Chevaux Dansants Stables

18/01/2025

Bridles…….

I’ve got to honest, until recently I have no particular attention to bridles apart from their shape and look…..

Then at 2024 I was looking for a new bridle for big Jackson to suit his head and Rachel Gradowski at Heritage Performance Saddles introduced me to the Fairfax Performance Bridle.

It has built in pro-lite high density foam built in on the noseband and head piece. I was dubious and brought it solely to “give it a go” but for the look of the noseband on Jackson…..

Then I rode in it……

It instantly improved the contact from the hand to the bit and it was such a sudden and stark improvement, I investigated further.

I learnt not only do the pro-lite pads reduce pressure on the sensitive nerves on our horse friends faces dramatically BUT there is NO movement of the bridle as the bit is moved by the riders hands. That reduction of moment not only improves comfort for the horse but it removes the white noise to the horse - that is the horse can utterly focus on our communication with them with the rein!

It was astonishing and as a self reflective person I felt such regret I had not considered the impact of our bridles before that moment!

My girls were also not convinced, until they rode in it, and needless to say now every horse we ride now has a Fairfax Performance Bridle and is thriving in their contact as a result!

I have to say I am so impressed with Fairfax and their innovation and commitment to improving our horses performances through maximising their comfort levels! Both saddles and bridles are utterly next level!

Available in NZ at Heritage Performance Saddles - check out their page!

fairfaxsaddles
heritageperformancesaddlesnz
rachelgradowski

18/01/2025

We welcome Heritage Performance Saddles to our fabulous team of sponsors.

For more details check out the Chevaux Dansants Stables page!!

18/01/2025

So excited to announce we have a FABULOUS new sponsor to add to our team. Heritage Performance Saddles!!!

As always we only ever endorse products we have found innovative and game changing!

The Fairfax World Class 2 dressage saddle is whole next level, it is so innovative and has made it feel like cheating to assist sitting in balance on a horse. Here’s why I think this brand new saddle on the market is a game changer…..

1. It seems infinitely adjustable by us the user to make it fit most horses and every rider. A changeable gullet, and girthing system - nothing super new there, BUT the saddle flap can be adjusted forward or back so the knee roll can change angle and length depending on the riders thigh length. ALSO there are three slots on the saddle flap which means the back girthing strap can balance the back of the saddle 4 different ways to suit different horses!

2. The knee block helps your leg stay back and your heel under your body weight. The benefit I observe is when your heel is under your body, the stirrup bears the correct ratio of weight so the saddle bar by design, can distribute that weight through the tree and to the horse. Balance is then automatic in a neutral position. All of this puts both horse and rider in natural balance and lets the performance levels blossom!

3. As a result of 2 it requires you to use the correct core muscles on the rider, rather than lower back muscles. Not only achieving balance but also helping cure and prevent sore lower backs we get as we age.

4. The saddle panels on the horses back are a combination of both pro-lite high density foam and wool flock. Wool flock is important to allow the saddle to be fitted to the horse correctly, but also brings the tried and true benefit of wool being a natural antibacterial property. No need for our Thin-line foam saddle pads anymore, - which adjusted the fit of our saddles but we used to reduce the impact of the rider on the horses back. Now that impact dampening is built in!

5. MY FAVOURITE FOR MY AGING BROKEN BODY AND HIPS- The seat of the saddle has Pro-lite high density foam built into it and is slightly raised higher than normal - why? To narrow the twist, to stop splaying our hips beyond normal reach, to again reduce the impact on our lower backs and hip flexors and has significantly reduced my hip and lower back pain!!! The pro-lite foam absorbs the impact of sitting trot on the riders body and spine and helps you sit! Again improving the horses performance and comfort!

6. The design of the knee roll being further back means the front of the saddle flap now sits directly under the pommel. This gives about 3-4cm more freedom for the horses shoulder AND shortens the entire length of the saddle on the horses back - fabulous for short coupled horses.

SCIENTIFICALLY TESTED TO IMPROVE THE HORSES PERFORMANCE AND COMFORT

The World Class Dressage saddles are the only saddles to be scientifically tested with pressure mapping under the saddle and under the rider, combined with simultaneous two-dimensional and three-dimensional analysis of both horse and rider.

RIDER TESTED TO IMPROVE DRAMATICALLY RIDER STABILITY AND BALANCE - AND COMFORT!!

Honestly it’s one of those things you have to sit in to believe, I have never ridden so well and felt so balanced and secure. So my gift to you all is passing this on so you can try it to believe it!!

