Saturday, April 27, 2013

The Ups and Downs of Rolex Cross-Country

Oscar made a valiant effort at his first four-star, but Boyd chose to call it a day after a stop six fences from home. There will be plenty of opportunities for this talented young horse to show the world what he's made of. They're in good company, with the overnight leader William Fox-Pitt also retiring Chilli Morning. Meanwhile, Caitlin and Hoku had a great run at their first four-star and are currently in 24th place with an unfortunate stop midway around the course. Erin Sylvester and No Boundaries also fought a good fight finish the course and stay in the action. Tomorrow should be an exciting day with Andrew Nicholson defending the lead with William Fox-Pitt hot on his heels. 

-AMH

Enjoy the video links:


Boyd and Oscar on USEF Live Feed Playback

 

Boyd Commentating on USEF Network

 Caitlin and Hoku on USEF Live Feed Playback

Postcard from Equisearch.com

EventingNation.com 

Caitlin's XC Course Walk with Horse Junkies United!


Caitlin's course walk interviews with Horse Junkies United.  I dare say she may have a career in broadcasting!  We will have more reflections on the day very shortly.

Fences 9 and 10




Fence 22 Normandy Bank

Lounge Interview with Boyd and Caitlin at Rolex Kentucky


Rolex KY Post-Dressage Video Interviews


Friday, April 26, 2013

Boyd and Oscar in 12th Place After Dressage at Rolex Kentucky CCI4*

A few members of The Trading Aces Syndicate (L-R: Anne Laver, Pierre Colin, Denise Lahey, Bonnie Stedt) with groom Lindsey Taylor and "Oscar". More members of the syndicate, not pictured, are attending the event as well.




Boyd and Trading Aces had a fantastic first four-star test to stand in 12th place on a score of 47.5 today at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event.  The inimitable William Fox-Pitt (GBR) took the lead with a brilliant test on Chilli Morning with 33.3. In the end 45 horses started today; our thoughts are with Jennie Brannigan, who withdrew Cambalda after he sustained injuries in a longeing accident yesterday. Kudos to Jennie for keeping Ping's best interests at heart.

Silva's recap: 

"Oscar's test was awesome, we couldn’t be happier! He’s so young, yesterday we weren’t sure what to expect. On Friday the stadium is packed with people; he was up there on 70% all through the trot. He was really listening to Boyd which was great. Unfortunately he had two changes that weren’t great, which hurt his score, but the other changes were good - we can’t expect more from a young horse. I think he’s definitely a horse for the future; in another year or so he’ll be in the 30’s, mark my words!!!

We gave him a quick ride this morning and kept him relaxed, then just before he went in the ring Boyd wound him up a little to show off his fabulous movement. I think this is a horse that can take Boyd places, I’m very excited for his future!

It’s so much fun having all the syndicate members here; it’s a great group of people and we’re having a lot of fun. We have a big table in the sponsor’s tent and had a lot of fun together. It’s great having all these people behind you; it makes the sport better and makes our job easier. I’m a big fan of the syndicates."


http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/Rolex3Day2013#ooid=0ybHA3YjoYPLFU5YOkes5RCQcnnIhSo9

More From Majyk Equipe

We're going to have a full day of dressage and autograph signings!  Join us at the Majyk Equipe booth today during the lunch break down on the lower level of the Trade Fair.  Here's a word from the owner of Majyk Equipe and the new line of boots that he's designed in partnership with Boyd!

Rolex KY Autograph Signings and Course Walks with Boyd

FRIDAY April 26th 12:15-12:45 Autograph Signing at Bob Mickler's Booth for ARIAT 1:00-1:30 Autograph Signing at Majyk Equipe 3:30pm Course Walk sponsored by SMARTPAK Equine. Meet at the Start Box.

Samantha Clark Chats with Silva & Caitlin at Rolex KY

Wednesday Rolex Kentucky Video Update from Practical Horseman

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Caitlin Tied for Sixth at Rolex Kentucky!

Read all about today's dressage on www.useventing.com

Team Windurra is off to a great start at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. Caitlin and Hoku had a poised test in their first four-star competition and are currently tied for sixth place on a score of 53.7

Caitlin posted on her Facebook page, "Hoku couldn't have gone better today. What a great start to the weekend :) I feel so lucky to be here with her and all of the people here helping this weekend!"

