Chapeski Dressage, LLC

10/06/2024

Final day of 2024 USDF Region 6 Championships was another successful day for our contingent of two from Montana. Both Elise and Ava ended up as Reserve Champions respectively for the "13 Years and Under" and "14 to 18 Years" Dressage Seat Equitation Semi-Finals; Elise with an 85 and Ava with an 87. Ava won the Jr/YR Cascade Show Highpoint from Saturday (Elise won it on Friday). And in the First Level Jr/YR Championship class Ava came in 4th with a 64% after an oopsy test where she went off course and Cello was falling asleep in the canter and broke -- but! they also got a 9 on their stretchy circle from Lilo Fore. Congrats to two hard working kids!

10/05/2024

Winner winner chicken dinner! Big big congratulations to Ava and Cello on a resounding victory in the USDF Training Level Jr/YR Region 6 Championships today with a 73%!! 🥳 And after getting a 68% from Lilo Fore this morning, Elise pulled off a 7th place in the same class, just .7 away from 4th place! Elise also won the Jr/YR High Score yesterday-- quite the accomplishment! 🏆These kids are something else. Both are working with horses that had pretty light starts as 3 year olds and have otherwise done all the training and work themselves (and the girls are 11 and 14, so...) 🤩 🎖🎯

10/04/2024

The prodigal Jr/YRs Ava and Elise are our only USDF Region 6 Dressage Championships attendees this year. Bit of a plot twist there, since Elise is a Reluctant Dressage Enthusiast and prefers eventing. 🤪 That's Elise and her pony pictured in what looks like a truly delightful PNW fall day. 😲🌧☔️ Ava's Cello is a very light grey so I assume he'll look like a true bog monster if this continues through the weekend.

The girls are off to a fabulous start, despite Cello putting in a spook-boy test in the dreaded indoor, and Roy going full mudder in his test in one of the outdoors. Best of luck to our teeny tiny Montana contingent at Regionals this year! 🤩🫶💪

06/30/2024

Various show clothing for sale. Can ship at buyer's expense or available for pickup at Chapeski Dressage (south of Lolo, MT), or could potentially be brought to some of the shows. Photos in order and items labeled by number.

1. Equiline Efilez Women's Show Jacket. Diplomatic Blue, which is a dusty powder blue, with cream accents at pockets and collar. Very light weight and stretchy but still structured. Size: IT 44, GB 12, US 10 -- runs true to size. Measurements: Across waist: 17", shoulder seam to shoulder seam: 16", top of collar to bottom at back: 25". MSRP ~950.00, asking 400.00 (NEW WITH TAGS)

2. SALE PENDING Cavallo Estoril Women's Show Jacket, with alcantara collar and accents at pockets. Deep Blue (Navy), with silver accent at collar. Size: GB 12, US 10 -- this brand runs small, it fits more like a US 8. Measurements: Across waist: 15", shoulder seam to shoulder seam: 16", top of collar to bottom at back: 24". MSRP ~600.00, asking 300.00 (NEW WITH TAGS)

3. Cavallo Estoril Shadbelly with Alcantara collar and points. Navy Blue with grey collar and points, sparkly buttons Tails are leather lined and weighted. Size: IT 38, GB 8, US 6-- this brand runs small. Measurements: across waist: 13", shoulder seam to shoulder seam: 15", seam at top of tails to bottom: 18.5", top of collar to seam at tail: 17.5". MSRP ~1200.00, asking 400.00. Used but in excellent condition and very clean.

4. Romfh Sarafina fullseat breeches, white with grey full seat. Size 26, waist measures 13". Very stretchy and comfortable, medium rise. MSRP ~200.00, asking 65.00. Used but in very good condition, some staining on full seat but otherwise show ready.

5 & 6. Piper breeches, white with grey full seat. Size 24 but these run large and fit like a 26, low rise. Waist measures 13". Some staining on full seat on seat and above boots at knee, otherwise no stains and show ready. MSRP ~100.00, asking 25.00 for each pair.

7. Romfh Bling Belt. Crystals are subdued, a somewhat grey color. 35" long. Excellent condition. MSRP~ 70.00, asking 15.00.

06/30/2024

Horse pals! Years on I have finally gotten around to making a video on how I do forelocks. Many people over the years have asked for a video, so better late than never, right? Few other tips and tricks in the description of the video. If you can do a decent French braid, the tying up of the braid is fairly easy.

I don't use any product in the hair, though you certainly can. Even just getting it wet can help if you're lacking pinch/grip strength. This can also be done...

06/22/2024

Per the usual I'm falling behind on show updates, but...

