Rolex throwback, thanks again to Brandi Williams
Good morning EN! Last month you all heard about the tragic fire that killed 19 horses and completely destroyed four-star eventer Martha McDowell’s boarding facility in Billings, Montana. Today, not even a full month later, we have happier news: the barn will hopefully be rebuilt by July. Martha told The Chronicle that she and her boarders received donations from all around the country, both from individual donors and businesses like SmartPak, Bit of Britain, and Stateline Tack. And they didn’t just get blankets and buckets:Winner’s Circle Ranch even sent four OTTBs to Martha on an indefinite lease for those owners who lost their beloved partners. Most of Martha’s students now have a horse to ride. “That’s really the thing that’s the most healing thing of all. It’s not like you can replace the horse you lost, but there are other horses out there, and if you’re a horse person, just being around them is therapeutic,” she said. According to The Chronicle article, the official report on the fire is expected next week, but it was not caused by electrical faults. Donations are still being accepted via Rebecca Farm and Southern California Equestrian Sports, and if you are on the east coast you can attend Overlook Farm’s jumper schooling show on June 2. Farm owner Sara Kozumplik will be donating all proceeds to Martha. [The Chronicle]
It’s Thursday, which means it’s time for your weekend preview:
Virginia CCI*/HT [Website] [Times]
The Spring Event at Woodside [Website] [Times]
May-Daze at the Park [Website] [Times]
Flora Lee Spring HT [Website] [Times]
Corona Del Sol [Website] [Entry Status]
Mystic Valley Hunt Club HT [Website/Times]
Onto your links:
The qualifying date for NAYRC has been extended by the FEI after an appeal by Area IV Young Rider representative and coaches, in order for the FRVPCHT CCI* to serve as a qualifying event for the CH-J CCI*. The event runs from June 22-24, and the closing date is June 10. According to the USEA website, “this consideration was granted with respect for the relatively few qualifying opportunities available to Young Riders in Area IV and throughout the central portion of the country.” [USEA]
Loch Moy Farm, in Adamstown, MD, will host a USEA Recognized Adult camp from June 7-10. [USEA]
Volvo is all over the horse world these days: in addition to being the title sponsor for Bromont, it will also be the Official Car Sponsor of the Equi-Trek Bramham International Horse Trials in England. Braham will be the final chance for British hopefuls to qualify for the Olympics, and is also a mandatory outing for all US riders hoping to make the London team. [British Eventing]
Blenheim CCI*** is getting into the digital game: at the event in September, each jump on the course will have a “quick response code” that you will be able to scan will with your cell phone, and then hear commentary from the course designer Eric Winter and top riders. Very cool. [The Chronicle]
Area II is looking for a Young Rider coach to take over the position in 2013. Coaches must be ICP Certified Level III or Level IV instructors. Apply today! [USEA]
Saudi Sydney Olympic bronze medalist Khaled Al Eid, 43, and World Equestrian Games silver medalist Abdullah Al Sharbatly, 29, have been suspended for eight months by the FEI Tribunal on doping charges. Both had horses test positive for Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), and both riders voluntarily suspended themselves upon receiving the test results. This means that Saudi Arabia will not be able to send two of its top riders to the Olympics. The Saudi Equestrian Federation intends to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, based in Switzerland. [Horsetalk]
Yahoo has posted a helpful piece that defines eventing for the laymen Olympic spectators. According to the writeup, “for the Summer Olympics, three-day equestrian eventing generally begins with dressage, followed by cross-country and show jumping. Each equestrian must ride the same horse for all three days.” It does say some nice things about eventing, including that many equestrians consider eventing the top test of equestrian skill. “Humans balance atop super-fit equines, vaulting over daunting obstacles, plunging into ponds, and running off to the next challenge.” [Yahoo Sports]
A “ground-breaking contraceptive program” is about to begin in England, where semi-feral Dartmoor Hill ponies are overbreeding and threatening the fragile environment where they reside. 20 mares will be rounded up and microchipped and marked, then given a contraceptive injection. In four weeks a second dose will be given. The mare’s health and any behavioral changes will be closely monitored. According to The Friends of The Dartmoor Hill Pony vice-chairperson, Charlotte Faulkner, the supporters of the project “are optimistic that this project will help us to ensure the future of ponies on Dartmoor. They will be able to graze to keep the moor as we know and love it for generations to come, conserving the habitat for its wonderful birds, plants and animals.” [Horsetalk]
Weird link of the day: A man arrested for drunk driving in Iowa had a parrot and a zebra in his truck. [Horsetalk]
Best of Blogs: SmartPak has gotten into the blogging game, and today we have two great posts from them. The first requires a little introduction: In a new monthly series, SmartPak will be featuring its own employees and their horses, in order to document the special, ineffable bond we share with our equine partners. Read the first installment, featuring Creative team member Sarah and her horse Diem.
And post #2: Is your dog prepared to go to a horse show?
Finally I leave you with a new video from EN favorite Buzzter Brown, featuring Advanced XC from the Fork. Have a great day, and as always thanks for reading!
