Best of Rolex Kentucky: Impressive Stats... with videos

Hannah Burnett and St-Barths - by Tracy Porter

In addition to the 7 riders in the top 10 who rode in ECOGOLD Saddle Pads (see our previous blog post with videos of all their rides here), ECOGOLD products were spotted on several 2011 Rolex Kentucky competitors.

Whether they finished or not, it is an achievement in itself to enter a 4* competition and for us, a great source of pride, seeing our products on so many of those top horses.

Here are the impressive stats!

• A total of 19 riders out of 45 entered at Rolex Kentucky rode in an ECOGOLD product during the weekend (42%)
• 50% who finished (14 riders out of 28) rode in an ECOGOLD product
• 70% riders in Top Ten rode in ECOGOLD Saddle Pads
• 2 out of 3 riders with double clear cross-country rounds were ECOGOLD riders (ECOGOLD dominated the double clear rounds with 66.67%- Jessica Phoenix and Hannah Sue Burnett)
• ECOGOLD products were used by riders from 4 countries: Australia, Canada, USA and the UK
• All Australian riders and all Canadian riders entered at 2011 Rolex Kentucky rode in ECOGOLD Saddle Pads
• Only 2 riders finished on her dressage score... Mary King and ECOGOLD-rider Jessica Phoenix
  

Without further ado, here are the riders we spotted using some ECOGOLD gear (besides those in the top 10, who we already listed in our previous post).

Karen O'Connor rode in ECOGOLD's Secure Saddle Pads and XC Boots

Karen O'Connor and Quintus 54 - by Tracy Porter

Karen O'Connor and Quintus 54 - Cross Country 2011 Rolex Kentucky

Karen O'Connor and Quintus 54 - Dressage 2011 Rolex Kentucky

An ECOGOLD Secure Saddle Pad was spotted on Kim Severson

Kim Severson and Tipperary Liadhnan - photo by Tracy Porter

Phillip Dutton rode in ECOGOLD's Secure Saddle Pads

Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Eagle - by Jennifer Pavlinich

Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Eagle - Cross Country 2011 Rolex Kentucky

they are at 0:38 in this video featuring various riders

Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Eagle - Show Jumping 2011 Rolex Kentucky

An ECOGOLD Memory Foam Triple Protection Half Pad was spotted on Michael Pollard

Michael Pollard and Icarus - by Jennifer Pavlinich

Michael Pollard and Icarus - Cross-Country 2011 Rolex Kentucky


Jessica Hampf rode in ECOGOLD's Secure Saddle Pads and XC Boots

Jessica Hampf and High Society III by Cathy J Allen-Shinn

Jessica Hampf and High Society - Cross-Country 2011 Rolex Kentucky

Peter Barry rode in an ECOGOLD's Secure XC Saddle Pad

Peter Barry and Kildoran Abbott - by Jennifer Pavlinich

Peter Barry and Kildoran Abbott - Cross-Country 2011 Rolex Kentucky

An ECOGOLD Secure Saddle Pad was spotted on Kelly Prather

Kelly Prather and Ballinakill Glory

Kelly Prather and Ballinakill Glory - Cross-Country 2011 Rolex Kentucky

Hamish Cargill rode in ECOGOLD's Secure Saddle Pads

Hamish Cargill and Sandhills Tiger - by Kate Taylor

Hamish Cargill and Sandhills Tiger - Cross-Country 2011 Rolex Kentucky

Allison Springer rode in an ECOGOLD's Secure XC Saddle Pad

Allison Springer and Arthur - by Cathy J Allen-Shinn

Allison Springer and Arthur - Cross-Country 2011 Rolex Kentucky

An ECOGOLD Secure Saddle Pad was spotted on Martha McDowell

Martha McDowell and Gaelic Marriage - by Kate Taylor

Martha McDowell and Gaelic Marriage - Cross-Country (not from Rolex!)

Diana Burnett rode in an ECOGOLD Secure Dressage Saddle Pad and Half Pad

Diana Burnett and Manny - Dressage at 2011 Rolex - by Calina

and sorry no pic... but Buck Davidson rode in an ECOGOLD's Secure Dressage Saddle Pad

Training Tips from Top Riders - Phillip Dutton, Oliver Townend, Karen O'Connor and more!

One of the most popular seminars at the USEA Convention was “Training Tips with Top Riders” where Phillip Dutton, Becky Holder, Karen O’Connor, Amy Tryon, Oliver Townend, Buck Davidson and Allison Springer answered questions from the audience. Enjoy the videos!

