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MIKMAR’S NEW HIGH-TECH BIT IS THE ULTIMATE IN VERTICAL AND LATERAL FLEXION Well known for innovative and effective bit designs, The Mikmar Bit Company breaks the mold again in introducing its newest sensation, ”The Flexion Combo”, based on the highly successful original Combination Bit. “The Flexion Combo promises to be our best performer yet,” says Dan Weyand, president of Mikmar. “ It’s a new design that crosses all riding styles and disciplines, and can help anyone better communicate with their horse.”
Like the original Mikmar Combination Bit, The Flexion Combo disperses pressure to the nose, mouth, chin and poll, and provides the versatility of three areas for rein placement. However, the new design offers stainless steel, swiveling cheek pieces that function independently, with fixed purchases to ensure a steady bridle connection. The moveable cheek action aids in lifting each side of the horses’ shoulders and frame separately. Suede tubing has been added to the nose-rope for stability, feel and looks. The Flexion Combo is available with the Mikmar Jointed or Standard mouthpiece. The Jointed mouthpiece affords the rider a softer, more lateral connection. The Standard mouthpiece provides more leverage and a solid feel. Both are excellent for achieving balance, lateral and vertical flexion and control.
The Flexion Combo has been in the development process for 3 years and has been tested by professionals, as well as amateur and junior riders. “We love principles and results of the original Mikmar Combination Bit, and wanted to develop something similar in function that would appeal to more people. The Flexion Combo offers more flexibility and a softer feel, and that will be useful to a wider variety of riders and horses at all levels,” says Kim Weyand, vice-president of Mikmar.
Recently at AETA, The American Equestrian Tack and Apparel Expo in Richmond , Virginia , the Flexion Combo was Mikmar’s debuting headliner. It was highly praised by industry veterans, tack stores and vendors, as well as riders visiting the exhibit. “People can’t wait to try it,” Dan Weyand stated. “We have European riders who have been asking for this swiveling version of our Combination Bit for the past few years. We worked hard on this design, and after many prototypes and test rides, we finally dialed in the perfect way for it to function. Many different levels of horses and riders will benefit from the unique, kind, yet effective control that this bit offers.” The Mikmar Bit Company… changing the horseworld one mouth at a time. "EQUESTRIAN NATION” A NEW TV SHOW FOR HORSE LOVERS, BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE MIKMAR BIT COMPANY Beginning this spring, horse lovers of all types will be tuning into a new magazine-style television show called Equestrian Nation, hosted by legendary Cowboy Larry Mahan. Equestrian Nation features stories about the many different equine breeds and disciplines from around the world. “The Mikmar Bit Company is excited to be a part of this informative and educational television series. It’s a great opportunity for Mikmar to be associated with this first-rate TV production which will be seen by a wide variety of horse enthusiasts,” said Dan Weyand, Mikmar president. The show will premiere on March 2nd on the RFD-TV Network. RFD-TV is distributed on DIRECTV (Channel 379), DISH Network (Channel 9409), Mediacom and NCTC cable systems in all 50 states, serving over 28 million U.S. homes. RFD-TV has dedicated blocks of time specifically for equine programming, and Equestrian Nation will air multiple times per week. Program schedules are available at www.rfdtv.com or at www.equestriannation.tv At a big Stock Show celebration party at the Denver Market, Larry Mahan and RFD-TV executive Butch Morgan took the stage to announce the TV debut of Equestrian Nation, and described to guests a sampling of the program content. Stories coming up include: trick roping with Montie Montana; rare footage of legendary horseman Tom Dorrance sharing some of his training techniques; a trip to Scotland to see the home of the Clydesdales and the fields they have plowed for centuries; a visit with Sons of the Pioneers, Rusty Richards; barrel racing with Charmayne James; reining with Dell Hendricks; scenic riding in Ireland; and cowboy cooking with Billy Ruiz. Agricultural stories are included, like holistic grazing of cattle and how this method can keep your pastures healthy. The show features vet tips from Dr. Doug Herthel and hoof care information with farrier John Raede. Equestrian Nation is a show that is full of information for every kind of horse enthusiast to learn from and enjoy. The new half-hour RFD-TV show is hosted by Six-Time All Around Rodeo Champion and accomplished horseman Larry Mahan, a legend in professional rodeo and one of its first mainstream media stars. Mahan won five all-around championships consecutively from 1964-1966 and added a sixth championship in 1973, marking his place in the Guinness Book of World Records. Today, Mahan is an avid horseman, rancher and horse lover. Equestrian Nation, also made possible by Kensington Protective Products and Platinum Performance, gives the horse-loving audience a chance to see in-depth stories about horses and horsemen from all over the world, portrayed through award-winning photography and solid equestrian knowledge and experience. Mikmar Bits win again in Spruce Meadows $1,000,000 Class
It was another day of “firsts” at the five day tournament as, not only was this the first time that this title has ever gone to France, but it was also first time the 36-year-old daughter of composer, Michel Legrand, had competed here. Of the 39 starters, only six were clear over the 13-fence track in the first round, described by Angot as “not crazy big but technical,” and they were joined by the six fastest four faulters in the second.
