© 2011 Custom Saddlery
Devon, PA (October 6, 2011) - Dressage At Devon was a whirlwind of excitement for dressage rider Heather Drake, who volunteered at the prestigious show and not only E-scribed for the Grand Prix Freestyles but met some of her favorite riders and horses including Wizard and Patrick Tigchelaar. As if that wasn't thrilling enough, Drake also won a brand new custom saddle through Custom Saddlery's All American Saddle Fit Challenge raffle, a program designed to bring awareness to the fact that all saddles need to fit both the horse and rider properly.
“I turned 30 the week before Devon and for my 30th birthday I won a custom saddle from Custom Saddlery!” Drake said, adding that she was in the volunteer room at the show when she received the call that she had won. “I started screaming when I got the call and everyone in the volunteer room clapped and told me they were jealous. And my favorite judge Gustaf Svalling pinched my cheeks.”
Endel Ots, the alternate rider for the upcoming Pan American Games, pulled Drakes winning name from the raffle box. Ots, who rides in a Custom Saddle, knew exactly how excited Drake was because in a strange twist of luck Ots won a new Custom Saddle at Gladstone a few weeks earlier when Custom sponsored rider Steffen Peters pulled Ots' name out of the raffle box. “It was almost too amazing to believe when I won the saddle. I really needed it and I know Heather said she really needs a new saddle, so I know how she feels,” Ots said.
Drake, who describes dressage as her passion, said her favorite rider Heather Blitz rides her horse Paragon in a saddle by Custom Saddlery. “I am beyond thankful to Custom Saddlery. I never in a million years would have been able to afford a saddle of this quality. Coincidentally, right before I won the saddle I had a conversation with Lani Tigchelaar about how the right saddle could really help my position,” Drake said.
Drake, from Bryans Road, Maryland, is a training level rider who has had her horse Zena for almost a year. “I picked a horse I can move up through the levels with. Right now we are doing schooling shows and clinics to prepare for the show season next year. Zena scored in the upper 60s at Third Level and is schooling piaffe and passage.”
Through the All American Saddle Fit Challenge, five riders will win new custom made saddles from Custom Saddlery. Ots won the third saddle at Gladstone, Drake the fourth saddle at Devon and the fifth saddle will be given away at the USDF Convention in San Diego. It's not too late to enter to try and win the final saddle. The remaining names from the Devon drawing will automatically be entered in the final drawing. There is no purchase required to enter the All American Saddle Fit Challenge and winner's names will be drawn at random. Riders can fill out a questionnaire online or fill out an entry form at any show where Custom Saddlery fitters are on hand or a Custom Saddlery booth is located.
The All American Saddle Fit Challenge wants to encourage all riders, no matter what discipline, to make sure their saddle fits their horse properly. Cary Wallace, the President and head of design and research at Custom Saddlery, has introduced some of the best dressage saddles on the market and has also gained the confidence and endorsement of some of the finest riders in the world including Steffen Peters, Tina Konyot, Sue Blinks, Hilda Gurney, Leslie Reid and Heather Blitz just to name a few. The company's Dressage line includes Wolfgang™ brand saddles as well as the extremely unique Icon™ line of monoflap dressage saddles.
For more information on Custom Saddlery or to enter the All American Saddle Fit Challenge online, visit their website at
www.mysaddle.com
California Rider and USDF Hall of Fame Owner Dantia Benson Wins Second Saddle In Custom Saddlery's
All American Saddle Fit Challenge
Somis, CA -
California dressage rider Dantia Benson flew from her home in California to Florida to attend the annual United States Dressage Federation (USDF) Convention and watch her four-year-old Dutch horse be inducted into the USDF Hall of Fame as the Materiale Horse of the Year. What Benson didn't expect was to fly home from the convention as the second winner of a custom made dressage saddle from Custom Saddlery as part of their All American Saddle Fit Challenge.
“I think the whole audience at the convention saw my excitement and surprise when I won the saddle, I was so ecstatic,” Benson said. “The new saddle will be for Bad Boy who was just inducted into the USDF Hall of Fame as the Materiale Horse of the Year which is the Sunshine Sporthorse Association Trophy. He had the Overall High Score for all ages and sexes this year. Bad Boy is Dutch and by Olive (Jazz) out of Lotte (Damiro). I got him as a two-year-old and last year he was the three-year-old Materiale Horse of the Year as well as the DG Bar Cup winner for three-year-olds. This year he was also the winner of the DG Bar Cup for four-year-olds and shows a lot of promise in his training as he is a lovely mover.”
Benson trains with Sabine Schut-Kery, but said she enjoys taking clinics and lessons from top riders. “I just took a lesson with Shannon Peters and she told me that her husband, World Equestrian Games competitor Steffen Peters, rides in a saddle from Custom Saddlery,” Benson said. “I look forward to fitting and riding Bad Boy in his new saddle. I just think it is awesome to have the opportunity to have such a nice saddle and I am thinking of the style that will match my ability to 'stick' on my young, big moving boy.”
