The Singing Frog Chronicles

June 2006

Dear Friends,

Well, a great deal has happened since our April communication! Here follows a report from your globetrotting chairman on various topics. Also below are included news items form some of the NFs in our Group. Many thanks to those who responded to my plea for news. I know this is a busy time for everyone so your input is doubly appreciated.

FEI General Assembly

Kuala Lumpur is very far away from Group IV countries as any of the road warriors who made it there will attest to! I was so gratified and proud that so many of us did make it there for these important meetings. We had representation from Barbados, Bermuda, Canada, Cayman Islands, Haiti, Jamaica, US Virgin Islands and the United States. As usual, in addition to attending many meetings and participating in forums and discussions we all managed also to have a fine time together. Special mention must go to the valiant Regine Fizner who traveled all that way with a painful, recently broken arm. What a champ!  In addition, we received from Don Adams the sad news that he is leaving the Canadian Federation and that this was his last General Assembly. We will miss him very much. He certainly represented Canada well for the nine years he was the Secretary General! His final report for this newsletter is included below.

Group Meeting

As usual the Group met during the General Assembly and also met with the Bureau to discuss some specific concerns of the Group. Alison Eliot kindly agreed to take the minutes of the meeting, which are attached to this below.  Please note that the next meeting of the Group will take place in Barbados, December 2 & 3. The Group also agreed that the joint meeting held in March in Florida with Group V had been a great success and that the practice should continue and include Group VI next year. This plan was agreed by the Chairs of Groups V and VI so we will plan for such a meeting in March 2007, which the USA has agreed to host once again in Palm Beach.

NF Reports

Antigua – Solveig Nischmann reports:

Antigua’s first half of 2006:

December: ANNUAL AWARDS & PRIZE GIVING CEREMONY was held at the Sticky Wicket Conference Room on 13^th December 2005 to honour all the people who have put endless time and effort into developing the equestrian sport in Antigua.

The riders were also commended for working so hard to improve their skills throughout the year and for attending all the training clinics and shows.

Dinner was served and films and pictures were shown on a big screen of the various events held throughout the year. Especially motivating for the riders was the video of Emily Ward riding Grand Prix Dressage in Europe under Antiguan Flag.

This was also a “farewell” to the Nodine Family who left to live in Florida on the 15^th December.  Ellen Nodine was the Vice President of the ABHS.

January: DRESSAGE CLINICS IN PREPERATION FOR THE FEI WDC.

On the 22^nd of January the ABHS started the first out of a series of Dressage Clinics in preparation for the Antigua & Barbuda National Dressage Challenge and the FEI WDC.

Due to the endless rain this and the following clinic on the 05^th Febuary had to be held on the dirt road outside of the Spring Hill Riding Club.

February: The WESTERN NIGHT FUNDRAISER was held on 25^th February the riders had some fun, preparing a quadrille for the event. They presented a “rodeo” which included our President jumping through fire!

March: NATIONAL DRESSAGE CHALLENGE was held on the 5^th March 2006 in preparation and as a trial run for the FEI World Dressage Challenge. The day after we were very fortunate to be offered an FEI Course in Dressage for 4 days given by DENIS SOYER of Belgium, which was excellent preparation for our 10 riders who rode in the

April: FEI World Dressage Challenge, which was held very successfully on 1^st April. Antigua improved it’s score by 8% on previous years and had the first Advanced class entry.

NATIONAL OLYMPIC ASSOCIATION had exciting news for us. After returning from an IOC meeting in Korea our NOC announced that they had been able to acquire OLYMPIC SOLIDARITY SCHOLARSHIP for Antigua & Barbuda’s international rider Emily Ward to train towards the Beijing Olympics 2008. Thanks are to be given to the FEI’s Jacqueline Braissant, Kate Jackson, Susanne Macken and the Antigua and Barbuda Olympic Committee for their support in achieving this incredible honour!

Emily gets her final qualifying score to participate in the FEI WEG in Aachen, Germany.

May JUMPING TEAM TRIALS for the BERMUDA leg of the CEA Jr. Jumping Challenge started on 29^th April. The clinic was held at the Spring Hill Riding Club and was attended by Antigua’s 6 junior competitors. The final selection is to be made on the 6^th May. Fundraising for the event is proving to be very demanding (!!).

Canada

Sadly, Don Adams’ final report:

Equine Canada Group IV Report

Equine Canada hopes to have teams competing at the 2006 WEG in Jumping, Dressage, Eventing, Reining, Endurance and Vaulting.

Jumping

Canada was victorious at the CSIO Wellington, FL Nation’s Cup held this past March, Ian Millar, Eric Lamaze, Chris Pratt & Mario Deslauriers made up the team. 

