Somewhere, someplace a warm sun is shining down and in that place is a reader with EN Karma [via Cindi]
Good morning Eventing Nation! I want to thank Annie, Ali, and Coren for letting me have one of the news and notes posts that they have been hoarding for several weeks. Coren’s computer is broken which partially explains my writing this morning’s post. The bad news is that everyone will have to wait for updates on my online dating life until the repairmen can fix her computer. Actually, truth be told, I’m just filling space until Leslie Wylie makes her epic news and notes debut on Thursday–no pressure Leslie. Lacy is also being promoted to N&N status and she will debut Saturday morning. I’ll state the obvious by saying that Leslie and Lacy have been wonderful additions to the EN team. Leslie’s Monday post is always one of my favorite’s on EN every week and I only wish everyone could see a couple of her posts that didn’t quite get past the legal chinchilla’s discerning veto. Lacy has brought a level of professionalism, quality, and polish to the EN compound that is entirely foreign but most welcome. I don’t thank our team nearly enough–it’s a fantastic feeling to be surrounded by such a great team each and every day.
Now for what some might call news and notes…
English football star Wayne Rooney has bought a horse. It’s a racehorse, but we still care. Wayne and his wife both enjoy attending the races and they reportedly bought the horse for just over 60,000 pounds, roughly equivalent to the money Wayne earns for every 30 seconds he spends on the pitch. [H&H]
Santa is coming in 4 days and he’s bringing a special present that rhymes with “War Horse.” Do you already have your tickets for the Christmas Day opening? The trailers have been two thumbs up across the board including the latest one that I saw at the theaters yesterday. Also included in the epic trailer series: “Men in Black 3” and “Dark Night Rises,” which I am almost certain will break the opening weekend record when it comes out next year. “War Horse’s” director, Steven Spielberg, has another animal movie coming out today–“The Adventures of Tintin.” You can read more about Spielberg, Tintin, and “War Horse” in this recent NYT interview. You’ll have to forgive me Steven I’m going to a different movie today, should I chose to accept it.
The great Denny Emerson asks: do you speak horse? [COTH]
Can OTTB’s become good Pony Club mounts? (Yes) [USEA]
For more Thoroughbred reading, check out this blog from the TDN which tells the story of one mare’s journey from the slaughter auction to a great home. We don’t love the Thoroughbred Daily News here on EN, but today it’s good reading. The link is courtesy of our friends at Bit of Britain’s Twitter.
Doug Payne Equestrian is releasing a new Doug Payne Equestrian podcast for all you Doug Payne Equestrian fans out there. Here’s the link, especially for you Shanon.
We have a couple of changes coming to EN over the next few weeks including a big behind the scenes website platform switch and a mild redesign. Due to reader requests we will be adding in a few new features including a “previous posts” button and a featured post section in case you miss a day on EN. One thing we are seriously considering is a change to the EN header to accommodate the featured post section. Here’s a sneak peak at a wire frame from the development folks. It’s not a done deal, but, as always, please send all hate mail to [email protected].
Fair Hill is getting a new website, which I think we can all agree is much needed and much deserved for one of North America’s best events. Our good friends at Fair Hill have asked me to pass along a request to eventers to send in our quality high resolution pics from Fair Hill–not only horse photos also any other photos associated with the countless activities that occur there during the competition. Scenic shots, landscape shots, dancing on tables at a competitor party–they want them all. Although don’t send in any photos of me dancing on any tables. Bonus points for sending in photos of Samantha dancing on tables. Please email pictures to [email protected].
Must read: It’s all about giving, by Nancy Jaffer
If you want a Courbette bridle for $87, Tack of the Day has your hookup–available until noon ET. [TOTD]
Today in weird but real approaches to selling horses by overenthusiastic fox hunters:
“7 yr. old, 15.3 hand, Dutch Warmblood/Arabian cross: By “Sea”, by “Air”, by “Land”, this field hunter version of a “Navy SEAL” will take you to the attack. Fast enough to keep up with the TBs for the first hour. Will leave them in the dust, gasping for air and begging for mercy the rest of the day. Gotta love the Arab stamina. If ANYONE has a horse left at the end of the day it will be you. Very agile and sure footed on bad terrain. Throw him down a steep hill at a gallop, no problem. Do the “Man from Snowy River” scene – impress your friends, terrify your family. He has even been known to swim a few strokes across a flooded mine pit at Coal Valley. “Dutchie” is for the advanced foxhunter who wants a RIDE.“
…and a commando. Yours for $17,500. Sadly that add wasn’t posted on Sport Horse Nation, but it is a great chance to thank Leslie Threlkeld for all she does managing SHN for us. If you have ever sold a horse on SHN you know what a great addition she is to the EN team. Thanks to Beth Collier for sending the link and here’s one more link to Beth’s calendars, which make a great holiday gift.
Your random John ramblings interlude: dub step, yes or no? Personally, I think dub step terrible and should barely be considered music, but I love B.O.B.’s “Strange Clouds,” so how is that possible?
Today in EN history: Zara Phillips went off the market, and a conversation with Marmaduke
If you need a last minute gift idea, check out our friends and sponsors at Horse Quencher. Their single serving packets make fantastic stocking stuffers and gifts for your friends at the barn. [Horse Quencher]
Best of the Blogs: A glance at navicular from SmartPak
To get you into the holiday movie spirit:
As usual, Visionaire has EN under control this morning. It’s four days until Christmas. If you are working, stop. Color your nose red with a dry erase maker. Run around the office singing “Frosty the Snowman” until your boss lets you go home. As always, wherever you might be, thanks for making Eventing Nation part of your day. Stay classy EN.
