Are you in Area 2?  Are you attending the Annual Meeting?  Here’s what’s in store for you!

From Julie:

When:  Sunday, January 13, 2013

Where:  Carradoc Hall, Holiday Inn, Leesburg, VA

 

Here’s an update on what is coming for the USEA Area 2 Annual Meeting! We will be having Meg Kepferle, Sinead Halpin’s head groom and the new Young Rider co-Coordinator come and speak with us about taking care of horses at the four star level, going to London and the disappointment of not making the team only to finish with great success at Burghley. Dressage judge Susan Graham White will discuss what dressage judges are really looking for and a separate session on the reinvigorated Young and Future Event Horse programs (FEH and YEH). At the Annual Awards Luncheon, where we celebrate the success of members in Area 2, there will be a talk about the buzz that dominated the USEA Annual meeting – how David O’Connor is changing eventing in the United States and its effect on the youngest riders to our high performance riders. As always, there will also be the Adult Rider and Young Rider Forums as well as the Rules forum and a short Area 2 Business Meeting. There is also an organizers meeting which is open to all members of the area where we develop a fist draft of the 2014 schedule and issues of importance for organizers. We are still waiting conformation from one other speaker.

 

Don’t forget, Division Winners get to attend the Awards Luncheon for free! Registration for the Awards Luncheon for everyone else is $40. The cost of the information-packed meetings is $25 for a total cost of $65. This is half of what the registration fee was last year. If you are not sure that you will be able to attend until the last minute, on-site registration is always available, although with a nominal late fee.

 

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Julie Augustine at [email protected].

 

Registration form is at www.usea2.net

It’s that time of year.

The time to reflect on the past 12 months, and the time to look forward to the next 365 days.  It’s time to break ice in water tanks, time to break out the Carhartts, and perhaps time for a vacation.  It’s also time to start heading south.

I have no idea what the horse population is in Florida in July, but I know that it exponentially increases each winter around Christmas.  Early January is when many eventers make the trek, and this year is no different.  But– before you start getting ideas, I am not one of those fortunate ones.  Oh, I make the journey to Florida; in fact, I woke up in Ocala this morning.  But I don’t get to stay.

For my husband and I, it’s That Time of Year: the time to travel south with semi-loads of hay to provide forage for those thousands of horses invading the sunny south.  It’s Hay Selling Time.–

All summer, we’ve watched grass grow…err, well maybe not during  the monumental drought.  With much of the country suffering from the same poor growing conditions, hay will be at a premium this year– the basic economics of supply and demand.  We expected to yield about 50,000 bales; unfortunately, weather this year provided us with just about 15,000 of high-quality hay.  While we sell some locally in the central Kentucky area, much of our orchardgrass and orchard/alfalfa mix is hauled to Florida during the winter months.

So, twice a week, the truck heads south with 540-600 bales at a time.  Occasionally I tag along for the trip, to keep my husband awake and enjoy a change of scenery.  It’s a pretty easy drive, barring any snowstorms on Jellico Mountain.  Around the holidays, most of the weigh stations are closed and it’s smooth sailing.  (Of course the Florida Ag Inspection station is never closed, so no one ever think about by-passing it!  We saw them run down a U-haul van last night.)

To all whom are headed to Florida this winter– may you have safe travels and a wonderful season in 2013.  And please enjoy the hay…it was baled and delivered with care!

Is your New Year’s Resolution to lose weight?  Here’s a piece of workout equipment you might consider (or, perhaps maybe not).  Apparently horseback riding is on the hot list of healthy fitness activities in Asia; if you can’t sign up for lessons, try this little gadget.  It seems a bit similar to the flop-ular iGallop.

Caution: Video may seem a bit unsuitable for work…
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Thanks to Chelsea for the tip!

From Yvette:

Top Chef – Eventing Nation Style

My favorite January 1 Birthday Boy hamming it up during a few of his previous birthday celebrations!

Hey Eventing Nation!  It’s the last day of 2012, and while the majority of my neighbors are either a) getting pampered for a fancy-pants night on the town, b) fretting over the impending fiscal cliff, or c) hailing to the Redskins (DISCLAIMER:  As a Cleveland Browns fan, I’m just hailing the end of yet another season of pain and suffering), I’m preparing for the most important event of all…

My Thoroughbred’s “official” birthday.

This January 1, Roger Rabbit – my recently retired partner in XC crime – will be celebrating his 24^th birthday and we plan to party hard with a homemade birthday cake.  Never baked a horse cookie cake for your horse, you say?  Well, I made a little video to walk you through the joys of making your own horse cookies and cakes.   If you don’t have time to watch the video (I know, I know, it’s a bit long, but I *did* have A LOT of fun making it!), here’s the recipe:

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Batch of ~12 cookies in cupcake baking cups

In a large bowl, combine:

2 Cups Oatmeal

½ Cup Brown Sugar

½ Cup Shredded Carrots

3 Tablespoons Molasses

~1/4 cup water (to make mix stick, but not overly mushy)

Mix well, then scoop mixture into baking cups.  Mixture can be topped with additional sugar and/or a peppermint (I prefer soft mints, such as Bob’s Sweet Stripes, as they don’t melt like the Starlight version) Place baking cups on a cookie sheet and bake at 350°F for 10 – 14 minutes (until firm).  Remove from oven and let cool.  Feed to horse.  Get used to horse stalking you for cookies.

For a cake, I usually double the above recipe, and bake in an aluminum 8”x8”  baking pan.  The cakes take about 30 – 40 minutes to bake, depending on how thick you make the cake (I’d go for about an inch or less).  Since you can’t really cut the cake into slices, I recommend scooping out portions with a sweat scraper.

Happy Birthday Thoroughbreds, and Happy New Eventing Season!

