We Listen. We Educate. We Care!
DECEMBER 2007- Greetings from Schleese!
Our Saddle Fit Technicians are on the road in JANUARY in: Florida, Texas, Hawaii, Ohio, Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Ontario. Check our schedule (link below) and register early so you won’t miss out. Please call us to arrange Saddle Fit Sessions in your area!
1(800)225-2242
GUESS WHO'S RIDING IN SCHLEESE?
Look at the end of the newsletter to find out!
LOOKING BACK OVER THE LAST 21 YEARS!
Below are the credentials for Jochen Schleese-
"Official Saddler -1986 World Dressage Championships" !
This was held in Cedar Valley, Ontario, the first time the event was held outside Europe.
EVENT SCHEDULE
Click here to check dates and locations of upcoming shows and Saddlefit Sessions. Contact the Agent or Coordinator in your area to reserve your Session. We would be happy to schedule a date for a NEW group at your location! Why not invite your friends to a SADDLE FIT LECTURE and DEMONSTRATION! Contact us at (800) 225-2242 or info@schleese.com.
NEWS BITS
>> Jochen is working closely with Hannes Mueller, the head trainer at the FN German Riding School in Warendorf to promote the need for awareness of saddle fitting in the instructor certification program.
>>Jochen invited to lecture at the USDF 2008 FEI Trainer's Conference at West Palm Beach and Loxahatchee Florida, January 20/21.
>>ARIA Conference in Naples, FL Dec. 4-6.Jochen presented an educational demo to trainers again this year.
>> Canada's Top 100 Employers! We placed in the top 15% in Mediacorp Canada Inc's 2008 edition of Canada's Top 100 Employers!
>> More Saddle Fit Sessions! We are pleased to add additional trips to: BC- 3 times a year; TX- 4-5 times a year; California- 8 times a year; WA, OR, ID 2-3 times a year. Many new locations added! We now provide saddle fit sessions at over 200 locations across North America!
>>GN- World Champion 2nd level Dressage Morgan -"Rayny Day Grand Finale" riden by Shannon Betts, owned by SherriLynn Kipikasa, Kipikasa Morgans featured on the cover of Canadian Morgan Magazine.
A RECENT INNOVATION... The "Derby"
Benefits of the Derby -designed to keep the rider centered on the back while providing a deep close contact seat. The extremely deep seat with an 11cm cantle gives the rider support from behind while the centre balance of the saddle keeps the rider from feeling trapped in the saddle. With a minimum of seat foam the rider feels closer to the horse without sacrificing comfort. The wide gullet and wide flat panels disperse the weight across the horse’s back, allowing the spine to move, bend and lift with the horse’s motion during collection. An optional shoulder cut out at the front of this integrated ‘relief’ panel provides room for the shoulder to rotate and keeps the saddle from inhibiting shoulder movement. The Derby is designed with beautiful clean lines and a classic look while employing the best of new technology.
From: $5095.US $4695. Cdn
MEET A FACE AT SCHLEESE- Ken Doner
Repair Saddler and Trail Saddle Technician
Ken is the backbone of the Repair department at Schleese, working as a skilled Repair Saddler, and Trail Saddle Technician.
Ken hails from Mount Albert ON, and since early childhood was destined for a close connection with horses. With his whole family involved in the rodeo, he began steer riding at age 5, and has completed in every rodeo event since then. Like his father, Ken began his career as a horse trader and blacksmith. In 2003, he won the Mick Flick award for the member most representing the sport of rodeo.
In the last 7 years, Ken says his job has changed from 'strictly repairs to teaching and design'. His saddle knowledge and western experience provided valuable input in the design of the new Trail saddle, his favorite for it's comfort and fit to the horse like an English saddle. Ken feels the most important part of what he does is "making sure both horse and rider are happy".
Ken enjoys training his young horses, roping and spending time with family and friends. On every summer weekend you will find him “on the road” at rodeo competitions. We are proud of Ken’s knowledge, dedication and design abilities, and also of his accomplishments and successes in the rodeo, having won championships in bull riding, saddle bronc, and team roping! Spending a day at the rodeo watching talent, determination, 'chills and spills' provides exciting entertainment, and we take special pride in this accomplished rider who is a valued member of our team!
FROM THE HORSE'S MOUTH - What our clients say!
