Ecogold Photo Contest: “Horses at Work” Finale

By John on
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to look through our four Ecogold photo contest finalists and crown a champion.  I’d like to thank all of the entrants to the contest for sharing a brief glance their equestrian lives with us, and good luck to the finalists.  The champion wins a set of four indestructible Ecogold XC boots, so vote early and vote often. 
—-
(1) Belgian Braiding
belgiumbraiding.jpg

Steeli helps me out at work by trying to braid Gazelle’s forelock when he knows I’m having a busy day….but in all seriousness, when I am fortunate enough to be able to call grooming part of my “work”, I am grateful to the horses for providing me with everything from amusement to a quiet moment in a stall or field to regroup. For the rest of the 365 days in which I may not galavant about, they provide me with a reason to stay productive — so I have something to put in the bank, which soon turns into something I have to put in their stomachs (in massive quantities, I might add), and hopefully leaves enough something left so that I may attend a little something else we call a three-day event. Go eventing(/ecogold)!

(2) Brett, Tubby, and Pooh
Cube.jpg

I too am stuck in a cube that is as bland as the day is long. I’m a horse person that can’t make a living being a horse person, which really sucks. I have used every vacation day for the past 7 years to groom for Jen and Pooh and I wouldn’t have it any other way. The really twisted part is that I have two human kids and two dogs but you won’t find a single photo of any of them in my cube; just Brett, Tubby, and Pooh! Some of my co-workers are astonished when they find out I have grown children with two legs. I know I should be embarassed but strangely I’m not.

(3) Fridge Fun
fridge.jpg

I am a 33 year old full time mother of an almost 3 year old and a die hard eventer. My little girl has had 3 open heart surgeries so my competing has slowed down and I have spent a lot of time at home over the last 3+ years. My kitchen has become my office – especially my fridge. My fridge talks to me – and yes I am crazy but I do not care – have a good look at the pictures and quotes and maybe it will talk to you too. I will often catch myself staring at the fridge for 15+ minutes (probably more but I won’t admit that). The pictures and quotes motivate me and inspire me to pursue my dreams no matter what is thrown at me. I have managed to continue riding three horses and compete training level with the daily advice and guidance from the fridge. Actually not only does the fridge talk to me – I sometimes talk back to it. Conversations with the fridge – ya. 

computer.jpg
bonus photo
My mother always said that if I wanted to do something challenging that I had to get my ducks in a row – see top of fridge – ducks in a row. Top middle is Jimmy Wofford. At first glance I thought that he was smiling at me but after many times staring at him I now know that he is actually laughing at me and saying in his head that he thinks that I am a crazy girl for actually trying to read all of his articles, books and recommended books! You can only imagine what George Morris is saying. My husband and I are at the bottom – check out the look on his face – sheer “holy crap what have I gotten myself into” face!! There is much, much more to see on the fridge. Everytime I see it I look for details not seen before, say strange comments to it, or go and get my riding pants on as I was severely procrastinating that day. On one final note – I attended a David O’Connor clinic last year and learned the O’Connor ’5 necessities for a top rider’ – I wrote them on a random piece of paper and put it on the fridge. I read them every day, several times a day and whisper to the fridge, “Oh, Mr. David O’Connor wait to you meet me – I have IMAGINATION your final and most rare quality of a top rider – just look at my fridge!!!!”
(4) Student’s Desk
IMG_0812.jpg

This photograph is of my desk at Governor’s School at Virginia Tech. While other students brought pictures of their family and friends I have images of the horses in my life and a baseball cap with the logo of the barn where I train. On my computer screen is the research paper I am supposed to be writing, on perennial grasses as a source of biofuel, but next to the word document is the eventingnation website. I have been away from horses for three weeks (I return home this coming weekend) and I miss it so much. However, thanks to my photographs I am able to look at “my babies” whenever I want, and somehow due to this I have managed to maintain a small bit of sanity.

 

125_EGOLD_XCBoots_600x100.jpg

Categories:

Eventing Nation, Rider Profiles
  • Robyn

    I have learned that one cannot compete in a computer polled contest against someone that goes to a 'tech' school - must be hundreds of computers there.....ahhhhh shucks.....

