Calypso X Sold

Sadly for me today Calypso X was sold to a new rider in Ohio. She's been a fantastic mare that I've had in training for the past six weeks. I had the opportunity to compete her in two prelim horse trials; in her last start at Surefire Farm, she was one of only two horses to jump a clear show jumping round and she finished in second place.

Calypso's new owner, Suzanne, trains alongside my good friend Theresa Evans. The past owners of the horse are a good mate of mine from Washington, DC, Donovan Cunningham, and his daughter Mara. They've been good friends of mine since arriving in this country, having met them at the first clinic I taught in Maryland back in 2007. Mara recently completed high school and is now pursuing her higher education at the University of Vermont, whilst Donovan is working hard for the U.S. government and helping the Native Americans establish better living arrangements in their communities across America.

Congratulations to Suzanne and the best of luck with this very talented horse.

-Boyd

Photo: Will Rogers and Trigger

Great Clinic in Sunny Northern California

On the July 4th weekend I was lucky enough to jet up to Meg Finn's barn near San Fransisco, California to give a hand teaching at the magnificent Stanford Barn on Saturday, and then out at the Woodside X-country course on Sunday.



Saturday was sensational. I was teaching show jumping lessons and soaking up the sun. The riders worked on tough bending lines and a few bounces.


I set up one really tough line which caused plenty of action. The highlight of my day was meeting Bob Garcia; Bob was a real crowd pleaser, having two falls in the lesson.




On Sunday we all took a 15-minute drive to the Woodside Equestrian Park. Woww!! What a facility. A great cross-country course that had jumps ranging from Beginner Novice up to Advanced. The lessons went great. I really felt every rider was challenged. It was great to see my old mate, Castleview, at the clinic. His new rider, Katherine gave him a great ride. Again, the highlight of the day was watching Big Bob go flying off his horse after he cleared the training fence at the water jump.


A big thanks to Meg, as she really looked after me on my first trip to California.

-Boyd

Thanks to Rick Hyman, whose daughter rode in the clinic for sharing his fantastic photos. A few are posted here and many more are posted on his website: check it out here.

Upcoming Clinic Sponsored by ENYDCTA

Beginner Novice through Training Level Clinic

School Water, Ditches & Banks at the Old Chatham Horse Trial Site

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Groups of 4 -5 riders In 2 hour sessions

Members: $100 Non-Members: $140

There is no x-c fee so the ENYDCTA are passing the savings on to members.

Auditor fees apply – one free with each clinic rider

Don’t miss this great opportunity - sign up early!

For more information contact:

Susan Ripley:
518-882-1863 (eve.)
518-928-4805 (cell)
stirip@aol.com

Volunteer Help Welcome

Proof of Negative Coggins Required

New Additions to Silva's Barn

Silva has a couple of recent additions to her lineup of competition horses. Both happen to be 17.2hh Danish geldings and both have had a fantastic start with Silva as their rider.

CONCORDE is a Danish warmblood owned and imported from Denmark by Jeff Anderson. The big 17.2hh gelding had not shown before Silva started riding him, but Jeff brought him over a couple of years ago and had put all the basics on him. Now Concorde and Silva have shown twice at Third level and recently won and placed second in Fourth level classes at Fair Hill. Silva plans to compete him Prix St. Georges in the PSG Challenge in Lexington, Virginia and then in the Open PSG at the CDI at Saugerties, New York.

“He’s a great horse, easy to train and I think he’ll be competitive,” said Silva. “He’s still green at Prix St. Georges but he’s very good. He’s almost qualified for Fourth level at Devon but I’m hoping he’ll actually do Fourth Level test 3 and the Prix St. Georges. I think that he will be ready for Grand Prix by the end of next year.

COMET V, by Comeback, is owned by Sheila Christiansen and is currently showing at Third level. He took the championship at Fair Hill and Silva is aiming him for the BLM Championships.

“He’s a little cheeky but very smart,” said Silva. “Sheila keeps him going and I ride him for a couple weeks before the shows. I have a really good relationship with Sheila and it’s nice that I can help her out and get him ready for the shows. She’s like to do a First level freestyle with him sometime, but she’s also happy to come to the shows and groom him and she’s great to have around.”

In other news, Waimea has returned to her owner after several months of successful training and showing with Silva, and Lidcombe, having completed “dressage boot camp” with Silva, is going to do some eventing with Boyd now.

Silva is also excited that Nutrena Feeds is officially sponsoring her and Boyd – more details to follow!

Boyd and Minotaure du Passoir Place Second at Bromont

Boyd and Min placed second at Bromont in the CCI*! Check out the video thanks to Patricia at EcoGold by clicking here.

Boyd and Minotaure du Passoir second after cross-country at Bromont

Boyd and Minotaure du Passoir, owned by Amy Lindgren, maintain second place after cross-country in the CCI* at the Bromont three-day event in Montreal, Canada. Photo by Andrew Bailini.

CCI Bromont Exceeds Entry Expectations!

PRESS RELEASE

The Bromont Three Day Event Organizing Committee is ecstatic to announce a higher than expected turnout for the 23rd edition of the The Todd Sandler Challenge held June 11th to 14th, 2009 in Bromont Quebec.

Over 100 FEI (Fédération Équestre International) horses are registered with another 40 at the national level. The best around North America will be here next week to compete in the highest level competition in Canada. The competitors include Olympic and world equestrian games (WEG) competitors such as Kelli McMullen-Temple, Philip Dutton, Hawley Bennett, Boyd Martin, Waylon Roberts, Carl Bouckaert, Darren Chiacchia, Sharon White as well as several up and coming riders preparing for the North American Young Riders Competition in August 2009 taking place in Lexington Kentucky. This 3 * competition is being used as a qualifier for various North American as well as European vents leading towards the world games next year.

This is the largest entry experienced so far at this high level in Bromont includes competitors representing Canada, the U.S., France, Belgium as well as Australia!. An added feature this year is the introduction of the Greenbrier Farm Team Cup. This friendly team competition gives the CCI riders an opportunity to come together in a friendly team competition.

The overall winner of the CCI 3* division will be awarded the Todd Sandler Challenge Perpetual Trophy. The overall winner of the CCI 2* division will be awarded the Eaman Perpetual Trophy.

The fact that internationally renowned course designer Derek di Grazia, (USA) has once again designed the CCI 3*, CCI 2* CCI/CCI JY 1* and CIC 1* courses coupled with the expertise of Canadian course builder Jay Hambly, have had a positive impact on the entries this year. The avant-garde course received rave reviews in 2008 by riders, coaches and officials from Canada, North America, Great Britain and New Zealand!