Our FEI Jumper Competitions get underway in late May, and our series has been extended to the conclusion of the US circuit in March 2007.  This allows our Canadian Riders competing over the winter in the US to accumulate valuable World Cup points.

Eventing

Competitions -Canada is hosting one international three day event in 2006 – CCI**/CCI*/CIC**/CIC* Bromont June 9-11, 2006.  Unfortunately with the conflict with the Allentown, New Jersey CCI*** /** Three Day Event the weekend before, plus the FEI regulation which requires foreign owned horses to have FEI Passports at the one and now also two star level –as resulted in a low number of entries from the United States which have traditionally supported Bromont. Equine Canada thanks the USEF for circulating information on the Bromont competition to their high performance competitors.  The long-term plan for Bromont is to develop an international competition at the three star level. 

Regretfully the CIC** Port Perry International Horse Trials has been cancelled.

High Performance – Canadian Eventing will send a team to compete in the 2006 World Equestrian Games, Aachen, Germany. The team is led by International Technical Advisor David O’Connor. The Chef d’ Equipe  is Team Manager Greg Paul.

NAYRC - Canada plans to send teams to the 2006 North American Young Rider and Junior Championships with competitors from the provinces of Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec and Alberta

Coaching - Canadian Eventing was has taken the leadership role in the development of the new coaching certification program for coaches at the “Competition-Development” level. Identified in 2005 as one of 12 Pilot Sports by the Coaching Association of Canada, during 2006 Eventing will be piloting the evaluation and training components as well as providing direction and assistance to the other disciplines in order to prepare their programs.

Officials - In 2005 and 2005 Canadian Eventing is developing and piloting an extensive, competency based Course Designer Accreditation program. Curse in theory and practical techniques were held in 2005 and continue in 2006. Evaluation tools and the mentor program will be finalized in 2006.  Canadian Eventing is also in preliminary development stage of an accreditation program for Eventing Judges. It is anticipated that this program will incorporate and integrate with the existing training programs designed for Dressage and Jumper Judges.

Dressage

World Cup League Final

The Canadian League World Cup Dressage Final will take place at Royal Winter Fair - November 7^th – 10^th, 2006. Currently there are seven horse/rider combinations declared for our World Cup League.

The winner of the Canadian League Final will represent Canada at the 2007 World Cup Final scheduled for Las Vegas in April 2007.

The winner of the Canadian League final will also be crowned the Canadian Grand Prix Freestyle Champion for 2006.

Our Dressage Canada Committee has been very active in trying to work together with both Mexico and the United States on a proposal to merge the current World Cup Leagues into one North American League. These discussions have been ongoing with a final proposal scheduled to be presented to the FEI for May.

Canadian CDI’s scheduled for 2006

The Following CDI’s have been scheduled for 2006 in Canada.

Foreign entries to any of the above Canadian CDI3* are always encouraged and accepted.

2006 Dressage Canada National Youth Championships

Young Riders from across Canada will take part in the Dressage Canada National Championships for FEI Pony, FEI Junior and FEI Young Rider divisions held August 24-27, 2006 in Nepean, Ontario. The championship is in conjunction with their Ottawa Fall Classic CDI3*.

2006 Dressage Officials Clinics

The following clinics have been scheduled for both Stewards and Dressage Judges for 2006. Foreign registrations are always encouraged and accepted.

2006 EC/DC Sanctioned Dressage Judges Learners Clinic - June 10-11, 2006
Atlantic Dressage Development Centre, Mount Unicake, Hants Co. NS
Clinician: Lorraine MacDonald, FEI "I" Dressage Judge
This clinic fulfills the requirements for updating purposes and the beginning process for “r” status, and a GREAT OPPORTUNITY for anyone interested  in getting first hand experience in judging during competition. 

2006 EC/DC Sanctioned Dressage Judges Clinic - July 1 & 2, 2006
Amherst Dressage, Southland Riding Club, Vancouver, BC
Clinician: Jacqueline Oldham, EC Senior Dressage Judge
This clinic may be used for 2006 mandatory updating for Recorded, Basic or Medium Status and for Learner Judges.  CLINICIAN: Jacqueline Oldham, EC Certified Senior Dressage Judge

Learner/Develop Your Eye Clinic - July 14-16, 2006
Cornerstone Summer Festival, Caledon Equestrian Park, Palgrave, ON
Clinician: Lorraine Stubbs, FEI "I"
This clinic is open to anyone who wants to see dressage from the judge’s point of view. Get the inside scoop on what judges are looking for when judging a dressage test, and where you can improve your test riding. It is also a great opportunity for those who are interested in becoming a dressage judge.

