Sire:                 Hard Tack
Dam:               Swing On
Sex:                Stallion
Foaled :          1933
Country:          United States
Colour :          Light Bay
Owner:           Charles Howard
Trainer:          Jim Fitzimmons, later Tom Smith
 

Seabiscuit was foaled on May 23, 1933, from the mare Swing On and sired by Hard Tack, a son of Man o' War. Seabiscuit was named for his father, as hardtack or "sea biscuit" is the name for a type of cracker eaten by sailors.The bay colt grew up on Claiborne Farm in Paris, Kentucky, where he was trained. He was undersized, knobby-kneed, and given to sleeping and eating for long periods! Initially, he was trained by Sunny Jim Fitzsimmons. Fitzsimmons saw some potential in Seabiscuit, but felt the horse was too lazy.

But he had a believer in trainer Tom Smith, also known as "Silent Tom". Smith found a jockey in Johnny "Red" Pollard, one of seven children born to a bankrupt brick manufacturer, who spent years at the country's lowliest racetracks, talking his way onto as many mounts as he could. At 5'7", Pollard was too tall to be a jockey. He was also blind in one eye, something he tried to keep a secret. Against all odds, Seabiscuit became an instant success, winning race after race.

Seabiscuit became the most popular horse in America during the Great Depression. But trouble lurked around the corner. While riding another horse, Pollard fell and shattered his collarbone, broke his shoulder, and fractured his ribs. Doctors told him he wouldn't ride again for at least a year.

When a match-up was finally set up between Seabiscuit and War Admirala, new jockey, George Woolf, took the reins of Seabiscuit. In the one-on-one match-up at Maryland's Pimlico Racecourse, Seabiscuit beat War Admiral by four lengths. Sports writers went crazy, calling it the greatest race in history. Pollard returned in 1940 to ride Seabiscuit for the one race that had eluded the horse: California's Santa Anita. Seventy-five thousand people—the biggest crowd ever to attend an American horse race—watched as Seabiscuit came from behind to win in the fastest mile and a quarter (two kilometers) the track had seen until then.

Soon after, Seabiscuit retired. He earned U.S. $437,730 between 1935 and 1940. He died of a heart attack on May 17, 1947. Seabiscuit the film came out in 2003 which reignited worldwide interest in this fantastic horse.

First of all what I am about to discuss is NOT a problem on Haynet. May I thank you all for being respectful and careful in what you write and say to each other on Haynet.

I am watching an ugly confrontation on Facebook at the moment amongst the equestrian world. Horses, owners and veterinary practices are being discussed in a very unpositive manner and being named and shamed. It has really made me cross that this is being allowed to carry on and I am astounded at what is being written! I cannot believe how some people are commenting nasty and slanderous remarks behind the safety of their computer screen. This I think WILL be a problem in future and if people are not careful they could possibly be sued for slander by thoughtlessness comments on social network sites.

Everybody on here are respectful to the highest and I am only bringing this to the attention as a reminder that this does go on. When you join Haynet these are the concrete guidelines:

"Put simply, just treat others with respect.

Haynet gives you a place to enjoy great content, and to meet and interact with others who share your passions. Like any community, while you may have different opinions from others and engage in passionate discussions, it’s important to be tolerant of others’ point of view and respect their rights to express them"

I have never run a social network before, so when I started this back in September, it has been a real learning but enjoyable curve. You are all such gracious and friendly members and I am so grateful we do not have vindictive members here to make nasty comments. I know many of you watch other equestrian forums and can see for yourselves the problems that can occur with certain "cliques" commenting anything but nastiness.

SO give yourselves a big pat to the back and long may Haynet continue to be the friendliest equestrian place on the web!

HAYNET ADMIN

Lavender and White Publishing is a new, innovative e-publishing company specialising in equestrian books. The face of traditional publishing has changed dramatically over the last few years with more and more books becoming available as downloads.

Publishing Director at the company is writer and editor Jacqueline Smalley who has some 15 years experience in the industry. She said, “Lavender and White came about from the combination of a desire to be ecologically friendly with a passionate longing to share top quality equestrian content with a world wide audience.”

