Denver Equestrians

It breaks our heart to announce the loss of sweet

~Rebecca Sue~

If you have been to our barn,

you have met Rebecca and encountered her sweet spirit.

She taught so many humans so much about life, caring and kindness.

In addition to walk, trot, canter, jumping, dressage...

with elegance and grace.

A beautiful majestic horse now graces heaven in the presence of those we lost before her. I imagine she is rubbing noses with Zuma and my beloved Egeris today, galloping across the golden gates together.

Please send your thoughts, prayers and condolences to

her faithful, loyal and loving family

~Paul and Jodi Messenich~

Donations to Zuma's Rescue Ranch in honor of Rebecca Sue are welcome.

 Zuma's Rescue Ranch

Although I have never had the pleasure to sit in one, I came across this saddle in Dressage Today and am totally infatuated with it -  THE AMULET by ThinLine!

Introducing the Amulet Dressage Saddle by Laser Saddlery with ThinLine

The Amulet Dressage saddle combines the innovation of fit andfunction of the Laser Dressage saddles with the performance and shockabsorption of ThinLine--in the saddle!

These unique saddles have a varitey of ThinLine materialincorporated in the seat, panels, and knee pad area, offeringunparalleled comfort and shock absorption for the horse and rider in asaddle.  Used in conjunction with a ThinLine saddle pad, thecombination offers a one-two punch in performance technology.

The Amulet is made on a traditional wooden "spring Tree" with theunique "Swallow Tail" points. The points of the tree have beenshortened and swallow tailed back to follow the horse's scapula to helppromote shoulder freedom. The front billet is attached behind the pointof the tree and the back billet is on the floating "V" billet system.The saddles are made in England with the finest English leatheravailable. The panels are wool flocked and with a wide gullet.

The Amulet saddle is equipped with the Varilock tm adjustablemechanism. The saddle can adjust from 25cm to a full 35cm. Each of thefive settings lock into place and can easily be changed with the turnof a key.

In stock sizes range from 16.5" to 18.5" in half inch increments. Legflap lengths range from 16" to 17" measured from the bottom of thestirrup bar to the bottom of the leg flap. Custom flaps are availableby either adding up to 2" or shortening up to 2" of the standard flaplength and 19" seat sizes are available.

For custom option orders or for more information, please contact Laser Equestrian Products (877) 827-4040.

View top Dressage riders in these saddles HERE.

How do I get my horse connected and taking contact on the outside rein? A tip from Jane Savoie

1. DO NOT make the mistake of picking up the reins and "hand riding" (holding the outside rein and flexing the inside rein). You must first create the ENERGY FROM BEHIND.

2. CREATE energy first, and then contain the energy with a closed outside hand while keeping the neck straight by flexing the inside rein. Train yourself to use your legs BEFORE you use your hands.

3. Walk on a loose rein for 5-10 minutes to let your horse?s muscles warm-up and to

adjust to your weight on his back.

4. Next, go on a 20m circle and pick up a contact with his mouth, but DON'T try to put

him on the bit in the walk. Go into the rising trot and continue on the circle.

5.Then, create energy from behind by closing both of your legs and asking him to go

more forward toward a "lengthening" for 7 or 8 strides. Then slow down again. Do this

several times until he associates closing your legs with going more forward.

6. Once he goes willingly forward from your legs, START your "lengthening". After

you feel him surge forward for 1 or 2 strides, you can use the reins. (i.e. close your

outside hand in a fist and give and take on the inside rein).

7. When he surges forward THROUGH your closed outside rein, you'll have a good

connection with the outside rein and your horse will be on the bit correctly from back to

front.

I am happy to announce the arrival of my Trak/Russian Hanoverian yearling "Providence!"

