O'Connor Eventing Camp 1 - Natural Horsemanship

Yesterday, we were at the 2010 O’Connor Eventing Camp in Lexington, VA. The O’Connor Eventing Team hold a few camps annually, in different locations around the USA. Karen O’Connor and David O’Connor often team up with another instructor, and for this camp, it was top event rider Cathy Wieschhoff. There are about 20 participants, from children on ponies to adults (there’s a rider competing at the CCI1* level).

We expected to see a dressage lesson at the beginning of the camp. Instead, the O’Connor camp starts with a full morning of theory and natural horsemanship lessons. In addition to being a fabulous way to get riders to bond with their horses, they teach the horse to listen to the rider, which results in the horse being more attentive and respond to a gentler aid.

Enjoy the video!

O'Connor Eventing Camp 1 - Natural Horsemanship Techniques

Canadian Eventing Team - "Aim for the Games" Fundraiser Sunday June 27

A group of dedicated volunteers have organized a fundraiser to help the Canadian Eventing Team going to the World Equestrian Games. It is this Sunday, June 27 at East Side Mario's in Mississauga,ON near Toronto. There will be a silent auction where you can bid for an ECOGOLD saddle pad and Cross-Country Horse Boots. Several team riders are expected to attend. Support this fantastic event!

Ecogold riders on Canadian Eventing WEG Team Short-List

The Canadian Eventing High Performance Committee announced the names of the Canadian Eventing Squad for the World Equestrian Games. The WEG Squad will participate in a training sessions and preparatory competitions throughout the summer leading up to the final training camp, which will take place in September prior to the Games. The final team of up to six rider /horse combinations and alternates will be named in September.

Several Ecogold-riders made the cut. Click on their names for their profiles in our Hall of Champions:

Diana Burnett and Manny
Jessica Phoenix and Exponential
Kyle Carter and Madison Park
Hawley Bennett and Gin and Juice
Stephanie Rhodes-Bosch and Port Authority
Rebecca Howard and Riddle Master
Ian Roberts and Napalm
Michelle Mueller and Amistad
Selena O'Hanlon and Colombo.

Congrats!!!!

Jessica Phoenix 3rd at Bromont Three Day Event

New mom and ECOGOLD-rider Jessica Phoenix rode 2 horses in the Bromont Three Day Event CCI3* and finished 3rd with Exponential, riding in ECOGOLD's Secure XC Saddle pads. Here are the show jumping videos!

Jessica Phoenix and Exponential finish 3rd at Bromont CCI3*


Rebecca Howard and Riddle Master finished 2nd - Bromont CCI3* Showjumping Video


Buck Davidson and Mar de Amor finished 5th - Bromont CCI3* Showjumping Video


Jessica Phoenix and Exploring - Bromont CCI3* Showjumping

Bromont Three Day Event - Dressage Videos

The Bromont Three Day Event is our only local CCI (about 1 hour from ECOGOLD headquarters in Montreal, Quebec) and we love to support this great event. The facility was used for the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games and this year, it is entirely being renovated. The competition is underway with many riders proudly sporting Ecogold's Secure Dressage saddle pads. Here are some videos!

Jessica Phoenix and Exploring - Dressage test


Jessica Phoenix and Exploring - Warming Up before the Dressage test


Buck Davidson and Cruise Lion


Diana Burnett and Wild T'Mater


Jessica Phoenix and Exponential

Diana Burnett's horse Rocco wants his neighbor's halter

Every barn has a trouble-maker... meet Rocco, a multi-talented horse from Diana Burnett Eventing - Canada short listed Event Team member, who rides in Ecogold Saddle pads and horse boots. Rocco really likes his neighbor's halter and would like to have it. LOL!

A tour of Jessica Hampf's Aiken barn

Earlier this year, we visited Canadian Event team rider Jessica Hampf's Aiken barn. Jessica was born in London, ON but moved to Nashville, TN when she was 6 years old. She now lives in Auburn, Alabama - I made her repeat the Alabama part twice when she first gave me her address...Wasn't sure I heard right. Her top horse is High Society III, an Australian thoroughbred who competed at the 2009 Blenheim International Horse Trials in England.
Jessica trains with Jan Byyny, who is based in Aiken, SC in the winter. She rents a barn next door to Jan's which we had the chance to visit. Enjoy the tour!

The house on the property The barn - Jessica came to Aiken with 5 horses High Society after his dressage training session Jessica and High Society (aka Trevor) who will compete at Rolex Kentucky 4* for the first time. Nolan, Jessica's #1 fan!