June 05, 2008
Top Classical Trainer Bettina Drummond Joins the Growing Matrix Equine Team
Bettina Drummond, one of the most respected classical trainers and riders in the world, has joined the growing Matrix Equine Team. Bettina started feeding the Matrix in the spring of 2007 to Ilyad, one of her top Lusitano breeding stallions, in hopes the Matrix would help him hold his weight during breeding season.
Bettina was so pleased with the results on Ilyad that she has since placed several of her other stallions on the Matrix. Among them is her Quarter Horse stallion "Vousy." Bettina is a true believer in riding as a form of art and she frequently provides riding exhibitions, particularly for charities. She and Vousy are planning exhibitions for this upcoming year to show off the healthy look one can see on a Matrix horse.
"We are thrilled that a horsewoman of Bettina's caliber has opted to join the Matrix Equine Team," said Matrix Vice President Keith Manfred. "Bettina is someone who would never support a product that didn't prove itself to her and we see her support of the Matrix as a positive message to other riders and trainers that the Matrix really does promote overall good health in horses."
Ecuyer Bettina Drummond was seven years old when she was brought to Portugal to study with Nuno Oliveira, one of the 20th century's greatest equestrian masters. Bettina spent the next 17 years in training with Mr. Oliveira, becoming one of his leading students. Along with Mr. Oliveira, Bettina has been both influenced and coached by some of Europe's finest equestrian trainers, among them General Durand,Ecuyer en Chef and Commandant of the French National Equestrian School in Saumur and Lieutenant Colonel Paolo Angioni of the Italian Cavalry.
Bettina travels throughout the U.S. and Europe to teach and train in the French classical system, the goal of which is the attainment of absolute lightness with horse and rider in complete balance and harmony. It is this ultimate lightness in each horse that Bettina has pursued throughout her equestrian career. And that career has been one of tremendous success as a breeder, trainer and teacher. She earned her instructor's license at the young age of 16 and her trainer's license at the age of 19.
Equestrian talent has a long history in Bettina's family. Her early 18th century French ancestor, the Count de Melfort, was commander of the Cavalry School at Versailles. Bettina has dedicated her life to continuing this family tradition of pursing excellence in horsemanship and sharing that knowledge. She has the distinct honor of having been invited to ride horses at the French National Equestrian School in Saumur where she was presented with a Hermes silk scarf in gratitude for her performance.
Evidence of her talent as a rider and trainer is visible each time she performs with one of her own horses. She has trained several of her own horses to perform the movements of haute ecole and has showcased their talent and hers at exhibitions throughout the U.S. She was both trainer and rider of the famous Andalusian stallion, Embajador XI which served as the 1996 Breyer Model Andalusian Stallion.
Bettina is also a highly successful breeder, particularly of Lusitanos, and a trainer of young horses. Both her own young horses and those she has trained for clients have received high ratings and awards in breed competitions. Bettina is also considered one of the world's foremost experts on work-in-hand. This approach, which is excellent for addressing physical weaknesses through the use of gentle repetition and balance adjustments, would be a lost art if not for remaining experts such as Bettina.
Among the breeds, the Lusitano is clearly Bettina's favorite and she is an acknowledged expert on the breeding, training and riding of this breed. However, she has excelled in working with horses of all breeds, as her Quarter Horse stallion Vousy shows. Bettina believes that there is never an end to learning and finds great pleasure in discovering something new from each horse and each breed with which she works.
The Matrix welcomes Bettina to its team! A growing number of top riders and trainers are discovering the benefits of Matrix nutritional supplements. These benefits include promoting healthy joints, reducing inflammation, boosting the immune system, increasing stamina and reducing stress and anxiety.
Matrix nutritional supplements are produced by Golden Gourmet Mushrooms of San Marcos, California. They are 100 percent certified organic nutritional supplements made from up to 10 of nature's most potent medicinal mushroom varieties. The Matrix is available in formulas for horses, humans and small animals. More information on Matrix nutritional supplements can be found at www.mushroommatrix.com.
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