This was me two days ago.
Good morning, everyone! I hope you’re enjoying your last week of January. I’m still trying to recover from a nasty fall during a gymnastics clinic on Saturday. I’m not usually rattled much by mishaps, as I think they’re part of the learning experience, but this one hit me hard, and definitely pushed some doubts into my mind. My horse didn’t like the look of two bounces in a row, and put the brakes on hard after a bad 2nd jump. Unbalanced, he went into the jump, and in a panic began backing up, only to run into the jump behind him. From then on it was a lot of spinning, until he finally escaped the grid and went on to gallop with me hanging on his neck. I wasn’t able to get my balance back, and bit the dust. After a bout of crying, mostly from the fear, and a lot of Lamaze-type breathing exercises, and with the help of Samantha, our clinician, we worked our way through the grid, and ended up having a decent lesson. Now if I could just get rid of the bruises and soreness as easily!
Weekend Results:
Events Opening This Week:
Copper Meadows H.T. (California, A-6) Feather Creek Farm H.T. (Oklahoma, A-5) Pine Top Spring H.T. (Georgia, A-3)
Monday News:
The source of the horse meat located in burgers across Great Britain is believed to be Poland, where there was the highest concentration of equine DNA, and not Ireland or the Netherlands, which was first believed. [The Independent]
Looking for a new job? Why not apply to be Yogi Breisner’s assistant? The British Equestrian Foundation is looking for someone to help the already successful manager of British Eventing to become even more successful in the lead up to Rio 2016. [Horse and Hound]
Speaking of British Eventing, Zara Phillips is setting up new digs at Gatcombe, where Princess Anne owns an estate, and is also the host of a couple of events in England. She also talks about her horses of choice ‘I like kiwi thoroughbreds-they’re quite tough.’ and her plan for the next year, which will include prepping a couple horses for Badminton. [An Eventful Life
Michael Phelps owns a racehorse, and it just won a race at Gulfstream Park. Phelps did the smart thing and put the horse, Cerro, in training with Graham Motion, and the 3-year-old colt won a $50k allowance race at Gulfstream to reward him. [Huffington Post]
Because it’s worth a re-post, here are Jacky Green’s predictions for the 2013 Eventing year. Apparently this year Mary King will be Grass Roots Champion 2013, people will pull out of Badminton because the ground is too hard, Mark Todd will win Burghley, and Barbury Castle will run for eight straight days to accommodate every Advanced horse in the country. [Jacky’s Blog]
The PRO series and Adequan Gold Cup Series are fusing into one giant super awesome Series, so riders don’t have to choose which ones they want to try to win. Check out USEA’s website for the schedule and more information. [US Eventing]
Some more XC action from Rocking Horse