Last year’s winner, Beezie Madden from the United States went next, but she too faulted with Desilvio. It was still good enough for third place however. Gerco Schroeder, who was part of Holland’s gold medal winning team at this year’s World Championships, also had one fence down on Eurocommerce Milano but their time from the first round was to lift them to runners-up. Similar to Saturday’s BMO Financial Group Nations’ Cup competition, it was down to the last two riders, Britain’s Michael Whitaker and Canada’s Ian Millar to decide the result. Unfortunately, Insul Tech Mozart des Hayettes jumped too high but not wide enough over the triple bar and had the back rail off. The time fault he also incurred dropped the Brit to fourth. A hush descended over the sun baked arena as “Captain Canada” rode in. With the pressure of 62,250 people on his back, as well as his rider, In Style looked to be going well but when the first part of the double fell, so did the hopes of the knowledgeable crowd and Angot had won. “I’m really proud to have won this competition. To have my name on that trophy, with all those great riders – I’m speechless. I didn’t expect to win with that one time fault, especially as I thought that there were better riders to follow me,” the delighted Eugenie said afterwards.” “My mare has been going well all summer. We were second in the Grand Prix in La Coruna, Spain, recently beaten by him,” she said, pointing to Schroeder. Eugenie lives half an hour west of Paris and is married to fellow
rider Cedric, who she described as a “perfect husband and
good groom”, having arrived on Thursday evening to help
her out as her regular groom fell and broke her leg earlier in
the week. Mikmar’s Ergöm Lozenge Bits
Approved by USEF/USDF for Dressage Competition During its annual convention in January, the United States Equestrian Federation, the governing body for the United States Dressage Federation, officially approved Mikmar Bit Company’s patent-pending Cupreon Ergöm Lozenge Mouthpiece for use in dressage competition. The Ergöm Lozenge features a grooved center link ideal in size and shape for both effectiveness and comfort. The innovative shape of the mouthpiece eliminates undesirable nutcracker action, palate interference and pinching, all common problems with most snaffles, even double-jointed ones. Plus, the Ergöm Lozenge softens excessive pressure to the outside of the mouth by providing a more consistent feel over the tongue. The Ergöm Lozenge is made of Cupreon, a superior Copper alloy that’s non-toxic and Nickel-free, and designed specifically for horses. This highly palatable alloy promotes salivation and mouthing of the bit, resulting in a horse that is more responsive, while still being relaxed and focused. In an independent laboratory test the Mikmar-exclusive Cupreon was also found to offer higher tensile strength than other patented copper alloy bits. “We are very pleased,” says Dan Weyand, president of Mikmar Bit Company, “not just for the company, but for everyone who has already fallen in love with this bit. The USEF/USDF has very strict guidelines on shape and linkages for mouthpieces used in dressage competition, sometimes more strict than the FEI in Europe. So we were very pleased when Gil Merrick, Managing Director for Dressage, contacted us with the news that our newest bit had been approved.” The Ergöm Lozenge Mouthpiece is available in five cheek pieces for 2006, including Loose Ring, Loose Ring Eggbutt, Eggbutt, Full Cheek, and D Ring. All are available exclusively through Mikmar authorized dealers. Horses Move Easier With Mikmar’s
