Eventing News and Notes: January 2010 Archives
Noon update: Haiti Veterinary Outreach Update
Lesley Law: Leslie Law's laudable Rolex run-thanks to EventingUSA for finding this one.
The Godfather's Rolex blog-If you keep wondering why you have seen pictures of Boyd wearing red and yellow, its because he has the honor of competing Rock on Rose for Bruce and the colors come with the horse.
Creepy Cool new website: Compete from the comfort of your own stables. Warning: a loud and obtrusive video plays upon loading the homepage; turn the volume down so your boss doesn't notice. Quick take: sounds like it might be entertaining to try, especially if they tried to encourage international participation, but they can never re-create the true competition experience online.
Chattahoochee Hills Prepares for the AECs-Seriously, if you have not seen this place, it is obscenely nice.
COTH Thread of the Day: Why are water jumps so blue?
TJR Dressage Blue Hors Matine Dies -Who is Blue Hors Matine?
Noon Update:
New Denny Emerson Article in The Pilot: "...Widely regarded as a kind of "Yoda" to the eventing community, Emerson -- who splits his time between farms in Stafford, Vt., and here in Southern Pines -- is respected not only for his accomplishments but for his well-reasoned and authoritative arguments on issues affecting three-day eventing." No really, I swear it says that, click on the link. The rest of the article has some great insights from Denny.
Three-Point Galloping Seat by George Morris
*Preparing for a Three-Day: Guide from rider Ashley Adams
Eventing guide to Aiken, SC: Aiken is one of the top two winter training locations for eventers in the US, Ocala, FL being the other.
John posted the complete police report earlier tonight (scroll down), and it is quite lengthy. To spare y'all some time, I will hit the highlights here. (NOTE: I am only using terms "suspect" and "victim" as described in the police report... it is entirely possible that Darren is innocent, and is the real "victim" in this story). For those of you linking through from non-eventing horse sites, Darren Chiacchia has represented the USA internationally multiple times, winning Olympic and Pan American medals in 2003 and 2004, and is one of US eventing's most public figures.
On 8/19/09, the reportee/victim met with the Ocala police. He told them that he had a sexual relationship with his live-in boyfriend (suspect Darren Chiacchia) between February and June of 2009. The victim stated that he asked Darren multiple times if he'd had an AIDS test; Darren told the victim that he had, and his test was negative. While vacationing at Darren's home in New York, the victim happened to find evidence saying that Darren was HIV positive. Victim confronted Darren, who explained that it was a false-positive. The relationship ended. The victim called Darren several times about the test results. Eventually Darren told him that he was, in fact, HIV positive and had been for several years, and did not tell the victim because Darren did not trust the victim and was worried about his reputation.
The victim had an HIV test taken, results were negative at the time, but victim stated that he'd need several more tests to determine whether he had HIV or not.
The officer did a follow-up report on 9/2/09, in which the victim re-stated his whole story on a sworn DVD interview. The officer's attempts to contact Darren were unsuccessful. Officer advised the victim to get a tape recorder and record any phone conversations with the suspect.
The next day, 9/3/09, the victim brought a recording of a phone conversation between him and Darren to the police department. In the conversation, Darren stated that he did not tell the victim he was HIV positive becasue the did not think the victim was trustworthy. Darren also told the victim that he knew he was infected with HIV prior to their relationship, but his numbers were low; also that the victim is very naive if he (victim) thinks he has never slept with anyone not invected with HIV.
In another follow up, 10/13/09, the officer states that he was attempting to obtain Darren's medical records, waiting for a hearing (perhaps this is why the case took until now?). The last follow up closes the case, announcing Darren's arrest on 1/20/2010.
For more information, here is a link to the story as reported by the local paper, on Ocala.com.
According to the article, the charge is a third-degree felony degree, and could be upgraded to a first-degree felony if he is found guilty to have committed multiple violations of the crime. (NOTE: no other violations are known!)In Florida, first degree felonies are punishable by no more than 30 years in prison, and third degree by no more than 5 years. FL Law.
Other media outlets are picking up on the story. For example, H&H has this post, Horsetalk has this, and the story has officially gone mainstream with the this bit from the USA Today, and the same on ESPN. Also, read about the story in French.
