The 2009 HorseSalt Laser Dressage Saddle Sponsorship Has Been Awarded
Win Use Of This Beautiful Laser Dressage 100 Saddle!
HorseSalt is thrilled to announce sponsorship of a Laser Dressage 100 saddle for one lucky, competitive dressage rider. This is an adjustable tree, high-quality wool-flocked saddle fitting just about any horse, and will take you up a notch in your riding, especially if you’ve been riding in a cheapie. Don’t let your budget saddle keep you from competing at you – and your horse’s – potential!
I never realized how easy riding correctly was until I sat in my first Laser saddle. You’re a better rider than you think, once you don’t have to fight with your SADDLE!
Riding was suddenly fun again – for both Sparky and me. Now that I no longer was fighting the saddle, I could focus on learning how to ride. I was in tears the first few rides, both thrilled with the ride and saddened that I’d taken so long to get into a good saddle.
I’ve actually heard people moan aloud as they settle into this saddle (I did too, the first few times I sat in it – and so will you). It’s a SWEET saddle, and it will provide you with many miles of comfort in training and competition.
Deirdre Malburg is the 2009 Saddle Sponsorship winner. Her blog is located here. We’ll follow her career with great interest!
Salt Sponsorship
Part Of A Year's Worth Of Himalayan Salt
The three runners-up will receive the salt sponsorship, which is enough salt licks for one horse for a year (one case each). These winners will also be spotlighted on the site.
How To Apply For The 2009 Saddle/Salt Sponsorship
Comment below, and talk about:
- your riding, training and competing goals
- how/why a great saddle would help your riding program
- how you give back (or would like to give back) to the equine/equestrian world
Note – If you have comments other than applications, please use the contact page. Thanks!
Happy Trails!
Patricia Reszetylo
P.S. Purchase is NOT required for entry, but your horse will appreciate his (or her) new salt lick, and you’ll see a difference in his performance and overall health. Get a 3-pak or a 6-pak, and we’ll ship in the continental US for free!
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25 Responses to “Laser Dressage Saddle”
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I am just 14. My Mom bought me a 10 month old in 2006. I mounted her when she was 2 1/2, and slowly worked up to wher she is now. I have out my County saddle, so has my horse. We can only afford used saddles, and my Mom does her best to get the best she can. She recently bought a used kieffer dressage and a used Bates Jumping saddle. She said it was time to get the two instead of an all purpose. I have done eventing for 2 years – Beginner novice & Novice only. I hope to do Beginner Novice on my now almost 4 year old (4 in April). I will definitely be doing dressage this year on her. I just wish I had a better dressage saddle.
I am a very inexperienced rider! I ride like a lump. I haven’t figured out how to train my legs to stretch into the “bow legged” shape required for a comfortable long ride. Watching me you know I am not comfortable with it all. I admire those who ride “as one” with their horse. It sure appears to be fun. Horses are magnificent animals.
I began riding my horse 7 years ago this summer and when I got him, I had every intention of doing hunter/jumper work with him. HE had other ideas. Shortly after our relationship began, I suddenly became fascinated with dressage, despite the fact I’d never heard the word before. So, I began reading every book and magazine I could and watching every video I could get my eyes on. Not having enough money for lessons and training, I had to make due with what I could get my hands on. I purchased a decent dressage saddle used from a friend’s cousin who was in a financial pinch and selling off everything but the kitchen sink. I found it much more comfortable and easy than the H/J saddle I’d purchased, thinking that was what I’d be doing.
I was finally able to take a few lessons this past summer with an incredible trainer who unfortunately went out of business after our 4th or 5th lesson. So, we are back to working on our own, but learned so much in those few short lessons, we have a lot of things we can continue working on. My target is to move my horse up as high as he is willing to go. My trainer said after her first ride on him, “at this point, with no previous training, he could easily go level 2!” How’d I get so lucky?! And he enjoys work and competition and would desire to be “on display” for sure. So, we’ll go as high as we are able…Olympics maybe?
What grand and glorious adventures await us!?
A new saddle would help us out tremendously for a few reasons. One of which is that our current saddle is brown which is impossible to find matching tack as nearly ALL dressage tack is black. I also realize that for showing, and to present my horse in the best possible light, I will require a nicer saddle. And I’m sure that a better quality saddle will go a long way to assisting my riding as well and helping me even more to get out of my horse’s way and let him do what he can do. Having a nice saddle like this Laser Dressage Saddle to use for a year would also allow for the available funds to obtain more training.
Currently, I am a member of a local saddle club where I assist in setting up, tearing down and “running” shows. As my children get older and require less of me, I would like to dedicate even more time to helping out the equestrian community. For now, I am training to facilitate 2-day workshops to help horses and riders overcome the energetic blocks (mental and physical) that stop them from progressing beyond where they currently are. And I am also working on establishing clientele in this arena at a local level so that I can begin helping those horses and riders who struggle while training for the workshop setting.
I am a very experienced rider and know the difference a great saddle will performe better than a cheap affordable saddle. My dream has always been to ride in the U.S. Arabian Nationals, but age has caught up with me and now retired. Don’t have the money to get the equipment to go. Have the horses but not the equipment. If someone could sponsor my dream it would make me one leg closer to getting there. My husband is a trainer so have experience to back me to go all the way. Pick me and I will make you proud.
