View this post on Instagram
There are two things I really, really love, perhaps above all else: impromptu shopping sprees and horsey fairy tales. Last week, while reporting on Pau, I got to be a part of both when my great friend and yard owner Kate Tarrant ventured down for a jolly at the event with our pal Helen Howell. One of the lesser-known things about Pau is that it also hosts a rather informal horse sale on Saturday evening, and Kate and Helen had watched some of the young horses registered for the sale as they’d loose-jumped a few days prior — with no intention to actually buy, of course.
That is, until they spotted Ipanema Classic. Tall, beautifully put together with legs up to here; sired by World Champ Banzai du Loir’s sire Nouma d’Auzay and packed with talent on the dam side, too; equipped with big, clever radar ears and kind eyes and a clever, curious countenance — she was perfect. And so, a few pink wines and a little bit of enabling later, they snuck off into the crowd as the sun set over the auction and minutes — and some cobbled-together French — later, came back with a horse they now own between them, a big five-star dream, and a bottle of champagne. What a whirlwind!
Once they’d rung their husbands to admit to what they’d done, we got down to the business of celebrating — and now, Penny Pau, as we’ve christened her, has arrived back in England, every bit as perfect as she was in France. We’re all redownloading DuoLingo so we can actually talk to her, and in the meantime, she’s had her first short lunge and will enjoy her inaugural ride on English soil today. We’ve all got a great feeling about this one, and I can’t wait to follow her through the age classes all the way up — we hope — to the very top of the sport. Expect to see plenty more of EN’s unofficial new English mascot.
Events Closing Today: Pine Top Thanksgiving H.T.
Tuesday News & Notes from Around the World:
Have a brand that NEEDS to be on everyone’s holiday list this year? We’ve just opened up spots for our 2022 Holiday Gift Guide with Horse Nation. Info/book your spot here.
We’re on Day 2 of SmartPak’s 12 Days of Deals! Today, you can snag a free saddle pad with a Buy 2, Get 1 Free deal using code 22DEAL2 at checkout. Click here to shop.
Two years into their five-year contract, The Jockey Club has withdrawn from its role in running England’s Blenheim Palace International. This major blow to eventing comes as a result of the current economic climate in the UK, and leaves the prestigious event — which hosts one of just three CCI4*-L competitions in the country alongside the enormously important eight- and nine-year-old CCI4*-S — with an uncertain future. [A blow for Blenheim]
I don’t follow racing much, but after I saw the viral video of Flightline’s owner quietly crying as he watched his horse run away with the Breeder’s Cup, I needed to know everything about the race, the horse, and the circumstances that led to such an emotional moment. [Here’s the full story]
What’s the difference between being a rider and being a horseman? That’s the question at the heart of a new book by hunter-jumper trainers Traci and Carleton Brooks Balmoral, and this article, which condenses the answer down to ten essential bullet points. The key? Communication — and setting aside your ego to do so effectively. [Become a horseman]
Are you planning a move-up? Brushing up on the expectations at your intended level is never a bad idea, and can help you stay safe as you amp up the difficulty. The USEA Eventing Handbook by the Levels was developed by the USEA Eventing Coaches’ Program’s members, and is jam-packed with useful information — and best of all? It’s a free download, so there’s no excuse not to be clued up. [Get it here]
Last winter, EHV-1 once again triggered a major circuit shutdown and plenty of fear among horse people. Nearly a year on, what have we learned from it, and how can we best prepare to avoid outbreaks and manage situations in which they occur? USEF is hosting a free webinar on Tuesday, November 15 at 5 p.m. ET covering these topics and more, with a panel of experts discussing best practice and prevention. It’ll be well worth the watch. [Sign up here]
The Ocala Horse Properties Dream Farm of the Week:
View this post on Instagram
How sweet is this barn-and-apartment combo? It’s got eight stalls and six paddocks, and it’s perfectly located just a couple of minutes from WEC. While the property comes with plenty of space to build a huge main residence, I actually love the idea of just moving into an apartment and closing those big gates so me and my horses can enjoy our little slice of heaven without any input from the real world. Is that a realistic dream? Maybe not — but who among us hasn’t dreamed of looking out our bedroom window and seeing our happy horses, knowing that it’s just and them tucked away in a perfect little oasis? Bliss.
Watch This:
Check out how dressage has changed — and how it’s remained the same — in this vintage training footage.