You are welcome to come to our place in Feilding and have a sit in it on your horse or catch us at a show and we can lend you one at night when comps done for the day to have a sit in! We have 2 saddles currently in 17inch and 17.5inch, and 2 more saddles being made as we speak!!

It’s not at all the same as world class 1 saddle, the World Class 2 was designed with input from multiple Olympic dressage Champion Charlotte Dujardin.

Everyone that has seen it in real life and sat in it has loved it and been impressed with this level of innovation that’s been a long time coming in saddles in my view!!

If you are like me suffer from sore hips and lower back riding, then this is definitely a must try.

WHERE TO BUY AND TRIAL

Available for trialing and purchase from the fabulous Richard and Rachel Gradowski at Heritage Performance Saddles. They are based in Auckland but will be at HOYS and most big shows. Go sit in one with them or we are in Feilding and you are welcome to come and sit in one of ours!

We are so grateful for their support and welcome them with much love to our team!!!

More to come about the Fairfax bridles (also such innovation and game changers!!)

14/01/2025

And so it begins……

Claudia Younger and CDS Donstar (homebred stallion - son of Donnerubin x Gymnastic Grace - Gymnastic Star) full brother to CDS Donnerstern - had their competition debut today. Claudia has been patiently training him at home for the last nearly 4 years until she was old enough to responsibility compete him as a stallion. He grew up in the paddock outside her bedroom window, she calls him her best friend, so it feels like he was always destined to be her friend to ride not mine.

He was entered at the start of the season but slipped in the muddy paddocks cavorting and we had to give him some time off as a precaution to let him recover, then NCEA exams hit, so he’s only just getting into full work now.

Taranaki Regional Championships was just about giving him a good experience. Their trot work was superb, few wobbles with more power, the canter work he showed he was a smidge scared and held in the back during their normally fabulous flying changes, so loads to improve on. Nearly 68% so onwards and upwards from here!

So thrilled this patient hardworking kid finally got to dance publicaly with her bestie.

Dancing on and proudly sponsored by:-
Prydes EasiFeed NZ
The Equine Herb Company
Enhance Equine
Bow Horse
Heritage Performance Saddles NZ (World Class 2 Fairfax Saddle and performance Fairfax bridle) - more on our fabulous new sponsor next week (I gotta share the love about these next level innovative saddle that makes it feel like cheating AND the comfort focused and secure/non movement placement of the bridle that infinitely improves connection to the horse!)

Exciting times ahead!

♥️

13/01/2025

Sandhill Prince Charming. (Stable name Hank)

6 year old
German Warmblood by GRP Triple Trees Prince Perfect.
Officially measured end 2024 as 14.2hh (same height since 2022 - hasn’t grown in height for last 2 years) but could be park hack if you wanted - if you didn’t trim feet and take his shoes off the day of measuring. He will stay pony with that process which is the recommended process for official life measuring anyway.

Recent competition titles
- 2024 Horse of the Year Novice Dressage Pony Reserve Champion.
- 2025 Elementary Open Reserve Champion Taranaki Dressage Championships
- 2022 - 2024 Multiple Regional Dressage Championships with TWO different child riders.

Graded Novice but competing Elementary, training Open Medium, half pass, shoulder in, travers all established, flying changes are just starting to be trained.

Never shown but he has no blemishes, fantastic confirmation and is stunning looking!

Great to handle, shoe, truck, float, hack out.

Does not bolt, rear, buck or bite/kick. He is a really lovely character - a very kind little chap. His only fault ever since freshly backed is he can spook if given a genuine fright, but it’s just a spook, not a spooky tuck and roll!

Our 4 other ponies we have trained in dressage and sold once girls have grown out of them have gone on to win Championships for new riders in Dressage, Showing, Pony Club, Jumping you name it, thanks to a wonderful foundation of training and exposure we provide. They are genuine little schoolmasters. Our last pony for sale as my girls are now 5ft7-8 and outgrown.

Home is genuinely more important than price, so very reasonably priced.

Available now and can be competed at Horse of the Year show as qualified in both Noice and Elementary Pony MFS. (HOYS rules are the pony qualifies not the combination).

Videos on YouTube - search Sandhill Prince Charming - of warm up in January 2025 at Taranaki Dressage Championships link is

https://youtu.be/XM-OpfbAUjk?si=6AL9y38rNjOmOqLp

💲2️⃣5️⃣,🍎🍎🍎 NZD

14/11/2024

You all know my absolute love for these covers!!

Summer rugs now in stock!!!

