"Sabine is pleased to announce that she is working with Hermes."

("Sabine, Tim, and their Corlandus " )

Tim is owned by Jill Hegna

Recently I discovered the Hermes Corlandus dressage saddle. It was love at first ride for me, and I now train and show all of my horses in this saddle. I first tried an Hermes when a client of mine asked for my opinion on a Corlandus she had taken on trial. I admit I was skeptical at first. I expected the saddle to have the quality craftsmanship for which Hermes is known, but I wondered: what would an haute couture company know about high performance for dressage?

When I sat in their Corlandus however, I felt at home right away. It has a deep seat with a single flap, so it feels like I am sitting in the horse. The saddle has a really good balance of supporting me and yet not restricting me. I do not like saddles that lock me into a certain position, because I want the freedom to move with the horse and to make adjustments. I usually dread breaking in new saddles, but the Hermes leather is so wonderful that I felt instantly comfortable from the first ride.

Another thing that surprised me about Hermes is that they did not try to sell me a customized saddle for each horse. While the current trend is toward ultra-customized saddles, Hermes has concentrated on designing a saddle with a versatile fit suitable for a variety of horses. I ride several Friesians, an Andalusian, a Hanoverian and a Holsteiner every day. For all of my horses I now have just two saddles – a medium tree Corlandus and a wide tree Corlandus! I feel like I can just sit on my seat bones and that my leg drops naturally straight on different horses. I am able to use the very same saddle for a young horse and a grand prix horse. At last I have found a saddle that not only suits me, but each breed of horse I ride, train and compete.

Because of my enthusiasm for this saddle, Hermes has honored me by becoming one of my sponsors. Since working closely with the company, I have learned a lot more about how a high fashion company is able to produce such a functional saddle. It turns out that Hermes has never forgotten its roots. Hermes was originally founded as a harness shop in Paris more than 160 years ago, and Chairman Jean-Louis Dumas-Hermes says the horse continues to be the"beating heart of Hermes." Hermes built its reputation both as a saddler and as an elite company by catering to the royal stable of France, and eventually the aristocracy of other counties. This long history of excellence enables the craftsmen of Hermes to design saddles which are both classically correct and technically advanced. The Corlandus dressage saddle is built on a beech wood spring tree. The panels are formed of natural latex and covered with Hermes calfskin. This superior form provides maximum comfort for the horse and gives the versatile, "Hermes fit." It turns out this characteristic of fitting a wide range of horses is one for which Hermes saddles have always been known. Hermes has just ten saddlers on staff in Paris, and each saddle is individually handcrafted from start to finish by one saddler who signs and dates the saddle upon its completion. The Corlandus is available in black or natural in sizes 16 ½ , 17, 17 ½ ,18, and 18 ½ .

I always have my students try my Corlandus, as I like how it helps put them in the proper position, and they seem to ride more effectively right away. I also like the way these saddles do not allow the rider to brace themselves into one place. I want my students to develop an independent seat, which is the basis of good riding. I believe saddle fit is very personal, and it is important to ride in a saddle in order to know if it's right for you. If you are searching for a new dressage saddle, I invite you to try the Corlandus.

Show at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center on July 8th & 9th:

Arjen,a 6 year old Friesian gelding owned by Kathleen Kearney of Pennsylvania:
training test 2 : 66.154% third place
training test 4 : 66.538% fourth place
training test 2: 73.462% first place
training test 4: 75.769% first place

Vasco,a 7 year old Hanoverian gelding owned by Kathleen Kearney of Pennsylvania:
fourth test 1: 70.233% first place
fourth test 2: 71.860% first place
fourth test 1: 72.558% first place
fourth test 2: 73.256% first place

I am pleased to announce that WBR Hanniba, a 7 year old FPZV & FPS Friesian Stallion owned by Phil & Cynthia Neilson, won USDF Horse of the Year (in the open division)
at first level with a median score of 75.741%
This is Sabine's fifth first place Horse of the Year award with a Friesian.
Sabine placed sixth at Grand prix freestyle with the 16 year old FPZV & FPS Friesian stallion Tinus PM with a median score of 73.250% Tinus is owned by Proud Meadows .
Tinus median score in Grand prix was 64.861% for 2005
Sabine placed 16th at training level, open division, with "Bogart von Jorrit"with a 73.077%
Bogart is owned by Proud Meadows

Hannibal is now showing at third level. Here are the results of the recent shows:

"Mid-Winter Dressage" at the Burbank Equestrian Center in Los Angeles
February 24th- 26th 2006
first place with a 67.778% at 3rd. test1
second place with a 68.889% at 3rd. test1
third place with a 67.895% at 2nd. test1

CDI "Festival of the Horse" at the Equestrian Center in Burbank, Los Angeles
March 30th-April 2nd 2006
first place with a 66.111% at 3rd. test1
third place with a 63.611% at 3rd. test1

CDI "Del Mar National" April 27th-30th 2006
third place with a 70.833% at 3rd. test1
third place with a 67.381% at 3rd. test2
first place with a 73.056% at 3rd. test1

Dressage at DG Bar May 10-13th 2006
third place with a 70.278% at 3rd. test1
67.889% at 3rd. test2

Sabine has been invited to perform some of her exhibitions at the Freestyle Night of the
CDI "Del Mar National" April 29th and at DG Bar in Hanford on May 12th
In addition she has done her Performance "Dance with me" at the Night of the Horse in
Del Mar on April 22nd.
She performed together with her friend and partner Ana Ayromlou, a professional dancer and performer from Germany. Sabine rode Tinus PM, owned by Proud Meadows .
The performance included Grand Prix Movements and Garrocha work and many more.