You may have heard about the tragic loss of show hunter pony Humble at Devon back in May.  Rumors swirled about the pony’s death, and after a formal protest the USEF convened a hearing panel to try to investigate the issue.  Unable to obtain enough information, the panel eventually dismissed the protest.  It seemed like the issue was laid to rest, until today.

Today, The New York Times published an in-depth front-page (above the fold) article on Humble’s death and the problem of horse-show drugging.  Raising questions about the USEF’s investigative authority, the story contrasts the regulation of drugs and medication in the horse show world to the sport of horse racing (which after a scathing NYT article this spring, has continued to make strides in its D&M policies).  While its always disappointing to see equestrian sport get a black eye in mainstream media, it’s encouraging to see the issue get the attention it deserves– and hopefully some resolution.

From The New York Times:

Ms. Williams had paid thousands of dollars to lease a pony for Katie to ride in a hunter competition, a 12th birthday present. Soon after arriving, their trainer left to administer an injection to a nearby pony, Humble, that Katie’s friend, also celebrating her 12th birthday, was scheduled to ride shortly.

Moments later, with Ms. Williams and her daughter watching, Humble collapsed and died. The death of a supposedly fit pony about to carry a young rider over hurdles was worrisome by itself, but circumstances surrounding the death made it even more so.

In the three days before Humble died, he had been scheduled to receive 15 separate drug treatments, including anti-inflammatories, corticosteroids and muscle relaxants, according to his medication chart.

Click to continue reading.

The USEF has issued a response here, and a longer, more detailed letter here [PDF].

Photo by Kayla Muller

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Looking back on 2012… (with thanks to KSR for the inspiration)

NCAA Mens Basketball Champs: Wildcats

Super Bowl/World Series Champs: Giants

Rolex Winner:  William Fox-Pitt

Badminton Winner: The Weather

Rolex Grand Slam Winner: Check back in 2013

Burghley Winner: Sinead Halpin  Andrew Nicholson

Loves Boston Cremes: Rafferty’s Rules

London Marathon Winner: Wilson Kipsang

London Marathon Champion: Claire Lomas

The 47%:  Eventers who try to read the FEI Rulebook

The 99%:  Eventers who do not understand the FEI Rulebook

AAAAND She Made It: Nina Ligon becomes first female Asian and first Thai Olympic *eventer

Great Weekend for US Eventing: Rolex (Four top 5 finishers)

Lousy Weekend for US Eventing: The Olympics  (let’s just forget about that this year)

Olympic Champion: Michael Jung

Overplayed Olympic Champion: Michael Phelps

Enjoy It: Great Britain’s Dressage, Show Jumping, and Eventing Teams

Doper: Lance Armstrong

Dopey: Caring about Captain Mark Phillips’ love life

Wrath of the Titans: Andrew Nicholson vs. William Fox-Pitt

Taken 2: David O’Connor  (sorry, Canada)

The Three Stooges:  Rick Wallace, Jon Holling, and Leslie Law travel to Bromont (and go streaking)

Trouble with the Curve: Matthias Rath

As Seen On TV:  I think I piaffed in my pants

We Hope You Like Snow: Clayton Fredericks

YouTube Video We Don’t Need: more Gangnam Style

YouTube Video We DO Need: more Doug Payne helmet cams

Thank God It’s Over: Election commercials

I Wish It Would Never End: The Olympics

Blogger Contest Winner: Jenni Autry

Blogger Contest Also-Ran: Wal-Mart shoppers

And You Thought We Couldn’t Do It: Allison Springer and Arthur

Best Guest Blog On EN in 2012 (2nd Runner up):  Confessions of a First-Time Rolex Owner

Best Guest Blog On EN in 2012 (1st Runner up):  Lesley Grant Law: A Tale of Injury and Rehab

Best Guest Blog on EN in 2012:  Meg Kep: A Horse Called Tate

Losing Record: The Mayans

Year We’re Looking Forward To: 2013

Fantastic Year That Just Passed: 2012

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Happy new year, gang. Thanks for hanging with us all this year. Enjoy your last days of 2012, and we’ll see you in 2013. Go Eventing.

Horse Nation’s Leslie Wylie has put together a list of items that your horse may not truly appreciate for Christmas.  From Leslie:

6 Christmas Gifts Your Horse Would Like You To Return To SmartPak

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We hope you had a Merry Christmas! Here’s a cute holiday video from Schramm Equestrian and Evention!

On June 26th, Courtney Cooper was getting on a sales horse, and long story short, it backed up, lost its footing, and flipped over on top of her.  She was diagnosed with multiple fractures and was looking at a 2-3 month recovery.  Unfortunately, ten days later she was back in the hospital with pulmonary embolisms (blood clots in my lungs), which meant a very lengthy time out of the saddle.  Now, at Christmas, Courtney is beginning to ride again.  We wish her all the best as she gets back in the saddle!

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From Courtney’s  C Square Farm Blog:

Christmas 2012 has finally arrived and with it my wait to ride is over….

I was grazing one of the horses today and talking to a friend who had stopped by to watch “the first Rides back” and she asked me to remember everything…it seems a very long time ago, and I have a bunch of people to thank for keeping my spirits up.  They know who they are, they have called, or emailed, or texted or simply kept me in their thoughts, and to all of you, I am forever grateful.

Who’s a Star (Tag) and R Star (Hope) had the chore of being the first ones…I was a little awkward, and a bit unbalanced, but we got back into the groove quickly.  I really look forward to what the year will bring with my two “stars.”

Back in the Saddle on Tag

On Christmas Eve, we learned that Hope was the Silver Stirrup Preliminary Champion for the country with only 6 months of competing, which was unexpected and exciting.  She is a wonderful girl, and I hope we can fulfill all of her promise

Tag and I look to pick up where we left off, and then I have a few new ones in the wings.

I hope the Holidays found you and yours happy and enjoying each other, and that the Season brings you health, wealth, healing, love and laughter.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, and Happy Riding!