Isabell Werth's Olympic Champion Gigolo FRH Passes Away

The liver chestnut Hanoverian gelding was humanely putdown September 23, 2009. Gigolo's general health conditiondeteriorated rapidly following an injury and the veterinarian decidedit was in Gigolo's best interest that he was euthanized. "I'm so sad,"Werth said. "Gigolo became 26 years old and he accompanied me for over20 years. He was my friend, schoolkmaster and comrade. His reliabilityand willingness to work were two of his extraordinary traits. 26yearsold is a respectable age for a horse and I'm happy that I was able togive him a very nice retirement after his sport career."

Gigolo was bred by Horst Klussmann in 1983 and was by Graditz outof Bunett (by Busoni xx). He was acquired by Werth's initial sponsorand trainer Uwe Schulten-Baumer in 1989.

Gigolois currently the most successful dressage horse of all times. UnderIsabell Werth he also won Olympic gold at the 1996 Olympics in Atlantaand he claimed individual Olympic silver twice. He was double WorldChampion and four times European and German Champion.

His stringof success started in 1991 when he won team and individual gold at theEuropean Championships in Donaueschingen. He achieved more gold at theEuropeans in 1993, 1995 and 1997. He won team and individual gold atthe 1994 and 1998 World Equestrian Games and team gold. He won Olympicteam gold in 1992, 1996 and 2000, individual gold in 1996 andindividual silver in 1992 and 2000.

Gigolo and Fabienne, a fewweeks ago Gigolo was retired from competition at the Stuttgart GermanMasters on 24th October 2000 and he enjoyed his retirement at IsabellWerth's stable in Rheinberg.

"Gigolo spent his days in the fieldwith his friend Fabienne," said Werth. "He was so decisive in my lifeand I can look back with great gratitude on our years together. I'msure Gigolo won't be forgotten."

The WORLD EQUESTRIAN GAMES will be held in KENTUCKY 2010!

The trip to KY in September of 2010 is currently being planned...

would you like to join us?

                       Providence!

More to come on my young horse, Providence, a yearling who will join our family in October, 2009!

His sire is Otschag:

.

Otschag

Otschag approved as Elite Russian Hanoverian stallion in 2002 and the same year imported to USA.

Otschag is that rare combination of sheer beauty, intelligence, exemplary character and willing desire to work and please. His top class movementis uphill from the very first step.

Otschag transfers an exceptional combination of top Olympic and champion performance bloodlines.

Otschag stands at Carson Farm!

His Dam is Poljanka

Poljanka

Imported Kirov Trakehner, ATA, RHPSI Main Mare Book

This Novator 60 daughter out of Pashka 79 stands 16.3 and exhibits great substance and form.

Her movement is a pleasure as is her attitude. She produced Primar, a ’97 stallion by Prostor

and a filly in ’98 by Hockey. (Please refer to Bona for additional information regading pedigree.)

Dreiskoole was confirmed to be in foal to Otshag for her 2008 foal, PROVIDENCE!

I am already completely in LOVE with this prince!

Mandy Riesman had an amazing ride on our Belgian Warmblood Nepal today!

Mandy and Nepal both have an amazing education in jumping and dressage.

You can see their beautiful partnership in these photographs taken of todays ride...

Klaus Fraessdorf, the man instrumental is starting the Dressage in Florida Winter Circuit has lost his brave battle with cancer and passed peacefully yesterday, on the closing day of August, 2009 with his wife Maria at his side. Longtime organizer of dressage shows in Orlando Florida at the Clarcona Horseman?s Park, and publisher of the DIF Omnibus, Fraessdorf began the popular Heidelberg Cup competition, luring dressage competitors annually from their nesting place in Wellington. In 1984 he took the chance, as a show manager, to restart FEI/CDI competitions in the United States in which proved to be a great success. He was an active participant at the USDF Conventions and accepts controversial challenges to promote the progress the sport of dressage by having organized special events for the USAEQ, USET and FEI. In his final years he fought the tough battle of cancer "So I can be around to enjoy my grandchildren as long as possible."

Do you have a Klaus story to share? If so please send an e-mail to \n mary@horsesdaily.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , and we will post to dressagedaily in his memory.