Become an Eventing Nation BloggerHow about some smiles from www.icanhascheezburger.com?
I would not recommend trying this at home…but it is a nice party trick.
see more Lolcats and funny pictures
Baby camel plays with a horse
see more Lolcats and funny pictures
see more Lolcats and funny pictures
Steuart Pittman is well-known for his remarkable Thoroughbred eventing stallion, Salute the Truth. I had the pleasure of meeting Steuart at an Area VIII young rider clinic several years ago, and still remember that dressage lesson well. He has a great knack for working with riders on all types of horses, but he has a special love for Thoroughbreds. The following announcement was sent to the EN mailbox, and we are happy to pass it on. I’m excited to see where the program will go, and thankful for such a great resource for OTTBs. Go eventing and go Thoroughbreds!
The Retired Racehorse Training Project
The Retired Racehorse Training Project (RRTP) is a charitable organization whose mission is to increase demand for Thoroughbred ex-racehorses through public education and promotion.
The group was founded by Steuart Pittman, an event rider who operates Dodon Farm in Maryland and stands the Thoroughbred eventing stallion Salute the Truth.
The website includes a Trainer Directory of professionals who work with ex-racehorses; a Sources For Horses listing of non-profit placement groups, farms, racetracks, and classifieds; and a Bloodline Brag where everyone can enter their ex-racehorse with pedigree, competition record, and assessment of characteristics. It can be found online at www.retiredracehorsetraining.org.
In addition to the Trainer Challenge, the RRTP plans clinics, symposia, online educational resources, and an Apprenticeship Program for aspiring professional trainers who can demonstrate outstanding riding skills.
The Retired Racehorse Trainer Challenge
The Trainer Challenge brings three professional sport horse trainers together with three horses who know nothing but what they learned at the tracks. The horses and riders will meet for the first time at the Maryland Horse World Expo on January 21 and 22 in Timonium. Riders will take their horses home for five weeks, chronicling their training progress through blogs and video on the RRTP website. Then Saturday, February 25 the trainers and horses will appear at the Pennsylvania Horse World Expo in Harrisburg to demonstrate to the crowd what they have accomplished. It should be a terrific educational opportunity for all who work with OTTBs.
Contact: Steuart Pittman
[email protected]
410-507-3351
Retired Racehorse Training Project
440 Dodon Road, Davidsonville, MD 21035
www.retiredracehorsetraining.org
Link to full press release [HERE]
Here’s the latest installment in our “Parent’s Perspective” series, this week written by Katie Graham. As mother of advanced rider Fiona Allen (nee Graham) now living in North Carolina, and PC Volunteer (Eventing Organizer at Champs this year in KY) Katie has a lot to share after 15 years as parent, watching Fiona grow up Eventing in California.
If you have a story to share, please send it to [email protected], with “PARENT” in the title.
Metamorphosis
Child + Pony = cute. See the picture of Fiona Allen (nee Graham) on Cinnamon.
Parent: Notice we managed a helmet and boots, but the swimsuit and skirt are kind of novel!
Child: Fast forward a year or two and you have a happy child and happy pony going to Pony Club camp.
Parent: Takes one look at the required equipment and asks, “We need what?”
Child: learns dressage test at camp, walks over planks on the ground in a field, and steers between standards in the SJ arena.
Parent: Asks, “What did she just do? Three Day Eventing?”
Child: Takes a Jimmy Wofford clinic and learns to stop her horse before jumping over Jimmy.
Parent: We might need TWO saddles?
Child: Asks for a Point Two Air Jacket as a graduation present.
Parent: “Are you kidding?” But once I saw the videos, we each have one!
Child: Passes her A Traditional in Pony Club
Parent: First DC, RS and then USPC Eventing Chair. How did I become an event organizer? Not only in California but at the VA Horse Park and The KY Horse Park 2011 with 277 competitors and 56 teams. Wow! What a privilege.
Child: Advance Level Eventing on Darren Chiachia’s Power Ty in 2007, wins T3D at Twin Rivers 2010 and come third at Bromont CIC* 2011.
Parent: Robert Kellerhouse teaches me the difference between CIC and a CCI. Realize that the 3 hour trip to an event is simply a jaunt. Now we go Montana, East coast AND to Canada.
Child: The whole point about being 8 – 18 is you run around doing stupid stuff and you learn from it!
