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)

Ecogold Launches Horse Junkies United, a Blog by Amateur Equestrians, for Amateur Equestrians!

We are very excited to announce.... that ECOGOLD has created a new website for amateur equestrians, “Horse Junkies United”, by and for amateur equestrians from different English riding disciplines.

The content is written by Amateur riders from across North America who are actively involved in dressage, hunter/jumpers and eventing. The goal is to provide cool, fun and meaningful content - with a point of view - that will relate to amateur equestrians across all English disciplines. The blog will cover all aspects of English riding including coverage of events and shows across North America, clinic reports, fashion, informative product reviews, and interviews with professional riders, special segments and of course contests!

The blog, which can be found at www.horsejunkiesunited.com, is the brainchild of Patricia Da Silva, ECOGOLD's Marketing VP. “After the successful Ammie Blogger Experience at Rolex Kentucky, where a team of amateur riders covered the event on ECOGOLD’s blog, some of the bloggers expressed an interest to keep going,” she said. “It just made sense to create a separate website and to bring in dressage and hunter/jumper riders to be more representative of the North American horse show scene.”

In 2011 ECOGOLD was the winner of the Equestrian Social Media Award for Best Use of Social Media in Category 14 - Saddlery or Tack Company - International.

ECOGOLD is proud to welcome CHARLES OWEN & CO. as their first partner. Danielle Santos of Charles Owen said, “Horse Junkies United is a great idea! Amateur riders across disciplines love to share their experiences and this blog gives them a place to do that. Charles Owen is proud to be involved in such an exciting new project.”

Another feature of the blog will be reviews of Boyd and Silva Martin’s training videos. The Martins, who are both sponsored by ECOGOLD and CHARLES OWEN and compete at the international levels of eventing and dressage, respectively, have created a series of training videos. One of the Horse Junkies United bloggers will watch the videos and write something about each one.

Carrie Braff, an amateur event rider from Ontario, Canada will be Blogger-in-Chief for Horse Junkies United. “We really want this site to branch out to ALL the amateur English Discipline riders out there.” said Carrie. “What better way than to have the content be written by amateur riders who are not only intelligent but funny, witty and somewhat crazy.  After all, if all of us horse junkies were normal, let's face it, we'd have nothing interesting to write about!”

While the blog will feature regular contributors, anyone can submit blog posts or get involved by emailing info@horsejunkiesunited.com

Check it out!!!!! www.horsejunkiesunited.com

Doug Payne and Peter Atkins - Cross-country Recap from 2011 Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event

Peter Atkins gives his thoughts about the cross-country phase at 2011 Rolex Kentucky and answers a few questions from Doug Payne.

ECOGOLD's Phillip Dutton Q&A at 2011 Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event

Phillip Dutton at the ECOGOLD Stand

ECOGOLD-rider Phillip Dutton was at our stand earlier today answering questions asked by US event rider Doug Payne . Boyd talked about how he finds top quality horses, how he plans a competition season for a horse, what he would change if he were "king of eventing", what he does to make his students successful and how it felt to win Rolex in 2008.

1/3 ECOGOLD Phillip Dutton at 2011 Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event

2/3 ECOGOLD Phillip Dutton at 2011 Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event

3/3 ECOGOLD Phillip Dutton at 2011 Rolex Kentucky Three Day Even

Calina & Cheryl's Friday Morning Dressage Recap - 2011 Rolex Kentucky

The clouds may look a little daunting in some of the photos but so far it has just been windy and a little chilly here for Friday morning dressage. The rain is thankfully holding off and hopefully the soggy cross country course is drying out. Although very few people were here yesterday morning to see Allison's test on Arthur, the stands were quite full this morning for dressage.

We got here around 9am and headed straight to dressage warmup to see Ecogold rider Hannah Sue Burnett warmup St Barths. She wasn't yet onand looked quite nervous, but her wonderful groom Shannon Kinsley made a few jokes and she relaxed. Her warmup was lovely and coach David O'Connor watched on.

I was so impressed with the horse - I am not sure I have seen him go in person before (at least on the flat). Her test was absolutely lovely and scored quite well despite a few bobbles in the canter work. I cannot wait to see them go cross country tomorrow!

