The Carrot

Hamish and Dave: The Lost Anky Interview

noreply@blogger.com (Baby Carrot) — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 04:27:00 +0000

We were beginning to think they were pulling our leg, but here it is finally.

WEG Horse Psychic Readings by Bill Northern

noreply@blogger.com (Baby Carrot) — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 04:01:00 +0000

As mentioned on the Twitter, we had a Bill Northern sighting while driving around Lexington the other day. Bill Northern drives a Lincoln Town Car with a sign saying "Bill Northern, Horse Psychic" on the back of it, and that's pretty funny. Especially never having heard of him before, or even realizing that there were any specialized horse psychics running around, we thought it was hilarious. And so had to do some Googling. Turns out Mr. Northern is a top-rated horse psychic with a résumé that's nothing to giggle at.

Now we can't be certain he's doing readings on WEG horses, but the car is from Virginia, so we thought there just might be a reason he's in town. Maybe he's talking to some racehorses but we're going to go with WEG horses, because that's funnier. Besides, we're not journalists so we don't have to worry about facts. Plus it's the Internet.

That's not an Amish guy, that's Bill Northern, Horse Psychic

So here's what some WEG horses had to say.

Moorlands Totilas: It was a nice offer, but I love Edward. I don't want to stay in America, I'm happy. Although the groupies are a bit much. Get a grip, people. I know I'm cute, but it's not the freaking Beatles! But superstardom can open a lot of doors, so when do I get to meet Hamish and Dave?

Sapphire: I hope McLain doesn't blow this for me in the catch riding part. And on that subject, can we please get rid of the final four? It's too much for the horses. Thanks. It also separates the championship title from the real star of the show (that's me). Also not crazy about the idea of having three clueless hacks in the saddle. And HRH don't try any funny business. You're not a judge, much less a vet. BUTT OUT, LADY.

Jerich Parzival: A rule is a rule, I get it, but seriously it was no big deal, an accident. Just like when Liebling did the exact same thing a couple of months ago, as reported by Horse and Hound, FFS!, and no one labeled Carl the anti-christ. WTF? Also, having that weird picture of my tongue broadcast to the entire world was humiliating. Thanks for that! I feel terribly for Adelinde.

Name your German eventing horse: I'm really feeling a lot of pressure. The guys from Warendorf keep coming through the stables giving us really stern looks. I'm afraid if we don't win some stuff soon, we're going to be in big trouble. OK so we got a bronze in endurance, but since when does anyone in Warendorf care about endurance? Word around the stables is that we don't mention the bronze in dressage. Germany can't get bronze in dressage, that never happened. Sort of like Team USA only getting silver at the 2008 world reining championships in Italy. They even got the FEI pretending it never happened!

Exquis Nadine: I want to be a superstar like Toto and Parzival. I got so much attention for falling down in the stables, I decided to mix it up in the arena too. You WILL notice me. I'm like the equine Mary Katherine Gallagher...SUPERSTAR!!!

Ciel Oriental: I wish He would have ridden Acadienne instead, that course was a bitch! Give me a flat desert race at 35 km/h any old time. Also I was completely sound all day, and not just because my rider sponsored the event! I just trot weird, especially in front of vets. You can see it on the raw video on the usefnetwork. Oh wait, there were "technical difficulties" with just that one video, so never mind, it's no longer available. As for getting booed at completion, right backatcha! We're outta here! (did anyone really think He was going to give you guys another chance to boo Him at the awards?)

Liebling II: I'm choking on the hypocrisy over here! Humans sure are silly. Loving that silver, we Brits are really something!

Name your German jumping horse: Thankfully Sam won the individual eventing, that helps, but the team really blew it. I'm not sure I can take the stress, I feel faint. Maybe they'll give me some arnica and lactanase. But then, that didn't end so well the last time...

Whizashiningwalla BB: They should have named me Dun Rollkur 2 Death...make that Dun LDR 2 Death. Dressage horses get all the good names.

Mistral Hojris: It's on for 2012, bitches!!! Also, I'm big boned.

