Download - Mane Street Sponsor Report
GENEROUS SPONSORS MAKE THE SO8THS/NIKON THREE-DAY
EXTRA SPECIAL FOR AMATEURS
Amateur Competitors Applaud the Sponsors for their Support
The competitors in the third annual So8ths/Nikon Three-Day Event in the “Heart of the Carolinas” were not just overwhelmed by
how wonderful the event was but also by the generosity of its sponsors. The event took place May 2-5 in Chesterfield, SC.
Amateur riders competing in Beginner Novice, Novice, and Training levels went home not only with a sense of accomplishment
and accolades about an event well-run and facilities that are beyond comparison but also with a bounty of gifts.
A huge thank you went to the title sponsor NIKON who presented the winners of the three divisions with a Nikon D3200 Camera
Kit (with an 18-55mm VR lens). Kathy Viele, Aiken, SC, rode Matariki to the victory in Training (T3D), Sarah Zimmer,
Martinsville, VA, and Mardi Gras were the Novice (N3D) winners and Sara Miles, Assawoman, VA, and Misty’s RainDrop
were the Beginner Novice (BN3D) winners.
The competitors weren’t the only ones going home with NIKON products. Gay Glenn was the volunteer who was the lucky
recipient of a NIKON Coolpix S5200 Camera after her name was drawn out of the Most Valuable Volunteer’s bucket.
Everyone was a winner, thanks to the sponsors at this year’s event because every Competitor, Clinician and Official went home
with a souvenir NIKON item ranging from laptop bags, to flexible keyboards, t-shirts, mood lights, luggage tags, umbrellas and
so much more. The title sponsor NIKON was extremely generous with their support of this event because they recognize the
value of the amateur riders.
“We here at NIKON are proud to be involved with Southern 8ths Farm’s recognized three-day event to support the amateur
riders and their passion for Eventing. It is this same passion that drives NIKON each day. We look forward to a long relationship
with So8ths!” remarked Bill Pekala, General Manager, NIKON Pro Services.
“Our sponsors have helped make the
Southern 8ths Three-Day a
destination for the amateur riders,”
remarked Southern 8ths Farm owner
Brad Turley. “NIKON’s support has
been fabulous. Besides providing the
winners with high quality cameras,
they added in a camera for
volunteers, provided a dozen
cameras for the competitors to take
part in a photo contest and then sent
many extra items that impressed
everyone.”
The Sponsors Say Thank You to the Amateurs with their many Prizes
The list of sponsors continued with Adequan, Bit of Britain, Brant Gamma, Breyer, TheCelebrityCafe.com, Cosequin, Dressage
Collection, Ecolicious, FITS, Foxden Equine, Higher Standards Saddle Soap, Horse Quencher, The Jockey Club Thoroughbred
Incentive Program, Kan Teq, Mane Street Horse and Pet, Mrs Pastures Cookies, SciencePure/Pureform, Smartpak, Southern
8ths Farm, and USEA. Every sponsor donated products that made this event extra special for the amateurs who competed.
Both Adequan and Cosequin provided buckets that went to the competitors and were used in the veterinary box and other
locations throughout the weekend. Cosequin also presented a bucket of prizes to the second place recipients. The 2nd place
winners included James Baker, Southern Pines, NC, and Wings in T3D, Samantha DiMaria, Kendall Park, NJ, and Valentine
for N3D and Catie Pannill, Martinsville, VA, and Kokoa Kat for BN3D.
The Jockey Club Low Score Thoroughbred Incentive award of a ribbon, $50 cash prize and embroidered Jockey Club duffle
bag also was won by DiMaria.
James was also the recipient of the Foxden Goodwill Ambassador Award for his leadership throughout the weekend. Baker
noted that the support of the sponsors at the So8ths/Nikon HOTC event has a much deeper meaning because for once the
pomp and ceremony was not being focused on the top level, but rather on those who also deserve it.
Baker’s words were echoed by many when he said, “It makes a great deal of difference to me that these sponsors will recognize
and support us at the lower levels. Too often only the top level gets any recognition yet it is the lower levels that provide the
financial support through their membership, through day to day products and entry fees.”
In addition James won the highly sought after Bit of Britain Adult Rider Low Score grooming tote with brushes, a Bit of Britain
bridle and a gift certificate all valued at just over $500. After the event Jim expressed his gratitude to Bit of Britain owner and
Eventer, John Nunn, noting, “Thank you for your support and the quality of your products, but you should be here. This is the
premier Training Three-Day that knocks the socks off of other T3Ds. You need to ride this event.”
Brant Gamma was the official show photographer. She provided the winner of each division with an 8x10 picture frame to
include a photo of their choice. One of the winners, Viele commented, “This weekend has been a long-term goal and your
photos will help me relive the great moments and share them with friends.”
“I’d like to thank Brant Gamma for her support and helmet cams coverage as well as John Nunn at Bit of Britain for all he does
for Southern 8ths and the adult riders,” remarked Turley.
Breyer donated a couple of model horses to the young volunteers in the group while TheCelebrityCafe.com provided a gift
basket to volunteer Carolyn Sellers. Higher Standards Saddle Soap jars were given to the top three finishers in each division.
FITS provided shirts that were added to the Horse Quencher Sportsmanship award won by Taylor Pence, Concord, NC, who
was competing on Goldie.
Everyone received some Mrs Pastures Cookies
and there were lots of happy horses being fed
those cookies throughout the competition.
SmartPak provided each competitor with a paste
supplement and all the Officials received a
SmartPak tote. Cosequin gave them all vet wraps
and coupons. Both Foxden and SciencePure
provided gift certificates to many of the
competitors.
