Badminton and Rolex: bad news, good news and that darn app

Hannah admiring KOC's Ecogold Air-Cooler ~ photo: Sinead Halpin

In the weeks leading up to Badminton and Rolex Kentucky, it is sheer madness at ECOGOLD HQ. All our sponsored riders want their new saddle pads, horse boots and everything else (please hide that cooler until after Rolex, Max) for those shows, the spring season is about to start "up north", while we are trying to stock up on some inventory to sell... so I tread lightly as I walk by the production floor on the way to my office. As I hear the sewing machines going at a furious pace, the noise of the electric cutting knives and the tape closing boxes in our shipping department, I just try to keep out of everyone's way.

My day normally starts the way it ends, by checking my emails (a lot can happen during the night in various parts of the world). So let me share some news. First, the bad news.

- Kristin Schmolze won't be heading to Badminton :(

Photo credit: Tim Poulsen

Cavaldi needs a few weeks off and won't be able to go to Badminton. He'll be back in work in a few weeks and will be back for the fall events. Talk about terrible timing....

I feel really bad for Kristin. Being able to ride at Badminton is a dream for any young rider, so she must be terribly disappointed. Plus, I was looking forward to seeing her in action (I'm assuming they're IS a live Badminton feed or at least that someone will post videos).

I've never met Kristin, but from her offer to return the saddle pads (are you kidding me?!), she sounds like an amazing person. So please give her a hug for me if you see her at The Fork.

- Neither will Emma Ford :(

And also give a hug to Phillip's groom, Emma. Last year, a volcano kept her from grooming at Badminton (she was really looking forward to it) and unfortunately, they've had to withdraw once again. Urgh. Hopefully, next year will be the one.
OK, everyone else heading to Badminton, or Rolex for that matter, keep those ponies bubble-wrapped!

On to the better news...

- Which means that another ECOGOLD rider, Lucinda Fredericks who is next on the waiting list, will get in.

I just love the quote Clayton and Lucinda gave me for their profile in our Hall of Champions, so allow me to re-post it, for my viewing pleasure: “We absolutely love riding in the ECOGOLD pads. Whilst being cool and breathable for the horse, the non-slip properties mean they sit brilliantly on the horse and distribute any pressure evenly. I can’t recommend them highly enough!” ~ Clayton and Lucinda Fredericks

Now, for your viewing pleasure, here's Lucinda riding Prada at Blenheim

More good news:

- Our Rolex plans are coming along GREAT!

I will post all the details next week (don't want to spill too many beans...) but I will just say that we have THE BEST sponsored riders. They are not only generous with their time, but also trust me with blind faith when I come up with some unusual ideas. Also, you might see me hanging out with a bunch of crazy very enthusiastic lower level riders... really looking forward to that.

- Ecogold has been confirmed as the saddle pad supplier of the Canadian Eventing Team for the 2011 Pan American Games.

This might not surprise anyone, as the last time the Canadian Team rode in our pads, it turned out pretty well, but becoming an official team supplier is a bit of a process.
First, we were asked if we would sponsor the team again (of course!), then we had to submit photos of the saddle pads with the embroidery, to make sure the sizes of the flags, logos etc... were within the standards. Even if we've already done saddle pads for riders for the Pan Ams, WEG, Olympics, we have to go through the process every time, as the rules might have changed. So we are finally all good to go with the Pan Am saddle pads and just waiting to hear how many, when and where.

In the... not sure if it's good or bad news category

- That Badminton Horse Trials App is fantastic and is taking over my life

Awesome!

After hearing the news (from Samantha Clark) on Wednesday morning, I downloaded it immediately on my iPhone but couldn't get it to work on the iPad. But after talking to the developer, it seems I didn't have the right update. Today I've finally hooked the iPad to the computer, got the update, got the app and voilà, it works great (thanks Monty!) The buttons are a bit fuzzy on the iPad when you enlarge them, but once you get into the different areas, everything is perfect. I've been oooh-ing and aaaah-ing it.

They are posting new content every day: cross-country video previews, interviews, they will have live podcasts..even the weather. Just a warning, if you haven't downloaded it yet: it will take over your life, so do it at your own risk. Here's the link: click here to download the most amazing app ever

If you don't have an iThingie, you have 2 weeks to either get one or become friends with someone who does.