Eventing Nation has obtained a copy of the official Marion County Sheriff's Office incident report, which is a complete description of the case from start to now, written by the investigating officers. In cases classified as sex offenses, the name of the victim is kept out of the report, which we would have done anyway. I have also not included the full names of the investigating officers, in an effort to protect their privacy. The report uses all caps, so we will too. This is the full, unedited report and all of the subsequent follow-ups by the investigating officers. I have bolded the relevant parts, and we will have a summary post later with more information.
CASE STATUS: PENDING ACTIVE.
AGENCY: MCSO
CLASSIFICATION: SEX, OTHER SEX OFFENSES
DISPOSITION: ARREST
REPORTED BY [officer number and name]
REPORT FILED 08/21/2009
ON 081909 AT APPROXIMATELY 1040 HOURS, WRITER RESPONDED TO THE OCALA POLICE DEPARTMENT LOCATED AT [address] IN REFERENCE TO A POSSIBLE UNLAWFUL SEX ACT.
UPON ARRIVAL, WRITER MET WITH REPORTEE/VICTIM WHO TOLD WRITER THAT BETWEEN 021609 AND 062809, HE HAD A SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS LIVE-IN BOYFRIEND, SUSPECT DARREN CHIACCHIA. THE VICTIM STATED THAT DURING THEIR RELATIONSHIP, HE ASKED THE SUSPECT NUMEROUS TIMES IF HE EVER HAD AN "AIDS" TEST, SINCE THEY WERE HAVING UNPROTECTED SEX. THE VICTIM STATED THE SUSPECT TOLD HIM THAT HE HAD, AND THE TEST WAS NEGATIVE.
THE VICTIM THEN ADVISED WRITER THAT ON 062809, HE WAS VACATIONING WITH THE SUSPECT AT THE SUSPECT'S HOME IN NEW YORK, WHEN HE FOUND SOME PAPERS FROM SHANDS HOSPITAL IN GAINESVILLE SAYING THE SUSPECT WAS, IN FACT, HIV POSITIVE. THE VICTIM THEN ADVISED THAT HE CONFRONTED THE SUSPECT AND THE SUSPECT TOLD HIM THAT THE "AIDS" RESULTS WERE A FALSE POSITIVE.
THE VICTIM STATED THAT AFTER THE CONVERSATION WITH THE SUSPECT, HE BROKE UP THE RELATIONSHIP AND CAME BACK TO FLORIDA. HE STATED HE CONTACTED THE SUSPECT SEVERAL TIMES BY TELEPHONE TO AGAIN ASK HIM ABOUT THE TEST RESULTS. THE VICTIM THEN ADVISED WRITER THAT AFTER SEVERAL CONVERSATIONS, THE SUSPECT TOLD HIM THAT HE WAS, IN FACT, HIV POSITIVE AND HAS BEEN FOR SEVERAL YEARS, BUT DID NOT TELL THE VICTIM BECAUSE HE DID NOT FEEL HE COULD TRUST THE VICTIM AND FELT THE VICTIM WOULD RUIN HIS REPUTATION.
WRITER PROVIDED THE VICTIM WITH HIS AGENCY'S CASE NUMBER AND ALSO NOTIFIED SERGEANT [name and id].
WRITER ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT THE SUSPECT AT THE PROVIDED TELEPHONE NUMBER; HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO ANSWER.
THE VICTIM ADVISED WRITER HE HAD AN HIV TEST TAKEN, AND HE HAD A NEGATIVE RESULT FOR HIV, HOWEVER, HE STATED HE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE SEVERAL MORE TESTS DONE BEFORE IT CAN BE DETERMINED IF HE IS HIV POSITIVE OR NOT.
CASE STATUS: PENDING ACTIVE.
**FOLLOW UP**
SUPPLEMENT DATE 09/02/2009
APPROVAL DATE 09/09/2009
ON 08/31/09, I CONDUCTED A SWORN DVD RECORDED INTERVIEW WITH THE LISTED VICTIM. DURING THIS INTERVIEW, THE VICTIM ADVISED BETWEEN FEBRUARY AND JUNE OF 2009, HE WAS IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LISTED SUSPECT, DARREN CHIACCHIA. THE VICTIM FURTHER ADVISED DURING THIS TIME FRAME, ON SEVERAL, OCCASIONS, HE AND THE SUSPECT ENGAGED IN UNPROTECTED SEXUAL INTERCOURSE.
