Since when did carousels come with seat belts? I think the safety committee has gone a wee bit too far...next thing you know ASTM helmets and air vests will be required! Nonetheless, this video is awesome on so many levels.
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2From our friends at SmartPak.
Twenty years ago, the Olympics were in Barcelona, Spain. Matt Ryan won the individual gold with Kibah Tic Toc, the silver went to Herbert Blocker and Fein Dame, and the bronze to Blythe Tait and Messiah. Australia won team gold, New Zealand the silver, and Germany the gold.
The US Eventing Team consisted of Jill Walton and Patrona, Todd Trewin and Sandscript, Stephen Bradley and Sassy Reason, and the famous J. Michael Plumb with Adonis.
From our good friends the Ryans.
In other Saturday afternoon time killing fun, the World Dressage Masters are being broadcast on the USEF Network. [USEF Network]
Go eventing.
Horses aren't perfect and mistakes happen. Trying to bounce a one-stride is a pretty bad idea and rarely turns out well, but some horses try it under certain circumstances (ahem, Murphy Himself and Molokai). This horse didn't have much luck, either. But, at least he tried to make up for it by finishing the triple!
Helmet cam videos are always fascinating, and this one is no different. What you'll enjoy most from this one (aside from the lovely standardbred hindquarters) is its smoothness! No shaking, no bobbing heads, just a cadillac-smooth ride.
I don't know much about harness racing, but wow those horses go fast. For perspective: a two-minute mile ("standard") is about 800mpm! I've always enjoyed watching their rhythmic strides, and the extension they have through the shoulder. My dressage trot mediums are pitiful in comparison.
More info on the video from its source: [Stardardbred Canada]
An instant classic from our friends at SmartPak.
Bruce's ride from last year
Our friends at the USEF Network presented by our friends at Smartpak will be broadcasting the derby cross live from Wellington, Florida starting at 7:00 pm ET. The derby cross is part fundraiser, part promotion for PRO, part promotion for eventing, and part Friday night entertainment for Wellington show jumpers. Proceeds from the event benefit Operation Homefront and the filming is being done by CatchRide.
[Click here for the USEF Network live stream]
The teams:
TEAM SMARTPAK
Captain Phillip Dutton, Eventing Captain Karen O'Connor, Eventing
Boyd Martin, Eventing
Jennie Brannigan, Eventing
Jeffery Welles, Show Jumping Benjamin Meredith, Show Jumping
Nic Roldan, Polo John Gobin, Polo
TEAM WINDSOR TEAM OMEGA ALPHA
Captain Leslie Law, Eventing
Sinead Halpin, Eventing
Sharon White, Eventing
Scott Smith, Show Jumping Erynn Ballard, Show Jumping
Luis Escobar, Polo
TEAM DEVOUCOUX
Captain Hannah Burnett, Eventing Captain Buck Davidson, Eventing
Shannon Lilley, Eventing
Jon Holling, Eventing
Candice King, Show Jumping Aaron Vale, Show Jumping
Doug Barnes, Polo
Last year's champion, Team FarmVet/Cavalor,is returning with the exact same team--Buck, Bruce, Will Faudree, Aaron Vale, and Kris Kampsen. It's hard to bet against them, but I love Team SmartPak's competitiveness and Team Omega Alpha is loaded with Canadian talent.
Having just made the mistake of picking against two EN guest bloggers, let me say good luck to all of the competitors! Go eventing.
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UPDATE: Team Guardian took home first place tonight and we'll have a report from the winning team tomorrow. If you had trouble with the live feed you definitely weren't the only one. Although I have no idea why it wasn't working I would just say that even running a live blog can be fraught with technical issues so I can't imagine how hard it must be to do live video. If you're going out tonight stay safe and have fun and go eventing.
Horse people love dogs, that's no secret. So, to finish your work week with a smile, here's a silly doggie video. I want to know how to teach mine to ride a bike, or a skateboard!
It's an Olympic year, and equestrians all over the world are vying for a spot on their respective teams. However, as of yet the FEi does not recognize the fabulous sport known as "coon jumping," or mule leaping. Athleticism comes in all shapes and sizes...and with long ears.
More on Coon Jumping from CedarCreekFarm.com:
Coon jumping is a class named after the practice of jumping mules over fences during a hunt for raccoons with the dogs. During the hunt, there were often fences in the way of the chase. The rider would dismount and place a blanket over the fence (which was often barbed wire) and then have the mule jump the fence from a standstill. In the National Miniature Donkey Association coon jumping class, the donkey has to come to a complete stop after stepping inside of a box drawn 10 feet in front of the jump. The handler can put a towel or blanket over the jump if he/she chooses to do so. After coming to a stop, the donkey can move around inside of the box before jumping but if it steps outside the box, or knocks down the jump, it is eliminated. It has 45 seconds or 3 attempts to make the jump. After all the donkeys in the class jump (or have attempted to jump) the bar is raised in 2-3 inch increments. The donkey clearing the highest jump wins the class.
Eventer Kate Brown gave up her ride on Mojito for a bull for an afternoon. Video courtesy of Jennie B. Thank you for your continued support of Eventing Nation.
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Devoucoux
