JER – On fear and getting back on the horse

By John on , Filed Under Eventing Guest Writers, Eventing Nation

From JER:


Today's New York Times has an article by the always interesting Gina Kolata about cycling accidents and why even dedicated athletes - herself included - will often swear off the bike forever following a serious crash.


Fell Off My Bike, and Vowed Never to Get Back On


But not all crashes have this debilitating effect. The key, says the experts, is in whether or not the faller felt in control of the circumstances surrounding the fall.


"Control makes a big difference in whether we take risks," Dr. Loewenstein said. "With biking, you feel in control until you have an accident. Then all of a sudden you realize you are not in control. That can have a dramatic effect -- you can shift abruptly from excessive daring to exaggerated caution."


We also have a tendency to blame ourselves for what happens to us, to try to turn accidents and even random events into something we somehow deserved. This is known as the Just-World Phenomenon - the tendency for people to believe the world is fair even when they witness or experience an otherwise inexplicable unfairness or adversity.  While it sounds almost foolish in its description, the just-world effect is a surprisingly common coping mechanism



The hypothesis does let some people continue a risky sport -- by deciding that a serious accident was not really random.


"You see it with rock climbers," says Rob Coppolillo. "There will be a fatality or someone will really get hurt. There are those psychological backflips you can make yourself do. 'It won't happen to me.' "


And if you have an accident and you can blame yourself for it, then you can also convince yourself that it won't happen again.


Riding bicycles and riding horses have their obvious parallels. But by the end of the article, I was starting to feel sorry for those bicycles, reduced to twisted bits of metal and then unapologetically abandoned by their fickle owners. 


I've never met a dedicated horseperson who's voluntarily sworn off riding forever after even a serious fall. Is that because, just by getting on a horse, we've already surrendered total control? Is our willingness - our desire, even - to get back on because we always implicitly acknowledge the partnership of human and horse with all the risks and benefits it entails?

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Horses on Dirty Jobs

By John on , Filed Under Eventing Nation, Videos
I don't know about you, but I love the TV show Dirty Jobs on the Discovery Channel.  The host, Mike Rowe, takes a humorous first-hand look at some pretty disgusting but often fascinating jobs.  Tonight's episode features Mike dealing with horses at Kentucky Equine Reseach in Versailles, Kentucky.  Mike visited KER in July for the filming of the episode and the word from Erin at KER is that some of his "jobs" included helping with feeding trial collection studies (read: horse diapers), taking fecal samples, and assisting with blood draws during exercise tests on the high-speed equine treadmill.  Click here for a preview of the episode or tune in to the Discovery Channel at 9pm EST tonight.  Go eventing.
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The CHP Thanksgiving Classic

By John on , Filed Under Eventing Guest Writers, Eventing Nation

I'm always fascinated to see what different eventers do in the proverbial offseason.  Many eventers spent last weekend at Pine Top, but the Carolina Horse Park hosted their second annual Thanksgiving Classic hunter/jumper event and several eventers were in attendance. Our good friend Holly Hudspeth wrote us a quick report from the event, where Will Faudree rode her Last Monarch aka "Stewie" because Holly is expecting (due in May).  Thanks for writing this Holly and thank you for reading.
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Photo of Will Faudree and Stewie, courtesy of the awesome Meri Hyoky

From Holly:

November 28th was the 2nd annual Thanksgiving Classic held at The Carolina Horse Park. It consisted of 3 classes, the Open Hunter Classic, a 5 bar class, and a $5000 mini-prix. The weather was sunny and in the upper fifties, and everyone had a great time! CHP had a patron's tent, ringside parking, and an option to purchase a $25 armband that entitled you to cocktails and lunch. CHP also honored it's fantastic volunteers with their very own tent, food, and drinks. Many of us local professionals played the bartender role, and kept them filled with, beer, wine, bloody mary's, and soda. Lunchtime also was entertained with a driving exhibition. The day started with 20 in the Hunter Classic, and then things turned exciting as the 5 bar class started with 7 entries, 4 of which were local eventers, including Bobby Costello, Will Faudree, and Susan Beebee. The last round went up to 5'! 

The final class was the mini prix, and for me, was the most exciting! My good friend Will Faudree rode Last Monarch (Stewie), and they were so fun to watch. This class had 13 entries, and 8 made the jump off. Stewie was the only event horse in the pure jumper filled field, and finished 4th. He and Will actually had the fasted time, but a fault at the last cost them the win. 

The Thanksgiving Classic is turning into an annual Thanksgiving tradition, and is sure to pick up steam! So please come join us next year, you won't be disappointed.