Courtney

From Lauren:

Your Weekly “Why Does My OTTB (insert weird quirk here)?” Q&A

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The world did not end (Well-played, Mayans,  you got us) and Christmas is TODAY.  2013 is upon us in just seven short day.  Oh my, how the times flies!  I hope Santa makes is through the mud to my house tonight (and to yours as well!) but until then, I have a few new answers to the scant few questions I received this week.  I’ll give you guys a pass since it’s the holiday season but, come January, I expect for those questions to start rolling in!  Grab a glass of Eggnog and a Christmas cookie from Santa’s plate and enjoy the second to last OTTB Q&A of 2012.

Sir Albert Earl is my OTTB. He is a winner of $10,060 in 10 races, has never received a Dressage score worse than a 32, and is really just an absolute saint.  The one thing he does NOT do, however, is tie. If he senses that he is restrained to something solid, he will pull back and then take off, and RUN…as in FAR away.  But if you just drop his rope, at least in the barn, he will stand for ever.  What gives? (contributed by an EN reader Rebecca Marjean McIntyre)

I have discussed tying here before but it is worth noting a few things again. ALL racehorses tie.  Honestly, every single, solitary racehorse that I have ever dealt with has eventually learned to tie on a single rope to a solid wall in a stall.  Obviously, racehorses are not tied in the shed rows of racing barns because of the high traffic volume.  But they do learn to tie in their stalls, often for hours at a time to be tacked and bandaged at the very least.  What Al may be confused about, however, is the sturdiness of his tether.  Most stall ties incorporate some degree of stretchiness.  Actual bungee cords can be dangerous because, if they do break, they are prone to snap back with a great amount of force than can often injure equine eyes sometimes even to the point of removal.  Stall ties are more commonly made of tire-type rubber, very dense elastic, or some combination of the two.  Examples can be seen here:Stall Tie #1 and Stall Tie #2. So my suggestion is this: if trying to convince Al to reliably tie, start with an enclosed area such as standard 12×12 stall and with a stall tie similar to the ones above.  Beginning with just a minute or so, give Al a reward when he stands quietly tied and begin increasing the time as it becomes a boring, every-day activity.  It may simply be that, when tied to something that does not stretch, he feels just a bit too trapped or restricted.  Good luck!

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Do Thoroughbred breeders ever geld and save (by freezing) the newly minted gelding’s “goods”? For instance, if he has outstanding bloodlines but gelding would most likely enhance his performance? If they do store it for later, is there a way to access it if the TB is no longer owned by the original owners who may have done this or a way to know? (contributed by EN reader Heather D) 

The Thoroughbred breed registry (The Jockey Club) requires that all foals be conceived via live cover.  This policy is in place to preserve the integrity and “blue blooded-ness” of the breed as a whole.  Because of this, semen is not routinely frozen.  In the HIGHLY UNLIKELY event that artificial insemination (or cloning, for that matter) becomes accredited in the Thoroughbred breed, there are probably a few breeders out there with frozen semen lying in wait.  It is really very unheard of, though, for breeders to preserve any genetic material after gelding a horse (in fact, it would need to be collected prior to the actually gelding if we’re going to start splitting hairs).

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What are the whip cues racehorses are taught for racing? I did not get my OTTB, Sparrow, directly from the track but I have noticed a couple of times that, while not thinking or knowingly doing so, I have cued some interesting moves while either just switching my dressage whip from side to side or moving my crop while jumping. I have only ever seen racing on TV and via movies and a couple of times watching the broadcast of the Derby. I notice that they use the whip behind the saddle, but I have also seen them flick the whip by their heads. Hopefully, in asking this, I can save others from accidentally cueing the “Yeehaw, Let’s GO!” button!  (contributed by EN reader Heather D)

Whip cues vary widely from rider to rider, stable to stable, and jockey to jockey.  There are also an extensive set of regulations in place that dictate when and where and how many time a jockey is permitted to hit a horse during a race and what kind of whipping implement can be used.  Of course, I can’t find a link to the actual rulebook (which vary state to state) right now but if you want any additional information on this, contact me privately and I can provide further details.  As far as specific cues go, however, “showing” a horse the whip near his or her face is a common tactic of encouragement prior to actually hitting the horse or between flurries of swats.  This has become an even more common practice with the new regulations.  Unless a racehorse is “blowing the turn”, or bearing inward or outward on the track and in danger of impeding another horse’s progress, racehorses are not routinely hit on their shoulders during races. During training, I often carry a whip at the shoulder to rhythmically tap (literally, just a light flick of the wrist) a lazy horse but it is often not something I have to do for an extended period of time.  They usually get with the program pretty quickly.  During races, horses are hit behind the saddle in rhythm with their stride and are often his both left and right handed to discourage the horse from drifting one way or another away from the whip.  When training, I only hit a horse behind the saddle during a breeze and even then only a lazy horse.  As is their reputation, Thoroughbred racehorses do not often need a significant amount of encouragement to go forward.  I do find that I must be cautious when switching my whip over on OTTB’s but it is something, that if done with regularity during schooling, will become par for the course in short order.  Good luck and hold on tight!

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I do hope that some of my answers to the questions above been enlightening and even a little laughter-inducing.  I encourage you (PLEASE! Even if you think they are stupid questions!) to send any further, horse-specific or general-knowledge questions to me via email ([email protected]) for more in-depth and on-point answer.  The EN response has been great and I look forward to fielding more thought-provoking questions each week!  Go Eventing, go gallop a former racehorse, and have a very Happy Holidays!

Tips for Eventers Living in Itty-Bitty Apartments in the City:  Gift Wrapping 101

Has your horse been acting ungrateful this holiday season?  Get your revenge by making him/her pose for your own “Awkward Family Photo” in matching Santa hats.  And yes, I was stoked to find red and black Santa hats, thankyouverymuch.

