Friday, June 10, 2011

New Part-Owners for Steady Eddie

I’m very excited to announce that our pride and joy, Australian Thoroughbred Steady Eddie, has new part owners: Denise Lahey and Pierre Colin of Peterborough, NH have purchased 50% to join George and Gretchen Wintersteen of Unionville, PA in the ownership of this exciting and athletic young horse.
I was lucky enough to meet Denise and Pierre in Aiken earlier this year, where they spend their winters eventing. Both are huge supporters of the sport and it’s a phenomenal feeling, especially after last week’s tragedy, to have new people coming on board, supporting my up-and-coming horses.
Eddie has now been living in the United States for just over a year. He’s come up through the ranks of novice and training and did his first prelim at Waredaca last weekend, and is entered in prelim at Plantation Field Horse Trials this weekend, then he’ll have a nice rest since he’s had a pretty intense start to the year.
For those of you not familiar with Eddie, of “The Eagle” as I call him, I picked him up in Australia from a guy who got him off the racetrack. He has some phenomenal bloodlines and he is closely related to Blyth Tait’s Olympic gold-medalist Ready Teddy.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Sophia Fab!

NAME: Sophia Fab
DOB: June 25, 2007
HEIGHT: 15.3hh
BREED: Hanoverian |
(reg#840023039286607)
SEX: Mare
SIRE: San Brasil
(Sao Paulo/Argentinus)
DAM: S. Alcatrina
(Alcatraz/Ramiros Bube)
BREEDER: Laurie Cameron, DVM
FARM: Clear Blue Farm, Stockton NJ

Royally bred for performance with famous relatives on the sire's side include Gold Medal GP Dressage horse Satchmo, World Cup Grand Prix Show Jumping champion, Shutterfly and GP Show jumper Arko lll.

Her dam line includes the great names of: Alme, Gotthard, Rinaldo, Ramiro and Pik Bube. Top performers from this dam line include the Advanced Level Event horse "Are you Ready" and USEF 2008 top five Green Conformation Hunter "Fortune Hunter".

Sophia was bred to jump and started with Boyd and Silva on May 1st, 2011. Within thirty days under saddle, this rising four year old mare is showing serious dressage potential with three lovely, well balanced, uphill gaits.

Please call Boyd at 610-806-2381 OR Silva at 610-806-2721 to set up an appointment to see this fabulous young horse!



Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Full Gallop Farm Combined Test to Benefit TPF Barn Fire Victims

Lara Anderson & Kate Hutchings

Full Gallop Group Real Estate

803-215-6590 - Lara

803-480-5230 - Kate

803-644-6789 - office

Full Gallop Beat The Heat 1

SCHOOLING COMBINED TEST

Also offering Dressage test of Choice

Great opportunity to school before our recognized August Event.

Saturday June 18th, 2011

Open - Now – Close June 14th, 2011

We will take late entries if space warrants

Offering Levels

Amoeba – Intermediate

Please send all entries to:

Secretary – Full Gallop Farm

3828 Wagener Rd

Aiken, SC 29805

Phone number is 803-644-6789

803-215-6590

Email: fullgallopfarmhorsetrials@Yahoo.com

LEVELS

1. Intermediate - Fences to 3'9"

Dressage - Intermediate test B

2. Preliminary - Fences to 3’7”

Dressage – Preliminary Test B

3. Training – Fences to 3’3”

Dressage – Training Test B

4. Novice – Fences to 2’11”

Dressage – Novice Test B

5. Beginner Novice – Fences to 2’7”

Dressage – Beg Novice Test B

6. Tadpole – Fences to 2’3"

Dressage – Beg Novice Test A

7. Amoeba – Fences 18” Cross rails only

Dressage – Intro Test A

8. Dressage only test of choice – please indicate on entry which test you are doing.-$35 fee per test. ( large arena to be used for USDF tests)

Extra Jumping rounds or Dressage tests - $20

  • 12 month Coggins required with all entries
  • All CT Dressage tests in Small Arena
  • State age and level of experience on entry
  • Depending on number of entries- We may further divide them by division in each level – Senior, Junior, Restricted, etc
  • Check website www.fullgallopfarm.com for entry status and start times – if no internet - call for times after Wed May 15th, 2011
  • Hard hats with harness required at all times when jumping
  • Medical armbands required for all jumping phases
  • Limited concessions on grounds

