She Hasn't Grown Much in Size, But Has Grown in Every Other Way
Tuesday, August 5, 2015

by Jodie Kelly

Destin, FL - I was away on the actual day, but I would be remiss to not mention Elizabeth Zecca's two year anniversary with Jodie Kelly Dressage.

Two years ago, this kid badgered me for an entire summer about a position that was not open.  I finally caved and we welcomed Eizabeth Zecca into our barn family on August 1st.  A green working student that could barely keep our school masters together, she vowed then and there that she'd never make me regret hiring her.  She has not only kept that word, but makes me thank my lucky stars daily for her not taking no for an answer.

Although she hasn't grown much in size, love you EZ, she has grown in every other way possible.  From her riding skills, to her equine management skills, to being a mentor to so many of our young riders, she has made herself an invaluable member of this team.  It has truly been a joy to watch her blossom.

Happy anniversary, Elizabeth!  Here's to many more!

What More Could a Trainer Ask For
Sunday, July 19, 2015

by Jodie Kelly

Lexington, KY - Mattie Zepernick and Wencenca finished 5th in the Young Rider freestyles last night.  They started off the week as the anchor ride for the Region 9 team, then, steadily progressed individually, right into the victory gallop last night.

As this week comes to a close, and I am sitting here waiting for my flight, I can't help but remember where we were two years ago, at this time.  On Freestyle Saturday of the 2013 NAJYRC, instead of fighting for scores, where she should have been, Wencenza found herself fighting for her life, across the street at Hagyard.  Another surgery, and two years later, this special mare was headed back down centerline of the Rolex Stadium last night, dancing her way to the victory gallop.

Mattie and Wencenza posted a score of 65.974% on Wednesday in the FEI Young Rider Team test, finishing 12th out of 35 competitors.  Mattie and Wencenza ventured into the Rolex Arena for the first time on Friday for the FEI Young Rider Individual test.  They moved up three spots from their finish in the Team Test finishing in 9th place with a 65.947% score.  Then it was back to the Rolex Arena on Saturday night for the finale and the FEI Young Rider Freestyle competition.  Mattie and Wencenz were awarded a score of 68.450% by the judges, placing them 5th on the night.

I am continuously in awe and humbled by the heart and soul this amazing girl has.  And so very happy that she has such a team behind her that will fight as hard as she does when the going gets tough.  No doubt in my mind, her drive comes from the desire to fulfill one very special kids' dreams that she gets to call "hers".  The judges only get to judge what they see for seven minutes, but, if they could see the love, sacrifice, and bond that these two have outside the ring, they would have Gold medals that challenged the most decorated Olympians.  THAT is what this sport is truly about.

The Adequan/FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North (NAJYRC) is the premier equestrian competition for junior and young riders, age 14-21.  Young equestrians vie for team and individual FEI medals in three Olympic equestrian disciplines of show jumping, dressage, eventing, the Para-Olympic discipline of para-dressage and the FEI World Equestrian Games disciplines of reining and endurance.  The competition is run under rules of the FEI, the international governing body for equestrian sport, and is the only FEI championship held annually on this continent.

Many of North American's best equestrians who now regularly represent their country on Olympic Word Championship and Nations Cup teams got their first taste of International experience at NAJYRC.   These include Olympic medalists Greg Best, Karen O'Connor, Chris Kappler and McLain Ward.  The list also includes Mattie's trainer.

What more could a trainer ask for?  Love these two to pieces!

He's Like Judging an Ice Cream Sundae
Monday, June 22, 2015

HAMILTON, GA - Jodie Kelly Dressage sent twenty-one rides down centerline at the Chattahoochee Hills Equestrian Center this weekend.  It was a busy one, but so worth the exhaustion.  Jodie was very proud of the team and everyone who showed, despite the miserably hot temperatures.  "We had some great moments, some better off forgotten, and then some when all you can do is laugh." said Jodie.  "I am so proud of this team, through the ups and the downs, this gang sticks together."

