Brodi is excited about the hoidays too! Photo via Alison
A couple days ago, on Saturday, some lovely girls (Ann, Ashley, and Kristine) at my barn slaved all day and made each of the 40 horses at the barn stockings. They even baked horse treats they put in them. If you ask the girls, they think the treats are gross (horse treats are for who?), but the horses sure love them! These little elves hung each one on Sunday afternoon. My horse’s stocking didn’t even make it 24 hours. He was so excited! Just like Brodi!
The Green Mountain Horse Association’s Cross Country Upgrade Project is moving right along thanks to a mild fall season. You may recall that GMHA was hit terribly by Hurricane Irene. It seems there’s a good crew up there in Area I because the building and re-building they’re doing is no easy task. New water complexes and crossings, new ditches and banks, new portable jumps as well as drainage, the list goes on. They want to preserve the historic institution while upgrading several areas. They have reached 75% of their fundraising goal, and there are still several projects that require funding. Help an event out. [USEA]
Hannah Metz, a student of Molly Rosin has found a new partnership! She is now riding Zhen, a warmblood/Paint cross. Even though she has been riding Zhen for a few months, their partnership really shined when they went cross country schooling. Hannah’s current horse, Anna, is for sale. [Havarah Equestrian]
The Chronicle recaps the “one fall and out” rule saga at the USEA convention last week. It boils down to safety for riders vs legislation dictating what riders should do. There’s anecdotes for each side, but it really boils down to the fact that we know horses and eventing is inherently risky. Hopefully, there will be a decision one way or another at the USEF Convention in Cincinnati. [COTH]
As we learned on Sunday’s Links, Sharon White received the inaugural Rebecca Broussard International Developing Rider Grant. Sharon hopes to use the $30,000 grant for the Olympics or Burghley, but realizes horses choose the competition schedule. What a fabulous choice as recipient! [COTH]
Eric Lamaze can add a couple new titles to his already awesome collection. He is the Rider of the Year as voted by the members of the International Jumping Riders Club. This is the second year in a row he’s won the award, and it is special to him because it’s voted on by the riders. He and the late Hickstead together were named Canada’s 2011 Athlete of the Year. They won the majority vote by a landslide: 56.9% with 2nd place taking 11.6% of the vote. Lamaze will be at WEF in Wellington this season as he is moving his operation from Belgium to Florida. Go Lamaze and Hickstead! [Horsetalk]
In some very sad news coming from England, 4* eventer Polly Williamson is in an induced coma following a fall from a young horse spooked by the wind. She broke three vertebrae and suffered a serious head injury. The biggest concern right now is that the swelling in her head needs to come down so they can further evaluate her condition. Our thoughts and prayers go to Polly and her friends and family at this time. [H&H]
In more sad news, three top Australian horses have passed away; two dressage horses, Victory Salute and Northern Hector, and showjumper Gilmore 48. Northern Hector passed away while being ridden in preparation for a Grand Prix last weekend. Victory Saute was the all-time most successful Australian bred horse. He passed away from laminitis. Gilmore 48 was on Australia’s Elite Squad for the 2012 Games. He passed away after jumping out of his paddock. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those who knew these terrific horses. [Horsetalk]
A vet in Austria has been recognized for his efforts in regulating the transportation requirements for live transport. Alexander Rabitsch has won the Europe Equine Transport Enforcement Award in its inaugural year. He worked with officials to randomly check transporters to ensure sufficient condition of the horses headed to slaughter. This could be a good place for the US to start. [Horsetalk]
And the Pennfield contest!!!
After Amber Kimball began feeding her mount Pennfield, she noticed a change. A horse who was once a bit high strung was suddenly changed. He was sane. He was FOCUSED. When Pennfield heard Amber’s story, they decided to launch a new ad campaign- a contest to find the “word” of each Pennfield fan. Amber’s word was FOCUSED. What’s yours?…..
The contest, to run through early 2012, will gather entries at both PennfieldEquine.com and on Pennfield Equine Feed Technologies’ Facebook page. Respondents are invited to sum up their own personal Pennfield difference in one word, and then write their story. The best entries will win a year’s worth of feed (one ton) for one horse, plus a professional photo shoot and the chance to be featured in a 2012 ad for Pennfield.
That’s all for now! Go eventing.