Parents: often don’t let their kids fall down. Kids lose their resiliency if you don’t let them make mistakes. For an excellent article on Teens and Resilience: How we’re depriving teens of a sense of purpose Go to http://www.paloaltoonline.com/
Go Evening and learn from it!
Photo from Shadowraine
The EN chinchillas would like to remind you… FREE STUFF is still the best thing to get this Christmas!
Due to popular demand, our Point Two holiday contest date is extended until THURSDAY (12/14) at midnight (12:00 EST). These new air vests aren’t cheap, and you could win one for free, all you have to do is (safely) humiliate an equine creature with some sort of holiday decoration. We’ve had some cute and clever entries so far… you’ve got three more days to get some tinsel on that pony and send us a pic! [Read contest info here]
How about a new pair of boots for your horse, to go along with a Point Two air vest? The Kentucky Horsewear contest is underway until Dec. 19. Faux horses is the theme…stick horses, fluffy stuffed animals, be creative to earn a pair of Kentucky Horsewear boots of your choice. [Kentucky Horsewear Contest]
Happy Holidays!
When Buck isn’t busy driving a mini, he’s probably pursuing his quest to take over the world dominate the USEA leaderboard, as seen in this video by the magnificent Buzzterbrown.
Meg introduced herself yesterday as a new writer for EN. Here is her first entry…
My current flavor of the week is most definitely FLORIDA-PREP. Or as I like to refer to it as : GLORY-Da.
This is my third winter as a pro-groom heading south, and my second trip to Ocala. For those of you fortunate enough to send your horses, work with horses, or ride the horses going to Florida for the winter I am sure you are just as excited as I am. I have started making budgets, and itemizing saddle pads, labeling hoofpicks, making baby sarah scrub the trailer with toothbrushes, stalking my farriers, and bribing my hay guys. Sarah and I go shopping for all the best deals on lightweight riding attire and SPF 900, as Sinead makes the competition calendar and pays the bills. Its like the typical family life..???
If this is your first year going south – it is very easy to be overwhelmed with the task at hand. Where do I live? Where do the horses live? Who will I train with? What do you mean I need coggins to get across Florida’s border?
There is a lot to consider when uprooting for one, two, three, even four months. Every year we get a little bit wiser, but as event riders we know how hard it is – especially financially – to go south. Where I wish I had the answers on how to be as much of a baller in Ocala and Aiken as you can be in your own hometown – I can offer some suggestions on how to be better prepared.
I am going to stop there because most people just skim over the blogs that are long. (Be honest!) I know that is really only scratching the surface – but it should get the ball rolling in those smart little brains of yours. Going south is most definitely a privilege, and I am very lucky to be a part of the process. Aside from the great availability of training, riding, and eventing – there is a great sense of camaraderie and a very present, very healthy sense of competition always lingering in that warm, Florida air. (or that less-warm south Carolinian air)
So good luck to all those packing up their lives and heading south this winter – and good riddance to the snow! I am very much looking forward to our trip – SHE leaves on January 3rd with a rig full of babies, training horses, a show jumper, and one very talented chestnut. Bring it on 2012!
Ps: I am super excited to be writing for EN. I am very open to all suggestions and comments…except for the negative ones.
Pps: if I do stop by your barn in Ocala, I really like landshark as my summer -in-winter beer. Or if you are really cool, I will take Black Sheep Ale brewed in North Yorkshire, UK.
We love reader/tipster mail here at EN. This was sent to us by Julie:
Hello Eventing Nation!
While these are not “recent” photos of Buck, they have always made me laugh, and seemed relevant since Buck is going to be crowned the new overall points leader in US eventing. Never thought anyone would ever catch Phillip, I’m not sure how many years he’s been “King”–and always by a large margin!
The photos are actually from the summer of 2006, during my 2 years as Buck’s Groom/Barn Manager/Bookkeeper/Business Manager/Babysitter/etc/etc. Much like his father, it is amazing how he can ride any horse (proven by him catch riding a mare at Rolex 2005 and finishing as Top Mare – trust me dealing with a nervous rider Saturday morning at Rolex is challenging enough, but the morning before their first competitive XC ride with said horse–crazy!). So this is photographic evidence of Buck meeting his match with this stubborn mini named Horatio who is owned by Buck’s long time groom Kathleen Blauth. Just so not to give Buck too much of a hard time, I included the picture where he actually figured out Horatio’s buttons!
