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USEA 2016 Renewal Special

Receive A Free USEA Renewal

It’s that time of year again! Renew your USEA membership (full or supporting) for free when you purchase $500 worth of product from us between now and December 15th, 2015. This offer is valued at $85 for a full membership or $40 for a sustaining membership (no competing). International shipping needed? No problem! We will use our Solana Beach, Ca. address to receive your documents and you will save an additional $47 on postage! Once you’re at your first US based show, we’ll forward your documents or include them in another gear shipment to your home country at no additional cost.

Bonus Points!!! We’ll also include a unlimited use, 10% off coupon good between February 2016 and October 2016. You can use the 10% off coupon as much as you like throughout the season.

Step 1) Go shopping! Fill your cart with at least $500 worth of product

Step 2) At checkout, be sure to “create an account”.

Step 3) Checkout – in the “notes” section, please enter “USEA Membership”.

Step 4) We will contact you for the details. We’ll then contact the USEA on your behalf and take care of all payments for 2016 – or 2017 if you have already paid for 2016.

Make your $500 Go Even Further

These deals are not advertised anywhere else. If you want to take advantage, shoot us an email and let us know what you would like and we’ll take care of you.

SupaStuds – take 10% off manufacturer’s prices

We’re bringing in some fantastic new studs from the UK called “StupaStuds”. They’re made of hardened, stainless steel that’s tougher than tungsten. They’re designed to be easier, faster and safer to insert by not requiring a t-tap (one less thing to buy!).

  • Completely self-cleaning – no need to re-tap
  • Specially hardened, producing a metal that’s tougher than tungsten
  • Rust resistance makes them last longer than what’s currently available
  • Available in multiple flavors:

supastuds selection sheet

A) Dome Stud – soft ground stud, oval shape for good grip

B) Medium Conical Stud – ideal for grass or greasy surface on a hard base

C) Large Conical Stud – designed to give a precision response in deep footing

D) Mini-sharp stud – Like a road stud but with extra penetration – a running spike for horses! Particularly suitable for the sun baked ground of Southern California.

E) Polo Stud – conforms to polo regulations but useful in any sport in a variety of good to soft conditions

F) Dressage Stud – Conical, small radius stud designed from the feedback of dressage riders all over the world. High utility, hard ground stud.

G) Road Stud – good for use on road and hard ground

H) Small Conical Stud – used in a variety of conditions where a bit more grip is required IE for sharp turns and jumping

I) Travel Stud – for keeping your stud holes clean from dirt and debris

J) Bullet Stud – useful in a wide range of good to soft conditions

K) Maxi Dome Stud – Sot / Deep footing stud with oval shape for good trip

L) Sharp Stud – the best option for the firmest ground

M) Large Road Stud – Similar to the other road stud (G) but slightly larger

N) Small Polo Stud – Approved by the HPA for Polo, smaller size for ponies

O) Arena Stud – Designed specifically for use on artificial surfaces. Also great for grip in muddy conditions

You can view the manufacturer’s prices on their website: http://www.supastuds.com/category_106.html Click on the little American flag down in the left side of the page for prices in USD.

IRH Helmets – take 20% off MSRP

20% off any IRH helmet. We’ll be making a big order of these in January and will be able to deliver to you in mid February. Let us know which type and what size. We’ll send you a discounted invoice you can pay online using any CC or PayPal.

You can find IRH’s entire line at their website: http://www.irhhelmets.com/

Here is a list of MSRP prices for IRH Helmets:

Elite with nylon harness: $221

Elite Extreme, leather wrapped harness: $260

Elite EQ, suede, leather wrapped harness: $290

Elite Ultra (all): $390

ATH SSV $260

IR4G, suede: $150

IR4G Matte Black: $140

Equi-Pro (all): $52.95

Equi-Lite (all): $55

SKULL CAP: $209

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2015 Galway Downs Fall International 3-Day Event: Oct. 31 – Nov. 1

galway downs

2015 Galway Downs Fall International 3-Day

One of the largest 3-Day events on the west coast, the 2015 Galway Downs fall international event is taking place October 28th through November 1st. (Full schedule below). Horse / rider teams from Novice through the three star level will be competing as well as Young Event Horse (“YEH”) 4 & 5 year old divisions.

