Akiko Yamazaki Rides Ravel as Equine Therapy Celebrity

12 years ago StraightArrow Comments Off on Akiko Yamazaki Rides Ravel as Equine Therapy Celebrity
Ravel ridden by Akiko Yamazaki making celebrity appearance for equine therapy. Ravel was retired to Akiko's Northern California farm after last summer's Olympic Games. © 2013 Jerry Yang
Ravel ridden by Akiko Yamazaki making celebrity appearance for equine therapy. Ravel was retired to Akiko’s Northern California farm after last summer’s Olympic Games. © 2013 Jerry Yang

Ravel was ridden by Akiko Yamazaki in a celebrity appearance for the benefit of the equine therapy center near the horse’s retirement home of Four Winds Farm owned by Akiko Yamazaki and Jerry Yang in Northern California.

Akiko, who bought Ravel for Steffen Peters to ride for the United States–which he did in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, medal winning at the 2010 World Equestrian Games and 2009 World Cup title holder–at the therapy center she rode at in rehabilitating from a riding accident 12 years ago.

“What an honor to be able to ride no other than the King in front of so many supporters!” Akiko said of the event attended by about 200 people.

“He was so amazing! From the warm up at home, to walking in the center with baby strollers, kids running around, he was all business and as usual put 150 per cent effort into everything we asked of him, including posing for photos.

“We had a huge line. I think we must have posed for at least 80 shots! And then Miki rode him home proudly!

“It is amazing that he keeps giving and giving… people told me they were crying when they were watching him and I get a bit teary eyed just thinking of his amazing character.”

Akiko will be at the World Equestrian Festival Nations Cup in Aachen, Germany next week to watch Steffen ride her Legolas for the United States team.