And how did the saddle come to be named the Ansür?

Crystal's Story

Crystal, a lovely bright chestnut Thoroughbred, was destined to be a racehorse, but that dream never materialized when it was discovered he had wobbles. Despite successful wobbler surgery, Crystal had never developed balance. At six, he successfully negotiated a novice cross-country course. But he jumped through, not over, stadium fences.

When Nancy Hinman bought him, he was bright, willing, but uncoordinated. He'd fling himself around in frustration. But work was physical therapy, and so they persevered. He learned leg yield, shoulder-in, half-pass, even piaffe. But canter eluded him.

Departs were a struggle. They tried walk pirouette/canter, shoulder-in/canter, piaffe/canter. He would lift into canter, bunch up, lurch onto the bit with a 'harumph'. Canter was a disaster.

Eventually Becky Holmes bought Crystal, and continued his work.

Crystal, now under Becky, went easily under this new saddle. Then it came time to try the canter. Crystal lifted, coiled, and … nothing. No lurch, no lunge. Only a bright, surprised eye. It didn't hurt.

Crystal had made his statement. Crystal could canter… without pain.

It was the answer. And that's how the final prototype became the Ansür.

Epilogue:
Crystal succumbed to the Montana fires of 2000. The smoke weakened his immune system and he contracted a virus, which moved into his heart. He was put down in September of 2000. We are sincerely grateful that Crystal, this great horse, this willing camper, this wonderful volunteer, lived long enough to do without pain everything his rider asked of him.