out of the arena, high five their coaches, and then wander off to the barn talking excitedly with their friends.

Sigh. They have friends. Plural.

If you don't come from the dressage world, my shock and awe is probably confusing. Let me explain... A) We don't see many little kids competing in dressage – it's like some magical fairy picks them up at 14 years old, deposits them in a dressage arena and the rest is history. And B) We almost never see kids competing on ponies.

Looking out at the sea of braids and bows bouncing around the showgrounds, it is clear to me that our country does not suffer from a shortage of horse-loving kids. Likewise, we have an abundance of beautiful, correctly-moving, kid-safe ponies.

They just aren't doing dressage. I'm here to find out why.

We find the mom of one of these riders who has graciously agreed to meet with us and explain how the hunter pony divisions work. She talks about how her daughter's stable is set up and how her trainer, though demanding, is always sure to incorporate an element of fun and adventure. She expresses how wonderful it is for her daughter to have friends that share her passion, and how supportive the other parents are. She laments the rising costs of keeping and competing horses.

I soak up every word, searching for an answer to my question. In the end, I walk away with more data points.

Undoubtedly, the youth dressage divisions are growing across the board every year in the U.S., especially with the popularity of FEI Children's. But they have no where near the same level of involvement as the hunter/jumper and western disciplines. Engaging young people is obviously an important issue for any sport to consider if it wants to grow. And for me in particular, it's a lifelong mission to introduce kids to the uniquely beautiful connection a rider can make with a horse by practicing dressage (regardless of what direction their riding takes).

At The Dressage Academy, we think that access to safe, suitable dressage ponies is an important piece of the puzzle. That's why Quinn (a.k.a. The Pony Whisperer) devotes a good portion of her time to hand-selecting and thoughtfully training ponies for kids. After all, horses are the best teachers of riding. So if there are more well-schooled dressage ponies in the world for young beginner riders, perhaps they can be the flagships for our sport.

But I want to know what you think. Where are the youth pony riders, and why aren't more of them exploring dressage?

I can't wait to hear your thoughts!

- Nicole

Pictured: Atomic Bomberman, 2017 Westfalen dressage pony (A New Star x FS Champion de Luxe x FS Don't Worry). Bred by Alicia Mengelkamp. Trained by Quinn Ridgway.

📸 Priceless Equine Productions

06/06/2024

It's here! 👀 Learn more about The Dressage Academy at Synergy Stables on our new website: https://www.thedressageacademy.com