Bruce Davidson and Eagle Lion statue at the Kentucky Horse Park. Photo via Equestrian Life's FB page, as my picture with the statue features me with bangs.
Good morning, fellow eventers! So begins the last week before Christmas, and I hope you’re not stressing too much. I actually haven’t even begun to shop for anyone yet, strangely it seems that every time I try I find myself back on Dover and Smartpak, checking out personalized saddle pads and full seat winter breeches. Oh if we could just buy ourselves the things we really want.
Monday News:
Eagle Lion, best known for winning Badminton with Bruce Davidson in 1995, passed away at the age of 27. He also had top placings at Burghley, Fair Hill, and Rolex before his retirement in 2001. [USEF Network]
Kelly Prather had everyone’s dream job, and now she’s rubbing it in our faces. Just kidding, she seems like a lovely girl that got to be William Fox Pitt’s head rider in 2012. Some of the perks? Watching WFP train and ride every day, going to the Olympics, and galloping four star horses on the daily. Okay, I hate her again. [The Chronicle]
Fan-freaking-tastic news for Maryland horse racing, they’ve voted to stabilize the sport at Pimlico and Laurel. Voters in Maryland voted yes to expanded gambling in November, and the two tracks will soon see profit from that. In addition, they will host race horses year-round, with a minimum 100 live racing days per year. [Baltimore Sun]
Horse and Hound eventing editor Pippa Roome (who runs a fantastic twitter account in addition to her writing duties), reflects on 2012. Also, should note that she uses words like ‘twiddlywinks.’ Bless her. [Horse and Hound]
Those University of Leeds girls are at it again with another calender to raise money for the equestrian team. I’m not offended (if you have a television or the internet how can you be?), but I do worry about chafing. [The Sun]
Horses aren’t the only ones enjoying the turf at Sam Houston race track in Houston, Texas. Recently, cheetahs from the nearby Houston Zoo have been going to the park to get some exercise. The big cats need to get up to high speeds to burn off calories, and are unable to do that in their zoo environment. Now I’d like to see them on the race card. [Houston Chronicle]
