A very cute corgi hanging out waiting for Christmas. Photo by Dave Taylor.
How is it Christmas week already? Last I remember it was Thanksgiving and there was turkey and all the trimmings, and now it’s three days from Christmas. Luckily Amazon is here at my fingertips, making holiday shopping oh so easy and way less crowded than the mall. The weather has also made it hard to get into the holiday spirit. Here in Maryland, temps are forecasted to be in the mid-70s on Christmas, wiping any possibility of a Bing Crosby White Christmas off the table.
But alas, the barn’s radio is blaring the season’s finest holiday music, hoof stockings are hung from the stalls with care, and wrapping paper scraps are spread around my office like Christmas confetti. The joy of the season is hard to ignore when Santa hats and reindeer antlers are common attire of the barn’s bipeds, which often leads to the horses wearing them as well. So I say to all of you, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
Events Opening Today: Sporting Day Farm Horse Trials I (SC, A-3), Galway Downs Winter H.T. (CA, A-6), Poplar Place Farm February H.T. (GA, A-3), Pine Top Intermediate Horse Trials (GA, A-3), Stable View Winter Horse Trials I(SC, A-3)
Events Closing this Week: Ocala Horse Properties Winter I H.T. (FL, A-3)
Tuesday News and Notes:
Let the Bidding Begin: In a effort to raise money to renew the 2009-2010 Frangible Fence Study, the USEA is auctioning off a cross country fence built by Eric Bull. The fence being auctioned has a value of $900 to $1,000 and was used this past fall at the Young Event Horse East Coast Championships at Fair Hill. Bidding takes place on Facebook in the comments section of the post. To get the ball rolling, I have placed the starting bid at $550; will you outbid me for safety? The Auction ends December 31st, so bid no bid often. [Auction to Benefit Collapsible Fence Study]
Horse Hubby Christmas Ideas: Usable and practical items top this list of last-minute gift ideas for Christmas. For those guys that procrastinate to the very last minute, listed are some ways to get out of horse husband jail before you find yourself giving her another pair of horse-themed socks. But don’t get carried away and go all in; you need to know the dont’s of holiday shopping for horse girls as well. [Last Minute Christmas Ideas for Horse Girls]
Tis the Season for Treats: Your horse may be gifted bags of starlight mints, boxes of candy canes and fancy German sugar cubes this holiday season. So before you bring all the loot to the barn, take into consideration your equine’s well being prior to pumping them full of holiday sugary goodness. [Sugars and Peppermints: Not Safe for All Horses]
Writing to Yourself in the Past: If you could sit down and write a letter to yourself and have it delivered one year ago from now, what would it say? When Jennie Brannigan puts pen to paper, she has so much to tell herself. Amazing advances in her eventing career, having to watching stadium from the ground on a Sunday, and the amazing support from friends are some of the things she writes to herself. [A letter to Myself]
No Go for Trump Invitational: Due to unprecedented rain, Equestrian Sport Productions has been forced to cancel the popular Trump Invitational at the Mar-a-Largo Club in Florida. The rain fall has made the grass arena on the back lawn unfit for competition. Donald Trump has set his eyes on bringing the competition back in 2017, hoping to have the grounds back in top notch shape by then. [Bad weather forces cancellation of Trump Invitational showjumping]
Take a Ride Back in Time: Aiken is a great place for eventers and all horse lovers alike. For a limited time, you can reserve a carriage ride on the streets of downtown Aiken. From now through Dec. 31 (including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day), you can be driven around in true style while Al Capone leads the way. [Horse & Carriage Rides Bring Holiday Cheer to Aiken]
Cavalor Giveaway: Cavalor is giving away one month of Cavalor feed to two lucky winners to help start the New Year right. Just tell them how Cavalor has changed your horse’s life for the better, or share with them why you want to make the switch to Cavalor for your chance to win. The contest ends at midnight on Jan. 1, 2016. [Cavalor Contest]
Tuesday’s Video:
