FEI World Equestrian Games

The World Equestrian Games have begun! The games take place every 4 years, 2 years before the next olympic games. This year they take place in Kentucky, from September 25th to October 10th.

The games are the world championships for 8 different disciplines: dressage, driving, endurance, eventing, jumping, para dressage, reining, and vaulting. To read more about these and how they are judged see About the Games.

Official poster

A schedule of events is available at alltechfeigames.com, as well as a link to buy tickets, see more about individual athletes, news and to purchase official merchandise.

There are some interesting items available for the games:

Silver medallion — $159.99 (also available in other metals)

Various apparel, this ladies shirt $20

Breyer horse figures

Offical model horse “Esprit”

That model is only availabe in porcelain for $100, but they do have a set of Stablemate models that represent the 8 disicpines for only $32.

If you happen to live in the US, finding the games on TV is a bit difficult. NBC has the official rights to air the games, and has around six and a half hours planned – but only on Sundays. One Sunday of coverage has already passed, but October 2nd, from 1 -6 EST, they will air eventing cross country and jumping phases and on October 1oth, from 4-6 EST, show jumping and the closing ceremonies. Much more of the games will be broadcast on Universal Sports. For a more detailed schedule and more information check out Regarding Horses.

There is also another option for watching the games online, at feitv.org. I was really excited about this option, but the prices are too much for me to be able to watch – $13 for a day or $35 for a month.

I may not get to see any of the games this year, but I hope that you guys can watch and enjoy the games!

ReRun Inc.

Today on facebook I found out about ReRun Inc., a nonprofit organization which helps throughbred ex-racehorses find new homes. The program tests the horses before they are accepted and then rests and rehabilitates them as necessary. Through this organization you can adopt a new horse or help to sponsor those who are looking for a new life.  The horses in the program are kept at farms across the United States.

Horses in the different areas have pictures, biographies, and prices listed on the website.

The above picture is of Sheikwithpleasure, a 12 year old gelding, who is available from the company’s New York Chapter for an adoption fee of $950.

Above is Buddy (Marrakech Sunset), from the New Jersey Chapter. He is a 12 year old chestnut throughbred gelding. His bio touts him as a very safe horse who because of arthritis can walk, trot, and canter but not jump. His adoption fee is $950.

ReRun also a very unique way of making money to help the organization by  selling their Moneigh® Artwork. Their website explains: “The word “Moneigh®” came from combining the name of the famous artist, Monet, and the sound that a horse makes, a neigh.  They are pieces of artwork created by horses using their muzzle, tail and hooves. Some of the greatest Thoroughbreds in racing have created Moneighs® to raise money for ReRun.”


Here is a picture of Point Given doing his artwork.

This picture is of Smarty Jones and his work.

To see more of the horses available, see more artwork, and learn more about the organization visit Rerun.org.

Secretariat

Disney is making a movie called Secretariat, based on the true story of the race horse! Secretariat won the Triple Crown in 1973, or winning the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes. Only 11 horses have ever won that achievement and the last horse to do so was Affirmed in 1978.

The film will open in theaters on October 8th. To read more about the film, check out comingsoon.net.

Here is the trailer:

Actual footage of Secratariat running in the 1973 Kentucky Derby:

A couple shots from the movie:

I am excited to see this movie! I really like true stories made into movies, and I love horses.

I think that this movie is also coming out at a good time to bring a little hope back to the racing world, a reminder that even the most impossible of prospects can turn out for the best. I saw this article the other day: Gamble Sours for Many Kentucky Horse Breeders. The article explains that many horse farms are not doing well and are now up for sale. Money going through horse auctions and races has decreased in the past couple years, so even the best horses are not going for the money they once did nor earning as much by winning or breeding. The Pimlico Race Course, which hosts the Preakness Stakes is going through bankruptcy. The Belmont Stakes is also in jeopardy this year if enough money cannot be raised. Sadly, what happened to the housing market in the US has happened to the racing world – many no money down loans based on the idea the prices and value would always be rising for horses. The article quotes Arnold Kirkpatrick as saying, “We bred too many horses, overborrowed to do it, and are now caught trying to sell them to people who don’t want them.”

Mine That Bird!

The whole Conan and Jay Leno fiasco has been ridiculous and all over the news. For the record, I stand by Conan. I simply do not find Leno funny and he willing gave up the 11:30 Tonight Show to Conan. I also do not think it was fair for the network to want to leave Conan with the Tonight Show, but have it after Leno’s show. That would have left Conan in the same position he was in before Leno ever gave him the Tonight Show, and that is unfair. Plus, how could a show be called the “Tonight Show” if it is on after midnight?

Anyways, now that Conan is leaving the Tonight Show, he has decided to “waste” NBC’s money in his last few shows by introducing new comedy bits that are not really funny but simply extremely expensive. He probably did not spend all the money he claims on the items, but to think he did is funny.

The first night he introduced a new character he featured one of the world’s most expensive cars, the Bugatti Veyron, dressed as a mouse while playing expensively licensed music. Total cost: $1.5 million:

The second bit he did featured the race horse Mine that Bird, dressed in a mink Snuggie, and watching restricted NFL footage. Total price tag: $4.8 million:

The horse on the show was probably not the real race horse. Mine That Bird is a Canadian race horse, 15 hands tall, and is one of only 8 geldings to win the Kentucky Derby.

Here are some pictures of Mine That Bird:

Horsey Christmas Gifts

Are you looking for a gift for a horse lover for Christmas? I recently discovered the backinthesaddle website, which offers a wide array of gifts for horse lovers of all ages. They offer horse related clothing, riding gear, toys, home decor, jewelry, and more.

Here are some examples:

Horse PJs: $19.95

Wine Glasses: $69.95

Breyer Andalusian Beautiful Breeds 2009 Ornament: $19.95

Horse of my Dreams Cameo Necklace: $129 and Ring: $139

A Horse is God’s Gift to Women Pendant: $14.99 and Ring: $8.99

Horse Antler Christmas Hat: $26.95 and Horse Santa Cap: $12.95

Monopoly Horse Lovers Edition: $29.95

War Horse

An amazing new play has opened in London called “War Horse.”

It follows two horses’ journey into World War I. The horses are incredible puppets, designed to look life like to the point where the horses appear to breath. This requires the puppetry of three people, two inside and one outside each horse. Reviews of the production say the story is emotional and interesting, and the puppets are spectular to watch.

Horse1650

I would love to see this play, which is expected to open in New York in 2011. To read more about War Horse and to see more pictures visit: Making Horses Gallop and Audiences Cry