Are you familiar with the North American Riders Group? Ecogold-rider McLain Ward is the vice-president and their board is a who's who of today's top riders. The mission of the North American Riders Group is to unite professional riders and trainers to use their collective strength to make show jumping in North America the best in the world.

Here's an interview by Jimmy Torano, NARG Board Member, with George Morris, United States Show Jumping Chef D'Equipe: "Insist on Excellence"

<< January 2011                                        February 2011                                       Videos and Blog>>

Someone posted this question on a forum:

“Can someone tell me the theory behind putting memory foam in a horse boot and how it would be helpful? I get the concept in a mattress, but not in a protective boot. Does it have particular shock absorption or breathability properties? This is an honest question, my science brain needs info! Thanks! :-)”

Here is the answer from our textile engineering team:

Memory foam has an open-cell structure that reacts to weight and temperature by 'moulding' to the body of the horse, helping relieve pressure points.
In its products, ECOGOLD uses a special 100% breathable memory foam, as normal Memory Foam can get hot and compress.

Memory Foam was originally developed by the NASA space program in 1966 to ease the pressure of G-forces on astronauts during space shuttle take offs. It never ended up being used in the space program, however memory foam did eventually find its way into medical settings where it was used to relieve bed-bound patients suffering from various pressure sores. It was also discovered that patients who slept on memory foam mattresses generally woke up better rested with less pains and aches than those who did not.

Memory foam in human products is normally always used in combination with other types of foam.  For example in a bed, you need a mattress under the memory foam or you wouldn't get the right support for your back.

Riding a horse is very different from sleeping on a mattress or sitting in a chair. The levels of impact protection, heat dissipation and moisture evaporation required are much greater in equine sports.

Using memory foam by itself would not give enough impact protection to the horse. Our technology, always combines the memory foam with other shock-absorbing materials.

In the case of our Memory Foam Triple Protection Half Pad, we combine the memory foam with a high-density shock-absorbing open-cell foam and another layer of low density open-cell foam to ensure the best protection of the horse’s back.

In our horse boots, our polycarbonate shield along with the breathable Memory Foam are what ensure the protection of the horse’s legs. See our impact video:

Although memory foam feels very comfortable to a person’s touch, the “secret recipe” to the ultimate protection is obtained with a combination of materials.

Click here to view ECOGOLD products containing our 100% breathable Memory Foam:

Memory Foam Triple Protection Half Pad

Ecogold Horse Boots

Stabilizer Dressage Saddle Pad

Stabilizer Jumper Saddle Pad

For the second year in a row, an ECOGOLD-sponsored rider is awarded the Dr George Jacobsen Trophy, given to the "Equestrian of the Year". In 2009, the recipient was dressage rider Ashley Holzer and this year, for the first time in history, it was given not to an individual but to the entire World Equestrian Games Canadian Eventing Team.

ECOGOLD was there and watched with great pride as Hawley Bennett and Stephanie Rhodes-Bosch received the trophy from Equine Canada's president Mike Gallagher (who incidentally is the father of another ECOGOLD-rider, Denielle Gallagher).

Ok, here is THE video. LOVE Hawley's "Watch out world! London - I want GOLD!"  acceptance speech.

Video Equine Canada Gala - Canadian Eventing Team Tribute and Dr George Jacobsen Trophy

Here is a Photo Gallery of the Equine Canada Awards Gala. Kudos to the organizers for making the event FUN!

<< December 2010                                 January 2011                                       Videos and Blog>>

At the USEA Area 2 Annual Meeting on Jan 22, Physical Therapist Dr Jennie Stone gave a great presentation about how riders can improve their fitness to prevent injuries and become a better partner to their horses. Here is a video summary of her presentation - the first two videos explain what physical therapy is, shows the important muscle groups specific to the sport and the third video demonstrates some exercises.

Before attempting any of the exercises, please consult with your physician.