Cross Country Schooling Available

Fri, Sat & Sun 7am – Dark

$30 fee to entered horse $40 fee to non-entered horses

Must Register with Secretary & be accompanied by an adult

Open every other day for schooling - $40

Please leave your dogs at home – if they must come -all dogs must be leashed – No exceptions- $50 donation to the FGF Jump fund if captured

NO SMOKING ALLOWED ON GROUNDS

Full Gallop Farm

Schooling Combined Test & Dress test of Choice

Saturday, June 18th, 2011

All CT levels $50, Dress only $35

Rider ____________________________________

Level Entering ____________________________

Age _______ Highest level Competed _________

Horse ____________________________________

Age ________Highest level competed __________

Address:__________________________________

City __________________ ST ____ ZIP ________

Phone #’s ________________________________

E-Mail:__________________________________

Combined Test $50.00

Dressage test of Choice $35.00

Extra Jump rounds or Dressage tests $20 ________

Camper/trailer hook-up $20 per night ________

All Stabling ____ nights @ $25 per night ________

X/C Schooling -Level _______ $30.00 _________

Non competing XC - Level _____ $40.00 ________

Total _________

Non-competing horses welcome – if bringing a non-competing horse -$15 grounds fee if not stabling– send with entry

** All horses stabling must include separate $40 muck deposit – all stalls to be cleaned – have FGF personnel check stall before leaving & get check back – or we will tear deposit up if cleaned

I am aware that riding horses is an athletic event which poses potentially serious risk of injuries. I understand that I may be injured as a result of my negligence, the negligence of others or through no fault of my own or anyone else due to the activity in which I am engaged. I hereby hold harmless Full Gallop Farm, its owners and agents, the organizers and volunteers of this event for any injury or death I might sustain as a result my participation in this event or by being on the grounds.

Signature of Rider (parent/Guardian if under 18)

______________________________________________Date___________

Print Name __________________________________________________

Photos of Neville and Min at Home

Neville and Min came home from New Bolton yesterday and photographer Amy Dragoo stopped by to capture the moment. Click here to see the photo gallery. Also check out Amy's Fine Art Print of Boyd and Neville at the WEG.

Silva and Stately Featured on DressageDaily.com

After their winning weekend at the VADA/NOVA Summer Dressage Show at Morven Park last weekend, Silva and Stately have been featured on www.dressagdaily.com. Click here to read the article!

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Inspirational Article By Jennie!

Boyd’s Colors Are Back, From Maryland To Germany

Jennie Brannigan snuggled with her sleepy young horse Ollie at the Waredaca Horse Trials (Md.).




I hear it more and more these days—“Horses will break your heart.”
I’d say with some experience that yes, that statement is very, very true. But what most also know and don’t really talk about quite as often is that riding and competing these unbelievable animals really helps you heal as well. So when everyone at TPF and Windurra USA set off to compete this past weekend at Waredaca in Maryland, I knew that it would be the first step on a long road of recovery, especially for Boyd and Woodzy.
Our feeling of unity has grown so much stronger in the past few days, and it’s renewed my faith in our family at TPF. It was nice to just take the time to watch Woodzy ride his dressage. Even with bandages for the burns on his hand, it looked pretty darn classy. Boyd also showed amazing character and strength throughout the weekend, and I know that riding is probably the best therapy of all for him.
And when I heard that Silva won all three of the 6-year-old tests this weekend at the Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Eastern Selection Trials at Morven Park (Va.), I was so proud. She scored in the 80s there with Aesthete (a.k.a. “Stately”), who’s owned by Faye Woolf, who lost her horse Call Me Ollie in the fire.
I was lucky to have a good weekend as well with Hard Alee and Wauwinit tying for the lead in a training division, while Zoom Zoom came sixth in that class. Indie was second in the open prelim behind Nina’s other horse, Celtic Heritage, whom Phillip rode. After spooking at the first show jump and having it down, Indie jumped great. Ollie won his novice horse division from start to finish, and Dreamboat was sixth in a training class.
After the fire, I’d say that the wind has been knocked out of my sails a bit for the Luhmuhlen trip, which we leave for on Tuesday and Wednesday. But I got a little bit of drive back when Boyd handed me his helmet cover to wear over in Germany. Though I’ll feel strange leaving TPF, it’ll be an honor to ride in his colors there.
People heal at different speeds and in different ways, and the hardest part of the healing process has just begun. To make it through the initial tragedy is hard enough, but to put one foot in front of the other and to build, brick by brick, a little at a time is a task that is daunting.
So I ask that you please continue to support my friends, whether it’s just saying hi at the horse show or writing kind words on their blogs. I was told this weekend by a friend that we need to honor the ones who were lost by continuing to love, ride and care for the ones who are still here. Not a day goes by when those amazing creatures who were lost aren’t thought of or mourned over.
Now more than ever, as John Thier would say, GO EVENTING!
Jennie

