Wednesday January 26, 2005

Lisa Wilcox' Swiss Adventure

A Kid in a Candy Store

Dr. Schatzmann is a rider and a judge. He has cut back on his own riding after heart surgery a couple of years ago, but enjoys his horses and has a tremendous eye for young talent. He owns over forty horses – some mares, some foals and young horses getting started, and has kept them at Stal Ramsbrock in Germany for the past several years.

When Lisa agreed to ride for him, he shipped six of his best three and four year olds to his stable in Switzerland for her to work with to compete or sell. These youngsters all have very good conformation and extraordinary gaits.

“I am so impressed with the quality of these young horses. When I first tried them, I was surprised to find that all six were superior in movement and expression and that I have such a talented group to work with” commented Lisa.

Dr. Schatzmann selects a young horse for his own potential as a dressage horse rather than the bloodlines on paper. These youngsters, all different in breed and type, are from such lines as Sandro Hit, Waterford by Weltmeyer, Florestan, Donnerhall, Rubin Royal, and Pilot – a Holsteiner jumping line.

“I feel like a kid in a candy store. Laura keeps asking me to pinch her to make sure she is not dreaming that we are here.”