Issue:
President's Corner
September 2010
Rebecca H. Chatfield, Ph.D.
September is a very exciting month for E.I.'s Eventing fans -- the annual E.I. Horse Trials are September 17-19 at the Northwest Equestrian Center in Rainier, WA. This year's event is sure to be a crowd-pleaser with new jumps & course design. Riders compete in three disciplines -- dressage, cross-country, and show jumping -- so spectators always have a lot to watch. This will be an extra-full show as this year is also the U.S. Eventing Association Area VII Championships. Volunteers gratefully welcomed, no experience necessary. People are needed for hospitality, office help, stewards, timers, jump judges, jump crew, bridle number collector, and many other tasks so if you have a few hours to give please do! See the E.I. website for volunteer sign-up positions handled online, or contact Polly Kranick, Horse Trials Volunteer Coordinator, pollyk98@msn.com, 206-567-4326. For more information about the fine sport of Eventing, see the USEA website www.useventing.com. Sometimes we have an embarrassment of riches on the calendar! The USDF/Northwest Region 6 Dressage Championships are also the third weekend in September (16-19) held at the beautiful and recently renovated Donida Farms in Auburn WA. For information on this event please see www.usdf.org and www.region6.org. Ranging further afield, eyes turn in late September to Lexington KY to the site of the World Equestrian Games. A few will be heading there as lucky spectators watching the best riders in the world. Tickets and lodging are scarce and most people made arrangements months or even years ago. So if you are going to the WEG, consider writing up your "I was there" experience to share with others back home!
April 2010 issue
Rebecca H. Chatfield, Ph.D.
April is Volunteer Month for Equestrians' Institute. Volunteering is a clever way to get
1) experiential education at equestrian events
2) social networking done the old-fashioned way and
3) fun that also boosts your cosmic 'good karma' rating.
Also you get free stuff! To see available volunteer opportunities go to the E.I. website (www.equestriansinstitute.com), click on 'Volunteers', then on 'sign up online'. This sends you to the MyVolunteers linked program that we use to manage tasks and communications for our large group of volunteers. Your information is kept private and used only by E.I. Directors to contact you for volunteer activities. Our Director of Volunteers, Colleen Jones, works very hard to make sure that you are matched up with appropriate tasks, receive timely updates, and get friendly care & direction when you bring your warm body to us. Here's another line of breadcrumbs for you: all people who use the software during the month of April to commit to any 2010 E.I. volunteer shift will be entered in a special drawing for some new and rather awesome E.I. merchandise.
And really, everyone wins because volunteering is a fun, easy way to connect to other local equestrian-minded folks and the best way to ensure that E.I. can continue to provide enjoyable, successful events. Who doesn't love a win-win scenario? See you soon!
March 2010 issue
Rebecca H. Chatfield, Ph.D.
Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire. --William Butler Yeats
This month I shine the spotlight on the educational opportunities offered by Equestrians' Institute. We are pleased to offer an interesting array of clinics & lectures to our members to fulfill our educational mission. The ever-popular dressage Scribing Clinic is happening again on April 8th; this is a fantastic way to learn what happens in the judge's box at C, and is a fun volunteer job at the schooling and recognized dressage shows during the year. We are also very excited to offer a new Lecture Series this year that is absolutely FREE to E.I. members ($25 for non-members) which combines a tasty Sunday brunch with an interesting talk. Respected local veterinarian Dr. Steve Latimer will discuss "Advances in Management of Soft Tissue Injuries" on Sunday March 7th, 10:30 am - 1pm, at the Issaquah City Hall Eagle Room. Preregistration for both seminars is required, please see our website for details. We are open to suggestions from you about future Lecture Series talks. What topics interest you? Do you have a suggestion for a guest speaker? How does a panel discussion sound? We have some flexibility now so let's take advantage of it! Send ideas about what lights your fire, and offers to help, to EI-LectureSeries@equestriansinstitute.org or call Lecture Series Organizer Penny Leggott at 206-295-8604.
Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself. -- Chinese Proverb
<february>
January 2010
Rebecca H. Chatfield, Ph.D.
The January trees are stripped bare, resting and dormant. Winter time hibernation seems like a fine idea right now as we all hide under layers of fleece during short dreary days. Yet behold the volunteers who run E.I. year-round; we are as busy as ever planning E.I.'s 2010 Calendar of Events. Now is a wonderful time to regroup, to engage in long-term strategic planning, and to brainstorm new ways of working and communicating. While our calendar looks sparse in the early months of the year, we are fully engaged behind the scenes, gearing up to provide the PNW equestrian community many wonderful educational and competitive opportunities ahead.