Revolutionary New Tixerant Comfort Girth Girth design has come a long way from the traditional string and webbing models of yesteryear. The introduction of synthetic materials and elastic ends helped make life more comfortable for the horse, but now a totally new design by Eric Le Tixerant is taking equine comfort a giant step further. At the heart of Mikmar’s new product line-up is the Eric le Tixerant Comfort Girth, a girth radical in its simplicity. Incorporating a wide center section of a technical material made by Gibaud (a medical textile company) the girth offers a high capacity for elongation, allowing your horse’s ribs to expand and contract without any restriction. This unique elastic panel also covers a much larger area of your horse’s belly than usual, to reduce pressure and virtually eliminate the risk of pinching. Yet, despite the elasticity, the Tixerant Comfort Girth keeps the saddle in place more effectively than a standard girth, due to an integrated non-slip rubber pad on the inside of the girth, positioned over the sternum to keep the saddle centralized and fully secure. This revolutionary design combats a very real performance problem with most elastic girths, even the more ‘advanced’ girths that have elastic on both ends. The problem is that they stretch in the wrong place, at the sides of the horse where pressure is already minimal. Scientific studies have proven that tightened or poorly designed girths inhibit optimum performance from a horse. Specifically, a rigid girthing affects the respiratory function and compresses the muscles, thereby reducing the blood flow and supply of oxygen. This can result in contractures, spasms, impaired action, reduced power, uneven gates, defense reactions and refusals. The Tixerant Comfort Girth solves this problem by flexing at the point where the horse needs it the most, at the center. “The girth is really just as important as the saddle, maybe even more so when considered from the horse’s perspective” says Dan Weyand, president at Mikmar Bit Company. “Imagine tightening up a wide belt and then going out for a run around the neighborhood. You might be able to do it, but the discomfort and inability to breathe or move freely would sure make it an unpleasant experience. This is exactly what the horse feels when wearing a rigid girth. The Tixerant Comfort Girth has been scientifically proven to actually improve muscle function and respiratory function, and thereby the performance of the horse.” The Tixerant Comfort Girth is available in two models for 2006: The Hunter/Jumper Girth in light or dark brown, and the Dressage Girth in black. Both are available in standard lengths, exclusively through Mikmar authorized dealers. ENDURANCE LEGEND VALERIE KANAVY TAKES MIKMAR BITS AS GIFTS TO HIS HIGHNESS Legendary endurance rider Valerie Kanavy
is invited to compete in the HH President of the United Arab
Emirates Endurance Cup, and brings Mikmar Bits as gifts to
His Royal Highness. When Kanavy considered what kind of gift she might bring to His Highness, she thought of Mikmar bits. She had discovered Mikmar’s Pelham bit, loved it, thought it gave her better control, and how better to show her appreciation of this invitational honor than to give something she valued greatly in her horsemanship? Valerie called Mikmar and talked to its president, Dan Weyand, telling him how much she loved the Mikmar bit, and said she would like to buy several to take with her for gifts. With an array of gift-wrapped Mikmar Bits in hand, Valerie set out for the Middle East and this most amazing venue, half a world away, to one of three villages built especially for endurance competitions in the desert of United Arab Emirates – the Emirates International Endurance Village near Al Wathba. With her daughter, Danielle, the two comprise a dynasty of Endurance World Championships; now they would represent the USA in this prestigious international event and their crewing area would be next to the niece of the Ruler of Dubai, Sheikha Madiya, an enthusiastic horsewoman and generous hostess. Preliminary activities are part social – Middle Eastern barbecues, renewing friendships with other riders – and part preparing for the event, conversing with crews, assessing the condition of the horses, and mentally preparing for an exciting, exhausting ride. They