Thanks for such a wonderful website that keeps me in touch with the Eventing World while I hibernate here in my native Nova Scotia, Canada (it’s a small province North East of Maine – and trust me, you’d be surprised the number of Americans who would then ask me where “Maine” was!)
Also congrats to Buck’s owners who are also being recognized with horses on the top of the USEA leaderboards as well. Buck’s long time supporters Carl and Cassie Segal were actually the connection to this random Canadian girl getting the job at Buck’s barn – I started working on their farm exercising some horses, including a young My Boy Bobby and I groomed for him at his first CCI* and several others. There are a lot more juicer stories from my many, many hours on the road with the BDJ team, but I’m saving that for a tell all book in my retirement which I will write with Casey McKissock!
Thanks,
Julie
You may remember Meg from her chronicles of Sinead and Tate at Burghley. We are excited to announce that she is planning to be a regular contributor here at EN. The chinchillas are just hoping she will take them along to Florida.
—-
After months of stalking and begging John to let me write on EN…crying to him on the phone, bombarding him with cry faces in texts, emails, and even letting my tears drop onto an A4 page only to fold it up and send it via the post – has he finally granted me permission to be a weekly staple here on the ever-great EN. My first step towards world domination is complete. Just remember ladies, with enough tears – any male will eventually crumble.
I kid, I kid.
I mean, Dad never DID buy me that pony.. and I still seem to get speeding tickets so…
Back to the task at hand: impressing my new-ish audience with my witty words and underlying life lessons. EN asked me what my “thing” was going to be – what it was I would write about. Never have I felt so much pressure, that is since 5th grade when my best friend and I were the closing act of the talent show. An act where we did a dressage test on stick horses wearing jodphurs and velvet hunt caps (yes that is my big head in the picture from ’95 with my bff and our trusty steeds). Or so they told us we were going to be the closing act, but much to our dismay – as we did our final halt salute (simultaneously, because clearly we were both doing our freestyles at the same time) they hooked us off the stage and the cute 5th grade boys with the long hair and blue braces set up their awesome drum set and guitars and proceeded to sing a horribly squeaky version of some #1 record from Green Day’s Dookie album bringing the audience to their feet, audience in full ovation. I digress.
I definitely don’t want to commit myself to any one topic – I am a commitment phobic by nature – so I think I am going to keep my options open because you never know when something better is going to come along….
————
Welcome to the crew, Meg. Stay tuned tomorrow for Meg’s first official entry: Glory-da, or how eventers prepare for a winter season in Florida.
The odd, the ignorant, and the bizarre, with enough typos and grammar errors to make this site seem articulate. Has to be Craigslist!
 |
 |
*******
Heaven help the horse who is traded for that furniture. I would rarely sit upon it either!
*******
Nice Lil mare. I started longing her and she is doing good. Just needs some more work on her. I don’t got time to fool wit her. Aqua registered. Clean coggins U can pick up all 4 feet and brush her I really like the Lil colt but don’t have the time to finish her Text for more info / pictures. 985-515-****.
P.s. Dats not no white spot on her hip.
*******
I don’t know what “dat” is either. Are Aqua-registered horses trans-gendered?
*******
 |
 |
*******
Call it whatever you want (I’d call it an ugly pinto pegasus) but I still don’t think it’s worth $10,000!
