The muck heap at Pratoni! Photo courtesy of Jackie Potts Equestrians Services FB.
I know everyone is excited about the World Championships this week, but can we spare a moment of silent reverence for this muck heap contraption at Pratoni? Jackie Potts posted a video of the action and honestly I was so excited about the future of horse shows. Can we bring this technology to the US so I can stop dealing with horrendous terrifying muck heaps at competitions? This nifty little gadget takes your poo on an elevator ride up and away into the tidy bin in blue, making all your poo pile dreams come true.
Want more Pratoni news? Head over to our Ultimate Guide to FEI World Championships for Eventing, and be sure to sign up for the #Pratoni2022 Daily Digest email, which will be delivered straight to your inbox each day through Sunday, September 18.
FEI World Championships for Eventing: [Website] [Definite Entries] [FEI TV] [ EN’s Ultimate Guide ] [EN’s Form Guide] [Timing & Scoring] [Daily Digest Email] [EN’s Coverage]
U.S. Weekend Preview
Aspen Farm H.T. (Yelm, WA): [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]
The Event at Skyline (Mount Pleasant, UT): [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Scoring]
Flying Cross Farm H.T. (Goshen, KY): [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]
Marlborough H.T. (Upper Marlboro, MD): [Website] [Entry Status]
Otter Creek Fall H.T. (Wheeler, WI): [Website] [Scoring] [Volunteer]
Stone Gate Farm H.T. (Hanoverton, OH): [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]
Tryon Fall H.T. (Mill Spring, NC): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Unionville H.T. (Unionville, PA): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Major International Events
Blenheim Palace International (Oxfordshire, England): [Website] [Schedule] [Entry Status] [Timing & Scoring] [Live Stream]
News From Around the Globe:
The long-awaited 2022 FEI Eventing World Championships are just days away and horse and rider pairs from all over the country are settling in and getting the lay of the land at the beautiful Pratoni del Vivaro in Rome, Italy. The host site, which will also host the 2022 FEI Driving World Championships, was the venue for eventing at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome as well as the site for the cross-country competition at the FEI World Equestrian Games in 1998. [Fast Facts of Pratoni]
“Teamwork makes the dream work” has become a popular caption on social media feeds of athletes from all disciplines. This phrase seems particularly relevant for those in the eventing world. While the spotlight might shine on a single horse and rider combination during the heat of competition, every event rider understands theirs to be a fundamentally team sport, dependent on the efforts and skillsets of grooms, barn managers, trainers, working students, and often a wide array of friends and family, without whom the strains of competition, training, and travel would not be sustainable. But what exactly goes into the “work” that holds together a team for the long haul? One trainer who seems to have cracked the code for building a cohesive and enduring team is Fylicia Barr. [Making the Dream Work with Fylicia Barr Eventing]
Carrot stretches may seem outdated but they’re highly useful for improving performance. Not only can you as the rider use carrot stretches to learn more about their body, but your trainer can see how they react when bending both ways, and how it effects their performance under saddle. Your equine physio, saddle fitter, and vet can also learn plenty from applying carrot stretches. [Understanding Horse Performance]
One of the ways you can help your horse recover from a strenuous workout, such as a gallop or jump school, is to apply a liniment, brace or cooling gel to his legs and/or any large muscles that might be sore. This helps promote circulation which, in turn, reduces swelling in tendons, ligaments, muscles and other soft tissues. But there is a right way to apply liniment, and a wrong way. [How to Apply Liniment]