Havenir d'Azac: I'm choking on the hypocrisy over here! Humans sure are silly. But then, no one's out to make French eventers look bad.

More from Sapphire (she's very chatty): Also I'd like all my fans to look at my cute baby picture on The Chronicle! That's when you know you're a real superstar, when they publish your baby picture.

COPS: WEG Edition

noreply@blogger.com (Baby Carrot) — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 17:11:00 +0000

Dave and Hamish nearly get arrested, it's fantastic. And looks like they got a new sponsor, but apparently not enough to get them a much needed production crew, just some nice jackets.

Here's their previous episode where they get drunk, get some hot dates, and learn the language. As a perturbed Carrot reader recently wrote us, "Glad somebody's producing some comedy around here!"

Dave and Hamish also appeared on the 2010 WEG Radio Show, and have been offered to do an Aussie show on the Horse Radio Network, which promises to be phenomenal!

Hamish and Dave Are A Tease

noreply@blogger.com (Baby Carrot) — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 22:57:00 +0000

With this short little video offering, and after tempting us with an Anky interview! But it's still very funny, so we forgave them. You can also follow Hamish and Dave on their blog, which actually appears to be Hamish's blog, just like @hamishanddave is Hamish's Twitter account and Dave is apparently not allowed near any of it. Hamish is clearly in charge of this operation to a degree we find concerning. Is Dave oppressed? Or does he happily play the ~~knuckle dragging neanderthal~~ jester? After all, he did get a free trip to America and maybe even some free socks at Wal-Mart. But don't be surprised if there are some fireworks about halfway through this thing. A sidekick can only take so much. Stay tuned.

Hamish and Dave's Airport Sendoff

noreply@blogger.com (Baby Carrot) — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 19:16:00 +0000

Our favorite entertainment-style equestrian reporters, Hamish and Dave, have wasted no time with their first effort, a very informative yet fun look at getting the Australian horses ready for flight. Well done! And thanks to what is surely the best equestrian federation in the world, Equestrian Australia.

Lawsuit Update

noreply@blogger.com (Sprout) — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 19:28:00 +0000

Despite having dropped her lawsuit against Eurodressage's Astrid Appels, superstar Anky van Grunsven appears to have set off a whirlwind of legal activity throughout the FEI Nation. We'll try to provide a complete roundup.

First out of the gate, Astrid Appels has sued KroketjeMet, the maker of the popular Larry King video, feeling defamated* by her depiction as Sarah Palin and demanding removal of the clip from YouTube. Like any Continental worthy of an EU passport, Dr. Appels is apparently not a fan of the Wacky Alasky. But it's not "censorship," because that would be hypocritical. You betcha.

Gotcha!

Sarah Palin likewise has filed suit against KroketjeMet as well, feeling defamated by her depiction as Astrid Appels. "I don't like this kinda 'gotcha journalism,'" Ms. Palin stated. "It's kinda like that Katie Couric character asking me all those tough questions on TV about what magazines I read up here in Alaska and stuff like that. Gotcha, you betcha! Plus where the hell is Belgium, anyway? I can't even see that from my house! 'He' may have a lot of beer, but we've got Budweiser, and that's the only beer that matters."

KroketjeMet in response has sued xtranormal.com for not providing enough flexibility in character choices. The FEI Nation has collectively joined that suit making it now a class action.

Upon learning that Budweiser and indeed all of Anheuser-Busch had been bought up by Belgian brewing giant InBev, Ms. Palin decided to also sue Belgium, as soon as she finds it on a map.

In another interesting development, Ms. van Grunsven has sued her own husband Sjef Janssen, ironically for exercising his right to "free speech" by allegedly calling Dr. Appels "een superbitch" and "die Duitse journalisten maffia," helping Dr. Appels to rally the masses against them and ruining a quiet, everyday lawsuit. The great irony of it all being that as private speech, Mr. Janssen's actions (as reported) were easily far more protected by law than what a journalist might get up to in editorializing news reports, and since unpublished could never be "slanderous" (sic), as claimed by Dr. Appels. Or even libelous. Not to mention his actions were legally irrelevant since he was not even a party to the suit, that last basic fact conspicuously lost on Eurodressage's cohort, Dressagedaily.com.

