Want Dis, Need Dis?

AHHH. Tis the delightful season of tack whoring to begin.

Disclaimer: I'm pretty sure this post makes me seem like a COMPLETE hypocrite from my previous post. I'll defend myself by saying that since I'm not a rich bitch, I can still dream and want nice things. Right? Right.

The first show is MAR 2-3, less than a month away, so of course, the whore brain inside me wants to buy all the things and break my bank account.

Most of these things I don't really need, it'd just be nice to have/make my life easier. But isn't that what America is about? Overconsumerism and instant gratification? Maybe. Normally I hate people like this, since they always want MORE MORE MORE. However, I feel like Yankee will be pretty legit this year, so his wardrobe needs to be legit shit too. I'm pretty sure at least SprinklerBandit can agree with me on this >:)

First item on the wish list

1). New Shipping boots-

I really could care less what brand, I just want easy to clean, nicely padded and long enough. Amigo is pretty cheap at $65, but if I'm boss enough, I think I can find some on Ebay for a lot less. Reason for new ones: My current full length ship boots are...disgusting. Moth eaten, dirty, ripped and just overall grosss. I can't have my pimp horse walking about in nasty duds now can I?

2). Mountain Horse Tall Field Boots-

I guess if I wanted to be cheap I could not get new boots this year, since my old (about 3 years) ones still look baller, buuuut they are WAY too short on my legs. They make me look stumpy and unkept. So I guess this purchase would be for fashion and looks, but I feel one should look the part. To me, short boots look messy and unprofessional. Price tag, about $300. I would also have to put darts in for my man calves and thatd be another $80.

3). A knit Chill Chaser -


I've had my current chill chaser about 6 years, and I heart the shit outta it, but its slowly nearing the end of its life. Its ripped all over the place & just getting ratty and gross. A new one would be stellar, and inexpensive; about $50. Again, I could always just have the ponyface look like trailer trash and keep using the one I have for the sake of saving money, but...psssssh, come on.

4). A combination bit for XC-


I have yet to find that PREFECT bit for XC. For dressage, I use a french-link loose ring and stadium he goes swimmingly in a loose ring waterford. The waterford is just slightly too precious for XC and a 3-ring elevator is just a bit too much for him now. Yanks is a respectable boy on XC, but he does enjoy it a titch, and has his " LEMME GO LEMME GO" baby racehorse moments still. I've worked quite hard with him on his XC manners, but there is only so much you can teach a OTTB; in fact, I'd rather him be excited, rather than lazy. I tried a hackamore on XC with him and it did not go well. I think it was too much leverage on his face and he basically tossed his head and ran into the fences the whole time. Fail. SO...I think this bit would be perfect and with a $75 price tag, not too bad for a combo bit.

5). Charles Owen Pro II-

I feel SO bad for drooling over this baby, since my parents bought me a tipperary eventer 2 years ago and it is still in perfect condition. BUT COME ONE, this thing is sexual. And I wanna hop on this trend train, for once. Every eventer at my barn has one. But gasp, at $194, I doubt I can swing it. I guess I can just cut and paste them onto my face in pictures.

6). A Brown Dressage Girth, for my XC saddle-

So we can match, DUHH. The OCD Tack whore in me really hates that I use the same girth for Dressage and XC. Not only is it black and my saddle brown, but the life of the girth will be much shorter. The dressage girth I have was relatively expensive ($170), so I'd like it to last. PLUS, I like to have a set of tack for each phase; helps with organization, tacking up and packing. I keep all my respective bridles, girths, pads, boots and saddles together for each phase, so I can just grab and go, rather than sort through a trunk. Its been the dickens to find though on Ebay and I sure as shit am not paying $294 for it from a tack store.

First world problems right?

7). Euro-fit poly pad for XC. White. BUT I CANT FIND IT ANYWHERE!! GAH. Its just so stylish. So of course I want it.

I feel shame for so much want. 7 things isn't bad. In fact some people consider it a lucky number. I guess thats why I'm a whore.

Green Monster

So I have a confession to make.