A Gift Horse


A couple of weeks ago I found a horse in Virginia, Quinn Himself, then did the clinic in NY and mentioned to Bonnie Stedt that I wanted to put a syndicate together. Bonnie’s horse died in the fire and she took the insurance money from Cagney and bought this horse. At Waredaca this weekend the owner just walked up and told me, “Here’s a present from Bonnie”!

He’s a 4-year-old by Brandenburg’s Windstar. Phyllis Dawson bred and started him – he’s a fantastic moving horse with a serious jump, and it’s a delightful gesture from Bonnie. It’s motivated me to move on from the disaster of last week and focus on what I love doing best, which is riding horses.

He’s still a baby and has never done an event. Silva gave me a dressage lesson on him morning and he reminds me a lot of Ringwood Magister: he has scope in his gaits and he’s a tall, rangy, big-boned and athletic horse.

The other good news today was that Neville and Min were released and joined Otis at Silva’s training facility in Cochranville where they are under doctor’s orders to stay on stall rest and hand grazing for a couple of weeks until further testing. Caitlin’s horse Catch a Star is the only one still at New Bolton – each day she seems to be improving and her spirits lifting more and more.

-Boyd

Monday, June 6, 2011

VADA/NOVA Summer Dressage - Final


Silva is home from the VADA/NOVA summer dressage show, where she and Faye Woolf's Aesthete (Stately) had a terrific weekend competing in the six-year-old classes at the Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Eastern Selection Trials. Here's an update from Silva:


Stately was awesome this weekend, like he always is. I wasn’t really sure what would happen since I hadn’t ridden all week. It was really nice because everyone was pulling for me, it was hard to focus, but Stately just did his job in spite of me.

Friday was the warm-up round and Saturday was the first selection trial, where he score 83.4%! On Sunday in the final round I needed an 8.1 to qualify to go to Germany. I thought he was better than he was on Saturday but the judges felt he was a little tired and I got an 8.09, only one tenth off the qualifying score! We weren’t sure if would take him to Germany anyway because it’s a lot of travel for a young horse so it’s probably a blessing, everything happens for a reason. We’ll probably go to the US finals in Chicago, though.

I scratched Rosa because I didn’t get her breeding papers in time – they’re still in Australia and there was enough going on last week.

Constantina was doing her first I-1 qualifier and she was great, she tried really hard and scored a 68%.

I also rode Coquette, a full sister to Constantina owned by Sheryl Griffith and broke by Melinda Walton. She just turned four; this was her first show and she was 3rd in the Materiale class and 6th in the four-year-olds class. She is really green and was just a trooper, she went right in the ring. I think she’s going to be a really great horse.

Plantation Field XC Schooling Day to Benefit TPF

BIG NEWS!!!!!!!! Plantation Field XC SCHOOLING DAY!!!!!!!
Monday, June 13, 2011 2-8pm

PFEE, Inc. will conduct an open cross country schooling to benefit the victims of the terrible fire at True Prospect Farm. All proceeds from the schooling session will go directly to those involved in this tragedy.

