The Style Police: Luhmuehlen Fashion Roundup with Silva

in his super-German outfit. Not my style, but very appropriate!

I really enjoyed the trip to Luhmuehlen, and thanks to Fernanda Kellogg I have lots of

 photos of some fashion trends from the event.  I don’t think it’s all that different from here, but loud colors are definitely a trend in Germany right now. My style is pretty simple, I don’t like too many bright and trendy things and I personally would stay away from too much color and flashiness but that’s my style. Tastes are different, and of course in the warm-up everything goes.

Some people went too crazy in the jog, in my opinion.  There are those who don’t make enough of an effort, but you don’t have to go all-out either, and keeping it simple is always appropriate.

I didn’t see a lot of bling, and that’s another place where a little is good but it’s easy to go over the top with it. You also want to be careful not to point out flaws by sticking bling on them!

I was happy to see that loads of people were wearing helmets in the dressage. It’s really changing in Germany, not too long ago, hardly any riders wore helmets in dressage, but now most people are wearing them. Fancy-looking helmets are getting big in Europe. I saw a lot of shinier helmets over there, which you don’t see as often in the US. Style wise I think the helmet definitely has to be matching your outfit, whichever style helmet you choose. Schooling at home you can go wild, but in the competition ring I think it’s best to coordinate with your outfit. Our sponsor Charles Owen will make whatever you want, color-wise!

 -Silva 

   

Kevin McNab, who was best man when Boyd and I got married, looks super sharp in his suit at the jog.

Czech team polo shirts. Simply stylish

Ingrid Klimke tastefully displays her sponsors' info on her shadbelly

I saw lots of shiny, colorful helmet trends in Germany

British team jacket

Spotted these super shiny alligator boots in the schooling arena.

Of course Ariat provided team USA with some stylish jackets

Things are getting colorful in the dressage arena!

Lauren Hough showed up to help the American riders with the show jumping. She always looks simple and elegant.

Chic black and white jog outfit

Bettina's look is simple and elegant. This is very much my style. She always looks great!

Tails are coming in so many colors now, you can choose anything you like.

Charles Owen makes more than helmets for countries, they also make pretty much everything one could want! Bettina is styling the German colors.

Ingrid Klimke sporting her German Charles Owen ensemble. Very classy!

Of course Phillip looked sharp when he presented Mighty Nice

Focus on Courses: George Morris Clinic at Bridle Creek Farm

On Monday and Tuesday some of the top eventing riders in Aiken were treated to an awesome clinic by the Master of Equitation, George Morris. George worked on course analysis and course riding in this particular clinic. It was fantastic listening and learning the fine detail that George puts into the art of riding a course well. I feel like all of the riders and auditors gained information and knowledge from the lessons. It was a real honour and privilege working with George.

A big thanks must also go to Fernanda Kellogg and Kirk Henckels who hosted a lovely reception for George on Monday evening at their FoxFrolic Farm. It was great to hear in a speech all of the incredible insights he has in jumping. Another thanks must go to Bonnie Stedt, Gloria Callen and George & Gretchen Wintersteen whom sponsored some of the 'up and coming' riders' lessons.

Thanks to Allie Conrad for the photos. Enjoy these "George-isms" courtesy of Allie and The Chronicle of the Horse: http://www.chronofhorse.com/photos_videos?nid=47695

 Boyd Martin 

Fun Sunday Jumping Clinic in Tryon, NC

Eric Dierks

It was a fantastic day teaching jump lessons at Eric and Trayce Dierks’ Renovatio Farm in Tryon, NC. 

Rachael Wood with Boyd - courtesy Stephanie Wood

We had an enthusiastic group of riders sitting on novice right up to advanced horses, all ready to learn, and the facility was fantastic. I very much enjoyed getting out there and teaching the clinic. 

Boyd

I had the riders work on some turning exercises and gymnastics to get the horses jumping well and rideable, then towards the end of the session I added in some technical lines that you typically come across in today’s jumping courses.

Katharine Knauz

Thanks to the Dierks for hosting the clinic, and to our sponsors who provided a few tokens of appreciation for the riders to take home with them. 

-Boyd Martin

Photos Courtesy Linda Valerio Stenzel:
lindavaleriostenzelphotography.zenfolio.com

More images will be posted soon, at Linda's site.

Boyd Martin Clinic at Stony Brook Farm

We had another fantastic clinic over the weekend at Denise Lahey and Pierre Colin's Stony Brook Farm in Peterborough, NH. We had a lot of great horses and riders but Pierre and Cedric really stole the show. Denise and Pierre are great supporters, owning Steady Eddie and SBF Cortez, and as members of the Trading Aces Syndicate. It's always fun to spend the weekend at their farm teaching and enjoying the beautiful countryside of New Hampshire.

