Dear Members,
I hope all of you have been able to get
in some riding time between the almost daily
deluges of rain we have had! For most of us
who don’t have indoor arenas, this has been
quite the challenge! All this rain is certainly
good for our pastures though! On June 13th
we held our first schooling show of the year
at Sunset Willow Farm. As usual, our host,
Stephanie Pence, prepared a beautiful and
hospitable venue for our show. The weather
VADA is a USDF Group Membership Organization cooperated and we had a lovely show. I was a
and all members are automatically USDF Group
Members. ShenVADA is a Chapter of the Virginia
scribe in the morning and I was struck by
Dressage Association. how nicely turned out our horses and riders
July 2009 were, as well as how prepared the riders were,
delivering solid tests all the way around. Our
Officers 2009 next show is July 18th, at Melyni Worth’s
Co-Presidents:
farm near Staunton. If you have not been to
Stephanie Sheridan sgsheridan@hotmail.com
Deborah Cross foxtails@shentel.net her farm before, it is an absolutely wonderful
Vice President: facility to show or volunteer at. Additionally,
Stephanie Kopcinski daly3sm@yahoo.com there will be a clinic going on with a well
Secretary: known rider, Matt McLaughlin that you can
Vicky Germroth horses17582@yahoo.com stop in on and audit as well. If you are not
Treasurer/Bluebook:
riding, please consider volunteering; we were
Jane Palmer dpalmer@shentel.net
Judges/Awards: scrambling a bit to fill all our positions at the
Leslie Sebers caliban71@aol.com last show. Please email or call me if you can
Fair Exhibition: help out at foxtails@shentel.net or 540-325-
Ellen Simonetti ellen@friesians4usa.com 9554.
Membership: Best Wishes and Happy Riding,
Deborah Cross foxtails@shentel.net
Deborah
Website Support:
Nick Yarnold yarwak@shentel.net
Newsletter/Show Secretary:
Anita Scruggs horse@shentel.net
Newsletter deadline 20th of each month
State Representatives:
Stephanie Sheridan, Jane Palmer, Judith
Harroun-Lord (alt), Leslie Sebers (alt)
Website
www.shenvada.com
Mission Statement
A group that emphasizes education, support, and
friendship for dressage enthusiasts in the
Celebrate July 4th
Shenandoah Valley
ShenVADA Schooling Show Results TRAINING LEVEL TEST 3
June 13, 2009 Cindy Lloyd Justyn 52.400 1
Sunset Willows Stables Samantha
Helen George “r” Jacob Coco Frost 60.800 1
Rider Horse percent placing TRAINING LEVEL TEST 1
Deborah Weir Admiral 59.130 1
Name Name
Hannah Baugher JR/YR
THIRD LEVEL TEST 3
Sommi 47.391 2
Laura Cross Civan 62.326 1
Kea Kiser JR/YR
FIRST LEVEL TEST 1
Caspian 53.043 1
Leslie Sebers Vegas 59.667 1
Cindy Lloyd Justyn 51.304 2
Annan Hepner JR/YR
SECOND LEVEL TEST 4
Foxcreek Skye 64.667 1
Heather Waterford
Anna Showalter Jr/YR
Joseph Crystal 59.762 1
Sir Buttons 61.000 2
INTRO TEST A
*High Score Champion Annan Hepner Training 4
Alfonso Doce Knight
** Reserve High Score Leslie Sebers Training 4
Watchman 62.000 2
Amy Flora Crimson Tyde 63.000 1
Thanks to our volunteers again without you our
TRAINING LEVEL TEST 4 shows could not go on. Thanks to our fine hostess
Leslie Sebers Vegas 66.000 1** Stephanie Pence and our judge Helen George.
