Wishful thinking, taken at Rocking Horse circa 2009 by yours truly
Good morning EN, once again you are halfway to the weekend! There is only one event to look forward to this week, Rocking Horse I way down in Altoona. I would say something here about wishing I was down south to join in on the fun but the weather up north was so mild today I think my horse has starting shedding three months early. Wylie posted about global warming yesterday but seriously guys this is getting weird. Having lived in Pennsylvania for three winters now I can’t say I remember it ever being nearly 60 degrees (and did I mention sunny?) in January. About this time two years ago we got nearly four feet of snow in 48 hours. Wait a few more seasons Baltimore will be the next Aiken. Let’s hope this new trend is just a fluke…or else.
Lots of news from the USEA today:
The new 2012 Rule book is now available online for you to peruse to your heart’s content. You can also pre-order a hard copy for $10.00 on ShopUSEA. [Rulebook] [ShopUSEA]
The dates for the 2012 ICP 2-Day Dressage and Jumping Symposium have been announced: February 13-14 at Longwood Farm South in Ocala. February 13 will consist of an all-day educational presentation by the British dressage judge Stephen Clark, president of the London Dressage Ground Jury. He will teach from Training up to Advanced level riders and discuss what he sees with the audience, then evaluate both a Preliminary and Advanced level test. On Day 2 Leslie Law will school groups of four riders again from Training up to Advanced on cross-country. Attendance at both days will earn ICP-certified instructors ICP continuing education credit. Not an instructor? They are looking for riders! If you are in the area and interested you can find contact information for Peter Gray and Sue Hershey on the bottom of the USEA page, along with all registration information for general attendance. [USEA]
EventingUSA is running a monthly series with popular equine sports psychologist Daniel Stewart. This month he answers a question about regaining confidence after a bad fall, something I’m sure most of us have struggled with at one time or another. Brings back my memories of being 13 and having a particularly willful Appaloosa with an aversion to cross country…He also writes about his Young Riders’ Mental Coaching program, and why it’s important to our sport. Worth a read. [EventingUSA]
The FEI has announced the dates for the 2012 Sports Forum, which will take place from April 30-May 2 in (get your frequent flyer miles ready) Lausanne, Switzerland. Proposed rule changes for eventing, endurance, show jumping, and veterinary matters will be discussed. Delegates will have a chance to debate issues before they are put to vote before the FEI General Assembly in November. [COTH]
Nicola Wilson is creating a “Buzz.” [Yorkshire Post]
A tragic story from Colorado: 13 horses have been found shot in their pasture near Gardner after being reported missing by their owner. The local police have put out a call for any information about the crime and have little to go on in terms of evidence at this time. [Horsetalk]
The “speed gene” found in Thoroughbreds that makes them the optimal breed for racing has been traced back to a single Shetland Pony mare that lived in England about 300 years ago. Modern variants of the gene have been traced to the famed Nearctic and his son Northern Dancer, who is credited as one of the most “influential stallions of modern times.” The findings were published today in the scientific journal Nature Communications. [Horsetalk]
There’s a new alternative to microchipping: PetGen, a DNA storage service that will store your horse’s (or any pet’s) DNA for 50 years in its database. The goal is to prevent theft by allowing horses to be tracked by their DNA. Unlike microchips and freezemarkings, DNA cannot be altered or damaged. While an interesting idea, microchips in horses have a low rate of failure and will soon be required before documentation can be issued (the EU recently passed a law that will require all horses be microchipped shortly after birth) and it is unlike that PetGen will be a threat to the practice. [Horse and Hound]
Best of Blogs:
Next Level Eventing is enjoying the journey
Finally I leave you with a word from Horse Quencher, who understands the important of hydration while hauling. As many of you are making the trek south right now we all wish you safe travels and happy healthy horses upon arrival! Go traveling.
From Horse Quencher:
Serious dehydration is a common side effect of trailering. But does it have to be? Horse Quencher gives you peace of mind that your horse’s body is ready to perform (outbound) and nicely recovering (homebound). As Julia Spacey, judge and competitor says, “Anyone who knows me knows that I don’t ‘do’ extras and gimmicks, but Elaphine Murphy refuses to drink whilst on the horse box or away. I have resorted to taking apples with me so that he just gets something. We competed in the newly introduced Mountain and Moorland WHP classes at the Suffolk County Show 2010 and in the sweltering heat we won our class and went Champion! Back at the lorry Murphy, as usual, wouldn’t drink and I had forgotten to take any apples. I had been given a sachet of Horse Quencher which had sat at the bottom of the cupboard for ages and felt this was the moment to try it, although with very little expectation. However, Murphy lapped at the water like a dog and then proceeded to drink half a bucket!! We all stood very still in case we put him off. But he was well away and 10 minutes later drank the other half bucket! I was then fighting the dog, Ugly, off the water as well! So I didn’t have to go straight home or try and find an apple stall at the show. I will never go to a show now without a tub of Horse Quencher on the lorry, although I may still take some apples if he is going to win!”
