Like all horse people I am superstitious. Admit it, you know you are! For example, I ALWAYS wear two pairs of sock when I ride... and there are other things too... but I won't get into a laundry list of my idiosyncrasies right now. The point is, I am superstitious, to the extent that I try not to talk about certain things in my life out of fear of jinxing them. I mean, isn't a proven fact that when you talk about "X" something terrible happens?
No?
.
.
.
.
Okay... (deep breath) --
4.16.2013
News! A giveaway! Contests! Things!
*I have some other big announcements to make too, but you'll just have to check back to see... muhahahaha!
Second verse, same as the first
Last Saturday I got bullied* into going to another hunter pace. This time it was being held by the Cheshire County Pony Club, basically over the same general hunt land we rode in last time just a few farms away.
I was super excited to take Pip out again (this would officially be his second outing to date) and I was more than a little bit curious to see how he would handle himself the second time around. This time we went in two groups, I rode with Pip's owner and his former owner (the woman who picked him up off the track) on their two more experienced mounts. We were one of the first groups out as we got there almost a full hour early and we needn't have worried, because all the ponies stood quietly on the trailers stuffing themselves with hay. One of E's students arrived with mimosa fixings so we all had a little toast before heading out (not a shabby way to start off the ride). Pip was definitely more "up" this time, he took a big look over the fields and seemed quite eager to get going. My team members recognized that I was a bit unsure of myself and gave me some encouragement right at the start and before I knew it we were trotting off down a huge hill and into the woods. This hunter pace was set up a little differently. There were wayyy more jumps right off the bat (including some XC jumps along the way), I would say Novice/Training height... One of the first jumps was at least 2'9" and a big, solid log pile with a huge puddle on the landing (which you didn't see until you were on top it). Well, I trotted Pip up to it and he sort of crawled over it. He wasn't being naughty, I think the puddle just got him backed off... the other two started following behind us but they refused to go over it! Ha! Brave Pip! Since it was the beginning of the ride we didn't over-school the questions. We didn't want to get them all worked up over a silly log so we continued on. There were lots of logs along the way (that we jumped) and some really vomit-inducing fences that I went around. Pip put on a confident face and tackled everything I pointed him at. There weren't all pretty as he has a tendency to take a look before leaping, but he's honest as the day is long. In my defense some of the jumps were wicked solid and I didn't want to over face him or I on our second outing together.
This ride was much different than the last one taking us though the woods for the first 1/4 of the ride. The environment seemed to get a lot of the horses pretty keyed up and for the first half hour we let a lot of groups pass so we could get our horses to chill and just STAND. Even Pip was raring to go on occasion! We got to our first big field and we wanted to let them all have a good canter to clear out the pipes. Riding with spurs certainly helped get Pip's engine revving and he kept up much better than last week! The other big difference on this ride was that the terrain was much hillier than last time. The countryside around there reminds me a lot of Virginia with these enormous cascading valleys and peaks. It was really nice to let Pip figure out his way across the terrain and he was incredibly balanced for being a bit out of shape! At one point we jumped into a pasture and past an old barn to find a big herd of Belted Galloway cows hanging out. I was nervous that our horses were going to freak out, but they took a peek and cantered quietly to the other side of the field! The last half of the ride was mostly cantering/galloping and walking (walking because the hills were MEGA steep). We got in some lovely canter sets and Pip had energy to spare along side his team mates. I was really proud of his effort, he's going to be something else once he gets in shape! Towards the end we got in a solid gallop across acres and acres of land (again, hilly) and I could really feel the gears underneath me. I clucked him on to a gallop and he roared up next to our team mate heading for my friend who was ahead of us on her giant TB. It was such a nice feeling letting him really move out and he never once got silly. He came back down quietly to a walk where they both told me that I NEED to buy him... as he cantered up to the finish line, I was again grinning ear-to-ear with nothing but so much love for my little chestnut friend.