One of our goals for 2010 is to make volunteering for E.I. easier and simpler. We aim to leverage some useful existing and upcoming technology tools to reach out to more people and to make participating in E.I. even more attractive. Becoming more involved should be a fun & joyful expansion to your equestrian pursuits, not a dreary burden to put off until you are "less busy". Who is ever less busy?
Now for New Year's resolutions: First, if you haven't already renewed your E.I. membership for 2010, do it now. Everything we do hinges on having members to do it for! Second, watch the E.I. website for changes and announcements as we put into place some great new ideas. You may have noticed one already -- the E.I. Facebook page has fresh pictures and news. Become a fan today! Third resolution: make a true commitment to yourself that this year you will become engaged, become involved, and get the most you can out of our fantastic local equestrian community. Looking forward to seeing you in 2010!
December 2009
Rebecca H. Chatfield, Ph.D.
We wrap up another successful year for E.I. and it's time to thank the folks who make it all happen. Thank you to our key Directors and stalwart Board members who wear many different hats during the year: Shelly Navarre, Peter Larsen, Colleen Jones, Gunn Cooper, Chriss Cardwell, Penny Leggott, Tracy Garland, Barb Penniston, Maren Jensen, Kathleen Butler, Lezlie Wolff, Matt Eagan, and Polly Kranick. Thanks also to Lothar Pinkers, Kellie Larsen, and Susan Pittman for running E.I.'s various dressage shows, and to Gwen Blake and Lisa Copeland for providing such fantastic show venues for us. Thanks to Beth Glosten for handling grants and running scribing clinics, to Jan Loesche for taking wonderful pictures, and to Cinda Peters for graphics design help. Thanks to Wendy Meyers, Susan Napier, and Carolyn Adams for making this year's auction a fun success. Thank you Karen Moore for our fantastic Musical Freestyle clinics. A special thanks to Carolynn Bunch for being our GMO rep to the USDF convention. Thanks also to Linda Mackin, Peter Rothschild, Jeff Roberts, Kate Causbie, and all those volunteers who jump right in and do what's needed. Phew!
There are a lot more people to thank but I'm running out of space! At our annual meeting on January 9th we will have another chance to honor volunteers and to award some well-deserved prizes. Watch your mail for a postcard with more information, and your email for electronic news updates.
Membership renewals are happening now. Renew now and you're good until Nov 30th 2010! Happy Holidays from Equestrians' Institute!
November 2009
Rebecca H. Chatfield, Ph.D.
November is a particularly good month to reflect on gratitude. Too often we slide into the tendency to magnify minor annoyances, to obsess about doubts or fear, and to nitpick the errors and flaws of our experiences. Are you too distracted to be grateful? Too busy? Too judgmental -- perhaps invested in the thrill and power of critique of others’ well-intentioned efforts? Now is the time to take stock of your habits, and to cultivate a pattern where you give thanks for good and positive elements around you. Personally, I am grateful for family, good health, and the capacity to enjoy the company of human and equine friends while pursuing a sport and hobby I love. I am also grateful to be involved with an amazing group of dedicated people who work very hard to help me and others continue to enjoy equestrian pursuits. Thank you, Equestrians' Institute! Show your continued support of E.I. by renewing for the new membership year, which starts December 1st. Renew by November 15th to be eligible to win one of 10 free saddle pads with the E.I. logo. Membership renewal forms will be sent to current members; you can also check the website for renewal information. Renew or join, you'll be glad you did.
October 2009
Rebecca H. Chatfield, Ph.D.
What could be better than an evening of festive frivolity that also supports a good cause? Put on your best Halloween costume and join us Saturday October 17th for E.I.'s Annual Fundraising Auction at Redhook Brewery. To set a spooky tone, our theme is Phantom of the Opera. Come prepared to socialize, dine, laugh, and spend some coin on an array of interesting, useful, and quirky items. Costume contest prizes awarded for creativity and bravery! Tickets are on sale on E.I.'s website for $30 each. Buy a table of 8 for a group of friends and get one ticket free. For more auction information contact Wendy Meyers 206-909-6680. Ever want to dance with your horse? Here's your chance to learn more about musical freestyles, an increasingly popular event at dressage shows. Acclaimed freestyle designer Karen Robinson helps each horse and rider craft a beautiful partnership through careful musical selection and choreography. Equestrians’ Institute is delighted to announce that the next Karen Robinson clinic is October 10-11 at Pacific Moon Equestrian Center in Arlington, 9 am to 6 pm each day. For more information on Karen see her website www.applausedressage.com or the Pacific Moon website www.pacific-moon.net. Auditors are welcome. Want to learn more about getting involved with E.I. ? Feel free to call 425-503-1494 or email me anytime at rideaxc@hotmail.com. Come join us!
