*Helmet Cam Alert* Ecogold-rider Clayton Fredericks on Pigrella - XC Novice

Video - Clayton Fredericks at the London Olympic Test Event

Ecogold-rider Clayton Fredericks talks to Horse and Country TV after walking the course for the London Olympic Test Event (his interview is right after the short commercial)

Best of Rolex Kentucky: The Saddle Pad Brag... with videos

We've been a little shell-shocked since the end of Rolex Kentucky. It was a lot of fun but also quite exhausting, with the Ammie Blogger Experience (more about that in another post), the Q&As with top riders, taking care of clients and partners, the trade stand set up/tear down, plus a three-day drive back in the rain... I don't think I've ever been so busy/sleep deprived in my life (outside of university).

We finally got home on Wednesday and found a nice message from Canadian Rolex photographer Michelle Dunn on my Facebook page: "Was there anyone NOT riding in Ecogold pads at Rolex???!!! OMG they are in every single photo I have, or so it seems..."

On Sunday before leaving, I received a very nice email from Glenn The Geek from the Horse Radio Network, telling me, among other things, that we should be proud of all the ECOGOLD saddle pads at Rolex. 

When you are so tired, you are not processing much information, you just want to go home and sleep. But now that we've been home for 24 hrs, let's be proud and brag a little.

• 7 riders in the top 10 rode in ECOGOLD Saddle pads! 

I don't quite remember how many we had last year, but we had zero two years ago. So we've come a long way in a very short time. (Virtual High-five!)

Here are the seven riders in the top ten with videos of their rides in ECOGOLD Saddle Pads (and some using ECOGOLD boots too)...

3rd - Sinead Halpin 

photo by: Tracy Porter

Sinead Halpin and Manoir de Carneville  - Cross Country 2011 Rolex Kentucky


Sinead Halpin and Manoir de Carneville - Show Jumping 2011 Rolex Kentucky

4th - 

William Fox-Pitt 

photo by: Jennifer Pavlinich

 William Fox-Pitt and Neuf des Coeurs -  Cross Country 2011 Rolex Kentucky

5th -Clayton Fredericks 

photo by: Calina

 Clayton Fredericks and Be My Guest - Cross Country 2011 Rolex Kentucky

7th - Jessica Phoenix

photo by: Calina

Jessica Phoenix and Exponential  - Cross Country 2011 Rolex Kentucky

Jessica Phoenix and Exponential  - Show Jumping 2011 Rolex Kentucky

8th - Hannah Sue Burnett

photo by: Aislinn Duke

Hannah Sue Burnett and St-Barths - Cross Country 2011 Rolex Kentucky

9th - Boyd Martin

photo by: Calina

Boyd Martin and Remington - Cross Country 2011 Rolex Kentucky

Boyd Martin and Remington - Dressage 2011 Rolex Kentucky

10th - Rebecca Howard

photo by: Tracy Porter

Rebecca Howard and Riddle Master - Cross-Country 2011 Rolex Kentucky

Perfect Rolex Hangover Remedy - The Complete Rider Interviews!

Meg Kepferle with Hamish Cargill

Another Rolex has come and gone, and you may have missed some of our coverage. One of the highlights was certainly having our riders come to our stand/"studio", for fun and informative in-depth video interviews. The questions were submitted by amateur riders, so they range from riding advice to more personal questions.

The sessions not only allowed us to get to know the riders better, but we also had a few scoops... like Sinead Halpin's "come to Jesus" moment on Thursday which set her up for ultimate success,  Karen O'Connor's discussing for the first time her plans after David becomes US Team Coach (it involves show jumping...), Diana Burnett's decision to widthdraw Manny and what Phillip Dutton would do if he were "King of Eventing".

A big Thank You to Meg Kepferle (Sinead Halpin's groom), Doug Payne and our own Amateur Blogger Carrie Braff, for hosting the sessions. And Thank You to our riders for taking the time to come by and being so gracious.

Here are some interesting conversations (funny at times) with ECOGOLD riders Hannah Burnett, Clayton Fredericks, Karen O'Connor, Hamish Cargill, Boyd Martin, Jessica Phoenix, Jessica Hampf, Rebecca Howard, Phillip Dutton, Peter Atkins, Sinead Halpin and Diana Burnett. Enjoy!

HANNAH BURNETT - Part 1 and 2

CLAYTON FREDERICKS

KAREN O'CONNOR - Part 1 and 2

HAMISH CARGILL

BOYD MARTIN

CANADA's JESSICA PHOENIX, JESSICA HAMPF, REBECCA HOWARD - Part 1 and 2

PHILLIP DUTTON - Part 1, 2 and 3

 

PETER ATKINS

 

SINEAD HALPIN

DIANA BURNETT

ECOGOLD's Clayton Fredericks at 2011 Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event

Ecogold rider Clayton Fredericks answered questions submitted by the public at the 2011 Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event. The video session was hosted by US Event rider Doug Payne. Enjoy!

ECOGOLD's Clayton Fredericks at 2011 Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event

Our 2011 Rolex preview – Part 1: The Aussies

Last year, we did a Rolex preview of our riders, which was quite popular, so we're doing it again.

According to our Rolex Counter on the right column, at the time I've started writing this, we're 8 days, 11 hours 22 min 8 seconds away. Squee! We've started shipping our boxes full of saddle pads, half pads, horse boots, catalogs down from ECOGOLD HQ in Montreal to Kentucky.

The riders' pads and boots are all done....except for a last minute rider who just asked me last night. You know who you are!!! Thankfully, I was able to squeeze it in, so we're all good.

Ok, let's start with the Australians, because #1. they're cool. #2. both Australians at Rolex will be riding in Ecogold pads. Very exciting. I'm pretty sure, at some point, they will come hang out at the ECOGOLD Stand #69 in the Trade Fair *hint, hint.