Dressage Canada Steward Clinic - September 30 - October 1, 2006
TBC, Calgary, AB
Clinicians: Christine Hickman (FEI Dressage Steward) and Linda Miller (EC Senior Dressage Steward)
Participants who attend and successfully complete this clinic will officially be recognized as licensed Dressage Stewards. Learner Stewards will be certified to assist, while Basic, Medium and Senior Stewards will be certified to officiate at all Equine Canada Sanctioned Dressage Competitions.

2006 Updating/Upgrading Clinic - October 14 & 15, 2006
Pine Ridge Farm, King, ON 
Clinician: Linda Zang (FEI "O" -USA) All judges requiring their 3-year mandatory updating, as well as those planning to apply for upgrading, must attend this clinic so book your calendars now. 

Dressage Canada Steward Clinic - November 9-10, 2006
Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Toronto, ON
Clinicians: Margaret Murdoch (FEI Dressage Steward General for Canada) Christine Hickman (FEI Dressage Steward)
Participants who attend and successfully complete this clinic will officially be recognized as licensed Dressage Stewards. Learner Stewards will be certified to assist, while Basic, Medium and Senior Stewards will be certified to officiate at all Equine Canada Sanctioned Dressage Competitions.

National Coaching Symposium

Plans are underway to have Ellen Bontje return to Canada and give another one of her popular training and coaching symposiums. The symposium is being planned for October/November 2006 in British Columbia. Foreign registrations are always encouraged and welcome.

Reining

• There is one CRI-B  scheduled in Canada for 2006: 

• June 23-25^th, 2006  CRI-B PGRHA 2006 Ride n’ Slide, Prince George, BC

• Several Canadians have recently been promoted by the FEI for Reining Judge and Reining Steward statuses

• Canada entered a team to the CRIO Oklahoma City, December 2005 where they achieved a bronze medal. 

• Reining Canada has announced their 2006 WEG Team.  The riders will be: Duane Latimer, Luc Gagnon, Lance Griffin, and Francois Gauthier

• The 2006 WEG Team riders will be representing Canada at the CRI 2* Katy, Texas  (USA) on 21 April  2006.

Endurance Canada Committee

• Ruth Carlson, Canadian FEI Endurance Judge was selected by the FEI as a member from the Americas for the FEI Endurance Committee for 2006 – 2010

• There is one FEI CEI*** Endurance ride scheduled in Canada for 2006: 

• August 31^st, 2006 CEI*** North Wind Challenge, L’Ange Gardien, QC

Drive Canada

• There is one CAI-A scheduled in Canada for 2006:

• May 26-28^th, 2006  CAI-A International Driving Event, Bromont, QC

Para-Equestrian Canada (PEC)

• Lorraine Stubbs was appointed the National Team Coach for the Para-Equestrian Discipline.  Lorraine has completed two-thirds of a National assessment tour, which consists of working with the current Senior National Team members as well as aspiring Para Equestrian athletes.

• Two Talent ID Camps were held in November and December 2005; one in British Columbia and one in Newfoundland

• PEC has developed short-list athlete criteria.  The fulfillment of the Annual Performance Requirements and submission of documentation will qualify a rider to be considered for inclusion on the 2006 Rider Short List, and be eligible for different international and national competition and training opportunities of all levels.

Para-Equestrian Canada is pleased to host the CPDI**** Pacific Rim International Para-Dressage competition on September 1-3^rd, 2006 in Langley, BC, Canada.  This competition has been designated as the only qualifier in North and South America for the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games. 

COACHING EDUCATION

Equine Canada is the process of developing a new coaching program that will replace the existing Level 1-5 system presently in place.  Equine Canada is embarking on developing a competency-based approach to coach training and certification.  Other wise this program will be designed to certify coaches based on proven abilities to “DO” certain things deemed important to meeting the need of the participants they coach.  Not just memorize from a book are regurgitate the correct answer.

The new Coaching Structure is not a horizontal progression rather it is designed to take into account the different types of coaches who contribute to the sport of equestrian and the environment or context in which they coach.

COMPETITION stream

(Introduction, Development, High performance contexts)

INSTRUCTION stream

(Beginners, Intermediate performers, and Advanced performers contexts)

The new coaching structure will provide context-relevant training geared towards the following outcomes, which will assist coaches to:

v      Make Ethical Decisions

v      Plan a practice

v      Design a basic sport program

v      Analyze performance

v      Provide support to athletes in training

v      Support the competitive experience

v      Manage a program

LONG TERM ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT MODEL (LTAD)

Equine Canada is in the process of creating LTAD model that is a training, competition and recover program based on biological age rather then chronological age.  This model will be athlete/participant centered from 5-Any age, coach driven and administration, sport science supported. The athletes who progress through the LTAD model experience training and competition in programs that considers their biological training and ages by creating periodized plans specific to their developmental needs.

