Friday, October 15 2010

WOW!!! What a Journey!!!
World Equestrian Games Silver Medalists - Go Canada!

This was an amazing World Equestrian Games for Canada and I am so proud to have been a part of it. Huge thanks goes to everyone that was such an important part of this journey. You all know who you are and we could not have done it without you! This was the best group of people I have ever had the pleasure of riding with, and our support staff and coaching was second to none.

Exponential was incredible the whole weekend. He performed the best canter work of his life in the dressage test while competing in biggest stadium he has ever seen! We will dedicate the winter to improving his trot work and rein back with the goal of scoring a 49 at Rolex 2011 and then on to the 2012 Olympics with Gold on our minds!!
 

Cross country was another superb day for Canada seeing all six riders’ complete clear jumping rounds – a feat that no other country would match! It was Exponential‘s kind of course and he made every jump feel incredible. I think he knew the world was watching and he wanted to put on a show! The most memorable moment was jumping into the head of lake – Exponential took a huge leap off the bounce bank and made waves on landing. (see video below) Kudos to his extreme athleticism, he was able to regain his footing and complete the course adding just 1.6 time faults to his dressage score. This horse is by the far the best jumping horse I have ever sat on and I cannot wait to do it again!

Video - Jessica Phoenix and Exponential at the Water Jump - 2010 World Equestrian Games

Team Canada had another stellar performance in Show jumping moving up from Bronze to win the Silver medal! Unfortunately, Exponentials knee was very swollen on Sunday morning and because of this we could not carry on to the show jumping with the rest of our team. Our vet Dr. Ober took amazing care of Exponential and had him feeling much better by the end of the day!
We are all home now and Exponential is enjoying turn out with Exploring!

Looking back over the past year seems like a whirlwind, welcoming our first son Jacob into the world and competing at the World Equestrian Games “Silver Medal Team Canada” – life does not get much better than this!

On to the 2012 Olympics with Gold on our minds!

Lots of love,

Jessica and Tucker (Exponential)

Monday, October 4 2010

Wow!! What a thrill! ECOGOLD is unbelievably proud to sponsor the Canadian Eventing Team, winner of the Silver medal at the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky.

The Canadian eventing team, including Hawley Bennett, Kyle Carter, Selena O’Hanlon and Stephanie Rhodes-Bosch as well as Canadian individuals Rebecca Howard and Jessica Phoenix used Ecogold saddle pads for all three phases of the eventing championship. Riders raved about the quality and technical superiority of Ecogold saddle pads as well as the outstanding support that they receive from the company.

Rebecca Howard said, “We use Ecogold pads for all three phases and they are fabulous! The cross-country pad is the one that I am especially excited about. They look classy and they don’t move.”

Howard also commented on the success of the Canadian riders at WEG, “What do you say? We’re all thrilled! Everybody just did their job and it worked out like it is supposed to.”

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!”

Stephanie Rhodes-Bosch said, “Patricia from Ecogold has been amazing. I ride in a custom saddle that’s gigantic and Ecogold had special pads made; they have been great supporting all of us. I love the way the pads fit the saddle and the horses’ backs have stayed cool and didn’t get sore at all during this strenuous competition.”

Here is some fantastic video of Hawley Bennett and Kyle Carter's riding Cross-country

Press Release and Photo Credit - Amber Heintzberger

October 3, 2010 -- Lexington, Kentucky

Ecogold is the proud sponsor of the silver medal-winning Canadian three-day eventing team and the fourth-placed US eventing team as well as the Canadian dressage team at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky.

The Canadian eventing team, including Hawley Bennett, Kyle Carter, Selena O’Hanlon and Stephanie Rhodes-Bosch as well as Canadian individuals Rebecca Howard and Jessica Phoenix used Ecogold saddle pads for all three phases of the eventing championship. Riders raved about the quality and technical superiority of Ecogold saddle pads as well as the outstanding support that they receive from the company.

Rebecca Howard said, “We use Ecogold pads for all three phases and they are fabulous! The cross-country pad is the one that I am especially excited about. They look classy and they don’t move.”

Howard also commented on the success of the Canadian riders at WEG, “What do you say? We’re all thrilled! Everybody just did their job and it worked out like it is supposed to.”

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!”

Stephanie Rhodes-Bosch said, “Patricia from Ecogold has been amazing. I ride in a custom saddle that’s gigantic and Ecogold had special pads made; they have been great supporting all of us. I love the way the pads fit the saddle and the horses’ backs have stayed cool and didn’t get sore at all during this strenuous competition.”

