Announcing the Neville Bardos Syndicate

Photo courtesy Kat Netzler for The Chronicle of the Horse

Photos Copyright Amber Heintzberger and not for use without permission


Boyd and Silva Martin
Windurra USA LLC
248 Hood Road
West Grove, PA 19390
Silva 610-806-2721
Boyd 610-806-2381
boydmartin007@hotmail.com
slv.martin1@gmail.com

Neville Bardos Syndicate

At the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, Boyd Martin and Neville Bardos were the highest placed individual horse and rider combination representing the United States. It is not every day that a horse as talented and full of promise as Neville Bardos comes along and we would like to extend to you the opportunity to join Neville on his exciting journey to the 2012 Olympic Games in London, England. Neville is currently ranked tenth in the world; by joining the Neville Bardos Syndicate you will play a vital role in the continued development of this talented horse’s abilities at the height of his competitive career.

A tough and talented individual, Neville Bardos was purchased off the racetrack as a youngster in Australia and quickly moved up the ranks of three-day eventing. In the US he has proved himself again and again, winning the 2008 Carimati Cup for highest placed foreign rider, in 2009 winning the Fair Hill International CCI3* and in 2010 earning a place on the US team at the World Equestrian Games.

Currently 11 years old, he will be in his prime at age 13 for the 2012 Olympic Games. Next year’s focus will be to improve his dressage and competing at one four-star event, either at Kentucky or Burghley.

As part of the US team at the WEG Neville Bardos has been fully vetted several times over by an FEI Veterinary Panel and is sound and in good health. Anyone is welcome to stop by the farm and meet Neville and watch either of us working with him.

Please click on the link below for the syndication agreement. As with every plan things can change but it's our starting point. We are humbled and appreciative of your support. Please feel free to contact us with any questions.

Sincerely,

Boyd and Silva Martin

For more information about Neville Bardos click here

For the Syndicate Agreement click here

See Neville in action at the 2010 WEG:

Boyd's Response to the Chronicle Forums

Dear Readers:

There has been an outpouring of both criticism of and support for Boyd's October 6 blog post, "Reflections on My First WEG Experience". Most of this has taken place on the Chronicle of the Horse Forum, where Boyd responded to his critics with the post that you find below. Also, here is a link to the page on the forum where Boyd's response appears: http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?t=275794&page=9

Boyd and I discussed whether to post his original blog entry, and he was clear that he did not want to sugar coat his thoughts and feelings. While not everyone agrees with what Boyd has to say, it cannot be denied that his comments have opened a very candid discussion, which is the first step to making any positive changes in our sport. Three-day eventing is constantly evolving, and it is the passionate response of its supporters and open lines of communication with riders at all levels, from grassroots competitors to Olympians, that will keep the sport and its athletes adapting and thriving. Many thanks to all of Boyd's outspoken supporters, and let's hope that something worthwhile results from all of this discussion.

-Amber Heintzberger

Oct. 7, 2010, 05:46 PM
Boyd Martin
Greenie

Join Date: Oct. 7, 2010
Posts: 1
Let's Clear a few things up....
Hey Guys.... I thought I might make a quick post to clear a few things up.

Before I start, maybe check out my blog on my website: boydandsilvamartin.com and read my last entry. I think it's worth reading the complete letter to get a full understanding on what message I am trying to get across....

The message was basically a big thank you to everyone who has helped me get to the WEG.... including my loving wife Silva, who took care of paying all our bills while I was unable to earn anything while training at Wellington, Virginia, Atlanta and Kentucky with team training sessions trying to get the best performance out of Neville for last week at the WEG. Without her working around the clock, earning money to pay for my training time, I would not of been able to do what I did. I felt she deserved a thanks.

The other point I want to make is that I was born an American, with a US passport in Australia. I have been paying taxes here in the US for the last 30 years. The reason I changed to be a US rider was I wanted to support the country and the system that I am benefiting from. I want to give back to this country and this system.

