Jeanne Kaleth-Martin and Roxy (CA)
Team #861: Jeanne Kaleth-Martin and Roxy
From: Palm Desert, California
Ages: 74 & 26
Combined Age: 100
Test: Training Level Test 3
I am a retired schoolteacher and business owner. My husband and I moved to the Coachella Valley four years ago. For the last 30 years, our family visited here often, and with my horses, I rode out of Equestrian Center International (ECI).
Over the years, I have owned and trained nine horses. As a child, I began riding at my grandfather's farm. I saved my money as a teenager and bought my first horse at 16. Yet my competition began when I was an adult in my 30s. I started competing as a novice in three-day eventing. Then I became committed to dressage.
My nine horses; first: a thoroughbred, we jumped together in many shows. Then I raised and trained a Westfalan mare from two to seven years old, when I sold her as a 2nd Level dressage horse. A Dutch gelding, whom I trained with Jil Walton, and sold him at 2nd Level also. Then I finally acquired a fully trained FEI horse who qualified at Intermediate Level. With him, I received my USDF bronze medal. I also took classes in the USDF L Education program in Michigan. He was injured at a show, from which he recovered, and went to a new owner, as a schoolmaster. Finally, I purchased an Oldenberg mare that was schooling Third Level. On her, we did many shows at Third and Fourth Level, and she now does light work and trail riding in the mountains and desert with me.
I was asked to teach dressage to the San Dimas Pony Club, which I enjoyed doing. I thoroughly love working with young children and enjoying their accomplishments. In between work and family, I found a way to compete all over Southern California. (Del Mar, LAEC, Visalia, Indio, and Rancho Murietta in the California Dressage Society Championship (CDS), where I took 2nd place as regional champion.) Always striving for excellence, I trained with Jil Walton, an Olympic three-day eventer; Bekki Vrono, dressage trainer in Murrietta; clinics with Jane Savoie, an Olympic dressage trainer; Willie Arts; and with Michael Cintas at ECI, also an Olympic trainer.
I completed the USDF L Education Program and had to log many hours as a scribe at horse shows. At ECI, I enjoyed scribing at Michael's dressage shows with judge David Smutz. I was always a volunteer scribe at Pomona CDS horse shows, and many times at Del Mar at CDI and amateur shows. I was also a member of the Pomona CDS chapter, volunteering and showing at local shows.
For two years in Rancho Mirage, I worked as an assistant trainer to Michael Cintas at his facility at EСІ. There, I schooled adults and kids on their horses, or Michael's ponies. Everyone enjoyed their lessons and always returned for many more.