Part 1 - Physical Therapy for Riders by Dr Jennie Stone - USEA Area 2 Meeting

Part 2 - Physical Therapy for Riders by Dr Jennie Stone - USEA Area 2 Meeting

Part 3 - Physical Therapy for Riders by Dr Jennie Stone - USEA Area 2 Meeting

<< December 2010                                 January 2011                                       Videos and Blog>>

ECOGOLD has been nominated by the public for three 2011 Equestrian Social Media Awards, presented by Rhea Freeman PR and Marketing and Abbeyview Equine and we are thrilled!

Social Media works because of people! Please vote for ECOGOLD in categories 1, 2 and 14 before February 18, by clicking on this green button:

Watch our fun video!  (with lots of cameo appearances)

Competition is fierce for the ESMAs: during the nominations stage the organizers counted nearly 4000 nominations! ECOGOLD has been nominated in three categories: #1, Best Youtube Channel; #2, Best Use of Facebook; and #14, Best Use of Social Media by a Saddlery/Tack Shop.

US Eventing Team rider Boyd Martin, also nominated for an ESMA in category #5, Best Use of Social Media by a Professional Rider, said, “Ecogold is one of the leaders of technology and new ideas in equestrian products. Not only are they supplying the world with phenomenal and unique improvements to their equipment but they provide a huge promotion of events and riders. They’re a great company that gives back and actually report on a lot of the competition and riders – even more so than some of the media networks.”

"We are blown away by the three nominations as they are voted by the public. We lead ECOGOLD with a lot of heart and for us, social media goes beyond marketing products. It allows us to connect as human beings with equestrians all over the world.” said ECOGOLD’s VP Marketing Patricia Da Silva, “It is a great privilege to be part of their lives and we are extremely touched that people are taking the time to vote for us.”

Around the world equestrians are connecting with each other, sharing photos, news and videos about their horses, horse products and experiences with horses. Rhea Freeman Marketing & PR and Abbeyview Equine Websites for Equestrians recognized this trend and joined forces to acknowledge individuals and equestrian companies who promote their products and business through social media.

Publicist Rhea Freeman said, “The aim of the awards was to celebrate and raise awareness of those equestrian companies who use social media to help promote their businesses and products in a way that's innovative and engaging for the equestrian public.  We're thrilled by how excited and delighted people have been who have made it through to the voting stages.  All these people received nominations to get there. I think that many of them are really touched to have the support of their fans and friends. A real pat on the back for a job well done!”

The winner of each category will receive a certificate and be asked to send a short YouTube clip to use in the Equestrian Social Media Awards 2010 YouTube ceremony. We are considering this possibility...

Voting in the finals will close on the 18th February 2010 at 8am EST. After this date, organizers will count the votes and announce the winners as soon as possible.

<< December 2010                                 January 2011                                       Videos and Blog>>

After a great start to 2011 with free hugs, here are ECOGOLD’s Secrets of Success in 14 Easy Steps.

(Ok, I lied. They're not easy)

On my desk, I have several cards from our suppliers and sponsored riders wishing us “a very successful year”. This got me thinking about success and how to achieve it on a consistent basis, year after year.

In our business, we’ve been lucky to get to know some very successful people, both inside and outside the horse world. What do they have in common? What does it take to achieve success?

There are a lot of books about success, from the more spiritual "à la Oprah" books to business bestsellers. Here we explore success in the first degree, in the “rising to the top” sense not whether that makes one happy and fulfilled.

This article is not based on academic theories, but is deeply rooted in reality.  It is based in our own experience building a business to conversations with successful riders.

As there are different delicious chocolate chip cookie recipes, there isn't one uniform secret formula for success. There are several.  Feel free to give us your input on our Facebook page (click here for the link). Who knows, this post might just be the first of a series as we keep exploring the subject….

Here are the Secrets of Success – you want to be successful? (or at least, MORE successful?) Here’s how.

