ECOGOLD says Bonjour la France, G’day Australia
Thursday September 23, 2010
In addition to our online shop that offers free worldwide shipping, ECOGOLD has teamed up with great international partners to bring our line of high-tech saddle pads and horse boots at horse shows around the globe.
Our fabulous UK partner Horses In Sport, with whom we were at Blenheim earlier this month, will be heading to Weston Park (7th-10th October), the Equine Event - Your Horse Live in Stoneleigh in November and the Olympia International Championships in London in December.
We are very excited to introduce our latest partners in Australia and France.
Southern Stars Saddlery is a family business run by brothers Clayton and Kelvin Fredericks and backed by the inspiration of Team Fredericks. ECOGOLD products were tested and given thumbs up by Team Fredericks. Southern Stars Saddlery will be in Boekelo (in Holland) in October and at the Adelaide International CCI4* November 12th to 14th.
Cheval de Sport’s mobile unit can be found at horse shows across France. Next on their schedule are the Mondial du Lion d’Angers in October and Les Étoiles de Pau CCI4* in November, where ECOGOLD-riders Boyd Martin and Buck Davidson are planning to compete.
Ecogold-rider McLain Ward on NBC's TODAY Show
Tuesday, September 21 2010
This morning, equestrian sports went mainstream. Olympic Gold medallist McLain Ward, who rides in ECOGOLD's Forward Flap Hunter saddle pads (click here to view product), was interviewed on NBC's Today Show, with fellow show jumper Georgina Bloomberg, to talk about the World Equestrian Games. Here is the video and some photos!
Photo Gallery
TODAY show host Matt Lauer interviews Georgina Bloomberg and McLain about the World Equestrian Games. |
Their interview was taped outside Rockefeller Plaza in NYC in front of many fans. |
So... "tell me about those World Equestrian Games" |
McLain explained that the World Equestrian Games celebrates all equestrian sports. |
McLain Ward and Sapphire - Wohoo!!! Let's go for GOLD!!! |
Sapphire gets her close-up...and (shameless plug!) you can see the ECOGOLD saddle pad underneath |
"Wow! You guys jump big jumps this high!" "Yep." |
"OK, let's remind everyone when the World Equestrian Games are going to be on TV" |
This Sunday at noon on NBC. Let the Games begin!! |
British Eventing Team's Training Session for World Equestrian Games
Friday, September 17 2010
Blenheim Horse Trials spectators were treated to a special training session where British Eventing Team riders selected for the 2010 World Equestrian Games, practiced their dressage test with team dressage coach Tracie Robinson. We were lucky to catch the training sessions of William Fox-Pitt and Cool Mountain and Piggy French with Jakarta.
There was a moment between sessions, where some of the riders had not yet made their way to the arena. To fill the time, Tina Cook and Piggy French took the mike and spoke about their horses and their preparation for the World Equestrian Games.
The British Eventing Team horses will travel to Liège in Belgium on September 21 and will then fly to Cincinnati, OH where they will be quarantined before heading to the Kentucky Horse Park. The British Eventing Team riders have an impressive track record of success at international competitions and they will certainly be a force to be reckoned with in Kentucky.
Enjoy the videos!
Piggy French and Jakata - British Eventing Team Training Session for World Equestrian Games with Dressage team coach Tracie Robinson
Tina Cook talks about preparing for World Equestrian Games - British Eventing Team WEG Training Session at 2010 Blenheim Horse Trials
Piggy French talks about preparing for World Equestrian Games - British Eventing Team WEG Training Session at 2010 Blenheim Horse Trials
William Fox-Pitt and Cool Mountain - British Eventing Team Training Session for World Equestrian Games with Dressage team coach Tracie Robinson
ECOGOLD riders dominate US Eventing Team Selection for World Equestrian Games
Thursday, September 16 2010
Not only has the US Eventing Team chosen to ride in ECOGOLD Saddle pads at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, but when the selection list was announced earlier this week, we were proud to see a majority of the team formed by ECOGOLD-sponsored riders.
The United States Equestrian Federation has named the following horse and rider combinations as the team and individuals to the U.S. Eventing Team for the FEI World Equestrian Games which will take place from September 25-October 10, 2010 in Lexington, KY.
Congratulations to the riders who made the selection! Click on their names for their profiles in our Hall of Champions:
Team USA Riders:
- Buck Davidson and BallyNoe Castle RM
- Phillip Dutton and Woodburn
- Boyd Martin and Neville Bardos
- Kim Severson and Tipperary Liadhnan
Individual Riders:
- Karen O'Connor and Mandiba
- Becky Holder and Courageous Comet
ECOGOLD rider McLain Ward and Sapphire Win Richest Grand Prix in Show Jumping History
Thursday, September 16 2010
HITS Press Release/ Photos: ESI Photography.
