Will Faudree makes a triumphant return to the saddle! Photo via Will Faudree Eventing.
Last fall was a bit rough, with the accidents of Andrew Nicholson, Will Faudree, and William Fox-Pitt sitting heavily on our minds. I’m glad to see the return of Will Faudree to the saddle this week for the first time since his accident. All three of these riders has now returned to the tack, and it’s wonderful to see them doing what they love again.
U.S. Weekend Preview:
Stable View Winter I H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]
Poplar Place Farm February H.T. [Website] [Entry Status]
Sporting Days H.T. [Website] [Entry Status]
Galway Downs H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]
The University of Georgia’s Large Animal Teaching Hospital is temporarily closed after a single horse that was admitted to the emergency service on Jan. 31 tested positive for Equine Herpes-1 virus. The hospital will NOT admit any patients for at least the next two to three weeks as a precaution. Auburn University’s Large Animal Hospital is available to take patients during UGA’s closure. [UGA Temporary Closing]
The deadline to apply for the Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover has closed. Almost 500 trainers applied to participate, with a pool of nearly 750 horses. Most of the applicants are professionals, but many amateurs and juniors applied as well. The applicants cover almost all of the states and several Canadian territories and eventers, show jumpers, and show hunters dominated the discipline selections. Final participants will be announced on February 15. [RRP Makeover Application Closes]
The owners of a photo-bombing horse feel cheated out of prize. David and Jacob Bellis went on a walk near their house in Wales and decided to take a photo with a neighbor’s horse. Said horse photobombed the photo, the photo went on to win a holiday for the Bellis’ after David entered it in a contest, and now the owner of the horse is calling foul. Because the horse was the reason the photo won the contest, they feel cheated out of a prize. Talk about some sour grapes. [Photo Bombing Horse in Wales]
Behind the Stall Door: American Pharoah. America’s favorite racehorse is now snug and secure in his life at Coolmore Stud, where he spends mornings turned out next two Thunder Gulch, the horse who won the Kentucky Derby exactly 20 years before he did. Described as sweet and cuddle, AP is mostly a pretty chill dude and makes it entirely too easy to fall in love with him all over again. [Behind the Stall Door]
Lauren Sprieser details out how Facebook has changed the process of horse shopping. After putting an ISO ad (In Search Of) up on Facebook, Lauren realized that even something as simple as asking for leads on top quality horses in the US was now seen and judged by everyone. Everyone has an opinion, and on Facebook, everyone states it. Facebook has completely changed the way we do business. [The Search for Phenomenal]
If you trailer a lot, you should have USRider. Like AAA for horse trailers, USRider is invaluable when you are stuck in a jam. Kentucky Equine Research is giving away a free annual membership and all you need to do is sign up for their e-mail newsletter. Check out the PDF for direction on how to enter the promotion. [Win a USRider Membership with KER]
The USPC Championships have found a new home for 2016. Starting this July, the USPC Championships East will be held at Tryon International Equestrian Center. [USPC Champs to be Based at TIEC]
SmartPak Product of the Day: It’s the time of year where all the horses are sick of wearing blankets, but they still have to wear them for another month or two. If they’re the type that are prone to rubbing the hair off on their shoulders, try a shoulder guard to protect them. [SmartPak]
I may have laughed for three days when I saw. Possibly NSFW, depending on your workplace. But unicorns. And rainbows.