-Boyd

Pierre and Cedric

Boyd imparting words of wisdom

Pierre and Ying Yang Yo

Sales Horse Spotlight: Fergus Himself $18K!!

Fergus is a great all around horse at an exceptional price for $18K!

He's an excellent mover, very athletic and a perfect gentleman. He would make a super eventer or fox hunter. This is a current video of Fergus in training at home in Cochranville, PA. 

NAME: Fergus Himself (Originally Kinard Mr. Meara)
SEX: Gelding
COLOUR: Bay
HEIGHT: 16.2 hh
DATE OF BIRTH: 2006
COUNTY OF BIRTH: Ireland
SIRE: Argideen Vale
(Irish TB)
DAM: Carrickbanaagher Star (Irish Sporthorse)
BREED: Irish WB
BREEDER: Gerry Sweeny
PLACE OF BIRTH: County Sligo, Ireland
YEAR IMPORTED: 2010
OWNER: Bonnie Stedt

Phone Boyd 610 806 2381 for an appointment!

MCTA Horse Trials

Boyd reports from the sidelines: 

Caitlin on Ray Price with Amy and Me

With my surgery having taken place on Wednesday, I decided to sideline myself for last weekend's MCTA horse trials.  Most of the young horses had an outing with my 4-star riding assistant Caitlin, along with eventionTV host Dommy Schramm.

Ray & Wally

It was a great opportunity to watch the horses that I usually ride competing with these two in the tack.  I must say that all the horses ooze with class, and it's very exciting to think how awesome they could all be in a couple of years. Both Dom and Caitlin did a stellar job not only competing the horses, but putting up with me heckling from the sidelines.

Caitlin and High Aspirations

Windurra Results:

Prelim A, SBF Cortez, owned by Denise Lahey and Pierre Colin, 10th

Prelim A, Ballyneety, owned by George and Gretchen Wintersteen, 12th

Prelim B, Brewster, owned by Cuyler and Katie Walker, 4th

Training B, Welcome Shadow, owned by Craig and Gloria Callen, 4th

Training B, HH Lancaster, owned by Ron and Densey Juvonan, Art and Justina Dodge, 11th

Novice C, High Aspirations, owned by Carolyn Blitz, 9th

Open Beginner Novice, Ray Price, owned by Amy Lindgren and Boyd Martin, 1st

Open Beginner Novice, Wallaroo, owned by Amy Lindgren and Boyd Martin, 7th

For all results click here

Fitness Work in England

Training in England is going well with the US team. All of the horses look like they have shipped well, and are in good form for next week's final outing.

On Saturday the team of horses all galloped at Jackdaws Castle in Gloucester. It was an amazing farm with a choice of all weather gallops that are usually used for the horses that are in training with race trainer Jonjo O'Niell.

Remi, Neville and Otis trotted up the shorter hill once and then did one slow canter, then a faster canter up the big hill.

More photos coming soon...

Boyd

Preparations for Fair Hill

Boyd took a few minutes out of his busy Fair Hill preparations to talk about the four horses that he is taking the championship event, which begins with the first veterinary inspection on Wednesday. Last year in the CCI*** at Fair Hill Boyd placed second on Ying Yang Yo and fourth on Neville Bardos.

"It's good going back to Fair Hill feeling confident and knowing what it's about," says Boyd. "I think we've had a good preparation for the event and I'm riding four good horses. I think that the new two-star will be a real showcase of the best horses in the country."

In the three-star Boyd will ride Che Kairo,(pictured left, photo by Amber Heintzberger) a 13-year-old Argentinean Thoroughbred gelding who was Ecuadorian Ronald Zabala's partner at the Pan American Games. Zabala is trying to sell the gelding, who has also been ridden by Phillip Dutton. "He's athletic and has a lot of talent," says Boyd. I won an intermediate with him at Surefire earlier this year and ran him advanced at Morven last weekend. The end goal is to sell the horse, so I hope to have a good result that will encourage his sale on the international market."

Also in the CCI*** Boyd will ride Belmont II, (pictured right, photo by Amber Heintzberger), a Dutch Warmblood/Thoroughbred cross gelding owned by Californian Kate Dichey, who is a good friend of Boyd and Silva. "Belmont is very strong in the dressage and has a good jump in him," says Boyd. "I'm also looking for a good result to get him sold for Kate."