Canadian rider Rebecca Howard and Riddle Master had incredible trot work and canter work until the last serpentine, where a few mistakes made. Despite the bobbles, this WEG combination had an excellent test and are currently the top placed Canadian pair, with just Jessica Phoenix and her WEG mount Exponential to go this afternoon.

The horse that most impressed me (and probably everyone else here) was Tiana Coudray's Ringwood Magister. As she is based on the west coast, this is the first time I have seen them go. He is absolutely stunning and I was thrilled to see them as the new leaders.

Tiana Coudray and Ringwood Magister.

Ecogold rider Karen O'Connor on Quintus 54 went next and put in a solid test. There is clearly room for improvement and it will be interesting to see how this horse looks this time next year.

Karen O'Connor and Quintus

As I sit here in the empty grandstands writing the blog, Rolex is kindly showing clips from the Royal wedding on the big screens. I will continue watching this as Calina finishes editing her pictures for the blog.

Our afternoon plans involve watching Sinead Halpin's warm up during lunch break and then watching the rest of the tests this afternoon.

Don't forget Boyd Martin will be at the Ecogold booth (#69 in the arena) at 1pm for a Q&A and the lovely Canadian riders are doing a Q&A at 5:30pm.

ECOGOLD's Karen O'Connor at 2011 Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event

Our informative and entertaining video series continues, with the fantastic Meg Kep hosting a Q&A session with ECOGOLD rider and eventing icon Karen O'Connor. Karen tells us what she is going to do now that David has been appointed as US coach, talks candidly about her career , differences between the UK and US, what makes a successful rider, her training methods and a little tribute to the pony that could, Teddy O'Connor.

Part 1 - ECOGOLD's Karen O'Connor at 2011 Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event

Part 2 - ECOGOLD's Karen O'Connor at 2011 Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event 

Who will be at our stand #69 in the Trade Fair Arena

- Friday at 1:00 Boyd Martin

- Friday at 5:30 Canadian Eventing Team

- Saturday at 12:00 Phillip Dutton

Stay tuned for more Rolex coverage from our Ammie Bloggers and our Video Q&A Sessions with ECOGOLD Riders.

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

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!

Helmet cam alert! Doug Payne and Running Order - The Fork CIC3*

Enjoy this helmet cam video from Ecogold rider Doug Payne!

Kristin Schmolze is heading to Badminton!

This is the title of an email I received a few weeks ago, asking me if we would supply the saddle pads for Kristin's first trip to Badminton. As we already sponsor the top (and most prolific) riders in America,  it is a challenge for us to support more upcoming riders on a regular basis. But my answer in this case was: "You bet!" Representing your country overseas is always very special for a rider, and we wanted to be part of Kristin's Badminton journey.

Looking at the Badminton entry list, there are at least eight Ecogold riders representing four different countries. In the coming days, we will do a little profile of each of them. First up:  Kristin Schmolze

Photo credit: Tim Poulsen

Kristin Schmolze of Califon, NJ and her Irish Sport Horse gelding Cavaldi (Joey) are competing at Badminton for the first time. The pair has already been around Rolex Kentucky and the Burghley CCI**** and they have been training hard with US Coach Capt. Mark Phillips as members of the US Eventing Team's "A" training list. Kristin also trains regularly with Olympian Phillip Dutton and spent two weeks over the winter working intensively on her dressage and show jumping in Wellington, FL with Betsy Steiner and Katie Prudent, respectively. Kristin is excited to represent the USA when she fulfills her lifelong dream of competing at the Badminton Horse Trials CCI**** in 2011.

Here is a video of Kristin and Cavaldi at 2010 Rebecca Farms (not yet in Ecogold Saddle pads...)

Kristin has promised to send updates from Badminton which we will post on ECOGOLD's Facebook page as soon as we get them. In addition, she is writing a blog for the USEA.

To learn more about Kristin, visit her website: http://www.kristinschmolze.net/

Kristin will be riding in ECOGOLD Secure Saddle pads and Cross-Country Horse Boots.

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Phillip Dutton Eventing Academy - Cross-country Session

Here are a few videos from a cross-country session at Phillip Dutton's Eventing Academy, last Wednesday.

