|
At Trilogy Saddles, President Debbie Witty hand-selects each Ambassador. These riders represent the very best in equestrian sport, with an emphasis on the welfare of the horse and the epitome of horse/rider partnership that our equipment stands for. We hope you enjoy reading about our Trilogy Ambassadors!
Trilogy Saddles Ambassador A self-confessed fanatic when it comes to the care and management of his horses, Jeremy Steinberg reports he’s always worked with a mere handful of people he’s known he could trust, trainers and riders that would keep his horses’ best interests in mind and not push them too hard. He says one of those trusted advisors was his chief mentor, the late dressage master Dietrich von Hopffgarten. “I rode with him from the age of 16, until he died a few years ago, and I feel very fortunate to have had him in my life,” says Steinberg. “There are others I’ve ridden with and who have helped me immensely, but Dietrich was my biggest influence over the years in terms of how I evolved as a rider, trainer, and horseman.” Steinberg says it was von Hopffgarten who made him ride for hours without stirrups, stressing the importance of developing an independent seat and quiet aids. “That upbringing has made me very conscious of how I sit. It’s also influenced my own teaching immensely. A rider’s position is a daily struggle and that ‘perfect’ position is ever-elusive, but with Trilogy saddles that struggle has certainly become easier. The depth of the seat allows you to relax and feel secure, and the knee roll is perfectly placed to encourage, but not force, your leg to hang long and drape around the horse, opening your hip angle.” After Jeremy discovered Trilogy, he began telling others, and things snowballed from there. “I teach clinics up and down the West coast, and often students will ask to try my saddle. Every single person that gets in a Trilogy to try it ends up buying one, because everyone loves them,” he says, pointing out that quality and consistency are in every saddle, something he hasn’t always found with other manufacturers. “There’s not one Trilogy I’ve seen that doesn’t feel right, or you can’t sit well in,” he says. “I've been very enthusiastic about recommending them to my students because every single saddle has the same workmanship, the same detail, and most importantly, the same feel.” Trilogy President Debbie Witty says that although she’d seen Jeremy ride and was well acquainted with his reputation, she didn’t know him personally until a slew of phone calls made her really sit up and take notice. “It was unbelievable the number of people that would call us up and say ‘Jeremy Steinberg is singing your praises!’” says Debbie. After Debbie invited Jeremy to become an Ambassador, the relationship blossomed, and he’s become one of Trilogy’s biggest cheerleaders. “He really believes in them heart and soul, and is so positive of the difference they make for the horse and rider,” she says, pointing out his natural charisma hasn’t hurt. “He’s a sweetheart. People just naturally respond to him; I tease him by saying that all the women are swooning over him!” While Jeremy’s proud to represent Debbie and her company, he says it’s because he’s seen firsthand the dramatic changes that have come from his students switching to Trilogy saddles. “Some people have been working for years to get that special ‘sitting in’ feeling in the sitting trot; they instantly feel more secure and their seat becomes more independent once switching to a Trilogy. It’s like someone sprinkled fairy dust on them, and all of a sudden they can sit the trot!” he laughs. While he’s always striving for excellence in his own riding and with his students, ultimately making a good life is at the core of Jeremy’s priorities. “It’s a huge aspiration of mine to make an Olympic team, but it’s a one-in-a-million chance,” he points out. “Not everyone gets to be a member of that club. You have to stay clear-headed and not let it take over your life.” He has some help in that area; on a rare day off, you’ll find him spending time with girlfriend and business partner Shauntel Bryant. “If we’re lucky enough to both have downtime at the same time, it’s just that, downtime. For us to have a day cleaning the house and hanging out with the dogs, that’s perfect.” |
 |
