Well hey there. Photo via Wallaby Hill on Facebook.
Here in the States we have giant carved fish and ducks we like to make our horses jump over at our big-time event. Down in Australia at Wallaby Hill they have, well, a wallaby. And his name is Nigel, after his creator Nigel Sardeson of Sardeson Sculpture. Nigel is the first fence on the CCI3* course at OTTO Sport Australia International 3-Day Event at Wallaby Hill this weekend. Click here for a fun time lapse of his construction!
National Holiday: National Package Protection Day (It’s about mail — get your mind out of the gutter!)
U.S. Weekend Preview:
Sporting Days Farm Horse Trials IV [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]
Your Wednesday News & Notes:
Pergolide has been the go-to treatment for Equine Cushing’s disease for decades, but due to its class of drug it is a prohibited substance under FEI and USEF rules. Now there’s good news for horses affected by Cushing’s! Effective December 1, 2018, horses granted a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) for pergolide can remain on pergolide while competing. [USEF Announces New Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) Status for Pergolide Administration]
The USEA Educational Symposium is back for 2019 and has found a new home at Grand Oaks Resort in Wiersdale, Florida — just 25 mile outside of Ocala — is scheduled for February 18-21, 2019. The ICP Symposium will take place Monday and Tuesday of those dates and will feature French event rider Maxime Livio as clinician. Wednesday will focus on the YEH program with clinics also led by Maxime. Thursday will feature the Future Event Horse program with FEH judges Robin Walker and Peter Gray. Registration is open and demo riders and horses are also still needed! [Save the Date for the 2019 USEA Educational Symposium at the Grand Oaks Resort!]
Matt Brown is back with part 2 of his ultra insightful COTH blog. In this installment, Matt explores how instructors can help set their human students up for a lifetime of learning and ultimately achieving their goals by cultivating a growth mindset and helping them set process-oriented goals. [A Case For Not Focusing On Your Goals: Part 2, Students]
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), otherwise known as seasonal depression, is a common issue this time of year and equestrians are certainly not immune to it. While it might help if you have a winter escape south to Aiken or Ocala, it can be especially difficult to stay motivated and feel pretty down in the dumps during the cold and dark winter months. Here are few tips to help you take care yourself during a tough season. [Getting Through Winter: Seasonal Depression and the Equestrian]
Attwood Wisdom of the Week: Let the Water Run Out
No doubt about it this has been a rainy summer for most of the East Coast, and fall is turning out to be much of the same. But no matter where you live, we have all seen the negative effects of too much rain on a poorly constructed arena.
An arena’s drainage system is your first line of defense when the skies open up. Every outdoor should have the minimum of at least one designed French drain INSIDE the arena. Why inside? So that the water does not have to go under or over kickboards to drain away, washing away your footing creating gullies and puddles.
Designing your drainage system is as important as the choice of footing you put in your arena. Ideally your drainage system should let the water leave in a steady consistent manner.
The drainage system should reflect the use of the arena. If the arena cannot have any downtime, more drainage should be incorporated which translates into more maintenance of the footing. More watering and more dragging ensures the footing stays in tip-top shape.
There are always trade offs in creating a perfect riding surface. That’s why riders like Phillip Dutton and Boyd Martin turn to Attwood for their expertise and scientifically proven formulas.
Want to know more about the most advanced footing solutions on the market today please call Attwood Equestrian Surfaces at 888-461-7788.
