|
|
BALANCE Saved My Eventing Career! by Jeni Walker
My story begins over four years ago. I had bought a lovely Irish Sports Horse called Tilly. She was 15.1hh at the time but is 16hh now and she had a lovely wide back with no muscle wastage at all. She had only just been backed as a four year old when I got her in October 2005 and they had ridden her in a medium fit saddle.
At the time I was riding my other horse Millie in two extra wide Albion saddles but Tilly just humped when I tried to ride her in these. I spent six months trying saddles and was at my wits end when my good friend Hilary suggested I try a BALANCE saddle.
Carol Brett was doing a workshop nearby and very kindly agreed to come over and see my horses. I rode Mille first in a BALANCE saddle and even though I had not thought I had any problems her stride became instantly longer and freer. I felt like crying…what had I been subjecting my horses to? Next I tried Tilly and I was amazed that I could actually get on and put my leg on and ride her. There was no looking back for me.
Hilary kindly lent me her BALANCE saddle until mine arrived as I was competing Millie at British Eventing at the time and could not do without one. I started with a Nexus Jumping saddle as I could not afford both but knew I could get away with doing my dressage in a jumping saddle. It arrived just in time for the 3DE at Milton Keynes which Millie and I went on to win!
I then tried some dressage saddles and decided on the Nexus. Whilst I saved up, Carol kept her eyes open for me and managed to find me a second hand Nexus dressage saddle that was like new. I snapped it up and had three very happy years in it.
Then last June Carol and Hilary came and ran a workshop at my yard and I was given the opportunity to ride Tilly and try some alternative BALANCE saddles for the students. When we put the Matrix dressage saddle on Tilly lifted her back and came soft underneath me and went better than she ever had. I had to canter twice to make sure it was for real!! I loved the saddle but I needed to try it on my youngster Mez aswell. Unfortunately we had run out of time so Carol went out of her way to return the following day so I could ride Mez. Mez loved it too so that was that……I am now the proud owner of a lovely Matrix Dressage saddle.
I compete at British Eventing through the summer and last year Tilly and I won, was placed and qualified for the regional finals and I do British Dressage during the winter months.
Mez is the dressage star and we have been placed this winter. Everything I do is in my BALANCE saddles and I absolutely love them. If it had not been for the BALANCE Organisation and Carol and Hilary’s help I do not know what I would have done.
I am an Equine Body Worker which means I am lucky enough to be able to keep my horses in tip top condition all year round, especially throughout their eventing season.
Please follow my blog www.livetoevent.blogspot.com or join me on facebook. I would to meet you.
Jeni
|
|
