Dale Romans is a leading trainer managing over 150 horses. He is always a presence at the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, Belmont, The Breeder’s Cup, and major races worldwide. Dale is an avid supporter of Equine Eco Green®. “A green recycling machine is a perfect way to deal with a major problem in our industry, which is backside waste removal, and it's becoming more and more of an expense for racetracks and more of an environmental issue." In an interview with Sidelines magazine, Dale told journalist Lauren R. Gioninni, “Manure removal is a major problem for the entire horse industry. It’s also a financial problem, Shelly’s system needs to be looked at closely.” In November of 2017 we supplied bedding to Dale at Churchill Downs for 2 year old in training Dance Rhythme. Dale and his staff were impressed with the quality and absence of dust. "As a trainer, I’m always looking for ways to improve quality and save money. This solution is the answer. It also addresses environmental issues surrounding our industry’s waste management."
Sam Elliot former VP of Suffolk Downs Racetrack in Boston prior to its closing, then Director of Racing at Parx, and now the chief executive of the Royal Saint Lucia Turf Club, an affiliate of the China Horse Club, has been an interested friend and supporter of Equine Eco Green® for many years. In our early development stages Sam visited the system and after observing the demonstration in Kentucky, he commented “The process is impressive, the shavings are clean, the water is recycled.”
Todd Minikus is a top international show jumping rider and trainer. He is a two time bronze medal winning U.S. Pan American Team rider. Competing around the world he continually adds to his decorated record of over 130 national and international Grand Prix wins. Todd has been actively involved on behalf of Equine Eco Green® speaking to people about the need, our technology and the environmental solutions it offers. Without question Todd has been our biggest supporter from concept to inception and has believed in the process since day one. “It’s absolutely necessary that horsemen start taking responsibility and Equine Eco Green® systems are the way to do it. It’s correct for the environment and there is no excuse when the shavings are better and cost effective." In his interview with Sidelines magazine Todd said, “Shelly has come up with a fantastic solution to some of the problems that we should address as professional horse people. This is as green as it gets and a great solution to the manure problem.”
Corey Singleton is a top international groom and works for Todd Minikus. Corey spoke about Equine Eco Green® and her experience with the bedding during the Tryon 5* in North Carolina. She thought the bedding performed well in all aspects and said, "No downfalls to them, everything kind of stays on top a lot better and you don’t have to dig through them. It absorbs really really well and there’s not a lot of dust."
Emil Spadone is the owner of the premier import, sales, training, and breeding stable Redfield Farm. A top professional in the Hunters and former Grand Prix rider, Emil is greatly respected in the industry. Emil came to visit the system in Kentucky in 2017, and tested the bedding during The National Horse Show. He was impressed with the plant, and excited to learn that Equine Eco Green® would be locating in Ocala, Florida. He said "Obviously the thought behind it is great, to reproduce and reuse that bedding I think is going to do great for the environment, and it’s also going to be cost effective."
Dr. William J. Louda, Research Professor, Environmental Biogeochemistry Group, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and The Environmental Sciences Program at Florida Atlantic University has been a longtime advocate of Equine Eco Green® and for recycling horse waste to protect our environment and waterways. Dr. Louda has written numerous articles on this issue and about Equine Eco Green®. He has spoken on our behalf and concerning the problems that surround Palm Beach County regarding equine pollution and it’s effects. I contacted Dr. Louda very early to review my process and for his professional opine. After being supplied with information his initial response was, "I have examined Ms. Townsend’s proposal and it certainly appears on track for handling the equestrian waste stream of Wellington and potentially Loxahatchee Groves. Additionally, the creation of an environmentally friendly manner for the disposal of equestrian waste (viz. manure and urine soaked bedding) will also aid all of us in decreasing and potentially eliminating the illegal and pollution prone disposal of these materials." In November of 2014 in a letter to the Village of Wellington he said, "I have examined the process being proposed by Equine Eco Green® (Ms. S. Townsend et al.) and have found this to be an extremely viable solution to your equestrian waste issue. It does several valuable things: (1) It processes these materials near the sites of generation; (2) By proper composting, it removes the majority of pharmaceuticals, kills weed seeds and pathogens; and (3) It recycles a large part of the bedding materials thus saving a great number of trees from being harvested. Recycle is where this world must go to survive." Recently in a letter to the County he said, “I have been in contact with Shelly Moore Townsend of Equine Eco Green® and reviewed her updated process — this is even greener than the original."