Total ride was about 5-6 miles, nearly all in two-point over lots and lots of hills... I think it's safe to say we ALL got a good work out. Oh yea, I wore my new paddock boots/half chaps and they were really comfortable. A tiny bit of rubbing just behind my knee, but nothing major. The boots feel like I've owned them forever and the chaps will only get nicer over time! Win-win!
We got back to the trailers, I stripped Pip and let him graze on the lovely spring grass in his cooler while we waited for our other team to finish up. We got everyone loaded and headed over the the infamous tavern, The Whip for food and a beer. The ponies stood in their trailers quietly while we relaxed and ate. We got back to the barn and gave everyone a nice bath (it was almost 70 by the time we got back) and they got turned out to play for the night.
I sadly didn't get ANY pictures this time, but I promise you we had an amazing ride!
*By bullied, I mean they basically told me a trailer would pick me up at 10:30am Saturday and that I should be ready. My friends are the BEST enablers.
I was super excited to take Pip out again (this would officially be his second outing to date) and I was more than a little bit curious to see how he would handle himself the second time around. This time we went in two groups, I rode with Pip's owner and his former owner (the woman who picked him up off the track) on their two more experienced mounts. We were one of the first groups out as we got there almost a full hour early and we needn't have worried, because all the ponies stood quietly on the trailers stuffing themselves with hay. One of E's students arrived with mimosa fixings so we all had a little toast before heading out (not a shabby way to start off the ride). Pip was definitely more "up" this time, he took a big look over the fields and seemed quite eager to get going. My team members recognized that I was a bit unsure of myself and gave me some encouragement right at the start and before I knew it we were trotting off down a huge hill and into the woods. This hunter pace was set up a little differently. There were wayyy more jumps right off the bat (including some XC jumps along the way), I would say Novice/Training height... One of the first jumps was at least 2'9" and a big, solid log pile with a huge puddle on the landing (which you didn't see until you were on top it). Well, I trotted Pip up to it and he sort of crawled over it. He wasn't being naughty, I think the puddle just got him backed off... the other two started following behind us but they refused to go over it! Ha! Brave Pip! Since it was the beginning of the ride we didn't over-school the questions. We didn't want to get them all worked up over a silly log so we continued on. There were lots of logs along the way (that we jumped) and some really vomit-inducing fences that I went around. Pip put on a confident face and tackled everything I pointed him at. There weren't all pretty as he has a tendency to take a look before leaping, but he's honest as the day is long. In my defense some of the jumps were wicked solid and I didn't want to over face him or I on our second outing together.
This ride was much different than the last one taking us though the woods for the first 1/4 of the ride. The environment seemed to get a lot of the horses pretty keyed up and for the first half hour we let a lot of groups pass so we could get our horses to chill and just STAND. Even Pip was raring to go on occasion! We got to our first big field and we wanted to let them all have a good canter to clear out the pipes. Riding with spurs certainly helped get Pip's engine revving and he kept up much better than last week! The other big difference on this ride was that the terrain was much hillier than last time. The countryside around there reminds me a lot of Virginia with these enormous cascading valleys and peaks. It was really nice to let Pip figure out his way across the terrain and he was incredibly balanced for being a bit out of shape! At one point we jumped into a pasture and past an old barn to find a big herd of Belted Galloway cows hanging out. I was nervous that our horses were going to freak out, but they took a peek and cantered quietly to the other side of the field! The last half of the ride was mostly cantering/galloping and walking (walking because the hills were MEGA steep). We got in some lovely canter sets and Pip had energy to spare along side his team mates. I was really proud of his effort, he's going to be something else once he gets in shape! Towards the end we got in a solid gallop across acres and acres of land (again, hilly) and I could really feel the gears underneath me. I clucked him on to a gallop and he roared up next to our team mate heading for my friend who was ahead of us on her giant TB. It was such a nice feeling letting him really move out and he never once got silly. He came back down quietly to a walk where they both told me that I NEED to buy him... as he cantered up to the finish line, I was again grinning ear-to-ear with nothing but so much love for my little chestnut friend.
