My name is Misty Sheldon.  I am a wife and mother of two living in Garden Valley which is nestled in the foothills between Auburn and Placerville.  I have been involved in Dressage for the past 10 years not as a rider but as equestrian mom.  Our daughter, Savannah, has been learning and competing in dressage for the past 10 years and is also a Foothills Chapter junior member.  I have experienced first hand how this being a young equestrian rider can impact and affect the trajectory of our juniors in their lives.  They learn about commitment, patience, trust, hard work, disappointments, success and above all responsibility.  Five years ago, Savannah was on the ultimate high competing at the Arabian Sport Horse Nationals in Nampa Idaho. She earned a respectable 14th place.  It was truly an amazing experience.   Two years later we experienced her partner Zahra fell ill, causing Zahra to retire.  Although devastated, It is because of the lessons she has experienced in Dressage that she was able to realize that this sport is her passion and with determination, commitment, love and hard work she continues to compete.  This year she competed at the California Dressage Societies Junior Northern Championship where she earned a Reserve Championship.  It is because of this that I have become more and more involved in the Foothills Chapter.  I will spread awareness about how important this sport can be to adults, juniors and of course our trainers who are the foundation of all our riders.   One of my favorite quotes is from Walter Zetti, “The goal of all dressage riding should be to bring the horse and rider together in harmony…. A oneness of balance purpose and athletic expression”, to me this is not only lesson dressage but this is the key to a successful life something we own sharing to others.