Remembering Ross Martin

Ross Martin watching Boyd and Remington XXV win the CIC*** at The Fork in April, 2011

In yet another tragic turn of events, Ross Martin, Boyd's father, passed away this weekend after having been hit by a truck during a cycling race and sustaining severe injuries. Boyd was able to travel to Australia to see Ross before he died, and is there with his family now.

I had the great fortune to meet Ross several times when he came to watch Boyd ride in the USA, and always enjoyed his enthusiastic e-mails about Boyd's riding career here in the States. He was able to attend The Fork three-day event this spring and had the joy of seeing Boyd and Remington win the CIC***, where I caught this photo of him ringside.

The support for Boyd and Silva following the barn fire at True Prospect Farm has been truly overwhelming, and Ross was so impressed with how the horse community here stood behind them during this tough time.

Especially in the tough times it is the horses that give Boyd hope for the future, and he is excited that Neville did his first gallop since the fire at the Fair Hill training track today (see video below). Boyd is still considering taking his partner in crime to the Burghley CCI**** in England this fall if Neville's health and fitness continue to improve. Let's all keep cheering them on.

-Amber Heintzberger

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy & Helping the TPF Fire Victims, part 1 on EN

By Samantha L Clark on July 2, 2011 5:20 PM, Filed Under Classroom

The Hyperbaric Chamber at Fair Hill

I think everyone knows about the tragic fire at True Prospect Farm by now, that claimed the lives of six horses and left five severely injured. At Eventing Nation, we've been providing regular updates on the recovery of those five, and in the latest installment, Caitlin had mainly good news, as well as telling us that her horse, Hoku (Catch A Star), and Boyd's WEG horse, Neville Bardos had been making daily visits to the Fair Hill Training Center to use the Hyperbaric Chamber there.  Today in part 1 we speak with Dr Slovis from Hagyard about the therapy.  Tomorrow we will hear from Caitlin about how the True Prospect horses are doing and from Bruce Jackson about his Fair Hill facility.

This is on of the ongoing expenses that effects the full recovery of Hoku and Neville.  The PRO online auction will help directly pay for these expenses.  For the full article & video interview with  please visit Eventing Nation!

Thank you Samantha!!

Round 2 of The PRO/SCES Online Auction!

Please help us continue to raise funds for the whole crew at Boyd's and True Prospect Farm!
Through the hard work & volunteer efforts of many people and many donors, we are launching the 2nd leg of the PRO/SCES online ebay auction!!

This auction features a variety of items including some great lesson packages from Buck Davidson, Ange Bean, Stephie Baer.....as well as several amazing vacation homes, tack, a Point Two Air Jacket, photography, art, etc.

Please continue to spread the word & support the fundraising efforts.  Everyone at Windurra USA and True Prospect Farm is so appreciative of the outpouring of support from our riding community!

Click Here to Bid!!

Welcome William!

On June 22nd, 2011 Amber Heintzberger and Juergen Grosserhode welcomed William Henry Grosserhode into the world. He was born at St. Lukes Roosevelt Hospital in New York City, weighing 9 lbs. 2 oz. and measuring 22" and joins big sister Emily Katharina, who will be two years old at the end of July. We are so excited to welcome him to our family!

Read Amber's blog for You & Your Family magazine here.

Thanks Horse Junkies!!

Great Dressage Tips From Boyd Martin!

June 25, 2011 6:30 pm

Posted by Carrie under Product Reviews, Riding & Horse Show Tips

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Boyd looking cheeky and Remmy looking realxed as they warm up for Rolex Kentucky, 2011. Photo by the awesome Calina.

Recently, Boyd and Silva Martin have released a series of training videos. Guess What!? We have completed the first series in their videos and we are on to the next one, as one of my hero’s Jay-Z would say.

I just about did a backflip when I saw which video was up next:  Managing a Nervous Horse in their Dressage Test.  Been there done that, got the ribbon for a ‘completion’.   Part 1 of series 2 takes us through the motions of attempting to get it together before entering at A. Yes, breathing is important.

First of all, this video shows Boyd and his horse at an actual Horse Trial warming up for their actual dressage test.  Ummm, COOL!  That was something I wasn’t expecting at all. As we all know, our biggest challenge as a rider is getting our super fit event horses who would much rather be running around a cross country course, relaxed and supple for what we all consider to be the longest 6 minutes of our lives.

