Everyone needs a good send-off out the start box, and just as Eventers pull together to support one another, RedBubble is “all about helping artists share their vision with the people. And by people, we mean you….” (Kind of like an “Artists Nation?”) Here’s a great way to send your favorite Olympic Equestrian team member an Olympic 2012 good-luck horseshoe card, from artist Ian Jeffrey.
This is probably the first time in a LONG time that the horse community may recall so much chatter about equestrian sports in the media headlines. It is certainly an exiting time for Japanese Olympic Eventer Kenki Sato, as blog An Eventful Life, recounts how the Japanese Olympic eventing team gets ready for London 2012.
We all know horses used solely as transport declined when people started using automobiles from the 1890s onward, but is modern society really so disconnected from equines that any thing or any sport these days involving a horse is considered “weird,” or “stuffy and aristocratic?” Let’s hope the end-result of this attention (“any publicity is good publicity…”) is equestrian sports get the attention they rightfully deserve, and we see new converts putting a foot in the stirrup for the first time!
In the past week the Olympic Equestrian teams presented their “kits” and the fashionistas lost no time in determining who would be the Olympics’ Next Top Model/Designer. Patriotically, I cheer on Team USA; but personally, I confess I feel the French got it right with Hermes. Then again, I’m biased, from my year drooling on the glass of designer house storefront windows (or rather, clinging to the windows, a bit like Garfield the Cat) when I was a penniless rag-clothed American student whilst living and studying in Paris. Speaking of looks and makeovers, from down under Louise Parkes of HorseTalk.co.nz discusses Dressage having “a new look for the London Olympics.”
Back in the UK, British Evening announced it is considering extending the season into November, in light of the incredibly soggy weather that has tormented the British Isles for most of this year. While the schedule extension is something to consider, one new development not anticipated by Olympic coordinators is possible delays feared as boarder staff confirm a planned strike. (Always something to keep things exciting, isn’t there?) No doubt, keep calm, if in long lines at Heathrow, bring something to read or update your smart phones with the new Olympic iOS and Android apps recently launched by the BBC, or if in American, with the NBC and Adobe partnership, which will also provide Olympic coverage to US Olympic fans. In the end, all will be well that ends well.
As we count down the days before the Olympic Games, plan to schedule and prepare for the live streams. Set up the DVRs, and download the apps. Stock the fridge with cold beverages, and the food pantry, so you don’t miss a single stride. Turn all phones on silence. Or, another way to plan 24-hours at-a-time is to “lie in the bath, Malt whisky [in]…hand, rubber ducks riding the waves…” as suggested by Will’s Blog & other thoughts from Equestrian Team GBR. (I think I like the way Will thinks…)
Speaking of British Eventing, on Tuesday, July 24th, 2012, BE members are invited to Tweet any queries to British Eventing. The outcome of the tweets and replies from BE will be documented and made available on line at the BE website. Read more at Twitter Q&A with British Eventing. (What a great idea!)
Leaving you-though not in a hurry-with a re-posted blast from the past of some “old fashioned” Eventing, with vintage footage of the 1936 Olympic games. (It is simply TOO good to not watch twice, or thrice!) Now, go ride, and go Eventing!