Total ride was about 5-6 miles, nearly all in two-point over lots and lots of hills... I think it's safe to say we ALL got a good work out. Oh yea, I wore my new paddock boots/half chaps and they were really comfortable. A tiny bit of rubbing just behind my knee, but nothing major. The boots feel like I've owned them forever and the chaps will only get nicer over time! Win-win!
We got back to the trailers, I stripped Pip and let him graze on the lovely spring grass in his cooler while we waited for our other team to finish up. We got everyone loaded and headed over the the infamous tavern, The Whip for food and a beer. The ponies stood in their trailers quietly while we relaxed and ate. We got back to the barn and gave everyone a nice bath (it was almost 70 by the time we got back) and they got turned out to play for the night.
I sadly didn't get ANY pictures this time, but I promise you we had an amazing ride!
*By bullied, I mean they basically told me a trailer would pick me up at 10:30am Saturday and that I should be ready. My friends are the BEST enablers.
4.15.2013
SPRING SALE!
Hi all!
I am working on two really cool paper cuts for a client and I felt inspired to offer a Spring Sale since this is typically a quiet time of year for custom work. I'm excited to have lots of fun things on the horizon so I'm eager to pick up some freelance work to help subsidize them!
Take advantage of this sale on your very own, one-of-a-kind portrait of your furry friend... You know you want one!
Visit my Etsy shop HERE and enter code SPRINGSALE35 at check out to receive 35% off your your entire order! Pass this code on to your friends, it's good for a limited time only!
Portraits can be of varying sizes, have multiple animals in them, and even include people (if that's what you want). I'm working on a really cool one now pulled from a photo taken with Instagram, so even cell phone photos can be utilized (in most cases). I'm happy to combine separate photos to create a composite shot and include any little details you like, such as competition colors etc.
I've never run a sale before, so I'm hoping it garners some attention! if you've been on the fence about getting one made, now's your chance!
So what are you waiting for?
xo
I am working on two really cool paper cuts for a client and I felt inspired to offer a Spring Sale since this is typically a quiet time of year for custom work. I'm excited to have lots of fun things on the horizon so I'm eager to pick up some freelance work to help subsidize them!
Take advantage of this sale on your very own, one-of-a-kind portrait of your furry friend... You know you want one!
Portraits can be of varying sizes, have multiple animals in them, and even include people (if that's what you want). I'm working on a really cool one now pulled from a photo taken with Instagram, so even cell phone photos can be utilized (in most cases). I'm happy to combine separate photos to create a composite shot and include any little details you like, such as competition colors etc.
I've never run a sale before, so I'm hoping it garners some attention! if you've been on the fence about getting one made, now's your chance!
So what are you waiting for?
xo
4.11.2013
Product Reviews
I've been stepping up my game lately with riding gear, either out of necessity or want and I thought I'd share my thoughts about my recent acquisitions.
Last year I started looking for a new XC vest. I haven't worn one since I was a teenager and my body has certainly changed dramatically since then. I knew I wanted something Beta 3 tested (the regular Tipperary's are not) because if you're going to wear a safety vest it might as well have more protection than you think you need. Also, I don't care about looking svelte on horseback, I'm already wearing breeches and a helmet so any cute factor has gone out the window. I care about being safe and having equipment that fits correctly.
As it turns out, vests are not one size fits all and a quick search of COTH or the internet reveals that personal preference is all over the place when it comes to vests. Last summer I took a trip to Dover to get fitted for one and discovered that I am an odd shape. For reference sake, I am 5'6", 140lbs (about 5+ lbs over my normal weight), I wear a 36C bra and I have a 30.5" inseam... meaning I am a bit short backed (though I don't look it). The conclusion we came to at Dover was that nothing Tipperary makes fits me... we tried a Charles Owen JL9, which I really liked the feel of, but they would have had to order an adult front and child's back to make it fit properly... so I waited... and I researched. Word of mouth tends to be the way I stumble across most of my favorite purchases and after reading several threads about the Rodney Powell vests I decided to give them a closer look.
