I started taking dressage lessons when I was about 15 or 16 from Bernadette Radke. My first dressage horse was a half Arab, Victor, that I purchased as a 4 year old. I sold him as a 9 year old to a woman who was paralyzed on one side of her body. His new owner showed, and won a great many things, in para-dressage. She loved Vic as much as I did, which was fantastic.
My second horse was a Hanoverian/Thoroughbred cross that I purchased as a 2 year old. Will was supposed to stay small, but matured out at 16.3hh. I'm 4'11". I started and trained Will through first level, and won several classes at USDF rated dressage shows. However, Will had a physical issue that developed and his show career was cut short. I sold him to a woman who was just getting into riding and needed a quiet mount that would teach her the basics.
When I was about 20, I got out of riding and horses altogether. I picked it back up again at age 36. I have now been riding since July 2010 when I purchased a half Arab that constantly threw me off every chance he got. I gave him away in October 2010 (I gave the girl full discloser before I let her take him). In December 2010, I purchased Ava, who is a Friesian/Paint cross. She's was born 5/2003 and had been raised by a wonderful woman who fell in love with Ava as a baby.
I'm sarcastic and have a dry sense of humor, so 99% of this entire blog is tongue in cheek type. I don't think I'm very good.... but I love riding and learning. All I want to do is ride and have fun, and I think that's what everyone should do.
There are a few accomplishments that I am pretty proud of, and thought I'd share:
Some Accomplishments:
- Top Ten US Arabian and Half Arabian National Championships, First Level. 1993
- Dressage at Lamplight Reserve Grand Champion (Jr/Yr). 1994
- IAHA - Bronze Certificate (2 scores over 60% at First Level) . 1994
- IAHA - Silver Certificate (2 scores over 60% at Second Level). 1994
- Dressage at Mystic Marsh Reserve Grand Champion (schooling show) (AA). 2011
** my first show in 16+ years. woot.
Everything I've accomplished has been due to Bernadette's training and instruction, so if I say "I did this..", what I really mean is "Bern trained me so I could accomplish this..".