*******
Here’s another Craigslist ad just sent to us from loyal reader Marjean:
PURPLE HALTER FOR SALE. PONY SIZED
I have a used bright purple pony halter for sale. Adjustable and in fairly good condition. A pony will be included with the halter. I currently call this pony “Juicy” although he goes by many other names as well, depending on my mood and his behavior. This pony is just waiting to become someone’s little dream pony. This 12.2 hand, 7 yr old pony is fantastic, if you are into the type of equine that is is constantly invading your space/vehicle, etc. He believes he needs to be everywhere you need to be, especially when food is present. He is in great shape, if you consider round a shape. He never met a horse trailer he didn’t like and climbs in them every chance he gets, whereupon he immediately puts his feet up on the manger so he can look out the window. He made it halfway in the back of my car the other day before I noticed and sped off. He LOVES little kids, especially little kids with treats. He will eat them. (the kids, not the treats) Just kidding. This pony has been worked over 2’6″ jumps and lunged over 3’3″ jumps. However, he likes jumping my 4 ft. pasture gates the best. He could absolutely be someone (else’s) dream pony. He’s very affectionate, both with people(especially women) and horses(especially mares). This little guy is the neighborhood gigolo. By affectionate, I mean he will have no issue invading your personal space/private parts, if you know what I mean. He sticks his nose wherever he wants. With mares, he is lucky he is quick because he will mount mares, even the ones who have “a headache.” He is not at all discriminating, although I’ve noticed he likes the fuller figured gals. His absolute favorite is mounting a mare while a woman is on the mare. Ask my friend Lisa, I’m sure she considered that a good time. And when rejected? You can see that he is clearly thinking that the female is merely playing hard to get. This just makes him more determined. This porky little guy very much thinks that he’s got what the ladies want, even if they don’t know it yet. He reminds me of the little guy at the bar who hits on everybody, whom you practically have to blow an air horn in his face to get rid of. This pony has been on television, which probably adds to his ego trip. He could be the perfect little dream pony(for someone else). He walks/trots/canters/jumps, takes trips to the mailbox and to check the waters, goes trail riding, swims, poses on stripper poles(ask me), tests your trailer floor weight limits, tests your trailer emergency walk through doors, taste tests anything and everything, steals food from blind horses, tried to mount my dog(it is a big dog), stands tied patiently to the swing set while my son swings, loves to roll in the sand box, allows little kids to mount him from lawn chairs, buckets, swingsets, clubhouses, ladders, gates, side of the trailer and anywhere else, pulls little kids on sleds in the snow, tries to decapitate adults by running them under arena railings, and so much more. Did I mention that he could be the perfect little dream pony(for someone else)? “Juicy” is also a fantastic workout companion. I think I’ve lost at least 15 lbs since I’ve had him. I’ve never run so much in my life, either after him or from him. Though his little flabby butt cheeks closely resemble two pigs fighting under a blanket, he got me in wonderful shape. I firmly believe he’s a dream pony (someone’s else’s dream, that is). Call me if you want a used purple halter and are a glutton for punishment. 734-218-****
Larry, a 30-inch miniature horse, won the 2010 Miniature Horse Championships in jumping by clearing a course of 41-inch fences… that’s 3’5″, or almost preliminary level height!
The video shows several minis, some aren’t quite as successful as others. Their athleticism is remarkable, not to mention CUTE!
‘Tis the season for clinics! Our trusty email inbox delivered a lovely clinic report from Christina Reiter. Christina attended a Selena O’Hanlon clinic held at Arbrook Farm in Ferrisburg, Vermont home of the well-known Area 1 eventer John Bourgoin. Photos are used with permission from Sofie Van Olmen and Christina Reiter. Thanks Christina!
Selena O’Hanlon Clinic Report
The first thing that we noticed was that one could definitely tell Selena is Canadian. Or is that part polar bear? While most of us ‘hardy’ eventers, gathered in the freezing cold morning, were huddling under layers of polar fleece and down, Selena casually set fences sans gloves, popped in and out of her jacket, and seemed quite impervious to the frosty morning.
The frozen peanut gallery–Kathleen Carrara, Susan Merle-Smith, Samantha Simms, Ali Brainard, Isabella Carrara, and Dorothy van Gerbig.
Selena sans gloves, light fleece, funny hat
In the frozen north, a.k.a. Area 1, competition season has been over for quite a while so eventers in the Burlington area of Vermont jumped (no pun intended) at a chance to clinic in Arbrook Farm’s indoor arena with one of Canada’s finest riders. Fresh off her time with Mark Todd (jealous much?!) Selena set up some Chinese pole torture
The groups ranged from beginner novice to preliminary but the basic exercises and lines remained much the same for all. Every group started over a small vertical with placing rails on either side. Selena has an eagle eye and this, the simplest of exercises, allowed her to ream
Dallas Mack on Nanners balancing her wineglass
Next up was a set of canter poles set in a fan in one corner of the arena, five poles total. Once all the horses could move through and maintain their line in the middle of each pole, the center three poles were raised just 6 inches off the ground to create a tiny double bounce.
Shelby Hanlon on Cash and Roll
Once the poles were raised the emphasis remained on maintaining a line through the middle of the poles.