THE VICTIM ADVISED ON JUNE 28 OF 2009, WHILE VACATIONING IN NEW YORK WITH THE SUSPECT, HE (THE VICTIM) LOCATED MEDICAL PAPER WORK OF THE SUSPECTS. THE VICTIM ADVISED UPON READING THE PAPERWORK, HE REALIZED THE SUSPECT WAS HIV POSITIVE.
THE VICTIM ADVISED THAT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE RELATIONSHIP HE ASKED THE SUSPECT HIV "STATUS", TO WHICH HE WAS TOLD THAT HE WAS NEGATIVE FOR ANY DISEASES.
THE VICTIM ADVISED AFTER FINDING THIS INFORMATION OUT, HE LEFT NEW YORK WITHOUT THE SUSPECT. THE VICTIM ADVISED HE HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH THE SUSPECT VIA E-MAIL. THE VICTIM PRODUCED AN EMAIL FROM THE SUSPECT, WHICH STATED HE (THE SUSPECT) FOUND OUT THAT HE (THE SUSPECT) WAS HIV POSITIVE IN 2008.
I THEN ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE VICTIM CALL THE SUSPECT FOR THE PURPOSES OF RECORDING A PHONE CALL BETWEEN THEM, THE SUSPECT ANSWERED THE PHONE, BUT COULD NOT TALK AT THAT MOMENT. WE AGAIN TRIED THIS ON 09/01/09, WITH NEGATIVE RESULTS. THE VICTIM BOUGHT A TAPE RECORDER AND ADVISED HE WILL RECORD THE PHONE CONVERSATION BETWEEN HE AND THE SUSPECT WHEN IT OCCURS.
CASE REMAINS ACTIVE PENDING
**FOLLOW UP**
SUPPLEMENT DATE 09/03/2009
APPROVAL DATE 09/09/2009
ON THURSDAY, 09/03/09, I WAS CONTACTED BY THE VICTIM. THE VICTIM RECORDED A TELEPHONE CONVERSATION BETWEEN HIM AND THE SUSPECT. THE VICTIM BROUGHT THE TAPE TO THE SHERIFFS OFFICE AFTER WHICH I REVIEWED IT. DURING THE RECORDED CONVERSATION THE SUSPECT TELLS THE VICTIM THAT HE DID NOT TELL THE VICTIM HE WAS HIV POSITIVE BECAUSE HE DID NOT THINK THE VICTIM WAS TRUSTWORTHY. THE CONVERSATION ALSO INCLUDED THE SUSPECT TELLING THE VICTIM THAT HE KNEW HE WAS INFECTED WITH HIV PRIOR TO THEM HAVING UNPROTECTED SEX WITH EACH OTHER.
DURING THE RECORDED CONVERSATION THE SUSPECT TELLS THE VICTIM THAT HE DOES NOT THINK THAT HE (THE VICTIM) HAS ANYTHING TO WORRY ABOUT DUE TO THE FACT THAT HIS (SUSPECTS) NUMBERS ARE LOW. ALSO DURING THE CONVERSATION THE SUSPECT BERATES THE VICTIM AND TELLS HIM THAT HE (VICTIM) IS VERY NAIVE IF HE THINKS HE HAS NEVER SLEPT WITH ANYONE WHO WAS NOT INFECTED WITH HIV.
SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO MAKE CONTROLLED CALLS TO THE SUSPECT AT THE SHERIFFS OFFICE MET WITH NEGATIVE RESULTS. THE VICTIM WAS ADVISED TO BUY A TAPE RECORDER AND RECORD HIS PHONE CONVERSATIONS WITH THE SUSPECT. THE VICTIM WAS NOT TOLD WHAT TO ASK THE SUSPECT, HE WAS TOLD HOWEVER THE CONTENTS OF F.S.S. 384.24. THE VICTIM DID SIGN A CONSENT TO INTERCEPT FORM ON 8/31/09 FOR USE IN THIS INVESTIGATION.
CASE REMAINS PENDING ACTIVE.
**FOLLOW UP**
SUPPLEMENT DATE 10/12/2009
APPROVAL DATE 10/13/2009
ON OCTOBER 8, 2009 WRITER WAS REQUESTED BY INSPECTOR [name and id], TO MAKE CONTACT WITH VICTIM, AS HE IS IN NEED OF SERVICES. WRITER SPOKE TO THE VICTIM AND REFERRED HIM TO THE VINES FOR COUNSELING AND ENCOURAGED HE CALL THE CRISIS INTERVENTION SPECIALIST'S OFFICE IF FURTHER ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED.
