We are off and running! Well… walking with purpose!  I’m excited by the interest in the group. I truly think we can all do great things together. We just need to create a new way to collaborate. I’m hoping the VCS can be our way of doing this. We require a Pres, Vice Pres, etc. Current GMO structure within the USDF dictates this portion. I’d like us to look at the VCS as more of a round table.

Let Chat GPT do some work for me…

I like a good visual aid. We want to create an environment for collaboration and productivity. A place to bounce ideas off each other. Pull resources together and get help. Most of us have some affiliation with a barn. We do have those who don’t, and that’s okay too. You get your own circle at the table. We’d like to create a way that no one barn or affiliation does most of the decision making as we grow. We’d like the posts of Pres , VP and such, to be more of an organizing committee that touches base with individuals and affiliations rather than making major decisions without community input. We want VCS to be mutually beneficial. When we put our best foot forward and work together.  We can attract high quality clinicians and education to us, rather than the smaller groups having to travel so far. If we have an idea of what everyone is doing, we can plan events that maximize attendance. That’s the idea anyway. We are building the framework as we go along. So, it will take a little time to work it all out. Stay with me, I know we can do this.

Now for the updates. First order of business. Bylaws. We are putting together the website and deriving a basic set of bylaws for The VCS. Once we have a basic set, those will be posted on the website. We will also send out a call out for bylaws, members are wishing to amend or add. I know this isn’t terribly exciting but completely necessary to create bank accounts, apply as a non-profit, etc. I have a couple of ladies working on this portion to get us going.

Second order of business. March 14^th –15^th Rocky River Stables. NODA is putting on a USDF Dressage Development Seminar. Click for link to event  This event is for instructors who are pursuing a USDF instructor certification. We have two members who were able to get into the program. Mandy Mowry and Suzanne Groselle.  They will participate in the clinic the entire weekend, but there is an auditor opportunity on the 14^th. There are 3 of us that will be auditing as of today. I think this is an excellent event for amateur riders as well as professionals. All those auditing are ammys including myself. So please consider going. We can investigate an Air BnB if that interests anyone. We started doing this last season at Dark Horse Farms to save on lodging at shows and some of the places we get to stay are pretty great. Not to mention, we get to have dinner, relax and beverage in our jammys. The link provided above with take you to the registration page.

Additionally speaking with Lisa Hall, she has some interest in bringing this education to us. She has gone through the certification process and will be able to give her input. We have a few instructors still looking to be certified and this process is long and expensive. However, it’s completely worth it. We need more certifications as it helps everyone, but mostly we want to have our trainers recognized for their experience, so when new dressage rider interest arises, we have accredited trainers with a USDF stamp of approval to send them to. We need to support our trainers in this process.

Thirdly, June 13^th 2026 is the Flightline Dressage show at Kim Reynold’s place. The GMO is sponsoring a photo area and lunch for all those attending. We have a few ideas on what we are going to do but are happy to have input. Flight line sets up the arena and brings with it most of the trimmings. So, everything else is just an addition to what Flightline provides. It’s a great option for a low stress way to run a horse show. We will have a raffle basket fund raiser for the club.

These are just the definite things that are currently going on.  We have had requests for involvement and have plans to help with other events but we will wait until those events are announced by the respective coordinators to discuss our participation.  

For now, that’s what we have going on, and I look forward to the 2026 season. Expect at least a monthly update unless significant changes arise. Thanks for your time!