Dutton Camp 2010 - Cross-Country 1/4 - Warm-up

Dutton Camp 2010 - Cross-Country 2/4 - Jumping Logs

Dutton Camp 2010 - Cross-Country 3/4 - The Coffin 

Dutton Camp 2010 - Cross-Country 4/4 - Water Jump 

Phillip Dutton's Eventing Academy - Photo Gallery

Here are a few pictures from our time at Phillip Dutton's Eventing Academy on Wednesday, June 30. The camp is held annually, at Phillip's True Prospect Farm in West Grove, PA.

True Prospect Farm - view

Cross-Country Warm-Up

Cross-country Schooling

Water Jump

Grooming presentation: Emma shows off the stud 

collection

True Prospect Farm

Connaught - 2008 Rolex Kentucky CCI**** winner

O'Connor Eventing Camp 3 - XC Boots

O'Connor Eventing Camp - Presentation and discussion about the important aspects of Cross-country Boots with ECOGOLD president and textile engineer John Da Silva, Olympian Karen O'Connor and O'Connor Event Team Head Groom Max Corcoran.

O'Connor Eventing Camp 3 - XC BOOTS

Boyd Martin and Minotaure du Passoir win Bromont CCI1*

Boyd Martin had a very good weekend at the Bromont Three Day Event. He brought it home with Minotaure du Passoir, winning all three phases of the CCI1* and also finished 3rd with Charla. Here are Boyd's show jumping videos, riding in Ecogold's Secure Jumper pad.

Boyd Martin and Minotaure du Passoir win Bromont CCI1


Boyd Martin and Charla - Bromont CCI1* Showjumping

Ecogold sponsors PRO/AM Team Competition Series

The Professional Riders Organization introduces the PRO/AM Team Competition Series where juniors/young riders and adult riders team up with professional riders in a fun, educational team format. The kick-off of the series will be June 26-27 at the Surefire Farm Horse Trials in Purcellville, VA.
Offered in addition to the eventing levels at each competition, the PRO/AM Team Competition Series pairs a professional rider with three or four junior/young riders and adult riders competing at the Beginner Novice,Novice and Training levels.

PRO/AM teams vie for prizes and ribbons in a score sheet competition. Each competitor will receive a gift for entering the team competition, a team photo, and a course walk and coaching tips from their PRO rider.

Members of the winning team at each competition will receive prizes, such as Ecogold’s Secure XC saddle pad.

“PRO is excited to be able to offer an occasion for professionals to come together with young riders and adult riders in a new way,” said Samantha Lendl, PRO Executive Director “We hope that this will be a fun format that offers some educational opportunities to participating riders.”

PRO/AM Team Competition Series schedule:
• Surefire Farm Horse Trials – June 26-27 (Purcellville,VA)
• Cosequin Stuart Horse Trials and CIC*/CIC** – July 15-18 (Victor, NY)
• Woodside Horse Trials August 13-15 (Woodside, CA)
• Richland Park Horse Trials August 26-29 (Richland, MI)
• Twin Rivers Horse Trials – September 24-26 (Paso Robles,CA)

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!

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

Click here to view our Eventing Products!

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!

Hawley Bennett carries Olympic Torch for Vancouver 2010

On Monday February 7, ECOGOLD sponsored event rider Hawley Bennett realized a dream by carrying the Olympic Torch for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games.

It was an emotional night for Hawley, an Olympian herself, having represented Canada at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, with long-time partner Livingstone: “Carrying the Olympic Torch is something I have dreamed of doing since 1988 when I saw Rick Hanson carry the torch down Hwy 1 for the Calgary winter Olympics. Thank you to all of my friends and family for the support over the years!! This just shows that dreams... do come true!!!”

Cross-country Technical Skills Session with David O'Connor - Symposium DAY 2

Cross-country Technical Skills for CCI2* and CCI3*, featuring some of Canada's top riders and horses at the 2009 National Coaching Symposium with George Morris, Ingrid Klimke and David O'Connor. Riders are in ECOGOLD's Secure saddle pad. Enjoy the videos!
Part 1/4

Part 2/4

Part 3/4

Part 4/4