began in the desert darkness, before the sun – Danielle on #22, Ironman Gold, and Valerie on #23, Bull – both pure Arabian Geldings, tall, white, and beautiful to behold. Victory was not to be theirs this event, but, as always, the participation of these two accomplished endurance riders contributed to the class and quality of the competition. And the Mikmar bits Valerie took as gifts? Sheikha Madiya received one, and another was given to His Highness, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, ruler of Abu Dhabi . For Mikmar, Dan Weyand and his staff are gratified to know that championship riders recognize the part a Mikmar bit can play in the harmony between horse and rider. They are greatly complimented by Kanavy’s choosing their products as her gift to royalty. “Of all the gifts she could have given His Highness, Valerie chose Mikmar,” Weyand said. “We are very appreciative of this honor – and are pleased to know that we are touching every corner of the world.” Equestrian Royalty Ties the Knot; Gives Mikmar
the Boot It was a fairytale to make any society column envious, the marriage of the equestrian worlds’ most glamorous couple, Brazilian equestrian and two-time Olympian Alvaro “Doda” Afonso de Miranda and multi-billion dollar heiress Athena Onassis in a lavish ceremony. Brought together by a mutual passion for horses and showjumping, the couple met while at a riding center in Belgium . Mikmar Bit Company shares their passion for horses, and is proud to introduce their own exclusive partnership with Doda: an exclusive North American distributorship of his amazing invention, the Doda Hind Boot, which helps horses jump more effectively. Already in use by Olympic riders worldwide, the high quality durable leather shell construction provides unequaled protection for the horses’ ankle on the outside, while the design and placement of the boot actually encourages higher jumps through gentle acupressure, typically adding several inches to the “snap” of the hind leg over fences. All this while actually being lighter and smaller than many other familiar designs. “It just doesn’t make any sense to use a weighted, bulky hind boot and expect your horse to use his hind end more effectively”, points out Doda, who obviously knows horses and understands the needs of riders as well, coming as he does from years of training and competing at the highest levels. “Our strength lies in diversity,” says Dan Weyand, president of Mikmar Bit Company. “We have the good fortune to be exposed to many diverse cultures and rider points of view the world over. Though we’re mainly known for our unique line of bits, when we discovered Doda’s boot concept we knew we had something fresh and innovative, and completely in line with our design philosophy of helping riders achieve maximum athleticism through harmonious means.” Weyand concluded, “When we saw it working so well with the European market we knew we had to get it into the hands of North American riders right away.” Doda Hind Boots are available at over 250 premium English tack stores throughout the United States and Canada , wherever Mikmar Bits are sold.
From the professional testing arenas
of the Mikmar Bit Company -- Richard Watson designed his first bit in the late ‘50s for
legendary horseman Monty Forman. He eventually discovered
the world of show jumping, and for more than thirty years has been
training riders and horses to compete in jumping competitions.
We are proud to offer these outstanding Watson designs,
KAPPLER TAKES GOLD IN
FIRST $75,000 HITS-ON-THE-HUDSON GRAND PRIX Otto Becker Captures Spruce Meadows with Mikmar Combination BitBecker Says Dobel's Cento 'More Together' with Mikmar Bit
Otto Becker of Germany took home first place on Dobel's Cento in the $1-million CN International at the Spruce Meadows Masters this past Sunday, September 7 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Becker was the only rider to produce a double-clear round.