Training Tips from Top Riders - Part 1 - Phillip Dutton, Becky Holder, Karen O'Connor, Amy Tryon, Oliver Townend, Buck Davidson, Allison Springer


Training Tips from Top Riders - Part 2 - Phillip Dutton, Becky Holder, Karen O'Connor, Amy Tryon, Oliver Townend, Buck Davidson, Allison Springer


Training Tips from Top Riders - Part 3 - Phillip Dutton, Becky Holder, Karen O'Connor, Amy Tryon, Oliver Townend, Buck Davidson, Allison Springer


Training Tips from Top Riders - Part 4 - Phillip Dutton, Becky Holder, Karen O'Connor, Amy Tryon, Oliver Townend, Buck Davidson, Allison Springer


Training Tips from Top Riders - Part 5 - Phillip Dutton, Becky Holder, Karen O'Connor, Amy Tryon, Oliver Townend, Buck Davidson, Allison Springer




Training Tips from Top Riders - Part 6 - Phillip Dutton, Becky Holder, Karen O'Connor, Amy Tryon, Oliver Townend, Buck Davidson, Allison Springer

Our Rolex preview – Part 1

We’re only 10 days away from Rolex and you can definitely feel the excitement. At Ecogold, I wouldn’t exactly call it excitement…more like complete mayhem and total exhaustion. It’s all hands on deck, 7 days a week, trying to supply all the orders that need to be delivered for Rolex. The pressure is definitely on.
But enough about us, let’s talk about the riders with a bit of inside information you might not know… Here’s our Rolex preview: the riders we’ll be cheering for.

Phillip Dutton
Believe it or not, Phillip Dutton is the first event rider we ever met, in October 2008. At the time, we were completely clueless with regards to eventing and didn’t quite know who he was. He was extremely nice, really liked the product and even offered to give us a hand in promoting it as he had “some name recognition” (his words). After our meeting, we googled him and almost fell out of our chairs. I guess there’s nothing like starting at the top! Since that first meeting, Phillip and his team have been invaluable, helping us immensely on the product side of things.

Phillip won Rolex 2 years ago and will definitely be the busiest man this year, with 3 horses plus another horse on its way to Badminton. Here are some videos from what seems like our “2009 Phillip Dutton-stalking-tour!” and a very special video of his 2008 Rolex win.

Something you might not know...at Phillip's True Prospect Farm, there is a wall of fame and a wall of shame, with pictures of those not-so-flattering moments.

Phillip and Kheops du Quesnay at Fair Hill 2009:


Phillip and Woodburn at Wits End CCI-W:


Phillip and Connaught win Rolex 2008


Karen O’Connor
One of the most successful riders in history, Karen has won the USEA Lady Rider of the Year title a record ten times, won Rolex three times, completed Badminton 5 times and is the recipient of numerous awards. She missed Rolex in 2009, but is back with a vengeance, riding her 2008 Olympic mount Mandiba.

Something you might not know.. the O’Connor barn definitely wins the “cutest dogs” trophy! There’s a menagerie of precious little terriers, who seem to be all related but I couldn’t quite keep track of which one was the aunt, grand-mother or 2nd cousin.

Here is a video of Karen riding Mandiba at Fair Hill International 2009


Boyd Martin
Boyd had a very successful year in 2009. He finished 3rd overall on the USEA Leaderboard, officially changed his citizenship with the FEI to become a member of the US Team (he was previously riding for Australia), struck out on his own with his training and sales business Windurra USA LLC, and had a series of wins, most recently at Fair Hill International 3* with Neville Bardos, in the most horrendous weather conditions. So if it rains at Rolex, no worries!
Boyd will be riding Neville Bardos and Remington XXV in his own colors (navy and white) but he rides Rock on Rose in Bruce Davidson’s colors (red and white) as he owns the mare.

Something you might not know… it has been reported that he practices yoga regularly.

Here are videos of Boyd's three Rolex horses.

Neville Bardos winning at Fair Hill International 2009

Remington XXV at Wits End CCI3*-W


Rock on Rose at Jersey Fresh CCI3*


Buck Davidson
Buck will give his top horses Ballynoe Castle RM and My Boy Bobby a well-deserved break, and is bringing Titanium to Rolex. Last year, Buck was 2nd on the USEA Leaderboard and finished 3rd at Rolex, winning the Pinnacle Trophy with My Boy Bobby for being the highest placed US rider (which he also won in 2004). He just won the Fork CCI*** in April, as well as consistently placing at or near the top at every show.

Something you might not know… Buck told us how to design the straps on our XC boots.

Buck and Ballynoe Castle RM at Burghley Horse Trials


Buck and My Boy Bobby win Wits End CCI3*-W


Allison Springer
Allison is one of our great supporters and super nice, so how can we not be rooting for her? In 2009, she gained valuable experience competing in Europe against the best in the world. In 2010, she seems to be on a roll with Arthur, finishing 2nd at the Fork CCI3* last week. We’re sending good vibes for a great performance at Rolex and a place on the WEG team.

