Dressage at Dorado Andaluz is headed by Alexis MV, who earned her USDF Silver and Gold medals, and Silver freestyle bar aboard the farm’s horses. She is a graduate of the USDF L program with distinction, using her education in judging to help the horses excel in competition. The show horses at Dorado Andaluz enjoy their lives as horses are intended to: outside with the herd. This, along with cross training on the farm’s ample trail miles keeps these athletes happy in their work and in shape.
“My horses’ physical and mental well being is the most important thing. I do my best to ensure that they understand what is being asked of them in every step of training, and that they are fit enough to do it with ease.” Says Alexis, who keeps her riding skills progressing with regular lessons from Rachel Saavedra and sessions with long time mentor, Mary Wanless. “The basis of biomechanics that I’ve learned from Mary is the foundation of my riding and teaching. The horse can only be a good as it’s rider, so I work at improving myself everyday.”
Each animal is unique, but youngsters here typically start their riding careers at 3 years old and make a first appearance in the dressage show ring at 4. The systematic approach of the sport, dictated by the Training Pyramid is the guideline for the training, coupled with a sensitivity to preserving each horse’s individuality. This “make haste slowly” methodology has helped our horses, such as homebred Castiza DA go from green youngster to FEI competitor in 4 years. Another homebred star, Galana DA is gearing up to continue her winning ways in 2018 after a season of staying home to gain strength and education towards FEI. Galana was a star at 2nd level in 2016, finishing the season 18th place nationwide with an average score over 70%, 4th in USDF region 7, and 5th in the CDS 6 yr old Futurity.
Alexis Martin-Vegue




Facility




Dorado Andaluz and MV Training call the Bighorn Ranch in Mount Aukum CA home. The farm has a beautiful, safe custom barn with 11 12' x 14' box stalls and 5 12' x 20' foaling stalls with cameras. All stalls have dairy mats with 6" of crumb rubber beneath and Nelson automatic waterers. The fully insulated barn also has 4 wash stalls with heat lamps, two tack rooms, a feed room, a full breeding lab, a collection phantom, veterinary stocks, bathroom with shower, 6 8' ceiling fans and safe non slip flooring. The 90' x 220' covered arena has GGT footing over Otto Sport mats for superior dressage footing. A full wall of mirrors, lights and automatic sprinklers makes for a lovely riding experience. A 60' round pen, several safely fenced pastures and approximately 8 miles of trails complete the peaceful gated facility. Bighorn Ranch is located 40 minutes east of the premier Northern California show facility of Murieta Equestrian Center in Rancho Murieta CA.