Boyd points out that with a good result, both of these horses will be qualified for the 2010 World Equestrian Games, which he hopes will also improve their chances at selling.

In the CCI** Boyd will ride Bellaney Destiny, (pictured left, photo by Amber Heintzberger), an Irish gelding owned by Debbie Kuhns. Boyd and the handsome big grey recently placed second in the CIC** at Plantation Field.



Boyd will also ride Remington XXV, (pictured right, photo by Emily Daily for the US Eventing Association), owned by Densev Juvonen, in the CIC**. The handsome bay placed third in the CIC** at Richland Park and was third in the open intermediate at Stuart.

“Both of these horses have had really strong performances this year so I’m looking forward to a good weekend with them.”

Back at the barn things are also on a good turn. Boyd's good friend from Australia, Ryan Wood, just started working at True Prospect Farm, and leading Intermediate rider Jennie Brannigan has been at the farm for about a month now. "It's good fun,” says Boyd. “I think that with me and Ryan and Jennie all riding we've set a really high standard, and the maestro Phillip is giving us all a lot of good training."

Congratulations to Silva's Student

Congratulations to Silva's student, Lillian Heard, on winning her first long-format three-day event at Morven Park this past weekend. Lillian is also a student and employee of Jan Byyny in Virginia, and recently won the CIC* at Plantation Field as well. Go Lillian! Click the headline above to read all about it!

Dressage Day at the AEC

A message from Boyd:

"I'm here at my second AEC and it's bigger and better than last year. Remington did a fantastic dressage test - the best I've had on him. He showed enthusiasm and excitement all in a controlled test, so I was over the moon with him. He scored 34.1 which left us tied for seventh, not too far off the lead.

"The Intermediate Championships cross-country course looks tough and challenging but after a great run at the Richland CIC**, I know he's up to it.

"In the Advanced, Benwald did really well in the torrential rain. It was a bit of a waste of time him washing today: by the time I got through the test he was covered in the footing from the arena. I was happy enough with the quality of the test, but he fumbled both lead changes. That was a shame, because he's been doing them well at home.

"The Advanced Championship cross-country is a big call for Benwald, but he also ran well around Richland Park in the advanced division."

Note: Due to ongoing rain at the AEC, the event organizers have decided to alter the schedule: show jumping will now take place on Saturday afternoon while cross-country has been postponed until Sunday.

Photo of Boyd riding Benwald copyright Amber Heintzberger

Successful End of Summer for Boyd and Silva

As Lisa and I put the finishing touches on Boyd and Silva’s website, it was an exciting and successful past couple of weekends for them at their respective competitions.

In New Jersey Silva was busy competing at Dressage at Stone Tavern at the New Jersey Horse Park. FS Tiger Lily, owned by Meg Williams, was a real superstar and was First Level champion both days that she competed. Silva’s young horse Fendi, brought over from Australia not too long ago, was Reserve Champion in the breed show.

Moving up the levels, it was a lucky day for Silva’s Irish Sport Horses: Ballatale, a 12-year-old gelding owned by (Tale Quale xx X Punaballa, by Ballinamona Boy), owned by Sara Sanz De Acedo, placed second in Third level, while Felix, (breeding unknown), owned by Cayla Kitayama, placed fourth in Fourth level.

Up at the Seneca Valley Horse Trials, Boyd said he saw the opportunity to pick up a few ribbons since everyone was packing up and heading home due to Hurricane Hannah sweeping through. In spite of 5” of rain falling in 24 hours, Boyd jumped clear around cross-country on all three of his intermediate entries, winning Intermediate B2 riding August Vettorino’s Clifton Imperial and bringing his own homebred mare Shatzi W, also a recent import from Australia, home in third place.

“Shatzi is still quite green and it was a lot to ask of her, so I’m very pleased,” said Boyd.

In Open Intermediate A1 Boyd finished fourth Falcon Splash, another good Aussie-bred horse. Kudos to Boyd’s mate Ryan Wood from Australia who finished second in Intermediate B1 riding Wynella Wolverine.

Boyd also cleaned up in the preliminary divisions, winning open prelim A4 riding Minotaure du Passoir, who is just back in competition after undergoing colic surgery at New Bolton Center earlier this year, and also winning open prelim B3 riding Bellaney Destiny, an Irish gelding imported by Darren Chiacchia and now owned by Deborah Kuhn.

Boyd said, “This is a new horse I just started riding and I really feel he’s super talented on the flat and a good jumper.”

This weekend Boyd heads to the Wellpride American Eventing Championships in Chicago…more to come about the horses he will ride there as he attempts to bring home a pile of prize money and prizes.