It has been critical in the design of this model to gather input/information from key coaches who are influential at all stages of equestrian development.  By doing this it has helped to ensure that the Canadian Equestrian model is effect and provides the appropriate services to support Canadian equestrian athletes/participants.

This model will not only assist athletes/participants in being adequately prepared for a life in equestrian sport from introduction to the podium but it will also help to cultivate a culture of lifelong participation.

CANADIAN EQUINE ID & TRACEABILITY PROJECT

 Equine Canada, on behalf of the equine sector in Canada, is moving forward with the development of a national equine ID (identification) & traceability system that will integrate data for equine ID and horse ownership with the Traceability Canada livestock traceability system. Individual horses will be assigned a UELN (Unique Equine Life Number), and a central database will store individual records for horses, including the UELN, standardized ID information, and current ownership information.

The Can-EQUID system will record visual descriptions for horses in a standardized format, similar to the standard description on a veterinarian inspection certificate, or FEI passport description.  If individual horses have electronic RFID (radio frequency identification) devices applied (either implanted microchips or tags), the device type and device number will be recorded in the horse's record. Identification of horses will be completed either at time of foal registration through pedigree registries in Canada, or through an Equine ID service for all non-pedigree horses. Once established, the Can-EQUID database will generate printable documents as required for proof-of-ownership, official ID, or transportation of horses within Canada. For the sanctioned sport sector in Canada, the database will provide an "electronic passport", replacing traditional national passports.

The Can-EQUID system will be implemented in stages in Canada, starting with foals of 2007, and horses active in national sanctioned sport. For additional information on the program, continue to check updates on the Equine Canada website, at www.equinecanada.ca.

Trinidad news in Rossi’s inimitable style!

Hi Kate,

 Sorry I’ve been late with info. I have only just finished exams and am proud to say I have passed all and move onto my final year of vet school! Hoorah!

  Well, things have been slow at home, and been marred by two horrific deaths of horses

(both due to upper intestinal diseases, and the lack of surgery options here) One of these was a jumper imported from Germany 2 yrs back. Well I am hot on the reasons why colic surgery aren't offered here, since I think it will influence our being able to host the competition (CAC Championship) in 09.

 Speaking of the championships, were the questions and concerns that I submitted addressed at all at group? We would like to present our government with the request to host the competition, but we need the group's written approval of T&T hosting these games. (Kate to write a letter supporting the concept.)

 However, in real news, we are to host our first ever Show Jumping Adults Challenge on June 4. Other countries such as BAR, JAM, BER, CAY are also participating. We placed 3rd at the recently held FEI dressage challenge.

 TTEA has now secured the services of Eddo Hoekstra (Canada) who has already given one clinic, and is due to return in July. (Dressage). Jorge Verswyviel (Colombia, SJ) has also given a weeklong clinic, and assisted in a schooling show, which proved most beneficial.

 Our main goal is to continue to be securing our facility construction, and look forward to participating in future group meetings.

**Congratulations to Rossi

Trinidad News

Brief notes from the USA. In the future Don Whittle the USEF Managing Director, FEI Affiliates will be sending us news from the US.

He reports that, in answer to questions regarding the NAYRC, it will be held again in Lexington, VA this year and all disciplines, young riders and juniors will compete there this year. Reining will be included as a competitive event this year. There is a web site for the 2006 NAYRC – www.youngriders.org. All group IV members will receive invitations. Contact Lyn McCoy for more information. (lmccoy@usef.org)

The USA is preparing to send a full team in all disciplines to the WEG in Aachen, this summer. Selection trials are under way and the competition for spots on the teams is strong.

We will look forward to more information from the US in our fall newsletter.

In keeping with my plan to visit all of our member countries, at least once during my term as Chairman, I am planning to visit Antigua during the CEA Jumping competition in early July. I look forward to seeing some of you there. Plans for any another visits are still open except, of course, for our Group meeting in Barbados in early December. More on that in the next letter.

Finally, as I prepare to leave for Lausanne for the FEI Executive Board and Strategic Planning Working Group meetings I can’t help thinking how lucky I am to be in this position and to know all of you. It has been and is being a wonderful experience! I admire so much the work that all of you are doing for our sport. Thank you!

Cheers,

Kate

PS. The frogs are finally singing up here on the mountain! Spring has struggled in, dragging rain and chill weather with it BUT summer is on the way!