Annan Hepner JR/YR
Foxcreek Skye 67.600 1*
Samantha Jacob
Coco Frost 56.000 2
INTRO LEVEL TEST B Annan Hepner
Alfonso Doce Weltstern & Foxcreek
Windsong 62.500 1 Skye
Amy Flora Crimson Tyde 61.000 2
Chris Feathers Lucky 58.500 3
Marissa Williams
Ashley Scratch
Kea Kiser JR/YR
Caspian 62.500 1
TRAINING LEVEL TEST 2
Debra Weir Admiral 57.857 1
Alfonso
FIRST LEVEL TEST 2
Doce &
Anna Showalter JR/YR
Weltstern
Sir Buttons 56.667 1
Windsong
NOVICE EVENT TEST A
Karen Baig Frosty Chillie
Boy 60.500 1
SECOND LEVEL TEST 2
Heather Waterford
Joseph Crystal 65.135 1
July 2009 www.shenvada.com Page 2
Advertising Fees for Simple Change
Member Non Member
Classified free/2 issues $5/2 issues
Business Card $4/mon $5/mon
1/4 page $9/mon $10/mon
1/2 page $14/mon $15/mon
Full page $19/mon $20/mon
Payment must be included with ads. Make
check payable to ShenVADA, Inc. Deadline is
Samantha Jacob & Coco Frost the 20th of each month. Send to: ShenVADA
842 Kelly Road,
Mt Jackson, VA 22842
or email ad information to horse@shentel.net but
the ad will not be place until payment is received
by treasurer.
ShenVADA Calendar
Jul 18 ShenVADA Schooling Show judge
Barbara Wiefelstede Melyni Worth’s
Staunton, VA
Aug 29 ShenVADA Exhibition @ Shenandoah
Co Fair “Celebrate American” contact
Ellen Simonetti by phone 540 481 0551
Sept 19 ShenVADA Clinic with TBA at
Deborah/Laura Cross Farm
Oct 2-5 ShenVADA Clinic with Kassie Barteau
at Lighthorse Farm
Anna Showalter & Sir Buttons Oct 10 ShenVADA Schooling Show at
Lighthorse Farm judge Nancy Lowey
Thank you Lisa Wolters for sharing your photo gallery Nov 6 ShenVADA Social & Elections at
with me for the newsletter. (? Location not confirmed)
Dec 5 ShenVADA Social & Holiday Tribute
With the rainy weather the week before the show the at Light Horse Farm
riders and horses were turned out very well.
I see me a
horse with
healthy skin
Dinnertime
Babe……
America Land of Freedom
July 2009 www.shenvada.com Page 3
Skin Problems….What is that spot? What you see: red, irritated skin with
crusted, raised scabs just above the heels on
A horse that receives the best of care both hind legs or rarely on a single leg or
may develop an occasional skin problem. The forelegs.
many lumps, bumps, scurfy scabs, itchiness Is it contagious? No, but it’s usually
and hair loss can be a bacteria, fungi, viruses complicated by bacterial infection.
or insects. Cause: Scratches starts as chapping that is
Most cases the lumps, bumps, scabs, generally brought on by a cycle of alternating
itchiness may require nothing more than a wet and dry weather conditions common in
thorough cleansing and the application of an late winter and spring. Once the skin
over the counter remedy. The sooner the becomes cracked and sore, however, bacteria,
problem is seen and treated the better for mites and /or plant irritants often
the horse and the owner. Have you ever complicated the situation.
wondered why your horse would give you a Pertinent facts: Scratches almost always
bald spot in the mane a week before the big occurs on both hind legs, below and behind
show? the ankle. If scabs appear only on one hind
Below are some skin profiles with leg or a front leg consider the possibility that
advice on how to treat and how to prevent it. you may have an injury instead of dermatitis.
WARTS Treatment: Areas affected by scratches are
(also know as viral papillomas) often very tender, so be especially careful
What you see: raise, pinpoint to pea size when working on or around them. Start by
bumps. Warts are typically clustered around washing the affected spot with warm water
the muzzle and lips but sometimes appear on and shampoo. Once the area is dry, gently
the eyelids and genitalia. clip the hair around the scabs and apply
Is it contagious? Yes Destin, ichitammol, petroleum jelly or another
Cause: The warts are caused by papilloma lubricating wound ointment. Apply every day
virus. It is spread both by direct contact and until the scabs loosen and fall away NOTE:
indirectly via share feed tubs, water Avoid repeatedly washing the leg which will
containers, scratching post, and grooming encourage more chapping. If the treated
supplies. area becomes dirty, use a clean cloth to wipe
Pertinent facts: Most common in horse off the oiled ointment and reapply a fresh
younger than 18 months old, but can be found coat.