Four Star Eventing Gear will be attending the Galway Downs Fall Event with our pop-up shop, stocked full of all the latest and greatest 3-day eventing gear. We’re most excited about the introduction of the new Boyd Martin XC boots made by Majyk Equipe. The new version of the boots are even better then the first – for the same price! A full list of features and improvements can be found on the Boyd Martin XC boot product page.

Professional Event Rider Meet and Greet

In conjunction with Majyk Equipe, we will be hosting a number of professional riders at the pop-up shop for photographs, autograph signing and Q&A. Be sure to check our FaceBook page for real-time updates on who and when the riders will be at the shop.

XC Boot Upgrade

Turn in your first generation Boyd Martin XC boots for a brand new set of Boyd Martin 2.0 boots at a 25% discount. Don’t have the original BMs? We’ll take your old XC boots and upgrade you for 10% off. You can also choose any of our other XC boots for 10% off when you turn in your old set. We will be recycling or donating your used set of boots.

Galway Downs Schedule

[toggle title_open=”Wednesday Schedule” title_closed=”Wednesday, October 28th” hide=”yes” border=”yes” style=”default” excerpt_length=”0″ read_more_text=”Read More” read_less_text=”Read Less” include_excerpt_html=”no”]Wednesday, October 28:

9am – 4pm
In Barn Exams (all day)

10am – 12:45pm
YEH Dressage & Conformation

12 noon
T3D Steeplechase schooling starts @ Polo Field

1:30pm – 4pm
YEH West Coast Championship Jumping

3pm
T3D Phase A, B, C Tour at Phase A Start (3pm)

3:45pm
Equine Respiratory System sponsored by Flair Strips @ 10 minute box

4pm
What to expect in the 10 minute box @ 10 minute box

4:30pm
How to speed recovery & prevent injury with ice, sponsored by Ice Horse @ 10 minute box

5pm
Competitor briefing @ Patron Tent

6pm
Competitor welcome reception @ Patron Tent[/toggle]

[toggle title_open=”Thursday Schedule” title_closed=”Thursday, October 29th” hide=”yes” border=”yes” style=”default” excerpt_length=”0″ read_more_text=”Read More” read_less_text=”Read Less” include_excerpt_html=”no”]9am
T3D Horse inspection 101 @ horse inspection lane

11am
First horse inspection (numbered order, T3D, CCI1*, CCI2*, CCI3*)

Dressage Test Schedule

2pm-4:40 (estimate)
Ring 1: T3DA
Ring 2: T3DB
Ring 3: Open Prelim
Ring 4 Prelim Rider
Ring 5: JR/YR Open Prelim[/toggle]

[toggle title_open=”Friday, October 30th” title_closed=”Friday Schedule” hide=”yes” border=”yes” style=”default” excerpt_length=”0″ read_more_text=”Read More” read_less_text=”Read Less” include_excerpt_html=”no”]Dressage Schedule:

Ring 1
8:30am-11:45 CCI2*
1pm – 4:50 CCI3*

Ring 2
8:30am – 5:15pm CCI1*

Ring 3
8am-10:20 Jr Training Rider
Jr. Novice Rider A 10:30-11:50
Jr. Novice Rider B 1pm -2:20
Novice Horse A 2:30-4:25

Ring 4
8am – 9:40 Sr. Training Rider
9:50 – 11:30 Training Horse
1pm – 2:45 Sr. Novice Am
2:55-4:45 Novice Horse

Ring 5
8am – 9:30 Sr. Training Am
9:45 – 11:15 Open Training
1pm – 2:50 Sr. Novice Rider
3pm – 4:30 Open Novice

Show Jumping Schedule
10am – 12:50 Training
2pm – 5:40 Novice

Cross Country Schedule
1pm – 2:45: Prelim
2:30 Phase A, T3D
3:15-5:10: Phase D T3D

5:30pm: FEI rider meeting @ Patron Tent[/toggle]

