Multiple major fires continue to burn in Los Angeles, CA this week, where strong winds and dry conditions have fueled the rapid spread of wildfires and forced residents from their homes. The fires have claimed the lives of multiple people and have also displaced animals. At the time of writing, the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, one of the largest facilities in the metropolitan area, remained safe and was an evacuation center for those fleeing the fires. The facility is located in Burbank, to the east of the fires, but the situation continues to develop and change and strong winds will continue to affect containment at least through today. The Chronicle of the Horse reports more on the effects of the fire on the equine community here.
We will continue to monitor the situation and will share verified ways to help as we find them.
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News & Reading
Travel the world, be around top sport, see your horses performing on the world stage. No one ever claims that a grooms’ life is an easy one, but this should be an attractive career. And yet we still hear too many stories of burnt out, exhausted grooms. In the latest blog from the International Grooms Association, an IGA member (who wishes to stay anonymous) shared how this issue has affected her life. Read it here.
The USEA recently asked its members on social media to tell them about their 2024 successes. Amateur rider Alyssa Schaefer (Petaluma, California) wrote in about her year with her 16-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Fuego (Furst Romancier x Stanzie). Read her blog here.
Some British Olympians were not named to the government’s New Year Honours List, setting off an expression of opinions on the decision to award some Olympians and not others. Horse & Hound explores this development here.
Video Break
Learn how to introduce a liverpool to your jumping with 5* rider and FEI dressage judge Valerie Pride:
