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!"

Martin Collins: Synthetic Surface Pioneer

Approximately 30 years ago, synthetic surface pioneer, Martin Collins decided to build his own arena at home in the UK, to service his livery yard and privately owned show jumpers.  From the available sand, sand and woodchip, dirt or straight woodchip, he branched away and added some plastics into silica sand.  What he got was a surface which held up better in the winter, with the plastic granules giving some resilience to the colder weather and a footing with better ‘cushion’ which alleviated the ‘deadness’ of a straight sand surface.

This was just the beginning …..

Given Martin’s ever enquiring mind and determination to further perfect a surface to mimic good going turf, we saw the emergence of alternative components to add to sand. 

MC Polytrack®, another Collins invention, was introduced some 25 years ago and there is no doubt that it was the ‘trailblazer’ of the modern day synthetic surfaces.  MC Polytrack® answered the prayers for a footing which was more sympathetic to the limbs of the horse, allowed them to work to the maximum of their ability with the least amount of stress and strain.

It was easier to maintain, did not require watering – a godsend to the busy yard where time is money – had greater climatic tolerance and was suitable for the whole equestrian industry, from dressage through to thoroughbred racing.

All this was thanks to a manufacturing process which took a number of components and blended them by weight with the addition of a wax coating.  Sounds easy doesn’t it and I suppose one can liken it to a grandmother’s favourite recipe; we can all try to make it, however it doesn’t mean it will taste the same!

Whilst Martin was ‘inventing’, the equestrian industry in the UK was awakening to the dawn of a new era.  The thoroughbred, who had been the stalwart and figured heavily in most equestrian disciplines, either in its pure bred state or native pony cross breed, was slowly being overtaken by the introduction of the Warm blood. 

The popularity of the Warm blood has led to competition horses becoming much more expensive to purchase and maintain.  Their work in whatever discipline has become much more demanding, and the name of the game is to ensure the soundness of these horses during their long competition lives.

In particular, the growing awareness of muscular and skeletal damage that can occur when horses and ponies are worked on inconsistent, unsympathetic or poorly maintained surfaces which is now more widely reported in the media.  Investing in a good surface will also assist in reducing veterinary bills.

A synthetic surface these days is not therefore, merely required to offer somewhere to school when the grass gets too dry or wet.  The parameters have changed enormously and present day surfaces have to accommodate the changes in the equestrian society . They also have to conform to environmental rulings, be safe, durable and consistent.  Martin Collins products now offered in the USA;  MC Ecotrack® and  CLOPF® fiber  answer these requirements.

Our CLOPF® fiber (a key ingredient in MC Ecotrack®) is manufactured at our own factory in Europe and shipped to the US .   The fiber originates from the carpet industry but we stress that it is pre-consumer and not post consumer (used material which could harbor toxins and materials that may rot once put on the ground).  The material then goes through a 3 point manufacturing process before it is baled and shipped.  CLOPF®  has an EU (European Standard) environmental stamp of approval and is deemed a secondary raw material, NOT as waste material.

The above is important to mention as we are all becoming much more knowledgeable with the advancement of technology and this applies to a myriad of topics and information is readily available on the internet. 

At Martin Collins, we believe that education is the key and should be the main focus to promote safe, durable, consistent surfaces on which to train and compete horses.   We are therefore proud of our partnership with The Professional Riders Organisation and look forward to a long working relationship with both PRO and its members.

Photo Credit: Phillip Dutton by Amy Dragoo