> MANDIBA GOES TO THE OLYMPICS!
Mandiba, full brother of our colt Jackaroo and Zara Phillip's High
Kingdom, has been selected in the USA horse trials Team for the
Equestrian Olympics in Hong Kong. He is only 9 years and it will be a
huge hallenge but his rider Karen O'Connor is one of the most
experienced and successful riders in the world. She won the Pan
American individual Gold Medal last year on her legendary pony Theodore
O'Connor and previously won a Silver Medal at the Atlanta Olympics
riding Biko, the USEA horse of the century, which my brother John and I
bought as a 3 yo.
> MICKLEM MULTIBRIDLE WINS INNOVATION AWARDS AT BETA INTERNATIONAL 2008
The Rambo Micklem Multibridle was awarded first place in the prestigious innovation awards at the BETA International trade fair in Birmingham. The judges described the Multibridle as "Genuinely innovative with huge flexibility for the user and comfort for the horse. Produced with great attention to detail and a deep understanding of horses this product is outstanding."
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> DOVER SADDLERY USA LAUNCHES MICKLEM MULTIBRIDLE
Dover Saddlery has announced it's exclusive deal to supply the Micklem
Multibridle in the USA. "Dover Saddlery is proud to offer the new and
innovative Micklem Multibridle on an exclusive basis, in the United
States. We like this new piece of tack because it will encourage top
performance while also being extremely comfortable. Our buyers were
impressed by the clever design of this product and we know our customers
will be delighted with it. For too long bridle design has stood
still..we believe this is the way forward."
> HIGH PRAISE FOR MICKLEM MULTIBRIDLE
John Ledingham, the international show jumping coach, who rode in over 60 Nations Cups, winning the Hickstead Derby three times, and was the rider of the legendary show jumper Kilbaha, has high praise for the Micklem Multibridle, which will be available in the UK and USA in March: "Having worked on many coaching developments with William Micklem over the last fifteen years I am well aware of his understanding of equine bio-mechanics and mental health, and his ability to think outside the box. This has now seen William develop a sure fire winner in the Micklem Multibridle. If horses were designing a bridle, the Multibridle would be top of their list. Let us educate our horses with kindness and reward as happy horses reach their full potential. Well done William."
> MANDIBA STARTS 08 SEASON IN WINNING FORM
Mandiba delighted his rider Karen O'Connor with a win in his first competition of the year at Rocking Horse Farm in Florida. He was one of only three horses clear inside the time across country and Karen said "He just keeps getting better and has benefited from the special clinics put on for the Olympic short listed riders." In second place was Karen's other Irish bred, Hugh Knows.
> INJUSTICE FOR MANDIBA AT FAIR HILL
Mandiba, the star performer from our stud, galloped and jumped wonderfully at his first three star, Fair Hill, in the month of November, finishing in 5th place after the cross-country.
What happened after this is described by Mark Phillips writing in the Horse and Hound on November 1st, 2008.
"Two weeks ago I was at Fair Hill....Karen O'Connor, whose year has been all about 'the pony', Theodore O'Connor also signalled her intentions for the future with two outstanding youngsters in Hugh Knows and Mandiba. But the gods were not on Karen's side on Sunday morning, when Mandiba was perfectly sound, only for him to shy at some flowers during the final horse inspection and knock his ankle with the other foot. He was sent to the holding box, where it was clear what had happened, but he was still 'spun' when represented, thus loosing his Olympic qualification. There is always some new way to be foiled in this sport." Mandiba will have another day, and Karen reacted philosophically, but for all the team that have worked so hard and for his passionate owner and supporter Joan Goswell it was a decision that made no sense. For all the vets involved it was also a mystifying decision, and it remains mystifying to them after examining the film of the whole drama.
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SPORT HORSE BREEDING SOCIETY OF GREAT BRITAIN CONFERENCE
6th February, 2008
Following the great interest generated by William's presentation for the World Breeding Federation and his article article on breeding, in the Nov 8th issue of Horse and Hound, the Sport Horse Breeding Society of Britain (formerly the Hunters Improvement Society) has asked him to speak at their conference in Lancaster on Feb 6th next year. Other speakers include stud owner and Irish Horse Board member Norman Allen, and show producer and former champion point-to-point rider David Tatlow.
Further details:
Mark Fitton mark.fitton@sporthorsegbnw.co.uk
or John Hesketh john.hesketh@sporthorsegbnw.co.uk
or Kath Smith kath.smith@sporthorsegbnw.co.uk
>NEW PRODUCT
William has been asked by Horseware Ireland to bring a prototype of his unique lunge roller and side reins to BETA next February.
They complement the Micklem Multibridle which is due to reach Tack shops in February 2008.
>FESTINA LENTE CONFERENCE SATURDAY 19th April, 2008
William will be one of the speakers at the Festina Lente Foundation conference in Ireland on 19th April 2008, which will be focusing on Equine Assisted Learning. William will be talking on various initiatives to improve the quality of life and usefulness of the horses we use.
Further information from www.festinalente.ie
"Festina Lente Foundation provides a range of integrated training, occupational, learning and employment opportunities to people whose needs have not been met by mainstream services.
These services are provided through equestrianism, horticulture and community-based activities with an emphasis on choice, personal development and progression."
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