Our Story
My name is Alessandra Schwartz, owner of Schwartz Manufacturing Company and an amateur dressage rider.
Years ago, while training in Wellington, Florida, I noticed the wide variety of footing additives being used in riding arenas there and also throughout the country. The highest-performing fiber footing products were made from nonwoven materials—the very type of product my family’s business has manufactured in Wisconsin for generations. It quickly became clear that the nonwoven felt fabric produced by Schwartz Manufacturing Company was ideally suited for use as a premium arena fiber additive.
Then it hit me: Could I combine three of my favorite things—horses, riding, and nonwovens?
The answer was a resounding yes. Serendipity.
My love affair with horses began at four years old with a Shetland pony named Sheba and a collection of cherished Breyer horse models. What started as childhood fascination evolved into a lifelong passion when I discovered the Andalusian horse after receiving Robert Vavra’s book Equus at age ten. Up until then, my riding experience had been limited to western trail riding, but I found myself drawn to the elegance and discipline of English riding. That journey eventually led me to dressage and the beginning of a grand adventure with the magnificent Spanish horse.
Like me, horse owners understand that horses are more than animals—they are a way of life. They are your passion, your commitment, and often your obsession. Every detail matters, from nutrition and training to the footing beneath their feet.
