Archive for the ‘Recreation and Sports’ Category

Trying to decide where to spend your visit to the John Smith’s Grand National?
Steeplechase Enclosure…Open on John Smith’s Grand National day only, this enclosure provides prime viewing of the first fences of the Grand National Course, unreserved seating and with a relaxed dress code, offers a unique outdoor Grand National experience. Although this area does not give access to the Parade Ring side of the racecourse, the Steeplechase Enclosure has an atmosphere all of its own. This area is inclusive of its own bars, catering, betting facilities, big screen viewing and live entertainment.
Tattersalls Enclosure..This popular enclosure is the largest and most atmospheric enclosure at Aintree throughout the three-day meeting, with access to view the Parade Ring and Winner’s Enclosure and enjoy the colour and caf? style bars of the Red Rum lawn. Ticket holders also have access to the Irish Bar, live music in the Aintree Pavilion, tote betting, plus big screen viewing. The Aintree mound provides viewing of the closing stages of every race.
West Tip Seats…Offering the excitement of the Tattersalls Enclosure, these covered seats offer great views up the home straight and of the final few fences of the course. Enjoy the private bar for West Tip Seats holders and then explore the rest of the Tattersalls Enclosure at your leisure. These seats are always in great demand, so book early.
Grandstand Badges..For prime viewing of all races over the festival meeting, our grandstands really are the place to be. Grandstand badges not only offer the choice of a reserved seat or roof/terrace viewing badge with stunning views over the racecourse, they also feature:
? designated bars for each seated or roof/terrace area of every grandstand;
? designated tote betting facilities within each enclosure;
? big screen viewing; and,
? access for viewing of the Parade Ring and Winner’s Enclosure, so you can get as close to the action as you wish.
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If you must know, mount dressage is one game that you will need to put in a lot of time and effort into. After all, it’s going to only be the rider and the pony out there competing for the win. BUt unlike in another activities where you can easily stash the tools in some corner or some closet when they are not in use, the same thing cannot be said and done for horses and they need attention from their dressage trainers.

In all seriousness, horses which are being prepared and groomed for a contest have to ba taken cared of very well ang groomed so that the mount is in tip top shape when time comes for a contest. Imagine their glossy coats shining in the sun and their silky manes and tails moving while using breeze? This is all made possible by a dressage trainer. You really don’t want a sick looking mount to be the one you use during a battle right? Also, these trainers are the ones that train the horses to answer verbal gestures so that they may perform well in competitions. It would really be a very bad idea to consider a mount that has not undergone training to a dressage competution since you will just be setting yourself up for failure.

If you happen to be interested in dressage, then you’ll have to take some time to look into getting a trainer and also look into the dressage tests and what will be expected of you so that you are better prepared and you will not make a mess of things. The horsehowever is not the only that that must get training and workouts; you tool will have to put in some hours in the saddle with that horse. IT seems like an easy enough thing to get on a dressage saddle and buy a horse or lease one but you seriously want to be prepared to fun your dressage need since you will be needing abunch of stuff like dressage trainers, dressage saddles and all of the other things which are essential to dressage. This is just like any other hobby that you will have to invest plenty of time and money in.

There is a lot to generally be said for trying before you purchase. If you feel that a specific purchase or adoption of any new pastime or hobby may be “awesome,” should you get the opportunity to test it out initially to see whether or not you love it, jump at the chance. This is just what several would-be equestrians are doing, to ensure that they’re not getting in over their head and investing a lot of money, when they are not really sure. Horseback riding could be a fantastic adventure, but it incorporates a lot of extra requirements and commitments which should not be taken casually.

Identifying that you have a steep learning curve here, horse riding schools have evolved not only to supply would be enthusiasts with the chance to view just what it is all about, but in addition to help coach them in the subtleties of the activity. It is not just a clear case of jumping on the back of the horse and riding off into the setting sun, as you have to understand what you’re up to, understand just how to master and take control of the animal and above all else, completely focus.

Should you be uncertain why equestrian saddles were fashioned that way, it’s good to find out. You should exercise proper control before you find out the hard way that riding requires proper etiquette, good posture and sense of balance. Nevertheless, numerous first-time novices have realised that with the proper instruction and attention it does not take very long before they start to really feel natural.

You should be self-assured if you are going to achieve success as a horse owner or rider. Horses can sense fear and can turn out to be frightened by themselves should they sense that the individual controlling them isn’t “in control” by themselves. Nevertheless, should you get good quality directions from somebody who has also been in your position in the past, then you’ll be far better placed, in the years ahead.