1. Commitment to excellence

The first step is to commit to excellence. Success doesn’t just happen by accident.

Great example: the Canadian Eventing Team. They seemed to come out of nowhere to win the Silver Medal at the World Equestrian Games…was it an “accident”?

Not according to a source close to the team: “It would appear that this was something that came together in a perfect storm but it was a beautifully orchestrated symphony that was 4 years in the making. David O'Connor has had a lot of practice at winning and knows what it takes to win. He implemented a system four years ago and the riders bought into it lock stock and barrel!”

You have to decide that average doesn’t cut it anymore and raise your game. You can have the best plan and the best people in the world helping you but if you are not fully committed to excellence, you will not get there.

2. Don’t be afraid of failure

The fear of failure makes people risk averse (and boring). In order to succeed at anything, you have to go for it. Like Nike says: “Just do it!”

Here’s the catch: you will probably fail a bunch of times before succeeding at anything. Then, you have two options: 1. panic, blame, depression and defeat or 2. say “ok, I’ve just learned how NOT to do it” and move on. 

Dressage coach Jane Savoie told a rider in one of her clinics: “You are allowed to suck here! I have to see what you are doing wrong, in order to teach you how to do it right.”

See, no biggie. What counts is the end result, not the setbacks along the way. So, chin up and kick on! (not my quote…but I like it)

3. Look forward

Whether they’ve experienced a big win or a major disappointment, successful people tend to celebrate or be depressed for a relatively short time. They quickly look forward to the next challenge.

Using the Canadian Eventing Team again as example: As we had supplied the saddle pads for the team, I asked Amber Heintzberger, our PR writer who was at WEG, to get quotes from the riders for a press release.  This is what came back:

Canadian team member Hawley Bennett-Awad said, “Ecogold has been a huge factor in the Canadian team. The horses look beautiful and the saddle pads are amazing. People have been asking about them all through the competition. We just got the ‘Who Dat?’ award here at WEG, but I think that at the London 2012 Olympic Games we will be a team to look out for!”

They had just won the silver medal a few hours earlier and were already looking ahead to the next challenge.

4. Focus and determination

Have you ever seen a rider come in the ring with that look that says “I will not be denied”? Scary. Successful people have a focus, strong will to win and they go after their goals with an unwavering determination. They are able to get “in the zone” and not get distracted.

5. Blood, sweat and tears

Sorry to disappoint, but success takes effort.

Top US rider Boyd Martin said: “To succeed you need to start with natural ability, a feel for the sport and then you need a strong work ethic. You have to work hard and be determined to do things that other people find too challenging.”

World Equestrian Games Silver Medalist Stephanie Rhodes-Bosch said: “People who are successful have a constant desire to keep learning about the sport, and they keep searching for ways to improve skills and techniques. At the end of the day, dedication and hard work will always beat plain old talent."

6. Work smarter

You can’t make something work just by throwing sheer hours at it. You can waste a lot of time fixating on inconsequential details instead of putting your energy where it truly matters.

US top rider Doug Payne sums it up: “It all comes down to efficiency. What separates successful riders from the masses is their analytical approach to their performance, attention to detail and time in the ring. Everyone can spend countless hours perfecting their skills, but the efficient will make better use of their time and progress at a much faster rate. However, all the practice in the world is for nought without experience.”   

So don’t just work more. Look for ways to do things better, faster. Work smarter.

7. Hearing “NO” is a good thing

Does everything happen for a reason? I don’t know… but I can tell you some of our biggest successes, started with someone saying “NO”.

Remember this video about our Cross-Country Boots? (if you haven’t seen it…take 1 min, it’s fantastic.)

Stroke of marketing genius? Not really. We made it because our test rider refused to try the boots as they did not seem to be protective enough. We had to find a way to convince him, and came up with the idea of the axe impact test video.

