Hello EN, I am sad to report that the holidays are officially over as of today. While this is sad news, I have some happier tidings that will help you shake off the post-holiday coma: the 2013 season officially kicks off this weekend at the Ocala Horse Properties Winter I HT. Buck Davidson is stealing the show with 11 entries, but other big names like Kyle Carter, John Holling, Andrea Leatherman, and Lesley Grant-Law are also present on the entry list. The show starts on Saturday and will host competitors across the levels from Beginner Novice to Intermediate. [Entry Status] [Website]
The Horse and Hound editors have posted a list of their top ten favorite blog entries of 2012. Below three favorites of mine are summarized- check out the link for a full list. [Horse and Hound]
1. Denman’s diary: exercising with hounds for the first time: Denman is an ex-racehorse that has been re-homed to begin a new life as fox hunter. In this entry, his owner Charlotte describes his first encounter with the hounds. “There were a few fly leaps here and there,” she wrote, but overall he handled the experience very well. [Denman’s diary]
2. Gaby Cooke’s blog: saying goodbye to Sir Roscoe leaves a huge hole: 21-year-old professional eventer Gaby Cooke was prepping for her second attempt at Badminton with her lovely Sir Roscoe when a tragic cross country accident resulted in Roscoe having to be put down. She wrote about the experience and showed wisdom beyond her years, saying, “It goes without saying how many tears have been shed, but at the same time I’m completely at peace about it. What happened at Belton was beyond anyone’s control or judgment, but he never suffered and I was with him the whole way through to say my final goodbyes and thank yous, which he thoroughly deserved.” [Gaby Cooke’s blog]
3. Olympic blog: we’re looking at a new world order in dressage: H&H dressage editor Alice Collins gives her opinion about the London dressage results, including why she believes Charlotte Dujardin won out over Adelinde Cornelissen even though the Dutch didn’t think she should have. Collins also disagrees with the opinion that this was something amazing, a once in a lifetime stroke of luck. “There was nothing incredible or unbelievable about what she achieved out there: Charlotte has earned her medals through sheer hard work and ultimate focus. It was fortune that brought together Britain’s best trainer, the world’s best horse and the ideal rider for that horse, but Charlotte made it happen.” [Olympic Blog]
Moving onto the rest of your links: Horsetalk takes a look at the history of horse sculpting and the frustrations artists face in attempting to depict the equine form. Horses are difficult to sculpt because of their top-heavy form, with large bodies balanced on thin legs. “As a result, the history of equine and equestrian statuary has largely been a history of technology and financing, particularly for statuary on a grand scale,” the article notes. [Horsetalk]
Firefighters in Britain used airbags to free a cast mare after she rolled into a depression in her stall and was unable to stand up. [Horsetalk]
Britain wants to tighten international shipping of competition horses between itself, Ireland, and France in an attempt to better control the spread of disease, but vets in the latter two countries have vetoed any change to a tripartite agreement that currently allows horses not destined for slaughter to be freely moved without quarantine time. Talks will continue in order to reach an agreement. [Horse and Hound]
That’s all for now EN, thanks for reading. Try to enjoy your first day back in the office post-holidays!
