Good morning EN! Today’s top link isn’t a bird, or a plane- it’s the Legged Squad Support System (LS3), also known as the mechanical pack horse. Developed by Boston Dynamics and financed by the US Marine Corps and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, it was designed with the military in mind and can go wherever soldiers on foot can go, while carrying 400lbs of gear and enough fuel to cover 20 miles over 24 hours. It doesn’t need a driver, because it can follow the leader using computerized vision (like duh), or it can be programmed to head off to a specific location through a built-in GPS system. I can’t say I’m impressed yet though- at least not until they make one that can jump. Click the for a video of the LS3 in action. [Horsetalk]
Blenheim course designer David Evans was honored with Bill Thomson Memorial Award for his work as a designer. Bill Thomson was a world-renown designer who built courses at Burghley and other famous events and, according to Horsetalk, “his flair for creating challenging yet fair obstacles remains the inspiration for the sport’s leading designers worldwide.” Each year the award is given to a course designer or builder who has made significant contributions to the sport, and previous winners include Captain Mark Phillips, Alan Willis, and Philip Herbert. Evans has worked at many major events, including Blenheim, Chatsworth, Bramham and Luhmühlen. British Eventing’s Mike Etherington-Smith said, “He has driven the standard of presentation to new levels and is now undoubtedly one of the best, if not the best, course builders in the world and is a thoroughly deserving winner of this award.” [Horsetalk]
The Kiwis had a good weekend at Blenheim, with Andrew Nicholson bringing home the blue in the CIC*** British Championship class for eight- and nine-year-old horses, and Toddy was second behind William Fox-Pitt in the CCI. Nicholson was riding Spanish-bred Quimbo, who was one of the more experienced horses in the field since he has been competing at the advanced level since age three. Obviously he must be quite an impressive gelding. After the win, Andrew said, “He’s a lovely horse, very easy to ride and has an amazing jump.” Congrats Team NZ. [NZ Herald]
Note: The Herals quotes Andrew as saying “He’s probably one of the most experienced horses in the field and has been doing advanced since he was three.” Quimbo’s FEI results show him doing his first CCI* in 2009, via Caitrin.
UK Olympic reserve show jumper Tina Fletcher was seriously injured at Spruce Meadows when she fell from Hello Sailor in the second round of the $1million CN International grand prix. The gelding crashed through the second element of a double, and Fletcher’s leg caught in the reins when she fell, causing her to be dragged for several strides. Luckily her leg was not broken, however she suffered severe tendon damage when the horse’s stud penetrated her Achilles tendon. Once she returns home she will have surgery to repair the damage. [Horse & Hound]
Want to donate to a good cause? Send a check to Florida Trac, an organization that pays for the veterinary care and rehabilitation of ex-racehorses. Click the link for some stories of recent patients and more information about how to donate. [COTH]
Construction of the equestrian facilities is about to begin for the 2015 Toronto Pan/Parapan American games at Caledon Equestrian Park. Because the park already hosts about 16 events per year, construction is carefully scheduled for only the fall and winter months in order to avoid disrupting competitions already scheduled. According to the Chronicle, the first phase will begin in October and be completed before the 2013 season. [COTH]
In case you’re still wondering if Britain is having the best year ever, look no further: at last weekend’s FEI Junior European Eventing Championships in Strzegom, Poland, the British team took home double gold and an individual silver to boot. Ireland’s Harold Megahey won the bronze medal. Ireland also won team silver, followed by France with the bronze. The British riders really felt the pressure on day three, with only three riders left in competition after one fell at fence 22 on the cross country course. Two of the three jumped double clear and one incurred just three time faults. That would have been enough to drop the Team GBR to silver until Ireland’s Tori Dixon pulled an unfortunate rail, which also cost her the individual silver medal. She finished in ninth place (which goes to show how tight the field was…and we wonder why we don’t win in Europe). Scroll down to see Britain’s double gold medalist Sophie How’s winning show jumping round. [Horse and Country]
Food for thought from The Chronicle: We need to keep quality horses in the US. [COTH]
Found on Facebook: SmartPak hit 250,000 fans! Are you one of them? If not, click here. [SmartPak Blog]
Best of Blogs: Courtney Cooper reflects on moving forward after her injury
As promised, below is the video of Europe’s junior eventing championship gold medalist Sophie How’s winning show jump round. Thanks for reading EN, enjoy your Wednesday!
Did you see us at AECs to get your free sample of Horse Quencher? Hope so! We also drew four daily winners, photos are posted on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/HorseQuencher. Congrats to everyone who competed, it was an accomplishment just to be there, and we raise our cup (of Horse Quencher) to you!