The thing that everyone is upset about is the opinion I gave regarding sending green, unproven 3 star combinations to Europe. We're talking $50,000 spent not only on 4 horses and riders, but airfares, accommodation, rental cars and high end restaurants for the managers, coaches and entourage that also chop into this fund. I feel that this $50,000 could benefit 15 developing riders attending a camp with Captain Mark Phillips prior to Fair Hill CCI 3 star or Galway Downs CCI 3 star. At the same time, we'd also be supporting top level American events and a lot more riders for the future.

The highest placed US horse at the WEG was Neville who was produced thanks to two 3 stars runs at Fair Hill. Neville and I have never competed in Europe, but still was rank the 10th at the WEG.

I absolutely hope that the guys heading to their 3 star next week do fantastic. Nothing would make me happier than seeing American glory at Boekelo. I would call Doug and Will two of my closest mates and I hope they clean up. Make no mistake, I am an American patriot who is voicing his opinion on what he hopes will make a medal-winning performance in 2 years time.

I think this is a healthy forum to throw out ideas of a better way of doing things. I feel very strongly that we can produce top 3 star performances here in our backyard and when it's time to abuse our limited traveling budget it should be used on 4 stars horses capable of a top 10 finish. We can get more bang for our buck and help a larger pool of riders by keeping the developing riders program here in the US.

This is my opinion and you are very entitled to disagree with it. To all the haters out there, at least try not to hide behind a fake name like Snoopy....

Thanks for reading.

Boyd

relaxing after a job well done

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Double Clear Cross-Country at the World Equestrian Games!

Boyd and Neville took no prisoners as the trailblazers for the US Eventing team at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games today. They galloped around all the direct routes clear and in the time, laying down a good foundation for the team - and Boyd even gave Neville a big hug after he cleared that giant water complex - but luckily didn't fall on his head! Karen, Phillip and Becky posted clear rounds as well, though Buck had an unfortunate run-out at the sunken road - fortunately the team could drop one score and since it was a rough day for many competitors, with three solid rounds team USA moved up to second position behind Great Britain and just ahead of Canada. Becky and Comet put in a textbook performance to stand in the silver medal position individually going into Sunday's show jumping.

After his ride, Boyd said, "Neville was full of life and ran very well today. It wasn't the smoothest round ever but he showed toughness and determination to go clear and in the time at our first WEG. It was good going out first because I could take the direct route to every fence. It was definitely a bigger course than I've jumped before!"

Boyd spoke with the US team's show jumping coach Katie Prudent to develop a game plan for the final phase of the event tomorrow. He plans to school Neville on the flat and give him a short jump school in the morning to loosen him up and get him balanced after galloping around today, and hopefully jump a clear round in the afternoon.

Commenting on the atmosphere of riding in front of the more than 50,000 spectators that packed the Kentucky Horse Park today, Boyd said, "Riding in front of literally tens of thousands of people yelling and screaming all around is something I've never experiences before. It was an intense experience."

Both Boyd and Silva's parents and other friends and family are visiting and he added, "Now we've got the Australians and Germans and Americans all together and we plan to have a good celebration tonight!"

-Amber Heintzberger

clear cross country!

Boyd and Neville clear and in the time on cross country - way to blaze the trail for team USA! Photos and commentary later today.

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American Eventing Championships and Final Outing for WEG Team Selection

Anne Hennessey's Summer Breeze relaxing in the stables

Summer Breeze had an exceptional result at the Novice Championship at the American Eventing Championships at Carl Bouckaert's farm in Chattahoochee Hills, GA – it was the toughest novice course she’s seen by far and she galloped around perfectly. She came out on Saturday and show jumped a brilliant round, much to the delight of her loving owner Anne Hennessey. After this I feel like she’s ready to move up, so I’ll be looking for a training level event to take her to at the end of the year.

The other main mare in my life, Ron and Densey Juvonen's Charla also had a brilliant weekend at the preliminary horse championship. She rocketed around the cross-country inside the time and show jumped her usual clear round, finishing fourth out of an astounding sixty-four entries. Again I think Charla has proved herself this year and wants to look at doing an intermediate some time in the near future.

