Friday News & Notes from FLAIR Nasal Strips

?????!!!! Photo courtesy of Shannon Brinkman.

?????!!!! Photo courtesy of Shannon Brinkman.

Jenni sent me this picture yesterday, with no context and no caption, simply titled the email “GREATEST N&N PHOTO EVER”. While I was deeply tempted to ask her WHAT IS GOING ON HERE????? I think it’s almost better to be in complete confusion about what is undoubtedly the best News & Notes photo in the history of Eventing Nation. A gold medal from London, a flag from Brazil, a plastic horse head, Michael Jordan T-shirt, puma sneakers and khaki shorts. Who can solve this mystery? Who is under the mask?? Will we ever know??!!

U.S. Weekend Preview:

GMHA Festival of Eventing August H.T. [Website] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Fair Hill August H.T. [Website] [Entry Status]

WindRidge Farm Summer H.T. [Website]

Erie Hunt and Saddle Club H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]

Otter Creek Summer H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

The Summer Event at Woodside H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]

Stanton Farms H.T. [Website] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Area VII Young Rider Benefit H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]

Colorado Horse Park H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times]

News From Around the Globe:

To no one’s surprise, Charlotte DuJardin & Valegro lead the way after day one of Dressage with an 85.07%. While this wasn’t their best score ever due to a few teensy missteps in the piaffe, she still managed to haul in more than her fair share of 10’s. Germany leads the team standings with an average of 81.29% but Great Britain is right behind them with an average of 79.25%. Team USA did splendidly, with Laura Graves leading the charge on Verdades and a 78.07% and the team holding an average of 76.97% for bronze medal position after day one. The Grand Prix Special is today, live streaming via the usual venues. [Valegro Shines In Rio] [Links for Watching Grand Prix Special]

Any interest in a behind the scenes look at the stabling in Rio? I thought as much. Luckily, Horse Nation has compiled a whole bunch of photos from different athletes from all the equestrian disciplines, and given us a really good look at precisely what those horsey digs are like. Personally, I want my bed to be that thick and fluffy. [Fantasy Farm: An Olympic Barn Tour]

Last week, there was some poor misinformed moron who wrote a blog about how horses didn’t belong in the Olympics. He quickly found out that horse people are a small but “vocal” crowd (lol) via the thousands of irate emails that he received in response to his article on Deadpspin. He says, “I’ve never received as much feedback on anything I’ve ever written”. I have no doubt that there were some EN fans up in there somewhere. [Dead Letters: The Horse People Are Furious]

Has your horse already destroyed his/her summer fly sheet? You’re in luck, because SmartPak’s Deluxe Fly Sheet with No Fly Zone is on sale for only $85.49, which is basically a steal at this point. SmartPak actually has a lot of awesome things on sale right now, so while you’re there, check out the whole sale line, and leave feeling smarter and better dressed. [SmartPak Product of the Day]