Heather Blitz

Heather Blitz (born December 25, 1968)[1] is an American dressage rider. Blitz won team gold and individual silver in the 2011 Pan American Games, and was a part of the U.S. Olympic team for the 2012 London Olympic Games. Blitz teaches Annie Peavy, who has been named to the U.S. Paralympic Team and will compete in the 2016 Paralympic Games.

Heather Blitz
Personal information
NationalityAmerican
DisciplineDressage
Born (1968-12-25) December 25, 1968
Horse(s)Paragon
Medal record
Equestrian
Representing  United States
Pan American Games
Gold medal – first place 2011 Guadalajara Team dressage
Silver medal – second place 2011 Guadalajara Individual dressage

Career

Blitz began competing in dressage in 1994. She rode in Grand Prix competitions in Florida on the Danish horse Rambo, then moved to Denmark for several years. While living in Denmark, she competed across Europe on another Danish Warmblood, Otto.[1] She won team gold and individual silver in 2011 at the Pan American Games.[1] Blitz has periodically taken lessons from six-time Olympic rider Robert Dover.[2]

Blitz's competition horse since prior to the Pan American Games is a Danish Warmblood gelding named Paragon, who stands 18 hands (72 inches, 183 cm) and is estimated to weigh 1,600 pounds.[2] Blitz herself bred Paragon, attended his foaling, and began training him herself when he was three years old.[3][4] She initially got the idea to breed him after riding his dam on a farm in Louisiana and being impressed with her gaits and temperament. Blitz originally intended to sell Paragon when he reached maturity, but later decided to keep him and compete him herself.[3] Paragon has never been trained or ridden in competition by anyone but Blitz. In 2012, Blitz was part of the United States Equestrian Team, and competed in the London Olympics.[2]

Blitz trains paralympic dressage rider Annie Peavy, who is scheduled to compete in the 2016 Summer Paralympics with her Hanoverian, Reno's Lancelot Warrior.[5][6]

Blitz lives in Wellington, Florida.[2]

References
  1. "USEF Network". Retrieved 8 July 2016.
  2. "Heather Blitz Competes Stronger, Fitter Paragon in 1st Show in Seven Months". Retrieved 8 July 2016.
  3. "Heather Blitz Designed Paragon Too Well to Sell, Now Pan Am & Olympic Hopeful". Retrieved 8 July 2016.
  4. "Ringside Chat: Heather Blitz's Path For Paragon Is Clear". Retrieved 8 July 2016.
  5. "Angela PEAVY". Retrieved 8 July 2016.
  6. "USEF Names U.S. Paralympic Equestrian Team for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games". Retrieved 8 July 2016.
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