My superstar barn buddies

First of all, I board at the best barn ever! Hay and turnout all day, options of grain, organized feeding system, clean, dry, awesome people, amazing jumps, heaters in the tack up areas, and the property owners are wonderful! Nothing to complain about right now...that never happens.

All the boarders are sweet and friendly, I love them! So happy to see one of them qualify for Maclay Finals which is this weekend. Alessandra Sozzi qualified on her black gelding, Zygo, for Region 6. Mark and JJ (our trainers) were so proud to see her qualify and they busted their butts to prepare her. They are also the best trainers in the world. ;)

A girl from my previous barn, Eva, qualified on the backup list. She wasn't able to go, but so proud of her making it that far,

http://www.alltechnationalhorseshow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/MACLAY-FINALISTS-REGION-66.pdf

Alessandra and Zygo in Horse And Style Magazine

 



helmets, helmets, helmets

Amy Barrington fell during a flat session at her home last week, the freak accident has left her in a coma. She was wearing a helmet. My thoughts and prayers are with her.

What would have happened if she was not wearing a helmet? I really choose not to imagine, but I bring it up because I believe their should be more of an effort to educate everyone, in all disciplines, the importance of wearing a helmet. Most accidents are freak accidents and placing a helmet on only for jumping doesn't mean that you are safe from any injury. Please consider wearing a helmet whenever you are mounted, no matter what the activity. There are so many trendy helmets out there, it is a reason to go shopping! To see some of my favorites, check out my recent post on helmets.

USEF has changed their rules to require all USEF Dressage competitors to wear a helmet. The only exception: Senior riders in an International competition under the FEI.

Go girl! Ashlet Holzer of Canada wearing a helmet in her dressage test! Canada has also adopted the rule change.

Since the dressage rule change, helmet companies have used this opportunity to spice up their helmet line to attract dressage riders who love bling. These Samshield helmets have a crystal flower design and come in navy, black, and brown.

 This below helmet is simplistic enough for a jumper rider! I love it. Check out more helmets here.

Photo from Samshield

Horseware of Ireland

Horseware makes some cute stuff at a really great price!  I love their socks and fleece coolers (have multiples of each).  The socks stay soft and so do the coolers! I think Horseware is really taken off, they have even developed the Ice Vibe, which are rechargeable boots that boost circulation in the horse's legs. Really reasonable price at $240.

What is also cool about Horseware is they sponser a Grand Prix CSI 3* $82,000.  This year's winner was a Japanese rider, Eiken Sato on Espyrante.

Beautiful show jacket with the elite look, but not the price, only $100!

 Utility Jacket with cute pinstripes.

 One of my favorite items, their socks!  Seriously, these things stay soft and are very durable.

If you want to up the cute factor get your dog to match your horse!  These collar and dog blankets are perfect.  I love the dog collars because they have that nice padding for comfort.

Saddle pads in different colors.

It's almost fall, so it's time for long sleeve polos.  This navy stripe is a classic.

A belt I am pretty sure I am going to go and buy right now!  $17.99

Another great jacket for riding.  This one is a little more durable for the barn.

I don't think I will ever get sick of the Horseware theme colors and logo.  It does have a polo/European flare that Equestrians love.

Horseware makes some great hand bags that are easy to clean.  The light blue below is my favorite.

A really cute sporty jacket for riding.

I love their coolers.  I have one and they are so soft and stay soft.  You will want to bundle your pony up in one of these.

Wellie boot socks, cute color options.

Barn Fun

I love my barn because there are some serious riders, jumping some serious height and that is always exciting to have around!  The weekend we have a new rider from Wellington, she has a project horse (1.45m!) and 2 horses at 1.60m!  And of course we can't forget our 2 prix horses!  It's pretty fun here in the world of jumpers...

Billy Joel at Hampton Classic

Picture here http://instagram.com/p/dnX2solPfz/

New Deals On Weekly Deal Page

I posted a few new deals on the Weekly Deal Page here.

Includes Joules, Back on Track, and Equipe (Amerigo saddle)!  Check it out!

Again, John Pearce wins

This guy is on fire! He won the HITS $50,000 Prix right after winning the SmartPak Prix.

Read more about the $50,000 win.

Hampton Classic Wrap Up

The Hampton Class is over (sad face). It closed up with a $250,000 Grand Prix with some big names like Kent Farrington, Bezzie Madden, and McLain Ward.

