Monday, July 6, 2009

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.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

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

Friday, July 3, 2009

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!

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

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.

Saturday, June 13, 2009

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!

Monday, June 1, 2009

Belmont II Syndicate Opportunity




The Belmont II Syndicate

The Belmont II Syndicate is an opportunity for eventing enthusiasts to take part at the elite level of the sport, at a fraction of the cost of sole ownership. The plan is to syndicate the horse Belmont II with Boyd Martin as the rider, with the goal of representing the United States at the 2010 Alltech/FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky next September.

With this goal in mind, Belmont II will be competing extensively throughout the United States and possibly abroad in the 2009/2010 season.

Because the goal to compete as a member of the US team, the syndicate will not focus upon making a profit, or the sale of this valuable horse, unless circumstances warrant. We are offering a percentage of ownership, at $9,000 per share, and then asking members to contribute to the horse’s running costs, including veterinary and farrier care, feed, entry fees, transportation, etc. at a rate of $200 per owner per month.

In return, we are offering part-ownership of a very talented and valuable competition horse, VIP hospitality at top-level competitions, and close involvement with a small, dedicated professional team, as we strive to compete at the very highest levels of the sport.

About The Horse

Belmont II is a 1995, US-bred bay Dutch Warmblood/Thoroughbred cross gelding. He is talented in all three phases of eventing. Currently owned by Kate Ditchey, he came to Boyd to be sold. Boyd generally only rides the horse at competitions, with Kate training him the rest of the time, and Boyd’s record with Belmont so far is outstanding:

2008

• Fifth place in the Fair Hill CCI*** (MD)

2009

• First place advanced horse trials at Southern Pines (NC)
• Second place advanced horse trials at Fair Hill (MD)
• First place Jersey Fresh CIC*** (NJ)

Click here to see a video of Belmont II competing at the 2009 Jersey Fresh CIC***.
Competition record, including scores, available at the USEA website.

With a more consistent training program their results can only get better. In preparation for the World Equestrian Games, Boyd hopes to compete Belmont II at the 2009 Burghley CCI**** (UK) or the 2010 Rolex Kentucky three-day event.

The US selectors have made it clear to Boyd that a horse for sale on the open market is not eligible for national squad listing. The purchase of Belmont by syndicate means that there would be a very good chance that he would be placed straight onto the B list, which is basically the long list for next year’s WEG. His performances and results at the 2009 Jersey Fresh CIC*** and 2008 Fair Hill CCI*** outclass the majority of the horses already on the B list.


Basic Syndicate Agreement

We want to keep the rules of the syndicate simple. There will be a written agreement between the owners. To summarize the basic elements:

1. The syndicate is being created to combine a group of like-minded people who share a love of three-day eventing.

2. Boyd Martin will be the rider. The focus is on enabling the partnership of horse and rider to compete at the very highest levels of world class sport. I, Boyd Martin, will be responsible for the training and competition schedule of the syndicated horse.

3. This is a non-profit focused syndicate, motivated to develop horses to progress to the highest level of competition. The horses may only be sold if Boyd believes it is warranted.

4. Prize money will be divided equally amongst the syndicate members and be used to subsidize the running costs of the horse. Subsequent savings will reduce the monthly contribution.

5. The horse is currently for sale for $90,000. Ten shares are available at $9,000 per share, and running costs will be $200 per month per share. An individual may purchase more than one share. Monthly fees are tax-deductible through the American Horse Trials Foundation.

For further information, please feel free to contact Boyd at boydmartin007@hotmail.com or (610) 806-2381.

Photos copyright Amber Heintzberger and are not to be reproduced without permission.