Boyd Martin and Doug Payne analyze their position on Dartfish at the Aiken training sessions. Photo courtesy of the USEF Eventing High Performance Facebook page.
Since the USEF High Performance spring training sessions began last month, David O’Connor has been recording riders using Dartfish, a video software that allows him to view, analyze and edit footage of riders to help them better understand his coaching. Dartfish has become an incredible training tool used by many of the world’s top athletes, including 400 medal winners at the 2012 London Olympics. Three-time gold-medal winner Usain Bolt uses Dartfish because it “slows everything down so you can work on your technique,” according to Dartfish’s website. Many of the riders at the training sessions have commented on how much Dartfish has benefitted them thus far. Kudos to David for harnessing the power of video technology to help our riders improve in 2013.
Events This Weekend:
Fresno County Horse Park: [Website] [Entry Status/Times]
Paradise Farm: [Website] [Times]
Rocking Horse II: [Website] [Times]
Your Friday News:
Andrea Leatherman posted a statement on her Facebook page yesterday after losing her 7-year-old Thoroughbred mare Neveah to a heart-related event on cross country at the Ocala Horse Trials one week ago today. Eventing Nation continues to extend its deepest condolences to Andrea and wishes her all the best in her recovery from her injuries, which include punctured lungs, cracked ribs and a concussion. From Andrea:
“Last Friday, I lost my beloved mare Neveah to a heart attack on cross country. Words can’t describe the pain and confusion one feels going through something this tragic. As riders, we hope and pray we don’t have to go through something so emotionally and physically painful. Neveah was the whole package. She put an uncontrollable smile on your face when you rode her, tried her heart out, never said no and had amazing talent. I called her ‘my little female Mensa’ and felt so blessed to have had her in my life.
“I am so deeply saddened by her loss and will miss her so much. As for my injuries, they will heal. I can’t thank everyone enough that has reached out to me. My family, friends and the eventing community have been such an incredible support system. The endearing hugs, words, thoughts, prayers and flowers have deeply touched me and helped me to begin my recovery during the past week. Give your horses and ponies an extra hug every day.”
Rachel Alexandra, the 2009 Preakness Stakes winner and Horse of the Year, is in serious condition after undergoing surgery on Wednesday to repair part of her small colon that was damaged during a difficult delivery of her Bernardini filly. The veterinary team at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky., say it is too soon to make a prognosis about her recovery. [The Blood-Horse]
William Fox-Pitt is showing his philanthropic side by supporting Alzheimer’s Research UK, the charity of the year for the 2013 Mitsubishi Motos Badminton Horse Trials. “Alzheimer’s Research UK is a hugely deserving cause, dedicated to defeating dementia and giving hope to people now and future generations,” William told a local newspaper. [Midweek Herald]
Champion racehorse Frankel appropriately started his stud duties on Valentine’s Day and is reportedly booked through the rest of the year. His book for this year includes Danedream, winner of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, and six-time Group One winner Midday. Frankel stands for £125,000. [Horse & Hound]
Two meat-plant workers have been taken into custody in the first arrests in the European horse-meat scandal. The Food Standards Agency also recently reported that six slaughtered horses testing positive for phenylbutazone were shipped to France for consumption `and have already entered the food system. [Horsetalk]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzIF9XeapTk
Kristin Schmolze’s Cavaldi finds a creative way through Phillip Dutton’s grid