Ecogold's Badminton Preview - Canada's Dream Team!

For those who never read our blog, Facebook page, or live on a deserted island...ECOGOLD riders, World Equestrian Games Silver Medallists and lovely human beings, Stephanie Rhodes-Bosch and Hawley Bennett are heading to Badminton.

So far, their preparation for the event has been going really well. Hawley just finished in second place at Galway CCI3* this weekend and Stephanie is competing at The Fork, for one last run, before flying out on Wednesday (from Atlanta).

Stephanie sent me this message today: ""just had a SWEET jump/xc /gallop!"

I spoke to Hawley this afternoon, and she said: "We were second at Galway and it was the best cross-country ride we've ever had. Ginny was full of confidence. It was the perfect preparation". About her travel plans: "We fly out from LAX to Amsterdam on Wednesday. We spend a day in Amsterdam, which should be fun, and then we take the Chunnel to England."

When I asked what she was doing from now until their departure, she said: "We're keeping everyone bubble-wrapped!" Today, she was told her Badminton number... #55: her lucky number!

Hawley is not only a great competitor, but she never forgets to thank her supporters: "Thank you to everyone involved in my amazing weekend!!! I had super star ponies, fabulous girls at the barn helping, stellar performances from my students and great owners who made 700 jello shots!!! We raised some $$ to help off set the cost of BADMINTON!!!!!! I am a very lucky girl to have such awesome, supportive people in my life :)"

Hopefully, Steph and Hawley will continue on their successful streak and finish in the top 10 at the Badminton Horse Trials. Hawley has been working hard and hopes to finish on her dressage score (hopefully 44). In January: "I'm not going to Badminton to canter around Badminton. I'm going for some prize money and a blue ribbon." Stephanie's plans are also along those lines... So watch out world.

Here's a short video interview where Stephanie and Hawley discuss their Badminton plans (taped in January).

In order to fund her trip to Badminton, and her Olympic dreams next year, Stephanie has decided to offer for sale four shares in her horse Port Authority. If you want to get involved in this exciting opportunity and be part of one of the world's best teams! Click here for all the details>>.

For your viewing pleasure, here's a video of Hawley Bennett and Gin & Juice at WEG.

Last month's Canadian Team Jumping training session - Stephanie Rhodes-Bosch

a few photos from our visit to Stephanie's barn in Ocala, Florida.

Stephanie and Ollie

"I'm awake! I'm awake!"

Cute face

Bath time!

All clean

Hawley Bennett and Stephanie Rhodes-Bosch ride in Ecogold Saddle Pads and Horse Boots. Click on the photos to view the products.

Go Canada!

Videos - Ecogold riders shine at the USHJA Hunter Derby

For your viewing pleasure, here are videos from Saturday's $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, featuring riders in ECOGOLD's Forward Flap Hunter pad (click to view product).

Scott Stewart and Empire

Louise Serio and Rock Star

Victoria Colvin and Inclusive 

Scott Stewart and Declaration

Scott Stewart and Carlos Boy

Scott Stewart and Dedication


Scott Stewart and Empire won the First Round on April 1

Our visit with Shannon Dueck and her superstar mare Ayscha

Team ECOGOLD's Shannon Dueck is not only an accomplished Grand Prix dressage rider, trainer and clinician, but she is also a dear friend. She rides for Canada but lives full time in Florida, so unfortunately, we don't get to see her often enough. :(

Shannon invited us to spend a morning at her training facility in Loxahatchee, while she schooled her fabulous mare Ayscha. The pair were the Canadian Dressage Team's reserve for the 2010 World Equestrian Games and hopeful for the 2012 London Olympics. Shannon now trains with Wolfram Wittig, Isabel Werth's former coach of nine years, and will hopefully, spend some time in Europe this summer to train and compete.

Enjoy our some pics!

First, if you have never been to Loxahatchee, you take a turn and leave the paved roads of Wellington to enter a new world of tropical wonders. Loxahatchee residents want to keep the place as natural and unspoiled as possible. Love it!

But keep your eyes on the road... 'cuz if you fall in the canal, you'll probably get eaten by alligators

the tropical jungle of Colombia? No, it's dressage-land!

You know you've reached Shannon Dueck's barn when...