In only their second time in the ring Jodie and her newest mount, Grayton Beach, once again captured the high score for the show with the judge's score of 82% for their performance of the USEF Four-Year-Old Test on Saturday.  Jodie commented that while the scores were fun, it was the comment from the judge, "he is like judging an ice cream sundae", that made her day.  She and Grayton returned to the ring on Sunday to again capture the top spot in the USEF Four-Year-Old Test with a score of 81.200%.

Jodie captured top honors in six different classes aboard two different horses.  Jodie and Shirocco captured top honors on Saturday with scores of 73.333% in the First Level, Test 1 class and 70.306% in the First Level, Test 2 class.  They followed those performances with a 72.206% score in the First Level, Test 3 class on Sunday.  Shirocco is owned by Carol Dover who was sidelined with a knee injury for this show.

Linda Funderburk and her new horse, Deodoro V.O., competed in the Adult Amateur Divison.  They placed 2nd in their Training Level, Test 1 class on Saturday with a score of 62.391%.  This was the pair's first time down centerline at a show.  "So finally my first show with my new boy!" exclaimed Linda. "It was so much fun and he felt amazing and was so calm.  I have to thank my trainer Jodie Kelly for finding Deo for me.  She knew he would be a perfect match for me.  Also need to thank her for the unending guidance, support and encouragement along the way through the ups and downs of this sport.  You are the best!"  Linda and Deo posted their highest score of 65.870% on Sunday in the Training Level, Test 1 class to earn the blue ribbon.

Mattie Zepernick and Diola captured 1st place in both of their Third Level tests in the Jr/YR Division with scores of 62.879% in Test 1 and 64.872% in Test 2 on Saturday.  Mattie and Diola then bested all other combinations in the Third Level, Test 1 Class on Sunday with a score of 61.061%.  Aboard her second mount, Wencenza, Mattie finished third in the FEI Young Riders PSG Team Test class with a score of 67.711% and 2nd in the FEI Young Riders Freestyle class with a score of 69.000% also on Saturday.  This pair also had a 3rd place finish in the FEI Young Riders Individual Test with a score of 64.934%.

Elizabeth Zecca's top score of 62.424% placed her one behind the winner in the Second Level, Test 1 class for Jr/YRs on Saturday aboard Jodie's Brighton Beach.  The pair captured 2nd place in the Second Level, Test 3 class also on Saturday.  On Sunday, Elizabeth and Brighton captured 1st place in the Second Level, Test 3 class with a score of 63.537% and finished 4th in the Second Level, Test 1 class with a score of 58.333%.

Susan von Hoene and her partner, Levi, finished 3rd in the First Level, Test 1 class of the Adult Amateur Division with a score of 63.704% on Saturday.  They also posted a score of 60.227% in the Training Level, Test 3 class but finished out of the ribbons.  The judge awarded Susan and Levi a score of 64.200% and the blue ribbon for their performance in the First Level Rider Test on Sunday.  They finished in 4th place with a score 62.727% in the Training Level, Test 3 class.

Amanda Stewert and Heza High Expectation were the winners in the Second Level, Test 3 class for Jr/YRs with a score of 59.512% and placed 3rd in the Third Level, Test 3 class with a score of 62.949% on Saturday.  This partnership competed in the same classes on Sunday eclipsing all other competitors in the Third Level, Test 3 class and finished 2nd in the Second Level, Test 3 class.

Annlouise Kildow and Graf Kaspian captured 2nd place in both the Training Level, Test 2 and Test 3 classes in the Adult Amateur Division on Saturday with scores of 66.923% and 68.864% respectively.   Annlouise and Graf returned to the ring on Sunday to win the same two classes with scores of 70.000% and 68.182% respectively.

Chelsea Akavickas and Made You Look (Mylo) captured the blue ribbon in the FEI Prix St Georges class in the Open Division on Saturday and Sunday with scores of 55.658% and 58.816% respectively.

Jodie said, "I am so proud of this team, through the ups and the downs, this gang sticks together."

