Monday, 27 August 2012

Shahzada Endurance ride 27th - 31st August.

The 27th of August marks the start of this year’s Shahzada Endurance Ride.

The Shahzada is a 5 day, 400 km horse ride through the tracks and roads around St. Albans, which lies on the MacDonald River, north west of Sydney. The ride occurs on the last full week of August each year.
    The riders complete two marked courses every day, returning to St Albans at the end of each leg. The riders can leave as early as 4 am, but must have completed the two legs by 5 pm. There is a compulsory 1 hour minimum break between legs for all riders. Each year, the number of entrants in both the main ride and the 3 day training ride (Tues - Thurs) exceeds 150.
    The endurance ride is strictly supervised by a team of professional vets and helpers who are known as TPR Stewards (Temperature, Pulse and Respiration). Each horse is vetted prior to the ride and twice daily (after each leg).

Endurance is one of the most physically gruelling equine sports, typical problems that we see in Endurance horses are Long recovery time post event, Lack of muscle circulation and dehydration during training Inflammation, and Build up of lactic acid accumulation and electrolyte concentration.

Equissage consultant Jenny Bailey will be there for the duration of the event, showing riders how they can assist their horses to be the best they can be through the use of Equissage, to book a demonstration at the event Call Equissage 1800 178 528 or see Jenny on the day so she can show you how your horse can benefit from the Cycloid Vibration Therapies (CVT) that Equissage provides!

Sunday, 19 August 2012

NCHA Victorian FUTURITY

This week the National Cutting Horse Association is holding thier futurity competition at the Elmore events centre in Victoria.

The showcase of Cutting is the NCHA Futurity has grown into the richest three year old performance horse event in the Southern Hemisphere. It incorporates the best cutting seen anywhere, the largest country/western rural trade display outside the metropolitan areas, restaurants, bars, big screen, live country music entertainers.

Kylie and Katie will be attending this show, to talk to you about the product and give FREE demonstrations of Equissage and show you how it can help your horse, drop in and see the girls to arrange your free Demo at the show.

Cutting horses perform almost independently of the rider. During the judging points are lost if the rider cues the horse. The objective is to sort one calf from a herd and then to prevent it returning to the other calves. The sport evolved from the practical aspects of ranch work, with the first competition taking place around the turn of the century. In competition the horse is judged for 2.5minutes during which it usually cuts two or three calves.
Cutting is a high-intensity activity in which the horse must have quick reaction times and the ability to turn and accelerate in either direction in response to the unpredictable movements of the calf. When working cows, cutting horses keeps their forequarters, head and neck low while making extremely quick to lateral movements. The hindquarters, used as pivot points, are well under the horse and carry most of the weight. Consequently, this action will cause cutting horses to show stress in the neck, shoulders, chest, back and hindquarters as a result of tension build-up.
Common recorded problems related to Cutting horses that Equissage can help with are;
· Tense and reactive to pain in the lumbar sacral region
· Increase recovery time to common ailments such as sacroiliac ligament strain/sprain
· Stiffness in base of neck – decreasing take off and stride length
· Muscle fatigue, atrophy and dehydration
Equissage is a safe, easy to use, natural, non-aggressive and non-invasive way to effectively warm up and cool down your horse, prevent common issues, improve performance and maintain your horse in peak condition.
Voted “Best New Horse Product in the World” in 2000 BETA UK, Cutting riders world wide love how Equissage provides a full body workout, equivalent to a 10km walk for their competition horse. Equissage gently penetrates through 4 foot of bone and 2 foot of tissue to provide the following benefits to Cutting horses:
· Increased blood flow, specifically around the joints to decrease the likelihood of injuries, sprains and strains
· Improved lymphatic drainage to assist in the removal of lactic acid, speed up recovery, reduce fatigue and encourage water consumption
· Relaxation of the muscles, keeping them soft and supple. Naturally helping to relieve pain, unlock tension and reduce muscle spasm, improves flexion and bend especially in the neck and sacroiliac
· Improved joint mobility to assist in control, accuracy, flexibility and improved reaction times to improve performance

Sunday, 5 August 2012

The Olympic Dream.


While we have reported fully in the lead up to the Olympics on our riders, I have delayed this Blog entry for the end of the Eventing competition.
As of the 31st July Megan reports that Floyd (Kirby Park allofasudden) is no longer sore and is making a rapid recovery unfortunately a few days too late to get a start in the Olympic team.

Everyone here at Team Equissage much like the rest of Australia are all a bit bleary eyed from staying up late watching our fantastic Eventing team put it all on the line for Australian Eventing Glory.
While the team ended up a bit lower on the leader board than we would have hope, the event did show that there is so much importance on the horses fitness being paramount.

