Anna Dahlberg and Lourdes. (Photo: courtesy of Terri Miller)
Flintridge, CA –
Custom Saddlery is always looking to recognize the partnership and harmony in an exceptional dressage test, and during Dressage at Flintridge’s May show California, Anna Dahlberg and her homebred Swedish Warmblood gelding Lourdes stood out as the pair to beat. Dahlberg was awarded the Custom Saddlery Most Valuable Rider (MVR) award for her performances both with Lourdes and Acilla, a Danish Warmblood owned by Anne Solbraekke, and was presented with a Custom saddlepad, gift certificate, and ribbon. She showed both horses in Fourth Level tests 1 & 2; she scored an impressive 72% with Acilla, and went on to top that score with Lourdes, scoring a 73.60%, which ultimately made Dahlberg the High Point Championship of the show and sealed her place as Flintridge’s Custom MVR. Originally from Sweden, Dahlberg’s parents bred Lourdes at her home, and then shipped the then 4-year-old to the United States. Ever since Dahlberg has done all of the training and work with Lourdes and hopes to eventually take him to the Grand Prix. The 7-year-old gelding seems to be well on his way with impressive scores at Fourth Level and carrying his rider to the MVR award.
Dahlberg is based out of Los Angeles’ Millcreek Equestrian Center, where she is assistant trainer to Mette Rosencrantz. She recently fitted and purchased a new Custom Icon Star, and was thrilled to be recognized by Custom. “The saddle puts you in the perfect position,” she says. “I’ve been training with Mette for almost 20 years, and between us we have almost 20 horses in Custom Saddles.”
Custom Saddlery looks for teamwork between a horse and rider, outstanding performances, and excellent horsemanship to find a rider deserving of the Custom Saddlery Most Valuable Rider Award. They design their saddles to help facilitate such performances, and recognizes deserving riders at shows from coast to coast and even overseas.
Custom Saddlery, based in Aiken, South Carolina, offers beautiful saddles for both dressage and jumping. The company provides countless ways to customize a saddle specifically for an individual horse and rider’s needs and preferences. Saddle fitting services and accessories are also available. For more information about Custom Saddlery, visit
www.mysaddle.com or call 1-800-235-3865.
