And the Award Goes To ...

Last fall, my chapter of the California Dressage Society (CDS) lost its core group of "doer-of-a-all-the-things." You know the who I mean, the people who actually DO everything so that the rest of us can reap the benefits. The chapter needed someone to pick up the reins, so along with my trainer and a few other ladies, I agreed to help.

I don't think I knew what I was getting into. Since taking over as Vice-chair this fall, I've launched a website, a Facebook page, created 10 show entries (English and Western Dressage have their own versions), rounded up a group of sponsors, and mostly recently, put together an awards "ceremony" for our riders who had earned their plates from CDS.

I forgot to take a before photo.

It may sound like I am complaining, but I am not. I am just stressing how much work it is to run even a small chapter of an organization. I've always appreciated the people that run the various groups to which I belong. I always knew it was a ton of work.

We're putting on five shows this year and have a few other things planned. We're hoping to do a clinic the day after each show which would be a new event for our chapter. We're also trying to get enough riders together to ride in the Bear Valley Springs (BVS) 4th of July parade. To augment that event, I am designing and organizing t-shirts to celebrate the 50th anniversary of BVS. To say it's going to be a busy summer is an understatement.

Tracy's plate was earned with some scores above 70% - well done, friend!

For the awards party, we celebrated with champagne cake, of course! Since we want our chapter members to feel special and appreciated, I also created certificates to hand out along with the plates.

Chemaine, my trainer, earned three different plates!

Our chapter actually had quite a few plate recipients. Many of them live out of town and weren't able to attend our party, so I mailed them the other day. Hopefully they've arrived by now.

Our chapter had 9 plate recipients.

I look forward to getting my plate each year. For the first plate you have to earn five or more scores at 60% or above, but each year thereafter, you need only earn a single score to be eligible for a plate. Speedy and I have managed to earn one each year. 

At this rate, I might fill it up by the time I retire.

I haven't shown Izzy much these past few years, and when we've shown we haven't been particularly successful, but in 2019, he and I managed to earn a qualifying score. His plate is proudly sitting along side Speedy's.

I never actually expected to earn one with him.

Being involved with my GMO has been surprisingly satisfying. Seeing what goes on behind the scenes somehow makes the awards all the more sweet. Fingers crossed that both boys make the plaque in 2020!