[toggle title_open=”Saturday Schedule” title_closed=”Saturday, October 31st” hide=”yes” border=”yes” style=”default” excerpt_length=”0″ read_more_text=”Read More” read_less_text=”Read Less” include_excerpt_html=”no”]8am: T3D Final Horse Inspection

Cross Country Schedule
10am – 11:15: CCI2*
11:45 – 2pm: CCI3*
2:30 – 5:15pm: CCI1*

Show Jumping Schedule
T3D A&B: 3pm – 4:30

6pm @ Patron Tent
Halloween Costume contest & competitors party[/toggle]

[toggle title_open=”Sunday Schedule” title_closed=”Sunday, November 1″ hide=”yes” border=”yes” style=”default” excerpt_length=”0″ read_more_text=”Read More” read_less_text=”Read Less” include_excerpt_html=”no”]8:15am: CCI Final Inspection

Show Jumping Schedule
8am: Open Prelim
8:40: Awards
8:50: Prelim Rider
9:25: Awards
9:35: Jr / YR Open Prelim
10am: Awards
10:45: CCI1*
12:40: Awards
1:20: CCI2*
2:10: Awards
2:50: CCI3*
3:45: Awards

Cross Country Schedule
8am – 10:50: Training
11:10 – 2:55: Novice[/toggle]

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Black Friday Horse Tack Deals

black friday horse tack deals

Black Friday Horse Tack Deals 2014

We’re jumping on the Black Friday deals band wagon! Our Black Friday / Cyber Monday sale will last from Friday, 11-28 through Monday, 12-1-2014 and include multiple brands with savings of up to 35% off. With so many opportunities across the internet to save money before Christmas, this list serves as a quick way to compare our deals to whatever other deals you can find out there.

Girths (Short & Long) 25% off

Stirrup Leathers 25% off

  • Amerigo Calfskin Stirrup Leathers (Nylon Core)
    • Super strong yet soft on your saddle & boots
    • Regular price: $180
    • SALE: $135 (25% off)
    • Available in…
      • Black: 58 / 60 / 62
      • Brown: 50 / 52 / 54 / 56
      • Oakbark: 52 / 54

Stirrups up to 27% off

  • Amerigo Stirrups
    • Regular $285
    • SALE: $215 (25% off)
    • Available in…
      • Silver (4.75″)
  • MDC Ultimate Stirrup
    • Regular: $205
    • SALE: $150 (27% off)
    • Available in…
      • Stainless, 4.75 (1 in stock at this price)
  • MDC Comfort Stirrups
    • Regular $155
    • SALE: $120 (23% off)
    • Available in…
      • Stainless, 4.75 (1 in stock at this price)

Bell Boots 34% off

Breastplates 25% off

Many more deals will be posted on Friday / Saturday / Sunday & CYBER MONDAY!!!

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2nd Annual Sun Series HT Awards

Four Star Eventing Gear

Join us at Copper Meadows this weekend!

Thank you Copper Meadows Eventing and the greater San Diego eventing community for another great year!

Four Star Eventing Gear (us) is giving back to the community that has helped us build a successful business by donating gift certificates to 3rd pace, across all divisions. Besides the 3rd place gift certificates, all HT competitors across all divisions will receive a special offer on gear sold at our Copper Meadows pop up shop. Our gift certificates are good for one year and are valid on ANYTHING at our Pop Up Store or our online store for 1 year. No restrictions on what you can use them on, no BS – only great eventing gear. You don’t have to be present to receive your gift certificate (you already earned it) but you must be present on Sunday to take advantage of our special deals.

  • Elementary will receive $50
  • Beginner Novice will receive $40
  • Novice will receive $30
  • Training will receive $20

The awards banquet will be held on location, November 15th immediately following the Look B4 You Leap clinic. Our Pop-Up Shop will be setup for the 1 Day show the next day (Sunday, November 16th).

About Copper Meadows

Copper Meadows Eventing is a 65 acre 3-day eventing facility located in Ramona, California. The facility is located about 45 minutes northeast from the San Diego airport. Copper hosts two annual 3-Day Events that are recognised by FEI and USEA. Once a month Copper puts on a multi-level clinic and one day horse trial.