Plantation Cross Country Courses have not been open for schooling for several years so this is a great opportunity to school. Plantation Field, located in Unionville, PA is the site of six horse trials annually including an International CIC in September. Check website www.plantationfieldhorsetrials.com for directions to 450 Apple Grove Rd. entrance.

The course will be open from 2PM to 8PM. However, no one will be allowed on the course if they have not signed in by 7PM.

Longwood Fire Company, one of the groups to respond last week to the fire has very generously donated their ambulance and crew for the schooling session.


$40.00 per horse


All Riders Must:

• Sign a release form available at the secretary’s office

• Obtain and wear a pinnie (number) from the secretary’s office

• Wear a certified helmet secured with a chin strap harness

• Wear footwear with a heel. We ask that you dress appropriately

Please Note: All Schooling Riders Must wear a body protector

Courses available from Elementary up to Preliminary. (Some Intermediate fences)

Please check website Monday June 13, 2011 for any changes due to weather.

Becky Holder's Requiem for a Friend


The Pilot, a publication from Southern Pines, North Carolina, recently interviewed Becky Holder about her experiences with Call Me Ollie, the sweet and talented bay gelding that Boyd had recently started riding for owner Faye Woolf before the fire at TPF ended his life too soon. Here is an excerpt and a link to the rest of the article.

From THE PILOT, written by STEPHANIE DIAZ:

"When I contacted Becky Holder late Tuesday, she thought she’d be able to talk about Ollie the following morning.

“Can we do it tomorrow when I have my emotions more in control?” Holder wrote in an e-mail Tuesday night. Of course, I wrote back, I understand completely.

It wasn’t until Friday morning that Holder could summon the strength to share her memories of Call Me Ollie, the 11-year-old gelding she first met in a snow-blanketed field during a Minnesota winter five years ago."

to continue reading, click here.

Sunday, June 5, 2011

An Excuse to Shop for the Fire Relief Fund

Thanks to HorseJunkies for this post.....

An Excuse to Shop…for Boyd!!


An excuse to shop…for Boyd!!! These are part of JLo’s collection – and I plan to walk the Bromont 3* XC couse in them next week.
Along with my love for horses, I am also a self admitted shoe and bag junkie.  (Much to my fiance’s despair.) Not only do I LOVE shoes and bags, I also like shiny sparklie things. Before we got engaged, when I would mention this to my now fiancĂ©, he would normally show up with some sort of trinket for me from the vending machine…my favourite was a bling encrusted hubcap key chain.  Thank you honey, thank you very much.
I have found myself doing a LOT of on-line shopping lately – and my fiancĂ© is on the road for work so he doesn’t even know about it yet, thank God – for a really good cause.  Since the horse community was turned upside down earlier this week – not only have a lot of ways to help come up – but that also means it is an AWESOME EXCUSE to buy some really really cool horsey stuff.
So, let’s take a look at how we can shop for Boyd!!
Boyd and Remington at Rolex...quite the handsome pair! I have been using them as an excuse to shop for the past couple days! Thanks dudes! (photo by Calina)

1. Download Boyd and Silva’s training videos
You know how we have been reviewing Boyd and Silva’s training videos? Well, go buy them!! Not only do I find them very informative, they really do offer great tips and methods for introducing your horses to the next level.  AND, you get to listen and look at Boyd…for the record, Boyd is tall, good-looking and has an accent.  Need I say more?