(Photo Courtesy of GRC Photo)

Merry Christmas, Eventing Nation!  I’ve traded in my itty-bitty apartment in the city for a few days of serving as my parents’ personal IT slave visiting my parents in Ohio.  Knowing that this holiday trip will keep me out of the saddle for a few days, several people have inquired as to whether I might have to resort to some of my infamous Wal-Mart training to keep in shape.  Well, dear readers, while I did not pack my vest, armband, or helmet in my suitcase, do know that the water here in Cleveland can make even the most rational individuals do some wacky things (and I’m not one of those rational individuals on a good day, so…you do the paint by numbers).  I’m also thinking it might be a viable method for distracting the crowds while trying to cash in on some after Christmas deals…

Last week, I gave you some tips regarding gift ideas that might not fly with your non-horse acquaintances.  I’m happy to say that I managed to break only one of those rules (I’ll let you guys guess which one, but do know that we Segers pride ourselves on our crude humor).  But you know what drives me batty about Christmas?  (this is when you ask, “What?”)  I’ll tell you – I spend all this time finding the perfect gift, but it’s still not enough.  As much as you might want to just hand over the shopping bag with the goods minutes after arriving home from the store, apparently that’s just socially unacceptable this time of year (note:  I’m totally fine with that, should you ever be inclined to buy me something).  No, you have to find a box, line it with color-coordinated tissue paper (is it just me, or do you all destroy the tissue paper before it even gets near the box/bag too?), and then wrap the box with paper that is never the proper width or length for the aforementioned box in a manner that doesn’t require an entire role of scotch tape (or an entire bottle of Scotch, for that matter).  You might even feel compelled to add a bow or some ribbons (great additions if you would like to clean up cat puke later!).

Those who know me realize that I’m an extremely detail-oriented person.  That horse with the 37 hunter-style braids at the event?  That pair at the events sporting the perfectly color-coordinated XC shirt, helmet cover, saddle pad, and brushing boots?  The idiot who poses with her horse in matching red and black Santa hats for her holiday card?  Yeah, that’s me.  But wrapping gifts?  Psshhhh…I’d rather clean the lacings of 30 bridles with toothpicks.  Which leads me to this week’s tip.

Tip for Eventers Living in Itty-Bity Apartments in the City #21:

If you hate holiday gift wrapping as much as I do, I recommend that you imagine that the gift item is a horse’s leg.  I’ve discovered that this method results in presents that are wrapped without distinct pressure points, tidily finished edges, and no random lumps or bulges of ill-fitted wrapping paper (not to mention I get it done a heck of a lot faster than if I consider the present to be, uh…a box with a sweatshirt in it).  Do note, however, that while I recommend imagining the gift is a horse’s leg, it is strongly suggested that you not actually use bandaging materials for wrapping, as many non-horsey gift recipients may not appreciate your “skills” with Vetrap and/or duct tape.  Also note that most presents that fit under the average family tree don’t need to be poulticed.

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From Trish & Mike Ryan:

We hope you have enjoyed all our videos this year and we look forward to making many more next year.
Here is a last short round up video of the last year, with all the highs and lows, which make our sport of Eventing so exciting and great to be part of.

Hope You have a Happy Christmas and a fantastic New Year!!!

Trish & Mike

Three years ago this was my first-ever post on Eventing Nation.  I hope you enjoy it again this holiday season!  Merry Christmas from all of us here at EN.

Photo by Mandy Smith

An Eventer’s Letter To Santa:

Dear Santa,

I’ve been really good this year.  I’ve been doing all the things my trainer tells me to do, even if I do feel like a pretzel sometimes.  I read the USEA Rulebook, or at least the good parts (those diagrams in the Appendix are works of art!).  I tell my horse I love him every day, even though I really don’t love him when he dumps me in the water, or drops a shoulder at monsters in the bushes, or bolts like a giraffe as soon as we enter at A.  I’ve been practicing really hard driving the truck and trailer, and I only got stuck twice and haven’t even jack-knifed this season!  I know I’m on the Nice list this year, because if I was on the Naughty list I would have killed the cat for peeing on my white fullseats.  The vet said he will live for sure, though perhaps with a slight limp.

I know the economic times are tough this year, and the EPA is all over you for your reindeer’s methane expulsion, but I just thought I’d mail you this letter in case you could send a couple things my way.  I didn’t know your email, or twitter, and I couldn’t find your facebook page to stalk you, so I hope this old-fashioned postal method still works.

1.  A Charles Owen GR8 Helmet.  Everybody who’s anybody is wearing them nowadays, and they just scream “I’M WINNING ROLEX.”  I hear they fit well, too, but I hope it doesn’t mess up my hair.  I do need a new helmet this year, since my old one isn’t quite round anymore, after that incident with the wild turkeys.  Who knew they could fly?  My horse sure didn’t.  Maybe I should add saddle-tite to this list, just in case.

2.  New Studs.  I know I asked for these last year, and I thank you for them.  But, you see, I lost more of them again this summer.  They’re always disappearing, you know, like socks.  Never a matching pair to be found.

3.  A sheepskin pad.  My horse says his back would feel sooo much better and he’d never buck me off again if he could wear a yummy fuzzy soft dead sheep under his saddle.  And it looks cool.

4.  A New Stock Tie.  Unfortunately, I was unable to get the bloodstain out, and it’s a bit unsightly.  I tried Oxyclean and everything, it just doesn’t work anymore without Billy Mays.  Note to self: don’t jump up the neck, don’t jump up the neck, don’t jump up the neck…perhaps I should have this phrase embroidered on the collar?

