Blackjack, the last of the United States Army Quartermaster issued horses. Photo by Ron Williams, from arlingtoncemetary.net
Today many people in the US will be enjoying a day off of work for Veterans Day. In Commonwealth countries, a similar day of observance is happening, known as Remembrance Day. Today is more than just another “bank holiday”. To all of those that have served, both human and equine, thank you.
Weekend Results:
CDCTA Fall H.T. [Final Scores]
Poplar Place Farm November H.T. [Final Scores]
Texas Rose Horse Park H.T. [Final Scores]
Monday News and Notes:
Our sport has a historic connection to the military and the testing of cavalry mounts, so it is especially appropriate that eventers take note of this day and remember those that have served. Robin Crickman of Dancing Horse Hill wrote in to let us know that in honor of Veterans’ Day they are offering a free schooling day on their cross country course to any who would like to come out. [Dancing Horse Hill is located in Elmwood, Wisconsin. [Dancing Horse Hill on Facebook]
We all know it’s hard to make a living in the horse industry. It’s a job that requires long hours and a watchful eye on your stable. To be successful you’ve always got to be bringing in new clients, you’ve always gotta be hustling. Even if you’ve got a full barn, you might still need to find some secondary sources of income… like say running a brothel. [UK Horse Riding Instructor Was Also Brothel Madam]
The USDA has responded to the appeal filed int the 10th District Circuit Court in an attempt to stop horse-processing at a New Mexico plant. The Food Safety Inspection Service is not forbidden by law from inspecting horse processing plants. The USDA indicates that the Federal Meat Inspection act applies to “cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses, mules and other equines”. The “other equines” part sort of has me scratching my head. Are we ever going to have so many zebras in the US that we’re sending them to slaughter? [USDA Responds To Horse Processing Plant Appeal]
The US Dressage Finals were this past weekend and were full of sweet stories. In addition to Fynn the PMU horse competing at Grand Prix there was also a super cute Appaloosa pony named Pedro competing at First Level. Owner Marsha Lewis has also evented Pedro a bit, winning two Beginner Novice events in 2008. [COTH: I Can’t Believe We Made It Here]
The USEF Young Horse Championship Symposium has wrapped up. Representatives from Driving, Dressage, Eventing, Hunters and Jumpers were all present and discussed strategies to develop young horses and championships for all disciplines under the USEF banner. Hopefully this symposium will push forward efforts at further development of young horses in the US. [USEF Young Horse Championship Symposium]
Sad news from Australia, where a female jockey has died just one week after riding four winners in one day. Desiree Gill sustained critical injuries when her mount Celtic Ambition clipped the heels of another horse and launched her in to the turf. Her death follows shortly after the death of another Australian female jockey, Simone Montgomerie in August. [More from dailymail.co.uk]
Monday Video: The US Army Caisson Platoon.
