March 1, 2010

It was great to see US event rider Boyd Martin on our trip to Aiken, SC. Boyd has been riding in ECOGOLD saddle pads and horse boots for the past year and has since skyrocketed to #3 on the USEA leaderboard and #34 worldwide - FEI ranking. Coincidence? Hmmm…we’ll take all the credit anyway.
Boyd runs Windurra USA LLC, a succesful training and sales business based in West Grove, PA but spends the winter months in Aiken, SC. Here's a tour of his fantastic facility in the Bridle Creek Equestrian Development.

Check out these Impact test videos of ECOGOLD Horse Boots with an axe! - click here for more information about our boots 

"Ecogold XC Boots are just fantastic!
The horses' legs seem to be much cooler with them, they don't retain water or get heavy and they stay in place."

Boyd Martin

Click here to view: Boyd Martin's profile in our Hall of Champions with videos!

<< February 2010                                     March 2010                                        Videos and Blog>>

Friday, February 19, 2010

Our time at the Wellington Dressage Classic in Florida was anything but boring. A big storm destroyed our tent during the competitors' party. No worries...Grand Prix rider Shannon Dueck and Maryann Shingler came to the rescue and all our inventory was saved! The wonderful show organizers lent us another tent and we were in business the next morning. 

On the dressage side of things, We had the chance to witness multiple wins by riders in Ecogold saddle pads...and a very special performance by Shannon Dueck and her fabulous new mare Ayscha, in their first Grand Prix Freestyle, to the crowd’s delight (see video!). Shannon was riding with a broken hand, which is even more incredible. This team will be one to watch!

Canada’s top rider Ashley Holzer and Pop Art won both the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Special. The pair, unbeaten in the Wellington Dressage series this year, will take a break from competition until the spring.
Also, two great wins from talented upcoming riders Krystalann Shingler riding Tividor (Intermediaire I) and Jaimie Holland with Fleurina (FEI Young Rider Class and Freestyle). Enjoy the videos!

<< January 2010                                     February 2010                                        Videos and Blog>>

Wednesday, January 27, 2009

ECOGOLD founder and textile engineer John Da Silva, was featured today on the Horse Radio Network. As an expert on the Horse Tip Daily radio show, he explained how to control and help reduce the temperature of your horse during work.

Click on the image for link to the Horse Tip Daily podcast. >>

Or read John's comments below:

"As with human athletes when horses exercise, their muscles develop heat. Like a car’s engine, after the initial warm-up, the heat generated needs to be dissipated for the car to run well. The natural way in which the body controls overheating is by producing sweat. When the sweat evaporates, it cools the muscles down, reducing the temperature to the appropriate level.

So it’s very important, not to interfere with the horse's natural cooling process by using saddle pads or horse boots made with materials that allow the maximum evaporation.

Basically, you have to check 3 things.

1. BREATHABILITY
Here’s an easy test that we always use to find if a product is breathable.

Put it against your mouth and blow. If the air flows easily through the material and you can feel it on the other side on your hand, it’s really breathable. If you can’t, it’s not breathable at all (as is the case of most waterproof materials such as neoprene), or it might be a “little” breathable under pressure or special conditions different from the natural way horse’s sweat evaporates.

#2. INSULATION
Does the saddle pad or horse boots trap in heat? You should use materials that are not temperature insulators because you want to dissipate the heat as quickly as possible.

As a general rule, if it keeps you warm in winter, don't use it on your horse when competing in hot weather.
As a matter of fact, one of the aspects of the equestrian sport that initially most called my attention, was the use of wool and sheepskin on saddle pads and horse boots. You just have to look at human athletes… no one runs a marathon dressed in a sheepskin suit!

#3. EVAPORATION CAPACITY

You have also to consider: how quickly does the sweat evaporate?
Water in a plate evaporates much faster than in a glass. Why? Because the evaporation capacity is proportional to the size of the surface. So you should always look at the shape of the fabric. A material with a waffle or honeycomb surface will cool your horse much faster than a flat one. The hills and valleys in the fabric increase the evaporation surface.

So these are the 3 factors to look for to keep your horse (as any other athlete!) cool and comfortable , and help him achieve the maximum performance."

<< December 2009                                      January 2010                                        Videos and Blog>>

Sunday January 3, 2010

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 top 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?

– Watch video: training tips from Phillip Dutton and Karen O’Connor

Question: What methods do you use to teach a young horse to do flying changes?

– Watch video: 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?

– Watch video: 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?

– Watch video: 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?

– Watch video: Training Tips from Kim Severson, Karen O’Connor and Phillip Dutton

<< December 2009                                      January 2010                                        Videos and Blog>>

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Tuesday, October 6, 2009

No Rubs, No allergies, No excess sweat!
The cross-country boots on every eventer's wish list are finally here! ECOGOLD has just developed 100% Breathable, Neoprene-free, Flexible Cross-country Protective Boots.
Say goodbye to the talcum powder and socks...you just put them on and go!

Features:

• Superior protection from impact!

Our advanced technology: a polycarbonated protective shield along with 3 additional cushioning layers offer superior protection against impact.
Not convinced that a flexible boot can protect your horse's leg?

Watch our impact test video!

• No rubs, no allergies, no excess sweat!

The boots are 100% breathable and neoprene-free to quickly evaporate moisture. A soft micro-fiber layer in contact with the horse’s skin, prevents any friction or rubs.

• Flexible for a comfortable fit:

Lightweight and flexible, our 100% breathable memory-foam, molds to the horse’s leg for maximum support while dissipating heat and moisture.

• Quick moisture evaporation!

Our high-tech Air-Knit fabric has a waffle-like texture which doubles the moisture evaporation surface to keep the horse cool and dry.

ECOGOLD Cross Country Boots™ are priced at $120 for front boots and $130 for hind boots.
Available in Small, Medium or Large. Shipping is free!

<< September 2009                                               October 2009                                           November 2009 >>

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