Friday, December 14, 2012

New Saddle Pad from ECOGOLD



Boyd's new custom pad with navy trim
 ECOGOLD has created an exciting new saddle pad and Boyd's custom pad is hot off the presses. Here's a little sneak preview:

Underside of pad, showing the Coolmax layer & non-slip

The CoolFit Saddle Pad is ECOGOLD's latest innovation, combining a flexible shock absorption system with the most advanced moisture management and heat dissipation technology. Made with a COOLMAX® underside layer and unique air-flow vent system, ECOGOLD's CoolFit Saddle Pad is engineered to quickly dissipate heat and moisture away from the horse's body, providing a more comfortable ride. 

Vent system
It comes with 2 removable 100% breathable open cell and memory foam inserts that can be combined or used by themselves for the ideal impact protection and saddle fit without the need for additional layers. 
Removable layers
- No slipping, no sliding, no friction! It combines ECOGOLD's innovative Frictionless and Secure systems to prevent friction while keeping the saddle safely secure.
- Ergonomic design. The flaps do not have any padding to allow the closest contact and a more stable riding position.

Patricia from ECOGOLD said, "We compared our Coolmax fabric to other fabrics…all I can say is Shamwow!" 

Moisture test video: http://youtu.be/QqeObt5u710


Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Romantic Weekend in Vegas...



 I know this has nothing to do with equestrian sports, but I must blog about one of the truly great sporting events in the world which Silva and I just witnessed!

After a hard working year of horses, horses and more horses, Silva was longing for a romantic weekend away, so I treated her to the biggest 'super fight' in Las Vegas for the year. Two great sporting heroes in Manny Pacquiao from the Philippines against Mexico's Juan Manuel Marquez had a boxing match at the MGM Grand Garden arena.

Here we are!
 What an experience: tens of thousands of crazy Mexican and Philippine fans that were so passionate about their heroes that they were cheering and dancing for days on end. Las Vegas was the perfect setting to accommodate this fantastic showdown.

our seats

I am sad to say that my beloved Manny got knocked out in round six after a very exciting bout, where both boxers threw themselves in harm's way. Each man threw everything into every moment of the match. At the end, either one of them could have got the winning punch. The most impressive thing to see was how Manny handled himself after the most devastating loss of his career. It was brilliant to see how a great champion reacts to the most disappointing moment in his life. I suppose winning is easy to accept, but it's when things don't go right that we see people's true colors.

FOR SALE: GALLIARD!


NAME: Galliard (Pre)
SEX: Gelding
COLOUR: Chestnut
HEIGHT: 16.3
DATE OF BIRTH: May 2006
COUNTRY OF BIRTH: USA
SIRE: Prelude By Mozart
DAM: Copper Penny
BREED: Trakehner
BREEDER: Stopek Stables
PLACE OF BIRTH: Adel, IA
OWNER: Gracia Huenefeld

Owned and ridden by a Young Rider, "Pre" is uncomplicated to ride and has three nice gates for Dressage. Shown successfully at Training level and schooling First he has a great future ahead of him.


Pre is quiet in the ring as well as hacking out alone or with a group. He also behaves for the farrier, dentist, vet and for clipping. This is a great horse that has a big heart and lots of personality, who wants to please.

Galliard is owned by Gracia Huenefeldowner, who is Silva's barn manager. Please contact Gracia directly at (402)604-0060 or call Silva Martin (610) 806 2721 for more information.
Galliard

Monday, December 10, 2012

DEVOUCOUX RELEASES THE NEW D3D!



Devoucoux is proud to unveil their new range of D3D show jumping saddles.  Offering 25 years of experience with made-to-measure saddles, Devoucoux introduces a new design concept through their D3D Technology:
  • Innovative materials which increases comfort and well-being of horse and rider
  • Better weight bearing distribution on the horse’s back
  • Unrivaled feeling of proximity, balance and comfort
  • Innovative Design

Incorporating the analysis of horse and rider bio-mechanics:
  • Achieves of great interactivity between horse and rider
  • Removes back pressure by widening the gullet between the panels in order to achieve the release of the dorsal spinous processes
  • Increases the weight-bearing surface of the panels for better weight distribution
  • Insures high stability of the saddle on the horse’s back, releasing the horse’s forehand, which encourages more even gaits

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Chris Johnson Presents Boyd & Neville with Their Portrait!