5.  A 5-point Breastplate.  My perfectly custom-made, expensive French saddle just doesn’t quite look “finished” enough with a hunting breastplate.  This new-fangled strap design will allow my horse complete freedom of his limbs, hopefully compensating for my awkwardness.  And it would be nice to securely anchor my seat to the horse’s chest, in case we end up lost in the Himalayas.  Can’t be too prepared, it’s all about safety, you know.

6.  Clarification for FEI Rules.  I don’t know whats up with them in Switzerland– maybe it’s the yodeling, or the chocolate, or the cheese, but they can’t seem to form simple sentences that make any sense.  They’re confusing the heck out of all of us, and even the USEF can’t read the tea leaves.  Does Rosetta Stone make a “Learn to Speak FEI” program?  Can I get one of those?  Or perhaps an “FEI-to-English” iPhone App?  (2012)

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Thanks again Santa, I hope these things aren’t too much to ask.  Thanks very much for the new US Eventing Coach, that was a super gift.  Please enjoy your milk and apple slices–I left ten pieces, so you can also share with the deer.  I had made some tasty chocolate chip cookies, but the dog got on the table and cleaned your plate.  He’s on the Naughty list, don’t leave him anything.

Merry Christmas!

Sinead and Tate, the only pair named to the "Global" list, that currently possess the ability to win anywhere in the world. Photo by Samantha Clark.

The USEF Eventing  High Performance Spring Training Lists for the 2013 season have just been released.  Riders have been teasing us on facebook and Twitter for the past few hours, so we’ve had a few leaks about who might have made it.  The lists have been redesigned for 2013 and this is a targeted approach to identify talented horse/rider combinations for future championship teams.

The Global Talent and World Class combinations will be participating in training sessions with Chef d’Equipe David O’Connor in Aiken, South Carolina, Gilroy and Temecula, California, or Ocala, Florida. These combinations will also receive training allowances for individual coaching.

National Listed combinations will be invited to participate in training sessions when time is available. Additionally, combinations on all three lists will have continuous access to coaching by O’Connor throughout the season.

Global Talent

Combinations that currently possess the ability to win anywhere in the world

Sinead Halpin (Oldwick, NJ) and Carraig, LLC’s Manoir de Carneville
Manoir de Carneville is a 2000 Selle Francais gelding

World Class

Combinations that currently possess the ability to be competitive anywhere in the world

Jennie Brannigan (West Grove, PA) and Nina Gardner’s Cambalda
–Cambalda is a 2002 Thoroughbred cross gelding

Hannah Sue Burnett (The Plains, VA) and Jacqueline Mars’ Harbour Pilot
–Harbour Pilot is a 2003 Irish Sport Horse gelding

Buck Davidson (Unionville, PA) and Sherrie Martin’s The Apprentice
–The Apprentice is a 2004 Irish Sport Horse gelding

Phillip Dutton (West Grove, PA) and Bruce Duchossois’ Mighty Nice
–Mighty Nice is a 2004 Irish Sport Horse gelding

Will Faudree (Hoffman, NC) and Jennifer Mosing’s Andromaque
–Andromaque is a 2001 Irish Thoroughbred mare

Becky Holder (Palmetto, Ga) and Phil and Melissa Town and Tom Holder’s Can’t Fire Me
–Can’t Fire Me is a 1999 Thoroughbred gelding

Jonathan Holling (Ocala, FL) and Constance Ann Holling’s Downtown Harrison
–Downtown Harrison is a 2004 Trakehner/Thoroughbred gelding

Marilyn Little (Frederick, MD) and Raylyn Farms and Phoebe and Michael Manders’ RF Smoke on the Water
–RF Smoke on the Water is a 2005 Wurttemberger gelding

Marilyn Little (Frederick, MD) and Raylyn Farms and Team Demeter’s RF Demeter
–RF Demeter is a 2002 Oldenburg mare

Boyd Martin (Cochranville, PA) and Trading Aces, LLC’s Trading Aces
–Trading Aces is a 2004 Irish Sport Horse gelding

Clark Montgomery (Wiltshire, UK) and Jessica Montgomery’s Universe
–Universe is a 2001 Dutch Warmblood gelding

Kristi Nunnink (Auburn, CA) and her own R-Star
–R-Star is a 2001 Holsteiner mare

Michael Pollard (Dalton, GA) and Nathalie Pollard’s Schoensgreen Hanni
–Schoensgreen Hanni is a 2001 German Sport Horse mare

Allison Springer (Upperville, VA) and her own and the Arthur Syndicate’s Arthur
–Arthur is a 1999 Irish Sport Horse Cross gelding

National List

Combinations that are currently competitive in domestic international-level competition, and who the USEF Selection Committee feel have the future potential to be competitive anywhere in the world

Laine Ashker (Richmond, VA) and her own Anthony Patch
–Anthony Patch is a 1999 Thoroughbred gelding

Susan Beebee (Southern Pines, NC) and her own Wolf
–Wolf is a 2003 Dutch Warmblood gelding

Emily Beshear (Somerset, VA) and Deep Purple Eventing’s Here’s to You
–Here’s to You is a 2000 Thoroughbred gelding

Tiana Coudray (Ojai, CA) and Jatial LLC’s Ringwood Magister
–Ringwood Magister is a 2001 Irish Sport Horse gelding

Buck Davidson (Unionville, PA) and Carl and Cassandra Segal’s Park Trader
–Park Trader is a 2002 Irish Thoroughbred gelding

Bea di Grazia (Carmel Valley, CA) and her own Lad’s Night Out
–Lad’s Night Out is a 2000 Irish Sport Horse/ Thoroughbred gelding

Phillip Dutton (West Grove, PA) and Team Rebecca, LLC’s Fernhill Eagle
–Fernhill Eagle is a 2000 Irish Sport Horse gelding

Boyd Martin (Cochranville, PA) and Colin Davidson and Lucy Lie’s Cracker Jack
–Cracker Jack is a 2003 Thoroughbred gelding