Clayton Fredericks

not Be My Guest but it's a cool pic

Clayton has to win the multi-tasker award. He rides, he coaches, he gives clinics, he sings, he has a TV show "In Control" on Horse and Country TV, he runs a saddlery business with his brother Kelvin in Australia... wow, I'm already tired just to think of how he manages all that.

He is coming to Rolex with his 13-yr-old mare Be My Guest (Lottie), who was 3rd at 2010 Burghley. Lottie is already on the Australian Elite Squad, with Clayton qualified for 2012 London Olympics.

She was entered both at Rolex and at Badminton, which was a bit confusing, but I was told a couple of weeks ago that Rolex was Plan A. So, they have probably withdrawn her from Badminton as I write this.

Here's a cool video from Fontainebleau, featuring both Clayton and Lucinda's Cross-Country rounds, riding in ECOGOLD Saddle Pads

Another video - Be My Guest - Showjumping Fontainebleau 2011

In other news, they have introduced a Free Members Area on the Team Fredericks website. You sign up here: Team Fredericks Members Area and you will have access to exclusive videos from Clayton at Rolex and a lot more.

Also, there's a very cool contest from Southern Stars Saddlery (his business). If Clayton wins Rolex, they will give away one of their saddles to a lucky winner picked randomly. All you have to do, is sign up for their newsletter to enter the draw: http://southernstarssaddlery.com/

Hamish Cargill

Hamish's XC Pad :)

He he... I'm super excited that Hamish has agreed to ride in our pads. I'm a huge fan of the videos he did at the World Equestrian Games...so as soon as I saw his name on the entry list, we got in touch through my super secret Australian source.. cough ESJ cough ;). Hamish sent back a message: "I'd be very keen to ride in the saddle pads, they sound like a fantastic product."

I've never seen him ride, but I figured he must be all right if he's coming all the way from Australia to compete at Rolex.

Samantha Clark caught up with him at the Kentucky Horse Park, and I was amazed at how nice he is. I'm average-nice, but would definitely not be so chipper after a 40-hour flight ordeal. I can't wait to meet him in person now.

And...Helmet Cam Alert! Hamish riding the Preliminary Course at the Walaby Hill Horse Trials

Our Rolex Kentucky 3 Day Event Preview - Part 3: The Non-North-Americans

Less than a week until Rolex and finally, every last order of saddle pads, horse boots and Air-Coolers needed by the riders has been shipped. Yay!! Now, we just have to pray for good weather and great performances.

Peter Atkins
Helmet-cam Peter rides for Australia but lives in Vermont. His wife is American but when I asked him if he would ride for the US, he said no. He also rides in Ecogold saddle pads, which proves he has very good taste. He’s bringing HJ Hampton to Rolex. You’ve probably seen his cute little ears on the videos from Red Hills and The Fork but below are some videos where you can see the rest of the horse. At Rolex, feel free to cheer “go Hen go!”

Something you might not know… He’s looking for a web designer that's not going to charge him an arm and a leg to help him with his site and convert his videos.

Peter Atkins and HJ Hampton CIC3*W Wits End


Showjumping at 2009 Bromont


ok...here are his helmet cam videos!

at Red Hills


Helmet cam at The Fork


Note: if you have a degree in English literature, stop reading right now!

OK, we are mainly going to cheer for our clients and Ecogold riders, because frankly, they are the bestests, nicests and most wonderfullest. But we can be good sports, and also appreciate riders that have less good taste in saddle pads (so far).

Oliver Townend
His horses have already landed in the US and unless that Iceland volcanic cloud keeps him from flying over, he’ll be the one to beat in Kentucky. He has 350,000 good reasons to try harder than any other rider. As he has the most to lose, you can bet he’s going to come out all guns blazing. If you’re a spectator, it puts another layer of intrigue (will he, won’t he?) to what is already an exciting show!

If he wins, I think we’ll be able to hear the screams of all his English fans watching online. I saw him win at Burghley and the roof just exploded!

Something you might not know… We met him at the Royal Winter Fair and were pleasantly surprised. Some riders we meet for the first time are somewhat guarded until we get to know them better, but he was very friendly and quite funny, with a quick wit and dry sense of humor.

Oliver Townend wins 2009 Burghley Horse Trials!


Oliver Townend and Carousel Quest, XC at 2009 Burghley


Clayton Fredericks
Another rider from the other side of the pond, he was 5th at Burghley Horse Trials with Poilu (Zara Phillips now rides that horse). He’s bringing The Frog to Rolex - don’t know who names his horses... We met Clayton and his wife Lucinda a couple of months ago in Aiken, SC but it was so cold, we could have been in Siberia. They kept on giving the clinic without complaining, joking around. The riders really appreciated the lessons, they are very positive trainers and came across as genuinely nice people. Big thumbs up! So we’re hoping he does well too.

Something you might not know… Clayton not only rides, trains and gives clinics but he is also the chairman of the Event Riders’ Association, runs a saddlery business with his brother (Southern Stars Saddlery) and apparently, sings in a band.

Here are a couple of videos, one from 2009 Burghley Horse trials and the other one is a look at Team Fredericks, filmed before the 2008 Olympic Games

Our video from Burghley – Clayton and Poilu, Showjumping


Video about Team Fredericks – filmed before the 2008 Olympics


So that concludes our Rolex preview, with a look at all the riders we'll be watching. Become a fan of our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter as we will be posting updates next week. If you are coming to Rolex, come see us in the shopping area (next to Prestige Saddles), and don't miss our autograph sessions with top riders Boyd Martin, Buck Davidson, Karen O'Connor and Phillip Dutton. See you in Kentucky! :)

- Patricia

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