Should you look at people who are experienced and self-assured in saddles you will find that they constantly sustain proper posture. The hands and arms are typically in a specific location at all times, situated in order to keep control over the animal. While they might look as though they may be in a very strict position, they’re always relaxed. You should be able to maintain balance, specifically if the horse is going really quickly. Although the horse is actually transporting you, it’s up to you to be the “eyes and ears” and also to manage what inevitably takes place.

Several fairly well-publicised incidents recently have drawn our attention to basic safety whenever transporting our horses over a considerable range. We realise that we shouldn’t take transportation lightly, however when we try to move an animal of such a large size as the average horse we’ve got lots of supplemental factors to make note of. Remember that the equine, while it weighs about 500 kilograms roughly, is not a static thing. It’s not like applying a load very carefully to some trailer so it will remain in position and never influence the balance. In the event the horse gets spooked, or is not used to travelling in this way, virtually any movement can drastically have an effect on your controllability.

Although fortunately you will find relatively few serious accidents involving vehicles and horse trailers, you need to be prepared for the unexpected failure. As an example, you should have more than one particular spare wheel and tyre for that trailer. Should you be unfortunate to run over something that damages one particular tyre it may frequently have an effect on the other as well. Should you just have one spare, then you may be stuck by the side of the road for an extensive time frame. This is simply not very good if you have a fairly worried animal to tend to and is especially bad in the event the weather is really hot or really cold.

Although we have to be prepared for virtually any eventuality in everyday life if we can, we can’t ignore the potential risks involved with either horseback riding or moving these creatures around the country. You may never consider getting onto a horse without a riding hat in position for your own safety, however need to think about each and every eventuality when you’re responsible for moving the horse rather than the other way around.

We can gain knowledge from the errors and ill-fortune of other folks, hopefully before we get involved with a harrowing experience of our own. Try and anticipate any eventuality before you decide to set out on a lengthy journey and try to have more than just one “plan B” on hand.

One of Australia’s greatest jumps trainer was none other than Jim Houlahan even though he decided to devote time to the profession later at the age of 57 in 1970. Prior to becoming a jumps trainer, Houlahan was a successful building contractor who also owned a jumping horse. What probably prompted him to take up training was advice from his trainer who objected to Houlahan lending him some tips. Under his own watchful eyes, his horse won the very next start.

Strasbourg was the first to bring Houlahan fame as a jumps trainer in the Grand National Steeplechase. The race marked the beginning of an illustrious career which included seven Grand National Hurdle titles, four Grand Annual Steeplechase and Hiskens Steeplechase titles, three Great Eastern Steeplechases, and eight Australian Hurdle titles, a record yet to be equaled in Australian racing. Apart from jump races, Houlahan achieved success in flat races that included talented horses like Bellzevir, Toil, and Unsolved. Bellzevir won the 1997 Group 1 Goodwood Handicap, when Houlahan was in the prime of life at 84.

While training jump race horses was an art Houlahan mastered, he was known to be a shrewd punter in his early years. Training well into his late 80s, Houlahan became an inspiration for many trainers. No matter what, he was strict with his horses as far as training and racing were concerned, bringing out his flat performers within 48 hours, with success. Houlahan’s daughter, Fran, also turned to jump training, completing a father-daughter double in the 2003 Grand Annual Steeplechase, won by Sampan Man. Trainer Louise O’Reilly also spent 12 months with Houlahan learning the finer aspects of training.

For many, Jim Houlahan will remain an icon within Australian racing, with a record that will be difficult for anyone to beat. Jim Houlahan was jockey Craig Durden’s mentor and friend, his stable rider from 1998-2003, which Durden says took his riding to another level.

Houlahan was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2004 and also received an Order of Australia medal in recognition of his services to racing. In 2006, the JJ Houlahan Jumps Championship was included in the series of 14 premier jumps races in Victoria and South Australia. The Galleywood Hurdle at Warrnambool was included in the Championship in 2008.

After over three decades in jump race training, Houlahand passed away at the age of 93 on 4 April 2007 at Mornington, south-east of Melbourne. A few months prior to passing away, Houlahan received the Country Racing Victoria Lifetime Contribution to Jumping Award. Daughter, Fran Houlahan continues to train horses in partnership with husband Brian Johnston.

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Copyright ? 2009 Ed Bagley

Karen Steen traveled from Olympia (WA) to the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh intent on setting a world record in the 2,000-meter steeplechase, and did exactly that in one of the most exciting races at the 2009 USA Masters Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Six world records and 21 American records were set at the meet.

Steen, an outstanding runner at Pacific Lutheran University and now one of the premier runners in the Pacific Northwest, bolted to the front at Titan Stadium when the gun sounded to start her 45-49 age-group event. It was clear from the outset that if Steen set a world record under the scorching Wisconsin heat, she would run alone at the front.

