Latest

The CDS Adult Amateur Clinic with Heidi Gaian

Jolene Heckerman and Claudia Deffenbaugh were the lucky riders who’s names were drawn as the SFP Chapter’s AA riders for this years clinic with Heidi Gaian.

On March 8-10 CDS hosted the Northern Adult Amateur clinic at Michele Vaughn’s Starr Vaughn Equestrian Center in Elk Grove. Michele rolled out the red carpet for the horses and riders, and everyone had a great time leaning new skills, meeting like-minded people, and being immersed in Dressage Land. This years’s clinician, Heidi Gaian is a seasoned FEI competitor, coach, and trainer as well as a USEF ’S’ dressage judge and a real hoot besides, often using humor to make her point and lighten the mood.

But I’ll let this years’s riders for the SFP Chapter provide their own feedback:

Jolene

Attending the Adult Amateur Clinic with Heidi Gaian was the perfect kick in the breeches I needed to launch me out of winter mode and back into intentional work.  In the clinic I rode my 21 year old Friesian JoJo, my partner for the past 5 years.  My goals are to ride third level this year and to maintain his health and fitness into a long life.  Heidi was able to give me just enough feedback and instruction that we walked away confidently presenting a new picture in the dressage ring.  More outside rein, better control in the canter and working on straight lines, we are on our way to making clean changes.

Working on our dressage goals was the focus, but the weekend also felt like a retreat for a busy professional working mom like me.  Michelle Vaughn and company at Starr Vaughn Equestrian Center rolled out the red carpet for us attendees.  The grounds were peaceful and the horses content and relaxed.  The agenda for the weekend included moments for connection and reflection and plenty of sustenance.  Thank you very much to the California Dressage Society, the San Francisco Peninsula Dressage Chapter and Starr Vaughn for this opportunity!

Claudia

I want to thank the San Francisco Peninsula Chapter, CDS and Starr Vaughn for hosting the 2024 Adult Amateur Clinic. It was enjoyable spending time with the other participants and getting to know them.

Heidi was wonderful, understanding and kind. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn from such an accomplished rider, clinician and judge. I will definitely use what I learned to improve my riding.

News & Events

Ingrid Klimke Masterclass

A Lesson in Positive Thinking I was excited to attend German Olympian Ingrid Klimke’s Masterclass at Galway Downs in Temecula on December 2-3, presented by Entrique Consulting.  The program outlined her classical approach to training through the levels, from young horse to Grand Prix, incorporating cavaletti work and a special session for eventers.   The event […]

Clinic Report – Susanne von Dietze

October 20 – 22, 2023NCEFT, Woodside The San Francisco Peninsula Chapter of CDS was proud to host a clinic with Susanne von Dietze on October 20-22 at the NCEFT facility in Woodside.  The clinic was well attended by both riders and auditors, with a full schedule each day.  In addition, Susanne was kind enough to […]

Congratulations Claudia Deffenbaugh on joining the Century Club!

Claudia and Celtico III completed their Century Club ride at the Dressage at Dancing Kings show on July 22, 2023.  The Century Club recognizes dressage riders and horses whose combined ages total 100 years or more. Horse and rider perform a test of any level at a show, and are scored by a dressage judge […]

SFP Annual Show Superstar Volunteer Program

Volunteer at this years Annual Show and SFP will pay for your 2024 CDS Membership! In appreciation for those who are willing to commit to volunteering for one full day, or two half days, our “thanks” will be to pay your 2024 CDS membership. To our knowledge, no show has ever done this, but it […]

The SFP Chapter would like to congratulate all of the Perpetual Trophy winners at this years Annual Show

Springdown Farm Dressage Challenge Trophy (1968)Highest percentage earned at the show, levels 1 through FEIFreestyle, Pas de Deux and Quadrille classes do not count.– Cynthia Makishima & Florian Guldbjerg Shelly Siegel Memorial Perpetual Trophy (1984)Training Level, Test 1 class, Amateur only– Laurence Delisle & Fanfare Virginia Allen Perpetual Trophy (1990)First Level, Test 1– Kelly Casey & Navannah Henry Burchard […]