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| Lisa's Tevis Training, Preview RP's New Ad, and the Importance of Proper Girthing |
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The VSD Traditional Our VSD saddles are designed primarily for flat work, including dressage, trail, endurance, and general pleasure riding. The saddles are extremely comfortable for distance riding or long hours in the saddle. The VSD Traditional's fairly straight flap is only slightly more forward than a dressage saddle and encourages a longer stirrup with less hip and knee angle. Riders in many disciplines use these saddles, but they are favorites with endurance and lower-level dressage riders. For a free two-week trial, contact us.
Euro Pro's Askan Hind Boots Euro Pro's Askan protective sports boots are a favorite for Dressage and Hunter/Jumper riders because they provide exceptional support for even the most rigorous workouts. The Euro Pro line includes front, open front, hind and ankle boots. Durable, comfortable and easy to maintain Euro Pro Boots feature:
Click here to see the complete line of Euro Pro boots in the RP Store.
RP Centrelastic Girths The RP Centrelastic Girth enhances the ReactorPanel system but can be used with any saddle. Because the horse's belly sustains more pressure than any other area of the saddle/girth system, our girths have a very broad center belly plate with elastic in the center for better pressure distribution where it is crucial. RP Girths are lined on the horse'e side with a soft, supple leather that is also used for ballet slippers. With roller buckles and available in a dressage, endurance and hunter/jumper styles, RP Centrelastic Girths protect horses from pressure points, evenly distribute pressure and provide ultimate stablity for the saddle and rider. Read more about how the RP System works together for ultimate horse and rider comfort.
Skito Cordura Endurance Pad with 4" Extender The Skito Cordura Endurance Pad is designed to be both durable and comfortable for the horse over miles of trails. The pad is shown here with a 4" rear extension. The extra pad protects the horse's loins when using large cantle bags. Available in a variety of colors and patterns, this pad can be ordered with or without the 4" extender at no additional charge. Because the memory foams in our panels replace the function of the Skito Equalizer foams, these pads do not contain foam inserts as is usual in Skito pads for other types of saddles. If you need the memory foam pads, check out the Skito Dry Back pads in the RP Store. Other Products in the RP STORE:
CALL OR EMAIL TO ORDER THESE OR ANY OF OUR PRODUCTS 1-888-771-4402
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In this issue:
By Lisa Jordan The Tevis Cup, unique among Endurance rides, draws into its mystery and glory many a rider from around the world. Earlier this year I decided that it was time I try it again– this time with my best equine friend, TJ. I’ve been here before some years back. Much preparation, sweat and emotional drain all aimed at completing this elusive 100 mile ride that goes from above Squaw Valley near Tahoe to Auburn, CA on August 5, 2006. The completion rate tends to be around 50% give or take. To learn more about the history and trail, or to follow the ride on simulcast go to http://www.foothill.net/tevis/. TJ and I have spent time each year enjoying parts of the Tevis trail waiting for the year when it would “feel right”. It not only takes a fit horse and a confident rider, it takes a confident horse, a fit rider, some guts (gotta love staring down cliff sides off of a narrow, rocky single track without a bottom in site), and lots of Tevis Luck. Many of us spend months getting things just right for Tevis. I’m starting to believe that half of the greatness is what I learn along the way. TJ and I have done a fair amount together. He has just over 1000 miles of competitive endurance rides behiid him, including his first one day 100 last month. I have just over 2000 miles and at least that many crewing at all levels in interesting places. I’ve crewed Tevis for more years than I want to count for good friends and great riders. We’ve been having a great time over the past few months fine tuning our union and our equipment in preparation. Having crewed and ridden for years and being a gear-head, I’m pretty fussy about my clothing and TJ’s tack. Luckily, I spend time in tack heaven (the RP store)! TJ wears his VSD Summit, RP girth, RP stirrup leathers, Skito 2-part pads (we like the 4” extension for the cantle bag to rest on), Snug-Pax cantle and pommel