HI Everyone!

This is your first COVID message from me, with a summary of the  following days of  what is soon to happen as you begin your onsite Classic Experience at Waredaca!  All the these notes are listed on the Classic Web section 2020 Rider Memos….

Happy Reading….!

Some housekeeping items…

*Please be certain Cindy has your stabling info–Arrival day, approximate time of arrival, and any of you who are commuting.  Check the Stabling tab for the latest list and notes: https://www.waredaca.com/classic-three-day-event/stabling/

Have you made hard copies of the dressage test for the fix a test session, schedule and maps?  AND, bring your own notebook as you will use it for your own personal notes.

HORSE INSPECTION PREP SUGGESTIONS:

VERY IMPORTANT PLANNING ADVICE…there are 48 of you who will be doing final preps for the horse inspection…this will be a formal inspection–ponies clean, braided and you (sensibly, please!) dressed for the part!

It is NOT FEASIBLE for everyone to expect to bath your horse upon arrival or Thursday morning.  There are three wash areas plus buckets/water and so on.  The wiser plan is to properly bath them BEFORE arriving here, just having to spot check cleanliness before the actual inspection.   

AVAILABLE SATURDAY…..UNDER LATEST NEWS Or Classic Homepage Right Margin topics

TENTATIVE DRESSAGE AND XC A Start Time

REVISED DRAFT CLASSIC SCHEDULE 

AVAILABLE MONDAY…UNDER LATEST NEWS

MAPS OF A, C AND D FOR CLASSIC N AND T 

TRAVEL…AS a reminder, to preserve the welfare of our horses, thus keeping Dr Chad happy, you should be traveling with document that supports a current…

·       Flu rhino— within the past 6 months; this has been a rule via USEF for recognized events

·       Coggins and Health Certs… Coggins included with your entry; out of state transport requires an Interstate Certificate.

DAILY ARRIVAL

The physical address for our West Entrance/ Stabling site is: 4017 Damascus Road, Gaithersburg Md 20882-same as the Brewery; do NOT use the East Entrance off of Howard Chapel Road OR the main WAREDACA entrance at 4015 Damascus.  While our mailing address is actually Laytonsville as the city, this is a rural ‘suburb’ of Gaithersburg; the latter having multiple zipcodes.  If you ‘struggle’ with your GPS finding us, use 20882 and the city ‘Gaithersburg’. 

The gate will be open at 6 each morning and NOT BEFORE.  It will be locked during the hours of 10-6 so do not even think of tampering with it.  EVERYONE will complete the Covid Check In and receive an armband for the day. For the evening sessions in the Indoor, all riders and those who have prepaid and signed up in advance are welcome—wrist bands and masks required—bring your own chair; no last-minute people will be welcome.  A limited number of other tickets are available but MUST be purchased ON LINE in advance no later than SUNDAY:  https://waredaca.com/classic-evening-food-presentations/

We are strict with numbers of people in one space at any given time and thank you for your appreciation of our efforts to keep you ‘safe’ and as risk free as possible.

Thursday night is a Mexican dinner package; Friday ‘heavy’ appetizers are subs, chips and cookies which may serve as dinner for many.  With the Covid and our county food and health department strongly recommending that only commercially prepared food be offered, our typical menu has changed to accommodate this guideline.

FYI our Brewery will have food trucks and our award winning Waredaca beer –more details to follow i a separate message

PARKING: 

Since no spectators or visitors are expected, the parking plan is that everyone is to park in the stabling area OR unless directed otherwise by Cindy and Lorraine. As the entrance lane widens, it is imperative that the gravel area near where the horse inspection will be conducted remain VEHICLE FREE.

DAY commuters…will be able to park in the stabling area on Thursday and Friday mornings if desired or in the Corner field event parking area.  Saturday and Sunday parking WILL be in the corner parking field.  ALL not parked in the Classic stabling area are responsible for going thru the Covid Checkpoint as soon as possible upon arrival-no exceptions.

SHAVINGS…Please remember that ALL REQUESTS FOR SHAVINGS GO STRAIGHT TO ROB LANG AND NOT THRU THE WAREDACA OFFICE! Those who did prepay via your original entry will receive your shavings, no problem.  And if you preordered at $9/bag before Sunday, October 18; otherwise, can be purchased on site for $10/bag, cash or credit card transaction from the Stable Office.

Rob contact info: cell call or text: 443 7442468  [email protected]

TIMES

We realize that our Classic Three Day, while operating under the basic premise of the FEI event, is still a bit different.  Provisional!! times are posted as of Saturday.