Mr. Janssen has not yet decided on who to sue in response, but he's probably working on it. Maybe the entire Internet. Or its inventor, Al Gore. Or the FEI, because when in doubt, it's best just to blame them. Lawsuit bingo!

Subsequently Astrid Appels has sued Astrid Appels, having apparently defamated herself by publishing Mr. Janssen's private and thus previously non-"slanderous" remarks. We hope she hires less amateurish attorneys this time around as those guys were clearly hacks from the start. (likely one reason why this thing had to be moved to the court of public opinion.)

The FEI then sued Anky van Grunsven for starting this whole rollkur circus up again just when they thought they had gotten away with it all. They do not, however, feel defamated, because. . .well, they're used to it.

Another dressage superstar, Moorlands Totilas, has cemented his status by suing the publisher of Klubequus.org. Mr. Totilas feels defamated by his depiction as a "gaited warmblood" and insists no photos of him may be used in relation to odd varieties of horses bred, trained and sometimes abused to do weird things with their legs.

Respected actor and sometime homeless rap artist Joaquin Phoenix has also sued Astrid Appels, surprisingly feeling defamated by a recent tweet in which she likened him to someone living in a cardboard box. Mr. Phoenix tweeted in response, "@eurodressage, u rly r a superbitch."

And finally in other Hollywood news, Prince has sued The Carrot, feeling defamated by our usage of The Symbol Formerly Known As The Artist Formerly Known As Prince in relation to The Training Method Formerly Known As Rollkur. Prince insists he does not condone rollkur by any definition and has never done rollkur by any definition with any horse, ever. Stated The Artist's attorney, "Despite his image, even Prince is not that kinky."

And that's our lawsuit roundup for the week ending September 19.

*yes we know defamated is not really a word, but since it entered the vernacular via a real live journalist/blogger, we think it's an improvement on the original

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True Innovation From Down Under

noreply@blogger.com (Baby Carrot) — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 21:23:00 +0000

A delightful reader sent us this video and I figured maybe you had to be Australian to get it. Or at least drunk. But then I saw an Equestrian Australia news item and it made a lot more sense. Turns out EA is the first equestrian federation to officially, publicly demonstrate a sense of humor. This is true innovation. They are bringing "entertainment-style" reporting of the WEG to the masses of Aussies who have to stay home. And to any others who can understand what they're saying. Brilliant.

We expect great things from these guys and will be following them closely. Don't hold back. The adult beverages should help. Comedy: it's contagious.

We Were Captioning Photos When John Was Still In Short Pants

noreply@blogger.com (Baby Carrot) — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 20:13:00 +0000

Thanks to Arden for the fascinating Horse Mania pics from Lexington. This is an outdoor exhibit that you will see if you go to the WEG, in case the mostly horseless FEI exhibit leaves you craving some equine art. Especially if all you could afford was a lousy grounds pass and you only got to pet a penguin, you can go downtown and at least get to pet a fiberglass horse. Although I suspect the artists frown on that. You can see all the creations on the Horse Mania website. I like the chocolate one best. Yum!

As for photo captions, there have been some excellent ones at HaHaHorses recently, and sometimes they even win! Remember kids, the more funny people participate, the more funny there will be. And most importantly all proceeds go to equine charities!

Innovative WEG Demonstration Event

noreply@blogger.com (Baby Carrot) — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 20:54:00 +0000

In the fine FEI tradition of equine irrelevancy, the WEG should feature the following innovative demonstration event, horseless show jumping! Because who needs horses when you have strippers?

This one came from Eventing Nation awhile back, and as always with EN, it's the little bits of humor John adds that make it all worthwhile:

This video is BSFW--barely safe for work--in the sense that you can watch it and still go to heaven but you definitely don't want a co-worker to wander up behind you because they will not understand.

These guys sure can jump though.