packs, Cloud stirrups and JMS sheepskin fenders. His bit is a KK kimberwick. I wear high-tech materials, well chosen running shoes and an extremely light adjustable helmet. I haven’t yet convinced Carmi that these items are “for the good of the horse” and therefore should be sold in the RP store, but I haven't given up yet either! With tack and equipment sorted out we’ve been concentrating on maximizing our movement together, improving TJ’s attitude at mass starts, increasing our love for temperatures over 100°, increasing TJ’s confidence for longer distance and checking that we both still love riding in the dark (still do!). We have been fortunate to work with a great team of people who have the primary goal of learning where each of us fit in the “big picture”. The interesting thing is, we didn’t go out looking for this group of equine professionals, but rather found them while following a path that included fitting RP Saddles. Our equine/human body worker extraordinaire, Cindy Schleuss, has the ability to assess both horse and human biomechanics while in motion to determine how to improve the collective balance at each gait and on differing terrain. She then uses her body work prowess to put us in line with each other. TJ’s chiropractor, Sandy Schuler DVM, two time Haggin Cup winner, shares her knowledge readily with the team. Our esteemed trainer, Darren Taplin, is involved as the person who teaches TJ how to move more classically and teaches me how to follow through. We have two farriers, Moses Gonzalas and John Suttle, that each played a part in improving TJ’s energy efficiency in his stride and the stability of his landing. The equine nutritionist, Brad Scott, has joined us “for the ride” giving excellent advice on TJ’s diet. Bronwyn Swan, a five time Tevis finisher on the same horse, will be riding with me. She rides all three of her horses in the VSD Traditional saddle. Carmi will be there cheering us on and crewing along with other dedicated friends – many RP owners. The journey thus far has been invaluable. Many people, including me, that sign up for Tevis hold their breath and wait for that “something” to happen in the month or two before the ride that will result in the “should I go” quandary. This year we’ve had such a positive and full learning schedule that we haven’t had time to hold our breath and anticipate. A couple of weeks ago we rode the 35 miles of canyons which comprise the middle of the ride in the heat of the day. I paid homage to the stunning beauty, the toughness of the land and the strength of mother nature which is apparent on this trail. I’m truly looking forward to sharing the Tevis challenge with TJ this year. I’m sure we’ll enjoy it in all of its grit and glory as much as we’ve enjoyed the process of getting here.
Next Month we are running our first full page ad in the California Dressage Society's, CDS Dressage Letters. (Click on the picture of the ad to the left for a preview.) We are excited to feature one of our youngest horse and rider combinations and celebrate their success. As we contemplated the message we wanted to send in the ad, we decided there is simply no better evidence to attest to the effectiveness of RP Saddles than the successes our clients have enjoyed. In addition, we're proud to serve clients who are so thoughtful in the care of their horses. We are honored that Emily allowed us to feature her story. To the right, you can read Emily's RP Success Story. She is a remarkable young woman who works hard to ensure Cris is a comfortable and willing partner. We are sure they will go far. Horse Expo Sacremento : In June we attended Horse Expo in Sacremento. What a success! Not only were we overwhelmed by visitors, the saddles and our new tack and accessory lines were a hit. If you haven't seen the new products, go to the RP Store. Thanks to those of you who stopped by the booth for making the show such a success. What's New at ReactorPanel: RP at the Oak Openings CTR (Toledo) and the All Kidding Aside CTR (Bainbridge) in OH: If you plan to attend either of these events or live in the area, call Mollie. She will be on site to fit, consult and assist you with selecting and adjusting an RP saddle. Contact Mollie at mollie@reactorpanel.com or call her at (513) 315-5907. RP Owners to Compete in World Equestrian Games: Congratulations and good luck to RP owners and enthusiasts and their mounts in reaching the WEG and the competition ahead of them: Steve Rojeck on Finch, USA; Christine Yeoman on LM Taquillero or Farouk De Lozelle, UK; Karen Badger on Bree, Canada. For specifics visit the WEG website.
