Happy Thursday Eventing Nation! Today’s News and Notes introduction is about Beth Collier’s beautiful 2011 calendars. Beth has been a reader, emailer, and good friend to Eventing Nation from our beginning so we are happy to help her spread the word. Beth enjoys traveling to international events as a photographer, and she combines her photos into a calendar each year that is a must-have item for many eventing insiders. Beth has only printed 150 calendars for 2011 and they are only available through Eventing Nation and Beth’s website. I have a horse calendar from 2001 hanging above my bed so I’m hoping for one of Beth’s calendars for Christmas.
Click www.BethCollier.com">here for a preview of all 12 months–I pity June–and go to www.BethCollier.com to order the calendars. Now for some eventing news and notes:
–The USEF has sent out a press release reminding you to get your applications in for the Eventing Chef ‘Equippe/Technical Advisor job by January 31st. Raise your hand if you have sent in an application. Should I send in an application?
–There is a quiet rumor circulating in Europe that a German group has purchased Sabine Kreuters’ portion of La Biosthetique Sam and that Michael Jung will be keeping the ride. This definitely falls under the category of ‘rumor,’ but if it is indeed true we will surely hear more about it soon. Stay tuned.
–Karen Robinson at the Canadian Straight Up blog included Eventing Nation in her Christmas wish list. I have to say that this is the first time a “John clone” has ever been on anyone’s wish list. We appreciate the kind words from Karen and I love the idea of a Christmas wish list post–we’ll have to write one for EN soon. I’m pretty sure it will involve bringing the convention back to VA next year.
—Horse & Country is reporting that a BBC video has led to criticism of a mounted police officer for smacking his horse on video. The horses were leading riot police against protesters and, when one horse spooked at fireworks lit by the protesters, his rider smacked his horse with a baton three times. I’ll let you be the judge: [BBC Video]
–In our Monday News and Notes, I mentioned that the Burghley Estate was taking over ownership of the Burghley Horse Trials from British Eventing. As more news comes out about the situation, it seems as though the loss of Burghley’s income will be a big issue for BE to overcome. Eventing Worldwide has a report from a recent BE meeting:
“With Burghley bringing in over £380,000 for the sport in 2009, and BE operating at a projected £100,000 surplus it doesn’t take a genius to work out that could equate to a substantial loss going forward if some substitute revenue isn’t found from somewhere. Mike [Etherington-Smith] himself said that, “we find ourselves in a rather vulnerable position,” and that there had been some “interesting negotiations”.” [EWW] via LEC
–Our release of Eventing Nation’s super-secret newest sponsor was delayed a day, but we are planning the announcement for later today. Sometimes I mention all of the hard work that goes into EN behind the scenes that isn’t writing but makes all of the writing possible–working to grow our group of sponsors is definitely an example of that work. We will be adding a banner at the very top of the Eventing Nation page, and, like any change, I expect that some people won’t like the slightly different look, but I am hopeful that most of our readers will understand the importance of buying food for the Eventing Nation Chinchillas. Please send all related hate-mail to [email protected].
–Speaking of the Eventing Nation Chinchillas, at the time of this post we have 87 submissions for the Nunn Finer Boyd caption contest. I have no idea how the EN Chinchillas will be able to pick 10 finalists. Some of the submissions are completely hilarious, most are very good, and one or two are borderline completely inappropriate, although, as is usually the case, those tend to be hilarious as well.
–Our friends at SmartPak have released the top-10 eventing products by customer review for December. Glancing at the list, I’d say that Tipperary vests are excellent, I have never seen ‘stirrup keepers’ in action, I’d probably recommend foam plugs over the plastic Easy Plugs, but ShowSheen is an absolute must-have. Frankly, I have never seen a top eventing barn that didn’t use ShowSheen.
—Best of the Blogs: So many things with Max Corcoran
Stay tuned throughout the day for a post by John Lechner and much more. See you soon…
