The Final Round Blogger Contest entries are in–and in a twist of seminal intrigue, we’re offering you the opportunity to weigh in on each article before we declare a victor.
Their Final Round Assignment: Two basic requirements for every post on Eventing Nation: words and visuals. You’ve proven you’re capable of the words bit; now we need to know you’ve got an eye for aesthetics. Your Final Round eventing-related article, themed “Insanity in the Middle,” must be at least 200 words (there’s no word limit) and visually enhanced–the more creatively, the better–with at least one photo you’ve taken, or diagram you’ve created, or video you’ve shot, etc. We stress that access to expensive camera equipment is unnecessary; see Wylie’s FEI pictograms for proof that imagination, at least in the context of this assignment, will be your most invaluable asset. Words and visuals will be judged 50/50 on the same basis as previous entries (Interesting, Funny, Informative, Creative).
Here’s Jenni Autry’s final installment (for Jenni’s previous entries, see Round 1, Round 2). To read the previously posted installments of Yvette Seger click here, Lauren Nethery click here, and Emily Daignault click here. Entries are presented unedited for fairness’ sake.
Now that all four Final Round entries are posted, you see what a difficult decision we have to make. Thanks for your hard work, Jenni, and thanks as always for reading, Eventing Nation. Please leave feedback in the comments section–we’ll make our final decision and announce the Second Annual EN Blogger Contest victor soon.
__________
Bio: Jenni Autry is a 26-year-old eventer from Mechanicsburg, Pa., who has worked in the journalism industry for nearly five years. She has written for Pennsylvania Equestrian since starting her career, interviewing wonderful horsemen and horsewomen (and horses!) like Jessica Ransehousen, Lizzy Traband, Silva Martin, Boyd Martin, Hope Hand and Smarty Jones. The story she wrote on the Memorial Day fire at Boyd Martin’s barn took second place in its category at the 2011 American Horse Publications Awards. A graduate C-2 Pony Clubber, she hopes to one day adopt an off-the-track Thoroughbred through CANTER and train it for eventing.
Entry:
I would like to apologize in advance to Michelangelo; I could not pass up the chance to exploit David’s nekidness. Photo credit to yours truly, taken illegally at the Accademia Gallery in Florence, Italy, last October.
DRD4. It’s what scientists call the thrill-seeking gene, one that can make us more predisposed to jump out of airplanes, drive racecars or gallop at 550 meters per minute over a cross-country course. Interestingly, the DRD4 gene can also make us more prone to gambling addictions and promiscuity, but that’s beside the point. Consider the possibility that eventers — collectively known as thrill-seeking junkies — are designed for this sport, not just in their athletic abilities or their personalities, but down to their very genes.
The prevalence of the DRD4 gene in eventers would certainly offer a logical explanation for the looks of confusion and sometimes terror on the faces of our non-horsey friends when we explain to them what eventing is, and that we do this for fun. While the concept of strapping on a safety vest — complete with CO2 canister — seems insane to the outside world, there’s few things we enjoy more than a good gallop around a cross-country course. To those who are lucky enough to compete on a regular basis, eventing is a way of life. We adrenaline junkies need an outlet into which we can channel our thrill-seeking ways, lest we spiral downward into destructive behavior.
Scientists are quick to note that DRD4-gene carriers are more prone to criminal activity and drug addictions, among other illegal pursuits. It’s entirely possible that without eventing as an adrenaline outlet, we might all engage in questionable behavior. Without eventing, Jon Holling’s infamous streaking episode might not merely be a way to celebrate a win, but a regular way to spend a Friday night. Let’s face it. Eventing isn’t just a sport. It may just be the savior of the civilized world, ensuring we keep our DRD4 genes firmly in check and clothing securely on our bodies — Bromont streaking incidents notwithstanding. Insanity in the middle, indeed.
