Leslie Wylie
World Snow Polo Championship to Air Saturday on NBC Sports
Snow polo is a happenin’ thing in Aspen, Colorado, and other frozen corners of the world — and now it’s coming to a TV screen near you.
Friday Standing Ovation, Presented by Ovation Riding: Russell Refuge
After a tragic kennel fire on Dec. 6 in which 13 dogs perished, a New York Jack Russell rescue needs our help.
9 Totally Random Moments From Our Virtual Office Christmas Party
What does it look like when a handful of Horse Nation and Eventing Nation writers get together (online) for a drink(s) and some Secret Santa gift swapping?
We set out to find the answer this week, which is best encapsulated by the following screenshots. Our favorite random moments in no particular order:
From all of us here at Nation Media, Merry Christmas!
NickerDoodles: Deck the Halls With… Horse Stuff
Sometimes it’s best to just nod and smile. (more…)
Santa Baby: The Equestrian Version
Not quite sure how to break the news of your hefty Christmas list to Santa this year? We rewrote the lyrics to “Santa Baby” for your convenience. (more…)
Go Hug Your Horse
As Christmas approaches, Meagan Parker reminds us to cherish the good stuff while it lasts.
Wednesday Helmet Cam, Presented by World Equestrian Brands: Saskatchewan Snow Ride
What is it about an expanse of sparkling, untouched white snow that makes you want to just go and mess it all up?
Last Day to Enter HN’s ‘Horse Therapy’ Contest
Win a therapeutic sheet from Back on Track!
Dubarry Tuesday Video: Budweiser Clydesdale Holiday Commercials
It’s not Christmas without the Clydesdales.
What’s On Your SmartPak Christmas Wishlist?
SmartPakkers are making their lists and checking them twice.
From the SmartPak YouTube channel:
You can still get your SmartPak orders in time for Christmas! Can’t decide? You can have a SmartPak gift card delivered straight to your horsey loved one’s inbox the same day (even on Christmas!)
Gift cards are available in any amount from $15 to $1,000, and you can include a personalized message.
Here’s what some SmartPak customers have to say about the cards:
“Always makes a great gift for your horsey friends! SmartPak has a great selection, with great prices, fast shipping, and fantastic customer service–I never order from anywhere else, and this is absolutely the first place that I would encourage my friends to shop!” –Persian (Cincinnati, OH)
“I recently purchased a SmartPak gift certificate for a long-time friend who is a hunter professional. For the ‘person who has everything,’ the best solution was a gift certificate so he could purchase those things he truly needed. Because of the excellent quality of all the SmartPak products I have purchased in the past, I knew a gift certificate was something he could use and enjoy.” –Ryan (Atlanta, GA)
“Every horseperson wants to see one of these in their in-box!” –RLB1025 (Florida)
Happy holidays, Horse Nation! Go SmartPak, and Go Riding!
Horse Haiku of the Day, by Jane Polk
Horse life in 17 syllables.
Photo courtesy of Jane Polk
Each morning we release a fresh new horsey haiku (or set of haikus!) into the Internet ether. Today’s haikus come from Jane Polk, who explains, “After an exhilarating day foxhunting with The Camden Hunt in South Carolina, I penned these haikus about my experience.”
Take it away, Jane!
…
The Hunt Master speaks
Distracted hounds stand alert,
prepared for the chase.
In full cry we run
through sandy trails of Camden
I smile, breathless.
(Jane notes: “smile” is two syllables in this Southerner’s vocabulary!
…
Happy wagging tails
follow hounds’ mindful noses
Foxes take cover.
…
Heed the Hunt Master
You shall not be forgiven
for upsetting him.
…
Thanks for allowing us to live vicariously through your hunting adventure, Jane! Before we head out, here’s one more for the road:
…
Send us your haikus
5-7-5, it’s easy
Horse Nation needs you
…
Email your own horse haiku (a three-line poem with 5-7-5 syllables per line) to [email protected]. Include a photo of your haiku’s equine inspiration if you like!
Go Riding.
Friday Standing Ovation, Presented by Ovation Riding: Tinker, the Salvation Army’s Smallest Bell Ringer
Each Friday HN teams up with Ovation Riding to spotlight an individual or organization that is doing good work in the horse world. This week, that individual happens to be an equine.
3’6″ From a Standstill? No Prob For This 13hh Haflinger
Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Especially if you’re a “brat” pony.
SpectraVET Performance of the Week: Scott Brash
How do you win a jump-off? In this video Scott Brash and Roger Yves Bost go head-to-head at the Rolex Grand Prix in Geneva, demonstrating that when it comes to a jump-off, every inch counts.
World Equestrian Brands Helmet Cam: Ledbury Hunt Thrills & Spills
There is a good case to be made here that these British foxhunters are completely insane.
7 Little Girls Who Are Losing Their Minds Completely Because They Got a Horse For Christmas
Combing YouTube for videos of surprise Christmas horses is a much-beloved HN holiday tradition. Grab some tissues and cry along! (more…)
Does Your Horse Deserve To Win a Back on Track Therapeutic Sheet? Tell Us Why!
Share the story of how a horse helped you get “back on track” during a rough patch for a chance to win a Back on Track therapeutic sheet for YOUR furry Freud. (more…)
Horse Haiku of the Day, by Jane Polk
Horse life in 17 syllables.
Tuesday Video From Dubarry: The First Neigh-el
Allow these two to serenade you with a rousing rendition of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”
The video is the brainchild of horse psychologist Emma Massingale of the Natural Equine Training Centre in Bude, Cornwall.
Emma is quite the trainer — she explains her not quite “normal” system in this video:
And she clearly has a sense of humor as well!
Go Dubarry. Go Riding!
How to Gift Wrap a Horse for Christmas
To all of you out there in Horse Nation, with love.
Horse Haiku of the Day, by Morgane Schmidt
Horse life in 17 syllables.
SmartPak: If Horses Were People — Veterinarian Edition
SmartPak’s popular YouTube series is back with a brand new episode that will feel painfully familiar.
NickerDoodles: Why Don’t Horses Pull Santa’s Sleigh?
Illustrator Melanie Eberhardt explains, “As soon as Christmas items show up on store shelves and the city puts festive decorations on lamp poles, I start wondering… why doesn’t Santa use horses to pull his sleigh? I have a few theories.” (more…)
