Becky and Can’t Fire Me at yesterday’s training session. Photo credit: Maggie Deatrick
Well, folks, it’s finally Friday! We’ve got Training sessions in full swing and a calendar full of events to go to this weekend. Sporting Days is running in Aiken, The Poplar Place February event is taking place in Georgia, and Galway Downs is hosting it’s first event of the new year in good old California.
The Training Sessions are taking place at Meredyth South today and the schedule is as follows:
Buck Davidson 8:00
Becky Holder 8:45
Buck on a second horse 9:30
Karen O’Connor 10:15
Hannah Burnett 11:00
Sinead Halpin 11:45
Kylie 12:30
Heather Morris 1:30
Marilyn Meredith-Little 2:15
Now let’s get started on the news and we’ll be off and running on this Friday morning:
Remember that famous movie from the ninties, Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken, about the story of Sonora Webster, the girl that rode high-diving horses in Atlantic City? If you haven’t seen it you should consider picking it up this weekend, but my real reason for this paragraph is to tell you that the high diving horses are going to make a return to Atlantic City. The Diving horse act was a staple in Atlantic City from 1917-1978, when it closed down due to heavy pressure from animal rights activists. Bringing the diving horses back is only part of a master plan to re-vamp many parts of Atlantic City. And they just may be looking for horses to place in their act, so if you have anything for sale that looks like it could have a knack for jumping off 100 plus foot high dives, you may want to give Atlantic City a call. [Diving Horses]
The World Cup Vaulting Final is taking place in Bordeaux, France this weekend. Switzerland seems to have the title locked down with the leader in the rankings a full six points ahead of Germany’s vaulter. According to Horsetalk, “The title of FEI World Cup champion will be decided over two Freestyle to Music rounds on Saturday and Sunday, when the vaulters will produce highly creative performances with extraordinary gymnastic moves on their horses to impress the judges.” I’ve never had the chance to see vaulting done in person, but I bet it would be cool to be there tomorrow night and see the Freestyle rounds of the best in the business. [Horsetalk]
A big congratulations is in order to our future US Paralympic Team, as they received qualifying scores at the Wellington Classic Sunshine Challenge, so are now qualified for next year’s Summer Games. Chef D’Equipe Missy Ransehousen said, ” “I was very pleased with not only the team but with the individuals. They are a good group of people, working hard, and going forward with a good plan in mind.” [COTH]
The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation is embarking on a big undertaking to produce the first organization within the industry to take on horses that have fallen short in their racing career and turn them into useful horses for another job. Thank goodness for the CANTER’s, Finger Lakes Finest, and all other Thoroughbred rescue programs in the world because the actual race industry has been quite slow to step forward with at least the beginnings of a solution to the excessive and many times unwanted supply of horses that the sport is producing. The Chronicle has given this new program extensive coverage, so be sure to check it out here.
Speaking of Thoroughbreds, Allie Conrad wrote her recent blog entry on one of her close friend’s experience with a lovely off-the-track mare, Piper. According to Shannon Gipson, Piper changed her life, and continues to amaze her every day. [COTH]
Best of the Blogs: You know you’re an eventer when….
The Eventing Radio Show this week featured Matt Ryan. Listen in here.
The Comanche Story
That’s all for now, Eventing Nation. I hope you have a fabulous Friday! I’m on weekend duty so check back and I’ll be seeing you soon!