Benson, who competes as an amateur and says she has “too many horses,” said she wanted to thank Custom Saddlery for the opportunity to ride in one of their saddles. “I hope it gives Bad Boy the 'edge' to continue to rise for the occasion up the levels,” she said. “I really need a saddle that will help me keep my seat in the saddle and my leg long. The Buffalo hide is also really helpful for me, so I am looking forward to having a saddle that fits the both of us. I am so excited.”
Cary Wallace, President and Master Saddle Fitter at Custom Saddlery, congratulated Benson on winning the second saddle through their All American Saddle Fit Challenge. “Dantia had a great weekend at the USDF Convention, between her horse being inducted into the Hall of Fame and winning our saddle,” he said. “We look forward to fitting Bad Boy with his saddle and helping Dantia and Bad Boy as they progress in the show world. We always love someone who is excited about our saddles and we certainly look forward to having Dantia as a spokesperson for Custom Saddlery.”
Custom Saddlery, whose list of riders includes Steffen Peters, Sue Blinks, Hilda Gurney, Leslie Reid, and Heather Blitz, will give away five Custom Saddlery dressage saddles as part of the All American Saddle Fit Challenge. The program is designed to bring awareness to the fact that all saddles need to fit both the horse and rider properly. “All of our saddles are anatomically designed and handcrafted from the finest leathers. Our saddles are made with the idea that people want more out of their saddles and we do everything in our power to accommodate them,” Wallace said.
Custom Saddlery has introduced some of the best dressage saddles on the market and has also gained the confidence and endorsement of some of the finest riders in the world. The company's dressage line includes Wolfgang™ brand saddles as well as the extremely unique Icon™ line of monoflap dressage saddles.
Melissa Millerick-May of Michigan Wins First Saddle In Custom Saddlery's
“I was so excited when I received the phone call that it took me a little while to truly believe that I had won,” Millerick-May said. “I have never won anything, let alone something that I really want and desperately need!”
Millerick-May added that she is excited that she will have the opportunity to have a saddle fitted specifically to her horse so he can be comfortable in his work. “I am thrilled that I will be able to learn what works for him from the saddle fitter during the fitting and construction process. I have heard nothing but wonderful things about saddles from Custom Saddlery, and their support team. Which makes me even more excited that as training progresses with my horse, and his musculature changes accordingly, I will have someone that I can trust to make adjustments to the saddle as necessary to ensure his comfort,” she said.
“We had a great response to our All American Saddle Fit Challenge, during WEG and we are always flattered when anyone wants to ride in our saddles,” said Cary Wallace, President and Master Saddle Fitter at Custom Saddlery. “Everyone at Custom Saddlery wants to congratulate Melissa on being the first of five lucky people who will win one of our custom made dressage saddles.”
Wallace, head of design and research at Custom Saddlery, has introduced some of the best dressage saddles on the market and has also gained the confidence and endorsement of some of the finest riders in the world. “We believe every saddle should fit both horse and rider. All of our saddles are anatomically designed for this purpose and handcrafted from the finest leathers. Our saddles are made with the idea that people want more out of their saddles and we do everything in our power to accommodate them. A lot of saddles are 'flocked' for the horse, but at Custom Saddlery, we build the trees and focus on the fit and shape of the tree to that of the horse. We don't have tree sizes on our custom fitted saddles. We fit them to the horse so there is no size. Whatever the horse's build is dictates the tree size.”
There is no purchase required to enter the All American Saddle Fit Challenge and winners names will be drawn at random. The drawing for the next saddle will be done at the GAIG/USDF REGIONAL Championship at the USDF Annual Convention in Jacksonville, Florida in December. The remaining three saddles will be awarded during 2011.
For more information on Custom Saddlery and the All American Saddle Fit Challenge, visit their website at
www.mysaddle.com
All American Saddle Fit Challenge
Milford, MI (December 3, 2010) - Michigan dressage rider Melissa Millerick-May is still on cloud nine after receiving the phone call informing her that she has won the first dressage saddle in Custom Saddlery's All American Saddle Fit Challenge. Millerick-May entered the contest at the USDF Member's Lounge while volunteering at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky.
Custom Saddlery, whose list of riders includes Steffen Peters, Sue Blinks, Hilda Gurney, Leslie Reid, and Heather Blitz, will give away five Custom Saddlery dressage saddles as part of the All American Saddle Fit Challenge. The program is designed to bring awareness to the fact that all saddles need to fit both the horse and rider properly. The company's dressage line includes Wolfgang™ brand saddles as well as the extremely unique Icon™ line of monoflap dressage saddles.
Fit Challenge Winners
Cary Wallace and Dania Benson
Tracie Montgomery
winner #3
Pan Am Games U.S. Dressage Team Alternate Endel Ots Wins Saddle Through Custom Saddlery's “All American Saddle Fit Challenge” Raffle At Festival Of Champions
Festival of Champions star Steffen Peters, who will also be competing in the Pan Am Games, drew the winning raffle ticket. Ots, who currently rides in a saddle from Custom Saddle, was thrilled that Steffens pulled his name out of the raffle box. “It's almost too amazing to believe. I rode in my Custom Saddle at Gladstone but kept saying how much I wished I had an additional saddle,” Ots said. “I love my saddle from Custom Saddlery and can't believe I will get a new one. It was certainly my weekend to have great things happen and I will never forget it.”