CASE PENDING ACTIVE.
**FOLLOW UP**
INSPECTOR [name]
SUPPLEMENT DATE 10/13/2009
APPROVAL DATE 10/13/2009
AS OF TUESDAY, 10/13/09, I AM STILL WAITING TO HAVE A HEARING IN REGARD TO THE SUSPECT'S MEDICAL RECORDS. THE STATE ATTORNEY WAS ADVISED THAT THE SUSPECT WILL BE FIGHTING THE RELEASE OF THE MEDICAL RECORDS.
I HAVE BEEN IN CONSTANT CONTACT WITH THE VICTIM AND HAVE ALSO INVOLVED [name] IN REGARD TO GETTING THE VICTIM SOME TYPE OF COUNSELING.
AT THIS TIME THIS CASE REMAINS ACTIVE PENDING.
**FOLLOW UP**
SUPPLEMENT DATE 1/20/2010
APPROVAL DATE
ON WEDNESDAY, 01/20/2010, THE SUSPECT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY ARRESTED AND TRANSPORTED TO THE MARION COUNTY JAIL.
THEREFORE AT THIS TIME I AM CLOSING THIS CASE BY ARREST.
CASE CLOSED BY ARREST
On Wednesday afternoon, I received a call informing me that the Chronicle forums were ablaze with news of Darren Chiacchia's arrest. Obviously, I was skeptical. However, I soon confirmed the police arrest report of Darren's arrest Wednesday morning with a violation description of "HIV person having sex without informing partner." We posted the story and republished the full arrest report here. Eventing Nation has since learned much more about the case.
Now, before I continue, please understand that I would rather be doing just about anything with my Thursday afternoon than investigating and writing about this horrible situation. But, whether it is live blogging the freezing deluge of Fair Hill, staying up half the night writing about the USEA convention, or just deciding to write a N&N post rather than going out with friends, we writers at Eventing Nation are committed to providing the highest quality and most informative eventing information anywhere, within the contexts of correct, polite, and fair journalism. We didn't start the reporting on this story, but we will finish it.
**Thus far, Eventing Nation has determined from sources close to the situation that Darren Chiacchia had relations with the alleged victim for approximately 5 months in early 2009. At some point, the victim discovered that Darren was HIV positive, confronted Darren, and contacted the Marion County Sheriff's Office, which is handling the case. According to our sources, the victim aided the police in obtaining taped evidence against Darren.
Eventing Nation contacted Darren for comment, and his representatives replied with the following:
"Thank you for your email. At this time Mr. Chiacchia has been the victim of an unfortunate claim and we look forward to the facts being presented. Due to the sensitivity of this matter his attorneys are handling all aspects."
We all know it, but we can't say it enough. Thankfully, in the United States, all suspects are innocent until proven guilty, and anyone who makes assumptions of guilt at this point is being absurd. We have extended a standing offer to Darren and his representatives to publish any response that they might have in a positive and fair format.
As a brief aside, please understand that we really appreciate your comments on Eventing Nation, especially those that criticize us. We expect comments to be polite, intelligent, backed up by logic, and respectful, especially to those involved in this case. Thus far, all the comments on this situation have been thoughtful and appropriate. But, we will be very quick to delete comments if things get out of hand.
Personally, Darren has always been polite to me, and I was a great fan of his during those incredible 2003 and 2004 seasons when he represented the USA so well at the Pan Ams and Olympics. We are all shocked by this story, and we wish everyone involved the very best.
Update: Darren's Facebook status posted "Lots of excitement building for our upcoming sale, all the horses looking good!" at 8am Thursday. The COTH Forum shut down their thread, which was getting a little out of control, but chatter is picking up on the H&H Forum.