A horse in the middle–Samantha Simms on Simba
A horse NOT in the middle (It’s ok. I can say it since that’s me)–Christina Reiter on Our Mind
As Selena pointed out, for those of us who are forced inside for the winter, you’ll notice that the horses start sticking to the wall and this work certainly remedies that problem (among many others). One horse–who may or may not have had the most experience in the groups–demonstrated the phenomenon by joyously rubbing his rider against the wall a few times.
From the bounces we moved on to a serpentine exercise. Two verticals were set up so a three-loop serpentine was ridden across the arena with a finishing line of a shallower serpentine down the length of the arena. The final line consisted of a placing rail, cross-rail, one stride, oxer combo to an offset rail on the ground to a finishing vertical (a skinny one for the prelim group). See diagram A below because it’s kinda hard to explain.
Over the oxer–Dorothy van Gerbig and Tabasco Lad
Again, precision was key and much of the emphasis was on maintaining a line through the middle of each element. Achieving turns early to allow for plenty of straight strides became key here. The rail on the ground was supposed to set us up for a nice flying change halfway through the line but only two riders achieved that feat throughout the entire day (insert red face here, hat tip to John Bourgoin and Amy Wright).
Finally one more line (vertical, 4 or 5 strides to an oxer, to another vertical) was added and all the elements were put together. It seemed that no matter the level, the basic problems remained the same, changing only in the degree.
Selena really loves to count the rhythm and encouraged all of us to do likewise. To one participant she encouraged listening to “the rhythm of the grid”–explaining that after you have run through an exercise a couple of times you should be able to hear whether the horses hoof-beats are falling correctly.
Selena also encouraged many of us to steer more with the “V” of our thighs–a technique that was particularly handy when in the shallow serpentine line. We all know in theory that we need to steer with our legs rather than solely relying on our hands but this was a new presentation of that idea for many of us and one that created concrete results.
In the final line–Isabella Carrara and Cleo
Riding a spooky horse through the final line, gosh that peanut gallery is scary! Sofie Van Olmen on Watson’s Waldo
Everyone had a grand time and went away with plenty of “homework.” Many thanks to John Bourgoin, Arbrook Farm, and Selena O’Hanlon for a wonderful day! Thanks for reading, GO EVENTING!
Happy Participant–Lauren
Diagram A
In compiling the results of the 2011 EN Census, we found many supportive parents of eventers. Which made us think: we would love to hear from you! We certainly wouldn’t be where we are today without our wonderful moms and dads. It would be great to share the Parent’s Perspective here on Eventing Nation. If you have thoughts or experiences to share, please send them to [email protected] with “Parent” in the title.
Today’s submission is from Cathy Morris.
Heather & Tami
Hi Guys,
I always thought there would be a good story here someday. My daughter, Heather Morris and her bff Tami Smith grew up riding together and training together at Spring Creek Training Centre, Kim Scheid, in Winchester, CA. Kim was tough on the girls…made them ride all the tough horses and mean ponies. The girls ye-hawed all over the hills behind our house and more than once I’d see riderless horses coming up the driveway…girls sprinting soon after.
Down the road we’d go with old two-horse trailer and camper to Ram Tap, Woodside, Napa, etc. for shows. Usually something didn’t work in that dang camper and we’d all end up washing hair, etc. in cold water in horse buckets and the plastic kiddie pool made a great bath tub. I have always considered Tam my “other kid.”
Up the levels they went experiencing all the horse heartaches, injuries, falls…you name it, it probably happened. But that’s your training ground, your basis for this sport. Tam sort of flew the coop for a while, got married and had Kaylawna her beautiful daughter, got divorced and came back to eventing. In the mean time Heather was still trucking along, did her first full phase event in Flagstaff, AZ…no coach, just me and her trying to not forget anything important. Dr. Kent Allan and Brian Sabo looked in on us in the 10 minute box, thank God, but all was good. She landed 4th as I recall.
Heather received a full ride equestrian scholarship to Fresno State and got to take her horse Rebel Express. That lasted three years until Mike Huber asked her to be his full-time assistant and off to Texas she went. She and Rebel competed at her first Rolex in 2004 but had to retire after xc due to a heart condition. She trotted him up Sunday morning and he passed and she then retired him and he is out to pasture. Tami married her current, most wonderful man in the world, husband and had Tyler, now about seven years old. She started Nextlevel eventing here in So Calif. and is doing quite well.