Boyd Martin (Cochranville, PA) and Stephen Blauner’s Master Frisky
–Master Frisky is a 2004 Irish Sport Horse gelding

Boyd Martin (Cochranville, PA) and Neville Bardos Syndicate’s Neville Bardos
–Neville Bardos is a 1999 Thoroughbred gelding

Clark Montgomery (Wiltshire, UK) and Jessica Montgomery, Kathryn Kraft and Bill and Holly Becker’s Loughan Glen
–Loughan Glen is a 2003 Irish Sport Horse gelding

Doug Payne (Pottersville, NJ) and Larry and Amelia Ross’ and his own Crown Talisman
–Crown Talisman is a 2003 Holsteiner/Thoroughbred gelding

Holly Payne (Gladstone, NJ) and Bethann Groblewski’s Santino                       
–Santino is a 2003 Thoroughbred gelding

Erin Sylvester (Unionville, PA) and her own No Boundaries
–No Boundaries is a 2000 Thoroughbred/Dutch Warmblood gelding

Jolie Wentworth (Crockett, CA) and Tracy Bowman’s Good Knight
–Good Knight is a 2002 Canadian Sport Horse gelding

The Developing Rider/Eventing 25 List was named December 14, to learn more about the program and the 2013 combinations visit: www.usefnetwork.com/

The following dates and locations have been determined for the 2013 Winter Training Sessions

(subject to change)

• January 21-24 at Flying Tail Farms at Red Fox Farm in Gilroy, CA (in conjunction with the 2013 Developing Rider/Eventing 25 session)
• February 2-3 at Headley Stud in Berkshire, UK
• February 6-8 at Meredyth South in Ocala, FL
• February 12-14 at Stable View Farm in Aiken, SC
• February 20-21 at Flying Tail Farms in Gilroy, CA
• February 26-27 at Stable View Farm in Aiken, SC
• March 4-5 at Meredyth South in Ocala, FL
• March 18-19 at Stable View Farm in Aiken, SC
• March 26-27 at Galway Downs in Temecula, CA

The owners of these facilities have kindly donated their use for these training sessions. More details about the training sessions will be available shortly.

For more information, please visit the USEF High Performance Eventing page:http://www.usef.org/or contact Joanie Morris, USEF Managing Director of Eventing at [email protected].

Meet Patches, a horse who loves car rides, fetches beer, and sleeps in bed!

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Formerly known as Rich and Creamy, now known as "Aero"

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Thanks to all participants in the Rich and Creamy naming contest!  By popular vote, my 3-year-old OTTB is now known as “Aero.”  Ah, the nickname possibilities: Aero-smith, Aero-nautic, Aero-space, Aero-dynamic….  Many thanks to commenter Emma Williams (ejw) for the suggestion– to redeem your prize, Emma, please send an email to [email protected].  We hope you enjoy your $125 gift certificate from Tack of the Day!

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Don’t forget to visit www.tackoftheday.com every weekday at 12 noon when two new products are posted. You can even sign up for daily reminder emails so you don’t even have to think about when the products change!

And now you can save EVEN MORE with TackoftheDay TOO! Just click the ‘TOO tab on the main TackoftheDay.com page for more chances to save every day. TackoftheDay TOO goodies may be encore productions of TOTD (that’s slang for TackoftheDay.com) items, but more often than not, ‘TOO will feature cool things you’ve not seen before. It’s so worth the extra click!

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When you hear “horse boarding,” you probably think of horses being kept in a stable.  But Horse Boarding is also a sport: like ski-joring, but with an all-terrain skateboard towed by a galloping horse.  Why didn’t we think of this when we were kids??  (Though I’m glad we didn’t, I’m sure an ER visit would have resulted!)

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As seen on Horse Nation:

In My Boots: Mule-tide carols

Sleigh riding was once the staple of American transportation; now it’s a unique sight. Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Mass., held an antique sleigh rally with drivers and historical sleds from all over the New England region.

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Here’s another fun sleigh video, from a combined test rally at GMHA.  Unfortunately, embedding was disabled for this video, so you’ll have to go to Youtube to watch it.  It’s worth the click, though!

At the beginning of the month, we challenged readers to decorate your halls & stalls with fabulous equestrian holiday décor and send us a photo. The grand prize winner will receive a free month’s supply of SmartPaks valued up to $75, and the runner up will receive a free month’s supply of SmartPaks valued up to $50!  We’ve chosen the top 5 photos for you to vote on.  Now it’s your turn to decide the winner!

Thanks to all who participated and filled your barns with holiday cheer!  And thanks to our sponsor SmartPak for making the season a little bit more merry!

1. Aislinn Duke

Here is a picture of my Levi’s stall decorated!

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2. Caitie Brown

It’s a pretty poor photo, but here’s my Christmas photo all the way from cold Canada! 

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3. Margaux McBirney

This is our Moutain View Equestrian barn, in Sandpoint Idaho, decorated by Grace (12), Margo (17) and Ailsa (14). We had a great time!

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4. Kait Schultz

Each horse and boarder has a stocking that’s the big blob of red at the end, we just have to keep it out of the horses reach due to the style of the barn.

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5. Melinda Mueller

Crafty Eventer!  I found a new way to recycle my SmartPak containers this year.  Our wreath is made of used SmartPak containers.  Now I don’t have to worry about the animals eating it, although licking could be a problem.

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What’s your wish? SmartPak is not only proud to power healthy horses and happy riders, but hopes to help make their holiday wishes come true. Make sure to visit SmartPak.com today to start your wish list!

EN blogger finalist Yvette Seger is back with more Tips for Eventers Living in Itty-Bitty Apartments in the City.  Yvette will always be remembered for the famous Insane Walmart Ride, and we welcome her contributions to Eventing Nation.

