Ex-Rolex Horse Needs Help

Subs competed back in the day for Rolex, placing 15th with Olivia Loiacono. He is now 20 years old and his insurance coverage does not cover all of the colic surgery he recently had to undergo. They are asking for assistance. To see more go here: http://thehorseaholic.com/help-needed-for-ex-kentucky-rolex-3-day-event-horse/

I am all for helping other rides. Horses are expensive and coming together as a horse community to help each other makes this whole horse thing possible.

Rolex is over...how you can keep the excitement alive!

You can still check out some of the video footage on the USEF Network and the United States Eventing Association.

So what do the eventer fans have to look forward to for big deal events? To check out a full calendar see USEA website. Here are the big ones:

• Jersey Fresh International Event, CIC3 May 8-11th (Tailgate is sold out, let the party begin!)
• Badminton Horse Trials May 7-11
• Virginia Horse Trials CIC2 through Advanced May 22-25 
• Alltech World Equestrian Games Eventing Aug 27-31 France!
• Burhley Horse Trials Sep 4-5

Does William Fox Pitt have a chance at the Grand Slam?! Guess we will have to see at Badminton next month!

Rolex Kentucky Is Starting!

Today (April 24, 2014) Rolex starts with dressage! Very sad I am missing it this year, it was so much fun last year. My favorite Rolex experiences were the cross country, stadium jumping, vendors, and crowds.

Last  Year's Winner: Quimbo and Andrew Nicholson

Follow Rolex Kentucky:
Website
Results
Watch Live
Schedule
Three Day Shop (note; last year at the event they did run out of items and I was told that they are running a low inventory to save money so buy when you see!)
Twitter (best way to follow in my opinion)
Facebook
SmartPak is a major sponsor and will have some coverage/updates
Eventing Nation does an excellent job with breaking news on Rolex!
USEF Network Channel
Rolex Kentucky Youtube Channel

Most recent youtube video from Rolex: Wednesday dressage warm-up.

I love my new boots!

I love my new winter boots! They were on clearance at Dover for $79.00! I have trucked through water, snow, and 15 degree weather and my feet have stayed dry and warm. Oh! And they were cute!They are suede with furry tops, reflectors on the back, and Horseware symbol on the side.

Mountain Horse Eclipse Mocca Boots

$79 at Dover

 

 

Other Horseware products I like.

 

 



Show Shirt Shopping

I am actually going to a real show this winter, finally! After years of owning project horses it finally has paid off. Milo is actually going to go to a real show, the National Western Stock Show in Denver, CO. A less expensive 'A' show indoors. The indoor arena will be a challenge for spooky Milo, but what worries me more? Not having anything to wear!

My show clothes are terribly out of date and everything is blue. I am so sick of blue, not only are all my clothes blue but everyone else is wearing blue. Ideally, I wish I could wear a light green with brown. I have been shopping and shopping online and it is terrible hard to find anything that is not blue! I managed to find some, here we go...

Okay, this is technically navy blue but what I like about it is it is not your normal shirt. The Animo Babila shirt is a little more hip. $109. Buy Here.

The Animo Bang shirt is also adorable with black and white stripes. Buy Here.

I really like the red Animo shirt with flowers. Dover sells them for $209, buy here.

Essex show shirt with green collar, finally...green! $109 Buy here.

Essex in pink $99.99 Buy Here.

Beacon Hill shirts come in many different stripes including a blue/green stripe and a rainbow stripe which I love. $84.00 Buy Here

Horseware Competition shirt gives a tuxedo look. Already bought it, only $50. It's good as a backup shirt if it isn't 100% your style. Buy Here.

Kingsland Show Shirt on ebay for $45.

Kingsland Equestrian Venice Ruffle front show shirt

Cool Blast riding show shirt by Riding Sport $49 on sale at Dover! $49! Comes in teal, blue, pink, and white. Look how much fun she is having in it! UV protection too.

Goode Rider Regal Show shirt $77 at Dover. Very pretty.

Horse show ribbons in a candle lantern

After blogging about what to do with horse ribbons I decided to give it a try myself. I headed over to Hobby Lobby and was going to buy a large, unique vase, but I found a glass candle lantern and thought that would be cool! It was about $50 and some of the larger lanterns reached $80. I would suggest either hitting up Hobby Lobby when there is a sale or heading to Marshalls. I later found some at Marshalls for less than $20!

 

Really like these wooden lanterns for a more country, vintage look. Buy here.

Once I brought the lantern home I shoved it full of flat ribbons without buttons and then placed ribbons with buttons on the outside where they were visible. It was fun!

At Target I saw a serving tray with foxes on the handles and I thought what a cute way to tie in the equestrian theme with a little foxhunting. I placed the lantern full of ribbons on the serving tray. Buy at Target.

The final product! Pretty proud of my arts and crafts this weekend.

 

Check out my previous post of what to do with left over horse show ribbons for more ideas.

Time to bust out the winter clothing: Day #3 Jackets

You probably don't need a horse brand jacket to wear around the barn, any brand of jacket will do and there are many high quality, warm jackets outside of the tack store. The thing about a horse brand jacket though is they tend to have that equestrian charm.

Again, don't forget to shop at Smartpak...free returns on all sized items!

