Tamworth Dressage Club

21/10/2026

Hello Members,

Please see draw attached for this weekends Club Championships 🏆

We are praying the rain holds off...🙏 if we need to cancel we will make the decision lunchtime Friday and will advise by Facebook. Stay tuned.

Scratchings - Kate Ruttley 0427 625 593

We hope to see you all soon 🤗

Cheers

The TDC Team 🐴

21/10/2026

🐴 𝙏𝘿𝘾 𝙈𝙚𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙚: 𝙅𝙪𝙙𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙍𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙡𝙚𝙮
Judith is the quiet organiser behind the pencillers and stewards who help keep our competition days running smoothly. With patience and a minimum of fuss, she seems to have the knack of "herding cats" to bring our volunteers together. We’re lucky to have her! 💙

Let's get to know Judith 👇

🐎 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻?
Horses have been a lifelong passion, despite growing up in a non-horsey family. My riding has been a stop-start affair, woven around family life, work commitments and numerous moves across the state for Gary’s work.

I began riding a little more seriously after the birth of our first child, whilst we were living near Bellingen. This was the beginning of my dressage journey. Over the following decades, horses came and went, depending on where we lived and how much time I could devote to the sport.

As a family, we became pretty serious about horses while living west of Bourke. We spent 10 years involved in Pony Club, traipsing across the far west of the state with three children and their horses in tow!

Our move to Tamworth in 2008, along with our now almost "adult" children becoming more independent, gave me the opportunity to have a horse of my own and attend lessons, clinics and competitions. It was a huge learning curve. Around that time, I joined TDC, and several years later I joined the committee. My role has been to organise volunteers and lend a hand wherever needed.

💐 𝗧𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲.
Following the sale of the fabulous Maggie earlier this year, I’ve taken a break from riding and embraced the opportunity to travel with Gary, retire from the paid workforce and settle into our small farm near Dorrigo. I’m also dabbling in a little dressage judging and supporting my daughter, Ngaire, as she restarts her equestrian journey.

💡 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴?
The more time, practice and commitment you put into something—whether it’s riding, exercise, relationships or whatever — the better the results. Consistent effort makes a difference.

🤝 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝘃𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗲𝗵 𝗧𝗗𝗖 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗲?
Definitely the beautiful friendships I’ve made with fellow committee members and club members. These friendships are very special indeed!

🌅 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗼𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲?
I love an early morning ride! There’s something so satisfying, and almost exciting, about starting the day in the saddle before heading back to the house to tackle life’s more mundane chores.

Please be sure to say hello to Judith at this weekend's Member Championships!

📸 Judith with her gorgeous mare Maggie 🦄

17/10/2026

If you missed getting your entries in yesterday, good news.

Entries have been extended to Sunday (tomorrow pm)

Jump onto nominate and come and join us for a great weekend of dressage.

This is a great opportunity to ride on two days over two levels, not to mention up for grabs beautiful 🏵️ and championship plaques, along with a few extra awards across the weekend.

📍The count down is on….

⏰ Entries close this Friday for our Member Championship.

🏆 Championships in all levels & divisions Open/Child/JNR/RWD.

🏵️ Rosettes to 6th place

🎖️ Awards across each day for some special categories.

Jump onto nominate and join us for a great weekend of dressage.

14/10/2026

📍The count down is on….

⏰ Entries close this Friday for our Member Championship.

🏆 Championships in all levels & divisions Open/Child/JNR/RWD.

🏵️ Rosettes to 6th place

🎖️ Awards across each day for some special categories.

Jump onto nominate and join us for a great weekend of dressage.

11/10/2026

𝙏𝘿𝘾 𝙈𝙚𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙚: 𝙇𝙞𝙗𝙗𝙮 𝙂𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙩

A score of 44% and the comment “Saluted with wrong hand” might put some young riders off dressage—but eight-year-old Libby and her pony Kansas were just getting started! 😂 (Edit: the test below is from approx. 1980)

Despite growing up in a non-horsey family, Libby has loved horses for as long as she can remember. After showjumping and show riding, she “saw the light” about five years ago and turned her focus to dressage.

These days, she has two horses: Nancy, who competes at Advanced/PSG, and Rosie, a young horse yet to make her competition debut.

As a new TDC committee member, Libby is keen to help members feel welcome, connected and encouraged to get involved. You’ll spot her taking photos and videos at club events—so be sure to say hello!

💬 Five questions with Libby

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝘃𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗧𝗮𝗺𝘄𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗖𝗹𝘂𝗯?
“The chance to keep learning through regular training and club days, and to compete at a fantastic venue like AELEC. We get to step outside our comfort zones, ride on first-class surfaces and watch some of the professional riders in action.”

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴?
“You learn far more from your mistakes than your achievements.”

𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸, 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘀𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴?
“Nancy would definitely tell me to chill out and relax!”

𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻’𝘁 𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀, 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗯𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴?
“Dog agility. Definitely. I might still make the switch…” 🐕

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲?
“Spending time with horses keeps you grounded. The people I gravitate towards understand the ups and downs of the sport, love their horses and share that same passion.”

📜 Instead of a portrait, Libby has shared one of her early dressage tests with Kansas. Alongside that 44%, the judge also wrote “Good seat” and “very good leg aids”—so there was plenty to build on!

𝘞𝘩𝘰 𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘵𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦?

06/10/2026

💰💰 𝙒𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙬𝙞𝙣 $𝟭𝟬𝟬?💰💰
On 𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗱𝗮𝘆 of our Club Championships, one TDC member who competes will win $100 🥳

🙌 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝘄𝗻 𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗺𝗹𝘆, 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀, 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 🙌

So renew or become a member 🫵 of TDC and enter our Club Championships https://nominate.com.au/EquestDn/Event.aspx?e=A6B381B6174E47AEB042DD0495CF44CF&eventlist=2

🐴 Club Championships October 24th/25th 2026

⏰ Entries close 16th October 2026

Don't miss out!

Thank you to https://www.facebook.com/RuralPropertyNSW/ for their kind sponsorship of our Member Draw 🙏

28/09/2026

📖 The Dressage Rulebook
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱! 🤝🤗

After your dressage test at a competition, you must report to the gear steward for a gear check. But you’re also welcome to ask questions or have your gear checked before you ride!

Choose a quiet moment when the steward isn’t busy, and leave yourself plenty of time to make any changes before your test.

Gear stewards don’t delight in eliminating anyone — they’re there to help you get it right. If you’re unsure, just ask! 🐴

19/09/2026

🧠🐴 𝘿𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙖𝙜𝙚 𝙈𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙨𝙚𝙩 - 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙙𝙤𝙣'𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙩𝙚𝙨𝙩!

Do you ever ride into the arena thinking, "𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵"? 🎯

Try changing your focus from riding a "𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁" to simply riding 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 ➡️

One halt went wrong? It's finished.
Missed a transition? Move on.
Your horse spooked? Breathe 💨 and ride on.

You can't change what has already happened - but you can choose where you put your focus next. And the good news is that judges mark each movement separately.

𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗷𝗼𝗯 𝗶𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁. 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 💪

One movement at a time 🐴✨

16/09/2026

🐴 𝙏𝘿𝘾 - 𝙈𝙚𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙚
Next up in our TDC Meet the Committee series is our Vice President and Secretary, 𝗞𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝘂𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘆!

Kate’s introduction to horses started as a child, mustering with the neighbours and heading out on trail rides with her Welsh Mountain Pony. It wasn’t until she was 35, however, that she began riding seriously — encouraged by her eldest daughter, who was 11 at the time.

Mother and daughter soon found themselves competing together in One Day Events, which they absolutely loved. As time, work and school commitments took over, the eventing gradually shifted more towards dressage — and 13 years ago Kate joined TDC.

These days, Kate is a powerhouse behind the scenes, juggling her roles as Vice President and Secretary, as well as coordinating the draws and judges for our competitions. She’s one of those people who quietly keeps everything moving and is a big part of making our club days happen!

So, let’s get to know Kate a little better… 👇

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝘃𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲?

“My horses are what get me out of bed every day. They are my constant and teach me what’s really important in life. I am so thankful that I get to spend time with my horses every day.

They don’t judge — well, I do have mares, so that’s probably not entirely true! 🤣

Riding my horses allows me to unwind and be present with them.”

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗽𝗶𝗲𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗱 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲?

“Be trainable! It’s not necessarily about being the most talented or naturally gifted rider. It’s about how you respond to learning and challenges.”

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗮 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗖𝗹𝘂𝗯 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂?

"A great Club day for me is one where everyone comes together, enjoys themselves and feels supported, regardless of their level of experience.

I love seeing riders encouraging one another, celebrating each other’s achievements and helping each other out.”

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗲-𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹?

“Music, definitely music! It helps with the nerves and gets me out of my own head.” 🎶

Thanks, Kate, for everything you do for TDC — both in front of the scenes and behind them! 💙

We're enjoying getting to know the people who make up our committee and look forward to introducing the next member in our 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗲 series soon!

📸 Kate and her beautiful mare Fleur 🥰

13/09/2026

𝗪𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗠𝗼𝗼𝗻𝗯𝗶? 🤔
Maybe you have a young horse that needs a little experience before their first competition 🐎....... or you want to practice the size of your circles 😣........ or maybe you want to put together a freestyle 💃🕺

TDC members are able to use our arenas for private training outside of planned events (as long as it doesn't interfere with other user groups). Please send us a message and we'll put you in touch with Judy Evans, our arena coordinator. It is a requirement that there are at least 2 members on site, so team up with a friend and have some fun!

𝗪𝗲'𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝘀! To become a TDC member, visit
https://nominate.com.au/Clubs/RegistrationInformation.aspx?CID=464
Full member $50, Non-Riding Member $15