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Happy Monday (I think? Right??) folks! I don’t know about you, but I’ve fully disintegrated into a blob of a human being now. I’m 90% cheese; I’ve just eaten panettone in bed and got marmalade on the sheets, and I feel like I’m relearning the alphabet while typing this desperate little missive. But isn’t that what this time of year is all about? I know us horsey people aren’t very good at the whole ‘time off’ thing, and truly, it’s taken me my entire life to learn how to just relax without guilt, but I really do recommend leaning into your ‘you-time’ as much as you can over the next couple of days. Spend some quality time with your horse, just having a bit of no-pressure fun, and then head home to complete Netflix in your pajamas. Soon, we’ll all be soldiering on through a bleak January, wondering how on earth to get into selling feet pics on the dark web, but for now, we can give ourselves a bit of room to flourish. And by flourish, I mostly mean ‘scroll through Instagram marvelling at the fact that it’s suddenly entirely positive Covid tests and engagement announcements.’
National Holiday: It’s National Fruitcake Day! I’m all for snacking, but I’m over fruitcake, if I’m honest.
Your Monday Reading List:
Former FEI President Princess Haya is on the receiving end of the highest-ever divorce settlement awarded in a British court. The settlement — which could wind up at over half a billion pounds — will help to protect Princess Haya and her children from the ongoing threat posed by her soon-to-be ex-husband, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, who has previously abducted both children and tapped Princess Haya’s phones.
British eventer Imogen Murray and her top horse Ivar Gooden are preparing for their return to competition, after an injury picked up at Bicton CCI4*-L early in the summer looked as though it could rule the superstar gelding out of upper-level eventing permanently. Now, the lanky chap is back under saddle and making great progress, so expect to see him storming around the big Bs before you know it.
Further research has been done into the effects of leg protection on tendon health. The findings add further support to the idea that wrapping and booting increases heat, which in turn has a detrimental effect on tendons — so before you boot your horse up on autopilot, ask yourself if the day’s activities really require a full arsenal of protective gear.
Fancy a little cry this morning to break up all that snacking and television? Cookie McClung’s story of a fox, a fulfilled Christmas wish, and the magic of the hunt will melt even the most hardened of hearts today.
The FutureTrack Follow:
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Want to feel consistently outperformed by the under-10s? These kiddos will entertain, inspire…and maybe make you feel a bit old and wimpy. It’s fine
Morning Viewing:
This fascinating footage of police horses undergoing training in the ’60s has completely inspired me to try some new desensitisation tricks — and give long-reining a go for the first time.