Here's an example from the innovative, mostly horseless FEI photo exhibit and then of course there are the innovative, entirely horseless FEI awards coming up in November. All very inspirational. Actually all this pic inspired me to do was rent Thelma & Louise, but maybe that was the point.

Photo: Liz Gregg

We Can Caption Photos Too

noreply@blogger.com (Baby Carrot) — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 20:44:00 +0000

If you don't recognize this fascinating character, you must have just joined us. Read this and it will all make sense.

Sunday at the Movies

noreply@blogger.com (Baby Carrot) — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 18:59:00 +0000

Xtranormal.com has officially taken over the FEI Nation, or at least the dressage end of it, with offerings for everyone no matter what camp they're in. We're just going to post all the ones we've seen and offend everyone at once. The brilliant Ilovethecarrot started this magnificent trend with the antics of FEI president Dubya, and we'll be sure to publish Ilovethecarrot's next opus which should be coming along any day now, from that cinematic hotbed Afghanistan to you.

Now Showing at the Rollkur Circusplex 6, Suitable for Almost the Whole Family with Free Popcorn!

Theater 1: WEG News Farce, by Dressagefortherestofus
Carrot Rating ***
I love this news format, and the part where they plug the sponsor product is hysterical: "Sounds like quite the innovation for today's equestrian lady." Then they debate pro vs. anti: "Jane, you ignorant slut..." Hope to see these guys again during the W-E-G!

Theater 2: Larry King Interviews Astrid Appels, by KroketjeMet
Carrot Rating ***
Brilliant, nice to see the political backdrop get some air time. "Journalist and blogger" (lol) Sarah Palin was an inspired choice! Or, knowing xtranormal, perhaps the only choice...

Theater 3: Dressage Queen, by Dressagefortherestofus
Carrot Rating ***
This one has been a smashing success. It grew on me, I think some bigwigs didn't get it and that made it funnier. I love that she's a real queen and everything. Definitely some choice bits here.

Theater 4: Larry King Interviews Gerd Heuschmann and Klaus Balkenhol, by KroketjeMet
Carrot Rating **
This one has some moments. I love Napoleon! And Klaus as the police officer inexplicably in front of the Bird's Nest, for some reason that's funny.

Theater 5: FEI TV Today by Tongueincheek
Carrot Rating **
I like this one even though the Dutch lady is often unintelligible. "And of course PAP LDR is still the same LDR you know and love." "You just have to be careful that no one takes a picture or video...or they will publish it, and will even cut your head off."

Theater 6: The State of Dressage, by nooyawkmint
Carrot Rating **
These harmless, lovable characters touch on discipline demographics: "Will the petitions stop them too?"

Horses: Still Not At The Heart Of Horse Sport

noreply@blogger.com (Baby Carrot) — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 18:55:00 +0000

Under the heading of Still Not Getting It, the FEI has announced an "innovative" photography exhibit to be presented at the WEG, courtesy of Alltech, Naturally. But then, what at the WEG isn't courtesy of Alltech, Naturally, these days?

Here's what's hilarious about it, in the fine tradition of the lack of an FEI Horse of the Year award. The "innovative" exhibit named Inspire features one photo of a horse (Totilas, who must really be something!), and 15 photos of people. Just people, sans horses. People with teammates, mentors, babies and the like. I don't get it.

Most of the images unite two people in rural or urban backdrops and highlight the bond of admiration and inspiration between them.

Because that's what equestrian sport is all about, the bond between a rider and a ~~horse~~ ~~FEI sponsor~~ baby. Disclaimer: I'm really not a baby person. I mean, I understand the need to perpetuate the species and all that, but I just like puppies better. Unless I can get my ranking points frozen and then woohoo! Somebody come along and knock me up right now!!!

Commented Chief FEI Yes Man Alex McLin, "This contemporary exhibition highlights the love, respect, passion and diversity that are inherent to our sport."

And simultaneously extracts the core distinct inherent feature of the sport, thus rendering it irrelevant. But "inspirational." Got it. God this is boneheaded.

