When Kate posted those Morningside photos yesterday, I started feeling pretty bad about myself. That’s until I saw Horse Junkies United’s new equine photography contest, which (just saying, Kate) I’m probably going to win. Because I’ve taken lots of horse pics, and my camera’s delete button—formerly ignored—is now strategically underutilized. Yesterday I might’ve apologized for the above photo of Selena O’Hanlon and Columbo en route to a double-clear Jersey CCI3* cross-country finish, but today it’s priced at $39.95. And Selena, if you’re reading this, that’s without marketing rights. And I’ve only got about 10,000 more pics to sort through, not to mention all the strategical underutilization that might occur before the Sept. 1 deadline… [HJU]
Kate also recapped the weekend’s event winners and introduced a new, low-score, dressage-tiara EN tradition. [Kate’s Recap]
I subsequently found myself with some extra weekend-recap time on my hands, so took it upon myself to introduce my own EN tradition, one I probably should’ve done months ago —
Events Opening Tomorrow: Roebke’s Run H.T. (MN, A-4); Fair Hill International Three-day Event (MD, A-2); WindRidge Farm Fall Horse Trials (NC, A-3); Morven Park Fall H.T. (VA, A-2); ESDCTA New Jersey H.T. at the Horsepark (NJ, A-2); Woodside International Horse Trials (CA, A-6); Kent School Fall H.T. (CT, A-1). [USEA]
Burghley Countdown: 10 days. Will Faudree (Andromaque), Allison Springer (Arthur), Kate Hicks (Belmont), Sinead Halpin (Manoir de Carneville), Erin Sylvester (No Boundaries), Kristi Nunnink (R-Star), Sharon White (Rafferty’s Rules) and Marilyn Little-Meredith (RF Rovano Rex) are the US names on the list. [Entries] [2012 XC Preview] [Burghley Website]
In case you missed it: Jennie Brannigan (Cambalda), P-Dutty (Atlas), Jon Holling (Downtown Harrison), and Clark Montgomery (Loughan Glen) will each receive a $15,000 Land Rover grant to offset costs of competing at the Boekelo CCI*** Nations Cup, the Netherlands, Oct. 11-14. Buck (The Apprentice) and Will Faurdree (Pawlow) will serve as alternates. [COTH]
Mary King and Imperial Cavalier enjoyed a “heroes welcome” returning to their hometown of Devon last week, parading down High Street for cheering crowds, receiving the honour of “Freeman of the Town.” [BBC]
Mary’s daughter Emily will bolster the six-member British team at the junior European Championships in Strzegom, Poland, next month. [Horse & Hound]
Karin Donkers’ 18-year-old campaigner Gazelle De Le Brasserie is one of several Olympic horses now retired after the London Games. [H & H]
Riding high on Olympic glory, dressage gold medalists Charlotte Dujardin and Carl Hester will make cameos in the upcoming Spanish Riding School of Vienna UK Tour. Charls will give a mounted demo, while Carls will discuss the “science” of dressage. [Horse & Country]
Not to be outdone, Oli Townend and show jumper Geoff Billington are teaming up for a December “Edge of Glory” tour, which, in addition to riding demos, promises “plenty of antics” and “hilarious banter, entertainment and fun,” billing Townend and Billington a “comedy duo.” Sounds more like the “Dead-Center Pinnacle of Glory,” am I right? [Book Tix]
Jen Alfano and Jersey Boy have long been a force on the derby circuit, but their fourth attempt at the $100,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals brought them the ultimate prize. [COTH]
Saratoga’s $1 Million Travers Stakes, also dubbed the Midsummer Derby, is coming up Saturday, and I still haven’t picked my favorite. Contenders Atigun, Liaison, Nonios and Stealcase have all posted pre-race works. [BloodHorse]
Eventing Cinema, Buzzterbrown/Surefire HT Style:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbPlY2yu3PQ
