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 Sinead Halpin at 2011 Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event

Sinead and Manoir de Carneville

Ecogold rider and our good friend Sinead Halpin spent some time in our stand at Rolex Kentucky before the show jumping round, with her groom / our fantastic interviewer Meg Kepferle.

Sinead talked about her first Rolex experience, sitting in 4th and the highest-placed American rider after cross-country. And also answered questions submitted by amateur riders.

ECOGOLD rider Sinead Halpin at 2011 Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event

Tracy's Friday Rolex (just a little bit late!)

I feel like the M.I.A. blogger!! Due to a series of epic FAILS, I find myself sitting in a McDonald's writing my Friday blog on Saturday!
First and foremost, I hope that everyone has safe clean rides today and also a whole lot of fun!
Walking the course with Jessica Hampf yesterday I realized many things about the sport I love. Not only do you need to be incredibly fit to ride these horses but you need to be incredibly fit to walk a four star course! Jessica was FABULOUS about explaining the jumps, the quality of gallop she looked for between fences, and the canter she wants before her take-off point. Jessica made me feel like a friend, not a guest as she patiently answered all of my questions. I asked her what she thought of the course and she told me that it was a "Trevor" kind of course.

While my experience yesterday did not go the way I planned, I learned that it is impossible to have a bad time at Rolex and sometimes plan B is better than the best laid plan A. I did not see a single Dressage ride in it's entirety, but I spent a lot of time in the warm up. Spending time there gave me a better feel for what the riders are like as people, not just the well oiled machines we see in the arena. Some spent the entire time with lots of warm up, perfecting every movement that would be asked while some worked for a shorter time and let their horses relax. I watched grooms and coaches bustle around while horses patiently stood for the final preps. Sinead Halpin was especially nice, chatting with people and allowing a few to pet Tate before she finished her warm-up. The rest of my Friday experience was spent doing large amounts of shopping and helping to support our equestrian economy! Festin will be so happy when I come home with all of his new gear, especially his new ECOGOLD cross-country boots!

Sinead Halpin & Manoir De Carneville (Tate)
Oh and I almost forgot to mention one of my other highlights, a personal introduction to Peter Atkins and a nice chat about his riding & his amazing horse Henny.

I will add an album to Facebook once I stop at Wal-Mart for a new card reader, just another one of my epic FAILS yesterday!

Arrival day at Rolex Kentucky - Ours.

Jessica Hampf & High Society at Rolex

My day started with a text from Glenn The Geek from the Horse Radio Network inviting me to chat about our Rolex Ammie Experience on the Horses in the Morning radio show. I've been a guest a few times and it's always a blast. Jamie and Glenn are just delightful. You never feel like you are "on a show", it feels like you are just chatting with friends... friends that get up early!

Here's the link to the podcast, I'm at 9:45, so 45 minutes in :  click here

Then we headed to Lexington

The weather has been wet, wet, wet and the forecast doesn't look too good for the next couple of days:  showers and thunderstorms.

Forget wellies. This guy is coming to Rolex prepared

 Later on, we checked in our hotel in Georgetown, Kentucky and were greeted by this sight near the elevator.

Australian WEG Team Shirt thanking the hotel staff... Love the Aussies!

 Then we headed to the Kentucky Horse Park and were greeted by Karen O'Connor (humongous poster).

KOC in Ecogold pad. Yeah!

Then, it was all hugs and kisses - actually, I don't think we hugged or kissed anybody (maybe Sinead... sorry,  I think I forgot in the excitement) - but it was great to see our lovely friends/sponsored riders and their grooms. We spent a little time chatting with them and then, made the rounds playing Santa, delivering the saddle pads our riders will need to compete at Rolex. Ok, let's post some pics in chronological order.

First, we saw Jessica Phoenix's Exploring getting a massage

Then, spent some time with our good friend Diana Burnett

Diana's horse Manny was a little sleepy...

Met Jessica Hampf and High Society (aka Trevor) as they were arriving at the Park

Delivered saddle pads to this Rolex contender: Phillip Dutton's Truluck (aka Milo)

By late afternoon, we learned (through Rolex competitor @leashker on Twitter..follow her!) that tomorrow's jog had been moved from 3 PM to 10 AM due to the weather. As I like to check things for myself, I immediately went to the show office, where it was confirmed. Actually Canadian rider Rebecca Howard told me as she was coming out of the office, having had the same instinct... not that we don't trust Twitter reports or anything...

About the jog. I tried to get a sneak peek of the jog outfits but  most of them were #1. in the car #2. at the campground #3. and some people still had to shop for shoes (you know who you are...)

Jessica Hampf's jog outfit - if it rains, it goes with a cute pastel rainjacket on top

Hannah Burnett's Sunday jog outfit - it's a lucky show jumping day jog jacket. Worn by Steph Rhodes-Bosch last year

Then I checked out who was going to be riding their dressage test in helmets. FEI rules don't require helmets, so it is a question of personal choice from the riders part. Glad to report that all three riders I asked, were planning to ride in their helmet.

Jessica Phoenix and her dressage helmet

Jessica Hampf in her dressage helmet (she will also wear it for cross-country)

The third rider is going to get fitted for a brand new helmet by our friends at Charles Owen tomorrow. THANK YOU Danielle and Roy!!! We will post photos.

