Dousman, Wisconsin, a nearby town to where I grew up. I have been
riding horses for as long as I can remember and ever since I was a very
little girl I knew that I wanted to ride and train horses for a living. I think
my extreme obsession with riding began when I was only 13 years old. I
remember this year very well. I was starting to get into being a teenager
and probably was not riding as much as I should have been. At the time
I was riding a clients horse in the barn by the name of Heather. I
remember one evening my mom telling me that if I did not ride everyday
that she would not allow me to compete anymore. Well that was it! The
thought of not being able to compete made me realize that, horses and
competing was what I loved best. From that day on I have been obsessed
with riding and training my horses and myself to the best of my ability.
"Thanks mom for setting me straight as a teenager. If it weren't for you
doing that I don't know if I would be where I am today."
I grew up riding only hunters and jumpers following in my grandmother
and mothers footsteps. When I was 18 I made the trip to Lexington, Ky
to watch the Rolex 3-day event. Within probably 30 seconds of watching I
knew that, that was what I wanted to do. Since 1999 I feel I have come a
long way in my riding. With very little to no instruction (until recently) I
have won many horse trials and been named 2002 national novice rider
of the year and 2005 national training rider of the year. I hope I can
continue on this path all the way up to being Advanced rider of the year
someday!
people! I would like to thank:
My parents: Rich and Julie Sadowske
My grandma: Barbara Timmel
My husband: Ron Strauss
My Sister: Caity Sadowske
My sponsor and huge supporter: Sue Bolle
And All My Other Sponsors Past and Present.
My first Teachers: My Aunt Laura Luterbach and my Mom
My dressage Instructors: Bev Shaw, Patti Becker and my
current dressage teacher Lisa Froehlig
My Longtime friend, coach and Mentor: Terri
Buzan-Kemp
My Friend and Coach: Mark Krause. Thank you for all
your help at the events.
My working students: Past and Present Thank you!
My Mentor and Coach: I would like to thank my idol,
mentor and teacher, Phillip Dutton. I have only been riding
with Phillip for a short time, but what he has taught me has
had the biggest impact on me and I look forward to a
lifetime of learning from him.
