Tuesday, October 23, 2001

Heather Blitz Storms the ABIC/USDF Region Three Finals at Grand Prix and Third Levels

The fifteen-year-old Danish stallion Rambo, (Racot x Vigga, out of Ibikus), owned by Oak Hill Ranch in Folsom, LA, still has enough spring in his step to piaffe away with the Grand Prix Championships at the American Bankers/USDF Region 3 Finals, in Conyors, Georgia, October 6-7. Rider Heather Blitz said that all she had to do was keep him relaxed and supple and focused, and he performed brilliantly.

Together they won the Grand Prix Championship (60.6%) and the Grand Prix Freestlye Championship (69.75%). Blitz also was successful with Rambo's daughter Arabella, who is out of April, a mare by Lando. The five-year-old "child prodigy" won the third level freestyle championship (67.146%) and the Third Level Open Championship (68%).

Earlier this year Rambo won the Grand Prix Freestyle at Dressage at Equestrian Estates in Loxahatchee, FL. More recently he placed 22nd at Dressage at Devon. She said that in Conyers he started getting distracted and being a stallion, which is where keeping him relaxed was key. "In the warm-up I don't get him really up and fiery. I keep him pretty slow…if I warm up too long he's tired."

Blitz has been riding Rambo for two years. Before she started riding him he was short-listed for Sydney with Danish rider Leif Sorenson. "He is an active breeding stallion in the spring and fall," said Blitz. "He handles breeding and training on the same day and it doesn't really effect him."

Owned by Denise Arroyo, Rambo's daughter Arabella placed fourth earlier this year in the Test for Five-Year-Olds at the Young Horse Finals in Raleigh, NC. Blitz plans to do the Test for Six-Year-olds with her next year. Arroyo works for the State of Louisiana with delinquent and challenged children and rides as a hobby. "She saw Arabella at her keuring and liked her so much she bought her that day," said Blitz. "She doesn't want to ride her, but she's a perfect owner. She always watches and she brings a huge box of Kleenex!" she laughed.

She says that Arabella is willing and forward and always positive. "Even when she's difficult, it's because she's trying to do too much," she said. "If you teach her something once, she remembers. She's sensitive and smart and willing -- she's the most exciting horse I've ever ridden. Every day is exciting because something new happens! She digs it -- she likes it. I can't wait to see what the next few years bring."

Oak Hill Ranch, owned by Richard Freeman, stands Rambo at stud and imports and breeds Danish horses. Blitz is the resident trainer; every couple of months, Leif Sorenson comes to Louisiana to help Blitz with her training and keep Rambo on track. Next year she plans to train with Betsy Steiner and hopes to take both of the horses to Florida to train and compete.

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