633 Montecito Way,
Ramona, California 92065
Phone: 858-610-1693
Email: CopperMeadows2@Gmail.com 
 
Copper Meadows eventing

About the Sun Series One Day Horse Trial

Copper Meadows Eventing started the Sun Series HT at the beginning of 2013. The non-rated one day shows are a chance for horse and rider to compete in all three phases of eventing in a low pressure, economical and safe environment. The results of the 1 day shows are tallied up at the end of the year and the winners of all the divisions are presented with prizes at the year end awards ceremony. Prizes are provided by Copper Meadows, Four Star Eventing Gear and a number of other sponsors.

 

keep-calm-and-go-shopping

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Pacific Indoor Eventing (“PIE”)

Pacific Indoor Eventing

Pacific Indoor Eventing Inaugural Event

You’ve seen it at the Canadian Royal Winter Fair, now coming to Southern California – Indoor Eventing! As an introduction to eventing, the PIE series will host a traditional jumper class and an indoor eventing class at the same height, designed to get riders and horses comfortable in the arena, and slowly introduce eventing obstacles (naturals) in a friendly way. In traditional Eventing fashion, dinner will be served at the end of the day.

pacific indoor eventing demo image

When: October 11th 2014

Where: Sycamore Stables, 26282 Oso Road, San Juan Capistrano, CA. 92675

Entries: Open through October 6, 2014. Send entry to Lynn Arnold, 375 Ramona Expy #43, Perris, CA. 92571

Class start at 12″ – 2′ with a max of 3 cross-country obstacles (naturals), then move up to 3′ 11″, with more eventing specific questions added as the height increases.

You can download your PIE Entry form here. Download the PIES rules here.

PIE Goals

The Pacific Indoor Eventing Series is designed to ignite passion for eventing with a new and unique style of event. This new event will act as a supplement to the local hunter / jumper shows as well as traditional 3-day events. PIE aims to provide continuing education to current Eventers and provide new education to future eventers.

About The Course

Canadian FEI ‘S’ cross country course designer James Atkinson will design the tracks.

indoor eventing

Sponsorship

Four Star Eventing Gear has decided to sponsor this series because the goals fit in with one of Four Star’s missions of helping to expand the sport of eventing. Our contribution will be spent to help keep costs low for competitors and provide some prize money to winners. Money that is not used for these causes will be donated by PIE to support TROTT. Our mobile tack shop will be setup at this first event to help new eventers find some good gear to keep themselves and their ponies happy and safe on course.

TROTT – The Pacific Indoor Eventing Series is proud to sponsor TROTT by donating the profit from this event. Training Racehorses Off The Track (“TROTT”) is a program started by Bonnie Adams and headed in San Juan Capistrano by Auburn Excell Brady – the organizer of the Pacific Indoor Event Series. TROTT is dedicated to providing off track Thoroughbreds with opportunities for new careers beyond the track. At her training barn in San Juan Capistrano, Auburn works with multiple TROTT horses, giving them new skills for a life after the track.

Trott Logo

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Equine Emergency Evacuation

Be Prepared For an Equine Emergency Evacuation

As another series of fires hit Southern California, horse owners are either scrambling to figure out a plan or executing their existing equine emergency evacuation plan. The fires have luckily not changed the daily schedule of our horses or our business but that can’t be said for some of our friends. As we watch the fires fluctuate between containment and expansion there has been a lot of good information being passed around about preparing for an equine emergency evacuation. We would like to share some of that information with you while we wait for another opportunity to help our neighbors down here in San Diego.

Quick Resources:

Southern California Equine Emergency Evacuation Preparation & Execution

This Facebook Group has put out a good document on how to prepare for an equine emergency evacuation. It’s been altered slightly from it’s original publication format.

