Suzanne Graham and Femi. (Photo courtesy of JRPR)

Newberry, FL (July 3, 2015) — Despite the heat, dressage athlete Suzanne Graham was in high spirits at the Summer Sizzler 1 Dressage Show at the Canterbury Showplace in Newberry, Florida. While Graham was looking forward to showing her self-trained mare, Femi, she was particularly excited that one of her students, adult amateur Marge Savage, made it to the show. “Marge has a beautiful Oldenburg mare, Willow’s Dream, who is recovering from major colic surgery,” explained Graham. “This was her first time out, and she got a 67 percent! I’m so glad she made it out here — we’re having a great time!”

Custom Saddlery representatives at the Summer Sizzler 1 Dressage Show were impressed with Graham’s infectious enthusiasm and dedication to helping her students succeed, in addition to her strong performance with Femi in the Prix St. Georges and the Fourth Level Freestyle. Custom Saddlery, the Official Saddle of the U.S. Dressage Team, thanked Graham for her contribution to the dressage community by presenting her with the Custom Saddlery Most Valuable Rider (MVR) Award. The company presents the award at dressage shows across the country to riders who exceed expectations and embody excellence in the equestrian sport through horsemanship, performance, sportsmanship, and teamwork. Graham received a MVR ribbon, a beautifully embroidered saddle pad, and a $150 gift certificate to Custom Saddlery. With countless customizable options of saddles and accessories to choose from, Graham is sure to find something that suits herself and her horse perfectly.

Graham, who hails from St. John’s County, Florida, said that she was deeply honored to receive the award. She was also pleased with Femi’s performance at the Summer Sizzler. “Femi has had higher scores in the Prix St. George, but she was a little nervous today. We calmed her down nicely, and I was very proud of her for doing so well,” she explained.

The Trakehner mare, bred at Valhalla Farm by Jean Brinkman, is owned by Fred and Tish Neeseman. “They are clients of mine who I’ve known for years,” said Graham. “They own her, and they basically let me just ride her and act like she’s my own,” she smiled.

Graham is looking forward to competing in the USDF Regional Dressage Championships, which she and Femi have qualified for in the Fourth Level Freestyle and the Prix St. Georges. “My goal for the season is obviously to compete at Nationals,” she said. “We went to Nationals for the last two years, and we would love to go again!”

Custom Saddlery is happy to recognize riders like Graham who make contributions to the sport of dressage, either by successfully competing themselves or by coaching others to success. Based out of Aiken, South Carolina, Custom Saddlery is the go-to saddle maker for riders around the world and is the Official Saddle of the U.S. Dressage Team through the 2016 Olympics. The company offers twenty-two innovative, one-of-a-kind dressage saddles and offers professional saddle fitting services and custom saddle accessories. To learn more about Custom Saddlery and what it can do for you or your horse, visit www.mysaddle.com or call 1-800-235-3865.

For more information contact:
Custom Saddlery, Cary Wallace
www.mysaddle.com
cary@mysaddle.com
1-800-235-3865