“Returning Amateur” from “Horse Show Hiatus”

“The Horse Show Hiatus” – that time in your life between college, finding a real job, getting married and starting a family. Many of us go through it. Its life’s slap in the face that you are now an adult and your parents no longer pay for the pastime that consumed much of your childhood and teen years.

Of course, you could potentially count on one hand how many times you have actually shown during the “Horse Show Hiatus” – you’ve hacked your friend’s horse in the under saddle, or you had a catch-ride opportunity from an old trainer. Heck, you may have even been the leader in a lead line class, but needless to say, your showing days slowed immensely.

Jump ahead a few years, and you become “The Returning Amateur.” You have your life in order (somewhat), which gives you enough free time to get a couple lessons a week or lease a horse. If you are feeling ambitious, perhaps you have even bought your child their first pony. Yay, let’s get back in the show ring! Unfortunately, the trending styles when you were showing are now gone, and you feel like you stick out like a sore thumb! So, it is time to get you outfitted on a budget!

Helmet – For safety reasons, you are supposed to replace your helmet every five years. For fashion reasons, your old-school IRH or original Charles Owen just look amiss in a sea of GPA Speed Airs, Charles Owen AYR8s, One K Defenders and Samshields. There is a new, fashionable, safe helmet for every budget.

Show coat – If it has been a few years since you have shown, you likely have a wool or wool-blend show coat. Sure, it still looks great, but we all know how quickly they can raise your body temperature while standing at the in-gate, and let’s not even talk about the costs around getting them dry cleaned after.every.show! Well, since your have been on your “Horse Show Hiatus” technology has taken over! Soft-shell show coats are offered by almost all of your favorite brands! Light weight, stretchy, breathable AND machine washable! Again, you can find one of these great coats to fit your budget.

Breeches – Technology has taken over here too! No more scratchy, thick, dry-clean-only options. Today’s breeches no longer cover your bellybutton or make your butt look five miles long, but you now have low-rise and mid-rise options for optimum comfort! Oh, and did we mention, some of these breeches are stain-proof? Yep – watch this video!

Boots – If you haven’t noticed, most riders wear custom, semi-custom, or custom-looking boots. If you are still rocking the saggy-ankle, leather-look-a-like boot in the show ring, you need to upgrade. The great thing is, many of your favorite, trusted brands now make a fitted boot that looks custom, without the custom price tag! Comfort, style, real leather, and a boot for every budget!

Show shirt – if you haven’t yet discovered the awesomeness of the IceFill, moisture-wicking, cooling, fitted, tailored show shirt, PLEASE do yourself a favor and make that be one of your first purchases. Furthermore, gone are the days of lost ratcatchers – welcome to the world of wrap-collars.

So, for all of you “Returning Amateurs,” we wish you great success getting back into the show ring this spring. Now you can do it in style!

Frozen Buckets and Frozen Turds – We’re Over it, Mother Nature!

Western Pennsylvania is no stranger to the seasons. Actually, it’s one of the perks of living here. We have winter, spring, summer and fall. But for those of us who are equestrians, two of these seasons can be brutal – super hot or super cold.

This winter, however, has been awful. Snow, ice, bitter cold – and I mean BITTER! Between the horses and the riders, we are crawling out of our skins just looking for a glimmer of consistency in our routine. Barn work is nearly unbearable – breaking buckets and scooping frozen turds is really getting old.

Riders have had to get resourceful, as we all know the consequences to hopping on a “fresh” horse who has been cooped up for days in this weather.

Spring can’t come soon enough. Really… 50s, 60s, gosh even 40s at this point sound amazing. But let’s be honest, winter riding, especially for those of us up north, gives us time to work on the basics. We may not be jumping full courses on a daily basis, and we clearly aren’t out galloping cross country, but we can keep at it.

Winter trail riding is one of my favorite things to do. It’s good for your mind and that of your equine friend. Getting out and doing more than ring work is often a welcome change. It doesn’t have to be long. A hack through the field or a walking ride through the woods can give us our ‘fix,’ even if it is just for a little bit.

For those privileged enough to have indoor arenas, why not take it back to the basics? We hear it time and time again, “you can always improve on your flat work.” Take this time to do it! It will absolutely help you come spring. Work some ground poles and cavalettis into the mix.

And trust me, there have been nights where it seems even too cold to tack up! I don’t even want to take my hands out of my gloves to tighten a girth – are you kidding? But a bareback ride can absolutely be worth it. The horse keeps you warm, and heck, even throw a cooler over the two of you. Furthermore, bareback riding gives you the opportunity to work on YOURSELF. Your position. Your strength. No one rides bareback enough. Test your skills.

Also, a nice, easy lunge can make all the difference and be a helpful change in your horse’s routine. Using side reins or a balancing system can be a challenge, and a good workout, even for the most seasoned horse.

Even though that Phil told us six more weeks of winter, I certainly hope that doesn’t mean six more weeks of misery. Hang in there pony friends, there is a light at the end of this wintery tunnel! 

The Year of the Horse

I’ve never been one for New Year’s Resolutions. I think about it… eat healthier, exercise more, volunteer frequently, but it always seems like life gets in the way – and the next thing I know, it’s December 31, and I surely haven’t “resolved” anything.

But looking to 2014 – The Year of the Horse, I thought to myself, “there are certainly things I can do to better myself as a ‘horse person,’” as even trips to the barn have become rushed or pushed off.

This year I will:

1. Dedicate at least one half-day a week to ‘barn time.’ No kids, no spouses, no work, no drama. Me and my horse. I have felt this way since I was a little girl, and there is no place I would rather be than at the barn. I NEED to make this happen – it’s therapeutic.
2. Make the most out of each riding lesson. I will challenge myself with new horses, harder courses, stronger exercises. You get out what you put in, and that is that!
3. Read one educational article on horsemanship each month, and apply what I have learned. We all crave that ‘ah-ha’ moment. Sometimes that comes in written form. Horsemanship is one of those things where you will never stop learning, so I might as well help myself learn.
4. Enroll myself in a clinic. A fresh set of eyes on my horse, and me as a rider, may be just what I need. I like to soak up new teaching styles, and I suppose as we grow as riders, it’s only natural to want to get new, fresh feedback.
5. Clean my tack regularly. Ugh. Such a dreaded task, but we all know it needs done (and I love the smell of leather cleaner). It’s just time-consuming. Maybe I will lump this in with #1.
6. Clean house. Over the years I have accumulated saddles, bridles, halters, brushes… more storage bins and trunks are filled with old tack than I know what to do with. I shall donate them to a lesson program or camp. They aren’t broken, just unused, and can absolutely be repurposed.
7. Take advantage of the opportunities given to me. When the time comes, I will make time to attend horse shows, expos and clinics. No more excuses.
8. Learn how to drive the horse trailer. Who wants to teach me? Any takers?
9. Attend a horse show just to watch – not ride. I can’t remember the last time I was on a show grounds and wasn’t running around like a chicken with my head cut off to get to this ring or that ring, or tack up this horse, or bathe that one. Sometimes, it’s just nice to watch.
10. Make a bran mash – just because. You know, in all my years around horses, I have never made a bran mash? In this cold weather, I have seen photos and recipes of such fun and delicious-looking ones. Ponies deserve bran mash. And I deserve to learn how to make it.

And although this looks wonderful on paper at the moment, I really hope I can stick to this list – it is, after all, the Year of the Horse!