Whoever said necessity is the mother of all inventions was right. Had the rider agreed to try the boots from the beginning, I can assure you we never would have thought about the impact test video. Looking back, that “NO” was the key factor to ultimate success. 

It is disappointing to hear NO and it can get you down. But you have to stop viewing it as a bad thing, and as part of a process to reach your ultimate goal.

8. Passion

Someone told me: “True passion is a gift not many people are blessed with in life.” Successful people love what they do.

9. Sacrifice

I don’t know of any successful athlete or business person who has not made sacrifices in the pursuit of their goals – financial or otherwise.

10. You need a great team

Look behind every great rider and you will see a great support team – groom, coach, vet, farrier, family. You need to surround yourself with people that make you more efficient and improve your results.

In Good to Great, author Jim Collins puts it as: “getting the right people on the bus, the wrong people off the bus, and the right people in the right seats”.

11. Ambition

“Good is the enemy of great.”  Successful people are rarely fully satisfied with what they have.  They’re always hungry for more.

12. Perseverance

Never, never, never, never give up. Ever.

Watch Karen O'Connor.

13. You gotta Believe!

A week prior to the World Equestrian Games, I texted one of the Canadian riders: "Do you really think you can win a medal?"

The answer popped back on my phone almost instantly: "YOU BET WE CAN!"

No hesitation.

Someone close to the team told me: "Getting those riders to buy in and truly believe in themselves was key. They were so cohesive and operated as a group. That was so evident to me in the barns and was different from other teams. Their "Canadianess" ie quiet humble confidence set them apart.

There is a difference between a walk of confidence and a swagger. It is something that is internal and hard to teach but each of those riders possess that quality and it served them well."

Many people confuse being cocky with confidence. Confidence is all about believing in your ability, knowing you are doing exactly what you are supposed to be doing… and doing it well. So… “YOU BET YOU CAN!”

14. All that and a bit of luck…

Successful people will disagree and say “you make your own luck”, as it is a factor they cannot control – very scary to the Type A control-freak.

But luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. Sometimes, you are just at the right place at the right time. Then it is up to you to do the right thing.

<< December 2010                                 January 2011                                       Videos and Blog>>

So you followed our advice in our “Sponsorships 101 - Tips for the Upcoming Rider" blog post and you’ve successfully secured your first corporate sponsorships… wohoo! Now what?

First, you have to realize you’re not in Kansas anymore. It is essential to understand that a sponsorship agreement is a business contract with obligations on both sides. Here is our advice to build a successful sponsorship relationship.

1. Have a contract or clear agreement 

The equestrian market operates somewhat casually, but to avoid any misunderstandings, both parties should work out in advance what the sponsorship entails. You should get the terms in writing, preferably in a formal contract or at least an email.

The contract should cover 3 aspects:

• What are you going to give me?

Sponsors generally give product/services (or a discount if it’s a high ticket item) to the sponsored rider. It could vary along the way but some value should be stated on the contract. For example, the contract could say “we will supply X, Y, Z for your X number of horses.”

It goes without saying that once you have a corporate sponsor, you should use their products in public at all times. For example, if you have a clothing sponsor, you should only wear their clothes – so if they are only giving you 3 outfits and you really would need 5, instead of wearing something else, check if you can get a discount on the extra 2. You need to be proactive and think of these things before you sign on the dotted line.

• What am I required to do?

You are probably going “yippee! I’m getting free stuff!” but a sponsorship means that you have obligations and you should know what you are expected to do. The terms will vary depending on the company but on the contract, you may find specific requirements, like displaying the company’s logo on your website, a banner at horse shows…etc.

The company will probably want to use your image. Not all riders do, but if you want to have control of your image, you can ask for the right to have final approval on photos. If you do, make sure to promptly respond to emails as the marketing world operates on very tight deadlines.

• Time frame

The great majority of sponsorships work out well for both parties, but a contract should state the length of the agreement and how to terminate it.

