Sunday Humor: Land Rover Commercial From Britain

by Fran Jurga | 10 May 2009 | The Jurga Report



Watch the video before you read this text!

I loved this commercial when it came out last year; Land Rover could never show it over here because it's much too subtle and no one would get it. The young horsewoman is, of course, world champion event rider Zara Phillips and grand-daughter of Queen Elizabeth. I believe she is something like 11th or 12th in line for the throne.

And there are definite rules for how you talk to members of the royal family--remember when Michelle Obama touched the queen? And here's this guy, chatting up her grand-daughter as if he's about to ask her to come 'round the pub for a pint later. Obviously, he has no idea who she is. But he does admit that she "looks familiar".

Notice that this is a very clever ad agency: Zara never says a word at all. She lets her horse, Toytown, speak for her, and quite brilliantly at that.

I thought she was a good sport to make this commercial. Bravo, Land Rover!

What's your favorite horse-related commercial?

Badminton Gallops Into Its 60th Year

"Feet fail me not", originally uploaded by Jibbo.

Today was cross-county at the 60th Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials at the Duke of Beaufort's estate in Gloucestershire, west of London. And it didn't rain.

This wonderful photo of the World and European champion team of Zara Phillips and her Toytown by Jibbo really struck me. It's a great composition and captures them both well enough that we can see a lot of details, right down to the Flair-type nostril patch and that Zara has adopted the new super high-tech (and almost weightless) irons.

Yes, they look the part, but sadly had to retire shortly after this great photo was snapped. Thanks to Jibbo for sharing this photo, and let's hope Toytown and Zara have better luck next time.

The live webcast of Badminton today on the event's web site was excellent, and the best streaming I have seen. It even worked on my Mac! The showjumping starts Sunday morning (USA time) and we'll find out if Oli Townend holds onto his micro-lead over Lucy Wiegersma, William Fox-Pitt comes from behind or if the Dark Horse Italian first-timer Roberto Rotatori steals the show! Will they all make it through the vet check? Tune in at http://www.badminton-horse.co.uk for streaming scores, at least.

Maybe someone is Twittering from Badminton...(if so, let me know).

Royalty Rides On: Badminton Horse Trials Begin Today

How do you like my horse? Zara Phillips, grand-daughter of Queen Elizabeth, presented her horse Wednesday to the veterinary inspection committee for clearance to ride in the 2008 Badminton Horse Trials in Gloucestershire, England. The first phase of the three-day, three-phase competition, the dressage test, begins today and will be televised (although not quite "live" except for cross-country on Saturday) on the Internet, thanks to HorseTV. Zara hopes to qualify for the British team for the 2008 Olympic Equestrian Games in Hong Kong this August. The horse is Ardfield Magic Star. He looks Irish. Photo by Kit Houghton, courtesy of Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials.