My Soapbox for Equestrian Writings
With athletes now gearing up for the 2008 Olympics in Hong Kong, I think it’s fascinating that the ancient hippodrome, where equestrian events were held in ancient Greece, has been excavated by sports historian Professor Norbert Müller, of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, and fellow researchers Dr. Christian Wacker, who is a sports archaeologist from […]
Read MoreBack in 1872, there was considerable debate over whether all four of a horse’s hooves left the ground at the same time when galloping. Conventional wisdom at the time either thought this was impossible — that the horse always was anchored by at least one hoof — or a horse took on a “rocking horse” […]
Read MoreThe 100-mile Tevis Cup endurance race, scheduled for July 19th has been cancelled due to the extensive wildfires in California. The race takes competitors on a rugged, hilly route from Lake Tahoe to Auburn. The award is given to the first horse and rider to cross the finish line within a 24 hour time […]
Read MoreIn June, CANTER (The Communication Alliance to Network Thoroughbred Ex-Racehorses) opened a new chapter in California. The chapter is currently working at Golden Gate Park and will expand to other tracks if needed. For all of us who are CANTER devotees, this offers yet another opportunity for looking at the “eye candy” of retiring racehorses. […]
Read MoreVolunteering for a good cause makes you feel better while you’re doing good. For equestrians who want to give back to their sport, there are many opportunities and causes that can benefit from your time, your skill and your donations. While most charities appreciate cash gifts of any size, not all of us have extra […]
Read MoreOn June 27th, Suffolk Downs announced a zero-tolerance policy against selling horses for slaughter by holding trainers responsible for their horses. Trainers who are found to have shipped horses to slaughter will have their stalls revoked and will be denied stall space in the future. The track management should be commended for taking this stand […]
Read MoreThe mystery surrounding Phar Lap’s death in 1932 in Menlo Park, Calif., has finally been solved: scientists have confirmed that the horse died of arsenic poisoning. Researchers Dr. Ivan Kempson of the University of South Australia and Dermot Henry, manager of Natural Science Collections at Museum Victoria, took six hairs from Phar Lap’s mane and […]
Read MoreThe breakdown of Eight Belles in the Kentucky Derby this year and Barbaro in the Preakness last year started a lot of discussion about whether modern thoroughbreds are now bred for speed at an early age rather than durability. The bloodhorse published a Stallion Durability List that ranks stallions by the number of foals, the number […]
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