Once Bitten

This is why I no longer enjoy swimming in the ocean (and by "the ocean" I mean the water just off Isle of Palms and Sullivan's Island, SC...as that's really the only "ocean" I've known in my lifetime with much regularity). I got bitten on the side by a fish out at South Holston Lake last summer. It didn't hurt. It was a 4-inch Crappy. I think I'll take the Crappy bite over a shark bit any day, thank you very much.

Awwww!!!

Two baby pandas were born at the Knoxville Zoo last week. The red pandas have a brand new habitat at the zoo and they were the only animals with a new home under construction that I didn't get to see last time I was there. I'll have to go back now and see the new babies. :)

Don't call it a comeback...

A legend is back! Something to look forward to in Beijing/Hong Kong this summer.

It's the journey, not the destination...

"There is nothing wrong with taking Beginner Novice seriously."

June 18, 2007

Poor Zara!

I was sorry to hear this, because I like Zara and her horse Toytown. I believe he was also injured in 2004, which left them off the team for Athens, as well. But, as she comments in the article, "with horses, these things happen!" I hope his injury isn't serious and that they'll be able to compete again soon.

Geeks rule!

I work with engineers and I happen to like them most of them. This makes me love engineers. At least someone is really trying to find a reason...a cause...a purpose...and a solution. Unfortunately, for these guys to get their data, more riders and horses will have to hit cross-country fences, flip, and fall. It's inevitable, though, so we might as well try and figure out what is wrong when it happens so we can make it right for the future.

Sometimes, change is NOT good

Where has eventing gone? Where is it going? I really enjoyed this letter to the USEA blog by the talented and successful upper-level rider, Dorothy Crowell (pictured at the left on Radio Flyer at the 2008 Rolex Kentucky 3-day Event). I've met Dorothy and chatted with her at a few Kentucky events where I have been competing alongside her -- me on Eddie and her on her young and green horses. I actually have her cell number programmed into my cell phone. She had agreed to help me start Reece, a WHILE AGO, but he hasn't been either healthy or ready, so the opportunity hasn't risen yet. I have always liked her approach to riding, training, and TEACHING her horses and her students (not just coaching, but educating as well). Her views in this letter just solidify my already positive impression of her. "When the joy of galloping to a cross country fence is gone, so is the impetus that brings us home safely. Both horse and rider should be in the start box trembling with anticipation, not fear." Amen.

OMG!

I saw this picture yesterday in a copy of Cosmo in Magic Nails when I went for my manicure. As I turned the page, I paused, squinted, and said to myself, "Is that....?" Yes, indeed, it is. I heart me some Carter Oosterhouse!

Books are good...

A wireless way to store, download, and read books is even better than the real thing. I must have this. I am saving my money, starting 2-day.