David Blake
David started riding when he was four years old in Paris, France. At the age of sixteen he received his USDF Bronze Medal and at the age of seventeen he received his Silver.
Just a short few years later he received his Gold medal all on a horse that he had trained himself. David went on to participate in numerous Young Horse training sessions which led him to great success in Young Horse competitions during the developing stages of the program. He was the winner of the National six-year-old division in 2006 and went on to compete in the World Young Horse Breeding Championships in Verden, Germany on Lord Albert as a five-year-old in 2007. He has continued his success winning several CDI’s in the small tour and Grand Prix, as well as winning numerous Regional and National Championships.
Most notably, Reserve Champion in the Intermediare I Championships on Royal Prinz. He was then selected by USEF to compete abroad with his Grand Prix horse Ikaros representing the US at Hickstead and Lingen in 2015. He has also taken on the task over the years of training and campaigning several breeding stallions to prepare them for their US licensing.
David has had the extreme pleasure of training with some of the greatest in the business; Jan Ebeling, Christine Traurig, and Stephen and Shannon Peters. David is now working regularly with Guenter Seidel, a longtime mentor and highly respected Olympian. Guenter has been instrumental in David success in the past few years notably guiding David through his first CDI Grand Prix tours in Europe.
David has the pleasure of being married to and working with his wife Rebecca Rigdon. They are located in Encinitas, California at the beautiful Ad Astra Stables. Rebecca is not only a valued business partner but is an integral part of his daily coaching and training.
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