While most publishers are turning away the work of even established authors, Lavender and White are actively looking for equestrian authors and also first time writers. Jacqueline continued, “Lavender and White has identified a niche market for both readers and writers of all types of equestrian literature right across the board from contemporary fiction to the very best of expert advice from non-fiction writers.”

At the moment the company is in its infancy, but there are big plans for the future. As a publishing company specialising solely in equestrian books authors on the site will benefit from joint marketing of their work. Jacqueline explained, “Working with Lavender and White Publishing means authors have the advantage of our extensive social media marketing campaigns making a receptive audience aware of their books.”

Jacqueline continued “If you are longing to write but don’t know where to start we’d love to help guide you through the writing process. Our editors will work with you to encourage your writing and then polish your book and make it the best it can ever be. Come and join us, you will find that we are as passionate as you are about your book. At Lavender and White books are the only thing we love more than our horses!”

The company’s web site is still under production but can be viewed at www.lavenderandwhite.co.uk. There will ultimately be a blog and news feed from the site as well as Twitter and Facebook posts. If you would like to place a book with the company, have written a book, or even want to write a book please contact info@lavenderandwhite.co.uk

 

What would of been the most exciting final day in the Badminton Horse Trials, I am dedicating Blog of the Day to the fab Pippa Funnell.

Pippa Funnell MBE is regarded as one of three-day eventing's sporting elite. In 2003 she became the first person and currently only person to win eventing's greatest prize, the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing (consecutive wins at Kentucky, Badminton and Burghley.) Her most famous horses are Sir Barnaby, Supreme Rock, Bits and Pieces, Primmore's Pride and Ensign.

A local girl to me, Pippa Funnell was born in Crowborough, East Sussex in 1968. She lived in this area for most her childhood and then at the age of 16 she left school to train with Ruth McMullin, establishing one of the sport's most renowned training partnerships. In 1993 she married showjumping husband William Funnell. 

Her career really took off in 1987 when she became European Young Rider Champion after successfully competing on Sir Barnaby at Bialy Bor, Poland. Despite a successful career as a junior and young rider, Pippa at first struggled to establish herself as a senior international. By her own admission she suffered from nerves that were threatening to ruin her career.

Help from sports psychologist Nicky Heath has produced a dramatic change and meant she has become the backbone of the British team. In 1999 she became European Champion at Luhmühlen riding Supreme Rock and again on the same horse in 2001 at Pau ("Les Etoiles de Pau" – France). She was a member of the British teams that won silver at the Sydney Olympics in 2000, bronze at the World Equestrian Games in 2002, and silver again at the Athens Olympics of 2004. In addition, Pippa won the individual bronze medal at Athens. 

In 2003 she became the first rider ever to complete the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing by adding the Burghley title to her victories earlier in the year at Lexington and Badminton, to earn a $250,000 bonus from Rolex and a place in the history books. As a result of her phenomenal achievements she was voted Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year 2003 and was in the top five of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards. She then went to Punchestown in Ireland to defend the individual European title that she had won in 1999 and 2001. Without the great Supreme Rock, on whom she had won her two previous titles, she narrowly failed to make it three in a row, clinching a bronze medal with the inexperienced Walk On Star and helping the British team to win their fifth successive team title. Pippa also finished the year as the number one ranked rider in the world.

In total Pippa has won the Badminton Horse Trials three times: 2002, 2003 and 2005. She has won both the Blenheim venue and Windsor Horse Trials four times as well, the only rider yet to do so.

The past two years have been quieter for Pippa in terms of competitive success. Several of her top horses, such as Supreme Rock, Primmores Pride, Viceroy, Walk on Star, Cornerman and Jurassic Rising reached the end of their careers and were retired. She is now producing many young horses which are starting to come through the eventing competitions, having won a record number of Burghley Young Event Horse classes and numerous medals. Pippa has also been busy writing a series of childrens pony books called Tilly's Pony Tails which have proved to be extremely popular.

http://www.tillysponytails.co.uk/

 

In what would of been Badminton weekend, Haynet are showcasing some of the competitors blogs for you to have a read of. Today it is the fantastic Mary King:

http://www.maryking.co.uk/