Upcoming Events Click the map to find out when and where we'll be for:
Don't see your state? If we're not currently scheduled to be in your area, call us to learn more about our remote telephone-assisted saddle fitting program or to inquire about hosting a fitting clinic. Please call or email for appointments or information. 1-888-771-4402 or info@reactorpanel.com RP Saddle Fitting Savvy: Girthing Proper girthing is an important factor in the comfort of your horse and the security of your saddle. Yet, finding girths that are too loose, too tight, too far forward, too far back or that create pressure points and sores is all to common. To teach the importance of proper girthing in the saddle fit courses she teaches at Guelph University, UC Davis and individual seminars, Carmi has developed a thorough introduction to the basics of girthing and the critical guidelines you should follow to ensure the horse is comfortable and able to offer their best performance. Click here to read Carmi's recommendations and guidelines for proper girthing. To read more about the girths we recommend, click here for an introduction to our Centrelastic Girths or look under the Featured Product List to the left. If you are interested in learning more about saddle fit, check out our Saddle Fitting Seminar, or organize a Saddle Fitting Clinic, see the details on these programs below. For an independent review of our Saddle Fitting Seminar (from a lecture Lisa Jordan gave recently) click here. If you have further questions you'd like answered in Saddle Fitting Saavy or would like to discuss your specific situation, contact us. RP Fitting Clinics and Educational Seminars The ReactorPanel Saddle Company is devoted to helping riders help their horses, which is the reason for our instructive programs. We offer Saddle Fitting Clinics where we assess your horse's saddle and fit you for a ReactorPanel. We also offer Educational Seminars where we teach the basics of saddle fit that are applicable to any saddle. Click here for information on RP Fitting Clinics and Educational Seminars. Or contact us for more information. 1-888-771-4402 or info@reactorpanel.com. Stay cool and best of luck reaching your summer riding goals. Warm regards, Carmi, Lisa, Reagan and Rebecca
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An RP Success Story: Confessions of a Teenage Saddle Shopper I’ll admit it--before I knew better, I rarely tried clothes on before buying, I had faith that letters and numbers would adequately describe my body, fitting rooms were as illusive as my ability to guess the correct size. You can imagine how well this worked out for me, even better, how it worked out for my horse when I decided it was time to go saddle shopping. "He needs a medium-wide tree," I said confidently to the tack storeowner, as if I had the universal horse and I was a universal rider--without asymmetry, odd length of limb, or recognition of future development. My 3½ year old horse, Cris, was rapidly growing and maturing, I needed a new saddle, any saddle, one with a medium-wide tree and I found one. I rode in that saddle for an unfortunately long time. After some time, I invested in a gel pad to try and alleviate the poor fit I suspected was developing. At 4 years old, my prospective dressage horse had developed a lameness effecting only his canter. His irregular gait remained an undiagnosed lameness even after multiple vet examinations. All of the exams were of his hind legs, never travelling to his back. I was handed a series of steroids and anti-nflammatory drugs that were to be given in various combinations and dosages and hope for improvement— riding up hills and in the arena was still encouraged in an effort to strengthen his hind legs. One day in a lesson, my trainer remarked that no matter what direction, the cantle of my saddle was always to the right. I looked down from my view of the pommel and the saddle was right in the middle. Uh oh…an alarm must have sounded at the RP warehouse. RP to the rescue! Soon after, a friend of mine, who had already discovered the joys of RP, came for a few days of lessons at our barn. My trainer saw her saddle, I saw her saddle; we stared at it in anticipation, like we were expecting it to move about on its own somehow even as it was resting on the saddle rack. "Reactor Panel, huh? Can I try it?" I rode Cris in the saddle and it was as if I had been in the fitting room for hours, custom measured and fitted for a craftsman to put this saddle together just for us. Cris was moving straighter, with freedom and regular steps. "Reactor Panel. Huh, where do I get one?" Click here to read the rest of Emily's story on our testimonials page. Want to share your RP story? We are keenly interested in your RP success story. If you want to share yours, simply write it up and send it in with a picture! info@reactorpanel.com Faces of RP
Lisa Jordan Lisa has been riding anything that resembled an equine since age three. In her late 20s, she got her first horse, and they went through five saddles. After that, Lisa became obsessed with saddles—how they could help rather than hinder the horse and rider in motion. Years later, ReactorPanel and Lisa crossed paths. For the first time, Lisa understood what it felt like to have an excellent fit for both the horse and rider, and how much less work they'd both have to do as a result! Lisa left her job as a Speech Pathologist/Clinical Coordinator at a Medical Center to work full-time for ReactorPanel. At RP, she's responsible for overseeing production, quality, fitting, and support. She's also a certified (human) massage therapist with growing interest and knowledge in equine anatomy and physiology. You can reach Lisa at 1-877-771-4402, or email lisa@reactorpanel.com.
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It's Tevis Time! 