in horse up to 3 years old. Usually after that Prevention: Mud, which harbors a variety of
the horse has developed and immunity to the bacteria, and moisture are the main culprits in
virus. aggravated scratches. Clipping excessive
Prevention: If you encounter warts, isolate lower leg hair especially on draft, Friesian,
the horse from the other horses and use and Vanners may minimize the risk of
separate water and feed containers, grooming scratches or make treatment easier should
supplies and other horse care items. the problem develop. It may help to keep a
SCRATCHES protective coating of ointment on the heels of
(also known as pastern dermatitis, greasy heel horses that are known to develop scratches.
or mud fever)
Continued on page 5
July 2009 www.shenvada.com Page 4
Continued from page 4 for months or even years, disinfect all tack,
RINGWORM blankets, brushes, stall walls and anything
What you see: circular, raised hairless else that might have come in contact with
patches that may be scaly and crusty. infected horses. If a singe horse contracts a
Is it contagious? YES VERY severe case of ringworm, talk to your
Cause: Several species of fungus can cause veterinarian about preventive treatment
ringworm. One of the most common is baths for all of the horse in the barn.
Trichophyton equinu, which is spread from SWEET ITCH
horse to horse. Some species, such as (also known as equine insect hypersensitivity,
Microsporum gypsu, are found in the soil, summer itch, summer eczema, Queensland
while Microsporusm canis is carried on the itch)
hair of cats and dogs. Ringworm is spread What you see: hairless patches and red
through direct contact or through shared inflamed skin at the root of the mane and tail
grooming supplies or other care items. In as well as on the face, neck and belly, where
most cases the fungi invade the skin through the horse has been rubbing incessantly.
scrapes, abrasion or other minor breaches in Is it contagious? NO
the surface. Cause: an allergy to the saliva of biting
Pertinent facts: Ringworm can affect any midges, gnats, culicoides or no-see-ums, which
part of the body but lesions are usually found feed on horses. The bites cause intense
on the face, neck, chest, shoulder or on the itchiness, which leads the horse to
girth area. The lesions tend to group in incessantly scratch the affected area,
clusters, may be red and scabby but are rubbing away hair and damaging the skin.
usually not itchy. Ringworm is zoonotic Pertinent facts: Sweet itch occurs only in
(transmissible to people) WEAR GLOVES the late spring and summer when insects are
WHILE TREATING. present, during the winter months the skin
Treatment: If left untreated, ringworm will heals and the hair grows back. However,
go into spontaneous remission within about sweet itch tends to worsen from year to year,
three months, but most people treat horses so that horses become itchy earlier in the
to speed healing and avoid contagion. Talk season and it is provoked by fewer bites.
with veterinarian about the best option. You Treatment: Antihistamines can help a horse
will want to prevent using lotions or creams in the early stages of sweet itch outbreak,
containing corticosteroids to treat ringworm. but once he has become sensitized to insect
Inflammation is one of the body’s natural bites, he will likely need oral or topical
fungus fighting mechanisms. Instead try one steroids to stop the cycle and anti-
of the following common treatments: lime inflammatory drugs to control swelling and
sulfur spray or solution (Lym Dyp). For small ease discomfort.
or localized lesions, products containing Prevention: The best approach is to limit the
chlorhexidine o miconazole- common exposure of susceptible horse to biting
ingredient in athlete’s foot medication. insects. This requires keeping them indoors
Iodine has been used to treat ringworm but is when the species responsible for the reaction
not very effective and it can cause severe tend to feed; from two hours before dusk to
irritation. two hours after dawn. For stabled horses,
Prevention: Ringworm is highly contagious and Continued on page 6
fungal spores can remain in the environment
July 2009 www.shenvada.com Page 5
Continued from page 5 Primary photosensitivity occurs when a horse
place a fan in front of the stalls to blow the consumes high levels of photodynamic agents-
gnats away. It also helps to liberally apply found in alfalfa, clover, bishop’s weed and
insect repellent and keep horse covered with variety of other plants-which overwhelm his
scrim sheets and fly masks. system and damage his skin. In secondary
HIVES: photosensitivity, a horse with a damaged liver
(also known as urticaria) ingest normal levels of photodynamic agents
What you see: raised red welts and flat- but his body cannot break them down properly
topped and steep-walled bumps of varying Pertinent fact: Photosensitivity lesion can
sizes and shapes. appear on any area of the body with pink skin,
Is it contagious? NO most often the muzzle, face and white ankles
Cause: an acute allergic reaction triggered by or pasterns on the lower legs. The acute
agents that are inhaled, consumed, injected lesions begin as purplish blisters that weep or
or come in contact with the skin. Instigators slough away and scab over. Affected areas
include but are not limited to vaccines, are sharply painful to the touch.