Our competitive exploits, ambitions and achievements hinge on our horses soundness and health, whether it be missing the local Pony club rally, The local Race meet or the Olympics due to a slight soreness, it is our role as leader to ensure that our horses are at their best every time we ask them to work for us.

Equissage give us the opportunity to ensure that our horses are at their peak at all times, with the proven increase in Circulation, lymphatic drainage, joint mobility and muscle relaxation.
Using Equissage daily gives your horse the opportunity to be the best horse he can be.

Thursday, 26 July 2012

Sad news from the MJET camp

Sad news from the MJET (Megan Jones Eventing Team) camp came through this morning.

"What a roller coaster ride the last couple of days has been!

You may have heard the sad news, but if not…the MJET team is reeling from the devastating report that came today from Megan when she was forced to make the decision to withdraw from her place on the Australian Olympic eventing team due to an injury that Floyd had sustained in the last 24 hours.

This sport is full of unexpected surprises, both good and bad, and the sign of a true professional athlete is the resilience that they show in the difficult times. 
Megan is showing us her true colours remaining strong and resilient and contemplating her options of competing in Europe during the next few months at Burleigh and Pau (France).

As soon as she has formulated a plan I will let you know.

Thank you again for all your support…she has appreciated your messages!

Back with you soon,

Leigh Beissel
megan jones eventing team"

We Wish Floyd a speedy recovery and would also like to wish all the best to Sam Griffiths who will step in to take Megan's place on the Olympic team.

Tuesday, 24 July 2012

Megan shows her team spirit

Equissage sponsored rider Megan Jones shows her team spirit when interviewed about taking her place in the Australian Olympic team.

www.olympics.com.au, Wednesday, 25 July 2012 (from the EA website)

Shane Rose won’t be physically at the Olympic Games but his name will be.
Rose was forced to withdraw from the Games over the weekend following an injury to his horse Taurus, but the reserve, Megan Jones, who has been outfitted today in London has revealed a special gesture will keep Rose part of the Olympic team.

All competitors have their names displayed on their riding helmets – and Rose presented his to Jones when she formally came into the squad.

Jones has revealed she will keep the name Shane Rose on her riding helmet.

“I looked at it and thought ‘I can take it off’, but then I thought, no, Shane can ride with me in spirit,” Jones said.

“Shane is one of the greatest cross country riders in the world so I might show the horses too."

But while Jones gesture has impressed everyone in the Australian Olympic Team, her generosity won’t extend to medals.

“I won't be cutting any medals in half. He can come around though and have a pat,” Jones laughed.


We look forward to watching another of our Equissage Ambassadors taking to the ultimate international stage when the Eventing starts this Saturday.

Eventing competition times
Sat 28 July: 10.00-16.15   Dressage, day 1
Sun 29 July: 10.00-16.15   Dressage, day 2
Mon 30 July: 12.30-17.30   Cross-country
Tues 31 July: 10.30-16.00   Showjumping and medal ceremonies



Sunday, 22 July 2012

Megan steps in to ride for Australia.

Congratulations to Equissage sponsored rider, Megan Jones and her horse Allofasudden who found out this morning that they will be competing in the 2012 London Olympic Games!
Shane Rose’s horse Taurus sustained a soft tissue injury during training and was this morning ruled out of competition, we wish Taurus a speedy recovery! Good luck Team Aus!

EA press release
Shane’s emotional interview regarding his withdrawal.

Megan Jones talking about her preparation ahead of the trip to London, as travelling reserve, little did she know a few days later she would be a part of the team.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHcXgEJNZ88&list=PL27985F8C38848D38&index=4&feature=plpp_video

Megan riding Kirby Park Allodasudden

Wednesday, 18 July 2012

Our Olympic riders

With the Olympics drawing so close that London locals can smell the sweat from the best athletes in the work training in the air, I thought this would be a good time to have a look at just how many team horses and riders in the Australian and New Zealand Equestrian teams benefit from using Equissage.

Australian Olympic Equissage riders are:
Mary Hanna - Dressage
Shane Rose - Eventing
Megan Jones - Eventing (Team Reserve)
Tim Boland - Eventing (Team Reserve)

NZ riders:
Mark Todd - Eventing

And not to leave out Australian Ex Pat Boyd Martin who will ride for team USA.

The members of the Australian Equestrian team yesterday were kitted out in their uniform as seen here in their first official team photo.

Several of the Olympic team members and reserves are Equissage riders, and we will endeavour to bring you updates as they come on the success of our riders.