Do you like racing? Can’t stop watching those Rolex commercials that never get old? Better question, do you have a secret crush on Dustin Hoffman?? Your dreams are about to come true. Luck, a new HBO series, is set to air on January 29th. It has all the elements of great television: an ex-con, gambling, yachts, the token cowboy, intrigue, drinking, the token Englishman, and shots of horses galloping set to music I’m pretty sure they lifted straight from Inception. Put it all together then add the HBO label and it equals instant Emmy gold. Now you have something to look forward to after the holiday season, or if you’re like me you can add an HBO subscription to your Christmas list. Hey Mom.
Speaking of horse related entertainment, the Eventing USA reviewed The Scorpio Races yesterday and is giving away three copies to readers who post about their favorite horse book of all time in the comment section. Go reading! [Eventing USA]
Moving on, the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation has launched a virtual sponsor program. For $5 a day you can be the sole supporter of a retired thoroughbred. The money will assist in paying the horse’s farrier and vet bills and in return you are considered the horse’s virtual owner. The TRF hopes this will allow those who do not have a farm to participate in their foster program. [Horsetalk]
The FEI General Assembly wrapped up yesterday and the body made several rule changes, including a stricter helmet rule requiring protective headgear at all times except in the competition arena and adjacent warmup. This will come into effect on January 1, 2013. Another interesting twist is that all horses registering with the FEI for the first time must now be microchipped. Read a full list of changes on the Chronicle website. [COTH]
The FEI awards were presented at the end of the General Assembly and Nina Ligon was honored with the HSBC Rising Star Award, a true achievement. Congratulations to Nina, everyone at EN wishes you all the best in the upcoming season! 75 year old Eventing groom Alice Gaillard from France took home the Best Groom Award which was certainly well deserved. Gaillard began grooming more than 50 years ago and still continues daily. This year she attended Badminton with Astier Nicolas, who considered it an honor to work with such an emblematic figure of French Eventing. [British Eventing]
Megan Jones has two horses at Adelaide and wants to go to the Olympics [Adelaide Now]
The 7th Annual International Equitation Science Conference just ended and Horsetalk has a list of the take home lessons from the lectures. Topics range from the effects of different types of bits on behavior to an analysis of the consistency of Dressage judging. Definitely worth a click. [Horsetalk]
Greenwich children have been given the opportunity to design decorations for a cross country jump for the Olympic course. So far 117 designs have been sent in and 5 will be used. [Horse and Hound]
The US Para Dressage Team traveled to Mexico to get the qualifying scores they need in order to secure Olympic slots. In the country’s first CPEDI3* the US riders beat out five countries to win the gold with no drop score and all three riders mounted catch rides. [Dressage Daily]
Best of Blogs: John Madden on the importance of team spirit
Only two more days till Friday. As always, GO EVENTING.
