Rebecca Rigdon Blake
I have been riding for the past thirty seven years and competing thirty five of those years. I attended the University of Kansas from 1996-2000 and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. Currently I have 13 horses in training ranging from young horses schooling Training level through Grand Prix.
To date I have started 100+ horses, trained 50+ through Third Level, 26 all the way through Prix St George, and 10 through Grand Prix (6 of the 10 Grand Prix horses I personally trained from three and four year olds).
I had 21 students that have received their Bronze medals, 9 with their Silver medals, and 2 with their Gold medal.
I graduated 'with distinction' from the USDF judges L-program and had my 'r' judges license, and was accepted into the 'R' program. I worked to complete my USDF Sport Horse Judge’s License, as well as, worked to complete my learner judge status for the American Holsteiner Horse Association.
I graduated 'with distinction' from the USDF judges L-program and had my 'r' judges license, and was accepted into the 'R' program. I worked to complete my USDF Sport Horse Judge’s License, as well as, worked to complete my learner judge status for the American Holsteiner Horse Association.
I was invited to be a demo rider for the USDF National Symposium in 2002, on my mare Milan, with Conrad Schumacher and to attend the Trainer's Forum in California on January 20-21, 2001, also instructed by Mr. Schumacher, as well as riding in Young Rider's clinics with him from 1993 to 1998 continuing past YR to now. I have had the honor to still be working with him twenty years later.
Continuing in 2003 I was also invited to be a demo rider for the up coming USDF National Symposium with Kyra Kyrkland and in 2006 with Ingrid Klimke with two horses.
In the years 1989 to 2009 I have received 30+ Kansas City Dressage Society year-end awards, from Training level through Grand Prix. I have received 31 Region IV and Midwest Championships (First through Grand Prix, junior and open); several Holsteiner All Breeds awards, including National Holsteiner Champion, 2 United States Dressage Federation Young Rider National Champion year end awards at First and Third level both on Caviar. As well as numerous individual level Championship awards at various shows ranging from Training level Champion to FEI Champion.
I was the winner of the North American Breeders Futurity Finals for FEI 6 year olds at Devon in 2003 on a mare that I bred and trained.
I finished 8th overall in the US for the FEI six year-olds in 2008, and in 2018 was National Young Horse Reserve Champion in the 4-year-old division and third overall in the 5-year-old division.
I finished 8th overall in the US for the FEI six year-olds in 2008, and in 2018 was National Young Horse Reserve Champion in the 4-year-old division and third overall in the 5-year-old division.
I coached Jena Dick who won the USDF Horse of the Year in the Third level junior division in 2005 and competed at Young Rider’s. As well as, her sister Tessa through Junior Championships where she finished 10th overall.
I trained with my mother, Arlene Rigdon, for several years. She is an USEF "S" judge and trainer of numerous horses through Grand Prix. She has received her Bronze, Silver, and Gold USDF Rider Medals and was long-listed for the United States Equestrian Team several years; she trained extensively with Colonel Bengt Ljungquist.
I trained extensively with Conrad Schumacher, the former coach for the British Olympic team, as well as the coach for the USDF young riders for many years, and the trainer of European Champions.
I have continued my career in San Diego where I have expanded my education by attending Master Classes and Symposiums with Carl Hester, Charlotte Dujardin, Christine Traurig, and Guenter Seidel. I am fortunate to continue my education with Christine Traurig with my young horses, and Guenter Seidel with my FEI horses on a regular basis. They both compliment our training philosophies very well.
I have continued to coach my professional and adult amateur clients through Grand Prix to Regional and National wins.
In the breeding arena in 2003 one of my mares was the USDF Cosequin Mid-States Reserve Champion Mare and in 2004 my weanling was Grand Champion. Three of my mares were Champion or Reserve Champion of their approval sites and in 2006 my mare Una Bela was not only champion of her site, but she received the second highest score for mares in the history of the American Holsteiner Horse Association with 55 bonits (8877799). Two of the premium mares that I have bred, Milan and Versace', I trained through schooling all of the Grand Prix. Versace' successfully competed through Grand Prix recieving 70%.
I spent three winters competing and training in Florida, as well as one winter training in San Diego with Christine Traurig, before my permanent move to San Diego, California. I made my full time move to the Peters Barn, Arroyo del Mar where I spent the next 10 years. Just prior to my move I had spent 6 months working in Germany for the Holsteiner Verband as an auction rider where I was responsible for training several horses to be sold, as well as training their stallions that had come back from testing.
Since 2015 I train alongside my husband at our beautiful Facility Ad Astra Stables in Encinitas CA.
I have been extremely fortunate that I have always been well mounted and have been provided with many opportunities to learn numerous aspects of training, competing, and breeding. I have always aspired to not only be the most patient, tenacious, correct rider and trainer that I can be, but to further my career beyond the national limits and to push beyond the International walls. I hope to earn recognition and respect in this sport globally.
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