Happy Everything... I got a new trailer!!

For my 40th birthday (2 mo ago), Christmas this year and 20th wedding anniversary (in 13 days), my hubbie bought me a brand new, must last me forever, trailer of my choice :D

It's a Trails West Sierra Select. Two horse, bumper pull, giant tack room, swing out saddle rack, triple layer insulated aluminum walls/ceiling with steel frame, LED lights everywhere, 7" wide, 7'6" tall, etc.

Ah yes, we horse folk get excited about the box our horse will crap in and probably kick the walls :)

2014 Goals in Review

The year is complete and here's how this year's goals stacked up, excuses and all. :)

1. Post the trot for 5 minutes, walk break, post for 5 more minutes - I honestly don't know because I haven't tried to do it. I certainly haven't trained specifically for it, which was the intended format. So I guess it's technically a fail.
2. Reliable left to right flying change - ACCOMPLISHED over summer, and we have 100%
3. School a course of all 2’6” jumps - ACCOMPLISHED Aug 2. I jumped my PR that day and all the jumps were at least 2'3", if not all 2'6" and up. I feel the average of the jumps factors in, lol.
• Show locally, hunters 2’6” - Because I didn't show all year until Oct, I didn't move up to 2'6" yet. So this will have to be slated for next year AGAIN. Hopefully I will have funding.
4. Jump 24” bareback - ACCOMPLISHED over summer
• Jump 24” bareback and bridle-less, neck rope ok - I did jump bridle-less, but I believe it was a little X. I found out that Sam goes wherever he wants when bridle-less, so we've been working on seat/leg only while warming up - with loose rein as backup. I feel this is a goal we can easily get this coming year. We just weren't ready.
5. Weigh-in at 155 pounds - Not even close. I actually put back on the 10lbs I lost late the year before. :(   I am starting a new program next week, an actual program, so not only will this goal be on my list next year, I seek to make it even smaller. My normal, pre-children/old age weight was 135.

Merry Christmas!!

Red Ryders Day

At my barn we have Red Ryder's day. In the spirit of the comic strip that had a 20 year run.

Cookies and sweets are provided in our hospitality area.

And people ride in all their holiday garb, with some of us subjecting our mounts to festive attire.

Sam totally doesn't mind wearing the antlers

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to all ye with mighty steeds. Hug a loved one and go for a ride.

December's 10 Questions

1. What size horse do you prefer to ride?

Cutest reindeer EVER!

15.2 to 16.1hh

2. Do you school in tall boots or half chaps and paddock boots?
half chaps and paddock boots

3. What do you do with your ribbons after shows?
Write the classes and placings on the backs, fold the tails up under the rosette and put them in their placings jars.

4. Do you ride/board at a large show barn or a small private barn?
Large private barn with about 34 horses. Some of us show, but it's pretty independent.

5. Have you seen a horse give birth?
Nope, but I've seen a 1 day old.

6. What is your favorite breed?
AHHHHHHHH. Such a hard question. Probably easier to list what I don't like. I'm drawn to appys.

7. Favorite tack brand?
Also a hard question. I'm more a specific piece of tack brand lover. I guess I'll have to go with ADT, but I wish their variety wasn't so limited.

8. Would you ever buy used tack?
Yes, but I've only purchased used saddles.

 9. Ever been on a carriage ride?
No.

10. How often do you go to the tack store?
Hardly ever. There's only 2 in the area and only 1 is really viable. I visit online tack stores at least once every few days ;)

Thanks

I'm thankful for this guy

who lets me keep this guy at a super awesome barn

and supports me jumping over sticks, going to shows and nursing my bruises.

Thanks and love to my husband for making it possible to have this guy, 

even while I'm unemployed (again) because I don't know what I'd do without this special horse

that I'm super thankful for and lucky to have.

Have a lovely Thanksgiving everyone!

FS Pipers replace KP Pipers

Remember all my cute breeches I posted about last month?

I can't stand wearing the same ol', same ol'. Must have variety!

I originally switched all my FITS Beka breeches to Piper breeches in the spring. I love the knee patch Pipers. They fit me well (I do have to wear a belt to keep the crotch where it's supposed to be) and are super flattering on my big butt.

Well... Where the seam meets in the back looks all smooth and to the touch is pretty smooth. However, maybe it's the way my ass is shaped, or the it's the shape of my saddle seat, but I was rubbing a spot in my saddle all summer. It happens while sitting mostly.

New saddle purchased in Dec '13. Rubbed right through outer finish. My saddle is otherwise perfect.

See how the fabric of the euro cut 'full seat' section actually meets UNDER the top pocket area, creating a overhanging ridge? They don't meet flush like full seats do. So that center spot where it's thickest is the culprit. Tho, honestly by the touch, they feel pretty smooth, so you would't think there would be any damage.

Piper KP: giant arch of ridge - so cute! so naughty!

Piper FS: flush meeting of fabric, slightly less flattering on butt.

So, after looking around online and ruling out other cute KP brands like Equine Couture for the same reason, and trying a few other brands via SmartPak, I decided to go to full seats of Pipers. They are just so cute on me with the color stitching and often contrast seat. Even though I totally don't need fullseats. They weren't annoying or even sticky. So it's really like they aren't there for me. I did have to order up a size from the knee patch though (big thighs, less stretch with the seat). 

So in under 90mins, I sold all my knee patches on FB and ordered a few new pairs of fullseats!

I super duper loved the way the KPs fit my butt. I basically looked like the butt in the navy pair above, that's how cute. The location/size of the euro seat probably has a lot of do with it as it is wider and more of a giant arc, where as TS for example is like a tiny patch in my crack and more narrow - and no cool stitching or POCKETS! My iPhone 4s LIVES in the right pocket, even while riding. The FS will just have to be cool enough. And hopefully not hot in the summer. Cross that bridge when I get there.

So, buyer beware. Hopefully SP will fix the error of their ways - or it's just totally my body and saddle combination.

And if you haven't tried the new Piper sidezip tan show breeches, make sure you super squat in 2-point in front of a mirror. Remember that lovely arc that the regular Pipers create on your butt that is flattering? Well, the show breech is a lighter fabric, so that euro stitching line makes a nice slice into your cheeks and over fences you'll have a nice horizontal disected butt. UGLY! You have been warned.