September 2009
Rebecca H. Chatfield, Ph.D.
Equestrians' Institute is delighted to host the annual Eventing E.I. Horse Trials at Donida Farm September 19-20. Beginner Novice, Novice, Training, and Preliminary levels are offered. Donida Farm is a terrific venue to watch the Horse Trials because it is spectator-friendly and thoughtfully laid out. For more information on E.I. Horse Trials click on the Calendar/Omnibus on www.useventing.com or contact organizer MaryBeth Koreman 206-883-5050 mbkoreman@hotmail.com. Volunteers are needed for this event-- sign up on the MyVolunteers page linked from the E.I. website.
E.I.'s final dressage schooling show of the 2009 season will be Sunday September 20th at San Sebastian Equestrian Center in Redmond. Check the website as usual for sign-up information and forms, or call Kellie Larsen 425-844-3039 or klarsen@wolfenet.com. Entries are due Saturday September 12th.
Looking ahead to October should bring a tingly feeling to your spine. Halloween is just around the corner and so is the E.I. 2009 Fundraising Auction with this year's theme "Phantom of the Opera". Set aside the evening of Saturday October 17th from 6-10pm at Redhook Brewery to visit with friends, eat a delicious dinner, and bid on interesting items in support of Equestrians' Institute. Don't forget to wear your spooky, funny, or interesting costume; prizes awarded for costume creativity and bravery. Do you have a special item to contribute to the bidding frenzy? Donations of auction items can be directed to Wendy Meyers, 206-909-6680 or whimseyfarm@msn.com before October 1st. Buy your auction tickets online on the E.I. website www.equestriansinstitute.org. Individual tickets are $30 each. Buy a table of 8 for a group of friends and get one ticket free! Can't wait to see you there!
Rebecca H. Chatfield, Ph.D.
September is a very exciting month for E.I.'s Eventing fans -- the annual E.I. Horse Trials are September 17-19 at the Northwest Equestrian Center in Rainier, WA. This year's event is sure to be a crowd-pleaser with new jumps & course design. Riders compete in three disciplines -- dressage, cross-country, and show jumping -- so spectators always have a lot to watch. This will be an extra-full show as this year is also the U.S. Eventing Association Area VII Championships. Volunteers gratefully welcomed, no experience necessary. People are needed for hospitality, office help, stewards, timers, jump judges, jump crew, bridle number collector, and many other tasks so if you have a few hours to give please do! See the E.I. website for volunteer sign-up positions handled online, or contact Polly Kranick, Horse Trials Volunteer Coordinator, pollyk98@msn.com, 206-567-4326. For more information about the fine sport of Eventing, see the USEA website www.useventing.com. Sometimes we have an embarrassment of riches on the calendar! The USDF/Northwest Region 6 Dressage Championships are also the third weekend in September (16-19) held at the beautiful and recently renovated Donida Farms in Auburn WA. For information on this event please see www.usdf.org and www.region6.org. Ranging further afield, eyes turn in late September to Lexington KY to the site of the World Equestrian Games. A few will be heading there as lucky spectators watching the best riders in the world. Tickets and lodging are scarce and most people made arrangements months or even years ago. So if you are going to the WEG, consider writing up your "I was there" experience to share with others back home!
April 2010 issue
Rebecca H. Chatfield, Ph.D.
April is Volunteer Month for Equestrians' Institute. Volunteering is a clever way to get
1) experiential education at equestrian events
2) social networking done the old-fashioned way and
3) fun that also boosts your cosmic 'good karma' rating.
Also you get free stuff! To see available volunteer opportunities go to the E.I. website (www.equestriansinstitute.com), click on 'Volunteers', then on 'sign up online'. This sends you to the MyVolunteers linked program that we use to manage tasks and communications for our large group of volunteers. Your information is kept private and used only by E.I. Directors to contact you for volunteer activities. Our Director of Volunteers, Colleen Jones, works very hard to make sure that you are matched up with appropriate tasks, receive timely updates, and get friendly care & direction when you bring your warm body to us. Here's another line of breadcrumbs for you: all people who use the software during the month of April to commit to any 2010 E.I. volunteer shift will be entered in a special drawing for some new and rather awesome E.I. merchandise.
