dressagedaily.com nov. 2011

Eline Eckroth and Ukon Rock Win Custom Saddlery “Best Turned Out Horse” Award At Gold Coast Fall Fling
Submitted on 11/21/2011 to Custom Saddlery / Written by JRPR


Ukon Rock, a gorgeous American-bred Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Zane Weiss and ridden by trainer Eline Eckroth, rode away with the “Best Turned Out Horse” Award at the Gold Coast Fall Fling Sponsored by Custom Saddlery!Wellington, FL - Ukon Rock, a gorgeous American-bred Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Zane Weiss and ridden by trainer Eline Eckroth, rode away with the “Best Turned Out Horse” Award at the Gold Coast Fall Fling. Sponsored by Custom Saddlery, makers of handcrafted custom-fit dressage, jumping, and event saddles, the winner of the “Best Turned Out Horse” Award during the winter dressage season takes home a pair of DSB Dressage Boots from Custom Saddlery, designed to provide excellent protection as well as comfort for the horse.

Eckroth, who is from The Netherlands and operates Eline Eckroth Dressage in Ocala, was pleased with Ukon Rock’s performance at the show and the fact that the 17.3 hand gelding won the “Best Turned Out Horse” Award. “It was his first time to compete at 4th Level and we didn’t have any problems so I was very happy,” Eckroth said.

Ukon Rock, who was bred by StoneCrest Farm, was the 2nd Level Champion and 3rd Level Reserve Champion at the 2011 GAIG/USDF Region 3 Dressage Championships. Weiss has owned Ukon Rock for five years and a year-and-a-half ago turned the reins over to Eckroth for training. Weiss is quick to applaud Eckroth’s talent and her ability to move the horse up the levels in a short time.

“Ukon Rock is a striking chestnut gelding with a big white blaze and he looked great at the Gold Coast Fall Fling. His turnout was impeccable and I am honored to award him with the ‘Best Turned Out Horse’ Award,” said Cary Wallace, President and Master Saddle Fitter at Custom Saddlery. “A nicely presented horse is tradition at a dressage show and riders work hard to make sure that their horses look stunning. I am very happy to recognize Eline and Zane for their hard work and we know they will love the DSB Dressage Boots.”

As an official sponsor of the United States Dressage Federation, Custom Saddlery is a strong supporter of the equestrian community. “We have many clients who compete at the Florida dressage shows and we know it is certainly the place to be during the winter months. We love seeing riders competing in our saddles, it really is a fantastic feeling,” Wallace said, adding that when he sees a horse in a Custom Saddle he knows they are a happy horse because their saddle fits properly. “Custom Saddlery strongly advocates a saddle that fits correctly, for both the horse and the rider. If you have a question about saddle fit, please contact us or find us at a show and we will be glad to help.”

Custom Saddlery is endorsed by some of the finest riders in the world, and many of those riders made a strong showing at the 2011 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Festival of Champions in Gladstone. Riders at Gladstone competing in Custom Saddles included Steffen Peters, Tina Konyot, Heather Blitz, Kathleen Raine, Lauren Sammis, Caroline Roffman, Endel Ots and David Wightman.

For more information on Custom Saddlery, visit their website at www.mysaddle.com.

Dressage-news.com oct. 2011

Article onDressage-news.com
(scroll to bottom to read about Ukon at Regionals 2011)

Daily Sun 10-24-2011

Village of Pennecamp resident Zane Weiss, left, and Ocala resident Eline Eckroth stand with Weiss’ horse, Ukon Rock, on Sunday at Oak Lake Farms. The horse won grand champion in the second level of The United States Dressage Federation Region 3 Championship on Oct. 14 and Oct. 15 in Ocala.

.Posted: Monday, October 24, 2011 8:00 am


Villager’s horse named grand champion at United States Dressage Federation Region 3 Championship in Ocala
By KATIE BACKMAN, DAILY SUN The Villages Daily Sun

THE VILLAGES — Zane Weiss proudly adjusted Ukon Rock’s championship ribbons the 10-year-old horse won during a recent dressage competition.

The Village of Pennecamp resident owns Ukon Rock, a Dutch Warmblood, and she said she’s very proud to call him a champion. The horse competed in The United States Dressage Federation Region 3 Championship on Oct. 14 and Oct. 15 in Ocala.

Ukon Rock competed in the second and third levels out of a total of nine levels, which consist of training through grand prix competition classes. Ukon Rock and his trainer, Eline Eckroth, won the second level and was deemed the grand champion. They earned second place in the third level, which earned them the reserve champion title. Dressage is a French word for training, Weiss said. The purpose is to develop the horse’s natural athletic ability and willingness to work making him calm, supple and attentive to his rider, she added. Dressage is considered the art of equestrian sport and is used as the groundwork for other disciplines, she added.

In modern dressage competitions, the horse and rider are expected to perform a series of predetermined movements from memory. The horse has to demonstrate walk, trot and canter paces with smooth transitions from each pace, Weiss added.

Weiss knew her horse was talented when she bought him five years ago, but she didn’t expect to win the championship.

Weiss said Eckroth has been an excellent trainer because she has advanced Ukon Rock from first level to fourth level in just about a year, when usually it takes a year to advance each level.

“I’m very proud of Eline and Ukon. The two of them just match, they are like magic together,” Weiss said. “He’s a large horse and she’s a tall ride, and they fit together perfectly. My horse just adores her.”

Eckroth, of Ocala, said she was surprised and honored that she won champion and reserve champion titles in each level during the competition. Eckroth said this competition was her first championship win, but she expects continued improvement because Ukon Rock enjoys working and learning new techniques, Eckroth said.

“He’s a talented horse and he works hard to learn new things,” Eckroth said. “It was pretty awesome winning at the competition, it was definitely unexpected.”

Weiss has had a passion for horses and riding since she was involved in a pony club in her youth. Throughout her life, she has owned three horses. She adores Ukon Rock, whose shoulders stand taller than 6 feet, because he’s such a talented and loving horse.

“Whenever I tell anyone I have a horse, they have to come and see him,” Weiss said. “Sometimes people are scared of him because he’s so tall, but he’s a gentle giant. I love him and I love watching him advance with Eline.”

Katie Backman is a reporter with the Daily Sun. She can be reached at 753-1119, ext. 9264 or katie.backman@thevillagesmedia.com.

Channel 2 news 10-25-2011