12/11/2024

Welcome to the world CDS Kjendis (Kasper).

By world champion Kjento out of NZ champion level 1 - CDS Donerco - full sister to HOYS Champion CDS Donstar and HOYS and NZ Champion CDS Donnerstern who are by our beloved Donnerubin out of our favourite mare I also rode Gymnastic Grace…..

To stay entire if he’s a good boy. Black with star and white socks. Claudia’s called shotgun already!

Kjendis means star or celebrity in Dutch - home of Kjento his Sire. We liked the tie back to star from the damline and a small nod to the D-line with the D.

Fabulous job Nanna Fiona Sucich!!

11/10/2024

We caught our darling Donnerubin hanging out a bit closer than usual (?) with his regular stable visitor Gretel.

Not particularly fond of humans (unlike her brother Hansel who tried to sleep on my face last night!) apparently black stallions are just her cup of tea…..makes you wonder what these two get up to when we’re not here!!

Might have to watch the stable security cameras a bit closer!!

Donnerubin is such a precious soul…..so gentle with her!

30/09/2024

CDS Kinetic!! By World Champion Kjento out of CDS Donnerflew (by Donnerubin x Flewelt MH - by Flemmigh x Weltmeyer)

What a star he will be!!

CDS Kinetic By multiple World Champion young dressage horse Kjento - stallion with Van Olst's in Holland. Out of our stunning Donnerubin mare CDS Donnerf...

30/09/2024

Price drop!!

CDS Florence is I think the best we’ve ever bred, and we’ve bred multiple NZ Dressage Champions and NZWB “horses of distinction”!!

She’s 3yrs old and ready for her next adventure!!

New price range only to make room and because we can’t really have mares on the truck with stallions competing!

CDS Florence is by the Dutch stallion Le Formidable. DOB - 17.12.2021 - Now nearly 3years old Height est - 16.1hh approx Sire - Le Formidable - is by ...

25/09/2024

The new CDS jackets embrodery looks pretty snazzy!

Thanks LP Embrodery Palmerston North

Prydes EasiFeed NZ
The Equine Herb Company
bow_horse
Enhance Equine

24/09/2024

Sale at Bow Horse rugs!!

I have so much ♥️ for these rugs!! Now’s the best time to get for next winter!!!

My favourite is the 400gram steel blue. The horses go out looking like little marshmellows all poofed up and warm. But still so light!

At this time of year getting the 0 fill with a 100 or 250 gram liner is such a good ideal and cheap way to make the cover adjustable!

Who knew I’d ever be so enthusiastic about a bloody horse rug, but it’s a fabulous product and a small nimble innovative business!

♥️Bow Horse

Shop Bow Horse for mix-and-match horse rugs designed with adjustability and comfort in mind. Featuring detachable neck rugs, liner systems and neck rugs that help prevent mane loss.

22/09/2024

I still haven’t had time to do a full post about this new World Class 2 Fairfax saddle, and I will, but in the meantime Olivia’s training session today on her new young pony Sandhill Prince Charming shows the absolute balance this saddle puts the rider in. She’s trying to help Hank to trust that he can expand his body into a medium trot, so if ever there was a time you as a rider are all over the show, it’s that right! And yet Olivia sits quietly like a pro! She’s 12yrs old and look at her go!!!!!!

Gone are Olivia’s struggle to keep her lower leg back,
Gone are her wandering hands as a result of that lack of a balanced position.

Now she just has to keep building the new correct core strength to keep it together all of the time 🤣

I cannot tell you how much this saddle has helped Olivia AND I, it’s actually witchcraft or feels like cheating it’s honestly that good.

My only regret is that we have been behind the times up until now, with such an innovative peice of kit helping us so much in the space of 2 weeks for me and 1 week for Olivia! WOW!

Olivia is in a 17inch, I’m in a 17.5inch, but the ability to adjust the 3 girth points has meant we have been able to fit my saddle to almost every horse we have in work (currently 5!)

Come and chat with me about it on the show circuit and I can try and show you the secrets of this saddle or better yet book some time with the gorgeous Rachel Gradowski at Heritage Equestrian and just try it for yourself!

22/09/2024

Just when we thought we had escaped a muddy winter! REALLY looking forward to the new stable block extension being started in the next couple of months! It will take us from two stable, one covered yard and add another 3 stables and a new feed room so we can expand our tack room!

Meanwhile the chestnuts need to bunk post training in their activio med and protein snax session, while Olivia finishes up her homework!

No time for slacking coming into competition and exam season!