systemic or topical drugs, plants, topical Treatment: If you think your horse has
sprays, pollen, or insect bites or stings. In photosensitivity, contact your veterinarian.
most cases the cause is not known He may prescribe topical or oral steroids to
Pertinent facts: Hives occur when the mast reduce inflammation, as well as Banamine or
cells within the skin rupture, causing the bute to keep your horse comfortable. He may
smallest blood vessels (capillaries) to leak also test your horse’s liver function for signs
serum, which pools within the skin. Hives of damage.
welts appear rapidly and may be tender to the Prevention: If you know your horse is
touch or mildly itchy. susceptible, keep him stabled during the
Treatment: Hives usually disappear on their daytime and limit his exposure to direct
own within a few hours to a day and a half. sunlight. If your pasture contains plants that
Steroidal medications may be necessary if trigger photosensitivity you may need to move
hives are related to a severe allergic your horse to another field. Horses who
reaction-a RED ALERT situation that may be suffer photosensitivity on the lower legs
accompanied by difficulty breathing and or benefit from being turned out wearing
severe diarrhea. In this case, contact your shipping bandages or boots.
veterinarian IMMEDIATELY. RAINROT
Prevention: You may never know what caused (also known as dermatophilosis, rain scald or
an isolated hives outbreak, but the problem mud fever)
reappears, ask your veterinarian to help you What you see: gray/white scabs clustered
identify the underlying cause. along the back and hindquarters leaving
PHOTOSENSITIVITY patches of hairless skin
What you see: reddened skin and crusty, Is it contagious? YES
raised scabs Cause: A microorganism called dermatophilus
Is it contagious: NO congolensis invades the skin and hair follicles,
Cause: Sun exposure along with other causing scabbing and hair loss. Moisture and
complicating factors. Photosensitivty almost skin damage (usually from prickly vegetation,
exclusively effects pink skin, which lacks a
Continued on page 7
dark pigment that protects against sunlight.
July 2009 www.shenvada.com Page 6
Continued from page 6 not guaranteed to prevent it. If you notice
biting flies or ticks) are the two most the telltale upright hair follicles that indicate
significant contributing factors. The rainrot an infection is taking root, bathe your horse
organism is attracted to low levels of carbon with povidone-iodine or antifungal shampoo
dioxide, which is released by the damaged and talk to your veterinarian about
skin. Wet conditions facilitate the dormant administering penicillin-this is the time when
organism’s activation, which is why many antibiotic injections are most successful in
horses develop rainrot along the top line and arresting rainrot.
rump-following the rain runoff pattern.
Pertinent facts: Rainrot commonly appears on I can’t believe
the head, legs, back, rump and hindquarters.
I ate the
Acute rainrot most often surfaces on the
back and hindquarters where the waiting whole horse
organism is activated by moisture; in the early
stages of rainrot the skin may feel hot to the
touch and the hair may stand straight up & I ‘ve fall’n and I
before scabs begin to form. Horses do not can’t get up……….
build up immunity to rainrot and may get
repeated cases. Chronic rainrot occurs most
often on the lower legs, particularly among Closing Date for
horses standing in tall dewy pasture. Some
ShenVADA Schooling show
geldings also develop rainrot on the hind
cannon bones from urine splash. Is JULY 8th
Treatment: Without treatment, the horse’s at Melyni Worth’s Farm
immune system will eventually overcome the 2435 Shutterlee Mill Rd
rainrot organism, but most people try to Pastures, VA 24401
hasten the process. Scabs can be curried off
Judge Barbara Wiefelsted “R”
with a soft-toothed currycomb, but it is not
unusual for tufts of hair to be shed with
For stabling contact
them. Sometimes the removal of scabs is Ellen Maddox @ 540-942-4500
painful and the skin is bleeding or pussy
beneath; if , soften them with a greasy Laura Cross and Annan Hepner showed June 7th
ointment before trying to remove them. It at the VAD/NOVA recognized show. Congrats
has been suggested that some animals are ladies to your outing.
chronically infected carriers of the organism
Members Showing Dressage at Lexington
so when removing scabs, be sure to sweep
them up to reduce contagion. Bathing with Lisa Wolters horses Weltstern Wingsong, Knight
povidone iodine or chlorhexidine shampoo can Watchman with rider Alfonso Doce showing
Training level.
help resolve more extensive cases of rainrot.
