17 May 2012

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NEWS from Horse & Hound Online : Inspiration behind the Elevator range of bridles dies

Elevator

Thursday 2 February 2012

Flora Watkins, H&H news editor

Elevator, the mare who inspired the comfort range of bridles, has died at the age of 31.

Lorraine Greene’s “little chestnut mare with the huge heart” was put to sleep after a bout of colic.

The problems Lorraine encountered with “Ellie” while concentrating on dressage prompted her to design the Elevator bridle — which relieves pressure on the horse’s sensitive poll area.

Lorraine told H&H: “She was a typical ‘red-haired female’ — plenty to say for herself, attitude in abundance and sensitive to the point of no return.”

A qualified saddle fitter, Lorraine tried “all sorts of padded contraptions” on Ellie’s head before she found a design that worked.

The range now includes saddles, girths and headcollars.

“Ellie had a great life showjumping, eventing, dressage and in her later years competed in the veteran classes — much to her dismay, as she still thought of herself as a filly!” said Lorraine.