She was among the more than 1,000 athletes ages 30 to 95+ who competed in this 4-day meet to determine the best of the best among the nation’s runners, jumpers and throwers.

The onlookers at Steen’s record effort, including myself, were immediately aware of her presence as the track announcer was quick to point out that—after the first 400 meters of this grueling 5-lap test over 3 hurdles and a water barrier each lap—Steen was on world-record pace.

Watching her progress for 3 more laps the fans were screaming words of encouragement as she passed by, and then a rousing crescendo greeted her in the final stretch as she realized the record was hers for the taking, and roared home in 7:07.49 to break the old record by more than 9 seconds (7:16.90 by Julie Leonard of Switzerland in 2004).

Almost lost in the moment of Karen Steen’s triumphant performance was the fact that both the runner-up in the race—Andi Camp (30-34 at 7:17.28) and 3rd place finisher Lisa Valle (40-44 at 7:17.36)—were within 1 second of breaking the world record.

Steen, who averaged approximately 5:42 per mile, is no stranger to world records. In 2005, she set the world mark for 2,000-meter steeplechase in the 40-44 group by running 7:05.06.

Steen, who runs for Club Northwest, would return 2 days later to win the 1,500 in an American-record time of 4:48.08. Her individual performance was arguably the best among pure times of any track athlete at the Nationals, with a 98.85% age-grade rating.

A close second to Karen Steen’s effort came from Sabra Harvey of Houston, running in the 60-64 group. Harvey matched Steen’s world record with one of her own, winning the 800 in 2:34.66, and then returned to capture the 1,500 in an American-record 5:22.50.

Harvey is a graphic designer who started jogging 9 years ago and only began competing in masters competition last year, proving once again that you never know what you can do until you try.

Other world records were set by Audrey Lary (75-79) in the 400 (1:27.41), Florence “Flo” Meiler (75-79) in the 80-meter hurdles (18.63), Frank Levine (95-99) in the 5,000 (50:10.56), and Leland McPhie (95-99) in the Long Jump (1.93 meters/6-04).

American records were also set by Flo Meiler in the 200 hurdles (46.68) and pentathlon (4,783 points); Becky Sisley (70-74) in the 80 hurdles (17:32), 200 hurdles (43.87) and javelin (26.09m/85-07); Leland McPhie in the 3 kilogram shot put (6.87m/22-06.5) and triple jump (4.00m/13-01.5); Max Springer (95-99) in the 100 (29.31) and 400 (2:45.36); and Audrey Lary (75-79) in the triple jump (7.43m/24-04.25) and weight throw (10.40m/34-01.5).

More American records in the field events were set by Bruce McBarnette (45-49) in the high jump (1.93m/6-04); Robert Ward (75-79) in the discus (41.18m/135-01); Harriett Bloemker (75-79) in the javelin (22.54m/73-11.5); and 4 others in the weight throw—Jennifer Stephens (35-39) at 10.49m/34-05, Myrle Mensey (60-64) at 15.73m/51-07.75, Lillian Snaden (80-84) at 6.92m/22-08, and Ronald Summers (55-59) at 18.18m/57-07.75.

Two American 5,000-meter race walk-records were set by Shirley Dockstader (75-79) at 34:34.60 and John Starr (80-84) at 33:57.72.

Kathryn (Kathy) Martin (55-59), who dominated last year’s meet while winning gold medals in the 800, 1,500, 5,000, 10,000 and 2,000-meter steeplechase, again won the 4 events she entered this year—the 1,500 (5:22.93), 5,000 (19:46.47), 10,000 (40:04.03) and the 2,000 steeplechase (8:26.86) She finished 5th overall in the steeple and 1st in her age group. Last year Martin set the American record in the steeple with an 8:23.20 clocking.

Among the non-record performances that caught my eye were Lonnie Hooker (45-49) in the 100 (10.93) and 200 (22.46); Bill Collins (55-59) in the 100 (11.56) and 400 (54.87); Steve Robbins (65-69) in the 100 (12.66); Antwon Dussett (30-34) in the 400 (47.17); Steve Gallegos (50-54) in the 800 (2:10.70) and 1,500 (4:22.47); Christine Olen (40-44) in the 1,500 (4:45.98); Jan Frisby (M65-69) in the 1,500 (5:09.25) and 5,000 (19:20.54); and Tom Bernhard (55-59) in the 5,000 (17:06.84).

Others were Richard Cochran (70-74) in the discus (47.79m), Cochran won the bronze medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics; and Ed Burke (65-69) in the hammer (50.62), Burke was a 3-time Olympian and flag bearer for the United States team at the Opening Ceremony of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

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