It’s that time of year again. Kids stop going to school, people stop working, and commerce in the US generally grinds to a halt as everyone turns their attention to the single elimination college basketball championships otherwise known and copyrighted as March Madness. Estimates suggest that the value of productivity lost from people making their brackets and watching the tournament is around $200 million. Those same scientists estimate that Eventing Nation costs businesses around the world $2 million each year in the time that employees spend browsing EN. At any rate, we’ll all get the chance to feel the thrill of a successful round for our brackets and then the crushing defeat of a bad next round and I couldn’t be more excited. There’s just nothing in sports quite like March Madness.
Now for your quick news and notes:
–Doug Payne’s no longer Pan American hopeful Crown Talisman had surgery Tuesday to repair his stifle which was injured two weekends ago at Pine Top. With any surgery like this, you can only tell so much from scans and radiographs and ultimately the surgeon can get a much clearer picture of what is going on when they are in the joint. The surgeon found some damage but they were able to get out the torn ligaments and matter to promote healing. Tali’s recovery will likely last until the autumn and we wish him a speedy and swift healing process. [Doug’s blog]
–It’s already time to start thinking about the weekend, which will be one of the calmest weekends here in the US between now and June. Pine Top in Georgia, The Event at Three Day Ranch in California, and the Sol Int.Spring HT in Texas are the only three recognized events. This weekend’s Pine Top will run beginner novice through preliminary, meaning that all of the top east coast horses will have the weekend off.
—Samantha Clark puts a bow on the pretty package that was Red Hills. As much as I enjoyed Red Hills, and it is truly a spectacular event, I’m excited to look ahead: Poplar, Southern Pines, Galway, The Fork, Rolex, Jersey, and Bromont as the major North American events remaining on the schedule.
–I received a really wonderful email from Jane Barron, who did such a great job organizing Red Hills. Jane was incredibly gracious and I was so proud to hear from her that I had to publish a quick excerpt from the email that I think encapsulates what Eventing Nation is all about: “…You have provided the mechanism for me to actually see the event. THANK YOU! Lisa, Marvin, Terrie, ALL of our more than 400 volunteers, and I truly appreciate the wonderful support you and your team have given us.” We certainly don’t deserve any thanks–without all the wonderful organizing and volunteers there wouldn’t be anything to write about on EN.
–Jersey Fresh will honor the late Dr. Stephen P. Dey, a veterinarian, who was a founding member and president of the Horse Park of New Jersey,. Dr. Dey did a great deal for equestrian sports in New Jersey. He passed away in February. [The Examiner]
–Area II has many great educational programs planned for 2011. Looking at programs in the near future, members will get to walk prelim through advanced courses free with upper level riders at Morven Park April 2nd. On April 8-9 riders will get the chance to spend a day at The Fork with Sally Ike and Bonnie Mosser respectively. Thanks to Area II for, as always, putting on some great programs to support eventing. [Area II]
–The first affiliated event on the British eventing calendar was held last weekend at Tweseldown. Our friends across the pond in England get started eventing a lot later than we do, but they seem to produce better results at harder spring three-days. Interesting. [Onward, Upward]
–What’s my tip for making a good bracket? Pick favorites. Most people get too creative and pick lots of upsets. In my mind, nor more than 25% of the picks in each round should be upsets and don’t carry an underdog more than three rounds. But that’s just me.
Because everyone needs another Red Hills recap video:
That’s all for now. Check back throughout the day for all of your eventing news, results, and commentary. As always, thanks for making Eventing Nation part of your day and go eventing.