2. Buy an ECOGOLD saddle pad.
ECOGOLD's Memory Foam Triple Protection Half Pad...the one in the video with the M&Ms that don't get crushed!
Secure Saddle Pad: Choose a XC, Jumper, Dressage or Hunter Saddle Pad.
You know how awesome the pads are, you have been waiting for a good excuse to buy one. Do. It. Now.
Through to the end of day Sunday, 50% of every single saddle pad sold will go directly to Boyd and the rest of his team.  And because of high demand…they have just added the Memory Foam Triple Protection Half Pad (the one that doesn’t crush the M&Ms in this video)!
It was my perfect excuse to complete my ECOGOLD Saddle Pad family.
Oh – and you can rest assured that your cash will get to Boyd’s hands.
Click on the images to buy the products or click here: ECOGOLD’s Boyd Martin Fund Online Shop Section
3. Get Denny Emerson’s book.
Denny is amazing.  When you buy his book, “How Good Riders Get Good”, 50% of the royalties will be going directly to Boyd and his team.  Seriously Denny – you rock.  I just bought the book earlier this week.  Can’t wait to read it!!
You can buy the book from the USEA WebStore (click here) or from Amazon.com (click here)
4. Doug Payne and Jimmy Wofford’s  “The Rider’s Eye” DVD.
It’s a DVD that seamlessly blends traditional techniques with modern technology enabling you to virtually jump into the saddle via a helmet camera. How cool is that??? And from now until the end of the year – 50% of the profits will be donated to the True Prospect Fire Relief Fund…seriously?  How incredible is that??
From Doug: “I spoke to Jimmy on Thursday, we’ve decided to push the benefit for True Prospect Farm through the end of the year. It sill amazes me how quickly people respond to tragedy. The DVD’s are just one avenue to help, but we sold 15 just in one day. I spoke to Boyd briefly this morning, he was very appreciative of all the help he’s received. I still can’t imagine what their all going through. Thanks again for your help.”
Here’s a clip of The Rider’s Eye: OKay – bought the DVD too… (sorry honey.)  Please buy the video directly from Doug’s website (click here)
5. Shop at OUR SPONSOR: Five Star Tack!!
Five Point Breastplate... thank you very much!
Five Star Tack designs and manufactures its own line of top quality bridles and strap goods for hunter, jumper and eventing riders, made from the best English bridle leather. This growing company is one of HJU’s amazingly generous sponsors and are donating 10% of ALL JUNE profits directly to the True Prospect Fire Relief Fund.
“I don’t know Boyd personally but I met him a couple of weeks ago at the Virginia Horse Trials,” said company founder Jamie Greene. “I’ve been in that situation, where your world is turned upside down, in my case cancer. It is really difficult to go through and to find that sense of normalcy again. What struck me and got me through it was the kindness and support I received from people. In turn I promised myself that I would help others just as they had helped me.” Seriously?? Do I even need another excuse to shop on-line with them now?
Jamie is amazing and contacted us on the day we launched HJU and has been a proud supporter ever since.  Thank you Jamie for not only supporting HJU, but for also supporting Boyd and his team.
I have my eye on a couple of their products, including their 5-point breastplate and Star Bridle…again, sorry honey.

Assure Guard - Sounds good to me!
6. Get Arenus Supplements!!
Arenus is a premier provider of innovative health and nutrition products for pets and horses. They are a growing division within Novus International, Inc., a global company dedicated to animal performance, health and longevity. Sounds good to me!!
Arenus is donating 15% of sales when you use the promotion code PRP-72378 during checkout at Arenus.com or by calling 866-791-3344 to the True Prospect Fire Recovery Fund!! Customers receive a special savings of 5% in addition to the 15% that Arenus will donate.
The top products that Boyd uses are
1. Assure Guard – a digestive aid including prebiotics, probiotics, phyllium, enzymes and gastic buffers. Designed to support normal stomach pH and condition the hindgut. Since digestive health can be drastically effected by stress, all of Boyd’s horses are currently on Assure Guard after Tuesday.
2. Sore No-More Poultice – Boyd poutice’s his horses’ legs after competing, as well as after every galloping workout to help reduce inflammation, draw out heat, and increase circulation.

