This year's logo.
Good morning EN! I am sad to report that the time has come when there are no events this weekend to preview today: the winter doldrums are upon us. Luckily there is still one bright spot on the horizon, and it takes the shape of the 2012 USEA Annual Convention that begins exactly one week from today in Colorado Springs. As the USEA reminded us on its Facebook page yesterday, there is still time to register for the event and attend the annual meeting, awards banquet, and many education seminars. Mary King, this year’s keynote speaker, will address attendees on Saturday, and there are many more esteemed professionals leading educational seminars and roundtable discussions. Check out the schedule and find registration information after the jump. [Schedule] [Registration]
If the weather is likely to keep you stuck inside this winter, you might be interested in a new online course offering by Canada’s Equine Guelph, the horse owners’ and care givers’ Center at the University of Guelph. The course will explore the evolutionary history of horses, their domestication, and the impact on the modern-day human-horse relationship. Beginning January 7 and running until March 31, the course will feature guest speakers that will lecture about the role of horses throughout evolution, world cultures, and the military. If this doesn’t pique your interest, Equine Guelph offers several other courses in areas like nutrition, Equine marketing and communications, functional anatomy, and behavior. [Horsetalk] [Equine Guelph]
The Brits are up in arms after the BCC released its shortlist for the 2012 Sports Personality of the Year and no equestrians made the cut. Many affiliated with the horse industry took to social media to express their dismay, but the lack of equine clout attracted notice in the mainstream media as well. The Director of BBC Sport Barbara Slater said, “It was very difficult to leave off Olympians and Paralympians of the caliber of Charlotte Dujardin and triple paralympic gold medalist Sophie Christiansen,” and mentioned that it would probably upset readers of her blog. The winner of the award will be announced on December 16. [Horse and Hound]
Rest in peace Don Burt, former president of the AQHA and member of the USEF Reining and High Performance Reining Committees. Burt was honored with a USEF Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007, and was a member of the United States Equestrian Team Board of Trustees from 1999-2003. He served the equestrian world and the sport of reining for over 50 years. [USET Press Release]
Endurance riding is the newest equine discipline to come under scrutiny for doping. The FEI has investigated 15 cases of doping this year so far, with 8 of them involving endurance riders, of which 7 were from the United Arab Emirates. There are 10 more doping cases pending, nine of which involved endurance. Endurance has grown in the past few years to have the most events behind show jumping, and the FEI intends to ramp up their profile in endurance accordingly. [Horse and Hound]
Today on HN: Winter riding tips from SmartPak. [Horse Nation]
Horsetalk has done an interesting piece on the importance of maintaining a website as a professional horsemen. While websites can be considered an integral part of a marketing plan, the writers warn against thinking the site will do the work for you. “Don’t expect that your horse website will be parked on prime real estate on the side of the internet equivalent of State Highway 1,” they caution. The article goes on to provide a helpful guide to establishing your web presence, including advice on how to find a web designer and register a domain name. [Horsetalk]
Speaking of websites, the British Horse Society (a big time charity for those stuck on this side of the pond) has a snazzy new one. Check it out. [Horsetalk]
Equine sports psychologist Daniel Stewart has been writing a monthly Q&A with tips series for the USEA. This month’s question is about competition distractions and how to deal with them. Stewart writes that there are three kinds of distractions: internal, external, and unrelated, and the best method to deal with them is a form of desensitization called “simulation training.” Read more after the jump. [USEA]
Best of Blogs: Marcia Kulak writes a year-end wrap up and gives her thoughts on the future of our sport.
That’s all for now EN, thanks for reading and enjoy your Wednesday!