You may be questioning when your times will be FINALIZED. ….

Typically, at a regular three day, times are not finalized until the phase or activity preceding it has been completed…i.e. Dressage times are not posted until the results of the First Horse Inspection have been confirmed, same for the XC, not confirmed until the Dressage phase has been completed.

SCHEDULE

Posted Saturday, the PROVISIONAL schedule.  We are again prioritizing the Thursday familiarity with Phase A and C as well as having the Thursday horse inspection immediately followed the practice jogging session.   You will note that YOU, the riders, are our priority.  Certain activities are strictly just for you with other times for parents, grooms and volunteers to be involved as Covid Distancing allows.

FOOD…Remember you can purchase breakfast and lunch beginning with breakfast Thursday thru Sunday in the stabling area OR go out to one of the local eating places-maps and directions provided in your packets.   Riders are expected to join us Thursday (to get medical armbands returned) and Friday ( to receive XC pinney numbers ) and to soak up all the info shared by our officials as to how to get the most of your Classic Experience and how NOT to get eliminated in the process!!

Onsite Breakfast and Lunch directions:

  • A menu will be available upon arrival and posted on the Notice Board.
  • Written or texted orders can be placed. You will be texted when your order is available.    
  • Walk up orders accepted—masks and physical distancing strictly required.

Dee Smith – Owner
443-537-8413

BEER and Brewery Food:   Go to orderwaredaca.com and order beer to go. All orders should be picked up at the Tap Room (in the cooler atop the vintage truck that’s parked in front of the tap room). We’ll have the set up with Andrea for beer down on the other side of the Farm too (more details to come). To order food and see our beer menu and in house food, go to orderwaredaca.com/menu.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: SIGN UP WITH CINDY OR LORRAINE

4 people to assist with JUMPING COURSE BUILD Friday 12-3

What follows now is a day to day preview of what to expect….read at your leisure!

WEDNESDAY….

Starting with your arrival.  Cindy and Lorraine have already shared the process of trailer off loading and relocating.  Everyone arriving each morning thereafter will all pass thru a mandatory central check in point, receive your colored armband for the day and then park as directed near the barns. The FINAL schedule posted on the website and on your Notice Board.   

Arrival Exams….. as part of the long format,  Dr. Chad on Wednesday and  Thursday will examine your horse with riders expected to be with your horse.  This ‘inbarn examination’ assures us that each horse is in suitable health and condition as well as not carrying anything contagious that might affect your horse’s performance or be a risk to any of the other stabled horses.  Commuting horses will be checked either day as well.  This examination will be brief and should last no longer than 5 minutes.  Check with Cindy as to connecting with Dr. Chad, who plans to be on site Wednesday 1:30-6; 7-9 and Thursday morning 7-9 for arrival exams.

  • ▪ Please communicate with CINDY WOOD (cell: 410 726 8926/talk or text; email: [email protected]) as to any changes to your anticipated arrival time or like issues
  • ▪ Please communicate with ROB LANG (Cell: 443 744 2468/talk or text) if you want to order shavings; $9/bag delivered to your stall unless preordered by 10/19
  • ▪ Please communicate with CHRIS DONOVAN (email: [email protected]) with any team questions—great ribbons too!!

The stalls will be set up on grass; you might want to bring a tarp to cover the ground for any equipment in front of your stall.   With these stalls, NO STAPLING OR DRILLING IS ALLOWED OR YOU WILL BE CHARGED A SIGNIFICANT FEE

HOOKS, TWINE AND TAPE ALLOWED BUT NOTHING THAT MIGHT DAMAGE THE PANELS.  A friendly reminder that the stalls must be FREE of any twine etc. for your stall deposit to be returned—essentially when you leave, the stalls should look as they did when you arrived!

You are welcome to hack around the stabling area and across the road near the Phase B assistance area and Chase infield but not farther away please.  Avoid the cross-country course today (you will hack A and C Friday) Do not venture near the Waredaca performance areas or indoor due to Covid guidelines we have in place for the number of people/horses in any given area.

DON’T FORGET TO TURN IN YOUR RIDER SAFETY SHEET!  AND GIVE CINDY YOUR MEDICAL ARMBAND/BRACELET FOR US TO REVIEW/COPY.

6:00 Briefing for everyone in the stabling area.  It will be our first opportunity to practice Physical Distancing for the weekend!

THURSDAY….IT all begins !

EVERYONE is busy! Follow the Schedule for your Level.