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A Quick Henny Update

By John on , Filed Under Eventing Nation, Eventing News and Notes
The Henny situation is unlike anything we have written about on Eventing Nation before in the sense that the eventual outcome will have nothing to do with horses at a competition--it's about judges, lawyers, and contracts.  Unfortunately, courts move in mysterious ways to those of us whose entire legal knowledge is limited to watching Law and Order SVU.  And, while we would all like Detective Elliot Stabler to storm into the room and solve the case in 45 minutes or less, real courts usually take a frustratingly long time to reach any decision.  
The November 19th press release from Peter and his legal team explained that a hearing was scheduled for November 29th (Monday) to determine if the court order giving Peter custody of Henny and preventing Linda Martin from selling Henny would be extended.  
The word from a source close to the situation Tuesday morning is that the judge presiding over the case did not reach a decision on Monday.  By the original court order, all the involved parties are prevented from selling or transferring Henny until the judge reaches another conclusion, and the judge has not said when a decision will be reached.  
From the number of supportive emails and comments we have gotten about the case, I can safely say that Henny and Peter are one of the most popular pairs throughout Eventing Nation and everyone wants to know what will happen with the case.  All I can say is that you will be the first to know when we hear something and, until then, all we can do is hope for the best for Henny.  Go eventing.
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Santino Lovely Mover/Uncomplicated Ride

By Leslie on , Filed Under Area 2, c) $15,000-$30,000, Sport Horse Nation and , ,

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Description: Santino "Sunny" scores well in the dressage ring!!! He has fancy movement and provides an uncomplicated ride both on the flat and over fences. Sunny is a 7 year old, 16.1 hh Thoroughbred Gelding. Sunny has successfully competed up to the Training level in eventing, as well as 2nd level dressage (schooling 3rd level movements) with the potential to go further in either discipline. Sunny's lovely ground manners and easy temperament would make him a wonderful addition to any barn. 

Adjectives: Fancy, Quiet, Uncomplicated 
Price: Category C($15,000-$30,000)
Location: Norwood, NC  
Contact: dcooke4@hotmail.com 704-770-7003
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Tuesday Morning Baby News and Notes

By Annie Yeager on , Filed Under Eventing Nation, Eventing News and Notes
By far the most exciting news of today is contained in the e-mail below from Jen Carter of Ocala, FL, wife of Canadian Olympian and WEG team silver medalist:
"I was filling Kyle in on all the latest news from your website and since you have been posting a bit of baby news, he thought we should email that we are expecting our second daughter in early April.  I don't normally do this, but really like your website.  Even Kyle will read it now and he really doesn't like computers all that much!!  Hope all is going well with you guys!!" 

Congratulations Jen and Kyle! EN Karma is with both of you, and the baby of course. 

A study has been done at a California's Del Mar Race Track, indicating that race horses run slower in the afternoon under hotter temperatures then they do under cooler, more favorable temperatures. Really?? I could have told you that. The slightly more interesting part of the article states that research has been done indicating horses run slower on synthetic surfaces than they do on dirt. I wonder if the same applies to manufactured turf and footing seen at certain venues in our sport. Thoughts?
If you didn't get a chance during the busy holiday weekend, be sure to enter Eventing Nation's Point-Two contest to win a free airjacket.
Last Month it was the iPhone, now if you have a Google Android phone, you can now download the FEI prohibited Substance App. It gives you handy access to the current drug regulations, and you only need to download it once as it automatically updates any new or changed regulations. 
The Chronicle has released an interesting article that highlights rule changes that will be proposed at the upcoming USEA, USDF, and USHJA conventions. It states that a proposal will be reviewed for eventers to make ASTM/SEI certified headgear a requirement at all times while mounted. I'd bring the popcorn to this one folks, this is going to get interesting.
The Horses in the SOuth blog has released the press release  "Sweedish dressage rider Tove Elgeskog-Chamness wins the Wellington Institute "Rider Wellness Award."" The release goes on to state, "Thanks to Elgeskog-Chamness' healthy glow, great skin, and zest for life, she was awarded with a gift certificate and products from the Wellington Institute." I feel more zesty just reading this. 
That's all I've got for you now. Stay tuned, John should be around soon with a few more distractions and maybe some news, but knowing him probably just distractions.

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Mailbag!

By Annie Yeager on , Filed Under Eventing Nation

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The powers at Eventing Nation have decided to launch a new column for the offseason called Mailbag! Basically, here's how it works: Any loyal EN fan can send their question about anything related to eventing or one of our writers (serious or not) to me and I'll do my best to answer it honestly. It's like that line that Jimmy Wofford always has, "Well, if it didn't happen the way I tell it... it should have." All of our writers have plenty on their plates right now so I'll handle most of the questions, but if you're dying to ask John a question like why his diet consists of strictly burgers and fries, or ask Coren why all her posts sound like she's on drugs, I'll pass it along.

Depending on how many responses we get, the column will either run monthly or bi-monthly. If your question is time-sensitive I'll send you an email with the answer, but plan on most questions being answered in the column itself. Send all questions to: annieyeagerEN@gmail.com

Go Eventing.

