Wellington, FL (June 12, 2012) – Claudia Gundersen and Mirage, a Danish warmblood gelding, proved their grit and persistence during the Gold Coast Dressage Association’s May Show, where thunder, lightning, wind, and rain threatened to upset their performance. Gundersen, who trains with her mother, Mikala Gundersen, was undaunted by the bad weather, and returned to the show ring the next day to win the Training Level Test 2 class with a 67.5%. Gundersen’s poise and determination won for her the Custom Young Ambassador award, which seeks to recognize outstanding young dressage riders at various shows on the Florida circuit.
Claudia Gundersen and Mirage were the winners of the Custom Saddlery Young Ambassador Award during the GCDA May Show
Gundersen has also only been riding Mirage for a few months, and this is their first show. “Since he is a new horse, I want to continue to show him as much as I can, and to get a lot of experience. This show was a nice test for us, with lots of challenges, but I think in the end it was a positive experience.” Gundersen added that she wanted to thank Custom Saddlery for sponsoring the award, and was happy with the prize of a set of Dressage Sport Boots.
“We started the Custom Young Ambassador award to recognize driven young dressage enthusiasts as they competed their horses,” said Cary Wallace, President and Master Saddle Fitter at Custom Saddlery. “Young riders like Claudia are the future of dressage and we are happy to encourage and promote their enthusiasm for the sport and their love of their horses.
Wallace also said that the Young Ambassador awards and promotions are part of an ongoing program to highlight the importance of young riders to the sport and proper saddle fit for both horse and rider. Wallace said. “At the end of the year our Young Ambassadors will have the opportunity to vote online for a rider they believe deserves a new Custom Saddle, based on need, talent and votes.
Custom Saddlery is well known in the dressage world and they are endorsed by a host of dressage superstars. “Dressage riders who ride in our saddles include Steffen Peters, Tina Konyot, Heather Blitz, Kathleen Raine, Lauren Sammis, Caroline Roffman, Endel Ots and David Wightman just to name a few,” Wallace said. As an official sponsor of the United States Dressage Federation, Custom Saddlery is a strong supporter of the equestrian community and advocates of proper saddle fit, for both horse and rider. “If you have a question about saddle fit, please contact us or find us at a show and we will be glad to help,” Wallace said.
For more information on Custom Saddlery, visit their website at www.mysaddle.com.
