Christmas ponies FTW!
Assuming that the world doesn’t end in the next three days, Christmas is only a week out from here! December 22nd is going to be a heavy shopping day for all those who believe in the Mayan calendar, so you might want to plan to stay at home. I have personally exceeded my own expectations and succeeded in buying all of my presents with time to spare, and also managed to only have one outbreak of “shopping rage”, in which I cannot disguise my distaste for the mass of psychotic humanity that floods the shops during this time of year. Hoorah! I also gave up and decided to stop trying to be witty with my gifts, and I have resorted to baking lots of batches of cookies with various decorations for my friends. Because nobody eats enough cookies during the holidays, right?
Confused about the new FEI rules and qualifications?? Join the club. The Event Riders Association met with the Chair of the FEI Eventing Committee, and the FEI Director Eventing to talk through changes to the FEI Eventing Rules that will be implemented from 1 January 2013. The meeting was designed as a clarification exercise and as an opportunity to discuss the motivation behind the Eventing rule changes for 2013. Athlete Categorisation and Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MERs) were two of the key points of discussion. Maybe they’ll have some answers for us? Somebody? Anybody? [ERA Meets with FEI]
The Brits have scored big, with a £6 million bonus to their Equestrian programs due to their success in London. The funding was announced this week by Sport England, and is part of a £493 million four-year investment to deliver grassroots sporting opportunities and a lasting Olympic legacy. “We want to see more people riding in the countryside, on bridle paths, in urban areas, riding schools, clubs, colleges and livery yards. In doing so we will pay particular attention to young people between the ages of 14-25 as well as those with disabilities and those with a prodigious talent.” So, United State government, where’s our $6 million, HUH?? [British Equestrians Get Big Payday]
Not everyone is thrilled about Laura Collett taking over the ride on British racehorse phenom, Kauto Star. As one of the most prolific and successful racehorses ever to exist, Kauto Star won 16 grade 1 races, including a record five King George VI Chases at Kempton Park and two Cheltenham Gold Cups. He retired sound and happy at the age of 12, and his owner recently made the decision to let Collett train him to do dressage, under the tutelage of Yogi Breisner. As much as we like the idea of celebrity OTTB’s, is it asking too much of him? Some compare the idea similar to “Mick Jagger doing ballet…ridiculous”. [Controversy Surrounds Kauto Star]