I have ridden dressage for many years and have competed up to 4th level in the past. I found myself with a bad saddle that progressively left myself and my horse with back problems which became a vicious cycle to try to correct. I got rid of that saddle and my horse received chiropractic therapy. I have tried many saddles since then that would be comfortable for me and the horse. I feel I am getting closer but seem to have trouble correcting my leg position. It is discouraging since I used to feel quite secure and comfortable in dressage. I have a younger horse now that I would like to feel secure on and be able to compete up through the levels. I have noticed many of my friends with the same problems with trying to find a saddle that fills all your needs to compete and train in dressage. I would love to try the Laser dressage saddle and be able to show my friends and fellow competitors that their dream can come true, a versatile saddle that helps, not hinders, your goals in dressage training.
I am a 35 year old working Mom. I work 40 hours a week to be able to afford and enjoy my horses. I have a very supportive husband that gives me the emotional support but sometimes we don’t have the money to get the tack and other items that I need.
We try real hard to save the money to buy the right tack to further my and my horses training. I have a lovely 3rd/ 4th level gelding that we just got last fall but he is very hard to fit with a saddle because of his high withers.
This saddle would go a long way in helping me to keep my horse sound, happy and working correctly over his back. I have a wonderful instructor that has really helped us alot. I have really come a long way in my riding. I think that with this saddle it will help to further my riding in a way that I would not be able to other wise.
I am currently on the board of directors for our local GMO, Tri State Dressage Society. I have helped to set up a volunteer rewards system for the members as well as a handbook that outlines the jobs that are needed to run a show successfully.
This sponsership would help my horse and I meet my goal of trying to qualify for region 9 champoinships and possible my Bronze Medal.
Thank you for your consideration.
I’ve raised my Clydesdale Stallion since he was 5 months old. He’s getting ready to turn 7 this spring. He’s been trained by both myself and some professional trainers/show handlers all these years… getting him both mentally and physically prepared for riding…in particular I want him trained in Dressage.
I’m old school…in that I don’t believe a horse should be really ridden until they are both physically and mentally “mature”. No matter what the breed, a horse doesn’t physically mature until they are at least 6 years old (the longer a horse’s neck and or the taller a horse is- such as ones 17hh or over, Saddlebreds and Warmbloods…might not be fully mature until they are 8 years old–Dr. Deb Bennet has written a wonderful article about Horse Maturation that all horse owners should read).
When my boy turned 6, I had fully planned on buying him his first saddle and getting him used to it. Because Clydesdales take until they are at least 6 years old to get the majority of their size and are not fully mature until they are over 8 was another reason why I wanted to wait to buy a saddle for him. Unfortunately, family circumstances in my life kept me from buying the proper equipment to get him started lightly under saddle at that time.
Recently I was able to get my big guy’s first saddle to start his training this spring(As soon as we get through Mud Season here). However it wasn’t the Dressage saddle that I’d wanted for him…but a custom made hornless Australian Stock Survivor Poley Saddle. I researched saddles for more than a year when my boy was 5 years old. Although I found (and would have liked to have gotten for my big guy)one of two different Dressage saddles that would comfortably and properly fit a large Clydesdale…in my search of saddles…the Australian Stock saddle was the only one I could afford to get a custom fit for him. The dressage saddles that I looked at that I could have custom made for my Clydesdale were well out of my price range.
Besides ensuring my Clydesdale has grown up with every possible chance at maturing into a very healthy, sound equine…making sure that what ever man made implements of the “trade” don’t interfere with his natural athleticism has always been of utmost importance to me.
Anything we add to a horse should not interfere with his biomechanics. The point of Dressage Training is not to “competition show”…but rather how the horse is moving including the rider…it’s about you and your horse moving as one. How the horse is moving and responding to you working him; weather riding or working dressage on the ground, is the most important thing to focus on.
Ensuring that all equipment (from bridle & saddle to the shoes on the horse’s hooves) interferes as little as possible with the natural biomechanics of the horse is the absolute best thing anyone could do for their horse.
Not interfering with, but rather being in tune with the biomechanics of my horse is and always has been my goal in my equestrian endeavors.
Having properly fitting equipment to introduce my horse to Dressage Training is of utmost importance to me.
Imagine if every horse were “started” with equipment that was comfortable with little interference to the horse’s natural biomechanics? Not only would the horse perform better (picking up on training quicker) but the rider would be more “in tune” with their horse. This means that the rider isn’t interfering with the horse’s natural biomechanics…but is truly able to be one with the horse.
After reading about the Laser Equestrian Products and the Designer…I was impressed that someone has finally come out with products that focus more on the natural biomechanics of the horse to help not only the horses have more comfort to perform…but also the riders.
I feel that the Beautifully Designed Laser Dressage 100 Saddle would be the perfect saddle to start my big guy in dressage training. It’s not a matter of changing my riding with a saddle in this case…but more so getting a proper saddle to start his training that will not interfere with my horse’s ability.
Clydesdales are much like Elephants…they have incredible memories and rarely forget something once they learn it. So introductions to new things are important. Which is one reason why having proper fitting; comfortable equipment to introduce the first time is important to me.
Although he is just starting his breeding career…because of the economy and so many horses flooding the Horse Rescues…I’m not breeding him this year and will be completely focusing him in his training. My ultimate goal for my Clydesdale Stallion is to be able to donate most of his stud breeding fees to Mounted Police and Horse Rescues and to use him to promote fundraising gatherings like what my feed store does with an Annual Barbeque to benefit the Humane Society.
Any way that I can have my boy help bring attention to and raise money for rescuing animals…from cats & dogs to horses…that’s a big goal for us.
Something that my boy has done recently is help me with informative articles (illustrated with pictures of him) for equestrians which have been published now in two well distributed Equestrian Magazines. He also brings joy to many around the world by allowing his pictures to be used by young ladies and gentlemen who want to use his pictures in their Virtual Horse Games, banners for MySpace and having model horses painted in his likeness for model horse shows.