Dubya's campaign strategy is starting to look very savvy:

In related news, Totilas (NED), deemed the sole equine worthy of featuring in the FEI photo exhibit, has already written his autobiography at the tender age of ten, as reported by Dressage-news.com. And he's got not only his own website but a satirical takeoff mocking his gaits for which he's probably even contemplating a lawsuit (that's when we know he's really a superstar). Methinks he's trying to become Carrot Horse of the Year before the WEG even happens, but rest assured our incorruptible judges will keep their minds open.

More Bunny Hops

noreply@blogger.com (Baby Carrot) — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 18:45:00 +0000

Courtesy of the greatest news source in all equestrianism, Phelps Sports, here's George Morris with the ~~reins~~ leash at Falsterbo:

Photo by the fabulous Erin Cowgill

Everyone loves rabbits:

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Even lazy ones:

Try as we may we cannot find the origin of this one

So What Are You Proposing, Exactly?

noreply@blogger.com (Sprout) — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 20:01:00 +0000

I was planning on giving the FEI a friendly reminder that it's "first draft of rule changes" time, just in case they "forgot" again like last year. But alas, no reminder was necessary. There was even a press release about the New List, which of course contains the whole story like always!

The List Group has proposed a list of prohibited substances for 2011 which represents a practical solution that respects horse welfare and ensures a level playing field. This list does not allow NSAIDs in competition, but does allow post-competition usage of certain NSAIDs, specifically Phenylbutazone (bute) and Flunixin (banamine), in low dosages between competitions for the well-being of the horse; but only to the extent that the medications will neither be detectable nor affect the performance or welfare of the horse at its next competition.

But you guys, "post-competition usage" of bute and banamine is already allowed "to the extent that the medications will neither be detectable nor affect the performance or welfare of the horse at its next competition." In other words I think you just served up a heapin' pile o' bullshit right there. That sounds like the status quo wrapped up in some kind of funny business. So what does it mean? Either it's just a PR move to keep pro-NSAID people from fully grasping that nothing has changed (fail), or I think they must plan on redefining ~~rollkur and then banning it~~ what it means for these two medications to be "detectable" (a brief layperson-friendly editorial about this concept is conspicuously located at the top of the FEI document list, further elaborated in two Congress abstracts, pp 17-22). Meaning they would be changing the detection methodology and the point at which positives for these two substances are determined and prosecuted. Clever. NB: this is scientifically distinct from going to thresholds.

Otherwise there was absolutely no reason for them to mention allowing bute and banamine post-competition because you can already do that, you just have to be clean again at show time. That's unchanged. The only thing left to modify is what constitutes "clean." And there is something of a middle ground between the progressive list and status quo. We know they can't make the drugs clear the system any faster than they already do no matter what information they provide the riders. Horse physiology is not changing. Competition schedules are not changing. So either they must be talking about changing screening levels, or. . .what the hell are they talking about?

TheHorse.com somewhat attempts to explain what they're actually talking about, but even that is ambiguous despite quoting John McEwen (Chair of the latest List Group) directly:

McEwen said all NSAID drugs should continue to be prohibited during competitions, and drug testing for these substances should go on as before. The FEI does not currently prohibit the use of NSAIDs between competitions, provided they are no longer detectable at competition testing, and the new recommendation does not change this.

"What we're recommending is practical guidance and support, with clear, accurate, modern levels available," he said.

Nice words but "practical guidance and support" do not require a New List featuring star players bute and banamine (they did also change the salicylic acid threshold.) Pro-progressive list Equine Canada president Mike Gallagher adds, "It's a good compromise." We like that word. But announcing you're now allowing something you already allow doesn't sound like a compromise, that sounds like you're not being straight with us. If you're being straight with the NFs and just not the public, well we can understand that. But we still feel obliged to mention it. Either tell us everything or tell us nothing. Don't be a tease! You can't put out a bizarre press release and expect people not to ask questions.