As a way to help thank the sponsors, notebooks were put out on a table throughout the competition so that anyone could write a
note to the sponsors. Taylor wrote to Horse Quencher, “I won many of your products this weekend and cannot wait to try them.
Thank you so much for contributing to such a wonderful event.”
The Dressage Collection Low Dressage Score prize of a beautiful Classic Handbag will probably end up with the trainer,
Suzanne Lacy of Riverbend Farm, since she brought a bunch of riders to compete at this year’s event. Sarah Zimmer,
Martinsville, VA, had the lowest dressage score of 30.70.
The Ecolicious Best Turned Out award of their all natural shampoo and conditioner went to Pannill, Baker and Manny
Diemer, Raeford, NC, who placed 4th on Krugerrand in N3D. Ecolicious products were also given out to a number of the other
competitors who placed at the top.
Additionally Ecolicious owner Petra McGowan was thinking out of the box and offered a donation of all of their products to one
lucky recipient who would use them and document their use. That recipient was Erin Hite, Durham, NC, who commented, “I won
the raffle and used your products over the weekend. They smell great and work. I love that they are natural. Cody and I worked
a year to get here and really appreciate your support at our own mini-Rolex!”
The Mane Street Best Conditioned Horse Award and the Kan Teq Closest Lady to Optimum X-C Time was won by Sarah
Baker, Southern Pines, NC, who rode Poetic Justice to a 4th place finish in T3D. Sarah was thrilled with her gift basket filled
with cool horse items and an embroidered cooler from Mane Street as well as a Safety Vest from Kan Teq.
“This is an amazing event,” commented Sarah. “Nobody treats the competitors better!”
Wendy McCaughan, owner of Kan Teq, was there throughout the competition and provided vests to competitors to try out.
Wendy even took part in some of the contests and won the prize for the SmartPak Most Innovative Hat and received an
embroidered vest from Southern 8ths Farm.
Wendy took some time after the event to offer her comments noting, “I would like to say how impressed I was by the amazing
energy shown by those behind the scenes. They were truly tireless in their mission to gather every ounce of feedback, every
sponsor photo opportunity and every moment of action whether on the magnificent cross-country course or in various clinics.
“Everything in the indoor arena was so beautifully presented with no
detail left to chance. I particularly liked the vast display of prizes. Also
the effort given to reinforce every sponsor’s contribution was absolutely
brilliant (i.e. the Nikon Photo Contest, the sponsor books, the Sponsor
Hat Contest) with each idea cleverly feeding all media and social media
requirements! Clearly the pre event organization and the commitment
of a loyal and quality team helped make this the slick, professional
event that it turned out to be.
“All the online postings on Facebook, also on Chronicle of the Horse,
reveal clearly how happy the riders were. With facilities that are second
to none, clinics and demos that were simply great, added to the
generosity and interest of the host and hostess, So8ths event is an
absolute must for any
enthusiastic rider wanting to
progress in the sport of Eventing.
“It was a fantastic opportunity for Kan Teq and I am so pleased to have had the time to
meet riders, trainers, grooms and the wonderful organizing team. It is so valuable to me
to be able to explain, fit and let the riders take and try out our innovative vest with no
time pressure. Plus the relaxed evening activities made for the easy striking up of new
friendships and because of that my social network just got a whole lot wider! My thanks
to everyone who not only gave me the opportunity to become a sponsor of this event but
who helped me maximize my sponsorship.”
USEA also supported the event through their USEA Classic Series sponsor package.
A Final Heartfelt Thank You
Of special note was all the support given by Southern 8ths Farm owner Brad Turley
and his girlfriend Pati Martin. They provided t-shirts to all the volunteers, fans to the
competitors and gifts to the clinicians and officials.
Both Brad and Pati were extremely heartened by the sponsorship support. The Long
Format is something Brad truly believes in and recognizing the amateur competitors has
always been his personal goal. “I was truly overwhelmed by the sponsorship we
received for our amateur level competition. These competitors are the ones who
deserve to be recognized. All of us at Southern 8ths Farm, from the staff and volunteers to the officials and clinicians and
especially the competitors were and still are extremely appreciative of the support given by 21 well-known equine companies.
We are all touched that these companies were willing to show their support to a host of riders who represent the foundation of
the sport of Eventing. I personally want to say thank you to each and every sponsor that made this year’s So8ths/Nikon HOTC
Three-Day such a success,” Brad commented.
Finally, it was Viele who echoed many of the words spoken by the competitors when she wrote this note to Brad and Pati: “You
have built an amazing facility here; well thought out, outstanding footing for Dressage, beautiful tracks and grassy gallops, and
challenging, interesting cross-country courses. I can’t imagine the countless hours and generous financial support it has taken
for you to put this three-day on. But you have made this adult amateur’s dream come true.
“It’s been many years that I wanted to compete in a Long
Format and finally doing it I’ve found the experience has
exceeded my expectations. I’ve learned things about
competing, about myself, about stable management. But most
importantly I’ve been reminded about what a wonderful,
enthusiastic and supportive community eventers are; from the
staff, clinicians and volunteers, to my own friends and coach.
The enthusiasm for the Long Format runs deep and I’m
honored to have gotten to take a crack at it. Thank you for
making it possible.”
For more information about this annual event and links to
photos and videos, visit the web site at www.so8ths.com and
be sure to “Like” the So8ths facebook page.
This Kit was produced by
PRESS LINK PR/Diana De Rosa, 45 Sarah Drive, Farmingdale, NY 11735
[email protected], - 516-848-4867
for
SOUTHERN 8THS FARM, 5031 Jackson Road West, Chesterfield, SC 29709
www.So8th.com, - 843-623-5005
Facebook: www.facebook.com/so8ths - Photos: www.tinyurl.com/presslink-so8ths
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/So8ths