We’re looking to get into working with 4-H /FFA groups to use my Clydesdale to educate them about the care of drafts & feathered horses. And eventually down the road I’d love to employ him in some “environmentally friendly logging” as well as carriage rides.
Thank you for bringing attention to the Laser Dressage 100 Saddle! I hadn’t known about it until the newsletter you sent. I’m very glad I know about Laser Equestrian Products now!
Best wishes always,
Kat
“COURAGE, VIRTUE & HONOR MEAN EVERYTHING….
MONEY & POWER ….POWER & MONEY MEAN NOTHING”
~~SECONDHAND LIONS~~
My name is Leslie, and I am 27 years old. I have been riding since I was 3 years old, I started out taking western riding lessons from one of my moms friends when I was a little girl. My senior year in high school my best friend purchased an English saddle and started showing her horses in English events. While at her house one weekend she offered to let me try her English saddle, from that moment I was hooked. I began searching for my own dressage saddle(as that was the main discipline I was most interested in), over the years I have ridden in cheapies, Crosbys, Kent’s, and now I have a Jorge Canaves dressage saddle. It is first NEW saddle I have owned but I still have issues with lengthening my leg position like it needs to be when riding dressage. I have a tendency to ride with my stirrups too short as I rode bareback alot when I was younger. Doing this I learned to grip with my thighs which has caused me to ride with short stirrups in order to keep my feet in them, because when I start to grip with my thighs I lose my stirrups every time.
Last year I had goals of making it to several schooling shows and even going to a four day dressage clinic, that had some Grand Prix trainers doing the private and group lessons with the riders. On the evening of April 23rd, 2008; however, my goals for the year changed drastically. I was kicked in the face by a neighbors horse. After being taken to the ER that evening, plastic surgery the next morning, and then oral surgery around five days later my goals went completely out the window for the year.
The doctor said that had the horse gotten me a 1/2 inch higher than she did I would not be here right now, so I was extremely lucky. The injuries to my face included a broken nose, both cheek bones were fractured (with many bone fragments removed), a tore left cheek muscle, a stretched left cheek nerve, shattered bottom back teeth, blown out sinuses, and a large cut that went from the left point of my upper lip up into my right nostril and all the way through to my gums. Now almost a year later, I am all healed and have to wear a mouth piece the rest of my life to keep my jaw in the correct position as the upper jaw bone was rotated from the impact of the kick. I so thankful to still be here and be able to enjoy my horses on my own schedule rather than the doctors now.
I began riding again in October 2008, after what seemed like a life time away from my horses. Due to the injury I of course missed my clinic and all of the schooling shows that went on during the summer months while I was injured but have goals of making a come back in 2009 on my boys Jagged Edge and Destinys Wildchild. This will not only require getting the boys back in shape after a lengthy vacation but also require me to work extremely hard to get back in shape and work on my position as both had deteriorated quite a bit during my off time.
I think that it is awesome that you are looking for a rider to sponsor and are willing to put them in a top notch dressage saddle that could help both horse and rider in bettering their results in achieving their goals. The best part about the saddle in my opinion is the adjustable tree, as it is hard to find saddles that fit my Arabians and can be interchangeable between them all.
I forgot to include what I would like to give back to the equestrian world in my first comment so here it is. In my area western riding is the primary type of riding that people do; you don’t see much English riding. Because of this I would like to offer English based riding lessons to the locals (mainly the younger generations), so that they can learn more about it and learn how it can make them a better rider.
I think it would be great to make avaliable more learning opportunities in the equine industry in my area that is geared towards English riding. Maybe this would draw more interest to the discipline so that when people see me out and about in my English get up or even in my dressage ring practicing they don’t think I am some crazy nut with the ABC’s in her pasture. There has been several people ask me why and what are the ABC’s for.
My name is Kalina, and I am 15 1/2 years old. I have been riding since I was about 8, and have been riding Dressage for two years, competitively for one year. Last year, I struggled with my saddle; it puts me in a perching position, and though I can work to get in the correct position, it requires concentration that would be better used working on my horses. I have an Arabian gelding, SVS Regalo (nickname is Eddie) who is 7 years old and still a baby at heart, and have recently recieved riding privileges to an experinced Duth Warmblood mare, Ivon. My saddle does not fit Ivon, and since I will competing first level this year, I need a saddle that works for her and the Arab.
Last year, I rode Training level tests 1-4, earning an average score of about 63%. This year, after a lot of hard work, I will start First level. This saddle would help considerably in my improvement in Dressage. I have Evented before, but Dressage is my true passion, and my goals are set high! My absolute goal is to eventually ride a Grand-Prix test WELL! Preferably, a Free-style test.
Eddie, the Arab, has a slightly small barrel, which makes it hard to keep my leg position on him correctly. My saddle does not hold me in the correct position, so a saddle that does would be wonderful.
I am starting to write articles about Dressage, among other things, for the Internet, to educate.
Thank you for considering me and my jorsey-partners!
Kalina
What a great idea to offer a salt & saddle sponsorship! Salt keeps the horses drinking and the saddle helps them perfomr better.
I am the mother of Kalina, the girls with high aspirations in Dressage. I started riding again about 7 or 8 years ago after a 35 year break!!! Can you imagine? I am from the Netherlands and when we purchased our Quarterhorse I had no intentions of putting a western saddle on him. I my opinion (at that time) that was solely for western movies.