Laura Cross and Civan showing Third Level.
(when my horse got rainrot I used ½ white Melyni Worth and Zavoy Middelson showing
vinegar and ½ baby oil mixture within three Fourth Level
days the rainrot was cleared up)
Prevention: Daily grooming reduces the (maybe some members can carpool on Saturday
incidence and severity of the condition but is to show our support of our riders?)
July 2009 www.shenvada.com Page 7
VADA Fredericksburg
Reaching New Levels
www.VADAF.org
Virginia Dressage Association
Fredericksburg Chapter
Cordially invites you to
An equine law seminar
You, Your Horse and the Law
Kelly LaPar, Esq. - http://www.sandsanderson.com
Learn more about Virginia's Equine Liability Act limiting liability for
inherent dangers associated with equine elated activities. This seminar
will analyze Virginia's Act, summarize its major components, and
examine recent court decisions from across the country.
Location:
Salem Church Library
2607 Salem Church Road
Fredericksburg, VA 22407-6451
When:
Thursday
August 13, 2009
7:00pm
Reservations requested.
Visit: http://www.sandsanderson.com/news_event/events.html
FREE TO THE PUBLIC
July 2009 www.shenvada.com Page 8
Shenandoah Valley Dressage Association
Is now Accepting Advertising and Sponsorship Donations for its
Celebrate America
At the Shenandoah Co. Fairgrounds in Woodstock, VA
1:00PM Saturday August 29, 2009
Overall Show Sponsor
> One-quarter page ad* + listing on Special Show Sponsor Page in Show Program
> Banner space in competition arena (Banner provided by Sponsor)
> Sponsor name announced by public address system at various times during show
> Business card ad in ShenVADA 2010 Handbook
> Cost: $50.00 (Check if Ad Size Upgrade*: Half Pg: ____ ($75) Full Page: _____($100)
* Camera ready copy provided by Sponsor
Schooling Show Class Sponsor
> Business card ad in Show Program and ShenVADA 2010 Handbook
> Sponsor Name announced by public address system at the start of the sponsored Class
> Show Program Listing with sponsored Class
> Cost: $35.00
Rider Sponsor
> Business card ad in Show Program
> Sponsor Name announced by public address system in conjunction with the sponsored Rider
> Show Program Listing with sponsored Rider
> Cost: $15.00 (For an additional $5.00, a business card ad will also be placed in the ShenVADA 2010
Handbook which is received by all ShenVADA members)
Sponsor Name ____________________________________________________________
Contact Name _____________________________ Contact Phone # _________________
Check Ad Type: Show Sponsor ____ Class Sponsor____ Rider Sponsor____
Amount __________ ShenVADA Contact _____________________________________
Please have all checks made payable to ShenVADA
Send all payments and ad material to Anita Scruggs, 1111 Pepper Road, Mt. Jackson, VA 22842
ShenVADA Receipt for Sponsorship of its August 29, 2008 Show at the Shenandoah Co Fair
Date ______________________ Name/Business ______________________________________________
Amount ___________________ ShenVADA Contact __________________________________________
The Shenandoah Dressage Association is a 501c(3) organization. This may provide you with a tax benefit. Please check with your tax accountant.
July 2009 www.shenvada.com Page 9
Reminder to members/riders at our shows; if you wish to have a stall at any
facility that offers stabling you will have to contact the facility manager. The stabling is a
private agreement between rider and facilities. ShenVADA HAS NOTHING TO DO with
stabling arrangements, fees or services provided by the facility for stabling. DO NOT
ASK FOR A STALL ON YOUR ENTRY the show secretary cannot help you with this.
Closing Dates:
For Newsletter is the 20th of each month. I try and have the newsletter out before the
first of the month.
For July show ---July 8rd remember ride times will be posted on the website on Wednesday
prior to the show and if I have the information I will post the volunteers and the jobs and
times that they will be working. If you wish to be called with your ride please write the
time to contact you and the phone number on your entry form.
Entry Secretary for ALL ShenVADA Shows: Anita Scruggs
1111 Pepper Road
Mt Jackson, VA 22842
1111 Pepper Road
Mt Jackson, VA 22664
July 2009 www.shenvada.com Page 10