Two-time US Olympic Gold Medalist McLain Ward of Brewster, New York, who rides in ECOGOLD Saddle pads, and his majestic, "million-dollar" mare, Sapphire, owned by McLain Ward and Blue Chip Bloodstock, won the inaugural Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix on Sunday, September 12 at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.
The legendary duo of Ward and Sapphire proudly added their names to the show jumping history books once more when they bested a field of 43 High-Performance riders before an energetic and enthusiastic crowd of thousands that lined all four berms surrounding the Strongid Stadium. Sunday's line-up featured some of the best and most promising athletes and horses in the sport, including some of America's brightest up-and-coming stars and several American and International Olympians.
Olympic Course Designer Steve Stephens of Palmetto, Florida set a challenging and technical course that was decorated to the hilt by Olympic Course Decorator Flora Baptiston of Brazil.
"The course was brilliant," explained Ward. "Steve [Stephens] has been a great course designer for years, and he was a brilliant rider before that. Today was a great balance of tests."
After a successful week of show jumping, the Strongid Stadium was transformed into a field of dreams, as custom jumps, exclusive to the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix, including a fence from the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, set the stage for the biggest event of the year.
Another ECOGOLD rider, Charlie Jayne of Elgin, Illinois and The London Group's Athena led the crowd to a thunderous applause when they captured the first clear effort of the class. The pair finished second in the jump off.
"This was the biggest class I've ever competed in," said Jayne. "I felt the presence of the crowd, and that we were all jumping for the fans today. HITS did a great job of getting an audience to come out for the class."
Jayne and Athena tasted success earlier in the season at HITS-on-the-Hudson when they captured the $125,000 Strongid© C 2X Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health.
The best was saved for last when Ward and Sapphire immaculately took the victory with a faultless round in 44.782 seconds, as the crowd witnessed history-in-the-making for the once-in-a-lifetime pair.
"I owe my career to her [Sapphire]," said Ward, who now nears the four-million dollar mark on his mare. "I watched Charlie go, and I've got to say, standing at the gate, I was nervous. There was a lot of money on the line."
Ward and Sapphire led the way in a victory gallop, joined by the top 20 horse-and-riders of the class as the crowd cheered approvingly of the outcome.
"McLain is the best rider I've ever seen, probably will ever see, so it's an honor to be in second place," exclaimed an ecstatic Jayne. "I'm grateful to be able to compete in a class like this...it was an excellent event today, and I couldn't ask for anything more."
Now available! ECOGOLD Saddle pads for World Equestrian Games
Friday September 3, 2010
Attention patriotic riders! Since posting photos of the saddle pads we are making for the US and Canadian teams for the 2010 World Equestrian Games, we have been overwhelmed by the number of requests from amateur riders wanting to purchase them.
As we couldn't leave Phillip Dutton or Ashley Holzer without saddle pads... we are now making a limited edition of saddle pads, identical to those that will be used by the world's top riders in Kentucky.
You can now purchase "Go USA! or "Go Canada!" dressage, jumper and cross-country saddle pads, with your country's flag on both sides. Wear it proudly!!!
WEG Patriotic Collection - GO USA!!! click on photos to purchase
WEG Patriotic Collection - GO Canada!!! click on photos
ECOGOLD is heading to Blenheim Horse Trials!
Wednesday, September 1 2010
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In a few days, we will be on our way to the Blenheim Horse Trials We will be at the Horses In Sport trade stand, promoting ECOGOLD saddle pads and horse boots in the UK. We will also bring you the latest Blenheim news and updates on our blog, Facebook page and Twitter as we catch up with our friend US rider Sharon White, who will be competing with Rafferty's Rules (aka Reggie), a 12-yr old Bay Australian Warmblood Gelding owned by Adrienne and Charles Classen. Don't miss a thing!! Follow us on our Facebook and Twitter pages. |
Enjoy this video from last year's Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials
A sneak peek at ECOGOLD's World Equestrian Games Saddle pads
Tuesday August 31, 2010
The ECOGOLD factory is buzzing with activity as we are making the saddle pads for teams that will be competing at the 2010 World Equestrian Games in a few weeks. In addition to the official team saddle pads, we have ten ECOGOLD-sponsored riders that have been short-listed or selected for the Games, which we are supplying with anything they may require on an individual basis (from half-pads to horse boots).
If you thought that saddle pads are just saddle pads, think again. When you are competing at the highest level of the sport, you cannot leave anything to chance. Some riders have their own preferences and some ride in very distinctive custom saddles, which means that we have to adapt certain saddle pads to their requirements.
