Wishing I was headed south with you all
Good morning eventing Nation!
It’s that time of year when everyone is making their last and final winter plans. In another couple weeks the first events of the year start and everyone is over 2012 and on to 2013. It’s a hopeful time of year, and it could be your year! We know with horses there are Plan A-ZZZ, and here’s hoping to stick to Plan A, now that we’ve all tested out luck and survived the zombie apocalypse!
Longines if the Official Timekeeping Partner of the FEI. The Swiss watchmaker inked a historic, long-term sponsorship deal with the FEI. Longines is now the Official Top Partner, Official Timekeeper and Official Watch of the FEI. They are going to take over title sponsorship of several events including the new season of the FEI World Jumping Cup. [Go Longines]
Many of us through the years have helped with a disabled riding group, and have seen the benefits it has for adults and kids alike. Now there is research to back this up. Sarah Rainford from Reaseheath College in Cheshire, wrote a paper on the benefits of therapeutic riding. She actually drew some conclusions that different gaits help better with certain disabilities. She won The Eqvalan Duo Equine Thesis of the Year Award for her research for 2012. [Go Sarah]
We’ve had a bit of a change in High Performance Eventing with changing over to DOC. We’re not the only ones. Laureen K Johnson has been named the High-Performance Director of Para-Equestrian and Vaulting as well as the Assistant Director of Driving. She is going to be BUSY! “I love the artistry and elegance of dressage and driving,” she said. Her challenges for the future include fund-raising and find top-quality horses. [Go Laureen]
Best of the Blogs: Lauren Sprieser is at it again. This time her Year in Review is Christmas themed and musical! What’s not to love? I’m still in the holiday spirit, and so is Lauren! She’s grateful too. [COTH blog]
BoB Eventing Ed.: Kristin Carpenter is knee deep in mud.. She’s making her final preparations for Aiken in a few weeks and finding motivation. She’s moving back up to Advanced this year, and we wish her luck! [Check out a week in the life of Kristin]
Hot on HN: Do you love the look of riding with a top hat, but want to be safe and protect your noggin even if there’s nothing in it? There is a solution for you! [Check it out]
Top of the Tweets: @DPEquestrian: “All of the horses arrived here in Aiken safe and sound…now finally off to bed!” [Go Doug]
Found on FB: That’s nice of USEF EHP to support the community! [Info for below schooling show] 
Need help drifting? Not drifting into the shoulder of the road from the help of black ice and 40 mph winds, but the riding kind. Schramm Equestrian and Evention TV are here to help! Boyd Martin guest stars.
The latest from FLAIR:
That’s all EN! Go Eventing.