Through the years these two have always kept in touch and helped each other when the call went out. Tam was at Rolex last year for Heather and Heather went to Boekelo for Tam this year and they wouldn’t have it any other way. They both plan to be riding at Rolex next spring and that will be a proud moment for this Mom. Riding for “the team” has always been a goal of theirs but whatever happens in the future will just be icing on the cake. They are both winners and special friends.
~Cathy Morris
**Edit since this email was first received: **
And, as usual in the horse world, Tami and her horse no longer plan to do Rolex in April but Heather plans on taking both her guys, First Mark & Slate River (soundness and the creek don’t rise and all that) and Tam will be there for her for sure. Tam & her horse had quite the wreck at Galway (he slid into a ditch, feet up and was stuck) and she decided right then that he is not a 4* guy…so it goes ‘life in the horse lane!’
Thanks! — Cathy
A Kentucky Wildcat? My kind of clip!
It’s approaching wintertime (or deep in season, for those to the North) which means it’s necessary to de-robe your horse of his primitive yakness and alleviate overheating problems. This ritual is known as body clipping…the process of creating a wholly- or partially-naked horse and thereby replacing that hair onto yourself, down your shirt and into every possible crevice. Here’s a tip: don’t apply a thick layer of chapstick just before you start. Thppt thhhppt!
Of course, practical body clipping has evolved into an intricate art of expression. Why not have fun with it? Just remember: you can always take hair off, but you can’t put it back on!
Some loyal EN readers have sent us photos of their latest work. Feel free to share yours at [email protected].
Here at EN, we would like to thank our site sponsors with an extra plug for the Christmas shopping season. By supporting our sponsors, you help support us here at EN. Over the next few weeks, we will bring you special promotions and bargains for you to consider on your holiday shopping list. Thanks for reading, and Go Eventing!
Happy Holidays from Horse Quencher! Call 1-800-QUENCHS (800-783-6247) to get 20% off a twenty pound tub, the most economical way to buy Horse Quencher. (US customers only)
Horse Quencher is a proprietary blend of all natural grains and flavorings that, when added to water, make horses eagerly drink. Horse Quencher is especially helpful for travel, competitions, cold weather and illnesses, and also great to pair with electrolytes to aid in recovery after exercise.
Horse Quencher is available in single-serving packets, a 25 serving tub, and a 144 serving tub, and in four flavors: butterscotch, root beer, apple and peppermint. All flavors have been cleared as safe for competing, including FEI level. For more information about Horse Quencher, please visit www.horsequencher.com or call 888-QUENCHS.
*************
Also, don’t forget about our Point Two Christmas Contest! Entries due December 12th.
It’s December 1st (well, December 2nd in Australia) and so it must be time to bring out the Elves again. Because it Never Gets Old.
Karen, Mark, Phillip, Boyd, and Buck
Steph, Selena, Kyle, Coach David, and Chef Graeme Thom
And because WE wouldn’t leave Colleen Rutledge off the list…
No Grinches here at Eventing Nation! Once again, a great site sponsor steps up to provide a free gift for one of our loyal readers. Point Two is proud to present our 2011 Christmas Contest, giving away one of their protective air jackets.
Here’s the deal: the holiday season is quickly approaching, and we want to see your Christmas spirit. Deck the stalls, jingle bells, fa la la la la all over your horse and capture the moment. Send us a photo of your horse doing his best Tannenbaum impression; cover him in tinsel, paint his nose red, wrap him in bows…be creative, outrageous and have fun! Just be sure to thank your horse with lots of candy canes for his humiliation participation and of course be sure to be safe. Please send us a brief paragraph description of you and your horse, with your photo, to [email protected]. Entries must be received by December 14, 12:00EST. Winner will receive a free Point Two air jacket!
According to the Horse & Hound, some European countries are not happy with current qualifying procedures. No, this doesn’t concern Capt. Mark Phillips and his Magic-8 ball; this is about how countries are selected to participate in the Olympic Games equestrian disciplines.
The issue is that it seems noticeably easier for certain countries to qualify than others– namely, nations participating in the Pan American Games compared to those based in Europe and elsewhere. It’s something to think about: the diversity of world participation vs. the quality of competitors participating.
From a BBC Show Jumping article, it’s a complicated selection process. The top teams from 2010 WEG are automatically qualified. Britain is automatically included as the host nation. From there, different team competitions (European Championships, Pan Ams, etc) will qualify the additional top teams.
