SMART Ambassador Polly Vogel

Being a veterinary surgeon, welfare and scientific research are extremely high priorities for me, and it is reassuring to know that so much care has gone into the development of the saddle range, both for horse and rider safety, and comfort.

I’m an aspiring dressage rider based in Devon, competing regularly at affiliated British Dressage, including having ridden for Devon in the Inter County Teams. I have two gorgeous horses; Archie who is 22 and semi-retired and Lady who is my current dressage partner.  

Lady is a 9-year-old pure bred Connemara, who I am currently competing at BD Elementary, aiming to progress up the levels in my SMART Elite Dressage saddle. She is a kind, polite and slightly sassy girl.  As our partnership continues to grow, we are starting to learn the more advanced techniques together.  Lady also loves a good canter along the beach, flying around a cross-country course or a gallop across the moors - and can even be found doing pony club mounted games.

The  SMART Elite Dressage saddle suited her native shape yet still has the appearance of a more traditional saddle and can easily be refitted to accommodate any physical changes. I can see such a physical difference in Lady and an improved freedom of movement especially in the shoulders since using the SMART Elite Dressage saddle.

 

I absolutely love the positive change I noticed in my mare from the first trial of the SMART Elite Dressage, saddle which has continued on and is now showing in muscular growth and development, and improved marks at dressage. She is happy and comfortable, and I also feel secure and stable, which I would not have thought previously when not in a traditional treed saddle. The lightness of the saddles has a dual benefit for me, as I know it is lightweight on my horse's back but also easy to carry to the tack room or load into my trailer.

The ability to customise the saddles through the personalised cantle design is perfect for the dressage diva in me, as it now matches my jacket perfectly and I have had many positive comments about the aesthetics when out competing.

When I'm not playing ponies, I love to walk my dog Danny along the beautiful coast path with my awesome, crazy family and stop for some coffee and cake. I work as a full time Veterinary Surgeon, so my day usually consists of being surrounded by a mix of different animals consulting and doing surgery, which I thoroughly enjoy.

I am very excited to work with such a fantastic innovation in design for both horse and rider.