Chris Johnson Presents Boyd and Neville with Their Portrait!
Chris Johnson, a freshman at Savannah College of Art & Design, is home from school for the holidays and presented Boyd with the oil painting he painted of Boyd aboard Neville Bardos.  Neville came out to give his approval! 
While the original, which measures 24” x 48”, will grace Boyd and Silva’s home, limited edition prints are now available. All 300 of the limited edition will be numbered and signed by the artist.  In addition, Boyd is signing the first prints!
At just $90 (which includes shipping and handling within the U.S.) the 12” x 24” prints make a great Christmas gift.

CLICK HERE TO ORDER YOUR PRINT!

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Boyd and Silva to Judge OTTB Contest in 2013


We are excited to be on the judging panel for next year's Constant Star OTTB For Sport contest! Inspired by the John Madden Sales Breeder's Bridge to High Performance contest, the Constant Star competition will be open only to Off the Track Thoroughbreds and the goal will be to find a future star! We will be judging alongside with Eric Dierks and Callie Schott, as well as contest founder Kimberly Clark, who will award three months of free training to the winning horse. Of course we have had great luck with OTTB's, including Neville Bardos in eventing and Sea Lord in dressage, and we are looking forward to this opportunity to see some promising horses come off the track and into the sport horse world.

Boyd and Silva

For complete details click on the link above or go to http://www.goodhorse.org/Contest.html


Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Congratulations Densey Juvonen

A hug from Densey. Josh Walker Photo
 On Friday evening at the USEA convention, PRO will be honoring Densey Juvonen with the most prestigious Owner's Award in the United States.  It is great that PRO has come up with a way of honoring the people behind the scenes that make it all happen. For those who are not familiar with Densey I have composed some interesting facts:

10 Awesome Facts About Densey Juvonen 
L-R: Densey and Ron Juvonen, Silva and Boyd Martin at Plantation Field. Amber Heintzberger Photo

1. Densey and her husband Ron own a share in Neville Bardos, a share in Otis Barbotiere, a share in Trading Aces, half of HH Lancaster and all of Remington XXV.

2. Her horses have competed in the US, Canada, England, France and Holland in Three-day events over the last few years in 3-Stars, 4-Stars,  US Nation Cup Teams, the WEG and Olympic Games.

3. Together with Ron, she came up with the idea in 2010 of syndicating horses. The base plan was to come up with a system of owners owning a little piece of a number of horses. This gave me the opportunity to ride some of the best horseflesh out there and gave owners a chance to become part of a number of top horses.

4. She has placed Remington, after two USA team short lists and four 4-star events, with up-and-coming young rider Caitlin Silliman:  the idea being that Remington can contribute to the education of the next generation of rider for this country.

5. Not only did she own a share of an Olympic horse this year, she had a piece of every horse I had in the training camp in England on the short list.  If I was going to make the team, so was Densey.

6. She is a courageous member of the Cheshire Foxhounds in Chester county, and jumps three-rail fences for fun!

7. She has donated the $5000 that she won from the PRO Owners Award, to the best CIC in America: Plantation Field International, for next year's event in September.

8. She has experienced the highs along with the lows as most owners do.  Her very exciting 2-star mare 'Charla' died tragically in the barn fire last year.  She was among the most supportive people around me and helped me keep going through this time, never allowing me to feel guilty about her loss.

9. She is the proud grandmother of four  great kids, all of whom are very good riders.

10. Her distinctive cheers can be heard above all others at Rolex when one of her horses does well!

I am always thankful for the day that I met Densey and her 11-year old fox hunter that she wanted me to sell.  Who would have thought that this little horse and I would start a partnership that would ultimately change my life?

 Thank you Densey, and Congratulations!!

Boyd