Help Vanessa Shine at Dressage Nationals

Hi, I'm Vanessa Chavez, a lifelong equestrian and dressage enthusiast. My horse Navarone and I recently qualified for the USDF Dressage National Championships, and I’m raising funds to make this dream a reality. If you're reading this, you probably know me, but I’d like to share why this moment is so special.

I have a B.A. in Human Biology from Pitzer College, a 1 year old baby boy, Mateo, and 40 year old baby husband, Marcos. I began my riding career when I was 8 years old in Arvada, CO at Equinox. My grandfather owned and operated the Colorado Saddlery in Denver, and my mom Susan and I wanted to support the family business by learning to ride. Although the intention was to begin western riding lessons, my mom and I both began riding English. As time went on, I started showing English pleasure and saddle seat in the Stock Show and other local shows.

I trained my first dressage horse, Kentucky Rain, to second level and won many RMDS and USDF Championships at each level. I also trained my second dressage horse, Malaki, to second level and then found him a home as a hunter jumper. After an extensive search to find a horse that I would be able to grow and learn with, the search ended with an 8 year old Oldenburg gelding named Que Cir Que. "Cirque" and I quickly became successful in the show ring. I earned my Bronze Medal in 2003 at age 16, and competed at the USAE Junior Team Championships, the North American Junior and Young Rider Championships, and at age 17, I earned my Silver Medal.

Sadly, all good things end, and after a devastating injury, it was time to retire Cirque. He spent the rest of his life living it up on my mother-in-laws property, eating and relaxing with his buddies. He was the best horse I ever knew, a gentle giant. When he had to retire, a part of me was broken, further shattered by the triple loss of my Father, Grandfather and Grandmother in a 3 month span. I retreated from horses. There was a massive hole in my life, however, and after a few years, it was time, as they say, to get back on the saddle.

My mentor and trainer, Sandy Holtz, told me of a project horse at a barn called Blue Roof. A horse that was difficult, difficult to tack up, difficult to ride. They needed someone to help. This boy, Frolic, was a dragon, ready to spring and snort and stomp. I liked him from the jump. We formed a bond, and he helped me as much as I helped him. We went all the way to I1, schooling in Grand Prix. He helped show me what I was capable of, retraining a horse that was thought lost. He began to fill that giant Cirque-sized hole and helped me find a home at Blue Roof Equestrian, where I started Dala Dressage, and quickly my student roster was filling up!

When it was time for Cirque to retire and after getting the itch to ride again with Frolic, I began the search for a worthy steed of my own. That’s when I found Navarone, an Oldenburg with raw potential. Finding Navarone was a leap of faith, as I wanted to find a high level horse, but was eager to take on the responsibility of training a very young horse as well. The goal was to essentially make a bet, on myself and my abilities, that I would have the "eye" spot raw talent in a young horse, and bring it out. By chance, someone I passingly knew, Jenny Brauer, was in Germany on a horse buying trip. She had heard what I was looking for and saw Navi. He was young, very young, barely under saddle, but I knew from the many videos sent to me, that this guy was the one. So I did it, I took a chance. When he finally made his trip from Germany to my barn, he was a gangly scrawny adolescent. He and I have been a match made in heaven. We have put in countless hours together, pushing each other to expand and grow. Each year we have progressed, gotten more confident together.

I have been fortunate to have Sandra Hotz (FEI 4* Judge) as my trainer and mentor for over 20 years. She has guided me with skill and grace, teaching me so much. I can't put in to words how important she has been in my life. In addition, I spent time training with Olympic judge Lilo Fore in Santa Rosa, CA and with David Wilson in Chino Hills, CA. I have been able to clinic with Sonja Vracko, Conrad Schumacher, Debbie McDonald, James Shaw, JJ Tate, Chistoph Hess, Alfredo Hernandez, Bill Warren and many others. That is my horse life in a nutshell. I've had a passion for, and gift with, horse for a very long time.

This show season we worked hard. Very hard. The challenges of being a first time mother, while trying to navigate my passion and work have been exhausting, but at the same time, incredibly rewarding. We were able to secure a bid to USDF National Championship in 4th level. This is the first time I've gained a bid and I am very proud of the work we have put in. This fund raiser is to help me cap off what has been a great show season, show out like a proper Colorado horse girl, and make the Blue Roof Equestrian family proud.

With your support, we can take the final step toward Nationals and represent our community on a national stage. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference. Whether you can donate or simply share this page, I am deeply grateful.

Thank you!