Back to the Big Show
Monday, October 27, 2014

WELLINGTON, FL - The Great American/USDF Regional Dressage Championships program is designed to promote and recognize the pursuit of excellence by providing a showcase competition that meets established quality standards for riders within each of the nine USDF regions.  Riders can qualify for the Regional Championships by riding in designated qualifying classes at USDF recognized competitions.  This year Jodie Kelly Dressage sent nine clients to compete at the regional event for Region 3:

• Adult Amateurs
  • Susan von Hoene - Training Level
  • Kimmie Taylor - 1st & 2nd Level
  • Beth Godwin - 2nd Level
  • Paige Inscoe-Kinney - 3rd Level
  • Melissa McDonald - 3rd & 4th Level
  • Cindy Carpenter - 3rd & 4th Level
• Jr/YRs
  • Emma Count - Training & 1st Level
  • Amanda Stewart - 1st & 2nd Level
  • Mattie Zepernick - 1st, 2nd and Prix St Georges Level

Melissa McDonald and Prism captured 5th place in the AA 3rd Level Championships with a score of 65.705% and 7th place in the AA 4th Level Championships with a score of 58.625%.  Beth Godwin and Caymus captured the 3rd spot in the AA 2nd Level Championships with a score of 67.321%.

Susan von Hoene and Levi finished out of the ribbons in the AA Training Level Championships but posted a great score of 65.100%.  Kimmie Taylor and Wassail competed in both the 1st Level and 2nd Level AA Championships but finished out of the ribbons posting scores of 63.710% and 61.190%.

Paige Inscoe-Kinney and Rhodeao also competed in the 3rd Level AA Championships posting a score of 61.667% but finishing out of the ribbons.  The pair captured the top spot in the 3rd Level Test of the Open show on Friday with a score of 65.641%.  Cindy Carpenter and Utrillo competed in the 3rd Level AA Championships posting a score of 59.744% after Utrillo spooked twice during the test.  Cindy attempted a comeback on Sunday in the 4th Level AA Championships but she and Utrillo just weren't on the same page so Cindy decided it was best to scratch the class.

The event was also successful for Jodie Kelly Dressage Jr/YR clients who took three of the top four spots in the Jr/YR 1st Level Championships class.  Amanda Stewart and her quarter horse gelding Where Art Thou Romeo took the top spot with a score of 70.726%.  Mattie Zepernick and Angeber finished behind Amanda in 2nd place with a score of 68.629%.  Emma Count and Vinkenhove Nelson finished in 4th place with a score of 64.677%.

Amanda and Where Art Thou Romeo also finished in 4th place in the Jr/YR 2nd Level Championships with a score of 63.988%.

Emma and Vinkenhove Nelson were also Reserve Champions in the Jr/YR Training Level Championship class with a score of 68.600%.  The pair also captured the blue ribbon in the 1st Level, Test 3 test of the Open show on Friday with a score of 68.871%.

Mattie Zepernick competed two horses as the Championships; Wencenza and Angeber.  Mattie and Wencenza were Reserve Champions in the Jr/YR Prix St Georges class with a score of 65.855%.  Mattie and Angeber were also Reserve Champions in the Jr/YR 2nd Level Championships with a score of 66.607%.

The GAIG/USDF Regional Dressage Championships are a stepping stone for Adult Amateurs wishing to qualify for the US Dressage Finals.  Horse/rider combinations who qualify through the nine Regional Championships, will have the opportunity to compete on the national stage at the 2014 US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan, will be held on November 6-9, 2014 at the Kentucky Horse Park.  The US Dressage Finals is a head-to-head competition in Dressage showcasing Adult Amateur and Open riders at Training through GP levels, who are US citizens.  The event includes an Open Division at Training through Grand Prix levels and all Freestyles, as well as an Adult Amateur Division with Training through Grand Prix.

Jodie Kelly Dressage will once again be represented by two riders at the US Dressage Finals.  This year it will be Melissa McDonald and Beth Godwin.   For Beth it will be her second trip and for Melissa her first.  Melissa qualified with her top five finish in the AA 3rd Level Championships and a wildcard eligible score.  Beth Godwin and Caymus will be making a return visit to the US Dressage Finals with their 3rd place finish in the AA 2nd Level Championships and a wildcard eligible score.

We wish Melissa and Beth luck as Jodie Kelly Dressage is headed back to the "Big Show".