Eight days and counting!
Good morning EN! Today’s top story is a crossover from the show jumping world, as the USEF has named the US team that will compete at the CSIO-W Buenos Aires in Argentina. The riders will be Charlie Jacobs, Quentin Judge, Catherine Pasmore, and Alison Robitaille. The show will take place from November 7-11 at Haras El Capricho. Charlie Jacobs attended last year and won the 2011 Ericsson Grand Prix with Leap of Joy, an 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding that is one of two mounts Jacobs will be returning with this year to defend his title. According to the USEF website, “the CSIO Buenos Aires has historically provided valuable Nations Cup experience for many riders as they climb through the ranks of the sport.” Good luck to all US team members as they prepare for their journey. [USET] [Haras El Capricho]
The FEI has released its updated prohibited substances list that will take effect on January 1, 2013. According to the USEA, the five following substances were added to the list this year: Cyclosporin, a systemic immunosuppressant; Tropicamide, which affects the central nervous system and has a potential for abuse; Pitcher Plant preparation (Sarapin), which is reputed to have analgesic properties, a potential to affect performance and its use is considered to be a welfare concern; Delmadinone acetate and Chlormadinone acetate, synthetic steroidal progestins that decrease testosterone concentration and have the potential to affect performance. Two previously banned substances, Fentanyl and Morphine, have been moved to the controlled medication list, and Deslorelin, which was on the Controlled Medication list, has been removed completely. Click the link for a full summary, courtesy of the USEA. [USEA]
And you thought our elections were rough: British foxhunters are being urged to get to the polls to vote in an unexpected by-election to ensure the return of a conservative MP that favors repealing the country’s ban on fox hunting. Vote-Ok, a lobby group dedicated to supporting pro-repeal politicians, is urging foxhunters to get to the poles as the seat is contested. The lobby’s leader, George Bowyer, told Horse and Hound that “hunting people need to regain the sense of the outrage that we all felt in 2002-03″ and that in order to get the repeal they all want, they have to get the right people in. [Horse & Hound]
This fall Galway Downs has upped its game by planting 500 new trees around the property and installing 14 acres of grass polo fields in the infield of its racetrack, The Chronicle reports. According to organizer Robert Kellerhouse, these are just part of the new features that the event will have during its November 1-4 CCI. On cross country day there will be four “entertainment stations” set up around the course with seating, food, and live acoustic music for spectators to enjoy, and a larger live band will play in the evening. Land Rover is sponsoring a test drive track, and thanks to their generous sponsorship along with many others, the total prize money will be a whopping $33,000, including a $21,000 purse for the CCI***. Get your entries in now! [COTH] [Galway Downs]
Galway isn’t the only California event that’s looking good for fall- Derek di Grazia has done a big redesign of the CIC cross country courses for the Woodside International Horse Trials, which will take place this weekend from October 5-7. The Woodside course features something not seen often out in CA: hills. Di Grazia isn’t letting those go to waste, and incorporated them into his course design and jump placement. He said that the course will keep the same flow that it has in previous years, and while “the questions will be somewhat different, they still should ride with same amount of difficulty.” 60 riders will be attempting the FEI levels, and more than 300 will compete in the national division spanning the levels from Beginner Novice to Advanced. Thanks to generous sponsors, total prize money for the event stands at $20,000. Good luck to all competitors this weekend! [COTH] [Entry List]
Speaking of Woodside, James Alliston is out to defend his title as CIC*** champion. [COTH]
Andrew Nicholson and Avebury have been awarded the 2012 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials breeder’s prize for the highest placed British bred horse by British Breeding. Avebury, who also won the overall event, is a homebred owned by Mr Mark Barlow and Mrs Rosemary Barlow. [British Eventing]
The Fall Horse Trials at the Ark, scheduled for October 13, has been cancelled due to lack of entries. All riders who already submitted payment will receive full refunds minus the office fees. [USEA]
Cologne racecourse in Germany has been put under a quarantine after a horse was found to have Equine Infectious Anemia, aka swamp fever. A four-year-old filly based at the stables there was a favorite to win this weekend’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, but will no longer be able to run in the race. The quarantine will last for 90 days, and horses there will be unable to travel until it is lifted. [Horse & Hound]
Feel good story of the day: Two years after rescuing 115 wild mustangs from a livestock auction in Fallon, Nevada, Ellie Price watched them take their first steps onto Montgomery Creek Ranch, a 2000-acre wildlife refuge she established outside of Willows, CA. While she is very happy to see these horses get a new life and plans to continue to add rescued animals to the preserve, Price understands that “rescue and re-homing is not an ideal or sustainable solution to wild horse management.” She is working with American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign to encourage other techniques of population control, such as birth control vaccines, to ensure wild horses can stay wild. “It’s the most humane and, in the long run, cost-effective way to manage wild horses on the range – so that both they and we can continue to enjoy their freedom.” [Horsetalk]
Want to have dinner with Boyd? On October 23, Brandywine Ace Pet & Farm and Oxford Feed & Lumber host a special event with Boyd and Silva Martin at Stone Barn, a restaurant in Kennett Square, PA. Drennan brothers, owners of both businesses and Boyd’s Purina feed supplier, are hosting the evening “so that our local equine enthusiasts can meet and hear first hand from Boyd about his preparation and experience at the Olympics.” Tickets cost $20. [Unionville Times]
Best of Blogs:
It’s October, and you know what that means: Fair Hill is coming.
Chelan has a new blog, and we appreciate the EN shoutout as her first post.
As mentioned before, James Alliston is defending last year’s CIC*** win at Woodside this weekend- watch his 2011 winning show jumping round aboard Jumbo’s Jake is below. Thanks for reading EN, have a great Wednesday!