2. Understand the "unwritten rules of your sponsorship contract" 

These might not be explicitly written in a contract but  you should understand them in order to navigate in peaceful sponsorship waters.

• You are now an ambassador for a brand.

The equestrian market is relatively small compared to other sports and one athlete is unlikely to affect sales in a million-dollar way. Nonetheless, once you have corporate logos on your trailer, you should be mindful of your conduct and behave in a professional manner at all times. What you do or say in public reflects on your business and your sponsors. So, as I tell young riders: wear a helmet, pet your horse and be nice to people!

• Learn as much as possible about the product

At horse shows, other riders might come up to you and ask you specific questions about the products you endorse. You are not expected to be an expert, but you should know as much as you can so you don’t give out wrong information. If it’s a technical product, you might want to keep some brochures in your tack trunk.

Also, ask the company what to do if you have a client interested in purchasing. Should you tell them to call the local rep? The main office? Refer them to the website? Don’t be afraid to ask as most companies will have a preference but will sometimes forget to discuss it with you.

• Facebook, Twitter, Blogs: don’t be shy…promote yourself!

Most upper level riders move in circles of their peers (besides their clients), so they don’t always realize how many people are out there, watching them. But low level amateur riders form the vast majority of the equestrian community (I don't have specific numbers but I would say probably 99%). These riders are passionate about the sport and always on the look-out for helpful tips and information on how the pros do things. The internet provides the perfect vehicle to reach out to them, share your knowledge and passion for the sport.

Social media offers a great (and free!) platform to promote yourself, so get on the Facebook, Twitter and Blog bandwagon asap. Make it a point to spend a few hours every week updating new, relevant content. It will be worthwhile for your own business and will increase your "sponsorship value" if I can be so crude. On Facebook, I would advise to have a separate page for the business from your personal one. Drunken photos in your underwear are a no-no on both.

• Avoid conflicts between sponsors

So…you only have one head and your 5 sponsors all want you to wear their hat at a big competition. (BTW - They might not come out and say “hey, wear my hat” but if they give you a hat, they want it on your head…).  It is your job to avoid conflicts between sponsors and keep everyone happy. You should have a clear plan and determine who gets a piece of what (maybe even with sponsorship levels). Learning to service and balance your various sponsors’ needs requires work, much like becoming a successful rider. You can learn a lot from more experienced riders or have mentors in the business world who can advise you.

Also, your sponsors might send you generic products with their logo (clothing, saddle pads, horse blankets). If you have a sponsor in that category, make sure to refer them to your sponsor as you should not accept conflicting products.

Communication is the key to any successful relationship so if you are not sure about something, don't be afraid to pick up the phone or send an email.

It is worthwhile to learn how to manage sponsorships well. Sponsors are investing in you, so do what you can to help them, acknowledge their contribution and you will be able to maintain solid relationships throughout your career.

<< November 2010                                  December 2010                                       Videos and Blog>>

Sunday, December 12, 2010-12

The US Eventing Team had a World Equestrian Games Recap Session at the 2010 USEA Convention. Captain Mark Phillips, Phillip Dutton, Karen O’Connor and Becky Holder spoke about their preparation and explained what happened in every phase and how they felt. Here are the videos of their speeches.

Phillip Dutton - US Eventing Team – 2010 World Equestrian Games Recap at USEA Convention

Karen O'Connor - US Eventing Team – 2010 World Equestrian Games Recap at USEA Convention

Becky Holder - US Eventing Team – 2010 World Equestrian Games Recap at USEA Convention

<< November 2010                                  December 2010                                       Videos and Blog>>

Oliver Townend's speech at the USEA Convention, sponsored by ECOGOLD, was a big hit. Oliver talked about his life story candidly, how he started with practically nothing and worked very hard to become one of the world’s best event riders.  He took us on a journey, discussing the highs, the lows and everything in between. The good and bad decisions, the business side of eventing, his great victories and his spectacular fall at this year’s Rolex Kentucky. Oliver was very entertaining and the main message is “if you  are determined and work hard enough, you will achieve your goals” Enjoy the videos!

