Photo via tylerhoff
The seasons tend to blur together in an world with eventing every weekend of the year. The spring and summer have flown by–as hard as it is to imagine, the only remaining 4* events on the calendar this year are Pau and Adelaide. But it’s impossible not to notice autumn’s arrival here in the eastern United States. The scorching heat of summer has left just as quickly as it came and we are left with chilly mornings and the rain of autumn. Personally, I love the crispness and beauty of autumn. More importantly, autumn has come just in time for a weekend on a beautiful but shadeless hill in Georgia during the AECs. Highs are expected in the low 80’s over the weekend in Chattahoochee Hills, which is just southwest of Atlanta. Let’s hope that forecast holds because, as usual, I have forgotten to make hotel arrangements of any sort.
Now for a few eventing news and notes, or at least a few news and notes…
–The Huntingdon Valley Pony Club starter horse trials ran over the past couple days, held at Buck’s Country Horse Park in Revere, Pennsylvania. The starter trials is a prelude to the USEA event held this coming weekend. [Results, BCHP]
–Caroline Powell’s veteran Lenamore has broken the record for career British Eventing points behind his impressive performance at Burghley. He has racked up 2,203 career points and has just passed Spring Along for the all-time most points. I haven’t heard any word on whether Caroline is planning on targeting the Olympics, but she told the Horse and Hound “He’ll have a really good holiday and we’ll get him in with next year in mind and just see what happens.” [H&H]
—Today in donkeys being used for war: “Street-smart donkeys have played a crucial role in helping Libyan rebels gain the upper hand in their fight against Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.” [Horsetalk]
–Let’s talk about tennis. Have you been watching the US Open? Beyond my love of tennis and all things Roger Federer (Nadal is evil, and a sissy), I can’t help but notice the broad base of non-tennis corporate event sponsors that the sport has achieved. Mercedes-Benz, American Experss, Heineken, Polo Ralph Lauren, and Evian are just a few of the sponsors plastered throughout the venue and all over the television during the matches. Tennis is certainly more popular than eventing, but both sports share many of the same qualities that are important to big international companies including a high relative average income of the participants, consistent top personalities, and tremendous excitement for the fans. As opposed to tennis, only a few major non-equestrian companies have made big commitments to eventing on an international and year-round level. The three that pop into my mind first are Land Rover, Rolex, and HSBC, although I am sure there are a few others. We are going to get to see the Land Rover Experience demos at the AECs and, although I think it’s a bit odd to drive a car that will never once see a creek in its post-purchase life over a man-made teeter totter, Land Rover is obviously having success marketing to eventers and I hope other companies are taking notice. At some point tennis was just as small as eventing and attracting major non-tennis corporate support is one of the keys that has allowed them to grow into a major sport.
–If you are tired of hearing stories about pregnant women trying to break into racetracks and falling through the ceiling, skip this paragraph. A woman was arrested at Turf Paradise racetrack in Phoenix, Arizona after she became tangled in wires and fell through the ceiling. Apparently she was trying to climb between the ceiling tiles to bypass the security door of the money room. The woman was five months pregnant. The security guard who found her described her language as “colorful.” She had two accomplices who were later caught and one can only wonder how the pregnant woman got the job of climbing through the ceiling. The three were reportedly trying to steal money to buy new tires for their vehicle. [Fox Phoenix via Paulick Report]
–It’s great to see EN friend and guest blogger Holly Hudspeth back in action after giving birth to Hailey Hudspeth over the summer. Holly writes about juggling life as a new parent, coach, and competitor in her latest blog entry. Holly finished 5th in the Open Novice on Hailey’s Comet this weekend. [Holly’s blog]
–Sinead Halpin takes a look back at Burghley in her latest Chronicle blog. [COTH]
—Congratulations to Sally Stetson for winning our Burghley Cavalor contest. Sally was one of only two entrants out of over 100 who picked Parklane Hawk to win. Sally wins a $200 gift certificate from our friends at Cavalor, which she can use to buy a selection of Cavalor’s fantastic feeds, supplements, and horse care products.
—Best of the Blogs: Comedic eventing is AEC bound
I’ll leave you with this video about horses in North Philly, via CH:
That’s all I’ve got, folks. Stay tuned throughout the day for your eventing news, commentary, and ridiculousness. As always, wherever you might be, thanks for making Eventing Nation part of your day. Stay classy EN.
