How to fly a plane, by Reed Kessler and Up Des Chaines. Photo courtesy of Reed Kessler.
It’s 10 days out from christmas, so I hope you have all your holiday planning done by now! I got super into the Christmas spirit this week by finally decorating the tree I cut down last week, and hanging lights all over my house. I listened to shameless Christmas music on Spotify the whole time, and I’m not even afraid to tell you that I’ve been listening to it while I ride too. Tell me you can listen to “You’re A Mean One, Mr Grinch” by Jim Carey or literally anything holiday from Mariah Carey and not smile a little bit. Hey, you gotta have something to keep you occupied when the temperature for the morning barn chores is a toasty 10 degrees….!
News From Around the Globe:
As you might have seen from the photos of the USEA convention, Jennie Brannigan and Stella Artois won the 2016 Connaught Grant. The Connaught Grant was established by Caroline Moran in honor of the late R. Bruce Duchossois, and awards $25,000 to a CCI* or CCI2* horse in the U.S. that is seen as a potential candidate to represent the U.S. Equestrian Team on an international level. The pair won the Fair Hill CC2* this fall and Jennie hopes to use the money to travel abroad next spring and expand the mare’s experience at the 2* level before stepping up to 3*. [Jennie & Stella Win Connaught Grant]
Charlotte Dujardin blew it out of the park with the now-retired Valegro at Olympia. After winning literally everything there is to possibly win in the dressage world, Blueberry has rightfully earned a peaceful retirement, but Charlotte brought him out for one more freestyle exhibition, and we all got goosebumps. They did a perfect rendition of their gold medal London freestyle routine, and it was an ideal exit for the pair. [Charlotte & Valegro Olympia Exhibition]
Also relevant: Charlotte & Valegro Top 5 Moments
Hot on Horse Nation: 11 Signs Equestrians Are Easy To Please: Winter Edition
Could you design the last fence on the Badminton 2017 cross country course? Maybe! The organizers of Badminton are asking fans of the competition to submit designs for the final obstacle for next spring’s course. Course designer Eric Winter, event director Hugh Thomas and media director Julian Seaman will select their favourite 10 designs, and a public vote will decide the winner. [Design the Badminton Fence]
