July-August 2007 News
Our Saddle Fit Technicians are on the road in July and August in the following provinces and states: British Columbia, Ohio, California, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, South Carolina, Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Hawaii, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Utah and last but not least- Ontario! Wow! Check our schedule (link below) for exact dates and locations. Register early so you won’t miss out!
Guess Who's Riding in Schleese?
Look at the end of the newsletter to find out!
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.
Remember...our Saddle Fit Technicians will no longer be able to fly with customer products, demo saddles or last minute requests. Please advise your Agent or Coordinator of product requests at least 3 weeks in advance of the date. We will ship products in advance!
News Bits
>>Schleese Official Saddler and Sponsor for DRESSAGE at DEVON!
Devon, PA Jochen Schleese - President, Founder and Master Saddler - Speaking times to be confirmed. Drop by our booth to enter the draw to win a FREE saddle!
>>Morgan Makes U.S. Team! Schleese client on US World Singles Driving team!
Rochelle (Shelly) Temple is a Schleese Client, when she is not driving her Morgan, she rides in a Schleese Wave.
>>Jochen Schleese is presently in Germany working together with Dr. Gerd Heuschmann and Hannes Mueller (Head Trainer at the State Riding School in Warendorf) on the role of trainers and riding instructors in the "circle of influence" to the horse and the importance of saddle fitting.
>>Schleese Results are In! According to the information compiled from our website questionnaire, when ranking several criteria important to you in saddle purchases, the #1 concern is fit to the horse, followed by fit to the rider, and the adjustability of the saddle itself. For those of you who assisted us in this survey, we thank you for your time and input. The results verified what our experience has been telling us! If you are concerned about fit, comfort and protection of the equine back- Schleese saddles should be your #1 choice!
>>Time to Ride in a New Schleese? Love your Schleese, but want the great features of new Schleese model? Inquire about how you can sell your Schleese on Consignment for a service fee of 30%.
One of our Innovative Specialty Saddles- The "Eventer"
Benefits of the Eventer This saddle has the softest seat and the strongest tree on the eventer market. With its single flap, it is lightweight yet warrantied against roll-over damage for life. The properly angled flap and seat design have achieved an extremely secure feeling for the rider, especially over drop fences. Try the saddle which gives the North American Eventer the edge! (see our testimonies below!) From $3,995.00
From the Horse’s Mouth
>>"Matt and Deb are the BEST! Matt & Deb Hirons were out June 16. My friend and I each ordered a saddle. I learned many things that I wished I had learned years ago. The Wave saddle I tried was so comfortable and even my horse Bella seemed to like it. Thank you all!!" Christine Davio
>>"The Eventer Saddle is FANTASTIC!!
Thank you so much for the Eventer saddle you made for me. It is fantastic! I've had 2 events to test it out with great success! A WIN and a second placing. My horse loves it and has improved her already brilliant jump form!! I've had a lot of interest in the saddle from fellow competitors and students. I will recommend it continuously which is very easy since I believe in it 1000%. Thanks so much for your help! Edie Tarves, ON
Ed note: Edie is the resident trainer and coach at Foggy River Farm, Mt Albert, ON. Edie's international competition career has included riding for the Canadian Eventing Team at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics; she was reserve rider at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. She competed in the 1990 World Equestrian Games in Stockholm, Sweden and the 1994 Games in the Hague, Holland. She was also a member of the gold medal eventing team at the 1991 Pan Am Games. Edie's career has also included training and racing Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds. She currently trains and competes young horses and regularly coaches Entry to Advanced level students.(from www.foggyriverfarm.com)
>>"May 23 Fitting I wanted you to know that the fittings went very well yesterday. Lots of saddles sold and everyone was very interested in having Kristen come back in the Fall. Thanks for making her visit possible. Sue Brooks Littlefield, Austin TX
>>To the guys up in Canada They did a great session at Rolex this year. I learned more in 1/2 hour than I've picked up in years. Please thank them on my behalf. Doug A. London ON
Jochen Schleese giving a Saddle Fit Demonstration at Rolex 3 Day Event 2007
>>Thanks from Kentucky I just wanted to say thank you for contacting me and setting us up. Genevieve and Luigi were wonderful and so very informative. We didn't have as big of a crowd as I would have liked, but their loss. I personally got a great deal from the demo. and hope to one day be able to get one of your saddles. I know my horse loved Luigi and wanted to follow him around and the saddle seemed to fit him well. I hope to talk to you again in the future and thanks again for all your help getting this set up. Jennifer Duncan, Kentucky Hunter Jumper Association
Saddle Fit Tip
by Kristen Vlietstra, SFT, Training Coordinator
Having a saddle with a flap that is an appropriate width for your leg can be very important. When looking at your leg relaxed on the flap you should see one inch of leather behind your leg. If the back of the leg extends past the back of the flap it could mean two things. The first is that the flap is angled too far forward for your leg. If you find that when you take a picture there is a lot more flap in front of your leg (twice as much) as opposed to behind your leg this could be the problem. However the more common problem is that the flap is too narrow for the leg. If this is the case then it can lend to having your leg go over the front of your saddle. Where the flap ends is where the cantle begins on most saddles. If your leg goes back past the back of the flap then the top of your thigh is actually sitting on the start of the cantle. This can lead to a cramp in the thigh or the leg shifting forward as if on a ski slope, especially in downward transitions. To check this out thoroughly, have a friend take a picture of you sitting in your saddle on your horse. Then look at these pictures and determine if either of these problems apply to you. If they do, your flap and possibly your saddle are incorrectly sized for you.
Look Who's Riding in Schleese! Tom Dvorak
Tom Dvorak (riding in his Schleese Tom Dvorak Saddle!) This photo was taken at the Schleese Pan Am Trials in Palgrave Ontario June 3, 2007. Tom won the Freestyle competition riding in the signature saddle that bears his name!
An Olympian in 1996, Dvorak has been a member of the Canadian equestrian team for over 15 years. A few of Tom's accomplishments:
Represented Canada at the 1996 Olympic Games, where Canada earned a 10th-place result in the team dressage event…
Captured Team Gold at the 2005 Can-Am Challenge…
Competed in the 2002 Coupe des Ameriques, receiving the team silver and individual bronze medals in the Grand Prix…
Captured first place honours at the Canadian League World Cup Finals in 1994…Represented Canada at the 1990 World Equestrian Championship.
Well done!
HAVE A GREAT SUMMER! HAPPY RIDING AND KEEP SAFE!
Pass this newsletter on to your friends and dressage club!