On to the fabulousness... then, you get greeted by this lovely girl.

Ayscha

And a couple of Jack Russells - here's Daisy

Shannon starts her sessions with a series of stretches, first for the human, then for the horse.

Streeeeeetch (with a carrot)

another carrot

More stretching

Then, she does a bit of this

And a bit of that

la la la...she makes it look so easy

And then, the following week, she went to the World Dressage Masters CDI 5* and did this:

Shannon Dueck and Ayscha - World Dressage Masters Grand Prix

Shannon Dueck and Ayscha - World Dressage Masters Grand Prix Special

As you can see in the videos, she was a bit spooky but Shannon was really proud of Ayscha. She had these comments: " Well, the Special was not our best - I think we could have won it with Ayscha's brilliance, but she was so scared that she spooked in almost every movement as we neared the fences and flowers! I would give her last piaffe a 9 tho! Wonderful mare tried for me, even with her heart pounding."

Shannon Dueck rides in ECOGOLD's Stabilizer Saddle Pad, Ecogold's Memory Foam Triple Protection Half Pad (dressage version - photo on website will be updated tomorrow...) and a helmet. So Shannon is not only fantastic but super smart!!

Shocking Turn of Events! New US coach resigns

The saga for the USEF Search for Eventing Chef d'Equipe/Technical Advisor continues. Less than 8 hours after his appointment as US coach, Bounce, the former Canadian Eventing Team advisor, has announced his resignation.

Bounce

A secret source revealed information about a family tie between Bounce, the newly appointed US coach, and Buck Davidson a member of the USEF Eventing Eligible Athletes Committee.

According to the source, Bounce was bred by Bruce Davidson Sr.

The Davidson family connection would constitute a clear conflict of interest, as Buck did not recuse himself during the committee's proceedings.

Bounce released this statement a few minutes ago:

"After much discussion and thought, I have decided to resign from the USEF Chef d'Equipe/Technical Advisor position. For the good of our sport, I feel it is best to move on and for the new coach to be selected and to unite behind him."

So what happens now?

The Eligible Eventing Athletes Committee are not only considering the remaining applicants, but also welcome new applications. They want to do more research and consider all possible options, before they make their recommendation to the Eventing High Performance Committee.

Phillip Dutton, the Vice-Chair of the Eligible Eventing Athletes Committee, is now chairing the committee.

"We would ask anybody interested in applying for the position, to please send an email directly to eventingnation@gmail.com" said Dutton. "We want to make the best choice and look forward to another round of applications and interviews. We are also reviewing other applicants that were not short-listed by the Search Committee and are considering them as well."

So the search continues....

"Would loffff to be US coach, but my mommy won't let me" ~ Bodie Springer

If you missed our super exclusive US coach updates, here are the links to our previous articles:

• More breaking news! Reactions to US coach announcement

• Breaking News! US team selects new coach

More breaking news! Reactions to US coach announcement

Ecogold-Sponsored US Rider Boyd Martin

Boyd Martin had these comments about this morning's appointment of Canadian Eventing Team advisor, Bounce (see photo), as US coach, in an interview with the Chronicle of the Horse's Mollie Bailey:

New US Coach

"When you’re riding and training young horses, there’s nothing worse than finally getting them quiet, then having a Jack Russell come racing around the corner and scare the daylights out of them.” said Boyd. "The combined application of Manny Pacquiao and Kostya Tszyu was my first choice, as they would have brought a relaxed addition to the team. I admire that they know how to sit back and let everyone else do the hard work."

Among Boyd's top choices was also this candidate:

Stephanie Rhodes-Bosch with her new horse

On the Canadian side, World Equestrian Games Silver Medallist Stephanie Rhodes-Bosch had these comments: "I am truly sorry to see Bounce go, as he played a key role in our team's success. But all the Canadian riders are happy for him and I wish him the best of luck in his new position." 

Stephanie has just announced an exciting opportunity of shares in her 4* horse Port Authority: click here for all the info (BTW - this is for real)

She also recently acquired this new horse, which she will be campaigning for the 2011 Pan American Games.

Breaking News! US team selects new coach

The US Eventing Team has finally selected a new coach. After helping the Canadian team reach new heights, he is looking forward to this exciting new challenge.

New US coach: Bounce