CITORI SADDLES

Citori Consultants

Citori Saddles are only available from your Citori Consultant - all horses must be assessed prior to a saddle being ordered. This is to ensure you know how to monitor your horse's back and assess any adjustments required.

Margo Aasen, Aasen Farms, RD 1, Featherston; 06 308 8098 or 025 248 0770; aasenfarms@xtra.co.nz

I live in Featherston (Wairarapa) with my husband Timo on 10 acres, and have 5 horses of my own and agist two for a now-Sydney based equestrian. My horses are Beeches (14yo 16.3hh Tb Chestnut Gelding, wither like you've never seen! and the reason I asked Anthea to try and fit saddles at my place), Danni (4yo 16.2hh Tb Bay Mare, straight off the track - fantastic movement but still has steroids in her as she was raced as a 2yo, hence major skin problems), Rosie (3yo 16hh Grey Filly, Wairarapa

Stationbred, rather stubborn at times but a lovely horse, unbroken but excellent with natural horsemanship techniques on the ground, will be educated to saddle in autumn 2002 probably), Mary (9yo 15.2hh Tb Bay Mare, my broodmare, rescued from being dog tuckered, now proud mum to Connie), Connie (born 26 Sept 2001: http://community.webshots.com/user/margoaasen, by Catherino II (Andalusian) Bay Filly, the cutest thing you've ever seen.)

Because I have so many horses the fact the Citori could fit all of them was very special - as there wouldn't be one horse I would want to disadvantage with an ill-fitting saddle, but I am not in a position financially to own a saddle for each. Beeches was my main priority, but the young horses need to wear a correctly fitting saddle from their first days under saddle if we are to reach our potential.

I work extensively with natural horsemanship techniques (Andrew Froggatt, based in Waikanae) and believe in herbal alternatives, and feed according to the Natural Horse Care book by Pat Coleby - my priorities are the health and wellbeing of my horses, period. There Is nothing more important in my life. Which is why I love the Citori saddle and Anthea Burton - the most genuine person I've ever met.

I work at Telecom and manage the Project Office, a rather stressful job at times, which means I really appreciate coming home to my horses - and working in a calm and confident way with them. I really appreciate Anthea taking the time to train me in the Citori Saddling System and look forward to helping other people achieve their horse's potential, ensuring that as many people as possible know how to fit a saddle and monitor their horse's back, and improve the wellbeing of horses under saddle.

I compete regularly throughout the Lower North Island and look forward to seeing you out and about - contact me for private or group clinics, I am so thrilled to be able to share the Citori Saddling System with equestrians from Taranaki thru Hawkes Bay and south to Wellington.

Hello my name is Tina Portanger - I have now lived in Christchurch for approx. 5 1/2 yrs, previous to this my husband, daughter and I resided on the West Coast (please don't hold that against me) in a town called Ross - before this we lived in Auckland (don't hold that against me either) - I grew up in the Far North in a place called Ahipara, which is the south end of the beautiful 90 mile beach - my childhood playground.

I have been involved with Horses in way or another for at least 25yrs (probably more), primarily I am a hunting and eventing person - but like to dabble abit in everything. My horse experiences are very varied - ranging from Head Instructor at Kaiapoi Pony Club to being an extra on the famed Lord of the Rings. I have had a wide variety of instructors - ranging from Captain Mark Philips, George Morris to early days with Andrew Bennie. Recently I started to have problems with my beautiful horse Max - and was corresponding with Anthea (my sister)who at the time was developing the Citori Saddling System - Max went from a lovely horse gaining 10's in the dressage arena to not being able to get him near it - I tried everything I could - natural remedies, change of saddles etc. Anthea came down and assessed Max for me - I have never looked back - I have travelled and helped Anthea when she comes to the South Island - and it still amazes me to see the changes in horses when they are put into a correctly fitting saddle that allows them to move. I am a qualified Animal Technician who tends to lean towards the natural side of things - Citori Saddling System impressed me so much that I just love to go out and share this experience and knowledge with others - If I can be of any help - please don't hesitate to give me a call.