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I have been a professional trainer since 1979. Until last year, my experience has been limited to the show ring. I have trained and shown American Saddlebreds, Hackneys, National Show Horses and Arabians. In recent years I became involved in racing and I am a licensed Thoroughbred trainer in Kentucky.
The World Equestrian Games came to Kentucky in 2010 and I had the amazing opportunity to witness the sport of Endurance at the International level. Up to that point, the only connection that I had to the Endurance world was serving as a member of the USEF Drugs and Medication Committee with Valerie Kanavy.
During our 2011 meeting, Valerie encouraged me to pursue riding in competition and invited me to FITS. I traveled to Florida in March and earned my first 25 miles and I was hooked. I have completed over 350 miles in the last year and with the help of my mentor Valerie Kanavy, I now have FEI rider status.
At FITS 2012, my anniversary ride, I tried Renegade® boots for the first time on both of my horses. I finished a 50-mile ride the first day, earning that horse her FEI status and her vet scores were perfect. Prior to FITS, she had always competed barefoot and struggled with her back scores at times. The second day, that same horse completed a 25-mile ride with her stablemate also fitted with Renegades. Both horses finished with perfect vet scores on a day when only 50% of the horses that went out were able to finish.
I was confident enough with those results to try the 55-mile on the final day with my novice horse trying for completion in order for his mileage to increase and be within one 50-mile ride of his FEI status. The final day was also a 50% completion and I was able to be with the percentage that did complete and earn those 55 miles.
There is no question in my mind that without the addition of Renegades my success and enjoyment of FITS 2012 would have been compromised. Both of my horses trained better in pre-ride works. I could actually feel how much they were helped by wearing them. They could both do more miles with less stress and have more energy at the finish.
During the FITS ride I was able to meet Chad Larsen and learn more about Renegades and proper usage of the product. It is so important when you find a great asset to learn that the people behind the product care about you the customer enough to spend time with you and guide you to where you know you are getting the most out of it for your horses. My horses will not race without Renegades. I am a true believer.