Well, little did I know. My trainer had a tough job with us. Blue was definately very green broke and western. His neck was enormous – he only knew to use the bottom muscle and he loved to tuck his but to prepare for a sliding stop. I did manage to get a 64% in T-1 and T-2! Not bad.
Blue is a hard to fit horse. I share the saddle with Kalina and of course when we both ride at the same time, I ride in a Wintec and she gets the Anky. I hope to take lessons again starting this spring and show in T-3 and T4 on our Quarterhorse.
This saddle would be of great help. First so Kalina and I don’t have to keep changing saddles and it may just help my back to stay in better shape and not put me in a perching position. Though, logically, Kalina would ride in it…since she is my daughter.
My website PeformingHorse.com is a growing and ever changing site to provide information to people with horses. We hope to include many different disiplines and information on feed, hoof care, horse care etc. etc.
The summer months I help the Local Dressage Club with the shows as a ring steward and homeschool both my children. Part of that is of course supporting Kalina to reach her goals with the dressage.
Furthermore we strive to teach our children to be entrepreneurs at heart and be successful internet-preneurs before they finish high school. Kalina wrote the article about Breeds on my site and will be writing many articles on Dressage.
Thank you for a great opportunity!
Monique
I m almost 16 years old, been riding for about 7 years. I want to start competing, I have to pay for all the equipment but I don’t have enough money to buy a good looking saddle for shows. Right now, I can only buy used saddles. For the last year I got really interested in dressage. And started to teach my horse some of the moves and stuff.. but its kinda hard when your with a jumping saddle,a western saddle or bareback. The city where I live is all western, there is about 3 riding schools, and one gives both western and English lessons. But only beginner lessons. At my new stables where I board my horse, We are only 2 who rides English, but the other person rides western most of the time. I would love to have this saddle because its going to help me and my horse with the future training that I m looking forward to this summer.
I am applying for the HorseSalt Sponsorship for the Laser Dressage 100 to assist in the development of my six year old FEI prospect Holsteiner gelding Randonnee.
I am currently seeking a saddle to fit this fun young FEI prospect and have had to borrow a saddle from a friend. I have, and at this time, can only afford one quality saddle and it was built specifically for my 14 year old FEI Anglo-Arabian gelding named Hazen. The horses are built very different and require different width saddles.
Randonnee is third-generation home-bred. Last summer, he was “high-point of show” at four of the five days he was shown. He possesses the qualities we all look for in an FEI prospect: great work ethic, enjoyable personality, and of course, three powerful quality gaits. In Randonnee’s case, he has demonstrated a natural preposition for piaffe and passage, something that my Anglo-Arabian does not have. Hazen’s strengths are his enormous heart and ability to be very, very correct in the movement.
I am developing Randonee slowly – letting his (very
short attention span catch up with his natural athletic abilities. I hope to have him ready to show in the USEF FEI Young Horse division in 2010. To meet his training requirements, I need a saddle that will fit this horse. He’s 15.3h, and like his sire Riverman, dark dapple gray, and built like a brick house. His nickname is the “Pocket Rocket” for his size and power. He draws a crowd at every show he’s attended. Now I just need a saddle that fits his back and will allow his shoulder to swing freely forward.
I have a nine year old daughter that loves to ride too. She looks forward to the day when she is Hazen’s main-squeeze and even to the day that Randonee is her FEI mount. Randonee’s dam is in her early 20’s and we’re asking her to give our family one more gift. Last summer, I entered and won a breeding to a lovely young Holsteiner dressage stallion in a silent auction. We will breed our mare this spring and hopefully, will begin the cycle for the next family-shared mount with the birth of her foal in 2010.
I am an active member and volunteer of the Sierra Nevada Chapter (SN) of the California Dressage Society for several years including multiple years as the chapter’s Show Chairperson, show manager and show secretary for the SN sponsored “Dressage in the Sierra” dressage show, and for the past four (4) years, I have served as the SN chapter Chairperson.
During the four (4) terms as the SN Chairperson, I have helped institute a chapter Education Fund for chapter members; increased the number of three-star shows the chapter hosts from one to three per year; created our annual “Horse on the Label” wine-tasting fund raiser; recognized a doubling in the chapter’s treasury; and re-energized the SN board by increasing the number of volunteers serving on the chapter’s committees.
While, most FEI riders focus their profession on instructing other competitive riders and riding competition-geared horses, my teaching career has taken a completely different track. I teach young children to go “up down”, steer, canter, jump little jumps, etc. It took a while but I figured it out: my gift back to horsemanship is my ability to start these young children with a proper balanced seat, learning to always say “thank you” to their ponies. I have a couple of saddles for the children of various small child sizes because I believe that learning to sit properly and establish a solid seat is the basics to a life time of enjoyable safe riding.
I appreciate the opportunity to apply for the HorseSalt Laser Dressage 100 Saddle sponsorship.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Coffey Curle
My name is Deirdre R. Malburg. I am 23 years old and I am the head dressage trainer for Andalusians of Texas and Rancho Armendariz. It is my goal to represent the USA in dressage. I am currently riding in my Mom’s saddle that she bought in Germany in 1980. After she passed away I grew much attached to the saddle. It is now showing its ware and I do not believe it is going to take me as far as I would like to go. I have two international hopefuls in training at the moment and many more wonderfully talented youngsters that will represent this company and Laser well. These two farms have done so much to supply me the horses I need, but I am working with hand-me-downs and budget tack. I would love to see what my horses can do with properly fitting tack that allows them to move at their full potential. Also, any product that will enhance my horse’s life naturally is something I want to try. I have not currently used Himalayan Horse Salt, but would love the opportunity to represent this natural product and use it on my horses.
