Tell us a little about yourself (your location, awards/other certifications you hold, etc):
I live in Delaware, Ohio, on our small family farm. I have my USDF Bronze and Silver Medals, and am currently working on earning my USDF Freestyle Bars as my young horse makes his way up the levels.
How long have you been involved in the sport?
I have been riding dressage competitively since I switched from eventing to straight dressage in high school. I have always loved jumping, and still foxhunt a bit, but I have found that my real passion lies in dressage.
How long have you been a USDF member?
I have been a USDF member since 2007.
What made you decide to participate in the USDF L Education Program?
When I became pregnant with my first child, my due date fell smack in the middle of show season. I thought that doing the USDF L Education Program would be a good way to continue my dressage education while I was physically precluded from competitive riding.
How long did it take to complete the program, start to finish?
It took two years to do both parts, and earn all my scribing and sitting hours.
Do you plan to further your dressage education and to continue to apply what you learned in the program to become a licensed official?
I would eventually love to, but a busy family life, a fun young horse, and running my business are taking priority at the moment. I’m hoping to be able to continue towards becoming a USEF ‘r’ Judge once my young kids are in school.
Do you serve as a judge for schooling shows in your capacity as an L Graduate? If so, on average, how many per year?
Yes, and it has been both tremendously fun and hugely educational! This year, I judged ten to twelve schooling shows, mini-trials, and county fairs.
What impact did the program have on your dressage knowledge?
It has really helped me quantify and articulate what I could see about correct and incorrect training. It also helped me prioritize focusing on the basics versus fixing the movement, which I have really been able to translate into my own teaching and training.
Name three things you took away from the program that you think every rider should know.
- Read the directives on the test sheets! There is so much useful information there!
- Movements look different from C than from B, E, or the center of a circle. As a coach, periodically watching students from C can really help refine and clarify movements prior to a show. I see many coaches who only ever stand in the middle or sit on a long side.
- Basics, basics, basics! It doesn’t matter if your shoulder-in is on a perfect three tracks if the mechanic of the trot is wrong. Always strive for good biomechanics and keep the training scale a priority.
Have you served in any other official capacity with USDF (council/committee member, council/committee chair, PM/GM delegate, board member/Regional Director, etc.)? Please describe.
No, I have not served in any other official capacity with USDF.
Tell us about your horse(s).
I currently have an off-the-track Thoroughbred named Elbow Room. We won the 2020 Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover dressage competition. In four years off-the-track, he is already competing solidly at Fourth Level, and I hope to bring him all the way to Grand Prix.
Contact:
Email: helen.c.pianca@gmail.com
Phone: 937-750-6410
