The Millbrook Horse Trials Wrap Up

Buck Davidson and Carl and Cassandra Segal's Ballynoecastle RM and Phillip Dutton with Anne Jones' Young Man came away with the Advanced Divisions A and B wins at the 2012 Millbrook Horse Trials. Buck completes a trifecta this year having won the Advanced Division with Reggie in each of the last three years, while Phillip Dutton who flew directly back from London got his first Advanced win at Millbrook.

Young rider, Caroline Martin also has a streak of her own going as she once again claimed the SSG "Go Low For The Dough" Bonus Award at Millbrook in the Intermediate Divisions for being the only young rider or amateur to jump a double clear cross-country round bang on the optimum time with Petite Flower. Laine Ashker talks with Buck, Phillip and Caroline after Saturday's cross-country round:

Saturday night featured the ever popular competitor's party at Millbrook with the addition of riders cheering on the kids during the PRO Kids Horseless Show Jumping. The kids got the pros pretty revved up with Jennie Brannigan, Tik Maynard and Andrea Leatherman getting into the action as well:

Laine Ashker talks with Phillip after his winning round aboard Ann Jones' Young Man:

Geriann Henderson Tops Her Weekend In Grand Form at Rebecca Farm

Geriann Henderson and Kingslee took home the win in the PRO Tour Series Advanced Division at the Event at Rebecca Farm. They took three rails in the round, but were given plenty of breathing room by Heather DuBois in second place who also had three rails down. Geriann capped off what she described as an "unreal" weekend with Kingslee who jumped his heart out for her. As both are fairly new to this level Geriann plans to get more experience over the course of the summer and fall.

Kristie Nunnink led from start to finish to capture the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series with her very talented Holsteiner mare R-Star. Kristie credits Bruce Davidson, with whom she has been training over the past winter, with giving her the confidence to really perform well at this level. Florence Miller and Tuscan Sun won the CCI** and Emilee Libby and Nonsensical captured the CIC**.  For full results from Rebecca Farm follow the link.

Rebecca Farm Advanced - Day Two Leader Geriann Henderson

Ian Stark's courses always require commitment and forward riding, and most riders look forward to challenge of his courses although they usually have to deal with nerves when they first view the bold fences that they are faced with on the track. Riders who tackle the questions posed come home feeling like their horses improved all the way through the course and have grown in both confidence and maturity, and this is exactly the kind of feedback that the Scot likes to hear. Saturday the crowds came out to Rebecca Farm to watch riders tackle the cross country course. By the end of the day everyone had been given a true education on the kind of preparation and riding it takes to navigate the courses successfully.

At the end of the PRO Tour Series Advanced Divison, it was Geriann Henderson and her own Kingslee who survived the test unscathed with the only penalty free round of the day to take over first place on their dressage score of a 54.0. The Advanced Division took its toll on the rest of the field with rider falls and technical eliminations. Heather Dubois and Every Wish was the only other pair to complete the course in a division which is much smaller than usual this year. Geriann, who is an amateur from Florissant, Colorado described her round as "unreal, more than I expected"and was so excited that her horse Kingslee handled the course with such ease.

Kristie Nunnink and R-Star continued their fine form to lead the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series in the CIC***division at Rebecca Farm. Tamra Smith and Top Secret, owned by Krystie Bush, also had a penalty free round in the CIC** division to maintain their lead. For full results please click on this link.

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