Even from a quick glance, you can see that the Rodney Powell is much shorter in the back than most vests:
Despite how it looks in the picture, the back does come down lower than it appears but not nearly as dramatically as the other brands. It's made out a new type of foam, similar to the Charles Owen (but not a gel) that conforms to your body as it heats up. The price point for this vest was a bonus too! When it arrived I was a bit nervous about the fit, being short-backed I was really worried it would come down too far in the back and interfere with the cantle. At first, it felt bulky and little bit like a stiff life-preserver. But what I really like about this vest it the ability to shape the fit to your body. Before I put it on I loosened the velcro straps around the ribcage, put it on, zipped it up (with all the velcro undone), got it situated and then tightened and fastened the straps around my torso. It gives a nice custom fit and unlike some of the other vests it can expand and contract depending on how many layers you're wearing. Compared to the CO it's much more lightweight. Last Saturday was my first time riding in it on a sunny spring day (around 60 degrees) and it was comfortable and not too hot. I am a heavy sweater and I was really worried about how much a vest would add to that factor. The vest neither got in the way of my arms or the cantle of the saddle, so I would say it's an excellent fit! The true test was having to ground mount out in a field while wearing it which I was able to do without too much trouble. One of the cool things about the Rodney Powell's is that they come in really amazing custom colors. You can buy them direct from their shop in England and customize nearly every aspect for no additional charge! Check them out here: http://rodneypowell.co.uk/ I would say what I am most impressed with this vet is how custom fitted it feels. The vest comes with very clear instructions of how it "should" fit and if it doesn't you are supposed to send it back and get a different size. There were explicit instructions on the package that references how may ribs you should be able to feel below it, where it should hit near your hip bone etc, which I found really useful.
As I was getting ready on Saturday for the hunter pace and I casually zipped on my half chaps, I cringed when I felt the toggle for the zipper snap off in my fingers! Luckily the chaps were all the way on (and well, stuck on for now) and I snapped the tab over them. They held up the rest of the day, but getting them off was a bit tricky. It was time to replace them. Since I got back into riding a few years ago I've been really hesitant about splurging on "nice" stuff. There's always that voice in the back of my head telling me not to spend lots of money because this is just a casual hobby. Since 2009 I've only bought 2 pairs of paddock boots and one pair of half chaps, more breeches than I care to admit, gloves, helmets, field boots (that I HATE), show apparel (that has not been used), etc, etc. But I take good care of my gear, I never leave my helmet in hot places, I try to keep anything leather clean and oiled, so it's not surprising even after all the abuse I've put them through, that my half chaps held up really well. To be clear, they were Dublin something-or-others that I think I spent maybe $50 on. My paddock boots are also made by Dublin and they were not expensive... I'm going to guess around $70, while I'm sure I could have found cheaper ones, I have to insist on real leather for longevity sake. I do everything in my paddock boots so they take a lot of abuse. Mucking, snow, rain, mud, they have to be able to stand up to anything I'm doing around the barn. I don't need them to be 100% waterproof, but I also don't want to soles letting in water when I walk through a puddle.
So Sunday I found myself in the position of having to find new paddock boots AND half chaps. After a few recommendations from friends, I made the trek to Dover to try some things on. I wasn't sold on the idea of half chaps and paddock boots, but I feel like they've come a long way design-wise and most lower level competitions accept them in place of field boots if they are full grain leather, black and match. Enter Tredstep. A friend of mine just got the Tredstep custom half chaps and raves about them. I'll admit, I had some boot envy when I saw hers. they are made out of beautiful leather, they have Spanish cut tops, they zip in the back and fit snugly around the ankle creating a really nice boot silhouette. I have impossibly small calves (circumference) and the length is normal so finding ones that will fit is often challenging. To make matters worse, my left calf is ever-so-slightly bigger than my right, which makes wearing my lovely field boots very painful at times. I tried on the Giotto laced paddock boots which I really liked the look of:
I tried these on with the Tredstep custom half chaps on top. The half chap fit (after being measured) was better than any tall boot fit I've ever experienced. I was sold. But... The top of the zip on the paddock boots has a little tab to close the top, similar to a tall boot with a back zipper. So the profile of the half chap and paddock boot was, clunky. And I could already tell that over time, the half chap would take the brunt of the damage from having a little tab and button underneath it. I opted to try on on the same paddock boot with just a plain zipper in front (which, I actually prefer -- nothing like the though of getting your laces caught in the stirrup of a runaway horse to make you change your mind):
After I fell head-over-heels in love with this combination, I thought it might be worth trying on a pair of nice comparable tall boots... She pulled out a really nice pair of boots to try on (I think they were made by Mountain Horse) that fit nicely enough, but I could tell they would be a bitch to break in and the fit around the bottom of my calf/ankle was very loose and after tall boot break in that extra bulk from them "dropping" can really get annoying.
