Team SmartPak Riders Shine in 2015

Press Release

PLYMOUTH, MA – January 26, 2016 – SmartPak would like to congratulate all of its sponsored riders for an incredible 2015 show season. From the Grand Prix rings, to the derby fields to trail courses, these professionals and their equine partners have numerous accomplishments to be proud of, and SmartPak is proud that all of Team SmartPak’s horses are powered by SmartSupplements.

“Looking back on the last year, and all of the Team SmartPak riders’ successes, we are thrilled to be able to partner with so many talented riders,” said Rebecca Goss, SmartPak’s Vice President of Business Development. “These horses are athletes, and everyone from the riders to the barn managers and grooms do everything they can to help keep these horses healthy and performing at their best. We love being able to be part of their horses’ health care team as well. 

Starting off in the Hunter Ring, John French had a tremendous year, joining a handful of riders in the USHJA $1 Million Club. He rounded out the year with an incredible show at the Washington International Horse Show, where he was champion in five divisions and reserve champion in three divisions. Representing the West Coast, Hope and Ned Glynn took home quite a few impressive ribbons throughout the year including a fourth place in the International Hunter Derby.  

Show jumpers Christine and Jon McCrea had a great year including Jon placing second in the $350,000 Sunshine Grand Prix CSI 5*. Christine placed sixth in the $1,000,000 AIG Grand Prix at HITS Thermal and also earned fourth place in the $100,000 GP during the CSI5* at HITS Saugerties. The McCrea’s are on the road several months out of the year with their horses so simplifying their feeding program was very important. “When the horses are traveling, SmartPaks make things very simple,” says Jon McCrea. “Their health means more to me than just another competition and SmartPak helps keep my horses on a healthy path.”

Also in the jumper ring, Laura Chapot made her way to the top of the podium, winning 11 Grand Prixs last year on SmartPak sponsored horses Dual Star, Quointreau in Prince, and Thornill Kate. Laura’s horses are all on individualized supplement programs to fit their needs, and their SmartPaks include the high levels of joint, tendon, and ligament support found in SmartFlex® IV Ultimate Pellets and unparalleled gastric and hindgut support from SmartGI® Ultra Pellets.

Arlene “Tuny” Page and Shannon Dueck both had strong years in the Dressage ring. Tuny and Woodstock were the top placing horse and rider team at the Rotterdam CHIO 3* to secure Team Bronze for the United States in the Nation’s Cup. Shannon and Cantaris earned a spot as an alternate on the Pan American Games Dressage Team representing Canada. Shannon is also a trained equine nutritionist, and she said “I know that my horses are performing hard, so I support them with a joint supplement like SmartFlex® III Resilience Pellets to help maintain optimal joint health.”

From dressage to eventing, everyone’s favorite dynamic duo, Silva and Boyd Martin, enjoyed a rewarding and busy 2015 with the arrival of their son Nox Christoph Martin. Silva coached many of her riders and horses to top ribbons at USDF competitions and Boyd had over 180 starts and top ribbons at USEA and FEI competitions including being part of winning team Gold and individual 4th at the Pan American Games aboard Pancho Villa. Boyd and Silva support their horses with SmartSupplements to meet the needs of each horse. Fellow eventers Allison Springer, Jennie Brannigan, Kelly Pugh and Ryan Wood also had great years.

Loping on over to the Western world, our All-Around riders had a tremendous year! High Point Performance Horses brought in dozens of AQHA World and All American Quarter Horse Congress Championships and with Charlie Cole and Ima Petite Classic breaking the world record in Senior Western Riding with a score of 242! The notorious Harley D Zip whose accolades include over 6,000 AQHA points, 16 World Championship titles and 9 Reserve titles, was also induced into the NSBA Hall of Fame. All horses at High Point Performance Horses are powered by SmartCombo™ Ultimate Pellets with joint, hoof, and gastric support being a top priority for Cole and Martin’s wellness program.

The husband and wife team of Jim and Deanna Searles who own and operate Circle S Ranch, also had a fantastic year with several top place finishes for both Jim, Deanna and their clients. Gastric and digestive support is also a top priority for the horses at Circle S Ranch. All of the performance horses at Circle S Ranch are supported by SmartGI Ultra Pellets, and are enrolled in ColiCare™, SmartPak’s FREE $7,500 colic surgery reimbursement program. “Colic is scary to us, as it’s so unpredictable with so many factors involved,” said Jim. “The ColiCare program gives us peace of mind that our horses are getting the best health care and that’s why I recommend it to all of our clients.”

Sliding over to the reining pen, Team SmartPak riders Tim McQuay, Tom McCutcheon and Matt Mills continue to be top ten finishers in all of the major events as well as quite successful on the breeding side of the industry. Comprehensive wellness programs are a top priority for Tim, Tom, and Matt and we are proud to be part of that team. “Even with balanced training programs, these horses still work hard and need comprehensive support to help keep them going for years to come,” said NRHA Hall of Famer and $2 Million Dollar Rider, Tim McQuay. “We trust the experts at SmartPak to design supplement programs that are right for our horse’s needs.”

In the world of barrel racing, Team McLeod had an amazing year with Michele making her 3rd appearance at the NFR winning two rounds and finishing fourth overall on Slick by Design.  Slick by Design, owned by Team SmartPak riders Charlie Cole and Jason Martin, is on the road with Michele for months out of the year. Keeping Slick healthy is a top priority for Michele which is why she supports him with SmartGI Ultra Pellets.

Rounding out the western riders, Lynn Palm of Palm Partnership Training took home a record 7 Western Dressage World Championships. All of the horses in Lynn’s program get well rounded support with SmartHoof® Pellets, SmartGI Ultra Pellets, SmartFlex III Resilience Pellets and SmartLytes®. 

SmartPak would like to commend all of its Team SmartPak riders on a fantastic 2015 show season, and is looking forward to much success in 2016. If you want to learn more about the SmartSupplements that power these horses, visit www.SmartPak.com.