My Soapbox for Equestrian Writings
A self-adhesive strip almost derailed California Chrome’s pursuit of the Triple Crown . . . because the Nasal Flair Strips worn by the colt are banned in the state of New York for thoroughbred racing (not, funnily enough, for standardbreds). This was almost an issue in 2012 — Derby and Preakness winner I’ll Have Another […]
Read MoreOn the Chronicle of the Horse Forums there was a post about Mikmar bits, asking why anyone would use them. Certainly they look like medieval instruments of torture, right? Especially the ones with the shanks and the nose ropes? One poster went so far as to say, If you have to use a Mikmar, are […]
Read MoreI have missed a lot of hunts this season. It’s also my daughter’s regatta season (rowing) and I’ve spent more time by a river waiting for that 7 minute race, than chasing hounds. This morning I was planning to hunt. This was going to be Zelda’s first hunt of the season and I was pretty […]
Read MoreHere’s some more footage from the cross country challenge yesterday at Badminton. Those are, indeed, old style xc fences with the added safety of frangible pins. Interesting to see the pin break — definitely increases the safety of the jumps.
Read MoreTomorrow is cross country day at the Badminton Horse Trials. I so wish that they had the equivalent of Burghley TV! You can watch it on FEI TV ($34.99/month) or Horse & Country TV (offering 1 month free right now). Here are two videos that will get your heart rate up: The XC preview and […]
Read MoreLast Tuesday, out hunting, Curly managed to cut herself on something. Most likely a rock. All of a sudden one of the other riders noticed that there was blood dripping down over her hoof. Obviously, her owner went straight back to the barn. Sometimes injuries around the hoof bleed a lot but aren’t that serious. […]
Read MoreAs if California Chrome’s Derby win wasn’t a good enough story . . . Victor Espinoza, who piloted the colt to victory, donates 10 percent of all his earnings to the City of Hope, a charity that benefits children who have cancer. “One day I went to visit some kids in the hospital who had […]
Read MoreStill wondering whether California Chrome is the only horse in the race? If you’re not sure which horse will wear the roses, consider betting for a good cause . . . Chip McEwen, owner of Uncle Sigh, donates 10% of his stable’s earnings to the Wounded Warrior program which helps injured veterans. And if Wicked […]
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