I’m not going to lie. I don’t really care about the Cowboys and I don’t really care about the Redskins. But I watched every snap of Monday Night Football just to watch my fantasy football team get its first loss of the season thanks to a Dallas center who couldn’t snap the ball properly to save his life. Anyone who follows sports ratings can tell you that the huge popularity of fantasy football has served to increase the popularity of the NFL. My question: who would be your first pick in fantasy eventing? Dibs on Michael Jung.
–If you missed it on Monday, Matthias Rath was featured on the Chronicle. The most telling quote of the article for me was when Rath said “It’s impossible to make everybody happy. I gave that up at the beginning of the year–trying to make everybody happy. When you really believe that you are doing it for yourself, it takes a lot of pressure away, and it makes it easier when people say negative things.” I’d say that is great advice for anyone, but perhaps particularly the rider of the world’s best dressage horse. [COTH]
–Our good friend Jackie at Regarding Horses addresses the issue of using correction methods such as spurs, draw reins, gag bits, and side reins. Personally, I think all four are very different. Of course, if possible it’s good to go au natural, but in reality sometimes we all need a bit of help. Any of those aids applied poorly and without precision is much worse than not having the aids. Most (every one I can think of) pros use spurs as a standard practice because they can avoid hitting the horse with them if they don’t want to. I feel draw reins can be useful occasionally but they are easily overdone and the same goes for side reins. I prefer less bit than more on cross-country, but a gag is better than getting run away with. Of course, it’s always a matter of the individual situation and having a good coach to diagnose what you need when. [Regarding Horses]
—Photos: Poplar Place Top Finishers
–Stone Gate Farm hosted the Area VIII beginner novice and novice championships this weekend. The weather cooperated with a dry weekend and 131 riders from 7 states enjoyed what sounds like a great weekend of eventing. Jackie Smith and the entire Smith family put on wonderful events for Area VIII at Stone Gate. [Stone Gate Blog]
–Denny has a blog! I could keep typing and tell you all about it, but I know you have already stopped reading and clicked the link. The blog is to help promote Denny’s book, may he write early and often. [Denny’s blog]
—Best of the Blogs: Jennie Brannian remembers her grandfather
That’s all for now Eventing Nation. Stay tuned for a busy Tuesday with some great stuff from Samantha. As always, wherever you might be, thanks for making Eventing Nation part of your day. Stay classy EN.