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From Yvette:

Tips for Eventers Living in Itty Bitty Apartments in the City:  The Holiday Gift Giving Edition

What do you get an FEI Steward/U.S. Pony Clubs Activities Director who has everything?  Why, his own bobblehead (complete with judges box), of course!  Wayne Quarles and “Lil’ Wayne” pose with Secret Santa Erin Woodall at the USPC Headquarters in Lexington, KY.  Note to competitors:  If you ever need to lodge an inquiry at a competition at which Wayne is officiating – request to speak to the bobblehead…rumor has it that he can only nod “yes.” (Photos courtesy of Erin Woodall)

Hey Eventing Nation!  Well…I’m happy to report that I survived the first wave of holiday parties this past weekend without any major gaffes that I can remember.  I was particularly happy that I didn’t intentionally make any of my coworkers’ children cry at a get together hosted by my boss, nor did I find the contents of my office stuffed in boxes and placed on the curb near the building dumpster Monday morning, so I’m going to say the score is Yvette – 2, Holiday Parties – 0.  To Wednesday’s annual Office Potluck, I have only two words – BRING IT!

Unfortunately, while I seem to be managing in the non-horsey/work people social scene, I have one teensy problem…It’s December 18, and I’m still in denial about that fact that there’s like a massive holiday in a week.  Christmas shopping?  Pssh…So behind.  Holiday cards?  Yeah, whatever.  But with my trip home to the Mother Land (okay, Cleveland) around the corner, and no siblings to help fill the gaps under the Seger Festivus Pole, I guess I’d better get my butt in gear…

While Tori, Ali, and Jenni have all reported on their ideas for great holiday gifts for the horsey set in previous posts (here, here, and here, respectively), I thought that for this week’s tip, I should provide a little awareness of some equestrian-themed gifts that might not resonate well with non-horsey friends and family members, so here it goes…

Tips for Eventers Living in Itty-Bitty Apartments in the City #20:

While your non-horsey friends may appreciate that the majority of your holiday wish list can be fulfilled at the local tack shop, eventers need to remember that their non-riding friends may not appreciate (and may even resent) horse themed gifts.  Gifts that may fail include:

Framed Photos of You and Tonto:  I’m guilty of this one every year, and this year will most likely be no different.  Although Mom and Dad still pretend to be excited about the new 8 x 10” glossies of me and the beasties launching over a cool XC fence every year, I’m sure they’re probably wishing that I’d just leave the display image that comes with the frame in it so that they can pretend we’re a normal family.  Or at least have a picture of someone who isn’t wearing a helmet.

Outfits for them…in your XC Colors:  I’ll admit it – I’m one of those annoying riders who insists that EVERYTHING be color coordinated…including members of my posse, hence the matching bright red “Team Rabbit” baseball caps and t-shirts of Christmas a few years ago.  But, with Roger retired, I’m thinking it’s time for some new Super Pony-centric duds.  (Mom…Dad…I know you’re reading this, so just pretend to be excited).

A Big Bucket of Peppermints:  This gift fails for two reasons.  First (and most importantly), the recipient will think you are making a not-so-veiled statement about his or her breath.  Second, unless they REALLY love peppermints, this gift will reek of “gas station bouquet” syndrome – you know, the “oh crap, I forgot to buy you a gift, so I stopped by the barn to grab my pony’s bucket of peppermints – aren’t they festive?” Yeah…no.  Disguising it as a gift to help the recipient and your horse “bond” will also fail. This also applies to horse cookies, but I do know a few weirdos who do, in fact, eat horse cookies.

And last but not least…

Anti-Monkey Butt Powder:  Really?  Do you need/want me to expand on this? Does the phrase “HR Nightmare” resonate with you?  Therefore, I suggest that you make like Nancy Reagan and just say no.

From Lauren:

Your Weekly “Why Does My OTTB (insert weird quirk here)?” Q&A

I have traded Kentucky rain for Colorado snow this week in a brief venture to do some Pentathlon training at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.  Now here I sit in the Denver airport, actually EARLY for a flight for once.  Shocking, really. We are t-minus FOUR days from the fabled Mayan end of the world and, assuming we survive that, only EIGHT days away from Christmas.  Make sure those stockings are hung from the stall doors with care, grab a Gingerbread donut from Krispy Kreme, and if you are reading this from out West, great ready for some killer POW this week on the slopes and enjoy another OTTB installment.

So Roscoe has always had sensitive skin.  He never really seems to react to weather, moisture, stress, or anything like that.  It was treated well with baby oil, MTG, and conditioning, and good by the end of the summer.  Unfortunately, it has been returning the past month.  I’m ready to deal with it, got my battery of skin care at hand, and he was clipped today (woo hoo nakey pony!).  The woman who did the clipping today said that it’s highly possible that the drugs he may have been given on the track are now causing his skin afflictions.  She seemed knowledgeable (certainly was faster than me with the clippers) and was an assistant trainer on the track.  She said she’s seen lots of ex-racehorses with bad skin that is often years later side effects from track meds.  With his history of being sold at Keeneland and racing for a few years, she said it was highly possible.  Do you think there’s any merit to this?  Also, any other suggestions for the gross butt skin??  Thanks again! (contributed by an EN reader Rebecca Tanis )