A familiar sight around the Rolex Kentucky stables

Sinead Halpin's Manoir de Carneville (aka Tate) has an ECOGOLD banner in his stall to keep him company

Jessica Hampf's GIRLS ONLY sitting room  (except for dad Carl Hampf)

Then, we went out of the barn area and saw the British riders arriving. Saw Oliver Townend and William Fox-Pitt in the enclosed quarantine area for non-American riders.

The non-American horses are stabled in a separate area

 Then, watched as some riders schooled their horses.

Jessica Phoenix and Pan Am hopeful Pavarotti

And finally, found our way to the trade fair to see where our stand is. It is on the upper level, near the media center. It's #69 on the program but beneath a sign that says 116... don't ask. We will set up tomorrow morning and open for business on Thursday.

This is our location. We are setting up tomorrow. See you all on Thursday!

Rolex 2011 Preview - Part 2: Sinead Halpin and Hannah Burnett

Here are our next two ECOGOLD-rider profiles for the 2011 Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event. Two lovely ladies! One that I know well....the other I just met a few weeks ago and am looking forward to getting to know better because she is charming. (Sinead is also charming. We only sponsor charming riders)

Oh, before I forget...I have to mention that our first Ammie Rider article was posted this morning. This is a cool project where a team of Ammie Bloggers (aka Rolex spectators) will bring you a fresh perspective on the 2011 Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event. We'll have a few more articles before we actually get to Kentucky next week and once there, prepare yourselves for heaps of fun. (read it here: Carrie's Rolex Experience!)

Sinead Halpin

Sinead and Tate at Boekelo

Before I start profiling Sinead, those of you who read and enjoy her blog on the Chronicle of the Horse, can start sending me Thank You cards at Patricia c/o ECOGOLD, 4180 de Courtrai Suite 388, Montreal, Quebec H3S 1C3 - Canada. I bug our riders relentlessly love to nurture and encourage talent and have always enjoyed Sinead's writing, so I have been annoying the heck out of her encouraging her to keep it up. Thank God, she is gifted with superior intellect and listens to me (sometimes). :)

Sinead will be competing at Rolex for the first time, with her partner Manoir de Carneville (aka Tate), a 2001 Selle Francais with heaps of personality and flair. I just pinched that from her website and have no idea who wrote it, but the "heaps of personality and flair" part is a spot-on description of Tate's rider. 

Last year, Tate was qualified for the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event, but an unfortunate injury kept him from competing. After months of rehab, work-out sessions in the pool (see video), he was able to rebuild his strength and come back last summer to compete at Boekelo, Holland.  The pair is on a roll this year, with a 4rd place finish at The Fork CIC*** a couple of weeks ago, and a win in the Southern Pines Advanced in March.  Go Taters!

Tate in the pool... you've come a long way, baby!

When I asked Sinead her thoughts about competing at the 2011 Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event, she said: "I started dreaming about riding at Rolex as a young kid. As a teenager, I made the decision that I would do whatever it took to make Rolex a reality. Now as an adult, approaching Kentucky, I almost feel like that kid again; inspired, excited and looking forward to participating in America's ultimate event". Wow! Did I tell you she was great? 

 And did I tell you she was fun?

 

Last piece of news, Sinead doesn't have a jog outfit yet, but she's working on it. Going shopping tomorrow!

 Hannah Burnett

Hannah and St-Barths

You probably know Hannah from her blogs: for EN, the USEF Eventing High Performance Blog and also her own blog on her website and for being a rider of the O'Connor Event Team.

I'm really grateful that I had the good judgement to contact Hannah this afternoon, to verify a few things, because what I had written previously in her profile would have been a bunch of lies... well, basically 1 lie. I thought she was competing at Rolex Kentucky for the first time and this will be her second... but her first on St-Barths (aka Nike), thus the confusion. 

In 2007, she rode the now retired Keep the Faith, who also was her 2006 NAJYRC partner. Here's a cool article profiling them. (click here for article - Love Google!)

I also learned that she is from Kentucky (thought she was from Virginia...oops), which should give her the home-field advantage and get her the biggest cheers from all the local fans, specially the Kentucky Pony Clubbers. 

When I asked her thoughts about competing at Rolex, she said: "I've been trying ever since 2007 to get back to compete in my home state of Kentucky. I feel very blessed to be on a horse that not only can get me there, but also be a contender. Not only am I excited to compete at Rolex, I can't wait to see everybody who has been supporting me since I did my first Pony Club Rally. This week, I am a bit antsy! I just can't wait to pull into the Kentucky Horse Park"

Hannah and St-Barths are on the 2011 USEF High Performance List, won the Fair Hill International CCI** in 2009 and the CCI*** last year. I was there in 2009, and her win was quite memorable...Cue video (I'm lucky she is super sweet or I would be in big trouble...)

 

Hannah is super talented, not only can she ride but she is also a fantastic singer. I'm working on getting her to do a duet with Clayton Fredericks at our stand.... Oh, and for the record, if Hannah wins Rolex, it will be because of my great motivational skills and the power of positive thinking.

Ok, let's plug some good stuff! Here are a few products that Hannah and/or Sinead will be riding in. Click photos to view the products!

Sinead Halpin's top horse getting fit in the pool

We're glad to hear that Sinead Halpin's top horse Manior De Carneville (aka Tate) is on the mend, after an injury earlier this year which sidelined him from the Rolex Three-Day Event.

Here he is having an aqua-therapy fitness session (aka - fun in the pool.)