Teaching is really a passion of mine. I love seeing my students experience their own “ah-ha” moments. I love to write about my own “ah-ha” moments as well, which I do through my monthly dressage newsletter. It would be such an educational and fun experience to share my thoughts and ideas with your community as well. Every time I teach and write, I learn. I study classical dressage extensively through reading as well as clinics, symposiums, and regular training with German Riding Master Hans Biss.
This opportunity would be a dream come true for me. I encourage you to visit my website and see what I have to offer. I feel as if I could provide your company with a great partnership through my ever extending dressage knowledge and personal experience. This sponsorship will push me to the next level in my career, and I hope that we can come together to form a winning team.
Thank you so much for offering this sponsorship opportunity. May you find the partnership that you are searching for.
Deirdre R. Malburg
http://www.DeirdreDressage.com
I was at a Morgan dressage show in August 2008 and nothing was going right. I was in a ton of pain. No matter what my instructor said I could not sit squarely in my saddle. The high quality dressage saddle I had borrowed from a friend was too small for me and my gelding. Somehow, my Morgan gelding, Johnny, made up for as many of my shortcomings as possible and we had a respectable outing in training level.
On September 19, 2008 the clues to my disastrous summer were put together and solved. I was diagnosed with Stage IV Hodgkin lymphoma and started chemotherapy on October 30, 2008. The cancer was responsible for the pain, the exhaustion, even for my inability to sit squarely in my saddle!
All of my dressage training came to a screeching halt with the cancer diagnosis and I have spent the winter on a tough chemotherapy regimen which is administered every two weeks. My last chemotherapy treatment is April 3rd and I cannot wait to get back to lessons, training and showing my Morgan horses.
Like most people, riding horses is a hobby for me, not a full time job. I am a tenth generation dairy farmer but horses have been my passion for the last twenty years, ever since my first lesson at age eight. This spring, I will continue training Johnny, who will be six in May. I have done all of his saddle training myself and he was competing at training level last year. My younger brother outgrew his nine year old Morgan mare so I have inherited her as a dressage mount as well. Secret is a better choice for me as a competition horse since she is tall like me with an athletic build. She has never worked in a dressage frame (my brother rides western) but shows a lot of potential and I am chomping at the bit to begin training with her.
My goal for Johnny is to continue training and show at a few open dressage shows this summer. Ultimately, he will become a walk-trot horse for my nine year old cousin; his size and disposition are perfect. Secret will begin her dressage training as soon as chemo ends and plans for her include a couple of Morgan and open dressage competitions this summer. In 2010 I will show her training level or maybe first level at the Morgan Grand National in Oklahoma City. For years I have dreamed of showing a horse there and now I finally have a horse with the potential and talent to take me there. With Secret’s potential, I would like to progress to at least third level.
A Laser Dressage saddle will enable me to reach my goals faster and ensure that my horses and I are not held back by improper saddle fit. Using a top of the line saddle will enable my horses and I to focus on training rather than compensating for handicaps a poorly made or ill-fitting saddle create. The HorseSalt sponsorship will also allow me to dedicate my limited funds to lessons with my dressage instructor and clinics. Knowing my horses, they will have no objection to the year’s supply of Himalayan salt licks either. Himalayan licks are their favorite salt source.
Before cancer I was giving balance seat riding lessons to children and leading a Morgan Youth Group. The youth group is free to anyone ages 6-21 who wants to learn more about horses. The average age of kids in my group is twelve years old and we meet once a week. We study horsemanship, nutrition, vet science, groom horses, do some riding and also non-horsey things like Easter egg hunts and cookie baking. While I had chemo the kids have stepped up and done my barn chores, they truly are barn angels. Having their help through this process has enabled me to keep my horses and my dreams. The youth group spent a lot of time making cookies instead of studying horsemanship this winter, but we learned a lot of life lessons. We are already making plans for our upcoming horse activities and I am thrilled chemo is almost over and my life is getting back on track!
Saddle and salt sponserships are wonderful ideas. We at Sierra Ranch in Claremore, OK, love riding the trails in SE OK and do it in English and dressage saddles. And as someone said above salt is one of the things that keeps horses healthy. Thanks!
I have been giving himalayan salt to my horses for many years and do love it! I am involved in endurance racing and classical dressage. I do not show, just enjoy teaching horses, if they want to learn, how to carry riders correctly. I believe in helping the community by recyling – turning old tennis nets into hay nets, etc… I talk racetrack trainers into buying himalayan salt rings down at gulfstream racetrack – I use to exercise in the mornings so I know some of the trainers. I also give away a couple salt licks at local horse shows. I believe in keeping horses as natural as possible. I adore the Paddock paradise plan by Jaime Jackson. This plan allows horses to move, eat, socialize, and drink as nature intended. I hang my salt rings on trees at the “mineral haven” along my track.
I try to bond with horses on a personal level and Carolyn Resnick has helped me with this. I find that the closer I become to the horse, the closer I become to understanding myself. I don’t think it is necessary to ride horses to be close to them but I do enjoy riding and several are very proud to carry me. A laser saddle would be fantastic! The generous panel width is very important. Wide panels that lay neatly along the back allows my horses to relax into a steady rhythm – bliss! I have sat in a laser saddle but have not had the luxury of owning one. Maybe this will be my lucky day!
