Monday News and Notes from Fleeceworks

Windchase working students and staff celebrate the New Year with their annual Polar Dive. Phyllis said they were disappointed this year that there was no ice to break first. Photo courtesy of Phyllis Dawson. Windchase working students and staff celebrate the New Year with their annual Polar Dive. Phyllis said they were disappointed this year that there was no ice to break first. Photo courtesy of Phyllis Dawson.

It was nice to have the New Year fall on a weekend and I hope you got some saddle time or at the very least, barn time. It was cold and raining and muddy here but bound and determined as we were to ride on New Year’s day, we bundled up in our rain coats and wellies and off we went for a hack.

It might only be the first Monday of the new year but we’re already looking forward to the eventing season getting underway. I’ve enjoyed a bit of down time on the last couple weeks but I’m already getting cabin fever. Thank goodness for Area III… Equiventures has the honors of opening the season with the Ocala Winter 1 Horse Trials this weekend, and a whole bunch of other events open tomorrow. So, here we go, full steam ahead 2017.

U.S. Weekend Action:

Next Monday there will be results links listed here! Hooray!

Monday News and Notes:

I think a lot of people are glad to see 2016 in the rear view mirror, but it’s important to remember positive aspects of the past 12 months. Looking back on 2016, the FEI counts down its top five “best bits” from the Olympics to rock-and-roll photo shoots to the successful #TwoHearts social media campaign. [Our Top Five Best Bits]

I’m not much of a treat giver myself because I don’t want my horses to get mouthy. But I do occasionally share a peppermint (if they get one, I get one) or an apple core or ripe banana, or Stud Muffins if they need a little extra persuasion. But I know people that feed their horses all sorts of unusual ‘treats’ that make me wary. This helpful infographic has a list of safe foods for your horse as well as what they should definitely not eat at all, and there are some surprising items on both lists. [What’s tasty and what’s toxic?]

Our friends at the Chronicle of the Horse picked out their favorite photos of 2016 and put together a truly gorgeous and emotional photo gallery. Whether it was the bond between horse and rider, the luck of an unusual or difficult shot, or simply the story behind the moment forever framed with a single click, the photographers also share what makes each image special. [Mascara, Cruise Ships And Pure Happiness: Images Of A Year 2016]

Monday Video: These foxhunting helmet cams from Alice Pearson are completely addicting.