Chesapeake Dressage Institute (CDI)

End of Year in Review 2021

CDI End of Year Review 2021

As we look to the year ahead it seems like “deja vue all over again”!  As far as Covid being conquered, we instead have the Delta Variant and the new Omicron one.  It’s back to the previous protocols – vaccinations, the booster, masks and social distancing.  Fortunately it seems all staff and boarders have been vaccinated and have gotten – or intend to – get the booster.

In spite of Covid, our events Coordinator, Melissa Angerson managed to organize several successful clinics and we’ve added some clinicians to monthly visits.  Felicitas von Newmann-Cosel has been making monthly trips, and is in demand, working on proper riding position to facilitate better and more effective riding.  A newcomer to our clinic roster, Nicholas Fyffe of Marcus/Fyffe Dressage from Wellington, FL., became an immediate success and will be coming monthly next spring through fall.  We have the ever popular Bill Warren, always a favorite, and we will be hosting FEI judge Janet Foy again this fall.

We also have the good fortune to have International Grand Prix rider and former long-listed Olympian Debra Wiedmaier, move to Maryland from New York State!  We now have three top level riders and instructors teaching at CDI to cover the range of instruction from training level to International Gran Prix – Bernardo Diaz, Susanne Owen (Hassler), and Debra Wiedmaier!  We are very proud of the caliber of instruction and horse care we offer here.

And let’s not forget our barn renovations, still ongoing, that include brand new American Stalls stall fronts.  These beautiful stall fronts made the rest of the place look a little tired, so repainting is going on.  With the final fencing replacements done, things look pretty darn good.  Exterior painting will start in the Spring.  We simply want CDI to be the best it can be.

We are very fortunate to have two new staff members, April Plummer and Kylie Weiffenbach, joining our “Three Amigos” – Angie Burnett, our barn manager, who has been with me through thick and thin; Melissa Angerson, clinic organizer and assistant barn manager; and Shari DeMino, facilities manager and personal assistant, basically running the place when I come to Florida.

We really also appreciate our wonderful boarders who help make our place fun and supportive.  We strive to make our place a refuge in these trying times, and foster a calm and kind atmosphere where owners and horses can relax as they progress in the wonderful equestrian sport of “dancing with your horse” – dressage!

We wish you a Happy – and Healthy New Year!

Janet