My name is Alex Morris. I am 17 years old. And have been riding for 9 years. I bought my first horse a 17 years old Quarter horse gelding Quincey in October of 2005. Then in the summer of 2008 I was asked to train a 6 years old barrel racer Fritz into a dressage horse. I have had hard times with this horse trying to break his habits. In September of 2008 I participated in the Trillium Dressage Championships with my now 21 years old quarter horse. I won a first and a second at first level. just missing the few points to get reserve champion. Right now I am training with grand prix rider Jon Costin, and hopefully get lessons with his coach Neil Ishoy. My main goal is to compete Fei, but unfortunately I don’t have the money to get the horse I need. So I am trying hard to do everything I can with what I have.
Right now I ride in a Thorogood Synthetic dressage saddle. And to tell you the truth it’s not the most attractive saddles their is. I really don’t feel that comfortable in it and I don’t trust it because it’s synthetic, the other day one of my billets fell off!!! My horse is getting saddle sores and I try to do everything I can, but I can’t really afford a lot. I have basically almost had to sell my horse twice because I couldn’t afford him. Now I have to get a new saddle.I hate riding in my saddle because it ruins my position. My problem is that since I have gotten my saddles which was 2 years ago, I have started to have problems with my legs my back neck… well everything from the waist up. I have gone to a specialist dealing with riders and said that the support of the saddle is causing problem for the waist up. Because of my saddle I have had to take up to 3 months off. Which was really hard for me to do. I know that it is just my saddle because I always rides my friends horse and I have almost perfect position in her saddle and I have no pain after I ride. Why I deserve this saddle… because I think I have earned it. I have been riding for 7 years in used, falling apart saddles. I am sick of all my friends getting these perfect saddles, and I think it’s my turn to get the perfect saddle. I know that a new saddle will improve my posture and hopefully I won’t be riding in my dangerous saddle anymore. And that my horse will be happy, and not get injured when I ride him. I know that my coach would be happy for me to get a new saddle.
I have volunteered to set up, tear down at horse shows during the summer. I have helped fix a dressage barn that was falling apart, including building 22 new stalls, in which all of them are filled now. I haven’t really done a lot for the equestrian world, but I getting into volunteering a lot. I help find horse homes. The 6 year old barrel racer that I am training was involved in a very bad accident. He had his two tendons on is front legs completely ripped off the bone. His owner wanted to put him down. My vet took him and fixed him then was looking for a new home for him, then I decide to take him, he didn’t trust people at all. It took me awhile to gain his trust but I got it. He is as sound as a rock and doing great at dressage. We have are hard times but we get threw them. When I am in his pasture he stand behind me, he follows me like he knows I am going to protect him and that he knows no one is going to hurt him. I just love giving my time to horses with problems like my barrel racer turned dressage horse, Fritz. My other horse Quincey was abused and I bought him because of that. I wanted to help him. He was up for sale for 3 years because he attacked people but I got through to him and know he is the best dressage horse i have ever owned. But I just want to help those equines who have been troubled like I did with Fritz and Quincey.
Hi my name is Ashley Jonas. I am 13 years old and I got my first horse in July of 2008. I have been riding since I was 5 years old. It was the birthday present that never ended. I love horses. I want to volunteer to help with the MHARF. My horse Oreo (black & white paint) just started learning dressage when I bought her. She is going to be twelve in May. We are having a hard time finding a saddle that works for her. She has had some injuries before we bought her. She tried jumping the fence to get away from an agressive horse and when she landed she did the splits and caught the fence post in her side. She was on stall rest for a month with a tube sticking out of her and she still has a lump above her tail. She didn’t really trust people, she still sometimes kicks out when she is scared, but she usually warns me by swishing her tail. The vet who have worked on her her entire life says that she never seen Oreo look so good. I love my horse and I would love to find a saddle that would fit her well. This summer we are doing are first horse show away from our boarding stable. We’re going to the Junior Young Riders in Iowa. Oreo loves to show. I started doing shows with her at my boarding stable and she was very patient. We even got a 9! I’m so proud of her.
Thanks Ashley Jonas
I recently got a 7 year old OTTB mare that I am hoping to make a statment with. Where I am from there are several people who say “we need slaughter to get rid of all these horses that no one wants.” I want to take D and show them all you can take a horse that was worth nothing and turn her into a star. My problem, I do not have a dressage saddle that fits her and me. Our training has slowed down because our equipment doesn’t fit.
My goal for this years is to compete is some dressages tests in the area. However, without a properly fitted saddle it has been increasing difficult. After I finish with D and she is going solid I would like to turn this into a project where I can rehome several horses that in the beginning had no usable skills and turn them into productive members of the equine world. I cannot solve all of the unwanted horse problem but if I can help 2 or 3 in a year, that would be a start.
Hi Patricia,
Thank you for posting this great sponsorship opportunity. I’m a 23 year-old competitive dressage rider, and I officially began a career as a professional trainer for Flying Chesterfield Farm (“FCF”) and FCF Equine Services in Middleburg, MD three years ago. FCF is a labor of love that my mother and I collaborate on – my mom owns the farm and breeds dressage sport horses, and I manage the barn and base my training business there. My life has been devoted to horses since I was a little girl, and I am so happy to be able to pursue a career with horses. I have been riding competitively since the age of six, and have been working in show barns since I was a young teenager. Ever since I was fourteen, my mom has declined to buy me “made” horses, and instead has acquired young horses (she calls them “raw material”) for me to train as my own competition horses. I was able to train and ride two of those horses to national-level year-end awards. I’m currently training a gorgeous palomino half-Andalusian mare that I rescued as a green-broke four year-old from an abusive training situation. Four years later, she is competing at second level. While I have had success with several “remedial cases” over the past two years, this wonderfully talented mare and her issues from past mistreatment have been my biggest challenge to-date. I have a very special bond with my mare, and we continue to work through her issues day by day.