I think it would be great if they redefined what it meant to have a positive, for even more than just bute and banamine. It's not in the interest of the sport, or ultimately the horse, for people to be losing medals over so many of these minute cases. Then "officially" there's still no detection of bute in the system, you've just changed what it means to detect bute in the system. You redefine it, then you prohibit it. Classic FEI! I kid, because it's my job, but actually I think this is a great way to go. If they are really going that way, which I hope will be explained soon, by someone. Anyone?

Also with regular rule changes the NFs can respond to what is initially proposed, modifications which may or may not make the final draft. But with this "list group" phenomenon being a little quirky, perhaps they are doing things differently. But the main thing is we know HRH fully understands the meaning of "final draft," now, right? Final means final, one month out, no new lists pulled completely out of your ass at the eleventh hour. Super.

Prior story

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Dog Party!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Baby Carrot) — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 15:31:00 +0000

A reader sent this fantastic video which really puts a smile on your face.

Another Funny Race Video

noreply@blogger.com (Baby Carrot) — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 21:40:00 +0000

From the family-friendly HaHaHorses Facebook page, we have to give this one an R rating because it uses an f-bomb in a sexual context. Yes, really. So all you kids out there don't watch it, and don't read The Carrot. Go to HaHaHorses instead. Oh wait...

Introducing. . .

noreply@blogger.com (Sprout) — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 20:12:00 +0000

The Training Method Formerly Known As. . .LDR/RK/HF/LDR/WTF/DNR

We like to problem solve here at the Carrot, so in order to stem semantic confusion, hurt feelings, allegations, lawsuits and the like, we thought this might be a great solution.

Dubya's FEI Campaign Takes Shape

noreply@blogger.com (Baby Carrot) — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 19:04:00 +0000

A daring campaign platform has emerged, from Ilovethecarrot:

Some Spicy RK vs. LDR Commentary

noreply@blogger.com (Baby Carrot) — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:48:00 +0000

The talented artist Michelle Guillot continues to impress with her biting satire:

There are also French and German versions at the Horses For Life Facebook page. None in Dutch, apparently. Here's another one she did last year that I thought was pretty funny. Assuming you're not the target, of course. We try to be equal opportunity offenders here.

In some related news, I was on the horseandcountry.tv site recently and started reading an article on Anky vs. Astrid, which sounded really familiar. That's because I had already read it last week, when it was originally published by...Horsetalk! Plagiarize much?

Eurodressage reported today news from horses.nl that the Party for the Animals has posed questions from the Dutch House of Commons to various ministers regarding LDR, alleged rollkur, alleged nasty emails from chefs d'équipe, and what have you. That is...hilarious. This is the kind of spectacle only a political party-proliferating parliamentary system can provide; those elsewhere are truly deprived. I'm sure this is just what the FEI had in mind when they redefined and banned "it"! Well done! Too bad the Dutch taxpayers have nowhere to send the bill.

PR debacles much?

Call For (Real) Nominations

noreply@blogger.com (Sprout) — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 22:19:00 +0000

We started our Horse of the Year award as sort of a joke, but in our highly scientific poll, a whopping 73% of Carrot readers agreed it was an odd omission from the FEI Awards. An impressive 1% are apparently real contrarians and think horses are truly irrelevant, except Oki Doki, who managed not only an FEI obit but a necropsy follow-up. Our dear friend Felicity Foxhunter has issued a call for readers to consider nominating their favorite equine athlete for the FEI's real Best Athlete award, since it might send a clearer message. Nominations close on August 30 so you have four days to make a pitch for your preferred horse (don't nominate Ed, The Naughty Pony). The link is here.

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The Carrot Resolves Legal Dispute Over Nomination of Ed, the Naughty Pony

noreply@blogger.com (Baby Carrot) — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 22:55:00 +0000

After a full investigation into the facts surrounding the nomination of Ed, the Naughty Pony for Horse of the Year, The Carrot has determined that the pony was not incorrectly nominated, since it turns out we have no bylaws, or any rules for the Horse of the Year award, having failed to think that through at the appropriate time. Thus, Ed the Naughty Pony's nomination remains in place. (and actually he's picked up four more endorsements since then, tied with Totilas!)

