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.
“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)
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!
Ecogold rider Shannon Dueck was thrilled with Ayscha's performance at their first European show at CDI Weisbaden. Their scores were 66.213 in the Grand Prix and 65.208 in the Grand Prix Special. Both days, a different German judge gave them 69 and 68, respectively. How's that for a debut in Europe! Shannon rides in Ecogold's Stabilizer Dressage Saddle pad and is looking forward to showing at Lingen with even more brillance!
Here are some photos, taken by Shannon and Canada's Team Coach, Olympian Champion Robert Dover (who has a very popular blog at http://doversworld.com/).
As one of McLain's sponsors, all of us at ECOGOLD couldn't just sit idle any more watching what has been happening to him. So on the this morning, we started a petition to protest against his disqualification, support McLain and also the USEF and U.S. Equestrian Federation show jumping team veterinarian Tim Ober, DVM, who disagreed completely with the FEI’s decision and assessment. PLEASE GO SIGN IT and share it with your friends!
McLain Ward issued this statement on April 17: "Thank you to all who are supporting us in this situation. On a personal level this is devastating, but in the bigger picture we need to use this to right the ship of our sport. The FEI has gone too far in this instance and has clearly shown impropriety. I hope we can all stand as a community and create change for the the best interest of the horse, the sport and the riders. Thank you all."
Later this afternoon, he sent this message: “New statement from McLain Ward - April 18: "Over the past few days I have experienced great emotions over two things. The first being that in modern sport such injustice can take place. The second being the overwhelming support that Sapphire and I have received. It is truly incredible and despite having one of the most difficult weeks of my life I am blown away by how you all have spoken up to support us. Truly incredible. Thank You, McLain"”
On our end, I’ve also have been receiving emails all day long since starting this petition. Some people with questions: does it cost anything? NO! It’s a FREE petition. We’re not asking for donations, we’re asking you to stand up and be counted. If you want the FEI to hear us in the equestrian community loud and clear, sign it. A Facebook group has also been created, which is great to show McLain your support, but a petition is an official form of protest to a governing body, the FEI in this case. It is the only recourse we (i.e. the regular folks) have and it helps the USEF in their appeal.
We’ve also received a lot of positive feedback, bravos and well done. Thank you. It is much appreciated. From riders, people who personally know McLain, people that don’t know him at all but admire him. A message that stands out is from a mother of a very promising young rider: “one incident like this might demolish her chances for sponsorship for an international career. So much money in lost time and prize money and crushed dreams.” Yep! This affects riders, sponsors, breeders, owners – pretty much anyone in the US equestrian community. Got a couple of negative ones too but we weren’t bothered by them. Can’t please everybody.
Some companies might be scared of controversy and prefer to not ruffle feathers, but we like to stand up for what’s right and for the people that support us: our sponsored riders, clients, employees and suppliers. I guess we have hypersensitivity of the heart.
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! :)
Members of the winning team at each competition will receive prizes, such as Ecogold’s Secure XC saddle pad. 
