Justin Ridgewell

Canada

Profile Information:

A Bit About Me and my Horse(s)

I began my riding career at the age of nine just outside Windsor, Ontario. I earned riding lessons at a young age by working and volunteering at the Windsor Essex Therapeutic Riding Association. By the age of 11 I was competing in the hunter ring at local schooling shows in the Windsor/Essex area. Winning many awards, championships and trophies my interest in horses and riding was pushed into high gear. I purchased my first horse Dakoda, a young weanling colt, straight out of a field. Taking the time to gain Dakoda's trust and building a strong relationship helped me when it came time to break the young colt myself.

By the time I turned 18 I had taken over management of Meadowbrook Equestrian Center in McGregor, ON. After spending almost two years at Meadowbrook I packed my bags, put Dakoda on a trailer and headed off to Michigan for a summer of equestrian fun. Employed by Double JJ Ranch and Resort I played the part of a wrangler for the next nine months until an unexpected phone call brought on an interesting opportunity.

On October 15, 2004 I once again packed my bags and headed eight hours north to Stouffville,ON where I was given a dream job for any horse enthusiast. I was granted the position of groom/working student to Canadian Olympian and World Equestrian team member Belinda Trussell at the beautiful Oakcrest Farms. I was coming from a hunter/jumper background so the thought of being a student of an Olympic dressage rider was extremely intimidating. I gave dressage a chance and in the end I have never looked back. It is highly addictive once you start. I went on to train, ride, and compete under the tutelage of Belinda. Oakcrest Farms and Belinda then merged with John MacPherson Equestrian to form what is now the current elite dressage training facility.


The immense knowledge, patience and encouragement from both Belinda and John helped me to achieve my childhood goal of competing at the FEI level. I was given the chance to show Jacardo, a KWPN stallion, in my first Prix St George competition. Finishing 19th out of 27 riders with a 61% for my first time at that level was a breath of fresh air, especially since I was up against many of Canada's professionals in the industry. I have had a lot of ring experience, competing horses at many dressage shows from training level to PSG and earning Championships along the way.

In 2010, I was invited to ride in two fund raising quadrilles for Polo For Heart and the World Equestrian Games send off party. I rode Konnor, a 15-year-old gelding owned by Oakcrest manager Wendy Hoehne.

Currently I am schooling young, green horses and grand prix mounts at home and bringing along a very talented KWPN gelding 'Well Done' (Welly), owned by John MacPherson. I have high hopes for Welly in the next few years with my eyes on the 2015 Pan American Games being held just outside Toronto, ON.

Country

Canada

Website:

http://www.oakcrestfarm.com

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