  • http://请填写你的网址，多个可以用逗号或者竖线分隔 anonymous

    particular, to think more to try to change habits into account, to find a suitable for your relax and relieve stress way.
    pox VS stomach

    nose nose when the Director of the acne, in addition to strong secretion of oils and fats here reasons, or stomach fire is too large, the performance of indigestion. If the nose there is a slight peeling phenomenon, indicating that blood circulation is not good. In addition, frequent constipation and bloating people can easily proboscis pox.

    long-term recommendations: Eat less spicy food (and ovarian function, or the reproductive system. Do not over-indulgence or abstinence, more than a breath of fresh air to the outdoors.) reducing meat intake, declined to pot, cold foods and spicy foods. Food and water, should use warm, so as not to cause too much stomach acid to stimulate the secretion of gastric juice, gastric acid also make stomach fire intensified.

    more generally due to sebum secretion. With ovarian function, or may be the reproductive system. Clear pores of dirt should be promptly given. Also, do not over-indulgence or abstinence. A lot to enjoy a healthy natural environment.
    lip pox VS gut

    constipation or intestinal heat, eating too much spicy, fried food is the reason Zhangdou around the lips, of course, if you use too much fluoride toothpaste can stimulate long- pox.

    long-term recommendations: Shu intestinal detoxification aid (constipation, leading to accumulation of toxins from the body, or excessive use of fluoride toothpaste should be eating high-fiber fruits and vegetables, adjust the diet and if a long position in people , may be the urinary and reproductive system problems, women may have vaginal problems, men often appear urinary frequency, be sure to seek medical attention.) taking a laxative to help relieve symptoms, abdominal massage can help with the discharge of stool. Ate fiber-rich foods a few days to clear the bowel, the problem is solved.
    Yintang pox VS Heart

    acne in the middle of the most eyebrows can not be ignored, whether the recent recall frequent palpitations, chest symptoms of nausea, when the heart weakens activity here will Zhangdou.

    long-term recommendations: to protect the heart. Stay away from strenuous exercise, increased sleep, stay away from alcohol, tobacco and stimulation, while heart expert consultation as soon as possible, identify the problem.
    pox VS hair remover pore

    not unload because of a clean, or cleaning ignore this little detail, resulting in thick skin, clogged pores, easy to form a small hairline or eyebrows acne.

    long-term recommendations: take care of cleaning the edge of attention to detail
    hair every day when cleansing the edge of the clean, clear and timely and will plug the pores around the hair pores of metabolites.
    pox VS blood circulation left cheek left cheek Zhangdou

    explain your ability to lower blood detoxification, there may be liver problems or blood circulation problems.

    long-term recommendations: to accelerate the blood circulation (liver function is not smooth, hot toxic. Note that the normal daily routine, maintaining a good mood, the wind blew cold air, do not let the body in a hot environment.) Do not the body in a hot, you can use the temperature slightly lower than the temperature of the water bath, and more to outdoor activities, eat cooling foods, such as gourd, melon, persimmon, green beans.

    general that liver qi stagnation, pressure is too large. If the normal pressure, has not learned proper regulation, there is no one to own

    should look in the mirror to see if the tongue is a little dark purple it? TCM theory holds that long-term emotions fail to express beats by dre solo, also affect the liver function of catharsis, if you find time to grow up acne on the left cheek, which remind the attention to relax, a sense of tension. In TCM theory, the liver not only to manage emotions, more hidden features of blood, if long-term poor emotional, and does not cause air stagnation timely adjustment, but also affects women's menstruation, and even the process of reproductive fertility . Reduce Pathogenic Fire in such cases care should focus on the liver.

    hidden blood in the liver is the body's organs, it is hard work, the spleen and stomach function can be normal, gas, blood, water is normal. Liver is necessary to sort out its temperament, its brash only encourage violent temper, so gentle in spirit to maintain, comfortable, and guard against rage and depression. This will not let excessive liver, the liver can maintain normal function of the ease.

    1:00 ~ 3:00, the liver most of the time, we can do is sleep, to the liver to create a good working environment;

    chin Zhangdou:

    general said the imbalance of hormones, cycle imbalance. Some women passed thirty, but the This is mainly due to hormone secretion is very strong, relatively large magnitude of change, endocrine disorders caused.

    from the perspective of modern medicine, acne and more by the excessive secretion of male hormones due, while women over 30, due to reduced estrogen secretion of androgen constraints weaken, resulting in excessive and relative androgen from the pox. Such cases the best solution is to supplement the hormones. However, both synthetic hormones, plant hormones or hormone substances, in improving symptoms at the same time tend to inhibit the body's own hormone secretion, inevitably make the body produce dependence. The people and their excessive secretion of complement inhibition, they often result in estrogen, progesterone and other hormone imbalances between, triggering endocrine disorders, menstrual disorders, breast fibroids, endometriosis, polyps, or even breast cancer, uterine cancer and other serious diseases.