Here are some photos...
Canadian Dressage Team - ECOGOLD Frictionless Saddle pad |
Canadian Dressage Team Saddle pads are ready! |
Ashley Holzer's Saddle pads |
Canadian Eventing Team - ECOGOLD Secure XC Saddle pad |
Canadian Eventing Team's Cross-country Saddle pads are ready! |
Some riders have special saddles, which means custom saddle pads - this is Rebecca Howard's |
Stephanie Rhodes-Bosch's pattern on the cutting table |
US Eventing Team Saddle pads - don't worry, they will be ready... |
Team USA's Cross-country Saddle pads |
US flag for United States Eventing Team's Saddle pads |
Team USA's Phillip Dutton's special pattern for his blue XC saddle |
United States Eventing Team's Phillip Dutton in his special Cross-country Saddle pad |
UPDATE! Thursday September 2, 2010 - Team USA pads are ready!
US pads getting friendly with the Canadian pads. At WEG, none of that - it's all business. |
US jumper pads are ready to win some medals! |
US XC pads are ready to jump some big fences |
Buck Davidson's Cross-country saddle pad ready to go for Gold! |
Oh Canada!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
Canadian Eventing Team rider Rebbeca Horward's Saddle pads for World Equestrian Games |
Phillip Dutton's Cross-country Saddle pad for World Equestrian Games, next to go |
US-Canadian friendship - Phillip Dutton's pad giving last minute advice to Stephanie Rhodes-Bosch's. |
US Eventing Team rider Boyd Martin's Cross-country and Dressage Horse Boots for World Equestrian Games |
Now Available for Purchase!
We have been overwhelmed by the number of requests from amateur riders wanting to get the same saddle pads that we are making for the World Equestrian Games' teams. For a limited time, we are offering a "WEG Patriotic Collection" of saddle pads, identical to those used by your favorite WEG team. You can now purchase "Go USA! or "Go Canada!" dressage, jumper and cross-country saddle pads, with your country's flag on both sides. Wear it proudly!!!
WEG Patriotic Collection - GO USA!!! click on photos
WEG Patriotic Collection - GO Canada!!! click on photos
UPDATE! Thursday September 3, 2010 - World Equestrian Games Saddle pads are on their way!
ECOGOLD Saddle pads for the World Equestrian Games are leaving the nest!! Next time we see them, they will be under some of the world's best riders and their amazing horses. Good luck in Kentucky!!!
Sinead Halpin and Tate’s big comeback!
Wednesday September 1, 2010
The last time we saw US Event Rider Sinead Halpin's top horse Manior De Carneville, aka Tate, he was doing rehabilitation in the pool to regain his muscle strength and fitness after an unfortunate injury this winter.
How is he doing now?
At his first competition, the Richland Park Horse Trials CIC Two Star, he came back with a vengeance, winning all three phases and going home with the blue.
On Sunday morning, Sinead had these comments “Tate felt fantastic yesterday. I was a little nervous because he has had only one cross country school since march and I also was a bit worried about his fitness. As soon as he left the start box, I felt all those worries start to go away. Tate jumped like a million bucks and even at the last minute he felt like he still had plenty of running left.
The course was very inviting and was designed by Ian Stark. The first water caught some by surprise being fence five and off a turn but other than that most of the horses understood and jumped the questions well. The ground was a bit hard but after an afternoon of icing tate looked great in the evening and looks even better this morning. Trot up is in about 20 minutes and then we wait till probably 2:30 to jump. I think I have a rail in hand but hopefully we have a solid performance to set us up well for the American EventingChampionships in 2 weeks where will go advanced.”
He went on to jump a clear round and finish on his dressage score of 49, Phillip Dutton was 2nd . The pair will now head to the American Eventing Championships in Georgia and hope to compete in Boekelo later in the fall.
New Helmet Cam Video from Peter Atkins and HJ Hampton
Wednesday September 1, 2010
Peter Atkins, who rides in ECOGOLD saddle pads, and the very popular HenryJota Hampton, better know as Henny, are back with a new helmet cam video taken at the Richland Park Horse Trials CIC***. The pair has just been selected as reserves for the Australian Team at the World Equestrian Games. Peter said: “It still doesn't mean I will be riding but it is quite an honor especially considering how little he has done and how young he is. We will be part of the squad training for WEG and the final horses actually competing will be announced on September 23rd."
So we will have to wait until then to see if we will get a helmet-cam video from the World Equestrian Games.
Peter and HJ Hampton have a new Facebook Page: Run Henny Run
How to put on ECOGOLD Cross-country Horse Boots
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.”
