Martin Collins CLOPF® Fiber

Martin Collins CLOPF® Fiber is a cost effective performance fiber to improve existing sand surfaces. Available as a stand-alone product CLOPF® fiber can significantly enhance sand or sand/mix footings without incurring the expense of an all-new product.

This is a fiber that assists in building a ‘root structure’ with the sand or sand/mix, thereby providing more stability and energy return to the limbs of the horse.  Correctly maintained, the horses will work more on top of the surface rather than “through” it.  CLOPF® also has an excellent moisture retention property.

Clopf® Fiber has been in the worldwide market place since 2000 with significant installations in the UK, Europe and South Africa.  Clopf® achieved World Cup Status upon being installed in Leipzig for the 2011 Finals and was first introduced into the US market in 2005.

Clients using CLOPF® fiber in the U.S. include:

* FL – Arlene (Tuny) Page, Rodrigo Pessoa Double H Farm, TEquestrian Farm, Dr. Alex Rey, Tim Gredley, Diamante Farm, Mikala Gunderson

* KY – Kathy Priest, Hampton Farms

* MA – The Ark

* MD – Toni Herbert

* TX – Guy Hodgson

* VA – Stonehall Farm

Worldwide CLOPF® clients include:

* UK - Nick Skelton, Lucinda and Clayton Fredericks, Laura Bechtolsheimer, (UK Olympic Dressage Team Gold, London 2012)

* Spanish Riding School, Austria

* Stal Tops, Valkenswaard, Holland

Testimonials:

Laura Bechtolsheimer:

“A good quality surface is hugely important when you are riding and training top class dressage horses. We train on a Martin Collins’ surface at home, and to compete at a venue on a Martin Collins’ surface is fantastic….”

Kathy Priest:

“Except for watering it is less maintenance,” she raves. “The horses go great over it and I have had no training injuries using this surface.”

Clayton Fredericks:

"Having installed our MC Ecotrack® lunge surface we have been impressed by the security and confidence it gives our horses. We have also added the special Clopf® fibre to our arena and have been delighted with the improvement in stability and spring. Both Cinda and I firmly believe that the surfaces have contributed to our success!"

Royal Windsor Horse Show & Pageant (brought to you by Martin Collins Equine Surfaces)

Special thanks to PRO's Official Footing Sponsor Martin Collins Equine Surfaces for this special report from the Royal Windsor Horse Show!  Be sure to check out their Facebook Fan Page and Blog after reading this post.

Every year since 1943, for 1 week in May the Queen opens the private grounds at Windsor Castle for the Royal Windsor Horse Show  which features jumping, dressage and carriage driving, at international level with “grass roots” classes and showing, etc.   It is a fabulous event that attracts equestrian competitors and spectators in droves.    In the UK each year there are several "must see" sporting events:  Wimbledon, Badminton and The Royal Windsor Horse Show!

Alongside Land Rover, Alltech and Horse & Hound (among others), Martin Collins is proud to be a sponsor of  the Royal Windsor Horse Show and has been the "Official Footing Supplier" of this celebrated event since 2005!

Royal Windsor marks the kick-off to the equestrian showing season featuring 117 showing classes and 20 championships. Similar to the Devon Horse Show here in the US, several thousand horses compete at this event and it is quite prestigious.

An excerpt from the event website reports:

" The Royal Windsor Horse Show offers visitors a fantastic mix of Jumping, Showing and Carriage Driving competitions. These take place in four different arenas – The Castle Arena is the main arena and hosts the main jumping, displays and championship classes. The Frogmore Arena houses jumping as well as the AmTrust Equine RWHS British Riding Clubs Championships competitions, and some showing competitions. The Copper Horse Arena mainly houses showing competitions and the Driving Arena is host to the dressage and obstacle phase of the International Driving competitions."

This year was an exceptional year for the horse show, as it marked the celebration of her 60 year reign.  In the evening, they usually have a Military Tattoo, however for this Jubilee year, they held a pageant each night (Thurs – Sun), with the Queen in attendance on Sunday to celebrate her 60 year reign.

The theme was “around the world in 60 years”, with participants from Canada (Mounties), America (cowboys and Native Americans, both from California), Mexico, Cook Islands, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, Oman, Africa (with performance from The Lion King stage show), India, Italy, Russia, Ireland, Scotland and England.  Each nation focused around the Queen’s love of horses.  Over 800 participants and nearly as many horses were in attendance!

Featured photographs show the 3 rings that Martin Collins maintains, including the warm up which is connected to the Castle Main and the Frogmore Arena.  This link details the programme of events by Ring.

UK celebrities entertained during the evening (2 each night), and singing sensations included The Tenors from Canada, Joss Stone and Susan Boyle!  Various Royals took the salute each night, with the Queen on Sunday.   The Sunday night performance was filmed and will be shown on ITV (commercial TV) on 3^rd June to coincide with the main celebrations.

It was truly spectacular, and so wonderful to see traditional dress and activities in our own “back garden” so-to-speak.  For those seeking to read more history on this fantastic event.....please visit the official website of the British monarch or the official event website!

Bromont Video Re-Cap

Brought to you by Martin Collins Equine Surfaces (Official PRO Footing Sponsor).

PRO Tour Series 2012: Bromont CCI3* Day One

PRO Tour Series: Volvo Bromont Day Two

PRO Tour Series: Bromont CCI3* Final Day

Martin Collins USA: A Peak Inside Glenarvon Farm

Kathleen Sullivan, and her husband Dr. Andy Clark, are the owners of Glenarvon Farm, their private farm located in the heart of Kentucky horse country in Georgetown.  Kathleen is an avid equestrian, who has recently returned to the sport of eventing to fulfill her competitive dreams after having spent over 20 years riding jumpers. Kathleen trains with Missy Ransehousen and Sara Shade while balancing her competitive dreams with her professional career as a SVP and Financial Advisor for Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. The couple relocated from California when Dr. Clark accepted his position as CEO of Hagyard, the legendary veterinarian center in the Lexington Kentucky area.

  

Kathleen chose to install MC Ecotrack® as the surface for the their indoor last year.  She has four horses in active work and has also held several clinics and lessons with top trainers at their facility.  “Jim Kofford, a top dressage rider has given clinics and lessons to friends and family at our facility and they say it is better than any other surface that they train on.  Everyone loves it, all of my trainers….jumper trainer Otis Brown, and event trainers Sara Shade and Missy Ransehousen…. they all love it!”

Kathleen also remarked that the new footing is virtually maintenance free, which has been a real plus. “We love it and enjoy riding on the surface everyday.  The best part is that I’m not worried about footing maintenance and I don’t have to have my husband water and drag the ring at 5 am before he is off to his day job!”   Now that’s a happy customer.

Photo credit: Susan J.Stickle