Melissa Chapman has her sights firmly set on the top in the dressage world.  Here we find out more from the Catterick-based rider who is supported by Sue Carson Saddles.
 

Press Release - 08 March 2010

Melissa Chapman has her sights firmly set on the top in the dressage world.  Here we find out more from the Catterick-based rider who is supported by Sue Carson Saddles.

RISING dressage star Melissa Chapman has been riding since the tender age of two and admits to always being ‘horse mad’.

Now 22, and having competed in many disciplines over the years, Melissa now concentrates her energy on her love of dressage and eventing, and has an expanding team of talented horses to compete.

Melissa is well known for her ability to adapt to a wide variety of horses, their talents,individual needs and training requirements.

“I would like to think that I am very committed to my horses and motivated to do the very best I can for them.  Their wellbeing is very important to me and always comes first,” said Melissa.

Her talent is already being noted and Melissa is now on the World Class Training Programme which is a huge boost to her career

Melissa is also clocking up some very impressive wins at the North-East Regionals at Willerby Hill, near Hull recently took the honours in the Medium Restricted on Amaze me Grace, finished runner-up in the Elementary Open on DHI Work of Art and fifth on  Der Beste in the Medium Restricted.

Melissa trains with Ian Woodhead and says he has been a huge asset to her progress over the last two years.

“Without doubt Ian has been a big help and has really helped me to focus and reach new goals.  The Sue Carson saddles are also brilliant and play a major part in everything that goes into producing dressage horses.”

Melissa has a rapidly expanding team of horses including Arctic Cruising and DHI Work of Art who are undoubtedly the stars of the stable with Arctic Cruising concentrating on eventing and DHI Work of Art concentrating on the dressage arena.

Their competition records are already impressive and at only seven-years-old each they are destined for great things.

This year Arctic Cruising will do his first 2* and compete at Intermediate level while DHI Work of Art is off to the Winter Dressage Championships at Medium and Elementary level.

This will be followed with a plan to move up to PSG work with a view to qualifying for the National Championships at Advanced Medium and above. Also in Melissa's yard is Rossellini B who had a fantastic year in 2009 qualifying at Medium level for the Nationals.  This year will see him progress to Advanced Medium.

Der Beste will be concentrating on dressage this season looking to progress to PSG classes by the summer while Atlantiano will be busy this Spring competing and looking to qualify at Elementary and Medium for Nationals. This will be his first dressage competition season since joining Melissa last Autumn.

Melissa is also very excited about her new four-year-old Lismahon Highlander who will be contesting Burghley Young Event Horse classes and Shearwater Young Dressage Horse competitions.

In the last year Melissa has been fortunate enough to develop her own yard on her parents farm, where she has 12 large indoor stables, a heated wash box, 60 by 25m arena and plenty of paddocks.

Said Melissa: “I am very lucky as I also have a new horsebox which has been sprayed in team colours so the year ahead all looks very exciting.”

Building up her business, Melissa in full liveries for training and competition and she welcomes owners at all times.

We love going to competitions with everyone involved, it's a great day out and fun for all the team,” she smiles.

Melissa also enjoys teaching people at all levels and due to her experience in both disciplines, she helps a lot of horse and rider combinations.

For further information contact Sue Carson Saddles on 01629 540343 or visit www.suecarsonsaddles.co.uk