>>Thank you for your wonderful service I am writing to you to tell you how pleased I am with my Schleese saddles. They are so comfortable and my horses move so much better with them than with the other saddles that I have. The service I have received is excellent: Deb and Matt (CA) really go the extra mile to help their customers and they really work hard to make the saddles fit both the riders and the horses perfectly. With my long legs, it has been hard to find the right saddle for me. They helped fit the saddles to me and I ride better in your saddles than any other saddles on the market. Your saddles are truly the best on the market. Thank you very much and happy holidays.
Sincerely, Gina (USA)
>> "Love my new Schleese" I just purchased a new Schleese Infinity from you . A couple of comments....I LOVE my new Schleese-I think that I'm gonna marry it!!!!!! It has been tough getting used to a dressage saddle (when all that I owned was an all-purpose Collegiate) and getting used to my horse moving so BIG !!! Also, I'm seriously considering buying a jumping saddle from y'all-given how well that this saddle fits my horse! When you come back in 6mos to check my horse-can you bring some new or used jumping saddles with you?? Also, I think I might have a couple of other people interested in getting their saddles checked at that time as well !! I appreciate all of your help-the change in my horse has just been amazing !!!
Valarie Porter-Cranor (and Tigger) :) TX
>>"Happy Athlete" There is a lot to consider in achieving good fit - your presentation opened the door to understanding that there is a lot of benefit to the "happy athlete" by paying attention to saddle and equipment fitting well. The three essentials you afford me are great to keep in mind.
Barbi Breen Gurley and family, Trainer- CA
SADDLE FIT TIP- Selecting a Girth- by Kristen Vlietrtra, Senior SFT and Training Coordinator
It surprises a lot of riders to know that the choice of girth for their horse is very important. Shape, length, and elasticity all need to be considered before making your choice. The shape of the girth is especially important when you are dealing with horses who have sensitive skin and small girth areas. (ie: Arabs, Morgans, Warmbloods and Boroque horses). For these breeds it is good to have a girth that is cut away in the elbow area in order to keep it from pinching and causing pain. Next is the length of the girth. Rule of thumb for saddlers is take the horse's circumference less 50" for dressage and 28" for jump to calculate the correct length. When finished girthing up you should be in the top two to three holes on both side of the horse (for dressage or short girths). When the girth sits lower than this the billets cause friction and the buckles sit on the edge of the pectoral muscles. Last, and very important, is the elasticity. It is important that girths have elastic on both sides for equal give and comfort for the horse. However it is also important that the elastic is not too loose. If the elastic is too loose or has too much give you can get your girth too tight. When looking at a girth see how many folds of elastic are attached to the buckles. There should be three. If there is only two the elastic will be too week and cause pressure. If you stick to these three basic girthing principles you should have a comfortable and well fitted girth for your horse.
LOOK WHO'S RIDING IN SCHLEESE- Amy Bock!
Amy Bock, a USDF Bronze & Silver medalist, is a resident of Copper Canyon, Texas. She is currently competing at Prix St. Georges and Intermediaire I on the 10-year-old Dutch stallion Parcival. In their first full year of competition together, Amy and Parcival were 2007 USDF Adult Amateur Prix St. Georges Horse of the Year. They will compete on the small tour in Florida next spring. Between rides, Amy practices law at the international law firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, who allow allow her the flexibility to train and compete while working on her cases. Amy is also the President of Texas Horse Park, a non-profit organization working in Dallas to build an international competition venue and community horsemanship center.
Amy was first introduced to Schleese saddles by her long-time trainer Lyndon Rife in 2000 and has ridden in them ever since. Over her lifetime of riding Amy has participated in Western events, Quarter Horse competition, eventing, and dressage. She has dabbled in breeding horses and has produced three quality Oldenburg geldings and also breeds miniature Black Angus cattle. Amy and her horses have traveled to compete with success in Texas, Florida, and Colorado and have earned many HOY awards. Highlights: USDF AA Prix St. Georges Horse of the Year, 2007, on Parcival. USDF Regional and SWDC Championships at First, Second, Third, and Fourth levels on Prestige. USDF AHS Third level Horse of the Year Champion on Prestige. USDF Bronze and Silver Medals.
REMEMBER...
Let us know of product requests 3 weeks before your saddle fitting> Our Saddle Fit Technicians are no longer be able to fly with customer products or last minute requests.
Send your new e-mail address! to: lhaughton@schleese.com or info@schleese.com, so we can notify you of events in your area.
Pass on this newsletter to your friends and dressage club! Happy riding!
From all of us at Schleese...
Merry Christmas! Happy Hannakah! Our best wishes to you for a happy, healthy New Year! Be safe!
