3 Sep 2008
News Update
Horse Hero is getting back to some normality after our Olympic blog frenzy! This means getting lots more filming organised. As far as possible, we like to fulfill your requests and you have asked us for lots of things, including competition turnout tips. So, we have arranged to visit a leading light in the showing world to do just that! Last weekend, we filmed some top eventing tips at Gatcombe International Horse Trials and we caught up with Laura Bechtolsheimer and Vittoria Panizzon to talk about their Olympic experience. We also filmed Laura working one of her young stars of tomorrow. And we are linking up with Kelly Marks in the next few days to make some behavioural videos. Lots to look forward to!
This time, there is a new Straw Poll on Horse Hero to find out what you think about subjecting riders and horses to such extreme climates for an Olympic Games. And you might be interested to know that the last Poll on cooling horses legs (after strenuous exercise) revealed that most of us use the time honoured method of cold hosing, followed by cooling boots and icetight!
The winner of the August competition for the best Forum entry goes to 'anessa-parry' for her entry in Horse Behaviour on Head Shaking. A fabulous pair of Piaffe boots are on their way to her. September's competition winner for the best forum entry will receive an unusual and attractive designer trio of matching MuckBoots, grooming bag and gloves, from Belstane.
WHAT'S NEW ON HORSE HERO?
VIDEOS - Vetting for Purchase Parts 1 & 2
More veterinary videos with Dr Svend Kold from Willesley Equine Clinic. This time he takes us through the thorny issue of vetting for purchase, in a two-part video. This is extremely illuminating for anyone who is about to buy a horse (or sell one, for that matter), as it gives a valuable insight into what the vet is thinking about in each stage of a 5-stage vetting. 
As ever, Svend is forthright and frank! Since the last newsletter, we have also published a video with Svend and his farrier, Robin Compton, on Shoeing and Lameness
BIOGS
A fabulous new biog from Joanne Eccles. Chances are you haven't heard of her but at 19 she came 5th at the Vaulting World Championships. Her pictures are utterly amazing. The whole thing looks incredible, beautiful and scary! She will also be starting a blog shortly to give us an insight into her sport. We can't wait!
BLOGS
More entries from most Horse Hero bloggers with their amazing stories and pictures. Sarah Fisher meets (and treats) Moscow Flyer, Sophie Wells recounts her time in Quarantine with the Paralympic dressage team and tells of her disappointment about not going to Hong Kong. It's a similar story for NZ event rider, Annabel Wigley who diverts her thoughts to Burghley instead. Vittoria Panizzon describes her very eventful journey back from the Games with Bug (talk about 'winging it')! Olivia Haddow amuses us with more about the life and times of charismatic Patris Filius and is it wedding bells for Laura Bechtolsheimer?
VIDEO DIARIES
New video diaries start with Horse Hero presenter and event rider, Louisa Brassey, tracking her build up to Blenheim 3*, and Vittoria Panizzon who gets back to normal life after Hong Kong. Also, a fabulous dressage lesson (rehersing movements for his pending 3* test) with outrageous event rider, Wayne Garrick. And highlights (basically, the funniest bits) from the Horse Hero 'Squad Training' series, in Fiona Price's video diary. Enjoy!
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