On the Line

Don’t be fooled, On the Line’s perspective of the year in review is more People Magazine than New York Times, but oh what fun everyone haves indulging in a good issue of  People. It’s ok, you can admit it too. These moments and events represent a very small but entertaining snapshot of our horse world during the last six months of 2011. So grab a cup of  your favorite egg nog-flavored coffeehouse beverage, and let the reminiscing continue..

Summer began with a highly anticipated book release, and a highly anticipated interview. Talking with Georgina Bloomberg about her co-penning of The A Circuit revealed the kind of insights into the equestrienne writer that made On the Line’s jealous green monster spring to the surface:

Via "Of Teen Novels and Green Monsters", June 16, 2011

In July, a grand prix jumper that gained notoriety when it went missing in 2009 returned to the show ring with trainer Patrick Seaton. The missing and found again story of Good Guinness was well documented via equestrian magazines and forums, and his return to the show ring two years later was a nice way to wrap up the saga.

Via "All's Well That Ends Well", June 20th, 2011

During July, Selena Frederick of Cheval Photos took us to Kalispell, Montana for a look at The Event at Rebecca Farm. It was a gorgeous weekend of eventing made more gorgeous by her shots, and while cross country day passed in fine style, with no injuries and only a minor rider fall, the final phase was also not without its drama. Allison Springer lost her commanding grasp of the lead when Arthur came undone at the sight of an iron horse statue decorating the show jumping ring:

Via "Wherin It's Learnt Once More, the Horse is a Humbling Creature" July 25, 2011

Who knew that Rodrigo Pessoa’s first-ever U.S. clinic would draw such attention – yet in all the wrong ways. After photographer Christina Gray snapped photos of Rodrigo riding a clinician’s horse without a helmet, certain busy bodies pointed fingers and leapt to blame Sidelines blogs for advocating helmetless riding. Sigh. At least it made for entertaining debate:

Via "A Teachable Moment", August 3rd, 2011

Once an overlooked profession, now the beneficiary of their own support network. On the Line tracked down the woman behind Pro Equine Grooms, a fast-growing facebook page and website that she hopes will become the go-to place for grooms everywhere. Grooms unite!

Via "Grooms Unite!" August 11, 2011

In the dregs of a Florida summer, it was nice to escape to upstate New York for a weekend and take in the HITS Pfizer Million Grand Prix. It’s rare to see a course that big, and that difficult, in the United States, and the day was a great one for show jumping. Three cheers once again for Duncan McFarlane, the Kiwi rider based in Northern California, who finished in 2nd place as a bit of a dark horse. Watching him ride out of the ring after the first round was a moment that will stick in my memory for quite a time to come:

Via "Big Money = Big Sport: An Exciting Day at the Pfizer Million", September 12, 2011

Which brings us back to good old Wellington. The announcement of Bill Gates’ latest rental – a farm adjacent to the PBIEC- reminded On the Line once more that in Welly-world, we truly are among the 1%. Not that we would have it any other way, of course.

Via "Not Ridiculous at All", October 11, 2011

Bring on 2012!