    endocrine disorders. To eat cold things. Before and after menstruation each month in the lower jaw to grow many small pox, skin changes in this region have a direct relationship with the ovaries, can improve the body massage or lymphatic drainage.

    eyebrows among Zhangdou:
    chest, arrhythmia, palpitations. Recommended not to do too much intense exercise, avoiding tobacco, alcohol, spicy foods.
    not to do too much intense exercise, avoiding tobacco, alcohol, spicy foods.
    nose Zhangdou: excessive stomach fire, digestive abnormalities. Should eat cold food.

    chest: the location of people with long pimples on the same pay attention to the urinary and reproductive system problems, need medical treatment.

    temple: the temple near the small acne, showing your diet contains too many processed foods, resulting in gall bladder obstruction, the body lines need to quickly clean-up.
    forehead: forehead appeared pox spots, the liver contains excessive toxins caused by the need to reduce excessive consumption of sugary foods, but also to avoid using too much alcohol.
    around the eyes: dryness around the eyes, or appear dry and surface cracks, show you the need to strengthen the uptake of vitamin B2 and B6.

    mouth: mouth appears fine wrinkles, and that you had to add lots of iron.
    under the eyes:
    below the eyes and kidneys have a direct relationship, where there are dark circles, eye bags and puffiness, it means you drink too much coffee and tea, these beverages are alkaline, have necessary to control this type of beverage.

    on both sides of the nose: the nose blackhead occurs on both sides, slightly dry and peeling, said poor circulation, massage can be appropriate to strengthen this part of the skin's blood circulation. Or the amount of added zinc, vitamin B2 and B6.

    cheeks: this part of the skin acne, that diet must be moderate, do not eat too much, eat more to help the body to poison food such as apples, bamboo shoots, stomach cleaning the body with great effect .

    In addition, smoking and more people are prone to swollen cheek, and the emergence of clear lines of capillaries, which is the skin oxygen gas signal, the best solution is to quit smoking.
    mouth and neck: If the acne around the chin like a long drop to the neck and cheek Hu even longer, and function of the stomach, mostly stomach damp-heat, less spicy food and fried food

    forehead pox VS liver
    If you always have a large forehead acne tablets continuously, it means your liver has accumulated too many toxins, not the law of life, day and night reversed a long time will allow the liver can not stay up all night in normal time (22:00 ~ 12:00), where toxins will be accumulated.

    long-term recommendations: the liver time to work (stress, bad temper, resulting in Firelight and blood circulation problems should be early hours, drink plenty of water.) 10:00 pm to go to bed on time, let the body into hibernation. Even sleep, that is also conducive to a relaxed state of liver detoxification.

    said Firelight, excessive bad temper. Chinese study found that long-term thought-over, Auntie trouble people, often on the forehead, president of acne, the psychological stress of such persons generally relatively large temper is not very good, a little small it is easy to mind, but also easy to care about, lack of detailed work, but life is easily lead to trivial, thus causing strong Firelight, Firelight on inflammation.

    Chinese medicine, among the five internal organs, the heart of the monarch's official, the main reason the body's consciousness and blood function, to think if you worry, it certainly hurt consumption gas, prone to difficulty falling asleep, sleep, dreams, morning wake up too early and other sleep problems, are likely to cause blood to run block, palpitations, chest tightness, shortness of breath and other symptoms. Reduce Pathogenic Fire of such situations should keep mindfulness.

    mind is the master of the body, with all the other organs of the functional activities, which carry blood to promote the body, and spirit of unified management body, consciousness, thinking activity. Yang Xin exercise should be noted that the

    timely manner, preferably arranged in the early morning or evening when the weather is cool;

    the right place, as far as possible to outdoor sports, choose the park, lake, gardens and other cool well ventilated place.

    drink plenty of water, remember to drink enough water.

    meal after meal to eat an apple, usually advised to eat more spinach, carrots, tomatoes, embryo rice, oranges, sweet potatoes and other food,

    should pay attention to work and rest, proper rest, the habit, sleep enough,

    appropriate, to promote easy movement, the time control at 20 to 30 minutes or so, the appropriate strength reduction;

    liver weakest time is 1 pm to 5 pm, it is proposed that the hard work should be piled up in the morning.

    liver afraid of fatigue, although any time of day should pay attention to rest, but 1 pm to 5 pm this time is more important. If you must work, the liver surface opens into the eyes, at least every hour to let the eye rest for 5 minutes.

    right cheek pox VS lung

    right cheek acne is a reflection of lung inflammation. If your lungs, the fire increased, dry throat, cough, phlegm, look at the right cheek acne.