Video - Oliver Townend - Keynote Speech at USEA Convention Part 1/6

Video - Oliver Townend - Keynote Speech at USEA Convention Part 2/6

Video - Oliver Townend - Keynote Speech at USEA Convention Part 3/6

Video - Oliver Townend - Keynote Speech at USEA Convention Part 4/6

Video - Oliver Townend - Keynote Speech at USEA Convention Part 5/6

Video - Oliver Townend - Keynote Speech at USEA Convention Part 6/6

<< November 2010                                  December 2010                                       Videos and Blog>>

Saturday, December 11, 2010

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, Oliver Townend, Karen O'Connor, Amy Tryon, Becky Holder, 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

<< November 2010                                  December 2010                                       Videos and Blog>>

Saturday, December 11, 2010

One of the most interesting seminars at the USEA Convention featured Equestrian Sport Psychologist Daniel Stewart. He talked about the importance of turning negative thoughts into positive ones. For example, saying “I’m going to jump clear” is positive as opposed to the negative “I’m not going to have a rail down”. They basically mean the same thing but in the mind, having positive thoughts instead of negative ones is a more effective way  to succeed. The seminar was very entertaining and informative, covering all aspects of sports psychology and relating them to riding: how to build confidence, the power of mental images, how to manage stress and how to specific goals and not lose focus. Here’s the video from the USEA.

<< November 2010                                  December 2010                                       Videos and Blog>>

Friday October, 15 2010

When popular eventing blog Three Days Three Ways asked if we could send them a set of Cross-country Horse Boots for their review, we had no idea what they had in mind. Well-known for their fashion articles, grooming tips, the latest eventing trends and a personal look at upper-level riders and their horses, Three Days Three Ways is not about who won what, but a VIP ticket to go behind the scenes.

Their review of ECOGOLD cross-country boots was a little unorthodox…as it involved a “spoof” of our axe impact test video.

Three Days Three Ways video - 3 Girls and an Axe Vs an Ecogold cross-country boot (plus magic)

ECOGOLD's axe impact test video

Bloopers - Three Days Three Ways video

<< September 2010                                  October 2010                                       Videos and Blog>>

To ensure the protection of your horse's legs, Canadian Eventing Team member Jessica Phoenix demonstrates how to put on ECOGOLD Cross-country Boots.

Watch video! How to properly put on ECOGOLD Cross-country Horse Boots

Four-star eventing competitor Boyd Martin, who is short-listed for the US Eventing Team at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games with two horses said about ECOGOLD Horse Boots, “When you’re galloping cross-country, going long distances and through water, you need a lightweight boot that doesn’t heat the legs or labor them with extra weight. Sooner or later your horse’s legs are bound to smash into a jump and that’s when you need the best defense you can get against injury. The Ecogold cross-country boot offers the most protection a boot can give when jumping fixed obstacles at high speed.”

Click here or on the image for the link to our Cross-country Horse Boots.

<< August 2010                                  September 2010                                       Videos and Blog>>

Monday July 12, 2010

When we started developing our line of horse boots, we took a look at the products that were already in the market.

First, as a textile engineering company, we know about materials. And we were amazed by the amount of ridiculous claims on labels: from breathable-neoprene (which doesn’t exist. Neoprene is an insulator and is not breathable) to 95%+ shock absorption (you can’t measure impact in an absolute percentage, it depends on the impact force). Yikes! No wonder people don’t know what to believe.

As a protective safety device, we were surprised that there weren’t uniform testing requirements that all manufacturers needed to comply with, specially with regards to impact, as there are for helmets or safety vests.

We did comparative studies, looked at the key important factors and also, talked to grooms and top riders to see how we could develop a horse boot that would offer the best protection to the horse.

