Video Break: “Stuff Eventers Say” by Kerry Blackmer

By Windress on , Filed Under Eventing Nation, Videos and , , , ,

Well, after things went viral with SmartPak's "Stuff Riders Say" series (You can watch Part 1 and Part 2 right here on EN!), videos began popping up all over the internet to show representation of specific riding disciplines. And of course Eventing was one of the first to throw in their own special edition of "Stuff Eventers Say," brought to you by Kerry Blackmer!

 

 

(my Favorite?... "The Grounds too hard, I'm going to Scratch.... The Grounds too soft, I'm going to Scratch." Yep, this is sounding very familiar!)

Kerry Blackmer, an upper level event rider that runs Miles Ahead Farm, was recently chosen as one of the trainers for the Retired Racehorse Trainers Challenge. This challenge, organized by The Retired Racehorse Training Project, in which three trainers and three horses (with one alternate) team up to show the world that speed is not the only thing a racehorse can be known for!

To follow Kerry and her fellow trainers in their progress with these amazing ex-racehorses, check out the Retired Racehorse Trainers Challenge blog.

Go Eventing!

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Unrelated Video Break of the Day: Tiny Pig Plays Piano

By Windress on , Filed Under Eventing Nation, Random and , , ,

I really should be writing my next interesting and relevant article about Eventing, but instead I've spent the last hour or so being thoroughly distracted by CuteRoulette.com and have come across the following video:

It literally has nothing to do with Eventing (or with anything, honestly), but I can't help being charmed by a farm animal with musical aptitude! Plus, if we were offering food rewards, I know of a few horses who would figure out a way to pound a tune out of a children's toy as well! 
Have you taught your horses or farm pets any particular tricks? Something to "wow" the relatives when they come out to see just what you do in the barn all day? I'd love to hear your stories! 
Go Piano Playing Eventing! 
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Badminton XC videos

By John on , Filed Under Eventing Competition Coverage, Eventing Nation and , ,

For a selection of 7 XC rides from Sunday, check out Horse and Country's video page


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Badminton live video feed – $10

By John on , Filed Under Eventing Competition Coverage, Eventing Nation and , ,

Live streaming video of the XC is available from Horse and Country for approximately $10 US.  Check it out and check back at Eventing Nation throughout the day for the latest from Badminton XC.

Cross-country is scheduled to run from 6-11:30AM ET
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Badminton TV – dressage highlights

By John on , Filed Under Eventing Competition Coverage, Eventing Nation and , ,

Click the box below to watch videos from the dressage, including the rides of Ruth Edge and Two Thyme, William and Macchiato, and Tina Cook and Miner's Frolic. 

Snapshot 2010-05-01 18-52-25.jpeg
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Here Comes Arrrrr!

By Leslie on , Filed Under Eventing Nation and , ,

Mental_floss, my favorite non-horsey site, posted some videos featuring racehorses with creative names to get readers in the mood for Derby Day.  

Tom Durkin calls this one.  I laughed so hard, I teared up and had to watch the race over again.

OK, OK.  Seriously.  Some people do put a lot of thought into naming a horse.  Picking any random name just won't do.  It has to represent something of the horse, speaking to the horse's character and abilities. He must have a "show name" and a "barn name."  A name should give an impression upon reading it in the list of entries!


Macchiato ridden by William Fox-Pitt (GBR): Smooth and sophisticated.  Sitting his trot must be like riding on a cloud.

The Frog ridden by Clayton Fredericks (AUS): Doesn't exactly suggest elegance, but wouldn't you like to see him jump?

Oingy Boingy ridden by Nici Wilson (GBR):  Why not?

I keep a running list of horse names I come up with that I like, should horses suitable for any of them happen to come along at just the right moment (and I have the just the right amount of cash, which is unlikely). 
What would you like to name your next horse?  Do you have a list?
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Video Friday: Bring on Badminton

By Leslie on , Filed Under Eventing Competition Coverage, Eventing Nation and , , ,
You might think we are in denial about our recent addiction to posting great videos, but the situation is quite the opposite...we embrace it!  Here are a few videos of Badminton through the ages to get you geared up for one of the biggest events in the world.
Rolex was so five days ago.  Check out Badminton through the years.

