McMatchy Sets!

Today's post is short but sweet! 
Throughout my tackmaking journey I've always loved matchy sets, almost anyone who looks at my tack sets can tell.

C. 2015

It is relatively easy to make a matching western set, especially a gaming set.

C. 2016

It is a little harder in the english tack world... fortunately there is a rather simple hack.

Eskadron® sets!

While unacceptable in the traditional ring, (Hunters etc.) I think these smart and eye catching sets would be great in eventing, showjumping, and english games.

Granted this was just my first attempt and there are a few things I'll fix next time, I am very happy with it!

I will surely be using this in my blue eventing and showjumping ensembles in some upcoming shows!

I hope everyone enjoyed the matchyness!
-Becky

One Years Time

I've been thinking about change lately, and looking back at just a year ago Becky, Emma and I have all changed a lot as far as tack and showing skills, so I thought I would share with you all our entries from Models in The Sunshine last year, compared to this year!

Beckys tack 2015

Beckys tack 2015

Becky Other performance 2015

Becky other performance 2016

Emma other performance 2015

Emma Other performance 2016

Maddy Other performance 2015

Maddy Other performance 2016

Becky cross country 2015

Becky Cross country 2016

Emma Cross country 2015

Emma Cross country 2016

Becky Jumping 2015

Becky jumping 2016

Maddy Dressage 2016

Maddy Dressage 2016 (saddle by Becky)

 Now I think I need to take a look at our work from a few years back, to really show how much we have improved! Remember, anything is possible, you just need time and patience, and you will get results.

-Maddy

Hunters and Jumpers at PCHA

Hello! Today I'll be finishing up on the PCHA series with the hunters and jumpers! I didn't get many photos of these because I was pretty busy watching the flat classes and helping my trainer control her dog. :P Here they are!

Again, sorry about the poor photo quality!

I watched the pony jumpers for a bit, starting in the warmup ring. Isn't this pair cute? I wish I started riding when I was this little!

The ponies were judged both on time and equitation. Equipment was the same as any hunter class.

Trotting...

Scope goals?

Before I knew it, they were in the ring!

SO. MUCH. SCOPE. This pony is ready to go higher!

Landing...

And onto the next jump!

The course was actually really challenging, lots of lead changes and pretty tight turns!

Probably my favorite photo of the day!

Next pony!

This little roan was really cute as well!

His saddle doesn't match his bridle though, and that makes my OCD angry... 0.0

Over the brick wall...

And onto the text jump!

Good pony. :3

Hopefully you all enjoyed this little mini-series! I had a lot of fun taking the photos.

-Emma

English Leadline at PCHA

Last weekend I went to PCHA, which stands for Pinellas County Hunter Association. It's a group that holds horse shows in the Tampa, Florida area.  The barn I ride at took a few horses to show, so I tagged along to take some photos. This post will be all about the Leadline class, and the next post will be about the over fences classes. The weather was icky and I had to keep my flash off, so they aren't the best photos. Hopefully you enjoy them though, and feel free to use them in performance setups!

The first class I watched was lead-line. We had one horse in this class. Lead-line is for young riders, and they can focus on their equitation without worrying about steering as much. With kids this little, it might not also be safe for them to have full control.

As I was saying, we had one horse in this class. He is a sport pony (not sure of his exact breed), and his name is Tebow. He's very cute and looks great with his young rider! Also, as you can see, my trainer is VERY serious about showing.

Isn't Tebow cute?

For riders, the attire was like that of any Hunter class. Tan breeches with paddock boots and a navy jacket. All the riders had their hair in two braids with a bow on each.  For the 'leaders,' attire is casual.  Many were showing themselves later in the day so had show attire.

Such a little rider, start em' young I guess? And an adorable pony!

There wasn't a pattern, you just walked along the rail. They did one lap in each direction.

Those socks though.

Most of the horses were pretty small, but others were pretty good size horses!

The riders also had to two-point for about half a lap. You can also see here that the lead rope was connected to the bit.

The breeds also varied. Some horses looked like random crosses, but some were pretty clear. 

Methinks Welsh Pony...

After they finished their laps the horses lined up and the judge went to each rider and asked them a simple question about horses. For example, one was asked to point where the withers were.

As soon as the questions were finished, placings were called. However, each person received a blue ribbon.

Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for the over fences classes!

-Emma

There's Draught Horses and then there's Draught Horses.

Today was pretty exciting for me, after 4 hours in the sun I was able to come home with some pretty cool shots from the parade today!

The Budweiser Clydesdales are in town for a parade this evening... I of course couldn't pass up the opportunity to go stalk their parade preparations ...could I?

Every part of the operation is smooth and everything is precisely organized... I really appreciate organization (as my friends probably know) so I really enjoyed watching this!

The eight horse hitch is made up of all geldings, each horse weighing approximately 2,000 lbs, and each horse measuring roughly 18hh. 

A harness and fittings for one horse is $100,000. That is NOT a typo. A single harness is roughly one hundred thousand dollars. The harnesses are manufactured by a master harness maker in Ohio and are adorned with brass Anheuser-Busc insignia.

Each harness is kept in its own locker in the air conditioned 18 wheeler trailer specifically designated for the wagon and tack. 

The geldings manes are festooned with the traditional red and white ribbons and roses.

The horses are lead out of the trailer in sets of two, corresponding to their positions in the hitch, and are clipped to a cross-tie hanging between the truck and trailer.

I was particularly taken by this beautiful dapple.

Everyone on the team clearly loved their job, it is a dream of mine to work on one of the hitch teams.

These horses were so full of charisma and were posing constantly.

I hope you enjoyed the post and the photos! (I sure had a fun time collecting them!)

-Becky