Video - What every rider should know about protective Horse Boots

1. IMPACT PROTECTION

First and foremost, the reason why you put a boot on your horse is for protection. When we started looking for the best impact material in boots, we discovered many choices. Some boots use plastic shields, metal plates, and amazingly enough, some brushing boots don’t have any protection at all. The problem with the metal or plastic shield, is that even if it protects (some brands better than others) it remains stiff, which is not comfortable for the horse and has the potential to create rubs. Our discussions with top riders and grooms made it clear that our boots needed to be flexible, so we had to look for a material that would not only have high impact strength, but also be flexible.

We found polycarbonate, a bullet-proof material designed to absorb shock in high-impact situations. Developed originally for the aerospace industry, polycarbonate is used for airline windows, NASA Space Shuttles and also for protective helmets, riot police shields and bullet-proof windows.  There is plenty of data on its resistance to impact.

"With 20 times the impact resistance of fiberglass and over 40 times the impact resistance of glass or acrylic. At a thickness of .033", a Polycarbonate sheet can withstand over 240 inch-pounds of impact. This equates to a 3/4" hailstone falling at 96 miles per hour! Polycarbonate sheet maintains this superior impact resistance at temperatures ranging from 40°C to 250°C."

We also did our own comparative impact test – hitting different brands with an axe. We were amazed by the results.

Video - Axe Impact test ECOGOLD Horse Boots

Besides the impact protection advantages, polycarbonate is very light, flexible and offers a uniform level of protection at different temperatures. So riding in tropical hot and humid or freezing conditions, would not affect its performance.

2. HEAT build-up – Breathability

Air-vents or no air-vents? As riders try to determine breathability by checking the number of air-vents on horse boots, we knew that our key advantage would be in making the entire surface of the boot entirely breathable, as we had successfully done for our dressage boots. So, our boot doesn’t need air-vents – which can help neoprene-boots become slightly more breathable but can also offer a weak impact point (less protection where it’s open) and allow sand and dirt to get in.

Our expertise in combining micro-fiber and our unique 100% breathable memory-foam (our breathable memory-foam is completely vented, like a mesh, so it does not trap moisture or heat in, as might happen with regular memory-foam) offer an entirely breathable surface, to quickly dissipate the heat.

There was an independent test done at a competition in the UK measuring the temperature of the horse’s legs after the XC. Results found that the horses using our boots were 1.5 degrees cooler than with the number one boot in the UK.

3. RESTRICTION - Flexibility

It was clear from the beginning that we needed to make very flexible boots, not only to offer greater comfort to the horse, but also reduce friction and prevent rubs. Stiff boots limit the freedom of movement.

Rubs and skin irritation can be caused by the materials used (many horses are allergic to neoprene), but also due to the boot design. Top grooms strongly recommended making a boot without any trim to prevent friction.

The breathable memory-foam, which conforms to the horse’s legs with the flexibility of the Polycarbonate shield and designing the boots without any trim, feel like a second skin. That's what you want. The more flexible, the more comfortable for the horse, but without compromising on the level of impact protection.

4. WEIGHT – One of the reasons why we are using the Polycarbonate shield is that it’s lightweight compared with other materials of similar resistance, which allows our boots to weigh as the lightest ones in the market approximately 250 grams.

The fact that they are 100% breathable allows them to quickly evaporate the sweat, maintaining their weight constant during a competition. By using water-repellent materials, the tests done on the field show that there is little water absorption when going through the water jumps.

For more information about ECOGOLD Horse Boots, please click on each photo:

<< June 2010                                  July 2010                                       Videos and Blog>>

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

The O'Connor Event Team invited us to their eventing camp in Lexington, VA. Karen O'Connor introduces ECOGOLD and talks about the importance of having experts from outside the equine industry come in and bring new technologies to develop innovative products that benefit horses.

O'Connor Eventing Camp 2 - Karen O'Connor introduces ECOGOLD

More from OCET Camp - Click here>>        

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