February Newsletter
The Schleese System- the science of saddle fit and design promoting equine back health! …because you deserve the BEST!
Greetings! Happy Sweethearts' Month!
As the month of February rolls around, our thoughts turn to love and our theme is love! Who is easier to love than your equine Sweetheart? I am sure you are thinking about your riding goals for the upcoming year perhaps more training and maybe a competition (or 2?). It’s time to make sure your saddle is fitting correctly. Has your horse grown over the winter months? Perhaps in the rush of the holidays you didn’t ride as much as you would have liked, and your horse has enjoyed a time of “R and R”!
It is wise to plan your annual saddle fit check to make sure your Sweetheart is riding in freedom and comfort that your Schleese provides. Make sure you check our web site to see when our Saddle Fit Technicians are visiting your area. We add new areas every week! If you have questions, please call our Business Development department, and ‘lovely’ Linda and ‘organized’ Oscar will be happy to help! In the meantime, you will find our 7 Points of Saddle Fit is a helpful guide to check your saddle fit! Happy riding!
Trade Fairs we are attending in February…
The Mane Event, Ridgefield, WA Feb. 9-12
Saddle Fit demos by Schleese: Sat 1-2 and Sun. 1:15-2:15pm.
For more info check the website: www.maneeventexpo.com
Horse World Expo, Harrisburg, PA Feb. 22—25
Saddle Fit demos by Schleese: Fri. 12-1, Sat. 11-12
For more info check the website: www.horseworldexpo.com
We invite you to attend the Schleese Saddle Fit Demos! Stop by our booth to sit in our new saddle models, and enter our draw for a Gift Certificate!
February Special!
$200 OFF the purchase of a new Saddle placed on order, or a new In-Stock Saddle!
Guess Who’s Riding in Schleese?
Do you recognize these sweethearts?!
(see answer at bottom of page)
Newsy Bits
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Introducing "The UNO", our latest innovation in dressage saddles! The UNO has been designed with a wider deeper seat which will bring the rider closer to the horse. The popular single flap with external thigh block provides superior support and the closest possible contact. See more great benefits in Our Latest Innovation! Within the last year we have introduced four innovative saddles to our dressage line. These include The Liberty, The Uno, The Mivera and unveiled for the first time at the World Cup, - The Diva!!! In addition, we have built a new general purpose saddle - The Hunter Pleasure, and our newest jumping saddle - The Eagle - has landed.
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Agent Reunion! During the week of Jan 22- 27 we welcomed several of our representatives from south of the border to a week of training, info sharing, skills building, and brainstorming, (with some great meals and stories thrown in for fun!) Our thanks to Anne Hornbeak- Folsom LA, Luanne Reaume- Blissfield, MI, Matt and Debra Hirons- Creston, CA and Christiane Noelting - Vacaville CA. for their ongoing commitment to education and excellence and for braving polar conditions in the barn as they reviewed the latest techniques in saddle fit and new models.
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3 newly certified Schleese Master Saddlers! Schleese is proud to present these certified saddlers with the title of "Master Saddler" based on a minimum of 10 years experience after their certifications in the trade of saddlery. John Banbury (left) was the first certified saddler to graduate from the 3-year apprenticeship program which Schleese put into place in 1990 together with the Ontario Ministry of Skills Development. Jochen Schleese (2nd from left), is also a Certified Master Saddler. Eydie (Braat) Vandenberg was the first woman to be certified as a saddler in the trade. Dave Nangreave (right) was trained and certified in England, and is a former owner of Paramount Saddlery. Schleese is pleased to have Dave now working with us!
Saddle Fit Tips
7 points of Saddle Fit (click here) link to pdf 7 points of saddle fit.
From the Horse' Mouth (feedback from our clients)
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Hi Miriam,
The saddle fitting yesterday went very well. Kristen was amazing and I could not be happier with the outcome. However, I did want to have at least one ride in the Infinity before I reported back to you and here is the outcome............. ........................................What a difference!.................. My first actual riding session in my new saddle went really well and I loved it! It stayed put with no shifting or tipping, the girth didn't need to be excessively tight, my balance was good and the relocation of the billet strap worked like a charm preventing the saddle from riding up his shoulders. Everything stayed put and it was great. From my perspective, the seat keeps me in the proper position and the narrow twist is a very comfortable fit. Other riders actually came over and said that I "looked so much better up there", but what really made me really happy is that Sonny was relaxed and supple and seemed to be enjoying himself, even though it was so cold. As well as to report back to you, the other reason for me sending this note is that I wanted to say a sincere "Thank you" to Schleese Saddlery, for the courtesy of sending another beautiful saddle. Of course, an especially big thanks goes to Kristen and Natalie, for understanding the issues with Sonny's special fitting needs and suggesting the Infinity and tweaking it to perfection. Still one more thank you - this one to your entire support and customer service team - Dianna, John, Denise, Christine and yourself - for the prompt help and courteous and efficient service I have received during the past few months. I don't have their e-mail addresses to copy them, so would appreciate it if you could please pass my comments on to them. I know you will be glad to hear that I believe we have finally have a saddle that will make both horse and rider happy, and with periodic adjusting really will be "fit for life". Will talk to you early in the summer. |
Check Where We’ll be in Feb/ March
Invite a Friend Coupon
Next time we visit your area, why not invite a friend to their FIRST SADDLEFIT SESSION and introduce them to the special care and benefits of Schleese. As a token of our thanks, you will both receive $25 off your saddle fit evaluation!
Meet a Face at Schleese
(or rather 2 faces and their family!)(from left Rob, Tom, Emily, Ann, Eydie)
Yes love blooms at Schleese! Eydie (Braat) was born in Vianen, the Netherlands in 1970. Her family (including her older brother and twin brother) immigrated to Canada in 1976 where she grew up on a 100 acre hobby farm near Millbrook, Ont. Eydie describes herself as being “horse crazy” all her life; she began riding at age 5. Eydie joined Schleese and was the first female apprentice in North America. She became a Certified Saddler in May, 1996.
Then along came Rob!
Rob Vandenberg was born in Lucan, Ont. in1973 and is from a large Dutch family with two brothers and 3 sisters. He lived near Bracebridge, Ont for most of teenage years. Rob met the “love of his life” at Schleese in 1999, when he started his saddler apprenticeship. Being the true gentleman , Rob asked General Manager, Earl Rothery, if it would be alright to date Eydie! (Earl said ‘yes”). Eydie and Rob were married in 2000. Rob completed his apprenticeship in 2001 and became Schleese 4th Certified Saddler.
Click here to read more
Look Who’s Riding in Schleese! AND
Looking Back- 20 years of Schleese History…and Love!
Jochen and Sabine Schleese on their wedding day!
Jochen and Sabine Schleese were married in Germany on May 17, 1985. Jochen's horse Pirat XX unfortunately got lame the night before the wedding, so a friend loaned them this Hanoverian half-brother for the wedding. They rode 5 kms. to and from the justice of the peace in the next town - Sabine balancing "side-saddle" on the pommel on a pillow the whole way! When they got to the office, one of the accompanying horses took a big bite out of the bridal bouquet while Sabine was dismounting, but since the bouquet was full enough the remaining flowers easily hid the hole.
The wedding itself was fraught with bad luck - the quadrille that was to ride with them cancelled the night before, Jochen's horse got lame, their cat ripped itself on barbed wire and had to quickly be brought to the vet, Sabine's hairdresser was sick and someone else had to fill in....and on and on. However, the saying goes that if the wedding succumbs to Murphy's law, the marriage itself will be great. So far, so good - Jochen and Sabine celebrate the 22nd anniversary in 2007!