Riding, Training and Competing Goals: My goal as a rider is to become a top FEI level Grand Prix competitor. My goal as a trainer is to start and train young dressage horses with kindness and care, successfully developing and preparing them for the rigors of FEI-level competition. I have experience with starting and training quite a few horses to training and first level. I currently train with FEI-level trainers and am learning everything I can to improve my skills. I am looking for sponsors to help me move forward with my competition goals.
Why a Great Saddle Will Help My Riding Program: I ride a minimum of three, and sometimes as many as ten horses each day. I ride in a treeless dressage saddle, which is fine with so many horses to train, especially since they’re all going at lower levels. However, now that I am working on increased collection and more demanding movements with my second level horse, I find that I need more support and stability than my trusty old treeless saddle can give me. The laser dressage saddle looks like the perfect combination of contact and support that will enable us to progress up the levels. I am confident that my competition horse and I will dramatically improve our performance with a saddle like the Laser Dressage saddle in your sponsorship program. My mare is something of a princess, so I have a feeling that switching to your premium horse salt would make her feel very special too!
How I Give Back To the Equine/Equestrian World: Right now, I give back to the equine world by training very young horses from birth until they are going under saddle in a way that makes them well-equipped for a life among humans. I believe that a happy, willing horse who has never suffered mistreatment and is thoroughly prepared to do the things that a show horse is required to do, has the best chance of enjoying a good life in partnership with humans. I also rescue horses retiring from the racetrack, teach them a new career, and place them in good “forever” homes when they’re ready. As mentioned above, I take on the training of problem horses that need a “turnaround” in order to be successful companions for their owners. One of my next projects will be to adopt and train a BLM mustang. I believe that the American Mustang has much to offer as a riding horse and a companion for humans. I hope to increase the awareness and acceptance of Mustangs among horse people on the East Coast, where very few people adopt them. Over the longer term, I hope to develop more leadership skills while I gain more experience as a trainer and competitor, so that I may be a mentor (and someday a sponsor) to other young people who are coming along in the horse world.
I am fairly active on facebook and twitter, but I don’t currently have a blog about my training and competition activities. I would be delighted to blog about my activities on your website. I have much to learn about the art of self-promotion, so you will find me an eager student, and I will be thankful to have an online presence! I would also be happy to display your logo on my show gear, which travels with me all around the mid-Atlantic region, and include a mention of your sponsorship in my display advertising (I don’t have a website, either — yet). Thank you very much for considering me for the saddle sponsorship.
Domenique “Nicki” Carson
Flying Chesterfield Farm
As a Classical Rider and Trainer and Editor of the International online ezine The Cavalier, my goal is to promote only the correct training and preparation of the horse. This involves not only creating the back on the horse that I want to ride, but ensuring that the horse is comfortable and balanced in all ways in order to comfortably carry the rider. Part of ensuring that the horse is comfortable is having a saddle that is balanced and comfortably fits the horse as well as provide correct placement for the rider.
Since I am focused solely on the art of training the horse and not in competition per se, my goals are somewhat different. My horse, Reglisse, is in training for the haute ecole and eventually will demonstrate both inhand and under rider, the airs above the ground. Also, the mission of The Cavalier is to bring back the artistry of the high school from all around the world by interviewing and learning from all the Masters of the Classical Method.
The Cavalier will be able to feature the Laser Saddle to an International Readership in my training and riding demonstrations with my Iberian horse Reglisse, as he, too, becomes an International star and an ambassador for the beauty of Classical Riding Method.
Patricia,
I am turning 16 this June and I started riding when I was just 7 years old. I had a lot of self confidence and trust issues when I was younger, after I started riding my life turned for the better. I learned to trust my horse and through that bond I learned to trust others and to trust myself. When I was 13 my grandma blessed me with the gift of a 9 year old quarter horse gelding named Conan. He soon became my teacher, best friend and more. He not only taught me the lessons of riding but the lessons of life as well. He was a western trained horse when I got him, and I like many of the girls at the barn wanted to be a hunter. So we worked hard at getting him to jump. After 2 years of hard falls and a lot of tears we realized that wasn’t what either of us was meant to do. So I took my western quarter horse and asked my instructor (who rode dressage) if she would give us some dressage lessons. She smiled at me as if to say “I knew this is what you should be doing all along”. And so our dressage lessons began, and I fell in love.
After a while of lessons and hard work and training for my horse my coach asked me if I wanted to go to a dressage show, I thought why not what’s stopping us. After telling some girls at the barn about my future endeavours in showing dressage I was both surprised and saddened by the remarks. “She’s doing dressage with that Quarter Horse what is she thinking she’s going to embarrass herself, he’s fat, 15’3 and a QUARTER HORSE, they have no chance against those warm bloods”. I called my coach and told her I didn’t want to go as I was too nervous, the day before the show I went to the barn and greeted Conan as usual with a carrot. As I was about to walk out the stall he nickered to me and I turned back, I looked him in the eyes and realized what I had just done. I had done what kids had done to me all of my life, not gone through with things because I was to heavy or to ugly or not like all the other girls, listening to what other people thought about me and limiting myself because of it, I was limiting what my amazing horse could do because of his breed. I have now been showing this quarter horse right now just training level but we have had amazing rides at every show and even ribbons including Champions!! He has surprised not only me but everyone at that barn, he has come leaps and bounds from being on the forehand to moving from behind from circular turns to square turns and from not knowing what a leg yield was to doing them across the ring!
