Good morning Eventing Nation!
Allison Springer is up for USOC’s Athlete of the Month. So get out there and vote! Getting Arthur to second place at Rolex takes hard work, determination, talent, perseverance, and a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. Do you think a bowler worked harder in the month of April? [VOTE for Allison!]
Jersey Fresh is this week. According to Pollard Eventing’s FB page, they have been en route! Sinead’s got it on her Facebook page too, and don’t forget about her upcoming fundraiser!
Nicola Wilson’s 4* partner and Scottish Open champion, Bee Diplomatic has been retired. He will continue on as a dressage horse, but a few small ongoing problems have caused him to be retired from eventing. His breeder, Rosemary Search, also bred Opposition Buzz. We wish Bee Diplomatic a happy and successful transition to dressage. [H&H]
Fair Hill held an endurance competition over the weekend. There was a 25 mile and 50 mile division, as well as an FEI 1* tacked on to the 50 mile division. The 25 milers finished in about 3 hours from 7-10 am. The 50 milers also started at 7 am and after a handful of mandatory stops and holds, finished around 1 pm. It is important to note that the finish times aren’t when the horses and riders cross the finish line, but rather when their pulses come down. For obvious reasons, this encourages proper conditioning to enhance a horse’s recovery rate, and also to discourage racing to the finish line. And, if you’re reading this, you’ve probably obsessed over a conditioning schedule or two. [Fair Hill]
Starting April 27 (so now), Gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) and Hydroxy-gamma butyric acid (Hydroxy-GABA) are no longer permitted at FEI events. It’s a horse calming aid found in “Carolina Gold” products. These drugs, in any form, are also not allowed under USEF rules. You cannot use a Medication Report Form either since GABA and Hydroxy-GABA have no recognized medical uses. [Horsetalk]
There’s racing’s Triple Crown, eventing’s Grand Slam, and now, a Triple Crown for the show jumpers. It’s a $200,000 prize to any rider and horse combination that wins each of the Wells Fargo GP at Devon, the FTI GP at the Hampton Classic, and the Alltech National Horse Show GP in the same show season. Why these three? Well, they’re rated the top three in the US by NARG, the North American Riders Group. It’s essentially like US eventing’s PRO. This is presented by Taylor Harris Insurance. [Proequest]
I love Daniel Stewart. Big fan. He’s great with sports psychology and coaching mental toughness and preparedness with some pretty fun exercises. He’s doing monthly tips and quotes for the USEA. My favorite quote this time around: “Take the time to make the time.” Read: organize and prepare. [USEA]
And, for a bit of controversy, racing’s talented and gorgeous Chantal Sutherland, posed for a ‘racy’ photo shoot for her idol, Bo Derek. It’s slightly Not Safe for Work (NSFW), and the skin can you see would be seen on a beach this summer. Everyone’s asking “why” she posed for this. The article’s third sentence referring to her successful “sensual” position in the saddle has more to do with efficiency than sensuality, but, alas, it’s Vanity Fair. Most are saying it’s objectifying women, and it is. Other than the overall subject material (the photo), I like the article because she says her big toe is her strongest body part and the reins are just a suggestion. [Vanity Fair]
Bloggity-Blogs:
Well, Eventing Nation, that’s all I have at the moment. Happy Tuesday and Go venting. Ha. Or eventing. Your choice.
