A screenshot from HorseHub
Good morning EN! I have great news for all of you on the Apple bandwagon- the Talking Horse’s Dominic and Paul Tapner have officially launched the newest horsey app to hit iTunes. Called HorseHub, according to its website it will feature audio and video training tips from the world’s top riders, reference materials from the world’s biggest equestrian brands, and entertainment content from the world’s best events and media companies. Paul Tapner had already recorded 3 hours’ worth of training videos (aptly called “Training With Taperz”) that are broken down into convenient chunks- so if you want to know how to jump a ditch, you can just download the video about jumping ditches, rather than have to search through a DVD that features two hours of dressage and gymnastic exercises before it gets to cross country. While the app itself is free, some individual videos do cost money- but think low prices, like $2-3. Dominic reports that Boyd will also be posting videos soon, and they are looking for more content from anyone that has something great to share. Read more on the HorseHub website. [TalkingHorse] [App Store]
Michael Pollard wrote an analysis of the this year’s US Olympic performance for The Chronicle. He starts out by stating that his comments are in no way meant to detract from the performances of any of our top riders, and his main point is that at the moment our best is still not good enough. As he notes, “Luck is nice to have, but it’s better not to depend on it.” He calls for several steps: a new selection process, more emphasis on detail in dressage, and having a horse that can be in the top five in every phase- not just two. He also suggests that one reason eventing sees so few elite riders emerge is that unlike other Olympic sports, there is little support for our athletes at the collegiate level. Pushing a program that supports collegiate riders could be an answer. He also notes that his experience riding on the Pan Am team (which was picked farther out from the competition than the Olympic team) was wonderful, and that having time to build a team bond was extremely beneficial. Finally, he thinks that David will be a breath of fresh air to the program and that with patience and hard work, the US will be able to create a world-class team capable of finishing in the top three once again. This is a long summary, but the article itself is really worth a read; Michael’s analysis is articulate, well reasoned, and insightful, and he does it all while never bringing down any of his friends and fellow competitors. [COTH]
Later this year Hickstead, Eric Lamaze’s world-class mount that sadly passed away at the height of his career last November at a competition, will be inducted into Jump Canada’s Hall of Fame. Attendees will honor Hickstead along with Ian Millar, this year’s only other inductee, at a black-tie ceremony in Toronto on November 4, nearly a year to the day after Hickstead’s death. This summer Ian Millar became the only athlete in any sport to ever represent his country at the Olympics an incredible 10 times. To honor his accomplishment Jump Canada is awarding him with a Hall of Fame trophy, even though it is usually reserved for athletes who have retired from competition. According to Mark Samuel, Chairman of the Jump Canada Hall of Fame, “Ian Millar and Hickstead have both served Canada on the international stage with great distinction, and we look forward to joining our community as it turns out in force to pay tribute to these two show jumping champions.” [Horsetalk]
Laura Kraut and Cedric are taking names in Switzerland, where they won one of the “most electrifying grand prixs of the Global Champions Tour season.” [COTH]
Police in Chicago are on the lookout for a burglar who freed 27 of the city’s 30 police horses on Saturday night. Lieutenant Paul Bauer told CBS Chicago, “They did not enter this to commit a theft; rather, they entered this to maliciously harm our horses.” Two horses were injured, one in the eye after being apparently sprayed with a fire extinguisher, and the other in the flank and right leg, after apparently being struck with said fire extinguisher. [Horsetalk]
FLAIR has launched a new Master Class Video Series, this time featuring Phillip Dutton. The videos feature Phillip on a course walk at Rolex earlier this year. [USEA]
Good news or bad news, depending on your perspective: Morven Park has too many entries, and can’t accept any more at this time. [USEA]
Successful conservation efforts to save New Zealand’s endangered Przewalski’s horse are being held up as an example of how intervention can prevent extinction. The Zoological Society of London and the International Union for Conservation of Nature released an updated list of the world’s 100 most threatened species this week. [Horsetalk]
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I leave you with a video of Mandiba and Karen blazing around the OI cross country at Seneca Valley last weekend, courtesy of Video by Patrick. Thanks for reading and enjoy your Wednesday!