"As far as control... the bit makes a difference, and for a horse like Dobel's Cento, it works very good," Becker said. "After the German Championships [last July] I tried the Mikmar Combination Bit at a small show and it worked very good. Then I used it at the European Championships and here at Spruce Meadows, and I have a very good feeling about this. He's more together, and that's what you need on the course." Becker and Dobel's Cento, along with Ludger Beerbaum and Goldfever both used the bit to help secure the Team Gold Medal for Germany in the Nations Cup Competition on Friday evening at Spruce Meadows. This duo was also among the German team who won this summer at the European Championships. Beerbaum has himself become a proponent of the Mikmar bit, crediting it with creating a marked change in Goldfever's performance, which helped him win the prestigious Grand Prix of Aachen at the annual World Equestrian Festival in Germany this summer. Becker and Beerbaum are not the only world-class riders who have embraced the flexible, light control offered by the Mikmar bit. Event rider Darren Chiacchia won the Stuart Horse Trials using it and Marco Kutscher won the German Championships. Will Simpson, Kevin Babington, Rodrigo Pessoa and Franke Sloothaak have also recognized the bit's outstanding performance. German Rider Beerbaum Wins Hamburg and Aachen with Goldfever and USA-Designed BitWorld-Renowned Riders Note Improved Performances with Mikmar BitsSunland, CA (July 14, 2003) - Top-ranked German show jumping rider Ludger Beerbaum and his horse Goldfever recently captured the prestigious Grand Prix of Aachen at the annual World Equestrian Festival in Germany. Beerbaum has credited his use of the Mikmar Combination Bit® with creating a marked change in Goldfever's performance. Beerbaum isn't the only top jumper rider who has discovered the benefits of using the unusual Mikmar Bit. Leading competitors such as Rodrigo Pessoa, Kevin Babington and Franke Sloothaak have also commented on the bit's outstanding performance. According to Beerbaum, the Mikmar Bit has caused a sensation in Europe. "With this bit I can do things that I couldn't before," said Beerbaum. "I can turn tighter and still make sure he is with me, listening to me... With this bit I have his attention all the time and that is actually a very nice and safe feeling." Developed in 1954 by leading horseman Frank Evans, the Mikmar Bit is unusual because it is designed to disperse the pressure of the rider's hands by sending a signal to the nose, jaw, poll, bars and tongue simultaneously. By contrast, traditional bits tend to focus that pressure solely in one area. The Mikmar Bit's unique action works well for all different types of horses by helping to improve balance, headset and control. The bit works by incorporating four points of pressure: a nose rope pulls down and back on the nose, a curb strap applies upward pressure on the chin, the shanks affect the mouthpiece, which applies pressure to the bars and the tongue. These combined actions serve to help the horse to relax at the poll and encourage vertical flexion, giving the rider more control and keeping the horse's mouth soft over time. Amazingly lightweight and adaptable, the Mikmar Bit can be used in disciplines as varied as reining and jumping. It is available in three different styles to suit the needs of any rider. The Mikmar Training Bit is the original bit of the line and can be used for early training and well beyond. The Mikmar Short-Shank® is excellent for English riding and driving, while the Mikmar Combination Bit® combines the best attributes of the Short-Shank and the Training Bit. Marco Kutscher takes the Gold in the German Championships in the Mikmar Combination BitGera - Marco Kutscher from Riesenbeck on "Montender" became the new German Champion in the Hunter Jumper dicipline in Gera, the silver medal went to Otto Becker from Muehlen on Cento, the bronze medal went to Christian Ahlman from Mahrl on Coester. He left Ludger Beerbaum far behind him yesterday, though Beerbaum had made it to fifth place on Gladdys and won the grand prize in Aachen on Goldfever two weeks prior. Worldcup winner Marcus Ehning on For Pleasure and team olympic winner Lars Nieberg on Adlantus placed seventh and eighth. The world cup third in 1994, Soren von Roenne on the Holstein mare, Chandra, placed fourth, and missed the jump-off because he was thrown. |
SPRUCE MEADOWS, Calgary, AB): French rider Eugenie
Angot finished the Spruce Meadows “Masters” the same
way she started – with a win in the International Ring.
She took home a $325,000 winner’s cheque when she headed
today’s CN International, a competition carrying the world’s
largest show jumping purse. The Mikmar Combination Bit was Eugenie's
bit of choice to pilot Cigale du Tallis to the double clear victory.
Three of the last four winners of the CN International, won using
a Mikmar Bit.
Of these, hopes rested with Canadian Erynn Ballard, who unfortunately
had three fences down toward the end of the course, plus a time
fault. Angot produced a copybook clear on her 16-year-old Selle
Francais mare, Cigale du Tallis only to see the clock tick over
the time allowed, thus incurring just one time fault.
Horses just might be the best diplomats of all.
In a recent event, the love of horses and their noble accomplishments
brought the world together in an endurance classic of international
significance. It was February of 2006, and legendary endurance
rider Valerie Kanavy had accepted a gold-plated invitation to
be the guest of His Highness The President of United Arab Emirates.
The occasion was HH The President of United Arab Emirates Endurance
Cup, with the best riders and horses from around the world competing
in this most amazing international desert competition.
During a press conference after the event, Becker explained that he rides with the uniquely designed Mikmar Combination Bit® with great success - as evidenced by this win in the world's richest event.