Tell us a little about yourself (your location, awards/other certifications you hold, etc):
I am a USDF Bronze Medalist and the 2015 USDF All Breeds Awards Adult Amateur Training Level Champion for the Arabian Horse Association. I live and board my 4-year-old Dutch Warmblood (KWPN) mare in Enumclaw, Washington.
How long have you been involved in the sport?
My first recognized dressage competition was in 2006. I began learning dressage with my Anglo Arabian mare, DDF Mystic Dream, who I bought to be my trail horse when she was an unstarted 4-year-old.
How long have you been a USDF member?
18 years
What made you decide to participate in the USDF L Education Program?
I audited the program several years ago but didn’t have the scores to participate at that time. I learned so much from auditing Part 1, and it helped me become a better competitor by understanding what the judges were looking for and how they arrived at their scores. When the program was offered in my area, I jumped on the opportunity to participate, as this time, I had earned the scores necessary to complete the program.
How long did it take to complete the program, start to finish?
It took me one year to complete the program. I was lucky enough to have Parts 1 and 2 offered in my region, and I graduated on the first try.
Do you plan to further your dressage education and to continue to apply what you learned in the program to become a licensed official?
At this point, I don’t have the scores to move forward with the USEF ‘r’ Program, nor do I have a horse working at that level. Possibly, when I have earned the scores to move forward, I will look for an ‘r’ Program to complete.
Do you serve as a judge for schooling shows in your capacity as an L Graduate? If so, on average, how many per year?
2023 was my first year as an L Graduate, and I judged one virtual show and three schooling shows. I have not been promoting myself and have turned down a few opportunities to judge, so that number could be much higher. I’m happy having the knowledge and helping my community schooling shows.
What impact did the program have on your dressage knowledge?
The program had a HUGE impact on my dressage knowledge and helped me become a more confident competitor. The program knowledge has helped me become a better trainer of my horse, and has benefited other parts of my life, like training my dogs. It taught me the importance of breaking the training down with a basic appreciation of results, like relaxation being the most important, before moving on to the next step of training.
Name three things you took away from the program that you think every rider should know.
1. Judges want to give you a good score and love giving tens.
2. The basics are more important than moving up the levels.
3. Each test is a “cheat sheet” that gives you the directives and purposes of each movement.
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.
I have not yet served in any other official capacity with USDF.
Tell us about your horse(s).
I am currently training my 4-year-old KWPN mare, who I bought as a 2-year-old the year I started the USDF L Education Program. The timing was perfect since, because I couldn’t ride her for a while, I had the time to focus on the program. Orison and I have been chosen to be a demonstration horse and rider team in the USDF Sport Horse Prospect Development Forum this month at Sonnenberg Farm in Newberg, Oregon, with Scott Hassler and Willy Arts.
Contact: Shana Blum
Email: Shanablum@gmail.com
Phone: 206-261-1137
Website/Social media: IG@dressagequeenwannabe
