I’m all for injecting a bit of fun into daily proceedings wherever possible, and, being a word nerd, I just can’t resist these ingenious (and hilarious) suggestions for horsey vocab improvements by self-confessed comedian and Head Groom @evangrooms.
I mean, they make total sense and I for one will be petitioning the dictionary people to update the relevant entries immediately.
So, gladdle-up your parkhorses, giddy up and go eventing.
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Thursday News and Reading
Got a keen bean when it comes to jumping? Try lengthening your reins. Whilst we obviously want our horses to take us forwards towards the fences, an over-strong horse isn’t so much fun. Badminton winner and European Champion Ros Canter has some handy tips to try at home to take the fight out of riding a forward going horse.
Get to know 5* eventer Jennie Brannigan’s ‘quirky’ chestnut FE Lifestyle – and meet his lil’ buddy Hank the Tank. Despite not originally being destined for eventing, ‘Foxy’ proved his mettle at the top level last season, with twelfth place finishes at both Kentucky and Burghley. He’s an unlikely eventer – only about 37% blood – but Foxy finds the big tracks easy and loves his job, with Jennie crediting the gelding with making her a better rider. COTH went behind the stall door to find out just what makes this striking chestnut such a special kind of guy.
Call for owners of horses or ponies over the age of 15 to contribute to new research. Feed company Spillers has launched a Senior Horse Survey to learn more about the specific needs of the older horse. As well as adding valuable info to the research, you’ll also be entered into a prize draw to win free feed. Here’s the link to find out more.
Work/life balance is a tricky balancing act when you’re freelance, and when your work is with horses, the water’s are particularly muddy. Sunday evening race meets are currently being trialed in the UK and there’s understandably some consternation over what the addition may mean for the health and wellbeing of not just the jockeys, but the support staff involved in the sport too. For many of us working in the horse industry, it’s not just a job we’re doing, it’s a dream, an ambition, the culmination of a lot of dedication and hard work, of grabbing opportunities and making the most of every single one – the boundaries between work and ‘life’ are certainly blurry. For jockeys, missing a meet may mean losing future rides, and therefore income. It’s a tricky spot to be put in, for sure.
It seems that people have been riding for centuries longer than previously thought, as proved by a 4,000 year old skeleton. Signs of wear and tear on the bones suggest that the ancient man was no stranger to the saddle, dating horseback riding to around 1,000 years earlier than first thought. An arthritic spine from mounting, a sacral fracture indicating a fall, accentuated thigh bones – familiar aches and pains associated with riding that have been making their mark on horse people across the ages.
And finally, this guy’s doing Deliveroo a little differently. Fed up with the long lines for fuel due to a truckers’ strike in India, this delivery driver ponied up and headed out to work on his horse.
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Hannah Black with Jennie Brannigan’s Twilightslastgleam and Stella Artois. Photo by Abby Powell.
Stephanie Simpson and Tsetserleg in Tokyo. Photo via Stephanie Simpson.
Big news! The Achieve Equine #Supergrooms of the Year have been announced! Huge congratulations to Hannah Black and Steph Simpson. Here’s why they’re #Supergrooms.
Video Break
And now for a different kind of riding.
EN will totally have eyes locked onto the front of Cowboyd’s breeches this season to see if he makes good on his promise…