Sabine has qualified the Friesian Stallion "Bogart von Jorrit" , owned by Proud Meadows, for the FEI 5 year old Dressage test at Dressage at Devon 2005.
Bogart made it in the top 8 horses to sign up for Devon, with the score of 75.400% and 70.000%

She also qualified the Oldenburg Gelding "French Henry" , owned by Sharon Zaidins, for the FEI 4 year old Dressage test at Dressage at Devon 2005.
French Henry had to get qualified through two first level test one rides and made it also in the top 8 horses to sign up for Devon, with the score of 70.000% and 72.000%

Business Relocation
In early December 2005, Sabine will relocate her business and residence to Thousand Oaks, California.  Several of Sabine's clients are sending their horses to California to continue their training with her and will be presented by her in competitions and exhibitions.

Proud Meadows is sending two breeding stallions, "Tinus PM" and "Bogart von Jorrit PM" (contact at www.ProudMeadows.com).
"WBR Hannibal", the 6 year old Friesian breeding stallion owned by Cynthia & Phil Neilson (for more information about Hannibal, contact  Neilsonwbr@aol.com) and "Enamorado", a 5 year old Andalusian breeding stallion, owned by Deirdre Teasley (contact at www.Camelotandalusians.com),  will also go with Sabine to California.
Sabine is currently booking horses from in and out of that area for training.  Please contact Sabine for more information at sabineschut@aol.com.

Palm Beach Derby, March 2005
Spectators at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby in Wellington, Florida, were the second (Devon was the first) audience to see Sabine's latest exhibition routine featuring classical movements of Spain's Flamenco dance. The choreography showcased the grace and beauty of professional Flamenco dancer, Ana Ayromlou who performed Flamenco dance movements along side and in tandem with Sabine's black Andalusian Stallion, Capprichio.  The rhythm of the dance was established by Ana's castanets, her clicking heels and Capprichio's clapping hoofs.  The pictures capture the magic of the dance between horse and human and are posted in the Exhibition Photo Gallery. This piece was well received by both the spectators and judges.

Ana & Sabine with Capprichio

Competition Results from this Spring:

Fort Worth Dressage Club, April 9, 2005
- Bogart von Jorrit PM: 5 year old Friesian stallion, owned by Proud Meadows Farm
Training Level: 71.363 and 72.307 (both 1st place)
- Tinus PM: 15 year old Friesian stallion, owned by Proud Meadows Farm
Grand Prix: 66.458 (1st place)

Texas Dressage Classic I, April 14, 2005
- WBR Hannibal: 6 year old Friesian stallion, owned by Cynthia and Phyl Neilson
First Level: 71.481 (2nd place), 78.611 and 77.353 (both 1st place)
- Bogart von Jorrit PM: Training Level: 75.00, 66.538, 67.308 (all 2nd place)
- Brioso Salto: 5 year old Andalusian stallion, owned by Karen Chilson
Training Level: 70.909 (1st place), 71.923 (4th place), 66.154 (3rd place)
67.308 (1st place)

Texas Dressage Classic II, April 17, 2005
- WBR Hannibal: First Level: 77.353, 79.412, 75.926 (all 1st place)
- Bogart von Jorrit PM: Training Level: 77.727, 74.615, 78.846 (all 1st place)
- Brioso Salto: Training Level: 71.818 (3rd place), 74.231, 73.462, 70.769 (all 2nd place)
- Tinus PM: Grand Prix Freestyle: 77.000 and 74.625, total: 75.813 (1st place)

Price Money classes at the Texas Dressage Classic!
- Tinus PM, $2,800 for 1st place in the FEI Freestyle class with a score of 75.813.
- WBR Hannibal, $1,000 for 1st place in the USEF Challenge with a score of 78.459.
- Bogart von Jorrit PM, $500 as Reserve Champion at the USEF Challenge with a score of 77.063

Cedar Trace, May 7&8, 2005
- Bogart von Jorrit PM: Training Level: 69.231(3rd place), 71.538(1st place)
Training Level:73.077%(1st place)
- WBR Hannibal: First Level: 73.333, 75.000 (both 1st place),,75.556% (2nd place)
Second Level: 71.599, 72.895 (both 2nd place)
- Tinus PM: Grand Prix: 69.792 (1st place)

Dallas Dressage Club, May 14 &15, 2005
- WBR Hannibal: First Level: 70.370, 70.741 (both 1st place)
Second Level: 68.684 (2nd place)
- Tinus PM: Grand Prix Freestyle; 73.250% (1st place)

Dressage Show, Tulsa Oklahoma, June 11&12, 2005
- French Henry (4 y. old Oldenburg, owned by Sharen Zaidins): Training Level:68.462(1st place),
68.077(1st place,76.538),73.846(1st place)
- Tinus PM: Grand Prix Freestyle 69.025(1st place)

Median scores for 2005 show season:
Tinus PM at Grand Prix Freestyle :73.250%
Tinus PM at Grand Prix: 64.861%
WBR Hannibal at First Level:75.741%
Bogart von Jorrit PM at Training Level: 73.077%

Parting Ways with Two Great Partners
Sabine recently found two wonderful homes for her two very special long time partners in the show and exhibition ring, Capprichio & Bana Conversano- Desche. Capprichio is now owned by Paula Josa Jones, of Martha's Vineyard and Bana Conversano-Desche went to Sabine's good friend Sue Ott in Waxahatchie, TX.