Hello and welcome to Thursday, the second best day of the week, because it’s almost Friday! That, and you get my amazing news post, that’s really what seals the deal. It has been a week since Thanksgiving, have you finished all of your turkey sandwiches yet? I’ve still got cake in my fridge, and a week ago I was wondering why in the world we didn’t make stuffing year round, but I think I’m done with it for another year. In fact, I’m pretty sure I don’t want to see a turkey until 2013 at the earliest.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’re aware of the Korean dance hit “Gangnam Style” by the artist PSY. What you’re not aware of yet is that this weirdly popular song is only a few days away from being the very first YouTube video to get ONE BILLION VIEWS. That’s right. One. Billion. The official video of this song has been a viral hit, and this week became the most popular video in YouTube history, with 805 million views since it went online in July. Even Justin Bieber can’t compete, as he’s only got 803 million views on his popular song, “Baby”. [Gangnam Style Hits One Billion Views] [A Really Awesome Chart of PSY vs Bieber]
For the fifth consecutive year, the NAJYRC are going to be held at the Kentucky Horse Park. I competed in the inaugural KHP NAJYRC (acronyms FTW!), and I had to do dressage at 11:30 at night in the main arena so that they could test out the new stadium lights for the WEG the next year. Needless to say, my horse was not thrilled. However, besides that minor bump, it was an amazing experience, and getting to gallop around a championship course where the big wigs at Rolex don their vests every year is an honor and a privilege. The annual competition will be held July 17-21, 2013. [Dates Announced for 2013 NAJYRC]
Doug Payne is making lemonade out of lemons after losing his top 4* eventer to WFP across the pond. Being the business savvy person that he is, Doug is creating a whole new type of ownership opportunity that he plans to mature into a string of fantastic upper level event horses. After the sale of Running Order, Doug found himself with a half-formed syndicate and no horse. Instead of offering the opportunity of syndicating one horse, Doug came up with an idea that is much more community minded, and less focused on one animal. “Our initial purchases are aimed at one 7-8 year old and one 4-5 year old both with exceptional talent and the look of a champion. With horses at different stages in the game, we’ll have a constant stream of exciting news and activities along the way.” [Doug Payne & Virtus]
All it takes is one incredible animal to launch you to places you never thought you’d be, like Rolex and Badminton. Erin Sylvester knows this, and if you had told her years ago that No Boundaries (Bucky) would be the one to do that for her, she’d have thought you were crazy. After finishing 13th this spring at their first 4* at Rolex with one of the few double clear cross country rounds, Erin and Bucky raised money to travel across the pond to Badminton, where they completed one of the most difficult events in the world. [No Boundaries Helped Put Erin Sylvester on the Map]
A British animal charity has launched a new program to help Botswana donkeys glow in the dark. You read that correctly, but if you were envisioning nuclear glowing donkeys like I was, you are sadly mistaken. The UK-based international working-animal charity SPANA (the Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad) has funded partner charity the Maun Animal Welfare Society (MAWS) in Botswana to attach reflectors to donkeys’ ears due to the fact that 10% of traffic accidents are caused by the nocturnal wanderings of donkeys on the roads. Attaching these reflectors will hopefully save the lives of not only donkeys, but vehicle drivers too. [Charity Helps Botswana’s Donkeys Glow in the Dark]
Ever thought of buying your horse a tacky Christmas sweater? Why not paint one on him instead! That’s exactly what jockey AP McCoy did to racehorse Dr. Livingstone, in honor of the season. Except of course, they call it a “Christmas jumper”, which is sort of ironic, considering it’s a horse…jumping….in a jumper….yeah, whatever, it was a bad joke. [Horse Poses in Christmas Jumper]
Blogger Lauren Spreiser is back at it, this time with thoughts about “First World Problems” and the anxiety that goes along with hosting an Olympian to a clinic at your farm. Everything must be perfect, but what to do when the scheduling, micromanaging, food services and general health of the clinician goes awry? [A Tiny Glass of Lemonade]
Best of Blogs: Kelly Pugh reflects on her season & her recent return to the West Coast
Best of Blogs Pt II: Boyd’s owner Densey Juvonen has been selected as the 2012 recipient of the PRO As You Like It Owner’s Award!
For your winter wishlist….why not add a fully stocked first aid kit for your horse? Check out this week’s Evention, where they explain how to properly equip yourself for unforeseen equine accidents!
