Friday News & Notes from FLAIR Nasal Strips

Jon Holling found a bathroom just for him at Carolina International. Photo from Jon himself.

Jon Holling found a bathroom just for him at Carolina International. Photo from Jon himself.

Despite the drizzling and the cold-ish weather, Carolina International continues to be awesome. I arrived yesterday, and I’m all settled in for a great weekend. The beast is full of fire, and will be doing at least one pre-ride tomorrow morning, as is customary for the first event of the season. One of my favorite parts of going to competitions is seeing all my friends from all the years of riding and working together, it’s like a big happy reunion! Can’t wait to cheer on my friends and I guess also do some dressage, or something.

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Carolina International H.T. & CIC  [Website] [Omnibus]  [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Poplar Place Farm March H.T. & CIC  [Website] [Omnibus] [Live Scores]

News From Around The Globe:

Jersey Fresh International is only seven weeks away, so it’s time to get your tickets to be a VIP spectator! Jersey Fresh is upping the ante this year with multiple packages for tailgating and spectating ringside for the exciting upper level competition. There is an All Access VIP Package, a Weekender VIP Package, and a Super Mom VIP Package, including awesome perks like catered meals, tailgating space on cross country, and a Mother’s Day brunch. What better way to watch some of the top horses in the country compete? [Jersey Fresh International]

Being jealous of people who get to go to Aiken for the spring is overrated. I read this hilarious account of a month in Aiken by Rebecca Young and was not surprised by a single ridiculous detail of it. Not even the “attack dogs” part, because that seems to be par for the course in South Carolina. [21 Days: A Horse Show Diary of Disaster]

Rachel Hindley of Great Britain has been handed a prison sentence and banned from owning animals for five years for her treatment of a pony and a donkey. Both unfortunate critters had hooves so overgrown that they could not walk properly, and the donkey had an infected sarcoid on his chest that was ulcerated. England has very strict animal welfare laws, and does not hesitate to hand down time in prison, heavy fines, and bans from animal ownership. Something I wish we could copy in the U.S. [Woman Banned From Animal Ownership]

Buying a properly fitted, comfortable and stylish helmet is one of the biggest decisions we face with our rider apparel. Last year, I discovered that I had been using all the wrong helmets, and my head is in fact shaped like a weird oval. I used to get awful headaches on my forehead, all because my helmets were the wrong shape! Now I switched to Samshield helmets, and I’m completely in love. If you’ve got a funny oval/egg shaped head like me, you should probably get on this bandwagon. [SmartPak Product of the Day]

Congrats to Rachel Wade, winner of this week’s Fab Freebie for a set of Equilibrium Tri-Zone Impact Sports Boots from our awesome sponsor World Equestrian Brands! Check out our product review of these fantastic cross country boots here. Be sure to check back Monday for our next Fab Freebie. [Fab Freebie]

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