 SendonWay is pleased to welcome Brenda Ridenour and her Hanoverian Don Regale MF! The pair joined SendonWay's team in July 2007. Regis, as he is known around the barn, is a playful yearling with a bright future. Here are just a few of this talented colt's accomplishments:
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USDF Horse of the Year colts/gelding 2006
* Hanoverian Horse of the Year, 3 years and under
colts/gelding 2006
* Reserve Grand Champion MSEDA Show 2006
* Highest Scoring Hanoverian at the MSEDA Show 2006
* Devon 2007 8th place yearling colts/geldings
* Devon 2007 6th place 2 years and under Hanoverian
(fillies/colts and geldings)
* Devon 2007 4th place Breeders Group
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Here is Brenda’s “horse story,” in her own words:
Like many young girls, I always wanted to own a horse, but could not afford one until I was living on my own. But I couldn't actually afford one then, either! My first horse was a quarter horse mare that I bought for about $200, trained her myself and rode her around on all the back country roads of southern Ohio.
When I moved back up to northeast Ohio with my horse, I met my best girlfriend Laura at a boarding stable (we've now been friends for over 20 years). Owning horses can lead to lifelong friendships. Laura and I got involved with owning racehorses. In my twenties I assisted her with starting thoroughbreds for racing.
It was at that time that I had a horse flip over on me, and I spent over a month in the hospital. I was unable to walk for almost a year. Still in my twenties (young and dumb) with three horses, I moved to the far east side of Cleveland where jumping was the “thing” to do. |
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With a metal plate in my leg and a mended shattered lumbar and sacrum, I told my doctor I was going to start riding and jumping horses. Of course he thought I was completely crazy....OK, so I was.
I sold the horse that flipped on me and my quarter horse had to be put down from a very bad case of naviculars disease. I was left with an off-the-track thoroughbred that survived the big fire at Thistledown. He had some issues, but who wouldn't after being pulled out of a burning building. So I began my show jumping career with Kathy Chanel of Brickhill Farm.
My horse’s show name was Made in the Shade, but his registered name would not do well for the hunter scene (The Mad Barbarian). Ian, as he was called around the barn, won me hundreds of ribbons and taught me many of life’s lessons. Of course, along the way he brought me together with more lifelong friends.
Much to my dismay, jumping had taken its toll on my already broken bones. I had one bad fall and decided it was time to give up jumping and try dressage (I thought it would be safer; and by this time I had a son to take care of).
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I left Brickhill to start my new adventure. However, that experience was delayed by, oh...over 10 years! I leaned over to place a baby blanket (of all things) in the back seat of my car...and wham! My back went completely out. I tried riding about nine months later but could not. I sold my horse and hung up my boots.
Being of a competitive nature, I started showing dogs years later. That lasted for many years and resulted in more ribbons, trophies and lasting friendships along the way. All the while, I remained friends with my horsey people, but never rode.
One day while I was out walking two of my big dogs (long story), they pulled me off my feet and I broke my collarbone. At this time I was in my forties, and broken bones really hurt! But I healed.
 Still friends with my horsey folks, I thought, “What the heck, I may as well ride a horse again…I can get hurt doing anything!” So with the suggestion of a friend (no, I don't think she hated me) I rescued another off-the-track thoroughbred that hated mankind. I had Millennium Maker for several years and trained him through his mistrust in mankind with the assistance of the Parelli program and Julie McElhaney. Together we won many ribbons and I made even more lifelong friends. But, the wear and tear of racing took its toll on Millennium Maker, making dressage riding difficult, and he is now living a quite life in Kentucky.
But I always yearned for a great dressage horse. So, as a birthday present (won't say which one) my husband Bill purchased Don Regale MF for me. Regis, as he is known around the stable, was only five weeks old and WOW what a birthday gift he turned out to be! I agreed with the breeder to show him in three shows under her care and guidance. By the end of that year, Regis had become the USDF weanling of the year (colts/gelding), Hanoverian of the Year 3 years and under (colts/gelding), and Reserve Grand Champion (presented by Hilda Guerney). And, he accomplished all of this before six months of age! Regis once again has filled my life and home with ribbons, trophies and lifelong friends!
My dressage dreams and journey have just begun, as Don Regale MF will begin his dressage career in the near future with his talented trainer Nancy Lewis-Stanton...ribbons, trophies and lifelong friendships will continue to be made!
Brenda and Bill Ridenour
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In addition to her accomplishments with horses, Brenda also has a talent for handling another type of four-legged animal: Dogs!
On May 31, 2008, Brenda competed her 9-month old dog Aslan in a local competition. Although it was the first time either of them had competed at such a high level, the pair won Best in Show their first time out!
Congratulations from everyone at SendonWay, and we wish both
Brenda and Aslan many
more victories!
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