And really, everyone wins because volunteering is a fun, easy way to connect to other local equestrian-minded folks and the best way to ensure that E.I. can continue to provide enjoyable, successful events. Who doesn't love a win-win scenario? See you soon!
March 2010 issue
Rebecca H. Chatfield, Ph.D.
Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire. --William Butler Yeats
This month I shine the spotlight on the educational opportunities offered by Equestrians' Institute. We are pleased to offer an interesting array of clinics & lectures to our members to fulfill our educational mission. The ever-popular dressage Scribing Clinic is happening again on April 8th; this is a fantastic way to learn what happens in the judge's box at C, and is a fun volunteer job at the schooling and recognized dressage shows during the year. We are also very excited to offer a new Lecture Series this year that is absolutely FREE to E.I. members ($25 for non-members) which combines a tasty Sunday brunch with an interesting talk. Respected local veterinarian Dr. Steve Latimer will discuss "Advances in Management of Soft Tissue Injuries" on Sunday March 7th, 10:30 am - 1pm, at the Issaquah City Hall Eagle Room. Preregistration for both seminars is required, please see our website for details. We are open to suggestions from you about future Lecture Series talks. What topics interest you? Do you have a suggestion for a guest speaker? How does a panel discussion sound? We have some flexibility now so let's take advantage of it! Send ideas about what lights your fire, and offers to help, to EI-LectureSeries@equestriansinstitute.org or call Lecture Series Organizer Penny Leggott at 206-295-8604.
Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself. -- Chinese Proverb
<february>
January 2010
Rebecca H. Chatfield, Ph.D.
The January trees are stripped bare, resting and dormant. Winter time hibernation seems like a fine idea right now as we all hide under layers of fleece during short dreary days. Yet behold the volunteers who run E.I. year-round; we are as busy as ever planning E.I.'s 2010 Calendar of Events. Now is a wonderful time to regroup, to engage in long-term strategic planning, and to brainstorm new ways of working and communicating. While our calendar looks sparse in the early months of the year, we are fully engaged behind the scenes, gearing up to provide the PNW equestrian community many wonderful educational and competitive opportunities ahead.
One of our goals for 2010 is to make volunteering for E.I. easier and simpler. We aim to leverage some useful existing and upcoming technology tools to reach out to more people and to make participating in E.I. even more attractive. Becoming more involved should be a fun & joyful expansion to your equestrian pursuits, not a dreary burden to put off until you are "less busy". Who is ever less busy?
Now for New Year's resolutions: First, if you haven't already renewed your E.I. membership for 2010, do it now. Everything we do hinges on having members to do it for! Second, watch the E.I. website for changes and announcements as we put into place some great new ideas. You may have noticed one already -- the E.I. Facebook page has fresh pictures and news. Become a fan today! Third resolution: make a true commitment to yourself that this year you will become engaged, become involved, and get the most you can out of our fantastic local equestrian community. Looking forward to seeing you in 2010!
December 2009
Rebecca H. Chatfield, Ph.D.
We wrap up another successful year for E.I. and it's time to thank the folks who make it all happen. Thank you to our key Directors and stalwart Board members who wear many different hats during the year: Shelly Navarre, Peter Larsen, Colleen Jones, Gunn Cooper, Chriss Cardwell, Penny Leggott, Tracy Garland, Barb Penniston, Maren Jensen, Kathleen Butler, Lezlie Wolff, Matt Eagan, and Polly Kranick. Thanks also to Lothar Pinkers, Kellie Larsen, and Susan Pittman for running E.I.'s various dressage shows, and to Gwen Blake and Lisa Copeland for providing such fantastic show venues for us. Thanks to Beth Glosten for handling grants and running scribing clinics, to Jan Loesche for taking wonderful pictures, and to Cinda Peters for graphics design help. Thanks to Wendy Meyers, Susan Napier, and Carolyn Adams for making this year's auction a fun success. Thank you Karen Moore for our fantastic Musical Freestyle clinics. A special thanks to Carolynn Bunch for being our GMO rep to the USDF convention. Thanks also to Linda Mackin, Peter Rothschild, Jeff Roberts, Kate Causbie, and all those volunteers who jump right in and do what's needed. Phew!