“Drugs” on the track is a pretty broad area of influence.  Medications of all kinds from illegal to homeopathic to effective to ridiculous are all used on racetracks all over the world….just as they are in show barns in every corner of the globe.  While the 1990’s bore witness to what was perhaps the most medication-riddled time in racing in terms of pharmaceutical effectiveness and availability, many policies have been put in place to limit the “drugs” that racehorses can be administered, the time frames they can be given,  and strides have been made to restrict and in some cases eliminate many of the medications, especially on race days, that racehorses can be “pumped full of.”  Most tracks in the US now have a zero tolerance steroid policy (eliminating medications such as Winstrol and Equipoise, just to name two).  These bans were primarily enacted circa 2008 and, just this year, the prohibition of Furosemide (brand name: Lasix/Salix) in two-year-old races at the Breeders Cup was realized.  So please know that just because a horse has “raced for a few years” or “been sold at Keeneland” does not mean that they have experienced any sort of unscrupulous treatment, especially relating to medication.  To give you an idea of what treatments a typical racehorse that runs in the allowance/claiming ranks will experience when racing, most horses have fluids run (just like upper level event horses do before and after XC) and those fluids may contain a vitamin mixture (often B12) and sometimes an analgesic or anti-inflammatory compound depending on the expected surface of the track and the comfort level of the horse.  The treatment of graded stakes horses typically varies widely but often errs on the conservative side and the treatment of cheap horses in low-level claiming races often reflects their value.  With all of this being said, it is very, very common for racehorses to experience a sort of “crash” during their transition to the showing or pleasure life and even the most basic supplements and feeding regiments that racehorses experience on the track, when practiced or given for long periods of time, can encourage a dependence that will result in withdrawal and loss of condition upon the cessation of these regiments.  To answer your question directly, I have experienced many skin problems with Thoroughbreds (especially the gray variety!) but I attribute these afflictions to the individual more than their handling on the track.  When breeding an animal for athletic ability, there are simply going to be certain traits that are just overlooked and de-emphasized in the breeding process and skin quality (as well as hoof quality in a large number of cases) is one of those things.   It is my personal opinion that racetrack medication is not directly responsible for your horses skin problems.  It is certainly possible that your horse may have a slightly diminished immune system from being a racehorse.  This can be caused by medication but is more directly related to the carefully controlled conditions of the racetrack life.  Racehorses are well-vaccinated in many cases and every single racetrack is obsessed with the control of infectious disease, as they should be.  It’s sort of like throwing a 10 year old kid who has been homeschooled throughout elementary school into a germ-filled middle school full of snotty nosed brats with poor hygiene.  While this is an extreme example, hopefully it conveys the message that the adjustment for OTTB’s to a herd lifestyle can really take a toll on their immune systems and this toll can be seen in the most pesky ways including a prevalence of skin funk.  It might be advisable to do some routine blood work on Roscoe just to rule out white blood cell count that is out of whack or other indicators of immune system issues.  As far as treatment options, I find prevention to be the key in heading off a raging skin funk.  With susceptible horses, I thoroughly bathe them, often with an iodine or anti-microbial shampoo, and blanket them with a clean blanket that has been freshly laundered at the first hint of wet, nasty weather.  Keep in mind that microbes can exist on your horses apparel items for quite a long time and that clean pads, blankets, coolers, towels, and sheets are a must in preventing recurring skin funk.  Also, Micro-Tek anti-fungal spray has been a fur-saver for me for spot treatment on minor outbreaks!  Good luck and I hope Roscoe is fungus-free in no time!

What considerations are made for when a male racing horse is gelded? We have one who acts like he was gelded late (who knows). He was never a huge stakes winner, but he won a few races and made a touch of money but not breeding material? (contributed by EN reader Adam Barb) 

Gelding is a huge point of contention on the racetrack.  Many owners, afflicted with delusions of grandeur, are often hell bent against gelding their “Kentucky Derby/Breeders Cup/Claiming Crown” winner.  It is frustrating but it is a fact of the industry.  It is also worth noting that many male trainers seemed opposed to gelding horses without due cause, just on principle.  Lacking a set of cojones myself, I cannot empathize but it does seem to be a legitimate motivating factor in some cases.  In my barn, if he doesn’t appear to be the next coming of Secretariat or Man O’ War, he will be a gelding in short order.  Usually before ever even working a half.  This is a because life as a stallion is a lonely, isolated, difficult existence that, for a herd animal, is akin to solitary imprisonment.  The chief motivating factors for gelding, aside from providing a bright future, are that large testicles (as MOST horses have) often inhibit hind end movement (getting squished between thighs while running is obviously uncomfortable to them and they will usually let their rider know immediately with bouts of resistance, sour behavior, and a funny way of going behind), stallions often lack the ‘focus’ that most geldings exhibit with their minds on the mares next to them (though of course there are exceptions to every rule), and they are generally less tractable and most prone to injure themselves in creative and ridiculous ways with their raging hormones driving them onward.  I have ridden many nice stallions and almost all of the young male Thoroughbreds that I start under saddle are intact colts.  I have no personal aversion to them but I recommend to almost every one of my owners that their geld their colts as soon as possible for the betterment of everyone involved.

What would you say the difference is between a free OTTB and one the trainer’s asking for money for? Quality? Need to move the horse out? etc. etc.??  (contributed by EN reader Beate Schwirtlich)

Nothing in life is free!  The “free horses” that I have acquired have all required various levels of investment from the insignificant to the major.  However, many, many factors effect a trainers decision to move a horse on to another career and the price is often affected accordingly.  If a racetrack is closing for the season, the fewer horses a trainer has to ship the better.  If a horse is taking up a stall and not running well and the trainer has 10 babies at the farm that could all be his next big champion, expect a cheap horse.  If a horse is obviously sore, expect a bottom basement price but vet it very, very thoroughly.  Be advised the most concerning of free horses are the ones with behavior issues that make them difficult or impossible to race and may not be apparent until you are are their back 30 minutes from the nearest human being.  Screen all OTTB’s both physically and psychologically before taking on a new project, either for free or for a price.

I do hope that some of my answers to the questions above been enlightening and even a little laughter-inducing.  I encourage you (PLEASE! Even if you think they are stupid questions!) to send any further, horse-specific or general-knowledge questions to me via email ([email protected]) for more in-depth and on-point answer.  The EN response has been great and I look forward to fielding more thought-provoking questions each week!  Go Eventing and go gallop a former racehorse!