Ecogold also sponsors the US eventing team of Phillip Dutton, Boyd Martin, Buck Davidson and Karen O’Connor as well as individual competitor Becky Holder.

Top US finisher Boyd Martin said, “Galloping around the enormous and somewhat terrifying cross-course at the WEG, I was confident that my horse’s back would be comfortable and my saddle would stay put thanks to my Ecogold saddle pad. The company has been very supportive not only during the WEG but of my riding career here in the USA.”

Incidentally, popular Australian rider Peter Atkins, who wears a helmet camera to film his rides, also rides his horse Henry Jota Hampton in an Ecogold cross-country pad. Atkins’ slogan “Run Henny Run” is printed on hats and T-shirts and was mentioned several times on the televised broadcast of the championships.

The Canadian dressage team included Ashley Holzer, Belinda Trussell, Bonny Bonnello and Victoria Winter. Holzer placed eighth in the Grand Prix Freestyle at the WEG.

As well as supporting these teams, Ecogold sponsors nine of these riders, who dominated their team selections for the World Equestrian Games, on an ongoing basis. Ecogold also sponsors leading show jumping rider McLain Ward, who is competing on the US show jumping team at the WEG.

In addition to saddle pads, Ecogold manufactures open-front horse boots, cross-country horse boots, and dressage boots.

Ecogold is comprised of a team of experts in the field of textile engineering with more than 40 years experience in high-performance materials. All Ecogold products are made in a company-owned factory in Montreal, Quebec, Canada to ensure the best quality materials and workmanship.

Friday, September 24  2010

There is no greater honour than representing one’s country at an international competition. Some of our riders are doing it for the first time and others are Olympic and WEG veterans, which does not diminish their enthusiasm or pride, even if they might not express it on a blog or facebook page. As their nation follows their journey, they will have to deal with a lot of pressure and keep an undivided focus on the job at hand, as well as having the additional challenge of keeping their horses fit and ready.

Unfortunately, we will not be in Kentucky ourselves but will be watching online, on television and communicating with them through technology (phone).

So to our riders, we say: Good Luck and Go get them!!! We send big hugs and we are keeping some champagne on ice, just in case…

Here are our stars!

Ashley Holzer – Canadian Dressage Team

A three-time Olympic veteran and Bronze Medalist (1988 Seoul Olympic Games) she finished 13th individually at the 2008 Olympic Games riding Pop Art. She spent this summer training in Europe with the Canadian Squad, coached by Robert Dover. These World Equestrian Games will be Ashley’s fourth.

Here’s Ashley and Pop Art

McLain Ward – US Show Jumping Team

We wish nothing but success for all our riders, but most particularly for McLain and Sapphire, who were very unlucky (robbed) at this year’s World Cup in Geneva. With two Olympic Gold medals, a silver medal at the last World Equestrian Games and a recent win at the Million Dollar HITS Grand Prix in Saugerties, NY, McLain and Sapphire have an undisputed track record of success and will leave nothing on the table as they go for GOLD.

Here’s McLain Ward and Sapphire at 2009 Spruce Meadows

Phillip Dutton - US Eventing Team

Veteran of 4 Olympic Games, with 2 Olympic Gold Medals (riding for Australia), these will be his fifth World Equestrian Games. Phillip is presently ranked 2nd in the HSBC FEI World Rankings and will be riding Woodburn, who placed second at this year’s Rolex Kentucky Three Day-Event CCI4*.

Here’s Phillip Dutton and Woodburn

Buck Davidson – US Eventing Team

In 2009, Buck won the  Pinnacle Trophy for Highest Placed US Rider at Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI**** with My Boy Bobby and was the second ranked rider in the United States. He was short listed for the 2000 Sydney Olympics with Special Attention, for the 2006 World Equestrian Games with Class Touch and was an alternate for the  2008 Olympics in Hong Kong. So this will Buck's first World Equestrian Games as a full member of the US Team. He will be riding Ballynoecastle RM.

Here's Buck Davidson and Ballynoecastle RM.

Boyd Martin – US Eventing Team

In the past two years, Boyd Martin has had a meteoric rise to the top of the eventing world. In 2009, he was the third-ranked rider in the United States with consistent results at every competition. At the 2010 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, he finished in the top 12 with his three horses, which is quite impressive. Boyd is currently ranked 9th on the HSBC FEI World Rankings. He has never represented his country internationally…until now!