Tomorrow Boyd and Oscar are scheduled to ride their test at 11:42, the last pair before the lunch break.

Visit the FEI website for live video feed of all the action: http://www.feitv.org/live

Here's Silva's professional critique of Caitlin's ride and thoughts on Boyd and Oscar's preparation for tomorrow's test:



"Boyd and I are so proud of Caitlin; she’s been through lots of bad times and she suffers but never quits. She had a great test and couldn’t have gone any better at this point. Obviously she can improve in the future but this was her best test so far, especially for her first four-star.

We didn’t know what to expect because Hoku is a hot mare and it’s a big stadium. She was a little wild her first day here and I was worried about how she would deal with the atmosphere. Caitlin rode her in a little extra low and round so she wouldn’t look up into the stadium, but the mare was actually really relaxed. She had four good changes, which have been green for her; I rode her for a few months while Caitlin was injured, and we've been working on her changes, but today she just pulled them off. She’s a tense horse anyway so we need to improve on that but today she was better than I expected for where she is in her training.

I think Caitlin was thrilled and she’s in 6th place so she’s right up there. If anybody deserves this it’s Caitlin! She’s hung in there through so many tough times in her riding career with horses getting hurt, and the fire, and her head injury – we are really happy for her.

Boyd and Oscar have been working really well; Oscarlooks amazing. He’s an impressive looking horse anyway. He’s the youngest horse in the field and still a bit green, and this is his first four-star, so we need a little luck tomorrow to keep it all together, but he’s working really well. I just hope tomorrow for those six minutes in the ring everything will go our way. We’ve never really had him in an atmosphere like that before so fingers crossed everything will fall into place!"


Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Video Interview at Rolex KY

Launch of Boyd Martin Horse Boots by Majyk Equipe at 2013 Rolex Kentucky CCI4*


The official launch of the Boyd Martin line of protective horse boots, manufactured by Majyk Equipe LLC of California, will take place at the 2013 Rolex Kentucky CCI4* Three-Day Event in Lexington, KY on April 25-28. The partnership between the premium manufacturer Majyk Equipe and Boyd Martin, a world-class Three-Day Event Rider, is a new venture for both parties. Boyd will compete in the International Three-Day Event riding “Trading Aces”, owned by the Trading Aces Syndicate, who will wear the boots while competing in the ultimate Eventing competition in America.

 “We are very excited to have the opportunity to work on this line with Boyd,” said Michael Sirjani, CEO and founder of Majyk Equipe LLC. “Boyd and Silva Martin are so well-known in this industry and are respected for their horsemanship and knowledge. Boyd and I started talking a while ago about developing a line that would incorporate everything he was looking for, along with the technology that our company is fast becoming famous for, which he had seen and liked. The resulting product has far outweighed our expectations and Boyd has been hands on throughout the whole process.”

The decision to work with Majyk Equipe was an easy one for Boyd. “I was really impressed with the approach the company took from the beginning,” Boyd said during a break from training. “I knew I didn’t want to put my name to anything that I wasn’t 100% happy with and Michael and his team worked really hard to make sure this was a true collaboration, incorporating all my ideas until we got it just right. I’ve been using the boots in training and they’ve been phenomenal. I’m really looking forward to getting out on the course with them.”

The Boyd Martin line will incorporate cross-country, dressage and jumping styles. The boots are made of a proprietary material, developed especially for Majyk Equipe, and feature both Boyd’s and Majyk Equipe’s names.Consumers will appreciate the integrated strike zones on the cross-country and jumping boots, the rip stop TPU (top rated German BASF polyurethane) shell and patented proprietary liner which repels dirt and water, keeping boots light and low profile for all phases of eventing as well as other equestrian disciplines. Best of all, they are priced for everyday use and designed for top level competition.

About Majyk Equipe LLC

Majyk Equipe is a California-based Equine Protection Specialist, manufacturing and marketing company. Its management team is comprised of a group of sporting goods and sports nutrition experts hailing from companies such as Red Bull, L.A. Gear and Adidas and has years of experience in making protective clothing for humans as well as horses. All of the principals are avid riders and enjoy disciplines as diverse as Hunter/Jumpers, Eventing and Polo. Majyk Equipe (pronounced maj-ik ee-keep) was named after the founder’s beloved mare Majyk Motion who is nineteen years old and still ridden regularly. The company currently sells its products both nationally and internationally and its products have been developed to fill a gap in the market: high tech styling and composition at an extremely affordable price. The company is expanding to offer a large range of equestrian products.