Sharon will give a discussion and demonstration of how to properly present yourself and your horse for the formal First Horse Inspection (have you checked out the ‘how to jog’ http://useventing.com/sites/default/files/Howto_Present_for_Horse_Inspections.pdf- and the YOUTUBE video ‘formal job basics video’ and summary on our website?

…then the formal horse inspection will occur.   As already mentioned…. there is a water tanker truck and 3 wash areas at the stabling site.  HOPEFULLY you all have given your horse a  GOOD bath before leaving your barn and then just having to ‘touch up’ here before the inspection.

The FIRST HORSE INSPECTION…is a ‘formal’ presentation of you and your horse to the Ground Jury.  This ‘first impression’ opportunity should be considered with the importance that it carries.  Strive to introduce you and your horse with pride and confidence, something Eric will further discuss during the practice session.  Plan to braid, have your horse and you both ‘neat, tidy and sensible’ in dress and footwear.

LUNCH on your own and on the ‘fly’ probably..….Dee will have her food truck set up, offering breakfast and lunch food for those who completed the .  There is also a list of area resources-food, gas and so on, in your packet. And on our website under Schedules and Info.  The Taproom is open this evening from 4-8 and will be pouring at our Thursday dinner   

Continuing with Thursday…

Groups divide by level and participate in a dressage test review and critique, giving you the opportunity to watch your test being ridden by a demo rider, while the judges, Janis and Debbie, will comment and suggest ways to ride each movement to maximize your score.

Kelley, our Phase A and C chair, along with Sharon and John will have the other group meeting at the stable office. The plan is to thoroughly discuss A, B and C.  Beginning with the discussion of ‘how to’ properly calculate times for A, B and C to a ‘walk and talk’ tour of the A and C tracks, this session will prepare you for practice riding the ‘roads and tracks’ on Friday and competing on Saturday.  The focus is on YOU getting the preview you need! Bring pencil and paper!   NOTE: this is an extremely power packed day of information and logistics; your horse may get the day off !  But this is a very essential day of information to make your experience smoother. 

And for your grooms, their own mandatory briefing with local expert Kim Keating.  Valuable info and logistics to be reviewed!

The first RIDERS ONLY cross-country course walks will occur.  Meet at the Start Box as you inspect your courses for the first time.  We have two official course walks planned, each with a different professional.  You are certainly welcome to walk at other times.   Due to Covid we have planned the official RIDER ONLY course walks as scheduled—please adhere to this.    **There is a volunteers/grooms/parents etc. briefing planned on Friday afternoon**

PROMPTLY at 5:30—emphasize PROMPTLY …MANDATORY RIDERS MEETING IN THE INDOOR ARENA at our EVENING presentation.  Sharon and John will review your Saturday XC ‘Road Map’, from tacking up in the barn, what you and your horse should “wear,” to planning your arrival to Start A, to the Assistance Area after B, plans for you and your groom at the end of B, C, and D.  Have you read Max’s article under Rider Resources on our website, hint hint!  We will also go over the logistics of how the 10 Minute Box will be arranged to satisfy Covid 19 Spacing Guidelines…who what when and where!

Chad will follow with what to expect from the Vet’s Perspective: The right equipment to do the job on Friday. What you need and what you don’t need and so on. Lastly Sharon, John, Janis and Debbie will review rules and how NOT to get eliminated!   

Dinner is included.  Medical armbands returned too.

2 important web links to use:

The USEA Classic:

https://useventing.com/events-competitions/competitions/usea-classic-series

and Waredaca’s 321 GO campaign details:

https://www.waredaca.com/3-2-1-go-end-breast-cancer/

Please share photos with the #Waredaca3Day and tag Waredaca on Facebook and Instagram—your journey to the Classic!  Also, if you have yet to check it out….everyone please join the Waredaca Classic Three-Day Event Facebook page!

Another BUSY Eventful Day!

Friday…the first performance day of the Classic!

This is another eventful day with focus divided between the competitive dressage phase, and the continued preparation for Friday’s Cross-Country Phase.  Your dressage tests are tabbed on the Classic web section.

FOR your DRESSAGE PHASE:

What else to know:

  • • You CAN carry a whip, both in warmup and during your test.
  • • You WILL ride in the standard/large arena-all levels.
  • • There is no familiarization planned.
  • • There will be two judges at each ring.
  • • You may use fly bonnets, but they must comply with what is permitted and will be checked at the completion of your test.

ALL LEVELS CAN perform the trot in RISING OR SITTING!  