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Pine Top Horse Trials Recap

By Samantha L Clark on , Filed Under Eventing Competition Coverage, Eventing Nation

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Sunday Morning in Thomson, Georgia dawned brisk and nippy, and, despite a layer of thermal underwear, gloves and a hat, the only remaining option to warm up seemed to be to march around the training course before the prelim horses set off at 9am.  There was a decent frost in the grass, but this didn't deter Dana Ernyei from walking her prelim course again; she was just finishing as I headed to the start, and not only that, but she obviously reaped bountiful EN karma because she admitted to loving the site, and talked to me ON CAMERA, and then, I can now reveal, proceeded to finish 3rd in her horse's first event at this level - Well done, both of you, and thanks for talking to EventingNation!

The training course, like the prelim, and from what I could see of the lower levels, is straight forward, bold and inviting, and I was aching to ride around them, cold be damned! About three quarters of the way around, I had another stroke of luck--I bumped into owner and lower level course designer Glenn Wilson, who took a couple of minutes off work to chat briefly.

The facility is breath-taking. Glenn, his wife Janet, the organizer, who I met later, and their brand new daughter-in-law, Virginia Betleyoun Wilson, are the walking advertisements for Southern Hospitality. I immediately felt a little warmer.

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A little later, the prelim horses were warming up and you couldn't have dreamed of a more stunning setting. The tall trees with autumn foliage, blue skies, crisp leaves, and the lake in the background along with the sound of galloping horses, the slight steam of their body heat, the nerves as they waited their start time, anxious grooms and loved ones watching one-legged like flamingoes--it was a magical morning to be sure.  The Prelim ran like clockwork; it actually started a tiny bit early. As expected, the Open Prelim rode well, with the Prelim Riders finding the course slightly more troublesome but with only two riders from each section not completing. I did manage to get some footage from around the course, it's certainly not Buzzterbrown but you'll get a rough idea.

I can highly recommend PIne Top Thanksgiving Horse Trials for it's atmosphere and it's location, whether, as Glenn said you want to extend your season a tiny bit longer, or maybe because you're chasing points, or perhaps it has become a holiday tradition or should be, or perhaps perhaps you're escaping one - there must surely be a reason to put it on your calendar for next year, and don't be too surprised if you see my name on the competitors list!  Thank you to Pine Top, and all the crew, volunteers and competitors. Go Georgia, Go War Eagles, (lovely to know I can still learn a new thing every day, even at my ripe old age!) and Go Eventing!
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Used Stackhouse Dressage Saddle, 17.5″, Narrow Tree

By Leslie on , Filed Under a) $0-$5,000, Area 8, Sport Horse Nation, Tack

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Description: Used Stackhouse Dressage Saddle, 17.5", Narrow Tree.  Black.  Approximately 8 years old.  Original fleece-lined cover included.

Price: Asking $2,195 (obo)
Location: Louisville, KY
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Monday Morning News and Notes

By John on , Filed Under Eventing Nation, Eventing News and Notes

The bad news is that it's Monday.  The good news is that, if you're anything like me, there are still plenty of leftovers...dare I say left over from Thankgiving.  So, let's all enjoy our Turkey sandwiches today and pass the time until then with a few eventing news and notes:
--Doug Payne won the open prelim at Pine Top and Julie Richards finished two horses in the top four of that division.  Samantha Clark was on-scene and will have a full Pine Top report from later today.  [Eventing Scores]

--The Burghley Horse Trials has undergone a leadership transition with the Burghley Estate taking over full ownership of the organizing committee, which is now called (surprisingly) Burghley Horse Trials Ltd.  Richard Jewson, one of Pippa Funnell's owners, has been appointed as Chairman of the new committee.  Elizabeth Inman will continue as current event director and I don't expect the changes to make any major difference to eventing fans.  [British Eventing]

--The big non-eventing news from the weekend is that Matthias Rath of Germany will get the ride on Moorlands Totilas.  Apparently, Rath's stepmom, Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff has "acquired the riding rights" to Totilas from the stallion's new owner Paul Schockenmohle.  Matthias Rath won bronze with the German team at the WEGs this year and he is an excellent rider, but I wouldn't be so quick to envy him.  It's like taking over as quarterback for a team that has won 5 straight Super Bowls.  Every success will be attributed to Totilas and anything less than winning will be considered a complete failure.  [Eurodressage]
--Heading below the fold, two donkeys in Shaftesbury, England had to be rescued by firefighters when they became trapped up to the neck in a pile of manure.  Neither animal was harmed during the incident as crews used ropes and machinery to free them.  In other news, I have withdrawn my application to work for the Shaftesbury fire department.  [BBC]
--A farrier named Brent Jury won the advanced New Zealand eventing championships.  Personally, I love it when vets and farriers event because it gives them more of a practical view of our sport that only comes with time in the saddle.  [Stuff.co.nz]
--Vets in Australia are concerned that toxic tropical plants have led to over 40 horse deaths in Queensland.  The major issue seems to be that the illness seem to be showing up in the horses months after the suspect plants have gone.  [H&H]
We are back to normal on Eventing Nation this week...enjoy.
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