About Boyd Martin

A member of the 2012 US Olympic Team and the top-placing member of the US three-day eventing team at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, Boyd Martin is one of the leading event riders of today. He was the Chronicle of the Horse magazine’s 2010 Eventing Horseman of the Year and his horse Neville Bardos was named the 2011 USEF International Horse of the Year. He is currently ranked 10th on the FEI’s HSBC World Rankings and has a talented string of horses including world-class competitors and promising youngsters.

Boyd is married to Grand Prix dressage rider Silva Martin, also a popular instructor of dressage and event riders. A native of Germany, Silva holds her “Bereiter” instructor’s certification. Her string includes Rosa Cha W, who started the season successfully in the small tour in Wellington, FL, and Aesthete, who dominated Dressage at Devon the past two years. Silva has been successful with many types of horses, from Warmbloods to Off the Track Thoroughbreds.


For more information and more downloadable images please contact:
Beverly Pollington Sirjani,
Majyk Equipe LLC
8 Whatney
Irvine
California
1-855 GO MAJYK (1-855 466 2595)

All Horses Passed First Horse Inspection at Rolex Kentucky


Boyd and Trading Aces

Caitlin, Coffee in Hand, While Hoku Gets Beautified

Caitlin and Catch a Star (Hoku)

Lindsey and Trading Aces (Oscar) Head Back to the Barn

Awesome New Boyd Martin Boots by Majyk Equipe!



See more:

USEA http://www.useventing.com/news/rolex-kentucky-2013-has-begun-46-horses-move-dressage

http://useventing.com/system/files/gallery/20130424-_DSC5423.jpg


EventingNation

http://eventingnation.com/home/46-horses-move-on-after-rolex-first-horse-inspection.html

Keeping Oscar Feeling His Best

Thanks to Equine Therapist Pat McGraw for keeping Oscar's muscles loose this week!




Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Riders Visit Lexington Hospital on Behalf of PRO



Canadian Olympian Hawley Bennett, Phillip Dutton, a cowgirl and I headed out to the Lexington Hospital to say hello on behalf of PRO to a bunch of sick kids. I must say it was quite a humbling feeling meeting all of the kids and their parents and seeing what they go through, battling away with health issues.  We gave them gifts from PRO and tried to lift their spirits.  A number of them were equestrian fans and it was a great feeling seeing a smile.  Hopefully we made their day a little brighter...

-Boyd






2013 SmartPak Rolex Ky Course Walk Details!

2013 Rolex Kentucky Course Walk Details

The SmartPak Course Walk featuring US Eventing top riders, Boyd Martin and Allison Springer, is scheduled for Friday, April 26th at 3:30 PM!

The SmartPak Course Walk will begin at the start box of the cross-country course at 3:30 PM on Friday, April 26, 2013. No need to check-in, just meet us out on the course!

There will be a limited supply of gift bags available on a first come first serve basis at the SmartPak Booth the morning of the course walk. Be sure to come by early - they'll go quickly!

For more information contact Customer Care via email at CustomerCare@SmartPak.com CustomerCare@SmartPak.com or call 1-888-752-5171.

Rolex KY Arrival

Boyd and Oscar
 Both Catch a Star (Hoku) and Trading Aces (Oscar) arrived at the Kentucky Horse Park yesterday afternoon in magnificent condition for the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. The trip down was relatively uneventful, except for our truck breaking down 10 minutes into the trip. Lucky for us we were able to nurse it home and swap it for Silva's much cleaner truck, which led to a much more comfortable trip.

Hoku
Silva and Michael get here this afternoon to start helping us all zero in for a perfect dressage test.  Looks like Caitlin will go Thursday, and I will be Friday.  The course looks its usual intimidating self from the couple of fences we have hacked past. Thanks to Samantha Clark for providing the photos!

Boyd

Monday, April 22, 2013

Practical Horseman at Rolex KY: Video Interviews with Boyd and Caitlin

Today at the Kentucky Horse Park, Max Corcoran caught up with Boyd and Caitlin for Practical Horseman. Listen is to hear them chat about their horses, Rolex prep and game plans.