Fred Taht, Vice-President and Master Saddle Fitter at Custom Saddlery, said, “I am really excited that Endel won a saddle through our All American Saddle Fit Challenge, and it really was a happy coincidence that he is already a huge fan of our saddles and rides in one. I know he is really excited, and this was our third saddle out of five given away though this program. Two more will be given away, one at Dressage at Devon and the final saddle will be given away at the USDF Convention in San Diego.”
The remaining names in the Gladstone drawing will automatically be entered in the next drawing. There is no purchase required to enter the All American Saddle Fit Challenge and winner's names will be drawn at random. Riders can fill out a questionnaire online or fill out an entry form at any show where Custom Saddlery fitters are on hand or a Custom Saddlery booth is located.
“It was great that we were able to have Steffen pull the name out of the raffle box. Steffen has not only ridden in a Custom Saddle for many, many years, but he did phenomenal at Gladstone. We are really proud of Steffen and so pleased that he is part of our Custom Saddlery team of riders,” Taht said.
The All American Saddle Fit Challenge wants to encourage all riders, no matter what discipline, to make sure their saddle fits their horse properly. Cary Wallace, the President and head of design and research at Custom Saddlery, has introduced some of the best dressage saddles on the market and has also gained the confidence and endorsement of some of the finest riders in the world, including Peters.
In addition to sponsoring Peters, Custom Saddlery's famous riders include Tina Konyot, Sue Blinks, Hilda Gurney, Leslie Reid and Heather Blitz, among many others. The company's Dressage line includes Wolfgang™ brand saddles as well as the extremely unique Icon™ line of monoflap dressage saddles.
For more information on Custom Saddlery or to enter the All American Saddle Fit Challenge online, visit their website at
www.mysaddle.com
Endel Ots
Endel Ots
Dressage Rider Amelia Child Ecstatic Over Winning Final Saddle In Custom Saddlery's “All American Saddle Fit Challenge” At USDF Convention
Child moved to California this year from Utah and said her whole life changed when she met dressage trainer Sue Hollis. “I originally went to California for two months to do the CDI circuit but after six weeks I knew I couldn't leave,” Child said. “My trainer introduced me to Custom Saddles and I started riding in one and it has revolutionized my position.”
Child met Custom Saddlery CEO Harry Wallace during the USDF convention and raved to him about his saddles. “Riding in a Custom Saddle has made it so easy to ride,” she told Wallace. “I no longer have to fight for my leg and seat position. I want to thank you so much for tonight and the fact that I won the saddle, and also thank you for improving my riding.”
Child said her goals this year include trying for Young Riders with her new horse, Veto, a nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood. “I also own Rembrand, a 14-year-old Warmblood that I compete in the Intermediaire I,” she said. “I bought a Custom Saddle for him but I didn't have enough money to buy one for Veto also. I am so excited that now Veto will have his own Custom Saddle. I feel very blessed.”
Custom Saddlery's All American Saddle Fit Challenge raffle gave away five custom dressage saddles during the year. “Our goal with the program was to bring awareness to the fact that all saddles need to fit both the horse and rider properly,” said Cary Wallace, the President and head of design and research at Custom Saddlery. “Amelia is a wonderful testament to our saddles because she is proof that a Custom Saddle can revolutionize your riding. We were thrilled to hear Amelia's story and look forward to making her a new saddle for Veto.”
Custom Saddle sponsored rider Steffen Peters was at the USDF Convention and pulled Child's name out of the raffle box. Peters, who is a long-time Custom Saddle fan, was also honored at the convention during a tribute to all of the United States Pan Am team riders. Peters, along with Heather Blitz, Marisa Festerling and Cesar Parra, won the Team Gold Medal at the recent 2011 Pan American Games.
“Steffen and Heather were part of the Gold Medal Pan Am Team and both ride in Custom Saddles so we were thrilled to have our saddles represented at the Pan Am Games,” Wallace said. Custom Saddlery, has introduced some of the best dressage saddles on the market and has also gained the confidence and endorsement of some of the finest riders in the world including Peters, Blitz, Tina Konyot, Sue Blinks, Hilda Gurney and Leslie Reid just to name a few. The company's Dressage line includes Wolfgang™ brand saddles as well as the extremely unique Icon™ line of monoflap dressage saddles.
For more information on Custom Saddlery, visit their website at
San Diego, CA - The 2011 USDF Convention was a weekend of highlights for California-based dressage rider Amelia Child who was riding on cloud nine as a big winner during the convention. While the 19-year-old Young Rider earned her bronze and silver medals, it was hearing her name drawn as the final winner in Custom Saddlery's year-long All American Saddle Fit Challenge contest that had Child bubbling over with enthusiasm. Child was the fifth person to win a custom dressage saddle from Custom Saddlery, makers of handcrafted custom-fit dressage, jumping, and event saddles.