So I wound up with this combination:
The leather on the half chaps is nicer than any tall boot I've ever tried on (thank the Irish for that) and the look is seamless and very, very custom looking. All told, the combination cost around $290, but really worth it for a versatile and comfortable look. Tredstep has a really good warranty and I feel like these are going to hold up the wear and tear I put on my gear. Most of all, they are really, really nice. There's a big difference between low and high quality leather and Tredstep certainly proves that! While they were a bit more of an investment than I was hoping to make, I know they will be well worth it. The break-in time should be significantly less than a pair of field boots (considering it's hard form me to mount in my current ones). I'll let you guys know how they feel this weekend since I get to take Pip to another Hunter Pace! You can oil and condition them just like a pair of tall boots and I have a feeling I will like them more and more as time goes on!
What are your thoughts?
Last year I started looking for a new XC vest. I haven't worn one since I was a teenager and my body has certainly changed dramatically since then. I knew I wanted something Beta 3 tested (the regular Tipperary's are not) because if you're going to wear a safety vest it might as well have more protection than you think you need. Also, I don't care about looking svelte on horseback, I'm already wearing breeches and a helmet so any cute factor has gone out the window. I care about being safe and having equipment that fits correctly.
As it turns out, vests are not one size fits all and a quick search of COTH or the internet reveals that personal preference is all over the place when it comes to vests. Last summer I took a trip to Dover to get fitted for one and discovered that I am an odd shape. For reference sake, I am 5'6", 140lbs (about 5+ lbs over my normal weight), I wear a 36C bra and I have a 30.5" inseam... meaning I am a bit short backed (though I don't look it). The conclusion we came to at Dover was that nothing Tipperary makes fits me... we tried a Charles Owen JL9, which I really liked the feel of, but they would have had to order an adult front and child's back to make it fit properly... so I waited... and I researched. Word of mouth tends to be the way I stumble across most of my favorite purchases and after reading several threads about the Rodney Powell vests I decided to give them a closer look.
Even from a quick glance, you can see that the Rodney Powell is much shorter in the back than most vests:
 |
| Rodney Powell ($169-$219) |
 |
| Charles Owen Kontakt 5 ($236-$277) |
 |
| Tipperary Pro ($349) |
 |
| Charles Owen JL9 ($230) |
 |
| Tipperary ($259) |
As I was getting ready on Saturday for the hunter pace and I casually zipped on my half chaps, I cringed when I felt the toggle for the zipper snap off in my fingers! Luckily the chaps were all the way on (and well, stuck on for now) and I snapped the tab over them. They held up the rest of the day, but getting them off was a bit tricky. It was time to replace them. Since I got back into riding a few years ago I've been really hesitant about splurging on "nice" stuff. There's always that voice in the back of my head telling me not to spend lots of money because this is just a casual hobby. Since 2009 I've only bought 2 pairs of paddock boots and one pair of half chaps, more breeches than I care to admit, gloves, helmets, field boots (that I HATE), show apparel (that has not been used), etc, etc. But I take good care of my gear, I never leave my helmet in hot places, I try to keep anything leather clean and oiled, so it's not surprising even after all the abuse I've put them through, that my half chaps held up really well. To be clear, they were Dublin something-or-others that I think I spent maybe $50 on. My paddock boots are also made by Dublin and they were not expensive... I'm going to guess around $70, while I'm sure I could have found cheaper ones, I have to insist on real leather for longevity sake. I do everything in my paddock boots so they take a lot of abuse. Mucking, snow, rain, mud, they have to be able to stand up to anything I'm doing around the barn. I don't need them to be 100% waterproof, but I also don't want to soles letting in water when I walk through a puddle.