There are a lot more people to thank but I'm running out of space! At our annual meeting on January 9th we will have another chance to honor volunteers and to award some well-deserved prizes. Watch your mail for a postcard with more information, and your email for electronic news updates.
Membership renewals are happening now. Renew now and you're good until Nov 30th 2010! Happy Holidays from Equestrians' Institute!
November 2009
Rebecca H. Chatfield, Ph.D.
November is a particularly good month to reflect on gratitude. Too often we slide into the tendency to magnify minor annoyances, to obsess about doubts or fear, and to nitpick the errors and flaws of our experiences. Are you too distracted to be grateful? Too busy? Too judgmental -- perhaps invested in the thrill and power of critique of others’ well-intentioned efforts? Now is the time to take stock of your habits, and to cultivate a pattern where you give thanks for good and positive elements around you. Personally, I am grateful for family, good health, and the capacity to enjoy the company of human and equine friends while pursuing a sport and hobby I love. I am also grateful to be involved with an amazing group of dedicated people who work very hard to help me and others continue to enjoy equestrian pursuits. Thank you, Equestrians' Institute! Show your continued support of E.I. by renewing for the new membership year, which starts December 1st. Renew by November 15th to be eligible to win one of 10 free saddle pads with the E.I. logo. Membership renewal forms will be sent to current members; you can also check the website for renewal information. Renew or join, you'll be glad you did.
October 2009
Rebecca H. Chatfield, Ph.D.
What could be better than an evening of festive frivolity that also supports a good cause? Put on your best Halloween costume and join us Saturday October 17th for E.I.'s Annual Fundraising Auction at Redhook Brewery. To set a spooky tone, our theme is Phantom of the Opera. Come prepared to socialize, dine, laugh, and spend some coin on an array of interesting, useful, and quirky items. Costume contest prizes awarded for creativity and bravery! Tickets are on sale on E.I.'s website for $30 each. Buy a table of 8 for a group of friends and get one ticket free. For more auction information contact Wendy Meyers 206-909-6680. Ever want to dance with your horse? Here's your chance to learn more about musical freestyles, an increasingly popular event at dressage shows. Acclaimed freestyle designer Karen Robinson helps each horse and rider craft a beautiful partnership through careful musical selection and choreography. Equestrians’ Institute is delighted to announce that the next Karen Robinson clinic is October 10-11 at Pacific Moon Equestrian Center in Arlington, 9 am to 6 pm each day. For more information on Karen see her website www.applausedressage.com or the Pacific Moon website www.pacific-moon.net. Auditors are welcome. Want to learn more about getting involved with E.I. ? Feel free to call 425-503-1494 or email me anytime at rideaxc@hotmail.com. Come join us!
September 2009
Rebecca H. Chatfield, Ph.D.
Equestrians' Institute is delighted to host the annual Eventing E.I. Horse Trials at Donida Farm September 19-20. Beginner Novice, Novice, Training, and Preliminary levels are offered. Donida Farm is a terrific venue to watch the Horse Trials because it is spectator-friendly and thoughtfully laid out. For more information on E.I. Horse Trials click on the Calendar/Omnibus on www.useventing.com or contact organizer MaryBeth Koreman 206-883-5050 mbkoreman@hotmail.com. Volunteers are needed for this event-- sign up on the MyVolunteers page linked from the E.I. website.
E.I.'s final dressage schooling show of the 2009 season will be Sunday September 20th at San Sebastian Equestrian Center in Redmond. Check the website as usual for sign-up information and forms, or call Kellie Larsen 425-844-3039 or klarsen@wolfenet.com. Entries are due Saturday September 12th.
Looking ahead to October should bring a tingly feeling to your spine. Halloween is just around the corner and so is the E.I. 2009 Fundraising Auction with this year's theme "Phantom of the Opera". Set aside the evening of Saturday October 17th from 6-10pm at Redhook Brewery to visit with friends, eat a delicious dinner, and bid on interesting items in support of Equestrians' Institute. Don't forget to wear your spooky, funny, or interesting costume; prizes awarded for costume creativity and bravery. Do you have a special item to contribute to the bidding frenzy? Donations of auction items can be directed to Wendy Meyers, 206-909-6680 or whimseyfarm@msn.com before October 1st. Buy your auction tickets online on the E.I. website www.equestriansinstitute.org. Individual tickets are $30 each. Buy a table of 8 for a group of friends and get one ticket free! Can't wait to see you there!