From Register Staff

On Dec. 3, 2005, three riders who train at Napa’s Rapp Ranch were invited to attend the United States Dressage Federation’s national awards banquet in Burbank.

Junior rider Rebecca Snider, 16, and Dust Buster, a 28-year-old Appaloosa thoroughbred cross, were awarded the All-Breeds award at Training Level as well as Open for the Appaloosa Sport Horse Association.

Adult Amateur Wendee Walker and her 5-year-old Mustang, And the Crowd Goes Wild!, were awarded an All-Breeds award in their first year showing at Training Level for the American Mustang and Burro Association.

Trainer/owner Sherry Harker and her 18-year-old American Quarter Horse mare, Gena Wild Jig, received the Silver Medal Rider Award, and an All-Breeds award in the Open at the Prix St. George level.

Harker also rode Violet Jackson’s American Morgan, Winter Green King Richard, to place second at First Level in the Vintage cup.

Jane Ewer, also from Rapp Ranch, rode Marilyn Berg’s Dutch Warmblood Kasper to second place at Intermediate I All-Breeds award. In addition, Kasper and Ewer were recognized for their Intermediate I musical freestyle.

Napa has a quiet but active equestrian community. Horses live in backyards as well as small boarding facilities. While visiting Skyline Park, it is not unusual to see horses in the arena as well as out on the trails. Most everyone has heard of Western and English riding styles, while Dressage is a form of English riding.

When showing dressage, horse and rider work in harmony like dance partners to complete patterns in a 60- by 20-meter arena, before a judge.

The exercises are combined to form patterns or tests, and the tests vary in difficulty from the Introductory walk/trot Level, for beginners, up to Grand Prix as seen in the Olympics.

Judges are looking for specific skills at each level. Precisely placed letters along arena walls help the rider know where to change gaits, directions or perform maneuvers.

Within the tests, horse and rider must show walk, trot and canter with varying degrees of extension and collection. Some riders choose to ride with music and this is known as the Musical Freestyle division. According to the United States Equestrian Federation, Dressage is the fastest growing equine sport in the nation.

One aspect of dressage is that horse and rider are never finished improving. Whether just beginning or competing at the international level, there is a place for those who want to have a great relationship with their horse. The basic skills learned in dressage help horse and rider stay safe and in control wherever they ride.

For more information about dressage, visit usdf.org, winecountrydressage.org, or Rapp Ranch at www.dbicnapa.com.

Justin-Siena needs assistant track and field coach

The Justin-Siena High School track and field team is looking for an assistant coach for the upcoming 2005 season.

To apply or for more information, call athletic director Lynn McCarroll at 255-0950, ext. 655.

Solano Chiefs minor league football tryouts in January

Tryouts for the spring season for the Solano Chiefs, a minor league football team, start in January, 2006 and run through March.

It’s adult tackle football. For more information, contact the Chiefs at (707) 42-CHAMP (422-4267).

NorCal Cruisers softball tryouts Jan. 8

The NorCal Cruisers 14-and-under softball team is seeking players born in 1991-1992 for a highly competitive 2006 tournament season. Tryouts are Jan. 8 at Solano Community College in Suisin. Pitchers and catchers are to report at 2 p.m. Position players are to report at 3 p.m.

For more information, call Sean Price at 344-1585, Virgil Thomas at 590-3214, or Michael Faulstich at 628-2020.

Bill Dodd golf tournament Jan. 9

at Silverado

Proceeds from Napa County Supervisor Bill Dodd’s golf tournament, which has been rescheduled for Jan. 9 at Silverado Resort, will benefit CASA, a voice for children.

It has an 11 a.m. shotgun start. The cost is $99 per person for those that have not signed up. Checks are to be made payable to CASA. To make a reservation, call 255-8969.

St. Helena Short Shooter evaluation night Jan. 9

The Boys & Girls Club of St. Helena Short Shooter basketball program will begin in January. This program is for all third and fourth grade children interested in learning the skills of basketball, teamwork and good sportsmanship.

The nine-week program will run from Jan. 26 through March 23.

The cost is $40 for Boys & Girls Club members and $45 for non-members. The cost includes a team T -shirt and registration is now open at the Boys & Girls Club.

On Monday, Jan. 9, an evaluation night will be held at the St. Helena Catholic School gym. It is important to attend the evaluation to help with the distribution of the teams. Third graders will be evaluated at 5 p.m. and fourth graders will be evaluated at 5:45 p.m.

Volunteer coaches are needed. Those interested in coaching or that need more information should contact Lynne Hall at 963-8944.

Napa Valley Girls Fastpitch Association softball registration Jan. 17-18

Registration for the 2006 Napa Valley Girls Fastpitch Association, a spring and summer softball program, will be held at the Napa High School cafeteria on Jan. 17 and 18, from 6:30-9 p.m.

The NVGFA is also looking for major division managers for “up and coming” players. Anyone interested should contact NVGFA president Teresa Zimny at 226-8412.

Members of the NVGFA’s newly-elected executive board: Teresa Zimny, president; Mike Washburn, vice-president; Pam Logan, secretary; Bryna McCulley, treasurer; Kristen Grubbs, player rep; and Bryce Caldwell, member at large.

