I love how so very glamorous the FEI Awards Gala is. Everyone is dressed in dazzling formal wear and there are smiles for miles. While the big news coming out of the weekend is the election of President Ingmar De Vos and the continued drama of equestrian sports’ relationship with the Olympics, let’s not forget that no matter what, we’re a group with a shared passion for simply spending time with horses. That’s always worth celebrating.
Monday News and Notes:
Congratulations to Mikayla Rebholz, the winner of a Success Equestrian saddle pad from yesterday’s 12 Days of Christmas giveaway! Mikayla, please email [email protected] to claim your fabulous prize! [12 Days of Christmas: Success Equestrian]
We’re loving your entries for our “Wrap Your Horse’s Legs” contest from Hamilton BioVet so much that we’re extending the entry deadline! If you’ve been procrastinating on find a new, creative way to torture wrap your horse’s legs, then you’ll want to enter this contest for your chance at a Stayons prize pack! Entries will be due on Thursday, December 18 at 5 p.m. EST. Click the link for more details! [Wrap Your Horse’s Legs to Win!]
The FEI honored outstanding equestrians at their Awards Gala this weekend, which took place in a palace, the Buta Palace in Baku, Azerbaijan to be specific. Five humans and one dog received special awards recognizing their “contributions to the growth of equestrian sport in 2014.” [More from FEI]
A recent study reveals that leopard Appaloosas existed in history in varying frequencies. At one time they were considered undesirable due to their tendency for vision problems. Later they were sought after and considered noble and symbolic. Currently, leopard Appaloosa numbers are on the upswing. [More from Science Daily]
Mistakes are tough to accept but critical to the learning process. Sometimes, instead of pushing to the point of exhaustion, you have to give a little to gain ground. [More from Eurodressage]
An abused horse undergoes ground-breaking surgery to repair a damaged leg. Get this – despite the trauma in his life, he happily helps children find their wings through therapy. His name is Spirit. [More from Horsetalk]
Andrew Nicholson will be riding in a amateur’s flat race at Cheltenham Festival in March to raise money for the Injured Jockey Fund. But first he’s going to have to lose two stone (that’s 28 pounds)! And to have to start dieting right at the holiday? Oof. [More from Horse and Country]
Ex-racehorses just keep finding interesting things to do. Martin Whitley’s off-the-track Thoroughbred William Percival has taken up the sport of mounted falconry. [More from Horse Nation]
Monday Video: We are mistaken. We’re not riding, we’re being worn.