This wikipedia article breaks it down very nicely into table format for all three disciplines. In Eventing, here is the result:
Great Britain: host country, automatically included.
5 countries automatic bid from WEG performance: CAN, USA, NZL, GER, BEL
2 countries from European Eventing Championships: FRA, SWE
2 countries from Pan American Games: BRZ, ARG
“Pacific Rim” Championship (Blenheim): JPN
Are the best eventing nations truly represented from the above list? Is there a better way to get the best countries qualified? Or should the spirit of the Olympics be more about diverse participation instead of the world’s very best competitors? From a competition standpoint, the Olympics is usually a 3-star level xc course; compared to the 4-star championship caliber of the WEGs. But how does that figure for Dressage and Show Jumping? The FEI is planning to conduct a survey concerning this qualification issue.
Elisa Wallace and Figjam at Pine Top (Preliminary)
The final USEA event of 2011 has been completed. Congratulations to the participants at Pine Top, and I hope your weekend was as good as mine. Alas, I was not competing on horseback, but like many others (John, Coren, to name a few) I was deeply involved in my own bitter football rivalry. Unlike John, I can say I cheered for the winning team. Go Cats, the 26-year drought is over!
Full Pine Top scores from eventingscores.com. Congrats to division winners:
| Division | Phase | |||
| Rider | Horse | Score | ||
| HT-Prelim-Rider | Final Scores | Linda Dreher | Remington | 26.1 |
| HT-Preliminary-Open | Final Scores | Jimmie Schramm | Power Rule | 29.5 |
| HT-Training-Open | Final Scores | Jennifer Fox | Mettraise | 38.2 |
| HT-Training-Rider | Final Scores | Kaitlyn Schmitt | Crayola | 34.1 |
| HT-Novice-JrYR | Final Scores | Emmi Ezekiel | Stepping Stone | 26.0 |
| HT-Novice-Open | Final Scores | Amy Blunt | Little Bit of Faith | 29.5 |
| HT-Novice-Rider | Final Scores | Katie Bartz | As you Wish | 30.1 |
| HT-Beginner Novice-Open | Final Scores | Alison Kroviak | Dolce | 22.9 |
| HT-BN-Rider | Final Scores | Cheryl Ray | Midnight Starter | 25.2 |
******************
Eventing USA blog has a brief write up here.
Team Wallace enjoyed a good weekend at Pine Top. Read more at TeamWallace.org.
In compiling the results of the 2011 EN Census, we found many supportive parents of eventers. Which made us think: we would love to hear from you! We certainly wouldn’t be where we are today without our wonderful moms and dads. It would be great to share the Parent’s Perspective here on Eventing Nation. If you have thoughts or experiences to share, please send them to [email protected] with “Parent” in the title.
Photo by Amy Barbarino
Riding Through my Daughter’s Eyes
Amy Barbarino
Plum Borough, Pennsylvania
My daughter, Maddie, has been riding horses since she was 5. Not sure why she ever wanted to start riding. She wasn’t around horses…. Didn’t know anyone with a horse…. Just came home from day care asking to learn to ride. Ever since, I’ve enjoyed watching her progress to the rider she is today – gutsy, daring, loving, competitive. I LOVE IT!!! Many times I’ve found myself actually “riding” with her simply by standing on the porch at our barn watching her or standing outside when she jumps. It’s thrilling for me to watch her and the other riders at our barn do the things they do with these animals. Many times I’ve found myself holding my breath when they are jumping these jumps or racing around the grounds… hair blowing in the breeze with big smiles on their faces.
I remember “back in the day” her riding around on the barn’s school horses… Maddie in her pink boots sporting a huge smile. Well, the pink boots are gone, but her “passion” and love for her horse and trainer are unmatchable.
She’s almost 17 now, gone through a few school horses and leased ones, too. We went to a number of various shows with other horses but placement wasn’t what I knew she could do. So, in February, 2011, I was finally.. I mean FINALLY able to afford to buy her “Plenty of it Face Off”, lovingly called “Puck” an 8 year old Quarter horse that quite honestly surprised many people on his ability.
After only having Puck for a few months, her trainer suggested we take a trip to Kentucky in May to compete BN in May Daze. I’m sure a number of the readers have had the opportunity to visit and compete at the Kentucky Horse Park. The place, to me anyways, is sacred equestrian ground. The drive into the park is breathtaking and you can feel the electricity in the air.