According to the website www.mugshotsocala.com, and several EN sources in Ocala, Darren Chiacchia was arrested Wednesday morning for having sex with a partner without disclosing that he is HIV positive. Mugshotsocala.com (homepage) is a site that publishes the public record arrest files of all people arrested in Marion County, FL. We would not publish this if we did not believe the arrest news is 100% legit. Darren Chiacchia has represented the USA internationally multiple times, including the 2004 Olympics in Athens. The public record police report:DARREN CHIACCHIA
Booking Number: 1000000743
Booked on: 01/20/2010 at 11:00am DOB: 09/18/1964 Race: White Sex: Male
Charges:
|
Charge Number :1
| ||
|
Violation Description : CRIMES AGAINST PERSON- HIV INFECTED PERSON HAVE SEX W/O INFORM PARTNER
Violation Description2 : UNLAWFUL ACTS- SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES |
| |
|
Agency Case Number :N/A |
Violation Code :384.24-2 |
Violation Level :F |
|
Clear Type :CASH ONLY |
Court Case Number :N/A |
Required Bond Type: SURETY |
|
Bond Company Name :N/A |
Required Bond Amount: 2000 | |
This was first posted on the COTH Eventing forum.
Swamp Fever-British Horse Industry Faces Another Potential Epidemic, Horseowners Asked Not to Panic: Swamp fever, a contagious and deadly fever for horses that cannot spread to humans, has been found in two Wiltshire horses. Fortunately, "Defra does not think the risk of spread is high." On the other hand, this is what governments would say even if horse owners should be panicking. The close proximity of horses in England is a blessing when traveling to coaching and competitions, but a curse in the event of a disease. We are starting to develop some consistent readers in the UK, and we will keep everyone informed of the situation. BBC, Swamp Fever Fact Sheet, Wikipedia
*Major Props to Earle I. Mack: Racehorse owner charters planes and flies medicine and doctors to Haiti at personal expense
FEI's New Clean Sport Website: Well put together and pretty informative
Rolex Prep: Kelly Prather, Hawley Bennett also Hawley to Carry 2010 Olympic Torch. Thanks to EventingUSA for finding the featured rider posts first
New BE Rules: More stringent, but also accommodate equine professionals
*Who is Liable?: Advice from a KY lawyer to farm owners
Rachel Alexandra Beats Zenyatta in Horse Race for Horse of the Year: Now, if we could only see them race in real life...
With a sad theme today of horses in trouble, here is an incredible video of a horse rescue. Thanks to KM for sending it to us:
One great suggestion, proposed by FlightCheck on the COTH Forums, is to for coaches to pick a day and donate their lesson proceeds to the Haiti relief effort.
TheHorse.com has a good article about veterinary outreach in Haiti.
Please consider donating to one of these organizations, or the WSPA to help the veterinary outreach in particular.
Video Update:
The top story story lines at this year's USEF convention:
1) The domination of Steffen Peters and Ravel, winning both 2009 Rider of the Year and Horse of the Year. USEF Ravel Press Release, DN Ravel, DN Peters, DD: Ravel, DD Peters, COTH Ravel, COTH Peters
COTH: "In a nutshell, the two new changes to GR 410 Equine Drugs and Medications will work in concert to allow an interim time to collect data and educate the membership. But effective Dec. 1, 2011, only one NSAID will be permitted.
Other details include:
- From April 1, 2010, to Nov. 30, 2011, two NSAIDs will be permitted. If a horse receives two NSAIDs, a USEF NSAID disclosure form must be filled out and filed for data collection.
- A first offence in not filling out the form will result in a warning. Thereafter, failures to fill out the form will result in an administrative penalty..."
Quick Take: This brings the USEF rules closer into compliance with both the current FEI zero-tolerance policy, and the proposed progressive list which allowed 3 NSAIDs but only one to be present in the horses system at a time, I believe. Good decision.
3) Jessica Ransehousen received a lifetime achievement award. DN coverage, DD
"Jamie Link, the CEO of the World Games 2010 Foundation Staff, provided an Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games update. As of today, 251 days until the WEG begins on Sept. 25, the figures include:
- WEG has reached 57 percent of overall revenue goals.
- 86 percent of sponsorship goals.
- 46 percent of hospitality goals.
- 52 percent of tradeshow goals.
- 45 percent of ticket sales goals."
5) In other news, the FEI Launches News Eventing Risk Management Program:
"There have been six rider fatalities at 2.3 million fences jumped in international Eventing competitions since 2004." "The Action Plan includes:
- Statistical database, to include medical and veterinary data on falls
- A standardised template to achieve consistency in the collection of international data (this will be produced twice a year)
- Compulsory appointment of a National Safety Officer (NSO) by all countries organising international Eventing fixtures to collate statistics and gather information for the FEI in the event of a serious accident
- FEI guidelines on cross-country course design aimed at minimizing risk
- Continuing work on frangible pins and deformable structures for cross-country fences
- Education of everyone involved in the sport of eventing - riders, officials and course designers; risk management will become an integral part of all national seminars
- Increased focus and education about the definition of dangerous riding."
