Welcome to March Eventing Nation. I’m not as disciplined as Annie, or perhaps I am just more nocturnal, but it seems like I keep getting started on the news and notes later and later at night. It’s up at 6am in the morning, so I’m going to keep this brief. Hopefully some commenters will bail me out, as always, with some interesting insights. Here are your news and notes and links:
Morning Update:
Clayton Fredericks won a Harley in Portugal [H&H]
Paul Schockemohle talks about his empire [COTH]
A Leap Of Faith: Hugh Lochore At Red Hills Horse Trials
–This week is a relatively quiet one for the east coast US advanced horses because most of them competed at Pine Top over the weekend. But, it is a busy weekend for the rest of US eventing. There are 4 USEA events this weekend–Twin Rivers, Rocking Horse, Sporting Days, and Texas Rose. The Twin Rivers advanced horse trials will host almost all of the top west coast horses. [Twin Rivers Entries]
–As some of you may have read in the EN comment section, Robert Dover’s radio show today will be dedicated to “Everything Eventing”. David and Karen O’Connor, Phillip Dutton, and Darren Chiacchia, will be joining Robert for what, at the very least, will be an interesting conversation dynamic. The show is from 6-8pm ET tonight and you can live around the world at DoversWorld.com and call in to 561-844-6167 or toll-free to 1-800-889-0267. I have no idea what direction Robert will take the show, and I have a feeling that it will either be really awkward or really entertaining.
–We have given a shout out to the Area II year-end awards system before, but it’s worth doing again. Unlike more year-end awards, the Area II awards require people sign up for them and perform volunteer hours to qualify for winning the awards. While this might seem a bit inconvenient, I think it’s a great way to get folks involved with volunteering, and it reminds us that anytime we win at eventing there are many many volunteers making that event possible. [Area II Website]
Thrifty Horse Keeping-slow feeders
–Horsetalk has a nice article about Denzil, a 19 year old 17.2 British military horse, retiring after many years of service. In his time with the British military, Denzil served numerous divisions, including most recently the Light Cavalry Honourable Artillery Company. Denzil had various ceremonial duties as well a teaching people to ride and equestrian displays such as ‘tent pegging.’ I’m not sure about you, but I have pegged a few tents in my day and I never once thought to myself that it would be easier to do from the back of a galloping horse. In retirement, Denzil will enjoy 200 acres of paddocks in the Chiltern Hills. This is also a great opportunity to do something that we don’t do enough of on Eventing Nation but that is often close to my thoughts–thanks to all the service men and women (and horses) who protect us around the world each day. [Horsetalk]
I’m just trying to figure out where all the tents are:
For those of you wondering (and I know you are) the term ‘tent pegging’ comes from the idea that cavalries would strike a surprise pre-dawn raid on an enemy camp and could use the game’s skills to sever or uproot tent pegs. The more you know. [Wikipedia]
Team USA for the Wellington Nations’ Cup this weekend includes McLain Ward and Sapphire, as well as Beezie Madden [COTH]
The AAEP published guidelines for transitioning retired racehorses
That’s all for now Eventing Nation. I’ll be back throughout the day with all of your eventing and tent pegging news. Wherever you may be, thanks for making Eventing Nation part of your day. Go eventing.