Napa Junior Girls Softball League registration

Jan. 17-18, Jan. 21

The Napa Junior Girls Softball League will be conducting registration during the month of January. The league is open to all girls in grades 3-7. Practices will begin in March and games will be played in April and May. The $90 registration fee includes a team shirt, photo package and awards. Partial scholarships are available. Players signing up for the first time will need to show proof of age.

Registration will be held at the Napa High School cafeteria on Jan. 17 and 18, from 7-9 p.m., and will continue on Jan. 21 in front of Office Depot on Soscol Avenue from 10 a.m. to noon.

Questions can be directed to the league hotline at 252-7466.

Napa Community

T-Ball signups

Jan. 17, 20-21

Napa Community T-Ball, a beginning baseball program for boys and girls whose birthdays fall between July 1, 1997 and May 1, 2001, will have signups at Hopewell Baptist Church (3755 Linda Vista Ave.) on Jan. 17 and 20, from 6 to 9 p.m., and Jan. 21, from 9 a.m. to noon.

There’s a $40 registration fee. There’s a $15 late registration additional fee. The fee includes a T-shirt, hat, pictures and trophies.

New players need to bring a copy of their birth certificate. The league needs emergency and doctor’s phone numbers. The season runs from April 15 to June 3. Picture day is April 8. The information hotline is 259-0344.

Late registration is on Feb. 4, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Hopewell Baptist Church, and the cost is $55.

Napa Valley Express softball tryouts

Jan. 21-22

The Napa Valley Express softball organization will be holding tryouts for all age brackets.

Tryouts for players in the 10-, 12-and 14-and-under divisions are scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 21 at the Vintage High School junior varsity field from noon to 2 p.m. Check-in is at 11:30 a.m. Pitchers and catchers will be asked to stay after for approximately a half-hour.

Tryouts for players in the 16- and 18-and-under divisions are scheduled for Jan. 22 at the Vintage High School varsity field, from noon to 2 p.m. Check-in is at 11:30 a.m. Pitchers and catchers will be asked to stay after.

Players under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent/guardian and a medical release waiver must be signed.

For more information visit the Express’ website at napavalleyexpress.org or contact Dave Price at 255-6050. In case of rain, call Dave Price the morning of your scheduled tryout.

Vintage High athletic booster club crab and pasta feed Jan. 21

The Vintage High School athletic booster club will have its 28th annual crab and pasta feed on Saturday, Jan. 21 at Chardonnay Hall at the Napa Valley Exposition. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

The all-you-can-eat dinner, which starts at 7 p.m., includes crab, pasta, salad and French bread. Coffee and wine are also included with dinner. You must be 21 years old to attend. There will be live music by “The Blind Venetians,” and dancing begins at 9 p.m.

Tickets are $45 per person and are available at Napa Community Bank (227-9300), The Vintage Bank (257-8585), Vintage 1870 office (944-2451), and the Vintage High School main office (253-3601).

For more information, to volunteer, or to make a donation for the live or silent auctions, call Bob Saunders at 255-5409 or

e-mail resaunders3@yahoo.com

North Bay Umpires Association meetings Jan. 23, 30

The North Bay Umpires Association will begin training for baseball and softball umpires in January 2006. The association provides umpiring services for the Monticello Empire League and Solano County Athletic Conference as well as Dixon, Vanden-Travis Air Force Base, Justin-Siena, St. Helena, North Hills of Vallejo, Vacaville Christian and Trinity Prep.

Current members as well as prospective members must attend the initial meetings as follows:

Baseball on Jan. 23, 2006 and softball on Jan. 30, 2006. Both meetings are at 7 p.m. at Armijo High School in Fairfield in Room A-1.

For additional information, contact Chuck Buttz at (707) 863-0517 or Carl Everett at (707) 553-2846.

Napa Valley Adult School winter golf classes start Jan. 24

The Napa Valley Adult School is offering winter golf classes starting Jan. 24 at the Vintner’s Golf Club in Yountville.

“Learn the basics of golf: swing, grip, weight transfer, putting, short game, rules and etiquette,” will have two sessions. They run on Tuesdays, from Jan. 24-Feb. 28, from 5-6 p.m., and Thursdays, Jan. 26-March 2, from 5-6 p.m.

“Improving your golf game” picks up where the basic golf class ends. There are two sessions: Wednesdays, Jan. 25-March 1, 5-6 p.m., and Saturday, Jan. 28-March 4, 2-3 p.m.

All classes are $110 per six-week session. Classes are taught by a golf professional. Clubs and golf balls are provided, or bring your own clubs. Register online at www.adulted.nvusd.k12.ca.us, sign up at the school office at 1600 Lincoln Ave., or call 253-3594.

Napa Valley Swim Team conducting tryouts

The Napa Valley Swim Team currently has openings for new swimmers of all ability levels ages 6-18 in its competitive program.

Prospective swimmers should be able to swim at least one length of the pool in both freestyle and backstroke.

Tryouts are conducted at 4:30 p.m. on most Fridays. Call the Napa Valley Swim Team office at 257-SWIM (7946) to arrange a placement assessment tryout or to get more information.