About Us

During our two and a half month stay at Cottonwood I have had the unfortunate experience of having my VERY close friend and trainer, Renée Coble diagnosed with stage 3 Breast Cancer. I was incredibly distraught and unraveled by the news and sickened that this could happen to someone so wonderful. She has been my mentor with my training and has been an amazing support system to me with the problems and issues that I have had to face! Renee has received six (6) national titles on her little white Arabian mare, Tonde Moon Shadow, within AHSA, RMDS, and USDF. She is currently training her magnificent thoroughbred gelding, OZ, through 4th level (she has been out of training since her diagnosis and rushed operations and treatments).

After the phone call I decided to go to my personal refuge- the barn. While driving I figured what my purpose of this whole situation would be; what would get me through this! I decided to see if Chris, John, Tara and Erica would help me put together a benefit Dressage show for Breast Cancer in Renée's honor. So, through my tears I approached Chris to discuss the possibilities of such an event. As I was going over details with Chris it came to my attention that it hits much more close to home for some of the other boarders. Whether diagnosed themselves or close to someone that has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

I was very happy to see the joyous response of not just Chris, but everyone that has heard about the idea! There has been amazing support from everyone here at Cottonwood! It has been overwhelming! It has given Renee (my friend and trainer) a focus and a goal — to attend the event on May 14, 2005! Although Renée was my inspiration in the beginning this idea, this show, has become so much more then I could have ever anticipated!

I am taking this opportunity to extend the invitation to anyone and everyone who would like to not only participate in the show but volunteer their time to make this event a success. Please e-mail Cottonwood Riding Club at volunteers@cottonwoodridingclub.com or phone at 303-791-7656. We will keep everyone posted and informed of the status of the show particulars. We are open to sponsorships, donations of art work for the silent auction, but most of all we are open to the support to try to beat this ugly disease that effects so many people.

Thank you for your time and support that continues to flow from your hearts and the prayers that have been made!

Donna M. Stephens

Proceeds from the event will go to Renee's Friends Fund a subsidiary of Memorial Hospital of Colorado Springs to help women suffering with breast cancer.

What is Dressage?

The word Dressage (pronounced dress-AHGE) is derived from the French verb "dresser", which means "to train". It has come to denote both a training method and a competitive sport. As a training method it prepares the horse for any number of disciplines, from show jumping to western reining. As a sport, competitive dressage challenges horse and rider to strive for ever greater levels of precision and harmony.

Competitive dressage takes place in a 20x60-meter arena, with 12 lettered markers placed at specific points along the rail. Here horse and and rider perform a designated test, a series of movements for which the arena markers serve as reference points. No one seems to know the reason for the peculiar sequence of the letters or when their use was introduced to the sport. It is important to understand that none of these movements are tricks, all are natural and performed by the horse at play. With careful training, the horse learns to duplicate these natural movements, willingly, on command, and with grace, while accommodating the weight of the rider. The trust and harmony which makes this possible are a tribute to the rider's ability and the horse's generosity.

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