Wellington, FL (February 16, 2016)— Olympic medalist Christine Traurig celebrated her success at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival week five show by notching three big wins in the Intermediaire II. Traurig, the United States Equestrian Federation Young Horse Coach, rode Louisdor to first place finishes in the I-II classes three times this past week. Not only did she score three blue ribbons, but she also won the Custom Saddlery Most Valuable Rider (MVR) Award.
“Louisdor is a little bit more mature, but he doesn’t show it necessarily in the show ring,” she said of the 14-year-old Westphalian gelding (Laurenzius – Eredana, Ehrentusch) owned by Janet Balmuth. “I’ve had him for three years. He has come to me from my mentor and trainer Johann Hinnemann, and we were all aware that he came with quite a bit of history which neither he nor I had any influence over. I am still in the process of opening one door after the other and seeing what’s behind it.”
The Adequan Global Dressage Festival week five’s CDI 5* weekend also honored Traurig, along with a host of other Olympic athletes from a variety of different countries, at a ceremony held before the start of the CDI5* Grand Prix Freestyle. The show series’ second annual Salute to Olympians was sponsored by Diamante Farms, whose co-owner and head trainer Devon Kane is also a Custom Saddlery MVR and proudly rides in Custom saddles.
Custom Saddlery’s Most Valuable Rider Award is presented at major horse shows to honor competitors who go above and beyond expectations in the show ring or the equestrian community. Traurig and other award recipients exhibit superb horsemanship and sportsmanship, deliver outstanding performances, demonstrate excellent teamwork with their horses, and dedicate themselves to giving back to the sport.
Traurig said that it’s the horses that inspire her to give so much of herself. “At heart, I am a passionate rider,” she said. “I’m passionate about the development of horses in this country, and I am dedicated to giving all that I know about developing young horses for their riders.”
As a winner of Custom Saddlery’s Most Valuable Rider Award, Traurig received a ribbon, a Custom Saddlery saddle pad, a cloth bag, and an embroidered towel from the Aiken, South-Carolina-based company. Custom Saddlery is the maker of the Official Saddle of the U.S. Dressage Team through the 2016 Olympic Games to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, this summer. The company also sponsors the Adequan Global Dressage Festival 12-week series held in Wellington, Florida.
In addition to encouraging top quality riders through its MVR Award, Custom Saddlery produces top quality saddles for dressage riders, eventers, and jumpers. The company’s advanced saddles are based on exceptional fit and comfort for both horse and rider with a myriad of ways to customize each saddle. Custom Saddlery provides professional saddle fitting services and also manufactures accessories including stirrup leathers, girths, and saddle pads.
For more information about Custom Saddlery, visit www.mysaddle.com or call 1-800-235-3865.
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Photo: Olympian Christine Traurig, riding Louisdor, wins the Custom Saddlery MVR Award at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival (Photo courtesy of JRPR—no photo credit necessary)