Day 1: Boots
Day 2: Socks
Day 3: Jackets

Ariat Bristol Jacket: A very pretty jacket in red and black. It has a a 2-way zipper which helps when sitting in the saddle. The red jacket has a vintage horse print liner and the black jacket has a polka dot liner. $109.00

Buy Here

The striped Ariat jacket is on sale for $59.99 with a few sizes

Mountain Horse Windsor Jacket: This jacket comes in a maroon and navy color and features a cute equestrian-like logo on the arm. It has a fleece liner and a hood. $197.95

Buy Here

Dubarry Bracken Utility Jacket: This jacket is adorable, vintage, and very equestrian...so is the price at $549. The jacket is tweeted wool and made in Scotland so you know it's warm. It comes in Connemara smoke grey (love the name) and Galway River brown striped.

Buy Here

Kerrits Rain Shield: Love the stripes! Has a hood and would make a great outer layer on rainy days. $110.95

Buy Here

Horseware: $79.99 (on sale because this model is a few years old). I have this jacket and it is so warm and not too thick. It's easy to move around in.

Buy Here

Fixdesign Softshell Jacket: Warm and has the stylish bow. Only comes in navy blue.

Buy Here

Time to bust out the winter clothing: Day #2 Socks

We started off with some good winter boots, but those boots are not going to do much good without socks!

Some sock tips:

1. Try not to double up your socks to stay warm. Too many layers of socks restricts your toes and decreases blood circulating. You need that circulation to stay warm. If you need to add more layers, try silk liners or willies.
2. Do shop outside of your tack store for socks. Some of the warmest socks are found in outdoor hiking and skiing stores like REI.
3. Buy a taller sock, at least mid calf, that will help keep snow and water from getting down to your toes.

SmartWool Socks: Run about $18-$25 and so worth it. Smartwool has the warmest socks I have ever worn! The ski socks have cute patters too.

Buy Here

Women's PhD Ski Medium

Women's PhD Snowboard Medium

Darn Tough Socks: These socks are made in Vermont...where it gets really cold! They are guaranteed for life. They run about the same price as Smart Wool, $24, and are made out of Merino Wool. These would be my second choice, I still am a SmartWool fan.

Buy Here

Horseware Softie Socks: Only $5.99 at Dover. These look super cuddly and knee height. Maybe not great for super cold days, but I bet they are great for the chilly days. Who says you can't have a little luxury sock under your paddock boots?

Buy Here

Joules Willie Socks: Willie socks are designed to be placed inside your boot in addition to wearing socks. This is where one size up in winter riding boot is necessary. Wearing these and regular socks will keep you nice and toasty. $28.99.

Buy Here

Silk Liners: These are available to purchase at any outdoor type store. They are very thin and do not interfere with the ability to move your toes. They add an extra layer that really does make a huge difference in warmth. About $7-$10.

Buy Here

See Day #1 Winter Riding Boots







Time to bust out the winter clothing: Day #1 Boots

With the holidays and winter weather right around the corner (if not here right now) its time to bust out the winter riding clothing...the boots, the gloves, the jackets, the list goes on and on.

What is so nice about being an equestrian is you can ride all year long, we just need to be better prepared for the winter. Warm boots are a priority for me. I have Mountain Horse paddock boots, which I love! Three tips for buying winter riding boots:

1. One thing to keep in mind is it's hard to find half chaps that fit around your thick winter paddock boots so I suggest tall boots.
2. Buy from SmartPak they have free shipping on returns for all sized items.
3. Look for thick soles, that's what will keep cold air from creeping into your boot.
4. If you plan on riding in temperatures 20 degrees or lower, consider purchasing a size bigger then your normal would so that you have room to move your toes with thick socks.

Tuff Rider Tundra Fleece Tall Boots: Thinking about trying these, they are such a good price! Only $89.95. For reviews there was 50/50 split between liking them and not liking them. Most everyone said they were very warm and looked nice. The con was the zippers were stiff and unzipping themselves.

Buy Here



Mountain Horse Tall Ice Boots: Did not receive very good reviews. Most riders complained about them being too stiff and for those super cold days (think single digits) most toes were cold in these boots. Price is okay at $134.95. Still leaning towards Tuff Rider Boots above.

Buy Here

 

Solstice Waterproof Leather Boots: They are so pretty, you could wear them around town if you wanted! $199.00. They received great reviews, especially for comfort. The boots are advertised as fall boots/winter boots so I am not 100% sure they are great for those super cold days, but probably are fine for fall riding and chilly days.

Buy Here



 

Solstice Winter Fleece Boots: $199.00, fleece lined. Great reviews on being warm. Riders did note that they ran a little small in sizing.

Buy Here

 

Dubarry Longford Boots: $520, rather expensive, but they get good reviews and most people say they are worth the money. Not a single person complained about these boots and all said don't hesitate on the price. I personally think you pay for what you get, however, $500+ is extreme. But if you can afford it, then go ahead and make the purchase.

Buy Here

 





Updates Made On The Weekly Deals Page

I updated the Weekly Tack Deals page today. It fulfills my daily dose of equestrian shopping without breaking the bank! Please enjoy!

Ariat Polo $21.91 on Tack of the Day

In XL only

Bradley Knee Patch Breeches by SmartPak $26.24

Tan and charcoal in tons of sizes!

Masta Suede Fleece Cooler on VTO Saddlery for $25

Sizes 69" and 72" available. Has wither pad for high withered horse comfort.

Classic Equine Leather Front Jumping Boots on VTO Saddlery for $70!

In all sizes, love the leather, foam and sheepskin lined. 50% off!

Browbands baby

I am shopping for a jeweled browband. I did previously have a POH, blue and white crystals, but then I came across this great deal on a running martingale and it has no blue in it. So the goal is to get something related to the new Pessoa martingale, which is yellow, green, and red.

It needs to match (#3)...

If I go green (which I am leaning towards because it would like nice with a brown riding jacket)...

 

 

If I go red (may be too bold for me)...