My goal is to one day ride in the Olympics, I know it probably won’t be with my quarter horse because of his age and ability to learn certain moves, but right now I am content advancing with him and kicking all of the warm bloods butts The way I am currently giving back to the equestrian community in a small way and would like to make my message even bigger to the community is as follows.
I want youth and even adults everywhere to know that they have no limits when it comes to following their dreams, that no matter what background you are or size you are you can do anything. No one should limit you or your horse and you shouldn’t either. Riding is a gift and horses are truly angels without wings. My horse has taught me more than anyone in the world and he continues to every day.
A new saddle would help us both so that we can perform at the best of our abilities. Not only should I be able to ride in comfort but more importantly my horse should always be comfortable excpecially in the show ring. My nana also rides horses and loves Conan with all her heart, she is getting older and I don’t want her to have to worry about buying saddles etc, i want her to be able to ride as well in a comfortable saddle.
Thank You for this opportunity and if anything it was nice to share my story,
Ashley Duarte-Devlin
I actually wanted to add to the above that I have a website that I update all the time for my organization and I currently am training my horse for farther movements in dressge and am competing once a month! I would love to keep a blog and share my story.stories with the equestrian community
Thank you for the opportunity and reminder to enter this contest.
I have been a wannabe rider as long as I can remember and my dream since I can recall was to HAVE horses. I used to draw horses, make horses out of snow when I was four, shape them out of clothes pegs and dream horses. This dream finally was partially realized when my two daughters were interested in taking riding lessons. I drove them to their lessons, participated in cheering them on, helped purchase two horses and in general supported them. Since I was also busy with their two younger brothers and their sports, I still had to stand in the shadows of the field of horses. My dream of participation started to finally come to fruition with my oldest daughter’s waning interest in her horse. She was ready to graduate from high school; her after school job kept her away from home; and the high school rowing team became her higher priorities. I “took” over my younger daughter’s horse and my younger daughter continued with the younger horse that she and her sister had purchased. I still had the task of driving and supporting my younger daughter when she went to lessons and competitions but at least I had a “body” to take out for an occasional trail ride (the boys still required my time quite a bit).
Finally about three and a half years ago, I was able to start taking actual dressage lessons and start it right with one of the best instructors on Vancouver Island. I continued with lessons about once a month to twice a month and with virtually no lessons during the bad weather in the winter. Slowly I was starting to get my balance and confidence on our great matriarch mare. She has helped teach me during this journey. In turn I have been able to start bringing her to proper form too as the lessons that were provided with a couple of the previous instructors that my daughters had, caused this poor mare to go around with her head up and back hollow. My greatest accomplishment was to finally attend one of my first dressage shows last August and compete in walk/trot. I came out with a fairly low score but individual marks were not less than 5’s. In October, I have now “graduated” to lessons with a fantastic local dressage trainer weekly. This consistency has progressed from walk/trot to training level tests 1 & 2 and in a couple of the recent local schooling shows thus far I am consistently getting 5’s and 6’s and sometimes one or two 7’s in the tests. This summer I expect to be competing training level tests 1 & 2 and by the end of the summer hope to compete training level tests 3 & 4. During the weekly lessons I am practicing up to first level since my goal is to attend the next BC Senior Games that I can compete in. I am currently 51 and in four years I will qualify for the games. My current senior mare will have me trained up so that I can continue the training of my three year old paint filly who I expect will be ready to compete in those games with me.
A great saddle will certainly help me with my program as it will help put me into the proper position. I have a back issue with my L4/L5 vertebra which has resulted in me walking hunched over for several years until my front thigh muscles have pulled me forward. Having a proper saddle and being very conscious with my position to have the proper ear/shoulder/thigh/ankle alignment can only help achieve my goals. Yoga has taught me balance so that I am using both sides of my body evenly. Having a Laser Dressage 100 saddle that sits on the horse and keeps them comfortable with increased mobility will also allow for less restriction of movement thus resulting in total success for the properly balanced rider and mount. As this is an adjustable saddle, I will be able to use it on our five year old paint mare who will help me become more adaptable to different horses. As the three year old gets older by the end of the year I will be able to use this saddle on her too. I am still very green but I expect that I will start to learn more with each of the competitions that I attend.
I have been a member of both of our local horse clubs: the Sooke Saddle Club (SSC) and the Metchosin Equestrian Society (MES). I am secretary for the SSC and volunteer in the various events that we provide. Personally I organize the SSC Dressage Show and Tell every year. This will be the third year. What this event is, is a “schooling show” where the participant rides a test and is scored by the judge. The judge then provides a critique and discusses the test with the rider. After the critique they will provide a “mini” lesson and go over the major issues discovered during the test ride (about ten minutes). After this lesson, the rider will ride the same test again to see if they have improved their score by the suggestions of the judge/coach. I have also become a member of the two clubs that provide the dressage shows (LIEC and CADORA Saanich). They require volunteer time when you have registered for their shows. I also provide a venue for our ladies’ Wednesday horse dvd/video nights. We watch horse dvds/videos every week. They could very well be part of the Happy Horse dvds by Jane Savoie, Walter Zettl boxed set, Sylvia Loch, Reiner Klimke, some military riding tapes from the 1930’s, documentaries, jumper videos, Parelli videos, olympic and other competion, and a variety of many others. I participate in various online forums and subscribe to various physical horse themed magazines. Our group of women discusses it all.
Basically I will continue to promote riding horses properly and humanely and starting with the basics as I have personally seen the benefits.
(We have about 10 rounds of Himalayan Salt in the tackroom waiting to be eaten. My horses love them.)