Getting expert advice from Katie Prudent and Mark Phillips
while Andrea Beech puts the finishing touches on Neville Bardos

The two advanced boys, Remington XXV and Neville Bardos, were excused by the US Selectors from doing the cross-country. They did a mandatory gallop on Saturday morning under the watchful eyes of the selectors and vets. In Sunday’s show jumping our super coaching from Katie Prudent paid off, and we got a hand from Katie with a little warm-up before our rounds. She had them jump through a couple of little grids and some complicated exercises to wake them up and make them think.

Remington XXV

Remington jumped the best round of his life, pulling out a clear round inside the time.

Neville Bardos

The Bardos wasn’t too far off the pace and pulled a rail in the triple but I was pleased with the way they both jumped.

Relaxing with Mark Phillips and Henri Prudent after Neville's round

Today, Monday, my partner in crime Andrea Beech, (top class English working student/groom), and I have a big day of getting through the vet inspection before the team is announced on Tuesday. This consists of flexion tests, longeing on a tight circle and then enduring x-rays and ultrasounds to make sure the horses are in tip top shape.

-Boyd

Photos copyright Amber Heintzberger 2010 - not to be reproduced without permission. Email amberwriter@aol.com

Top Riders From Around the World Set to Compete at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Presented by Bridgestone

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY-- Once again, the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, this year Presented by Bridgestone, will host a truly international event at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, April 22-25. The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, part of the HSBC FEI ClassicsTM Series, attracts many of the world's best horses and riders as they vie for their share of $250,000 in prize money.

Enhancing this year's schedule will be the official Kentucky Cup Dressage and Jumping Test Events for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG). The Games will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park, September 25-October 10, marking the first time that equestrian sport's biggest event is being held outside Europe.

Riders and horses from eight countries in addition to the U.S., the largest foreign contingent since the 1978 World Three-Day Event Championships, will be tested at Rolex Kentucky in the Kentucky Cup Eventing Test Event of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

As always, spectators at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event can look forward to rooting on their favorite horse-and-rider combinations from around the globe. In addition this year, thousands of people will be cheering for Oliver Townend of Great Britain, as he attempts to do what only one other event rider in the world has ever done: claim the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing.

Boyd is taking three horses to Kentucky this year: Rock on Rose, Neville Bardos and Remington XXV. He will have some stiff competition that includes:

• 2008 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Champion, four-time Olympic veteran and 2009 U.S. Eventing Association (USEA) Leading Rider of the Year Phillip Dutton of the United States.
• William Fox-Pitt of Great Britain, a member of the 2004 Olympic Silver Medal Team and 2008 Olympic Bronze Medal Team, and winner of the 2008 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials CCI**** and the inaugural HSBC FEI ClassicTM Series.
• Three-time Olympian and 1999 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI**** winner and two-time Rolex CCI*** winner Karen O'Connor of the United States.
• Three-time Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI**** Champion and 2004 Olympic Team Bronze and Individual Silver Medalist, Kim Severson of the United States.
• Members of the 2008 US Olympic Team, Becky Holder and Amy Tryon.

"With the excitement of Oliver Townend and the WEG Test Events all surrounding this year's Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, this is bound to be one of our most exciting years in recent memory," said Jane Atkinson, Executive Vice President of Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), producer of the event. "The level of competition at Rolex is at an all-time high, and I hope everybody will come out and experience it with us in Kentucky!"

For those who can't make it to Kentucky, there will be an expanded 90-minute broadcast on NBC on Saturday, May 15, from 3:00-4:30 p.m. EDT, just prior to the telecast of the 135th Preakness Stakes, the second leg of Thoroughbred racing's Triple Crown.

The only Four Star Event in the Western Hemisphere, the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event is the premier competition for the top horses and riders in the Olympic discipline of Eventing. For more information please visit the Rolex Kentucky website at www.rk3de.org.