2005 Dressage at Devon - American Junior Riders Championships

Meet the Riders - Ryan Eskridge and Rubin

Juggling the pressures of high school mixed with riding competitively can be a struggle for some, but 15-year-old Ryan Eskridge handles it all with ease. The resident of Charlotte, North Carolina has been riding for six years, but has been devoted for dressage for a year and a half. Her mount, Rubin, the 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding (x Rohdiamant) was purchased for Ryan for her 15th birthday earlier this year. Her trainer of two years, Diane Ritz found Rubin for Ryan in Virginia with Linda Oliver and realized the two would be wonderful together. The horse was moved to North Carolina shortly after to begin his new partnership with Ryan and her family.

In just one year, Rubin and Ryan have earned their USDF Bronze medal together and are working on their Silver. Rubin was previously trained to the Grand Prix, but has been shown at that level yet. He was trained and developed by Linda Oliver. “I have never ridden anything like him, he is an amazing horse! He is an extremely well-mannered, shy horse who has a lot of patience with me.”

After competing in 7 qualifying shows this season, the pair landed a spot on one of the three junior teams, Team Liberty and made arrangements to ship Rubin up for the competition. Their season average coming into this competition stands around a 66%. They were fourth in the Junior Preliminary Test at Devon with a 60.8%. “I want to put in good rides at Devon and have a good time with my team mates. I am very excited to be here.”

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