Gretchen Bentz and Turn Up The Heir

photo by Linda Wollaber

Name: *Gretchen Bentz* 
Age: *16* 
How long have you been riding?: *I have been riding Saddlebreds for 8 years but I started riding about 10 years ago.* 
Who is your current horse: *Turn Up The Heir* 
Who have you ridden with or currently riding with?: *Neva La Fleur, Marlene La Fleur, and Sarah McClintock at La Fleur Stables in Verona, Wisconsin.* 
What division of equitation do you show in?: *Pleasure Equitation 14 - 17* 
Accomplishments: *2006 and 2007 pleasure equitation high point grand champion, asaw pleasure equitation champion (year end award), mid-america **pleasure equitation champion (year end award), multiple wins and reserves across the midwest, top ten in the pleasure equitation olympics in both 2006 and 2007* 
Goals: *I want to become better at taking my time and not rushing patterns. I also want to get even more unified with my horse. * 
What would you tell other riders about showing equitation?: *learn your horse and know what you need to do to make him/her happy because without your horse you are nothing. Equitation is not just about the rider, it is about the rider and the horse working as a team. You cannot have good form or execute a pattern well if you and your horse are fighting and working against each other.*