70 SIDELINES FEBRUARY 2013
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
The Woodside Vaulters, of California, showed their support for
Ravel and Legolas, both owned by Akiko Yamazaki, while the
team was competing in the National Vaulting Championships at
the Kentucky Horse Park during the frst week of the Olympics.
Photo Courtesy of Woodside Vaulters
Esperanza, Ravel’s daughter, was a gift in 2009 from Ravel’s
previous owner: now three and learning alongside her
illustrious daddy at Four Winds Farm. Ravel was gelded after
arriving in the United States.
Photo Courtesy of Akiko Yamazaki
Retiring dressage stars to Four Winds began with Lombardi,
the frst horse Akiko sponsored for Steffen. They met in 1999
when she bought a horse through him. In 2004, awaiting her frst
daughter’s birth, Akiko sent Lombardi to Steffen. Within a year he
turned the 14-year-old Holsteiner into an international grand prix
horse. They competed in Hagen and twice at Aachen, earning
the National Championship at Gladstone and placing ffth in the
selection trials for Beijing.
“Whereas Ravel is happy to be the world’s best schoolmaster
for me, Lombardi basically told me, ‘I never want to see a saddle
EVER again’ when I retired him, so we honored his wishes,” stated
Akiko. “I am not sure if Ravel would like to go back to the life of an
international competition horse, because he seems to be enjoying
his grass and trail rides, but he is for sure the King!”
Akiko and Steffen hit the trails.
Photo by Sheryl Ross