"The primary controversy here in Louisville, Ky., is the proposed rule to limit therapeutic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use from the current allowable two NSAIDs to one; the USEF Equine Drugs and Medications Committee proposed the rule change, which drew heated debate at the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association Annual Meeting in December but hardly a blip at the earlier U.S. Dressage Federation and U.S. Eventing Association meetings...
Here at the USEF Meeting it appears a compromise is in the works, which as of today, has been approved by the Drugs And Medications Committee, Veterinary Committee and the Executive Committee, among others, and has strong support from the breeds and disciplines. The rule change proposal will ultimately face a vote during the USEF Board of Directors meeting on Sunday.
Details include: Beginning Dec. 1, 2011, only one NSAID will be permitted. From April 1, 2010 to Nov. 30, 2011, two NSAIDs will be permitted. If a horse receives two NSAIDs, a USEF NSAID disclosure form must be filled out and filed for data collection. Failure to fill out the form will result in a warning through 2010 (estimated time frame). Failure to fill out the form will result in an administrative penalty in 2011 (estimated time frame)."
Ravel Wins USEF Horse of the Year: Lets see him do XC
The closest thing to an event this weekend we have heard about is the Willow Run Combined Test at Brook Farm. Here is an article about the event, and thanks to KL for sending us the tip.
1) To my knowledge, there are no events this weekend. There are certainly no events in the US, but I am throwing out a fun invitation: if someone knows of an event, anywhere, any place, please let us know either via comment or email. I will do all I can to cover the event from here in Ocala, no matter how small or obscure the competition might be.
2) Ronald Zabala-Goetschel is certainly one of the strangest most interesting people in eventing, which, frankly, says a lot. As you know, Ronald is the eccentric eventer from Ecuador who competed his beautiful horse Che Mr. Wiseguy at Rolex '09 and is targeting the WEGs. I have met Ronald, and found him to be a very nice guy, an opinion that is reinforced by reading Amber Heintzberger's great article, published today on COTH. From multiple business ventures, to an insanely large number of super-nice horses, it seems like Ronald is living the dream. Ronald obviously has some serious funding, and has spend a lot of money trying to recreate his beloved horse, including two unsuccessful cloning attempts, and has even gone as far as making diamonds out of Mr. Wiseguy's hair. Each cloning cost around $160,000, and I can't be sure, but I think making diamonds from hair is pretty expensive.
Stories like this tend to aggravate that slightly uncomfortable feeling hidden deep within my heart about how much money we spend on this great sport of ours when people are starving and dying of curable diseases all over the World. But, Ronald blows money with style, grace, a love of horses, and a great sense of humor, which is really all anybody can ask I guess.
The only thing Ronald doesn't seem to have is a wife. According to the article, Ronald broke up with one girl because she didn't like horses, and has had trouble finding a girlfriend due to his hectic travel schedule. In the article, Ronald says: "I just got a place in Pennsylvania and would like to settle down. So, if anyone reading this article knows of a nice, smart girl in the eventing world, please let me know, and I will send her my résumé!" Ditto Ronald, ditto.
3) We have published several links to stories about the conflict over using Greenwich park as the 2012 Olympics equestrian venue, and the issue is not going away. Stories keep popping up about people protesting and suing to stop the Olympics from using the historic park. People seem concerned that part of the park will be closed for quite a while, and about the long term impact to the park. This is the thread about the issue on the Horse & Hound Forum, which is like a UK version of the Chronicle forums but less cool. The latest attempt by protestors involves using a law from 1871 to stop building on a critical location. Until both sides come together and reach a compromise, this is going to keep being bad PR for the London Olympics.
4) Holly (Hepp) Hudspeth, Lauren Kieffer, and Hannah Burnett are some of the coolest people in eventing, and you all will find out why in the next couple of weeks.
5) Best comment of the week goes to Barbara who responded to our Charismatic News and Notes by writing on our FB: "Sorry about Martha [Stewart], but very interesting about Elvis. I happen to know that Elvis' hair is alive and still growing on a teaser pony at my barn!!"
