Flying Fridays! Photo courtesy of Audrey Davidson.
Happy Friday! Today and tomorrow in Virginia will be in the 60’s, and I’m going to soak up every little bit of that Vitamin D and wear a t-shirt if I can get away with it. Why? Other than the fact that it’s February and the worst season of all, the Sunday forecast features….SNOW. AGAIN. Ok folks down in Florida, I see you. I get it. Maybe next year.
U.S. Weekend Preview
Full Gallop Farm February I H.T. (Aiken, Sc.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]
Ocala Winter I H.T. (Ocala, Fl.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]
Pine Top Intermediate H.T. (Thomson, Ga.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]
Black History Bit of the Day:
Horsewomen have been a rarity; minority women, especially so. Historically, women with a desire to work within the horse industry faced long odds. They were up against both racial discrimination and sexism. African American horsewomen exhibit strong resolution and endure extraneous pressure.
The first female African American trainer was Sylvia Bishop. She noted of her early experiences on the track, “When I began training back in 1938, men were definitely shocked and surprised to see me. The fact that I was a woman, and on top of that a Black woman, was almost too much for some of the fellows.”
Read more about these amazing black horsewomen who surpassed expectations.
News From Around the Globe:
How are three top riders spending their winters? Recent social media posts give us glimpses, from Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro showing us they’re still quite the pair, Boyd Martin introducing his new assistant rider to the ice bath, and Peder Fredricson getting “roasted” by his team at Grevlunda Fredricson Show Jumping in Sweden. [Winter, Olympian Style]
Domestication is relatively new to horses, which is why two Italian researchers are urging competitive riders to allow their horses to engage in natural behaviors. Horses have deeply ingrained biological and ethological needs that haven’t disappeared through domestication. When domestic life, including management styles and competition schedules, doesn’t meet those needs, it can lead to compromised welfare and the development of undesirable behaviors or stereotypies. However, considering these ethological needs can help horse people become more sensitive to them and turn to scientific knowledge to find solutions that will help horses live better lives through improved management and training. [Let Horses Be Horses, Even in Elite Sport]
Regenerative medicine is giving us new options for treating horses with joint disease and other injuries. Learn more and get your questions answered during the live recording of this podcast. Sponsored by Zoetis! [Treating Equine Lameness with Biologics]
Ready to spice up your arena routine this winter training season? In this series, the USEA is revisiting some of our favorite Grid Pro Quo articles from Eventing USA to help you use the off-season to your advantage and keep you and your horse in tip-top shape for when it’s time to get back out there. [Grid Pro Quo with Ariel Grald]
Video: All the feels. Congrats on your move-up, Stephanie Cordell!
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