H PARAGON
The Epitome of
an American-Bred, International Horse
By Patti Schofler
eather Blitz had butterflies whirling around her stomach as she cantered toward “A” at the Pan American Games held in Mexico last year.
Was she nervous about her international debut competing for the United States? Not a bit. Heather was excited—excited to show all the curious spectators, who were anxiously awaiting their ride, her amazing horse Paragon. The result was worthy of the hubbub. Heather and her 18-hand chestnut partner earned Pan Am 2011 silver individual and team gold medals. In January 2012, they topped the dressage ladder to compete successfully at Grand Prix many times in Wellington, Florida, with their eye on the Olympics. And with good reason. They were ready.
Te Early Years
The pair has been together all of Paragon’s life, literally. She was there when he was born in Louisiana at Oak Hill Ranch. The Paragon of today—only nine years old, competing Grand Prix and a
contender for the Olympic team—is the product of Heather’s selective breeding and her training. At three weeks his trot was off the charts. At four and
a half, he learned flying changes and was developing his lengthenings. Lateral work came a little later, but not so much later. From the beginning he had a good sense of balance and he loved to work. “Everything he learned that he could do, he loved. Every day, it was as though he was playing,” Heather recalls. Yet his innate
ability and tractable temperament were tempered by the much needed growth and
muscle development awaiting him. At three he was 16.2. Today he is a statuesque 18 hands. “For a long time he didn’t have the muscling to go with his ability. He was like a gangly basketball player. People said I should feed him more. But there wasn’t a product that could keep up with the amount of bone and muscle he was producing to get to the size he is now. He wears a size five shoe,” says the six foot tall Heather, 43. Heather might not have had to wait had she instead taken the often-chosen path and bought a horse from Europe. “I work hard for a living, and talented, older, trained horses in Europe are very expensive. With
Left: Heather Blitz and her Danish Warmblood Paragon. Above: Heather and Paragon at the Pan-Am Games.
Warmbloods Today 19
Photo by Dee Kochensparger / MacMillan Photography
Photo by Robert McKean
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