    long-term recommendations: fasting Yi-min food (lung disorders. attention to maintenance of the respiratory tract, to avoid mango, taro, seafood and other food allergies.) stop eating seafood and mango, wine food, etc. Yi-min food allergies make your trachea, bronchus, lung even more discomfort. Yun said there are generally hot fire, lung, lung, etc. without declaring a However, such acne appears more in the fall, and more will be accompanied by cough, itchy throat, sore throat, phlegm and other symptoms. The highest position in the five internal organs, lungs, known as the canopy, which primarily of respiratory movement, from natural gas inhalation clear, again aggregate of the body from the body, is the heart of the Fu-chen, helping metabolism smoothly. Reduce Pathogenic Fire of such situations may wish to nourish lungs based. 7 to 9:00 am most of the time the lung, what sports do the best on the moment. When the most powerful in the lungs to do aerobic exercise, such as jogging, can be a strong lung function. Lung at the most vulnerable time is 9 to 11, so we often find some more severe cough at night, it is recommended the mouth after dinner with a pear, to spit when brushing your teeth before going to bed. Lungs and the most suitable to eat lily, lily of Gan slightly bitter flavor, good lungs and cough, pure heart and soothe the nerves, the treatment of lung disease have a good help.

    temple pox VS gallbladder
    is not too much work to eat meals, lunch, fast food? If Zhangdou around the temple, it is your lack of bile secretion, because eating too much grease and let the gallbladder burden.

    long-term recommendations: reducing the burden to the gallbladder. A cup of bitter gourd juice every day is the most efficient way, or consumption of other melons, such as cucumber, melon, which can very well absorb the grease.
    temple near the small acne, showing your diet contains too many processed foods, resulting in gall bladder obstruction, the body lines need to quickly clean-up. If it is not too serious, do not worry too much if you have more severe signs to the hospital to check the best as well.

    cheeks cheek pox VS

    lymphatic circulation after long-term burden on the liver, in the ears, neck and face at the junction of produce acne, repeatedly broke out in the same position, does not rise to the lymphatic circulation Chang.

    effective recommendations: to promote liver and gallbladder detox. Not tired, eat drink eat three square meals, a moderate increase in sleep time, so a lot of supply to the brain, gastrointestinal blood supply of liver and gallbladder have sufficient time to detox. Particularly to reduce the habit of eating before going to bed, not to aggravate the burden of gastroenteritis.

    Triangle Zhangdou:
    that may have gastrointestinal discomfort, and even long-term constipation. If long-term eat spicy, greasy or alcohol, can lead to gastrointestinal Yun heat.
    Chinese medicine theory holds that if you frequently eat hot foods, gastrointestinal tract, it is easy to plot a hot evil, resulting in gastrointestinal smooth, transmission delay, will not only lead to indigestion, dry mouth, bad breath, constipation and other issues , but also easy in the nose, lip triangular area around the week and acne. According to statistics, 20% of patients with constipation in the mouth four weeks Zhangdou, another stomach of patients are likely to emerge in a number of acne around the lips, especially in the hi sweets, the partial eclipse, and people do not eat vegetables. Reduce Pathogenic Fire in such cases should focus on protecting intestinal stomach.

    the stomach of poor people, Chinese medicine is usually suggested that he should develop regular bowel habits, and that early morning cup of salt water per day, breakfast and then a cup of milk, to promote coliform produce lactic acid and promote intestinal peristalsis. In addition, the intellectual workers do not eat too much, lunch, dinner should eat light some. Meal after meal to eat an apple, usually advised to eat more spinach, carrots, tomatoes, embryo rice, oranges, sweet potatoes and other foods, drink plenty of water, remember to drink enough water.

    if long-term eat spicy, greasy or alcohol, can lead to gastrointestinal Yun heat. TCM theory holds that if you frequently eat hot foods, gastrointestinal tract, is easy to plot a hot evil, resulting in gastrointestinal smooth, transmission delay, will not only lead to indigestion, dry mouth, bad breath, constipation and other issues, but also easily in the nose, lip triangular area around the week and acne. According to statistics, 20% of patients with constipation in the mouth four weeks Zhangdou.

    patients with stomach can easily emerge in a number of acne around the lips, especially in the hi sweets, the partial eclipse, and people do not eat vegetables. Reduce Pathogenic Fire in such cases should focus on protecting intestinal stomach. For the stomach of poor people, Chinese medicine is usually suggested that he should develop regular bowel habits, and that early morning cup of salt water per day, breakfast and then a cup of milk, to promote coliform produce lactic acid and promote peristalsis.

    In addition, the intellectual workers do not eat too full for lunch, dinner should eat light some.