Something you might not know… Allison trained the Haiti 3-Day event team, hoping to get them ready for the Central American and Caribbean Games in July 2010. After the earthquake hit, she posted updates of what was happening to the riders. Thankfully, they were all ok.

Here's Allison and Arthur's dressage ride at Burghley Horse Trials


So there are the US riders we'll be rooting for. Check out Part 2 later this week as we focus on the Canucks! :)

- Patricia

Training Tips from Top Riders

The United States Eventing Association held a question and answer period with top riders at the 2009 USEA Annual Meeting and Convention in Reston, Virginia last December. The panel featured ECOGOLD-riders Karen O’Connor, Phillip Dutton, Buck Davidson and Allison Springer, who ride in ECOGOLD's Secure Saddle pad, as well as Mike Huber, Kim Severson and Will Coleman. Here are a few videos of their insightful answers to questions from the audience, filmed by the USEA.

Question: What is your take on schooling obstacles, like a water complex, on cross-country during the competition?
– Training tips from Phillip Dutton and Karen O’Connor

Question: What methods do you use to teach a young horse to do flying changes?
– Training tips from Allison Springer, Karen O'Connor and Mike Huber

Question: A rider with previous experience stops riding for an extended period of time, and becomes out of shape and overweight. When she returns to the sport, what are some of the things you would have her do to get back into shape?
– Training tips from Buck Davidson, Karen O'Connor and Will Coleman

Question: How do you know when it is the right time for a horse and rider to move up to the next level?
– Training tips from Allison Springer, Mike Huber and Will Coleman

Question: Assume a rider and trainer both decide that moving up from training to preliminary level, for example, is appropriate. But once that rider begins competing at preliminary, she has some issues and needs to move back down. How would you help her deal with those issues, regain confidence, and return to competing at that level?
– Training Tips from Kim Severson, Karen O’Connor and Phillip Dutton

Day 3: Cross-country madness!

Early this morning, the road to Burghley was jammed with cars as far as your eyes could see. Plus the train station was closed for maintenance (excellent timing from the National Railway Co. to choose the busiest weekend of the year to do repairs...)so they had buses instead of trains, which clogged the roads even more. Once at the show, it was difficult to walk there were sooo many people. I'm sure I stepped on a few feet, maybe even a couple of chihuahuas. Anyhow, it was a perfect, sunny day to watch cross-country. The course seemed to be very technical & and not many riders were able to finish clean under the time allowed.
ok, here are a few videos! I should have more tomorrow. - Patricia

Day 2: Gusty winds & a 7th place for Allison!

Day 2 at Burghley was super nice sunny day, except for the gale-force winds. Ok, I'm no meteorologist but it felt like hurricane Bill had decided to cross the pond. At a certain point, I even had to take off my hat, I was so afraid it would end up in the dressage ring while someone was competing.
The nice surprise today was the great perfomance from Allison Springer & Arthur who scored 47.3 to place 7th overall. Yay!!!
Tomorrow is cross-country day and Emma Ford (Phillip's super-groom)suggested I go film near jump 14-15 to get a nice view of a few jumps. That sounds great except it looks like 25 miles away, across a bridge, up a hill...I hope they have nice Land Rovers to take us there! My feet are seriouly killing me from getting lost around the 600+ shops.
Enjoy today's videos!

Secure saddle pad - the choice of US Team at Burghley

Top US riders competing at Burghley CCI4* will be riding in ECOGOLD's newest saddle pad, the Secure™ Saddle pad, specially designed to improve the safety, comfort & performance of horse and rider.

- No Slipping, no sliding! The non-slip material at the top and underside keeps the saddle secure, reducing pressure on the girth & breast plate and making the horse more comfortable.
- Quick moisture evaporation! The high-tech Air-Knit fabric has a waffle-like texture which doubles the moisture evaporation surface to keep the horse cool & dry.
- Impact protection without compromise! The 100% breathable high-density foam in the seat area protects the horse's back from impact without adding bulk.
- Innovative design for a better rider position! There is no foam on the flaps, for the closest possible leg contact and a more stable riding position.

The Secure™ Saddle pad is priced at $160. Available in cross-country, dressage and jumping styles.
To order Call Toll-Free 1-866-432-6465 or visit our website: SECURE SADDLE PAD

See technical video explaining the pad at Phillip Dutton's Eventing Academy.


See the pad in action with Buck Davidson riding Ballynoe Castle

More from Burghley! We will be posting daily updates & videos on this blog as we follow the US team: www.ecogold.blogspot.com

Bromont CCI- Showjumping videos

Here are some videos of the showjumping phase at Bromont from riders using ECOGOLD saddle pads. Enjoy!

Bromont - photos

Enjoy these great pics showing ECOGOLD saddle pads in action!

Bromont CCI*** - Cross-country

Here are a few videos of riders in ECOGOLD saddle pads competing in the CCI***. Enjoy!