THE 200th POST 
I was hoping to show you some beautiful pictures of Jaguar trotting around the Tokoro outer track with snow in the background for this landmark post, but the conditions were frankly dreadful - a gentle walk on a lead rope was all that could be done today, as I'd forgotten to pack the water wings. It seems amazing that they raced at Urawa in similar conditions!

Courtesy ForumGarden.com

Lithuania has joined the list of countries that have tuned into the blog now, while Britain's blogger network has been set alight by news of several well-known supermarket chains that have been supplied with beefburgers that have had horse meat added to them - up to 30% in some instances. The level of outrage this story has caused is a sign of the affinity we have with horses back in Blighty, for there are a number of countries in mainland Europe and areas in the States, for example, where the thought of eating horse meat doesn't even raise an eyebrow. Some of the comments and Photoshoped images have been quite witty, but I shall refrain from posting any here, knowing how we all feel about horses. Oh, go on then, just the one...

Meanwhile, Lourdes No Hitomi looks almost ready to race now. The trainer has said to give her another few weeks, and she'll be making her debut as soon as a suitable event comes up. Harmony Fair is all set for combat on the 19th at Nakayama it seems, with Ebina-san in the saddle, while Tanaka-san will handle Tenshinramman at Tokyo-Fuchu on the 27th. Both of these dates are now positive fixtures.