The adorable Valerie Ashker with the equally adorable homebred, “Flecks On Fleek”! Photo via Valerie’s FB.
The worst thing about winter has got to be night check. I’m lucky enough to have monsters that are delighted to be out all night every night during the temperate seasons, but in the winter, they stay in the barn overnight, which is just depressing. After a long day of work, I’m so excited to get back into my cozy house, take a shower, and pretty much refuse to move for hours at a time. Then 8-9 rolls around, and I have to spend at least 45 minutes convincing myself to re-layer everything and venture back out into the cold. This might be the most first world problem of all time, but you guys feel me, right?
U.S. Weekend Preview:
Ocala Winter I H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times]
News From Around the Globe:
Got the RRP fever? If you’re diving head first into the world of TB retraining, first off, welcome! Second off, it’s a complicated but rewarding process, so make sure you get all the info you can. The USEA has a great series right now featuring several OTTB specialists, who are excellent at finding and retraining the ex-racehorses for careers in Eventing. This week’s episode comes from Kelly Williams, and speaks to the process of finding the right one, knowing how much to push him/her, and knowing what kind of training techniques appeal to the Thoroughbred mind. [Re-Training Your OTTB for Success in Eventing]
If you’re heading to Badminton this spring, why not dye your horse bright pink. That’s exactly what Emma Hyslop did with her four-star mount Waldo III (Wally). Dying the normally white Wally the color of pink candy floss is aimed at raising her social media presence, and in turn awareness for breast cancer. However, Wally does compete early in February in Italy, and it’s doubtful that all his dye will have disappeared by then. Does the FEI have rules on rainbow colored horses?? [Badminton Bound Pink Horse]
The USEF is pleased to announce the continuation of the Eventing Frangible Technology Grant Program. Organizers of USEF-licensed eventing competitions may apply for a grant to supplement the use of frangible devices. Organizers of USEF eventing competitions offering divisions at the Preliminary level and above, taking place during the 2016 USEF competition year, may request frangible devices by completing a Frangible Technology Grant Program Request. Allocations of frangible devices, worth up to $500, will be awarded per property. The deadline to apply for the 2016 competition season is November 1, 2016. [Apply for a Frangible Pin Today]
Best of Blogs: Like The Kids Say, by Lauren Sprieser
Hot on Horse Nation: Clydesdale Photobombs Girl
Competition season is upon us, so isn’t it time you gave yourself a little treat for 2016? Treat yo’ self with these adorable and high quality blingy spur straps! With just enough sparkle to give yourself a little flair, but not so much that you blind the dressage judge when you pass C, these spur straps will give you a little extra spring in your step. We all know that confidence is half the game, and sometimes it’s just fun to sparkle a little! [SmartPak Product of the Day]
P-Dutty breaks down some jumping skillz:
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