Sore No More Poultice
3. Steadfast Equine – a total structural support that benefits horses’ joints, tendons, ligaments, and bones. All horses, especially performance athletes, can benefit from improved joint motility and connective tissue strength. Neville, Remi, Otis, Eddie (and Summer) have all been maintained on Steadfast daily.
Steadfast Equine
Their product line looks very very cool and I am going to be spending some time on their website later on today.  SHOP HERE:  http://shop.arenus.com/
7. Shires Equestrian – Blankets and Clothes and a lot more!
Shires Equestrian's Stowmarket Combo Rainsheet...Purchased. Thank you very much!!
Ummmm Really?  This is a one-stop shop for all things horsey and rider related!!!  Shires Equestrian USA, is one of Boyd’s sponsors.  They are donating 5% of all June sales directly to Boyd/Windurra LLC and True Prospect Farm.
Because it has done nothing but piss down rain here every time we have set out to go to a show, I just bought one of their rain sheets.  The Stowmarket…Only $45!!! Awesome.
 8. PRO Auction – lots of goodies!!!! Like a Charles Owen helmet.
Charles Owen is one of Boyd’s and also one of HJU’s wicked sponsors, so of course they would jump right in and help out.   I’m not 100% sure which helmet they are going to donate – but – I have their J3 Skull cap and LOVE IT!
PROOF!!! (That I have the Charles Owen J3, love it and wear it during all xc schoolings and competitions.)
The True Prospect Fire Relief Online Auction will take place on E-bay. It is tentatively set to start mid-June and run for 2 weeks. A variety of items will be available to shoppers!  When the auction closes, the proceeds will be distributed directly to Boyd Martin, Lillian Heard, Caitlin Silliman, Ryan Wood, Abbie Golden the owners and Phillip and Evie Dutton.
Ummm – Ebay, horsey items AND it’s going to a great cause….as if I won’t be bidding.
If you want to donate an item, here is the info on how to do that:
9. Buy a print from Amy Dragoo Photographer
Amy Dragoo is a fantastic photographer. Her photos are published internationally, and prints hang in homes and offices world wide. She also took amazing photos of the benefit at the Whip Tavern, where $6,800 was raised for Boyd and True Prospect Farm: see the photos here.
She will be generously donating 20% of all of her print sales until the end of 2011 to the True Prospect Fire Recovery Fund. She will be at Plantation Field international Horse Trials this year and Brandywine Polo Club. Thank You Amy!!!
Here is the link to her website: www.akdragoophoto.zenfolio.com
10. Dudley’s Tack Shop, in Brooklyn, Ontario – which is about 35 minutes from my house, they’re awesome – will also be donating!!   Until June 30th, when you purchase anything from Dudley’s Tack Shop Private Clothing line, including, polo coolmax shirts, v neck shirts, tank tops, hooded sweatshirts, zip sweatshirts and yoga pants – they will donate 50% of the proceeds to Boyd Martin and TPF.
When you order, please call them with your Credit Card Information if you are unable to come in and pick it up in store. Shipping charges Apply.  Call them at 1-905-655-7655 or  www.dudleystack.com
Isn’t Shopping FUN??!!!!  So, tell me Horse Junkies United: what have you  bought?

Successful Fundraiser at Fitch's Corner


The Clear Round Derby at Fitch's Corner in Millbrook, NY on June 4, 2011 benefiting the True Prospect Fire Relief Fund for Boyd Martin was a success on all levels. The attendance was overwhelming, with 64 horses participating and 135 rides over the stadium and cross-country derby courses.

A huge number of riders took advantage of the 2'6" beginner novice course, with some having their first cross-country experience and others with their young horses making their cross-country debut. The first beginner novice ride was at 9:00am and the final training ride went out at 4:30pm for a full day of jumping fun on a picture perfect day.

The benefit raised $6,250 which will be donated to the American Horse Trials Foundation, to be directed to Boyd Martin who tragically lost six horses and the barn with its contents at Phillip Dutton’s True Prospect Farm in West Grove, PA. The staff at Fitch's Corner donated their time including secretary Sunny Cross, course designer and judge Chris Barnard and farm manager Nick Meyers.

Fitch's Corner is a private farm owned by Fernanda Kellogg and Kirk Henckels who own two horses ridden by Boyd: they are members of the Otis Barbotiere Syndicate and owners of PartyBoy with Nick Meyers. Fitch's Corner hosted a sold-out clinic with Boyd and Silva Martin over Memorial Day Weekend. The farm will be the venue for the USEA Area 1 Championships July 22-23-24 as part of their annual horse trials.

More Good News from Silva in Virginia

Silva and Stately continue to dominate the six-year-old class of the USEF/Markel Young Horse Dressage Eastern Selection Trials, held at the VADA/NOVA Summer Dressage show at Morven Park in Leesburg, VA! Read more at www.dressagedaily.com. Click here for results.