The Scottish highlands look a bit chilly! Photo by Skye Ross.
At this stage in my life, I’m fairly convinced that December factually passes in a time warp, because not only am I always unprepared for December 1st, but before I can hardly blink, January 1st has arrived. I think I’m caught up on my last minute gifts, minus a few that I’m praying to the USPS gods arrive before the 25th. Make sure you check out all of the wonderful sponsors for Eventing Nation when you’re finding holiday gifts for your equestrian friends!
U.S. Weekend Preview
Full Gallop Farm Jingle Bells H.T (Aiken, SC)[Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]
USEA Annual Meeting and Convention (St. Louis, MO): [Information Hub] [Schedule] [Fast Facts]
News From Around the Globe:
Bubby Upton is back in the saddle after several long months rehabbing from spinal surgery. Bubby was injured in an accident riding on the flat on August 18th of this year. She sustained multiple vertebral fractures, including a complete burst fracture of the L3 and a horizontal fracture to the L2, resulting in six hours of emergency surgery to stabilize the spine, decompress the vertebrae and fuse L3. She coordinated her horses coming back into work as she eases herself into riding again, and has just begun cantering for a few minutes. [Bubby Upton’s Update After Surgery]
Nothing gives me joy like stories from ages past when Thoroughbreds ruled the ring in hunters and jumpers. Today Diann Langer is a decade into her tenure as the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s youth jumping chef d’equipe, but back in the 1960s she was fresh out of the junior ranks and looking to move up in the world when she first met Fleet Apple. The Thoroughbred (Smart Apple—Fleetlee, Weston), owned by Kay Love, got his start in Utah, first on the track, then over fences, then made his way to California. He had scope to spare but loved a woman’s touch. In Langer he found a perfect partner for a few years before competing in the 1972 Munich Olympic Games with Kathy Kusner. [Fleet Apple Was the Right Horse]
With all the holiday festivities, it may be difficult to stay focused on a riding plan and to set meaningful goals. In this issue, riders, trainers and veterinarians share simple conditioning exercises to help get you and your horse through the winter season so you can more easily step into spring. As an additional bonus, Emma Ford, professional groom and co-author of my personal favorite book, World-Class Grooming, shares 10 blanketing tips to keep your horse warm and safe in winter. [Strategies to Maintain Fitness & Top Blanketing Tips]
Tendon and ligament injuries, and their subsequent repair and rehabilitation, have been prime concerns of equine veterinarians since forever. The more recent addition of regenerative medicine products such as stem cells, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), Interlukin-1 receptor antagonist protein (IRAP) and others have provided the clinician with a means of improving and accelerating the repair process. However, the challenge has been to find accurate ways to initially diagnose the scope and extent of tendon and ligament damage, to stage the timing of reparative injections and treatment, and to be able to quantify and monitor repair and healing. [New Discoveries for Tendon Diagnosis & Recovery]
