Raven bucks and runs

Raven was exuberant yesterday- during warm up she was cantering with ease and throwing her head - a couple of bucks.. i think she does it to make me laugh.  

We rode in our english saddle ( with extender) and I have to say the I really like that saddle.  It is a Wintec 500 suggested by my friend Jenny. it is so comfy and I like the contact.

So the best news is - we cantered easily - a few strides at a time.  Smoothly - gently - like the lope of quarter horse - it was the best .  We had a wonderful time together.. practicing lightness of hands.. and no hands.

Mom came by - and I have a witness

What the heck do you do with 1/2 chaps

So I have been asked many times since working with The Curvy Cowgirl... what the heck am I doing with those leather 1/2 chaps.  So all of you english and show riders sit back and relax.  I want to talk with my western, trail, endurance and backyard -pleasure gals and those of you that don't ride at all.

If you have known me for any length of time.. you know that I am an amateur rider - but LOVE LOVE LOVE to ride.  In this pic you see my FF 1/2 chaps, brown and black - proudly well worn.  Here is my list of why I wear them - for you to consider and respond with your thoughts.


1.Ook so the truth is they are way cool and part of a costume that I want to be a part of -  being a lover of all things english including Miss Suzanne Wild at FF.
2. So now that we are past my love of costumes... they are leather - smell good and look great ( again all about me..:-))
3. They are warm in the winter
4.  They give some support to my old calf - that probably needs to wear TEDS hose... if you dont know what those are-- be glad.
5. They protect my lower leg from scratchy things
6. I like how they create a little "stick to it" when I am riding in my BB pad or BB( Bare Back)
7. When I put them on - it is my uniform for riding and playing with my horse - I can't back out once they are zipped
8. Raven can't tear my Jean Genies on the fence post when she decides she wants to be done riding,
9. The ritual of cleaning them and shining them - gives me time to slow down and appreciate that my ancestors have been using leather horse gear for years.  I am a part of the tradition.
10. It makes me feel official...and did I mention they look cool.

OK so there are loads of reasons to wear them that have nothing to do with my reasons -but truth is truth...

We braved the 24 degree temps to ride

Gloves - check, Stocking cap - check , Jacket - check - bridle warm? check

In weather like this I have visions of the scene from the Christmas Story - where the kids stick their tongues on the frozen pole and it sticks.  Putting that cold metal bridle in Ravens mouth - oh I can't even think about it. So I keep her brindle in the tack room - near the light .  And I am not embarrassed to say that I  DID stick my tongue on part of the bridle metal to make sure it would not freeze her.

Secret Passion"AKA Raven" 

Three months have gone by and we are both in pretty silly shape... so I thought one more excuse to not ride was the weather - but NOT today.  She seemed pretty happy to be out with me and even waited for me at the mounting block while I went to get her some treats from the house.. she was till there 5 minutes later- looking at me like "Come - ON" Warming up was great - she was in an extremely frisky mood and cantered way to easily - pretty funny for a 22 yo horse.  I laughed out loud several times - seeing the colt in her come out.  My neighbors thing I am crazy I am sure.

Worked on communication in transitions.  from walk - flat footwalk  -to walk - to dog walk - foxtrot  Throw in a few stop and back ups and we had a good time.  Cantered back to the tack room as is our custom - light and easy,

Thank you Raven the wonder horse. I love you

Black Beauties

I commented to my farrier about a horse that was doing particularly well and could he guess who it was - his comment was "The black one".  Very Funny Tony.. I have 15 black horses.

Got the extender

OK so missy Raven - here we go - I got an extender for your saddle.  I Imagine in my head her seeing me coming and thinking how many more pounds she will need to gain to out grow it.

Back to Horses..

Mike always laughs that I can turn any conversations to horses in 2 seconds... and well it is true-- I admit it..Here is a drawing I did of Mike and a couple of the our foals..

I have to admit part of the pleasure of going to these equine events is getting to talk about horses and not having to say --- "oh sorry - I bet you are tired of hearing about horses " But one of the pitfalls is - there is usually not a live horse anywhere close by - so I always really miss mine. 

I have one more show to go and it should be the big grand Daddy - they I can relax for a little while...and spend some time with My guys as for today - my Victim is going to be Raven - If I can get her english saddle on her.. last time I tried she had gotten ROUND.. and I could not get the buckles to go - she was thrilled.  BUT I am going to get extenders.. and foil her plans...

Day 16 - the end

I have been remiss in working on my blog and I guess that is a good thing.  I have had the pleasure of several friends helping me and spending the night in Curvy Cowgirl FEI central.  It has been a great experience for all.  We me many many folks from from other countries - and of course many from here in the us.  But we are all the same.  Everyone has the same reaction when they come in the store... "sooo glad you are here" and when they try on something that fits... everyone is surprised.

The last year has been preparation for this event - but really it is just a slightly bigger version of the faires we already attend. And actually that is a really good feeling.. what we have learned so far and what we continue to learn - this is the right place for me and even after 16 days of 7-7 work and meeting people - I would do it again in a heartbeat.

So the biggest part of this is : I will be able to continue to to this.  Mike and I were looking at this event as a line in the sand as to whether or not we could continue.  And the great news is we can -- so I have set out our schedule an itinerary for the next year and got my reservations and booth space ready.  It is a relief to have this phase over and get on to being a proper store with confidence... learning all the time.  I love this business and our clients...