NO one is allowed to judge me on this, because I KNOW you all think it too. Even if just a fleeting moment.

I get seriously pissed off/extremly jealous of those rich bitch riders who are so supremely spoiled that they don't even taken a second glance at whipping out their plastic for a 3k dressage saddle. Like seriously....what the frick.

I'm not gonna lie, I would lOVE to have that much money to throw around on a whim. If I want or even NEED something, I have to plan for it. Like, not eat very well for a week or so. I feed, clothe and put a roof over my horses' head by giving up a shit ton in my life, and working my ass off at two jobs.

I know, I know...if I'm complaining so much, why do I ride horses? Because I don't MIND doing all of those things for my passion and my horses. BUT I do have a problem with the spoiled brats who don't even realize what the eff they have and how lucky they are.

There's a girl I know who complains everyday on FB about how tired she is from riding her 3 beautiful IMPORTED horses in FLORIDA, and how mentally exhausting riding all of themevery weekend in an event can be and wah wah wah I want this and I want that, why didnt my stupid horse get that flying change perfectly and on and on and on.

Why cant you just be grateful that your parents pay for the move to FL every summer and your 3 amazing horses and your to competitions EVERY weekend, and the best tack money can buy,etc etc.

I'm sorry, but to me that is just ridiculous. And I felt like venting.

Alloted Rides of the Week

Since the lease, I only "get" to ride 2 days a week. I use air quotes because he is my horse and can ride him as much as I want, but since the purpose of this lease was to give me more time to work/study, I only ride 1-2 days a week.

I rode yesterday and today. Sunday was my last day of last week and today was my first day of this week...if that makes any sense.

I had a magically fantastical dressagey ride yesterday.

Video evidence. (I know watching other people ride can be uber yawn, but if you know anything about OTTBs you know that getting them to this point basically warrants throwing a party. I have been on cloud 9 since yesterday, knowing that my baby is FINALLY an adult ponyface and can do dressage like a real boy. So watch dammit.)

I was going to edit out his AWFUL W-C transition to the right, but I opted not to so that ya'll can see our major issue...relaxation. If he gives me a transition like that, I bring him back down as calmly as possible, ask him to relax in the neck/body ( usually works with itty bitty lateral movement and half halt) and ask him again. This one was a fail...like 4 times. But our simple lead changes were boss. And his trot work was phenominal. NEVER has he felt that relaxed...ever.

Pictorial evidence.

Look at the wonderous free walk. I see more 9s in my future.

Loose, free, active trot FTW!

Ok this extended trot is a little less winning...he could be a more underneath himself and not on the forehand. This is what we work on (through half halts) when we do the exT.

This is a bit better. I LOVE how he is finally getting lighter on his front end and not running through the exT movement. STILL could be more engaged behind, but better. (notice my position too, no more crouchy. I-I-I-I work out:))

I love this picture. To me, this is the epitome of relaxed pony and some self carriage going on. Floppy ears and tail, engaged hind end and free strides. LOVE LOVE LOVE

Some shitty pictures of our non-shitty canter work!

I dont think I need to even explain how boss Yankee is :D

And yes, I am bragging. But only because I feel we have had nothing to brag about in the past. We've only just been OK and mediocre. I feel like he finally NAILED our dressage work. Hopefully it continues!!

Today, it was 67 degrees so I thought it'd be sweet to do some gallops. Our gallops were restricted to canters because of mud, but it was still nice to get out.

Yankee says, "herro girl human on my back. Can we run now preese?"

Mizzou, represent.

He was aight. Still wanting to run, but I would just give him a half halt with that waterford bit and he listened. Good boy!

Video from my "helmet cam". I really like to pretend I have one for the sake of this blog. Galloping a TB with one hand can be....fun?

Jackie and Yankee looked pretty awesome here :) There are more of her and Yanks on my YouTube channel.

If you guys havent seen this and this its seriously HILARIOUS. And factual, I literally say all of those things. All the time.

 The "Stuff____ Say" is a new trend on youtube, in case you've been living under a rock, and they have one for pretty much everything, so I was pumped they had one for riders now too.

Happy...Monday.