Just Ingrid Klimke on vacation with Pferdesafari in South Africa. Photo courtesy of Pferdesafari FB.
Today it FINALLY stopped raining! Oh my goodness was I glad to see the sun. Nothing like a little winter weather to really make you appreciate even a windy day in the 50’s, just because you’ve been through half a week of dreary rain. Virginia is known for it’s dramatic seasons, and while we don’t have snow (yet), it’s still pretty miserable when the sun isn’t shining. And then, of course, there is the resulting mud, in which both of my horses decided it was a great idea to lose shoes. At least they timed it on the same day so the farrier wasn’t too grumpy?
News From Around the Globe:
Winter coping strategies: how do you do it? For most riders, we’re now facing several months of cold, wet, yucky weather combined with muddy hairy horses and a general lack of motivation to keep going out there and working for it. You can deal with this in a number of ways. You can pull their shoes and say, ‘See ya later!’. You can get an indoor. You can get creative. Take it from a Vermonter (Denny Emerson) there are ways to keep yourself busy! [Winter Coping Strategies]
Sadly, yesterday the world lost champion racehorse Shared Belief to colic. While he was immediately attended to with emergency colic surgery, the veterinarians were unable to save him. With a near perfect race record, winning 10 of 12 starts including five grade one races and an Eclipse award, Shared Belief was a magnificent animal. A brilliant two, three, and four year old on the track, the gelding was looking forward to many years of competitive glory until his untimely end. [RIP Shared Belief]
The Organizing Committee of the Cloud Eleven Gavilan North LLC Carolina International is pleased to announce that the 2016 competition will be held in memory of Karen Stives. While honoring the legacy of the Olympic gold and silver medalist, the Carolina International will feature newly designed cross country tracks by renowned designer Ian Stark and will once again award unprecedented prize money across all divisions. Karen had a deep impact on the sport of eventing as a whole, but specifically enjoyed benefitting Carolina International, and giving her support to the event as she watched younger generations succeed. [Carolina International]
Is your horse soft and supple to ride, or stiff and braced? Why is it, for either of these situations? Too often, we think only about what is in front of our eyes, in terms of “softening the poll” or flexing the neck one way or another, but we forget that the body position of the horse is the result of the entire body, as well as the mind. Excellent horseman Neil Davies writes, “When your horse feels light and supple, it’s the physical result of him being confident and relaxed and trying his hardest for you. A horse that’s light and supple feels the slightest signal and always tries to work out what’s wanted.” [Supple or Stiff]
Maybe you’re looking for an overseas adventure? Caroline Powell is looking for a new member of her team! The position includes pay and onsite accommodation. “Ability to use common sense and initiative more important than experience”. Also, must love grey horses. [Caroline Powell Eventing]
Best of Blogs: Bravery is Learned, Practice Your Guts
The Santa Anita Handicap, featuring Shared Belief, and everybody else:
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