White Horse Vale Summer Performances - WA

     White Horse Vale Lipizzans has announced their summer performance dates for 2008: July 12 and August 30. The two Saturdays will each feature an approximately 2-hour long performance of Lipizzans and Classical Dressage. The farm, located in Goldendale, Washington (just two hours east of Portland International Airport), will host the event in its scenic outdoor arena, surrounded by pine and aspen trees.
     Goldendale is a small town of 3200 residents, but boasts scenic views of the two volcanoes, Mt. Adams and Mt. Hood. Within this little town, the Lipizzans of White Horse Vale and Classical Horsemanship prosper and flourish together.
     White Horse Vale, in conjunction, with Thomas and Shana Ritter of Ritter Dressage, operates a comprehensive classical riding school out of its Lipizzan breeding farm. These summer performances are the highlight of the season, and allow the public an opportunity to experience the beauty and art of the classically-trained horses in motion.
      The July 12th performance will be part of Goldendale's Community Days, which is a weekend of outdoor recreational activities and happenings in the greater Goldendale area. The August 30th performance will bring the Summer season to a close and will highlight the best of the year's horses.
     Each performance afternoon will boast a selection of exhibitions, including the Quadrille, which is a choreographed display of 4-8 horses performing in-sync to music, often compared to a ballet. Also included will be a horse at the longrein, a display also set to music of the horse performing dressage movements at all three gaits while the handler follows behind the horse at close proximity, with only two long reins to communicate with the horse. Several other musical dressage performances will be interspersed throughout the performance, which will include a musical freestyle pas-de-deux, a pas-de-trois, and a solo performance. A traditional driving performance will be included, as well. One of the crowd favorites is always the work-in-hand/airs above the ground performance where the horses, with handlers or ridden, perform the airs, such as piaffe (an animated, collected trot in place), the passage (a slow-motion trot with brilliant energy and suspension), the levade (an 'air' in which the horse sits down onto his hindlegs and raises his forelegs 30-35 degrees off the ground, tucking them neatly), the courbette (the horse raises his forehand off the ground, tucks up his forelegs evenly, and then jumps forward, never allowing the forelegs to touch down, in a series of "hops"), and the capriole (the horse jumps from a raised position of the forehand straight up into the air, kicks out with the hind legs, and lands more or less on all four legs at the same time). This year's work-in-hand performances will feature, for the first time, a horse in the pillars (two poles mounted in the middle of the arena between which the horse performs piaffe and levade). Another crowd pleaser is the mare and foal display, where the year's mares and their foals are brought into the arena to leap and pounce and show off.
     The public is welcome and encouraged to attend. After the performances, visitors will be treated to a tour of the facility and an introduction to each of the Stallions in the Stallion barn. Refreshments and souvenirs will be available. Currently underway are plans to also include wine-tasting, provided by a local award-winning winery.
     Goldendale is home to two hotels and several restaurants, to accommodate visitors from out of town. Nearby Hood River, is a bevy of tourist delights (with it's reputation for some of the best recreational activities - windsurfing, kayaking, skiing, hiking, white water rafting - no to mention great shopping and great food), and would provide an excellent accompaniment to round off the eventful weekend.
     And if you'd like to attend, but can't stand to only watch... and you would like to take part in the excitement... White Horse Vale and Ritter Dressage are always looking for volunteers for the performances. A show like this needs the help of many people behind the scenes.
Visit the White Horse Vale website at www.whv-lipizzans.com  for details of the event, or contact June Boardman at (509) 773-5222 or email whv@gorge.net .

THE POTOMAC VALLEY DRESSAGE ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES FIFTH ANNUAL BENEFIT RIDE FOR LIFE HORSE SHOW

MARYLAND

The Potomac Valley Dressage Association (PVDA) Ride for Life show to be held June 28-29, 2008 at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center, Upper Marlboro, MD. PVDA’s Ride for Life show has a special purpose; it is a benefit for breast cancer research at the Johns Hopkins Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Center, and a two-day USDF-licensed dressage show with classes from intro level to Grand Prix. Whether you are a sponsor, a rider or non-rider bringing in donations, a clinician or company contributing to the silent auction or rider raffle, a vendor, a volunteer or other supporter, there is a way for you to contribute to the show in funds or time to help us support breast cancer research!

On Saturday June 28th, there will be a special evening performance perfect for both individuals and families in the spacious competition hall/indoor arena featuring live musical entertainment, dressage exhibitions by top professionals, a musical freestyle challenge between dressage and reiners showcasing their partnership between horse and rider, and various entertaining exhibitions. Just confirmed will be the World Equestrian Games Gold Medal vaulter. Doors open at six p.m. for the Dancing Horse Challenge and donations are suggested. Tickets for the gala dinner will also be available and fabulous silent auction items will be on display.

Sponsorship opportunities are available. For a second year, artist Robert Bevans has created original art for Ride for Life. Signed commemorative posters will be available at the show.

Watch the website for further details www.pvdarideforlife.org . Sponsorship opportunities are available.