So Sunday I found myself in the position of having to find new paddock boots AND half chaps. After a few recommendations from friends, I made the trek to Dover to try some things on. I wasn't sold on the idea of half chaps and paddock boots, but I feel like they've come a long way design-wise and most lower level competitions accept them in place of field boots if they are full grain leather, black and match. Enter Tredstep. A friend of mine just got the Tredstep custom half chaps and raves about them. I'll admit, I had some boot envy when I saw hers. they are made out of beautiful leather, they have Spanish cut tops, they zip in the back and fit snugly around the ankle creating a really nice boot silhouette. I have impossibly small calves (circumference) and the length is normal so finding ones that will fit is often challenging. To make matters worse, my left calf is ever-so-slightly bigger than my right, which makes wearing my lovely field boots very painful at times. I tried on the Giotto laced paddock boots which I really liked the look of:
 |
| I really like the break mid-way in the leather and that they had false laces, they zip in the back |
I tried these on with the Tredstep custom half chaps on top. The half chap fit (after being measured) was better than any tall boot fit I've ever experienced. I was sold. But... The top of the zip on the paddock boots has a little tab to close the top, similar to a tall boot with a back zipper. So the profile of the half chap and paddock boot was, clunky. And I could already tell that over time, the half chap would take the brunt of the damage from having a little tab and button underneath it. I opted to try on on the same paddock boot with just a plain zipper in front (which, I actually prefer -- nothing like the though of getting your laces caught in the stirrup of a runaway horse to make you change your mind):
 |
| Very similar to the field type boot, but with a working zipper in front and overall a typical jodpur boot feet. I like that they sport the same break at the ankle joint. |
So I wound up with this combination:
 |
| And, I'm in love. |
What are your thoughts?
4.08.2013
Beaming!
I have another post in the works (it's my yearly Rolex prediction post) but I wanted to recap my amazing day from this weekend!
My friend asked me coyly if I had any plans for Saturday. She's a constant trouble-maker (of the best kind) so I sorta knew where she was going with it, and I responded, "nooooo". Then she wrote back asking if I wanted to take her 4 year old on a hunter pace with her fellow business partner, E. Um, yes please.
My friend asked me coyly if I had any plans for Saturday. She's a constant trouble-maker (of the best kind) so I sorta knew where she was going with it, and I responded, "nooooo". Then she wrote back asking if I wanted to take her 4 year old on a hunter pace with her fellow business partner, E. Um, yes please.
4.05.2013
Hunter Pace -- you betcha!
I was asked if I'd like to take a 4 year old to his first hunter pace tomorrow. What am I going to say, no? Don't be crazy! Any chance to ride is good enough for me. Plus, I have a real soft spot for this guy. I've ridden him once and although the steering/bending isn't there and he's wicked green, he's totally game and sensible. Bring it on.
All I ever want in a horse is one that will meet me halfway. Gotta love greenies! Wish me luck and I'll follow up with a full report!
All I ever want in a horse is one that will meet me halfway. Gotta love greenies! Wish me luck and I'll follow up with a full report!
3.25.2013
Make jumping the reward, and other Wofford-isms.
As I mentioned before I took the day off Tuesday to audit a Wofford clinic. Having never seen him teach in person, I jumped at the chance to go watch! My friend was riding in the Green Bean class and the Novice class (held at either ends of the schedule) which meant I got to stay and watch all of the classes in between. I'll admit, it felt slightly criminal sitting there watching him teach all day for free!
