We breed them tough in Australia, "Great standardbred Horse"

 Standardbreds once again show their versatility
Thursday, October 10, 2013 - by Jessica Schroeder, USTA Outreach & Membership Enrichment Coordinator




Columbus, OH --- Standardbreds are so truly versatile that they can race and show in the same year, and sometimes even week by week.
The USTA sponsors divisions that promote such horses at the National and World Standardbred shows which concluded this past weekend. In the Fresh from/off the Track divisions at both shows, a horse must have raced in the current calendar year and compete in at least two of the three classes -- halter, under saddle and in harness.

Tommy Vosick, Jr. photo

Four Trumps A and Jennifer Daniels show off some of the ribbons he collected this past weekend.

Four Trumps A last raced on August 2 at Yonkers for co-owner and trainer Larry Stalbaum, arrived at New Vocations Racehorse Adoptions’ Laurelville, Ohio, facility on August 18, was promptly gelded and then trained for the World show that was presented by the Standardbred Pleasure Horse Organization of Ohio this past weekend, Oct. 5-6. He didn’t disappoint as he walked away with many ribbons and championships, including the USTA sponsored Fresh from the Track.
New Vocations trainer Jennifer Daniels was thrilled with how the horse transitioned from the racetrack to the show ring.
“I couldn’t be more proud of him, he’s been game for anything we’ve thrown at him over the last month,” said Daniels. “A nicer, sweeter horse is hard to come by -- even more amazing because he was a stallion until four weeks ago but you wouldn’t know it now.”
Four Trumps A earned $699,594 in eight years of racing. His lifetime best of 1:50.1 was taken at the veteran age of nine but the now 11-year-old is enjoying his “retirement” years.
“With less than a month of saddle training, this horse is now a marketable show horse with so many options possible,” explained Daniels. “Standardbreds are valuable and useful long after their racing days are finished. People that may have never crossed paths with a Standardbred before suddenly are curious about harness racing and the careers these horses had at the track.”

If this dosen't give you Motivation nothing will

Paralympic Swimmer Uses Shark That Bit His Leg off as Motivation in Pool

If you are looking for a little extra boost in the pool, you may want to pretend there is a shark right behind you. However, that tip may be only useful if a shark once bit your leg off.
That is precisely what goes through the mind of Paralympic swimmer and more man than you will ever be, Achmat Hassiem.
After placing ninth in his race back in 2008, the South African swimmer finally got his medal, grabbing bronze in the men’s 100-meter butterfly at the London Games.
The interesting part of his story is what he uses for motivation when he drives himself forward in the pool, via Washington Post.

I took to the pool like a shark in the ocean. My little secret is obviously that I just try and imagine I’m in the ocean and I’ve got a 4 ½-meter great white shark at my feet. It’s definitely good motivation to swim fast.

That's pretty good motivation for just about anyone who has seen a shark on TV or up close and live, but it has a tad more realism for Hassiem.
You see, the 30-year old had his leg bitten off by a Great White shark. Here is a video of him telling the awful tale.

Per the Washington Post, Hassiem spotted a shark while he and his brother Taariq were tending to lifeguard duties in Cape Town back in 2006.
While he tried to distract the shark from his brother, the lethal predator latched onto Hassiem's leg and dragged him 50 feet.

I gave one last enormous push and heard a great snapping sound. I believe I lost my leg for a good reason. Losing a leg is nothing compared to losing my brother, so I’m just trying to make the best of it.  

Yes, he is more man than I will ever be.
That outlook has served him well as he found his elusive Paralympic medal and will head back into the pool for the 100-meter and 400-meter freestyle races.
Through it all, he will use a shark as motivation. Meanwhile, we can enjoy his story for a great deal of inspiration.

A feel good picture.

Palling around: Baby kangaroo and wombat share pouch time together

Anzac, a 5-month-old joey, has found a good pal with Peggy the wombat. The pair are being taken care of at the Wild about Wildlife Rescue Centre near Melbourne, Australia.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/palling-baby-kangaroo-wombat-share-pouch-time-article-1.1128125#ixzz236hvAXDO

Would you cash this cheque

The Perfect Scam - Australia

Australian Police have been unable to recommend a prosecution for the following scam:

A company takes out a newspaper advertisement claiming to be able to supply imported hard core pornographic videos. As their prices seem reasonable, people place orders and make payments via check.

After several weeks, the company writes back explaining that under the present law they are unable to supply the materials and do not wish to be prosecuted. So they return their customers' money in the form of a company check.

However, due to the name of the company, few people will present
these checks to their banks. The name of the company:
"The Anal Sex and Fetish Perversion Company."