San Diego, CA (December 9, 2011) – The 2011 USDF Convention was a weekend of highlights for California-based dressage rider Amelia Child who was riding on cloud nine as a big winner during the convention. While the 19-year-old Young Rider earned her bronze and silver medals, it was hearing her name drawn as the final winner in Custom Saddlery’s year-long All American Saddle Fit Challenge contest that had Child bubbling over with enthusiasm. Child was the fifth person to win a custom dressage saddle from Custom Saddlery, makers of handcrafted custom-fit dressage, jumping, and event saddles.
Child moved to California this year from Utah and said her whole life changed when she met dressage trainer Sue Hollis. “I originally went to California for two months to do the CDI circuit but after six weeks I knew I couldn’t leave,” Child said. “My trainer introduced me to Custom Saddles and I started riding in one and it has revolutionized my position.”
Child met Custom Saddlery CEO Harry Wallace during the USDF convention and raved to him about his saddles. “Riding in a Custom Saddle has made it so easy to ride,” she told Wallace. “I no longer have to fight for my leg and seat position. I want to thank you so much for tonight and the fact that I won the saddle, and also thank you for improving my riding.”
Child said her goals this year include trying for Young Riders with her new horse, Veto, a nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood. “I also own Rembrand, a 14-year-old Warmblood that I compete in the Intermediaire I,” she said. “I bought a Custom Saddle for him but I didn’t have enough money to buy one for Veto also. I am so excited that now Veto will have his own Custom Saddle. I feel very blessed.”
Custom Saddlery’s All American Saddle Fit Challenge raffle gave away five custom dressage saddles during the year. “Our goal with the program was to bring awareness to the fact that all saddles need to fit both the horse and rider properly,” said Cary Wallace, the President and head of design and research at Custom Saddlery. “Amelia is a wonderful testament to our saddles because she is proof that a Custom Saddle can revolutionize your riding. We were thrilled to hear Amelia’s story and look forward to making her a new saddle for Veto.”
Custom Saddle sponsored rider Steffen Peters was at the USDF Convention and pulled Child’s name out of the raffle box. Peters, who is a long-time Custom Saddle fan, was also honored at the convention during a tribute to all of the United States Pan Am team riders. Peters, along with Heather Blitz, Marisa Festerling and Cesar Parra, won the Team Gold Medal at the recent 2011 Pan American Games.
“Steffen and Heather were part of the Gold Medal Pan Am Team and both ride in Custom Saddles so we were thrilled to have our saddles represented at the Pan Am Games,” Wallace said. Custom Saddlery, has introduced some of the best dressage saddles on the market and has also gained the confidence and endorsement of some of the finest riders in the world including Peters, Blitz, Tina Konyot, Sue Blinks, Hilda Gurney and Leslie Reid just to name a few. The company’s Dressage line includes Wolfgang brand saddles as well as the extremely unique Icon line of monoflap dressage saddles.
For more information on Custom Saddlery, visit their website at www.mysaddle.com.
For more information contact:
Custom Saddlery
Cary Wallace
www.mysaddle.com
1-800-235-3865