Eventing has really changed, but Badminton remains the same: BIG
Notice the dog that chases the horse at about 2:50.  Don't just keep your dog on a leash, but please remember to hold on to it.
Here's how it happened last year.  The best part about this video is the absence of irritating music...just bold and beautiful horses.
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Ruth Edge’s Friday Badminton dressage recap

By John on , Filed Under Eventing Competition Coverage, Eventing Nation and , , , ,

After scouring the internet, I have compiled the very best Badminton dressage day 1 coverage.

Dressage results -- just in case you missed them earlier

For lengthy recaps including quotes and rider backgrounds, check out the FEI press release or H&C's recap.

The CliffNotes version: Ruth Edge is a dressage specialist and swims Two Thyme twice a week.  Mary King is excited now as she was at her first Badminton, and said that a loud crackle in the speakers before her test made Imperial Cavalier tense.  Mark Todd feels like he's never been away and looks forward to getting back to the top of eventing.


Friday photo slideshow -- Not nearly as organized as the USEA's photo galleries, but the photographer has added some humorous captions.  Just click through for a while; I promise you will eventually find dressage photos.  Gallery format
The Badminton Blog is a blog operated by Badminton that has done a great job covering the event with 3-4 special interest and news posts a day.  Two of my favorite posts are a profile of the 18 Badminton first-timers, and Badminton superlatives.  I would suggest this blog format to the organizers of any big three-day who want to be involved in the coverage of their own event.  The Badminton blog also stole our scrolling Twitter widget idea which is flattering.  Speaking of blogs, Alex Hua Tian writes about being held at the first jog for Horse and Hound.
--If you could only go to three sites to get complete Badminton coverage throughout the weekend, I would suggest *H&H's Badminton page, the Badminton Blog, and, of course, Eventing Nation.

Clayton Fredericks' dressage video: "The Frog has done the dressage test of his life"
Go eventing.
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Video Monday: Rolex Recovery

By Leslie on , Filed Under Eventing Nation and , ,

Our happy little corner of the World Wide Web has been raving about nothing but Rolex for weeks.  I know the event is over now, but I just can't quit cold turkey.  There are still so many recently added videos to share.  

Peter Atkins and Henry Jota Hampton made an incredible leap from 50th place after dressage to finish 23rd.

See a great variety of fences on cross-country and footage of several competitors who didn't get so much attention from the media this weekend.

The view is slightly obscured, but I think the benefit of the rail breaking upon impact is clear.  The rail was replaced within minutes, and horse and rider continued on course unscathed.  
Holly Hudspeth and Last Monarch jumped clear with just two time penalties to finish 17th.  What a cheer they received, too!

Becky Holder and Courageous Comet jumped double clear on cross-country and dropped one rail in showjumping, finishing in 3rd place.  Comet looks as elegant as ever.

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The Worst Rolex Video Ever

By John on , Filed Under Eventing Nation, Videos and ,

If horses have taught me anything, it's that you can't learn how to ride standing on the ground.  One of my goals for Eventing Nation is for us to aggressively use video to connect with our readers.  Today I took the first baby step towards that goal by filming a short walk I took through the Horse Park on Thursday night during the WEG dressage test event musical freestyle, which, incidentally, Tina Konyot ended up winning.  

Filming: 45 minutes 
Figuring out how to upload and edit the video: 3 hours
The final product: anything but priceless
Please leave your suggestions in the comment section, but, off the top of my head, it needs a soundtrack, the camera shakes like I'm on crystal meth, I need to pronounce "Kentucky Horse Park" using more than one syllable, and it has a considerably less developed "plot" than Hot Tub Time Machine.
At least it didn't look like this, right?
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