Meet Hannah and Valiente

If you've been to the Earl Warren CDS shows and others, you may have noticed a lovely horse rider combination with a bay PRE and a young lady with a maroon-colored jacket.

That would have been Hannah Finder and her 16-year old gelding Valiente. Hannah lived in Northern SLO county for 20 years and now appreciates the amazing weather in Santa Barbara county.

When she got Valiente in 2020, he had chronic tendon issues and she spent a long time rehabbing him.

We had an amazing show season in 2022 where we were ranked the number three amateur in the nation at first level, and in 2023 we not only won RAAC and USDF Regional Championships, but were ranked number one amateur in the nation at second level."

Unfortunately, Valiente was able to compete at only one rated show at third level before he developed ERU and can no longer compete at rated shows due to needing UV Eye protection. But determined as ever, Hannah decided to continue on the training scale to fourth level and testing their skills competing fourth level at schooling shows. Hannah is doing all her own training with the occasional lessons, participating in the CDS Adult Amateur Clinic when possible, and utilizing other opportunities to learn and grow her skills in Dressage.

Prior to Valiente, Hannah owned a big gray AQHA gelding named "Rope of Honor" (barn name Sol). Eventing at the time, she got him as an Eventing prospect, but switched their focus to dressage after he fractured a sesamoid. She competed Sol through Intermediate 1 with scores in the mid sixties and they won numerous AQHA year end high points and USDF All Breeds!

For Hannah riding and competing comes with extra challenges as a type 1 diabetic. Despite the challenges, she's achieved her USDF Bronze and Silver medals and only needs two Grand Prix scores to finish her USDF Gold Medal. "That's my ongoing goal!"

A CDS member since 2009, Hannah thinks that SBC-CDS is such a fun and supportive group. She loves that the chapter continues to grow and host fun events to keep everyone involved.

I really appreciate all the ways our members get recognition, whether it's through the volunteer thank you event, year end awards and high point awards at the shows.

She enjoys helping out at the chapter shows and cheering everyone else on, so expect to see Hannah as a volunteer at the upcoming show!