Lyra DiCostanzo riding her OTTB partner, Pleasant Signal. Photo courtesy of Kimberly DiCostanzo.
Area I eventer and winter riding enthusiast Kimberly DiCostanzo sent us the above picture, and it definitely gave me a giggle. Her 2 1/2 year-old daughter, Lyra, is an aspiring eventer as well! Lyra’s partner is 16-year-old OTTB, Pleasant Signal, who apparently loves to ham it up for the camera. To check out Kimberly’s blog and see more funny memes about weather and eventing, click here. Go Area I! I admire your determination!
U.S. Weekend Preview:
Pine Top Advanced H.T. [Website] [Live Scores & Times] [@eventingnation for live updates]
News From Around The Globe:
Congratulations to Nicole Fuentes, the winner of this week’s Fab Freebie from Professional’s Choice! Nicole will receive a brand spankin’ new pair of the Pro Performance Show Jump Boots — snazzy! [Fab Freebie: Professional’s Choice]
Our deepest condolences to everybody associated with Pine Top Farm and especially Glenn, who lost his mother, Ruth Wilson this week. Ruth was always very active in the farm, and greatly enjoyed the horse shows that occurred there regularly. She always brought camellias to the farm office for everybody to enjoy, and she will be greatly missed. [Pine Top Eventing]
If you’ve got show jumping questions or woes, check out this great set of questions and answers. International show jumper Paul Crago teamed up with Horse & Hound to answer seven of the most common questions that people have about show jumping. No question is too obvious! If you have a horse that rushes, hits poles behind, or you are struggling with related distances, check this out. [7 Jumping Questions You Thought Were Too Obvious To Ask]
No show jumping queries? How about some questions you’ve been meaning to ask your dressage trainer, but haven’t gotten around to? Horse & Hound is on the job again, with nine answers to some pretty common dressage questions. Read along to be educated by Debbie Lush, a British dressage judge and trainer, who knows her stuff. [9 Questions You’ve Been Meaning To Ask Your Dressage Trainer]
Were you a participant or spectator at the recent William Fox-Pitt clinic at Stable View Farm in Aiken? Are you dying to relive the action and savor the knowledge of Eventing Jesus? You can order your full video today! Produced by What’s Up Media, you can pick up a DVD in the office at Stable View, or you can order one by mail. [Order Your DVD of WFP]
Wild For Life Foundation (WFLF) is rallying the troops for hay to feed to horses in need in the U.S. Due to skyrocketing prices and a drought last year, more than the usual number of horses are left hungry this winter. Donations big and small are coming in, and WFLF is handing out hay to equine rescue operations up and down both the east and west coasts. Hay is definitely the single most costly item for any equine rescue, and every bale helps. [Read More Here] [Donate Here]
Rubber reins….can you ever have enough? In my opinion, the answer is no. I found myself in a precarious situation a few weeks ago, when suddenly my collection of reins no longer matched my collection of bridles. One of my reins broke on a young horse, and sadly two of my favorite pairs of reins reached the end of their life by melting in my hands. I just ordered these awesome Harwich Inside Rubber Reins from Smartpak, because they are leather on the outside and rubber on the inside, which looks beautiful and still functions in an awesome way. Also, they are completely reasonably priced, because sometimes I think it’s crazy to pay as much for a pair of reins as I would for a bridle. [SmartPak Product Of The Day]
Check out Headley Brittania’s eldest son, Brittania’s Mail (by Jaguar Mail) jumping a pretty big jump…looks like he got his talent from his parents for sure!