Here's Boyd Martin and Neville Bardos

Karen O'Connor - US Eventing Team

One of the most successful riders in the history of eventing, 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 has represented the USA at four Olympic Games, winning the Team Silver Medal in Atlanta in 1996 and Team Bronze Medal in Sydney in 2000.  She earned the Individual Gold Medal and helped the United States win Team Gold at the 2007 Pan American Games in Brazil and won individual silver medal at the 2003 Pan American Games. She is currently placed 18th on the HSBC FEI World Rankings.

Here is Karen O’Connor and Mandiba

Hawley Bennett – Canadian Eventing Team

Olympian Hawley Bennet is one of Canada’s top event riders and already a veteran of international competition. She was a silver medalist at the 2003 Pan American Eventing Championships, Canadian Eventing Team member at the 2004 Olympic Games, Athens and represented Canada at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens and the 2005 FEI World Cup Final in Sweden on Livingstone.

This year, Hawley had the honour of being a torch bearer for the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver and she finished 9th at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event on her mare, Gin and Juice.

Unfortunately, we don’t have a video for Hawley, but here she is carrying the Olympic Torch – which was a very special moment for her.

Jessica Phoenix – Canadian Eventing Team

Ok, full disclosure: Jessica is one of our favorites!!! (yes, we needed all those exclamation points). She earned her red jacket and a team silver medal at the 2007 PanAm Games Rio (BRA) where she finished 12th individually. Her last international competition ended in heartbreak even before it had even begun. Jessica was named to the team for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing with her mount Exploring. However, she was forced to withdraw just weeks before the competition after Exploring suffered a tendon injury. In happier news, she gave birth to her first child earlier this year, and came back with a vengeance to earn her place on the team for the World Equestrian Games. She will be riding Exponential, who has never competed in a 4* event but no worries. “He is more than ready” says Jessica “Exponential is best horse I have ever sat on”.

Here's Jessica Phoenix and Exponential

Kyle Carter – Canadian Eventing Team

Born in Calgary, AB but now based in Citra, Florida, Kyle and his wife, Jennifer, an advanced-level competitor, run their own training and breeding facility. In addition to enjoying success with a large string of horses, Kyle is also a Level 3 coach and has coached many members of both the Canadian and American long lists.

Another veteran of the Canadian Eventing Team, Kyle has represented Canada at the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong and helped his team win a Silver Medal at the 2007 Pan American Games in Brazil , where he was the highest placed Canadian finishing 5th with Madison Park.

Here's Kyle Carter and Madison Park

Voilà! That’s our 2006 WEG vintage. If you want more information about these outstanding riders and the fantastic ECOGOLD products they ride in, check out their profiles in our Hall of Champions.

And to those riders who didn’t make it this year, we say: see you in London in 2012!

<< August 2010                                  September 2010                                       Videos and Blog>>

Friday, September 24 2010

If you are not going to the World Equestrian Games, you almost need a PhD in astrophysics to understand what to watch where. In addition to the online webcasts, all on a pay-per-view basis from what we gather, here is what we were able to figure out will be on television (for free!)

United States - National Programming NBC:

Sunday September 26 Noon-1:30PM ET - Team Reining with a look at the Opening ceremonies.
Sunday october 3rd-  1:00-4:00PM – Eventing Jumping with Eventing cross country on tape plus a look back at the previous week.
Sunday October 3rd 4:00 - 6:00PM - Freestyle Dressage and Individual Reining plus a look ahead to the final week.
Sunday October 10th - 4:00-6:00PM - Show Jumping “live” and Closing Cermonies. Also Vaulting and Driving plus an event recap.

CANADA

2010 WORLD EQUESTRIAN GAMES ON CBC:

Oct 2, 2010    2:00 PM - 3:30 PM Dressage Grand Prix Freestyle Final
CBC Canada should have the Jumping competition on October 16th.

Ok, so you can now organize your viewing parties!

If you have Universal Sports Channel (which we don’t in Canada), there is a lot more coverage there. We will keep updating viewing options on our Facebook and Twitter pages every day during the World Equestrian Games.

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Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Almost 450 horses departed from Europe over a 14 day period from September 16-29 and an additional 54 horses fly from Australasia and South America ready to compete in eight different disciplines at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky (25 September - 10 October).

Here are videos showing the logistics behind the horses transported from Liege, Belgium and Australia.

European horses depart for 2010 World Equestrian Games - Video

Australian horses depart for 2010 World Equestrian Games - Video

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