Ok ok…back to May Daze. The team of Maddie and Puck were outstanding. First in Dressage. tied for First after Stadium, then down to a tie breaker in Cross Country which placed her in Second. This horse of hers never did up banks, water, or even had cross country experience. Watching the two of them ride over the course you could see the excitement and enjoyment they both were having. I could hear her talking to him “Come on Puck,” “What a good boy you are,” “We’re almost there,” “Come on Puck… hit the water,” and the last comment I heard before the finish line was “YESSSSSSS WE DID IT”!!!! Clear course only determined by time for placement. Needless to say both her trainer and I were in tears hugging her to pieces. I think that experience she’ll remember forever. It took that many years to finally find a horse that completed her “Team.” Maddie and Puck.
Well, the summer of 2011 came and went with other shows that Maddie and Puck competed in and did very well in. A very memorable summer for her as well as me. I truly lived through every ride, every competition, and every heart break she’s had over all these years. Good and bad. A great learning experience, yes. She’s had the opportunity to ride many horses and train with a number of great trainers, clinicians, and fellow riders that have helped her along. I can’t thank two particular trainers enough – Pamela McCready, trainer for IC Eventing and Krista Tycho-Noone, trainer of IC Dressage at our barn. Their experience and expertise has really helped Maddie grow as a good rider.
In September, 2011, Maddie had to have major ankle and foot surgery of a pre-existing condition that has her out of the saddle until December (earlier if you ask her). Sad that her season had to be cut a bit short but reflecting back on it, it was a great one.
One good thing that came out of this “time off” for Maddie is that I now have the opportunity to finally take lessons. I had only ridden a horse once in my life on my honeymoon. I can now actually experience the excitement, anticipation, and sometimes, nervousness she has had over the years. Every day I have a lesson, the day can’t go fast enough. I look forward to getting to the barn and getting on a horse. I have wanted to do this for so long and finally it’s my turn. I’ve had four (4) lessons now and I love it. I don’t think I’ll ever be as gutsy as my kiddo but at least I get to experience all the joy I hear from my friends who ride. After working in an office for eight hours, it’s a true release to get on that horse and focus on something that you love.
No, this is not a flying horseman from ESJ’s persuasion. This is Lorenzo, the God of Roman Riding. It’s not all that special…just bareback, bridleless, and controlling 8 horses at liberty in various patterns and over jumps. Yeah, I do that every day, don’t you?
Elisa Wallace and Traveling Light at Poplar Place 11/12-13 (Preliminary)
We ALL enjoy the Helmet Cam video. Some would say the craze took off with “Run Henny Run,” but it has spread among eventers all over the world, at all levels.
And now, thanks to Amazon.com, you can have your very own helmet camera for this holiday season! (Hint hint, makes a great gift!) Prices seem to range from $130 – $300+, and there are some great deals going right now. Such as the ContourHD Helmet Camera (44% off at $130), and the GoPro HD Helmet Hero ($169, saving 30%). There are many other options, depending on the features you prefer.
To current helmet camera users: what brand/model do you have, and what do you like about it? Any advice for helmet cam shoppers?
My budget may not allow for a helmet camera this year, but it’s great to see this technology becoming more affordable and accessible. Our only request here at EN– please share your videos with us!
Hat tip to COTH forum member CBudFrggy
As part of EN’s ongoing efforts to help us overcome our Thanksgiving feasting guilt:
The Thanksgiving Song by Adam Sandler (mild NSFW)
Eat Me, I’m a Turkey!
Sic ‘Em on a Chicken
Adopted from the Lexington Humane Society
It seems like every store is having a Black Friday special this year…and animal shelters are jumping on board. Shelters all across the country are having reduced adoption rates on the Friday after Thanksgiving, and some are continuing through the weekend.
The Woodford County (KY) Humane Society is adopting out all black pets for FREE on Friday. www.woodfordhumane.org
SPCA Monterey County (CA) offers reduced fees on dogs, cats, and rabbits.
Donate a toy or treat to the Kansas Humane Society and receive 20% off an adoption fee.
In Alexandria, VA the shelter is waiving adoption fees on ALL adoptable animals this Friday. Read more.
There are many more shelters offering Black Friday deals this weekend; contact your local humane society for details. Please consider offering a home to an animal this holiday season. Giving love to a shelter pet is a gift that keeps on giving.
