Wednesday News & Notes from Haygain

Graphic via Kareem Rosser.

February is Black History Month! In an effort to continue my own education, I’ve been doing some reading on some Black horsewomen and men who have helped shape the modern industry to what it is today. I would love to have the opportunity to share with you what I’m learning, so stay tuned each Wednesday morning for a new tidbit!

If you haven’t pre-ordered Kareem Rosser’s forthcoming memoir, Crossing the Line, I suggest you add it your list ASAP. I’ll take some description from the U.S. Polo website: “Born and raised in West Philadelphia, Kareem Rosser* thought he and his siblings would always be stuck in “The Bottom”, a community and neighborhood devastated by poverty and violence. Riding their bicycles through Philly’s Fairmount Park, Kareem’s brothers discovered a barn full of horses. Noticing the brothers’ fascination with her misfit animals, Lezlie Hiner, founder of the Work to Ride stables, offered them an escape route: an after school job in exchange for riding lessons.”

You can pre-order your copy of Crossing the Line, which is due to be released on February 11, by clicking here. Book club, anyone??

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Sporting Days Farm February H.T.: [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Three Lakes Ranch H.T.: [Website] [Volunteer]

Wednesday Reading List:

Congrats to EN’s Maggie Deatrick, who birthed a baby human named Liana Evelyn Yeh yesterday morning “after 5 freaking hours of labor at 9:17 am after my water broke as I was going to bed at 11:30.” May Liana be as badass as her brave, beautiful, smart, strong mother. We promise a photo in tomorrow’s News & Notes!

The history of equestrianism is made all the richer by the diverse group of people who make up its fabric. The International Museum of the Horse last year launched The Chronicle of African Americans in the Horse Industry as a way to provide more education about the rich history of the industry.

Need some more ideas for your bookshelf? Pre-order Amanda Gorman’s forthcoming book of poetry or pick up a gift for the young rider in your barn in Caitlin Gooch’s Black Equestrians coloring book.

Have you joined the party on Patreon yet? We’re running a special promo for our early patrons: everyone who signs up to support EN on Patreon (where we’ve created an exclusive Facebook group and have a lot of exciting extra planned) by February 14 will receive an EN Yeti mug or wine tumbler. Click here to join now!

Questions continue to swirl about the Tokyo Olympics as well as the logistics involved with the equestrian events should the Games go forward as planned. Find out the latest developments in this update from Horse & Hound.

Setting your barn up in the most horse-friendly way is a great method for ensuring that your horses will be happy and healthy. Read more in this case study on flooring from Haygain.

Today we are very saddened to pay our respects and tribute to Anissa Cottongim, who lost her battle with leiomyosarcoma this week. Anissa was a lifelong supporter of the sport of eventing and loved her horses more than anything. Recently, Anissa’s prized stallion, Tatendrang, paid a visit to her in the hospital — a quiet moment spent with a good friend. Anissa has left a true legacy and her loss has been felt all through our community. We will miss you dearly, Anissa. If you’d like to make a donation in Anissa’s honor, please click here; “Anissa’s Fund” will contribute directly to the American Trakehner Association’s Special Board of Director’s Award.

Your shift is done, good buddy.

You carried her well.

Posted by Andrew Palmer on Monday, February 1, 2021