Because I am the biggest dork alive, I made a rough vector drawing of the course that was set up. The awesome part was that each group, (no matter what skill level) could ride a variation of this course. As the more advanced combinations came in, He would set various lines to challenge both the horse and rider, but he could essentially take everything down to ground poles if needed.
Because I am the biggest dork alive, I made a rough vector drawing of the course that was set up. The awesome part was that each group, (no matter what skill level) could ride a variation of this course. As the more advanced combinations came in, He would set various lines to challenge both the horse and rider, but he could essentially take everything down to ground poles if needed.
3.18.2013
Spoiler Alert
I'm playing hookie from work tomorrow to audit a Jimmy Wofford Clinic, that's all for now.
1.03.2013
30 year itch
On Tuesday I rode for the first time in 6 months. I basically grinned ear-to-ear all day long. My trainer throws a little New Years Day party each year, featuring games and food and fun times. It's a really nice way to kick off the new year and pretend like it isn't freezing outside. I had been at the farm the week before to photograph my trainer's family as a Xmas present for her Mother. After I was finished I walked around the property to say hello to all the familiar faces. I snuffled their fuzzy faces and took deep breaths of hay-filled air. I remembered.
I remembered. Like I did after the very first time someone hoisted me onto a pony. Like I did, dressed up with my very first lease horse for a fancy dress show. Like I did the very first time (after 11 years of riding) that I found myself in the dirt after being dumped by a naughty pony. Like I did the first time I breezed a racehorse in North Carolina. Like I did jumping through a 4 foot gymnastic on an opinionated Thoroughbred for the first time. Like I did when I came back to riding after so many years off and galloped draft horses for fun, bush-wacking and giggling through the Pennsylvania woods. Like I did when I met Kiki the first time, tied in her stall, white-eyed and skeptical, pawing at the ground. Like I did when I kissed her soft muzzle goodbye.
Like I always did, and always will.
I posted this photo to Facebook after my ride:
My brother commented: "Haha...you look just like you did 20 years ago...better than any anti-aging remedy!!
I doubt if a truer statement has ever been made about me. I've officially been riding for 30 years -- that sounds crazy to me. Getting older is a strange thing... but as long as I have horses in my life, I'll always feel young.
I remembered. Like I did after the very first time someone hoisted me onto a pony. Like I did, dressed up with my very first lease horse for a fancy dress show. Like I did the very first time (after 11 years of riding) that I found myself in the dirt after being dumped by a naughty pony. Like I did the first time I breezed a racehorse in North Carolina. Like I did jumping through a 4 foot gymnastic on an opinionated Thoroughbred for the first time. Like I did when I came back to riding after so many years off and galloped draft horses for fun, bush-wacking and giggling through the Pennsylvania woods. Like I did when I met Kiki the first time, tied in her stall, white-eyed and skeptical, pawing at the ground. Like I did when I kissed her soft muzzle goodbye.
Like I always did, and always will.
I posted this photo to Facebook after my ride:
 |
| Happy to be back in the saddle (on a little pony!) |
I doubt if a truer statement has ever been made about me. I've officially been riding for 30 years -- that sounds crazy to me. Getting older is a strange thing... but as long as I have horses in my life, I'll always feel young.
11.21.2012
Trio!
I was asked if I could make a single portrait from three separate photos recently as a commissioned piece. I asked the client to send me photos of the horses that she had in mind and I crudely made a mock up of all three, sent it back for her approval and I began nervously working on it. I'll admit, it was one of the most difficult pieces I've completed!
Here are the three horses (2 of them are Standardbreds!)
Resizing each portrait to size was pretty tough, but the most difficult part eliminating tack in the portraits (at the request of the client). That took some creative improvising on my part! *It's also very hard to ignore those lines when you're cutting things out! I am really happy with out it turned out.
I have a few little tweaks to make before I sent it off to her, but what do you guys thinks?
I can still make some for Christmas if anyone is interested!
Here are the three horses (2 of them are Standardbreds!)
I can still make some for Christmas if anyone is interested!
11.14.2012
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)