Kent Farrington winning Sunday's Grand Prix Photo by Shawn McMillen

$250,000 Grand Prix Results, read more about the event here:

1	1750	ZAFIRA HAITY MC NERNEY	KENT FARRINGTON	82500.00
2	205	SLIEVEANORRA EQUINIMITY LLC	RICHIE MOLONEY	50000.00
3	402	JUVINA GOTHAM ENTERPRIZES, LLC	GEORGINA BLOOMBERG	37500.00
4	240	MARK Q KEVIN BABINGTON	KEVIN BABINGTON	25000.00
5	634	NICE DE PRISSEY REMARKABLE FARMS LP	BRIANNE GOUTAL	15000.00
6	830	BONANZA VAN PAEMEL PASMORE STABLES, LLC	CATHERINE PASMORE	11250.00
7	841	WOKLAHOMA ARK PARTNERS LLC	ROBERTO TERAN	7500.00
8	934	KISMET 50 BELLISSIMO LLC	CANDICE KING	6250.00
9	366	OLYMPIC DE CHAMANT SAGAMORE FARMS	JOHNATHAN CORRIGAN	5000.00
10	1065	CORAL REEF VIA VOLO CORAL REEF RANCH	BEEZIE MADDEN	5000.00
11	1017	ROTHCHILD SAGAMORE FARMS	MCLAIN WARD	2500.00
12	838	CHILL R Z PONY LANE FARM	CHARLIE JAYNE	2500.00

2013 Junior Jumper Video Watch Here

Hampton Classic has some pretty photos of the event on the homepage.

New sponsor, Longine's Watches, held a $40,000 Rider's Challenge Show Jumping Class.

It's sad it's over, but it was fun to follow...and so easy to follow thanks to the user-friendly Hampton Classic website!  Keep checking back there for more photos!

Used Animo jacket on ebay

In a previous post I talked about Pikeur, Spooks, and Animo riding jackets.  All can be pricey but here is a good opportunity to own one used.

Check out this beautiful used Animo jacket, size medium on ebay!  Starting bid is $375.

Orange Jackets

Well you can see them from a mile away, but we can't really disrespect the orange worn by the Dutch team.  Orange is there national color and therefore we love it!

The Dutch winning team in Gijon yesterday.  Photo by Hípico Gijón. 

Even the dressage team sport's a hint of orange in their jackets.  I personally, like the orange accent better then just the straight up orange. Dressage is always so classy.

Dutch take fist at UK FEI Dressage Nations Cup May 17th. ©FEI/Rui Pedro Godinho.

Why do they love their orange so much?  It's the color of the Dutch Royal Family and lineage to the House of Oranje-Nassau dating back to William of Orange.  It symbolizes being dutch.

Orange!  Celebrating soccer, makes you want to jump right in there.

A website every show jumper should know...

World of Show Jumping

This website is really fun, pretty much gives you the show jumping results by the next day at the latest. What I really love about it is how easy it is to read the articles, straight to the point, and they always have rider interviews post show.

http://www.worldofshowjumping.com/.

On Facebook and on Twitter

John Pearce, he wins everything.

I watched the Estes Park Grand Prix last month (I live 20 minutes away!), of course John Pearce won again.  It was kind of a sad turnout though, they ended up opening the Prix to a 1.30m division as well. So the jumps went down, then they went up again.  BUT, I think it was a great way to give the opportunity to some younger riders to be exposed to the Grand Prix ring.

In the long run, it doesn't really matter if no one showed up because John Pearce would have won either way!

And it looks like he won again in the SmartPak $25,000 Grand Prix yesterday too!

John Pearce on Son of Gun $25k SmartPak Grand Prix @ESI Photography.

Can't hate the guy for winning.

14-year old Win's Hampton Classic Derby

I love a big, fancy, derby!  Lot's of prize money and beautiful horses with braided manes and high, tight knees! The opening day of the Hampton Classic featured a $50k derby and the winner was an excellent rider and horse combo.  Victoria, a 14-year old, won on board her horse, Mayfair, a 8 year old Hanoverian.

Read The Press Release Here

Victoria Press and Mayfair.

Photo © Shawn McMillen

Watch The Hampton Classic Today

ShowNet ($10/show) will be broadcasting all classes held in the Grand Prix ring.  This site also has a link for results.  Access to the video is available via hamptonclassic.com or shownet.biz

WVVH-TV (free) will provide live coverage everyday 1-5p and recaps nightly 8-10p, online available as well.

Today the Hampton Classic Hunter Derby rides at Noon.!

Another cool link, rider bio's found here

Follow Hampton Classic on Twitter

Aug 25th...what's happening?

The Hampton Classic Starts in New York today.  I've always wanted to go!

$50k Hunter Derby

Chronicle of The Horse Local Hunter

Riders with Disabilities Long Island Finals

Dog, Cat, and Horse Adoption Day

$250k Grand Prix and World Cup Qualifier

ASPCA Maclay

**Download Prize List**

2012 Highlights...

 For broadcast schedule and derby course map go here.