The Story Behind the EQ Cover Models
When it came time to launch the EQ Saddle Science brand at the end of 2017, we were nearly ready to go! We had tested our saddles for two full years, trademarked our name, patented our saddle, designed our logo and chosen the unforgettable colors, but we were missing a “hero” image to anchor the launch. When we saw this photo of Kerri Coufal on the Kundrun’s Bon Ami, we loved it! The flowing softness of the horse, and the rider showing such intensity on her face but none at all in her body embodies the sport of dressage, when it’s at it’s best. I still love this photo, every time I see it.
- Carmi Weininger, EQ Saddle Science founder, and saddle designer.
My Journey with Bon Ami, the chestnut “Cover Model” for EQ Saddle Science.
By Kerri Coufal, EQ Ambassador, Trainer, Rider and USDF Bronze & Silver Medalist based in Wellington Florida.
“A little back story about myself, I grew up jumping and showing locally. My first introduction to dressage was after college (2010) working at a private dressage facility outside of Kansas City that is owned by Linda Landers. In 2015, I was ready to make a big change in my career and life and was lucky enough to get a grooming job with Ali Brock. I ended up traveling through Europe and ultimately to the 2016 Olympics in Rio taking care of “Rosie” and helping Ali.
Ali knew my end goal was to ride and train so when we returned she started giving me more opportunities to ride.
Backstory on “Bon”: Bon Ami was purchased by Fritz and Claudine Kundrun for Ali as an Olympic prospect. He was schooling all the Grand Prix movements and Ali had shown him PSG a couple times. He had a freak accident in his stall one evening and ended up needing surgery on his hock and quite a bit of time off. He was very lucky to be able to be ridden again but was never quite the same after and struggled to get fit enough to do the Grand Prix work consistently.
After returning from Europe, Ali, Fritz, and Claudine decided to give me the ride on Bon Ami. I had never shown above 1st level and Ali wanted to give me the opportunity to get experience at PSG on a schoolmaster. Ali and the Kundrun’s are extremely generous people and I was very grateful for this opportunity. Keeping Bon sound to compete at the small tour level was still a bit of a challenge. Not only did he have an old injury but he is a big horse! One issue he had was back soreness and the saddle would contribute to some of it. Ali was asked to try the EQ Science Saddle early on in its development and she agreed to put it on Bon Ami. I had already competed Bon a couple times but we were always searching for something that would work better for us. The saddle instantly put me in a better balance. It allowed Bon more freedom to carry himself correctly and in a way that didn’t make him sore.
The positive difference within 2 weeks was noticeable to me, Ali and our vet. Bon is a big horse and I am smaller so tightness in my hips and placement of my legs can be an issue. The EQ saddle felt more narrow in the twist so I was able to sit better and use my legs and seat more effectively. We continued to compete at PSG that summer and went on to win Region 1 Open PSG Championship in the fall, and this was only my first season competing at that level. We moved up to I1 the next winter season and Bon always went in the ring and gave me what he could. I am truly grateful for that and the confidence he gave me to go out and feel successful. I truly believe the saddle played a part in his ability to stay sound a little longer but unfortunately he could only handle the stress of being an FEI horse for so long. Bon and I parted ways after competing for almost 2 years. After me, Bon taught a few young riders and even Claudine rode him some but ultimately the decision was made to retire him. He is now loving life in a field with his friends in Virginia. He was exactly what I needed to make the jump in my riding and a good saddle is such an important part of that journey. I am grateful for Carmi, Arlene and the whole team for fitting us into something that made my horse happy. I always put my horses first and it’s even better when both of us love the saddle we are in. “