EV156 Three-Day Events – Rules

2. NATIONAL THREE-DAY EVENTS. These competitions are conducted in accordance with the USEF Rules for Eventing and the additions and exceptions noted below. Guidance and clarifications of procedure may be found in the USEA Classic Series Handbook. BOD 6/11/18 Effective 9/1/18

The USEF Eventing Rules apply to the entire event; all of your dress and equipment requirements are the same as at any competition.  Again, any questions, please ask Technical Delegate John well in advance of your performance.

This year we are using one ring for each level.   After your dressage concludes, all riders will be slotted into Chase practice groups with a specific time with Sharon.    The remainder of the time is for you to hack A and C, and to be absolutely confident of where you are going and at what time on Saturday! Each group has a specific time for the second ‘official’ XC walk at the end of the XC prep practice and before the evening dinner discussion.  The late afternoon session will be promptly at 5:30 in the Indoor-best to remain parked in stabling and walk up the lane—OR park in our corner parking field.  Your XC Piney numbers will be handed out at the end of the presentations as well.

SATURDAY….finally!!!

THE day that everyone awaits…in various states of excitement, panic, fear, hope and exhilaration!! Embrace all of those emotions and make them work for you!  For many of you, this may be your ‘Rolex’! Some of you are veterans of past Waredaca Three Days…back again this year with perhaps a new horse, or the same horse that has moved up a level or working extra hard to get rid of the demons from years past.  ALSO USE YOUR CLASSIC NECK GATOR AS AN EASY MASK FOR THE 10 MINUTE BOX AND WHENEVER YOU ARE NOT MOUNTED ON YOUR HORSE!!

Whatever the reason, one of the most important things is to appreciate and acknowledge the ‘journey’ of the four cross country phases! Smile, thank (PLEASE!) as many volunteers as possible, be extra kind to your horse, and be proud of your hard work while participating in such a unique experience!

Have a simple but complete plan that includes all the necessary preparation before you even get on your horse—what equipment is going to the vet box, which assistant is doing what job when you arrive, and so on.  Being supportive and helpful to each other is one of the GREATEST THINGS about this three-day experience!  Yes, it is a competition, but it also represents the collective efforts YOU have worked so hard to get here and be a part of!! Take the time to actually enjoy the day, smile when you start out on A, thank the gate stewards along the way on A and C, have an absolute blast on the chase and ride thoughtfully over the cross country!! 

Later, PLEASE plan to stop by the Stable area where Purina and local R. D Bowmans will be providing a ‘beverage and cheese’ session.  This is to start around 2:00.  I am uncertain as to whether Purina Dave and Dale Bowman will be present or not-they are welcome to be here! They will appreciate the chance to talk to you; we will appreciate you talking to them and letting them know how much you enjoy the three-day experience and their presence at this type of event.    And thank PAT for coordinating this well deserved activity!!

The final planned activity for the afternoon is your jumping course walk.  Kathy will offer her insight into why she designed the course she is presenting to you and Sharon will complement that with how best to solve that puzzle skillfully and successfully!  Course walks follow with divided groups and all the officials or select assistants.  Once completed, get some well-deserved rest, you and your horse! The morning will come soon enough

SUNDAY…almost over

One more action-packed day but for a shorter period!  The final horse inspection will begin at 7:30, and then the Training riders will head directly to their jumping phase.   Novice will follow, with riders jumping in reverse order of standing.  A mounted awards ceremony concludes each level with lots of cheers and goodies!!  We will announce provisional start times BUT you are responsible for listening to the PA and being prepared and timely to the warmup.  Don’t be late!  Sharon will be waiting on you!

ALL riders must plan to have stalls checked prior to departure.  For Sunday departures, our weekend horse trials XC phase will be going on so trailer packing and departure will be under the strict guidance of a committee member and anyone else assisting.   Thanks for considering leaving your muck deposits for our 321 GO FIGHT BREAST CANCER Campaign.

CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU SOON!!

GRETCHEN, CINDY, PAT, MICHELE, CHRIS D, CHRIS A, KELLEY, STEPH AND LOTS OTHERS!

PHONE NUMBERS: Keep these numbers close at hand and share with those at home in your absence:

Gretchen/cell: 240 401 4010

Vet on call: Damascus Equine Associates: 301 253 3992

Farrier on call: Tom Parris 301 854 6138

Cindy Wood/Event Secretary: 410 726 8926

Lorraine Hutson/Classic Stable Manager: 302 242 1160

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