Preparation: 

Pre-training of your horse: 

  • multi-trailer loading and unloading (load horse in several different trailers)
  • multi-handler (horse should load / unload for different people)
  • horse should be trained to stay calm around chaos
  • handler / owner should be able to operated under pressure and chaos while staying calm

Documenting your horse: 

  • laminating sign with horse picture, owners name, emergency contact name, Vet’s name & any special needs. This is to be used at a possible evacuation site. Hole punch it and attach some twine.
  • ID Band for horse: Fetlock band with owner’s contact information / similar information as above.
  • ID Band for horse’s halter: ID band for the halter with similar information as above. This information should be easily accessible – unlike the fetlock band which has it’s limits to accessibility.
  • Ownership book / FEI passport: Vet records, registration, picture of horse, special needs, owner’s & emergency contact information

Logistics: 

  • Have a pre-set agreement with at least 2 people who can evacuate for you should you not be available
  • Pre-route two emergency routes & meeting places
  • Be sure your trailer is always safety checked & ready to go
  • If you don’t have a trailer, have at least 2 other ways to transport your horse (be sure your horse(s) have a reserved spot on a trailer ride out of danger!)
  • Have a “we’re leaving” point defined before you’re officially evacuated (this is based on experience)

Communication: 

  • Register cell phone for Reverse 911 – set your address to your own property only if that’s where your horse lives – consider setting the address to your boarding facility
  • Know who to call if you need help evacuating your horse (yes, this is repetitive from logistics section… it’s important)
  • Know who your local officials are – local fire, forest service etc.

Emergency Bag in Trailer / Readily Available:

  • Bandanas
  • Halter & lead
  • Water
  • Banamine
  • Electrolytes
  • Camera
  • Small dose of any required meds (keep them current)

Execution:

1) Have everything you need in a central location or in a single bag the minute you know there is a fire that COULD reach your area.

  • Extra keys
  • Horse ownership book (defined above)
  • Cell phone / charger
  • Know / review your evacuation plan as defined above to make sure it still makes sense considering your current situation

2) Put your ID bands on your horses BEFORE the fire gets to your area / you begin moving

3) Contact your emergency back up person(s) and be ready to activate once you know of a fire – BEFORE it reaches your area.

  • Secure your spot on a trailer ride out of danger
  • Get food / water ready to load onto trailer

4) Prepare your own trailer

  • Load 3 days worth of water & food

5) Keep up on news / evacuation orders for your area

6) Be ready to move!

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Copper Meadows XC Quarter Mark Contest

Lou quarter mark

Create a Quarter Mark, get a chance to win $100 at the March Copper!

Four Star Eventing Gear has teamed up with Sabella and Jacks Manufacturing to help riders at the March Copper Meadows H.T. sparkle their way to optimum time. We’ll be setting up a booth in the competitor area that will be equipped with Sabella glitter gels and sprays as well  as template stencils and stuff to make your own unique quarter marks.

What is a Quarter Mark?

Quarter marks are designs on the croup of a horse created by combing its hair in different directions. Sometimes clear gel / hair spray is used to enhance the designs. We’re taking this old tradition and adding some bling!

Lou quarter mark

What we will be Providing

We will provide hard plastic sheets you can use to cut out your own custom quarter mark (like the moon above). We’ll also have various pre-cut stencils. What’s most important is we’ll be proving several bottles of Sabella spray glitter and Sabella glitter gel. We have every color they make so you will find what you need to match your team or individual eventing colors.

How Do I Enter for a Chance to Win?

Simply “Like” us on Facebook. At the show, create your artwork and have your friends take some pictures. Share those pictures on Facebook during or after the show and we’ll gather them all up. We’ll have a “like” contest a week or so after the show (once we have everyone’s pictures).

The most FB likes on a single picture, wins! (so get your friends involved)

So… How Easy is it to Clean up?

It’s simple to clean up from both your horse and from yourself. You will be back to normal after your hose-off after cross country. Be sure to try out some EquiFUSE products for the best possible clean after XC.

Any Creative Inspiration?

Sure, we have some ideas for you – some of these are plain ole traditional quarter marks without any color…

  • Some ideas from Sabella
  • Ideas from around the interweb…

About Sabella

Sabella Equestrian Products is based out of New Zealand. The 100% Kiwi owned company specializes in glitter products for horses and riders.