Here are some of the tips:

1. Familiarization. If you can get there the day before, PERFECT! If not, get there bright and early and ride around the area where you know your test is going to be.

2. Nutrition. Boyd avoids certain hay and feeds. I’m not going to tell you which ones though!  A calming supplement is also a good recommendation.  However – ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR VET FIRST to be certain nothing will be a surprise on drug test.

3. The Warm Up. This is KEY to relaxation.  As much as possible, stick to the same program as you would when warming up at home.  Stretch a LOT, don’t create any pressure and just cruise around until you can feel your horse relax.  As Boyd says, “Make them think it is just another day at the office.”

4. Introduce Movements From The Test. Once your horse is relaxed, slowly work them through some of the movements they are going to be required to do.

BREAK TIME!! Make sure you allow your horse to take a break, walk, stretch and reassure them that everything is okay.

5. Move Closer To The Ring. About 12-15 minutes out, Boyd makes his way closer to the actual arena that the test will be ridden at.  Because you took to time to familiarize your horse to the ring, this change in scenery, shouldn’t be a problem.  Boyd suggests keeping your horse’s mind entertained’ and ask him to always keep working.

6. The Test. As soon as the competitor before you salutes, Boyd suggests getting your butt going around the ring ASAP.  This will allow as much time as possible in the test area before the bell rings.  SMILE AND NOD at the judge.  In Boyd’s opinion, that is always good for an extra mark or two…then again, it is also Boyd who is tall, good looking and speaks with an accent.  I’ll try it next time anyway.

What was awesome about this video – is that you literally get to see each and every phase of the steps as mentioned. INCLUDING his actual dressage test.  Which was a nice surprise!

I did mention which tip Boyd thinks is most important for achieving that state of relaxation above, but, well, you’re all going to have to watch the video yourself to find out what that is!

Thanks for the awesome tips Boyd! Can’t wait for my next Dressage test!!

Foxhill Eventing Fund Raiser!

Mogie Bearden-Muller is holding a summer eventing lecture series at her farm, Foxhill Eventing, in Centreville, MD. 

The first one is Weds. evening, July 6 - 7:30 p.m. No horses necessary! Topic is Walking Courses for Competition, and how to set lines for schooling at home. Mogie is a USEF "r" course designer (Maryland Horse Trials at Loch Moy), an Advanced level rider, H-A Pony Club, USEA ICP Level III instructor and walking a course with her is quite eye-opening -- a great learning experience. This is a great opportunity to fill in the holes in your competition skills without worrying about riding or caring for the horse! 

The fee is $25 per person, with $5 of every fee donated to the Boyd Martin barn Fire Recovery Relief Fund!  Thank you ladies!! 

RSVP to foxhill10@gmail.com, www.foxhilleventing.com for directions and more information. These are open to everyone, all levels. Further ones will include the use of studs, walking a cross country course, and more! Check the website for dates.

Dancing Horse Challenge and Ride for Life.

We had a great weekend at the Ride For Life show at the Prince George Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. Stately, of course, was his normal awesome self! We won both Fourth level tests and got High Score, Fourth level at the show.

Duvent placed second and third in both Prix St. Georges. I was so happy with him going into the big, scary arena; a few months ago there would have been no way that I would have even been able to get him into that arena. He was very good in all the trot work and in the walk - the canter started well but he got got a little excited towards the end. We are getting closer and closer to being great.

Kymmy and Markie did very well: they won Fourth level, test 1 on Saturday with 66% and finished fourth in Fourth, 3 on Sunday.

Devon and Ballatale had a great test on Saturday, finishing second in Third level with 66% and placing fifth on Sunday.

Sea Lord ("Big Bird") was the real star this weekend!!! The organizers for the Breast Cancer Benefit asked me if I would perform in the Dancing Horse Challenge at their Gala night on Saturday. The Dancing Horse Challenge is getting bigger and bigger every year.

We had to think about a theme and organize a costume and a freestyle. Charish Campell,(Big Bird's owner) and I thought of going as a jockey since BB is an off the track Thoroughbred and is now at the Grand Prix level, which is very unusual.
We got a freestyle together with the soundtrack from the Secretariat movie and my friend Cheryl Griffith made me a fabulous outfit.



Big Bird loved the packed arena and the people loved us! It was soooo much fun and it felt good to be able to help raise money for breast cancer and help people who need help, especially now since we have experienced so much generosity and help from everybody in the last few weeks.

Here is the video :



-Silva