At the beginning of June a group went to the Rebecca Farm show with lots of success. Bob showed Galante at Prix St Georges with one score just shy of 67% and the other an elimination for not having spurs on. Oops, and silly. That "spurs optional at FEI" rule goes into effect later this year. Bob and D'Spot showed at First and Second to win the Reserve Second Level Highpoint. Stacy took her Notorious Red to his first ever show, opting for intro level to keep the pressure low, and came away with the highest score of the (fairly low scoring) show with an 81% (for real). The wunderkinds Ava and Elise had a great outing. Ava and Dragoncello had the second highest score of the show with a high 75%, won the Training Level Highpoint, Good Hands and Seat Award (again 💪), and Jr/YR Highpoint. Elise had scores in the high 60s at Training Level and was Jr/YR Reserve Highpoint (eventing is her first love, but she's a reluctant dressage star). Sabrina and Mia had another successful outing in their first year of showing with scores just shy of the 70% mark. Carolyn and Jumeirah won the Fourth Level Highpoint at their first show back since 2022. Shari and Prince Rodrigo laid down solid scores riding First 3 for the first time.

We had riders aged 11 and 13 to 71 (age is just a number), an Andalusian, an Andalusian/Friesian/Dutch WB cross, a couple Dutch WBs, a Welsh Pony cross, a Hanoverian, a Knabstrupper and a grade horse that I'm thinking is mostly QH. Intro to FEI. Dressage is for everyone! :D

Few photos below of the ones I got to see!

06/21/2024

Looking to hire a feeder for weekend and fill in shifts, duties to include feeding horses, some stall and pen cleaning, running horses in and out to pasture, etc. Up to 20.00/hour. Morning and evening shifts. Please CALL Bob at 406.544.6478 with any questions or to set up an interview.

05/18/2024

At the beginning of May a small group went to the first show of the season at Spokane Sport Horse Farm. It was a show of debuts and maiden voyages! 🤩

Bob and Witka, after a couple years out of the show ring, made her debut at second and third levels, to win the Second Level Highpoint.
Bob and Rhoanoke debuted at Prix St Georges with scores into the high 60s to win the FEI Reserve Highpoint.
Ava Shaw and Dragoncello captured the Training Level Highpoint, First Level Highpoint, Jr/YR Highpoint, and the Good Hands and Seat Award, with scores into the mid 70s. Ava also rode her childhood eventing pony Scrabble in his first ever dressage show with scores into the high 60s at Training level.
Elise Shaw and Salmon River Royal Express (whose first love is eventing) tried Training 3 for the first time with scores into the mid-60s.
Irene Given and Patriot Games (also eventers!) had their maiden voyage in the dressage ring with scores into the high 60s at Training level.
Sabrina Zamudio and Melair M also had their maiden voyage down centerline, to win the Reserve Training Level Highpoint with scores into the low 70s.

Next up is Rebecca Farm with a bigger crew of horses. Happy show season to everyone! 🦄🥂🏆

04/03/2024

SADDLE AND BIT FITTING, MAY 4TH-6TH (Saturday-Monday)

Saddle woes? Bitting and contact troubles? I have a few openings (roughly one or two each day) for the saddle fitting clinic with Nancy Dotti of Contact Saddles when she is here at the barn (south of Missoula) May 4th through 6th. Nancy is a Society of Master Saddlers UK and US Certified fitter, and Contact Saddles is located in Santa Rosa and is the West Coast distributor for Albion Saddles. Nancy can of course flock Albion jump and dressage saddles, but she's also happy to work on other makes of wool flocked saddles or help you shim your saddle with high quality felt shims and a correction pad. Have an english saddle with fit issues? We can help. Nancy will also look at western saddles!

Saddle fitting second to none and a great privilege to have her come to Montana! If you're interested in purchasing an Albion jump or dressage saddle, demos are being offered as well. If you're looking to do a demo I need a big heads up on this as saddles will be shipped ahead of time.

Nancy is also offering bit fittings for both snaffle and double bridles, using the awesome bits of Neue Schule. Super cool to see contact/bitting issues resolved with a bit that is truly right for your horse! A comfortable horse is a happy horse.

If you're interested in a bit fitting, saddle fitting and assessment (any make of english saddle), or demoing saddles, please message me with any questions you may have or to reserve a spot. There is a required non-refundable deposit of 75.00 to hold a spot. Scheduling has already begun and demo desires need to be known well ahead of time, the sooner you message the more likely there is an opening.

02/13/2024

We have a couple spots open for rides this weekend (Friday the 16th through Sunday the 18th) to ride with Kari McClain when she is here to clinic. Cost per 45 minute ride is 185.00, and you can ride one day, three days, or any combination thereof. Ride times Friday are in the latter part of the day into evening, Saturday rides are morning through late afternoon, and Sunday is the first part of the day.

Kari's accolades are vast, and include being an FEI 4* dressage judge, USEF 'R' Western Dressage judge, and USEF 'S' judge with Freestyle, Young Horse, and Equitation certifications. Her students have achieved over 150 USDF Medals and Bars. 🤯 More info can be found on her webpage MiariStables.com

If you're getting into the show season prep phase this is an excellent time to have the eyes of a very seasoned high level judge (who happens to also be a very seasoned coach of dressage riders through Grand Prix) on you, whether your chosen discipline is dressage, eventing, western dressage, or working equitation!

If you're interested please EMAIL me (Olivia) at [email protected]. I often miss FB messages!