About Jacks Manufacturing

Jacks is a US based manufacturing and wholesale distribution company that was founded by Greek immigrants back in 1971. Jacks provides Four Star with the very popular Jacks Whirlpool boots and Jacks Ice Boots among other high quality items. Jacks donated a majority of the Sabella products we will be using.

About Four Star Eventing Gear

We’re a startup equestrian retailer specializing in three day eventing tack. Founded in February of 2013, Four Star was founded to provide high quality eventing tack at reasonable prices and with great customer service – something that’s been missing in the old school tack slinging business.

Questions? Shoot us an email!

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10% For The Sport Thanksgiving Promotion

10 percent for charity

We’re giving back to Eventing this Thanksgiving Weekend

From now until Tuesday, December 3rd, 10% of all revenue (not just profit, a full 10%) will go to a not for profit organization of your choice that supports the sport of 3-Day Eventing. Let’s give back to the sport we all love so much with a Thanksgiving promotion that gives thanks!

Some Charities That Support Eventing

If you’re looking for ideas about who to send that 10%, here are some ideas we came up with. Feel free to shoot us an email if you have other ideas. We’ll incorporate more organizations into our next campaign.

At checkout, select from any of these eventing charities or choose your own not for profit 501(c) / NGO

Enter Your Choice @ Checkout

To select your charity, add stuff to your cart and go to the checkout page. At the bottom of the checkout page you will see a form field that looks like this: “Order Notes”. Enter your selected charity into this plain text box. The example below would donate 10% of the Eventer’s shopping cart to the CANTER organization in California. Complete your order and we’ll cut the check!

thanksgiving promotion

Not Sure What To Get?

Gift cards count during this promotion! Buy a $100 gift card and we’ll donate $10 to a charity of your choice. Gift cards never expire and can be used at shows or online. They’re even good for pre-purchase specials we sometimes have. Stock up now!

By the way… our customized riding crop makes one of the best gifts, EVER!

Shop Four Star

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Amy Barrington Fundraiser Eventing Clinic @ Galway Downs, Temecula CA

Amy Barrington eventer

Help Get Amy Barrington Back On Course!

October 11th – 13th 2013

Event rider and trainer Amy Barrington was hospitalized on September 4th, 2013 after falling from a horse in a schooling accident. She sustained traumatic brain injury. As of September 9th, Barrington remains in the intensive care unit at Spartanburg Regional Hospital in South Carolina. Amy is well loved by many of the East & West coast Eventing circuit as a great trainer, rider and friend. Please help the Schlappi / Barrington family during their time of need by participating in this fundraiser clinic.

Clinic Cost: From $150 – $235

$35 covers grounds fee at Galway Downs

The rest goes to the Amy Barrington fund

$235 clinic cost includes both days of training, use of the facility and stabling on Saturday night. Cross-country access is reserved for riders and their horses at Preliminary and below; CCI horses entered in the Galway Downs Event and the clinic will have a special show jumping course located on the grass arena to be used in the Fall event, but will not have access to the cross-country course. A dressage arena will be set on the grass for test rides.

Amy Barrington eventer

Clinic Options:

  • 2 days XC and / or SJ (non-FEI horses): $235
  • 2 days dressage test ride and / or SJ (FEI horse): $235
  • 1 day (XC only, non-FEI horse): $150

In addition to your eventing clinic purchase, you may also choose:

  • Dressage test ride (Fri / Sat / Sun): $25 each
  • Dressage lesson (Fri / Sat): with Niki Clark at $100 each
  • Donation to the Amy Barrington Fund: variable
  • Saturday night BBQ dinner (6:30pm, Galway Downs office): $35

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Trainers Available

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Amy Barrington Fundraiser Eventing Clinic

Completed forms and payment should be sent to: Carolyn Hoffos, 633 Montecito Way, Ramona Ca. 92065. Checks made out to Niki Clark.

[button link=”https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BxVynPJiYKggZ0VHbjVPQlMwZ00/edit?usp=sharing” style=”download” window=”yes”]Download Entry Form[/button]