Spring Dressage emphasized joy and relaxation

Nicole Walther
3 days ago
4 min read

Updated: 10 hours ago

SBC CDS successfully wrapped a Level 3 USEF/USDF CDS Dressage competition, keeping the spirits high and the stress levels low and the music and overall tone of the show relaxed.

The Santa Barbara County Chapter held the Spring Dressage Show at Earl Warren Showgrounds over the May 17 & 18 weekend. Everything came together very well, and SBC CDS gathered many positive comments. It seems the stars are aligned for a great Summer Dressage Show in August.

Show manager/secretary Regina Antonioli kept the competitors, classes and so much more organized while day show secretary Diana Muravez kept things rolling over the competition weekend.

Show announcer Hunter Schumake received many compliments from the judges, competitors, audience members and volunteers. The self-described "Play-by-play broadcaster" usually covers all kind of sporting events for UC Santa Barbara Athletics. He can add Dressage to his list of experiences which include soccer, basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, swimming, water polo, and track and field. Due to his popularity, he may have to carve out some time to return again in August.

EMT Dan Turner is also ready to come back. Not surprisingly he exclaimed "The people were all so kind and thoughtful. See you in August.”

Show chair, Christi Sulzbach, fit seamlessly into her role. She felt that "thanks to a strong Board and volunteers from both the Chapter and the greater Santa Barbara horse community our shows demonstrate “it takes a village” and ours is a strong one. I so appreciate everyone!"

Sara Cutter generously took over the volunteer coordination and did an amazing job. In March, she started reaching out to members and friends of the chapter to reengage them for this show and scheduled 60 volunteers! Sara was quick to follow up with them after the show, sending everyone a heartfelt email in which she exclaimed: "From all accounts—including from the top—it was a huge success, and that’s entirely because of you. Your commitment, teamwork, and love for horses played an essential role in ensuring the show ran smoothly, safely, and enjoyably for all involved.“

During the show, spectators and our S Judges Beverly Rogers and Melissa Creswick were treated to many great rides from Training Level all the way up to Grand Prix. Technical Delegate Juliete Clarke ensured that the show was properly conducted under the USEF rules.

New members and trainer team Lauren Ogden and Tim Forster where looking forward to the show with Lauren stating prior to the weekend it's "always a well run and fun show!" Her celebratory Facebook post after the show was a joyous reflection of the weekend with blue ribbons and big smiles.

Kate Sulzbach and her students at KTS Dressage also had many things to celebrate with her assistant Kelly Thoits on Princess Isabella winning CDS High Point Pony and herself getting the High Points for 2nd level on Serenato EDI, owned by Deborah Kagel.

Chapter member Andrea Reid premiered her first USDF Freestyle of choice with support of her trainer Marianne Kruidenier and the D-Boy (AKA Woody) fan club. Speaking of Freestyle, the show had four Freestyle classes including three Prix St. Georges rides. If we had a ribbon for "most exhilarating start into a Freestyle" it would go to Hilda C. Gurney with Providence who had the most electrifying proceeding from halt which captured everybody's attention.

Freestyles have gained in popularity thanks to Steffen Peters' Rave horse "Mopsie" in the 2020 Japan Olympics. Now, pop icon, Snoop Dogg and people beyond the Dressage space are looking to catch a glimpse of horses moving to the rhythm of the D-O-double-G and other artists. The spring event showcased rides where horses and riders truly become partners and 'danced' to a curated mix of classical to current music.

Other highlights at the show included a well-attended BBQ dinner on Saturday evening which gave people a chance to connect, take a breather and catch up. Photographer and videographer Ashton Kingsley, a regular at the SBC CDS shows, provided excellent coverage of the weekend's classes so competitors could enjoy the memories for years to come. The return of the 'show dollars' allowed competitors to exchange their hard-earned dollars for fun prizes, including jewelry, SB CDS-branded microfiber rags, horse treats from Twenty Four Carrots and more. Lastly, if you paid attention to some of the stall signs, you may have found hidden gems like the one for Danish Warmblood mare Charleen M owned by Heidi Gaian, or the art of 6-year-old Harper Felderhof (daughter of sponsor Twenty Four Carrot's Masha). Harper had set up a table to sell her paintings an Heidi obviously likes to support local artists. If you missed them, check them out in the photos below!

Once again, the show was a success not only because of the amazing competitors, judges, and volunteers, but also due to many gracious contributors who sponsored classes, the arenas, the photo booth, the Sunday Coffee Cart, Volunteer lunch, the BBQ and the greenery.

Don't forget that the Summer Dressage Show in August will give you an opportunity to sponsor as well! Forget naming a star as a birthday gift! Sponsoring and naming one of the arenas at the next Santa Barbara Dressage Show is really where it's at! Just imagine your name or business name emblazoned on a sign entering Ring 1 or 2 or the warm-up arena (after all, that's the arena everybody will enter!) It's the perfect gift for any occasion that will be remembered with each glance to the show schedule, the SBC CDS website or the many photos that capture the sponsor names in the background! And imagine the chance to sponsor a class. How does "Grand Prix Open - sponsored by [your name here]" sound? It has a good ring to it.

For a list of sponsors, vendors, and high point results visit our website once everything is posted or visit the Foxvillage page for show results . Until then, and to see what you don't want to miss in August, scroll down to enjoy the photos from Spring Dressage in Santa Barbara.

(Photos courtesy of Nicole Walther, Mary Couch, Christi Sulzbach, Masha Felderhof and Deborah Kagel )