No one ever says “I’d like to do something small and insignificant with my life”; no motivational poster trumpets “Think Small!” We talk about “the big picture” in glowing terms, and mutter that the “Devil is in the details”—hardly an endorsement to “get deep into the weeds” of the matter at hand. And yet the difference between success and failure is rarely due to a monumental flaw in planning or execution. Most often it’s the tiniest overlooked detail or miscalculation that is the ultimate undoing of a grand undertaking.

We call it “rocket science” in reverent tones, but when European engineers programmed their Mars probe and blasted it off into space, one tiny miscalculation resulted in a trajectory error of hundreds of miles. They should have named it “The Clementine Project” because that sucker is lost and gone forever. A seemingly brilliant dressage test performed with larger-than-life expressiveness by a fabulous mover can still score lower than an “average” horse with nominal gaits, if points are lost on accuracy, sloppy transitions or errors.

The constant drip of seemingly insignificant criticism can destroy a relationship, or undermine a promising talent. On the flip side, a dedicated habit of small kindnesses, and a commitment to integrity in the most innocuous of choices, adds up to life worthy of honor. Sometimes the whole is not greater than the sum of its parts. The small things often matter the most—in science, in performance, in business and in relationships. So when we get them right --the big picture falls into place.

The first week of June, NCDCTA will once again host the CDI 3*Y/J in conjunction with the 2011 Capital Dressage Classic. This show definitely falls into the category of a “Big Thing” for NCDCTA. We have a new manager, and some brand new traditions to debut, so forgive us if we’re a little giddy from the late nights and long days, but we want to get it all just right—from the smallest detail on up.

There are sure to be pitfalls and setbacks between now and then, but we have faith by the time we put out the welcome mat and turn on the porch light, all the hundreds of tiny details from months of planning will come together to create a fabulous weekend of fun, entertainment, parties and world class competition. So consider yourself invited, save the date and come join us at the Hunt Horse Complex in Raleigh June 3-5th 2011.

Suzanne Mullen President, NCDCTA