GNF coming later tonight. Go eventing.
The USEF convention is underway this weekend, click here for the convention's website.
"Elvis's wife Priscilla has revealed in a recent documentary that during the height of his popularity, Elvis went on a mad spending spree for horses. She claimed he had 18 horses at one point.
Priscilla Presley said in the documentary "Elvis, by the Presleys", that Elvis was obsessed with wanting a palomino, and, "would get up at 3am to go and look for them". More on Elvis and his horses.
This article at the USEA about Captain Mark Phillips retiring in 2012 is generating alot of buzz, particularly on this Chronicle thread, with mostly positive reactions to the retirement. A lot of names are being thrown around for the successor, let us know who you think will be picked or who should be picked in the comment section of this post. When a replacement is named, we will link to the comment section and see who was right. This story is close to my heart, because we covered the story that CMP would retire in Eventing Nation's first ever News and Notes, back in October 2009.
Eventing Nation has 199 Facebook friends, hurry to be our lucky 200th! I hear being our Facebook friend leads to some extra good karma on the XC, just saying. Click here
Lastly, thanks to Visionaire for holding down the fort today. If you missed her semi-introduction and mocking me, click here. As for how Visionaire "landed this gig," I have indeed known Visionaire for quite some time. Visionaire is one of the smartest people in Eventing, and flat out the most dedicated and hardest working person I have ever met in the horse world. It is a great fortune for all of us to have Visionaire writing for the site. Go eventing.
Horse Bow-Hunting Moron Arrested: A 17-year-old youth is behind bars in Fayette County, Georgia, after his arrest for the arrow attack on an eight-year-old horse, Misty. [Insert lament about degeneration of teens in America.]
Our friend, Sarah Lieser, lost all of her horses, but found them again.
Volunteers Still Needed from WEGs: I will just mention that volunteering for the WEGs is a great opportunity to be part of a truly historic event. I know there have been some issues with the registration process, but our friends in Lexington are working hard on what is a very complicated endeavor.
*On a day where I was referred to as a 'village idiot' in Prussian, told that I only made this site to attract the ladies, and an eventing icon wrote "YU SUK, JoN, ANd yuRsight duz two," I couldn't be happier. Oh, and Eventing Nation might be changing our url to www.runjumpncrash.com, so stay tuned.
We have received enough 'fans of the day' photos already via email that the kittens will be spared for the near future, but please keep 'em coming. I can safely say that if you send us a photo in the next couple of days we will get you on the site.
*Another thank you to our friends at the USEA for a link to Leslie's latest article. Simply put, the USEA homepage is one of the most visited equestrian sites on the planet, and Emily, Josh, and Leslie Mintz have been very generous to Eventing Nation since the earliest days of our existence.
Because the park sent us a very nice email and because we love Canada, here is a photo of volunteers from the Island 22 Equestrian Park in Chilliwack, BC. Great name for a town, eh? Go eventing. -JoN
...and some that isn't.
TheHorse.com: Winter Hoof Care Tips, Cold Weather Horse Care
Blood Horse: For reasons I won't explain, I do not particularly like the Blood Horse, but they do have an interesting article about a former eventer, turned jockey, who won a race and got pelted with raw eggs. With an explanation like that, I dare you not to click on the link.
TJR: Do Horses in Pain Change Their Facial Expressions?, What Martha Stewart does when she is not lying to federal investigators. It's not the crime, it's the coverup.
COTH: Madonna Buys Horse Farm
Rollkur Boycott of WEGs, I found this story because the Chronicle mentioned it here, but they did not link to the original article.
America's Most Wanted: Moron Who Shot GA Horse
USEA: Eventing Safety Article by William Micklem. Go Eventing.
I am traveling this weekend back from the frigid tundras of Michigan to the frigid tundras of Virginia. Here are a few links for your browsing pleasure.
$800,000 Sponsorship for UK Show Jumper. Public corporate sponsorships this large highlight how strong the base of funding is for riders from some countries. Heck, Red Bull sponsors British riders. When major international corporate players start sponsoring US competitors to the tune of six figures, the USET's performance internationally can only be expected to improve. Although, there is a bit of a chicken-and-the-egg thing going on as well...
Need anything for the barn?
Event Horses for sale
Omega Alpha
Cause of the Month
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