And Now For Something Completely Different...

noreply@blogger.com (Baby Carrot) — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 22:50:00 +0000

Bunny showjumping, from the Barnmice site:

Just When Things Had Gotten So Dull. . .

noreply@blogger.com (Sprout) — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 22:11:00 +0000

So dull, in fact, that we had to start some online shenanigans with Eventing Nation to entertain ourselves since HRH has been on her best behavior, the Youth Olympic Games have been a smashing success (did anyone notice?), and so on. . .rollkur's back!

Hoefslag reported today that Eurodressage's Astrid Appels has been sued by Anky van Grunsven. Gee, who saw that coming? This over a photo of Salinero accompanied by the text "Horse in the rollkur, hyperflexed position," which wouldn't seem to be a problem except that it was done in context with reporting the news of the FEI's redefinition of rollkur/ hyperflexion as something very bad that you're not allowed to do, and not a position but a technique used to obtain a position (which is something that would have to be adjudicated). I knew this was going to be a legal issue at some point but expected it to be an Internet-public problem, because I would think the real media would know better. Once rollkur/ hyperflexion was redefined (cue laughter), it would seem you can no longer throw those words around in statements of fact (vs. opinion) in relation to what a given rider is doing without risk of a defamation charge. I think this should go without saying, so put me on Team Anky for this round. Not in the sense of "Yeah, sue her ass!!!" or anything like that, I think it's a shame, especially because there are times when Astrid is the one person who will say what needs saying and I applaud that characteristic generally. It's just that you can make the same point in an editorial context rather than editorializing the news.

Horsetalk has the first English article about it, which quotes horses.nl as reiterating the confusion of LDR with rollkur/hyperflexion as being at issue. Naturally there is a tremendous amount of BS involved in all this, but from a legal perspective, I think this small point is valid, and if someone came to me with that particular legal argument, I think I would readily concede them that point. But then I don't really have a 'side,' so I have no emotion wrapped up in it. It's sort of like if someone gets done for medication, and you go writing that they got done for doping. Not smart. Legally that's two very different things under FEI rules (and that legal distinction is now four years old). In an update, a reader noted Wednesday that the photo alone, sans caption, might well have resulted in a suit as well, which I hadn't thought of but is a good point. In that case I think the use of the photo alone, without a statement of fact when the governing body just changed the facts du jour, is no problem at all and I would fully support her in using it to accompany the FEI press release in question.

I don't understand much Dutch, but some things need no translation, like "een superbitch" and "die Duitse journalisten maffia," terms of endearment Dr. Appels claims (in response to the suit) to have received from Sjef Janssen via email. What this has to do with the content of the suit I fail to see, but of course it does nothing to flatter the plaintiff. In any case Mr. Janssen apparently denies or does not recall having said these things to Dr. Appels, and if you understand Dutch you can listen to an interview here.

Dutch is a fascinating language, with wonderful words like "dressuuramazone." It also brought us this gem from the Gerd Heuschmann saga: "'Antirollkürman' zelf niet vies van inbuigen". I don't know exactly what it means but I know I just can't stop laughing over "Antirollkurman."

"It's a bird, it's a plane, it's. . .AntiRollkurMan!!!" That would make a GREAT xtranormal.com movie.

In other news, comedy is contagious, and dressage people are funny too! (and good sports)
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Racehorses Should Not Have Stupid Names

noreply@blogger.com (Baby Carrot) — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 21:05:00 +0000

Or you end up with a really funny video, from the Barnmice site:

A Cinematic Tour de Force

noreply@blogger.com (Baby Carrot) — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 18:53:00 +0000

The latest from Ilovethecarrot's production company, this is fantastic!
Rated PG-13 for one f-bomb that I happen to think is practically essential to the plot, but that's just me. If a clean version becomes available we'll link to it.

Of course if you're not in America that rating doesn't apply, but Dubya says if you're not in America, you've got much bigger problems to worry about.

If you don't understand how Dubya got to be the president of the FEI, you must have just joined us, so see the very first Carrot ever and then it will make sense.