Bloghop: Favorites of 2018

After reading Amanda’s post, I just couldn’t resist not joining in on the fun!

Favorite Show Picture

I honestly can’t pick just one! The top left picture was taken at the last show of this year, the bottom left is from our first show over fences together, the top right was taken right after I found out we had won reserve champion at our first show over fences, and the bottom right was from my second time flatting him at a show. There were so many great memories made in the show ring this year!

Favorite Non-Show Photo

Well, I couldn’t choose just one again haha! There are just so many pictures that I love from this past year. 😅

Favorite Thing You Bought

This one is easy: my Samshield helmet. I can’t tell you how much I love this helmet! It’s easy to clean, comfortable, nice and airy, and very sleek and stylish. I hate to say it, but it’s so much nicer than my old Charles Owen. 😬

Favorite Moment On Horseback

Winning 3rd place out of a huge flat class at our second show together is definitely my favorite moment on horseback this year. It took a lot of hard work to get to that moment, and I will never forget how proud I was of Dies!

Favorite Moment Out of the Saddle

Celebrating Dies’s 7th birthneigh is one of my favorite “out of the saddle” memories from this past year. I have to admit, I had a little too much fun planning his little party. 😂 Will he get another party this coming year? The answer is: absolutely!

Favorite “Between The Ears” Picture

This picture may not look like much, but that day was such a great day. It was Diablo’s first time being back at the horse park after being retired from showing four years ago. We loaded him up on the trailer on the spur of the moment and had the best day hacking around in the Grand Prix arena at the Conyer’s Horse Park.

Favorite Horse Article

This was my favorite article that I read this year. Everything said in this article describes my experience growing up with horses. My favorite quote from this article is: “Let them set goals and reach them. Let them set goals and fail miserably. Let them learn that, if they work incredibly hard, practice like hell, ride the best quality horse they can and take impeccable care of him, they’re sometimes going to get beat by someone with 10 times the money and one-tenth the drive.”

Favorite Horse Ridden Aside From Your Own

My trainer’s lesson horse, Ty, was my favorite horse that I rode this year that wasn’t mine. I think I like him so much because he is just so different than my two guys. Isn’t he just the cutest?

Favorite Funny Picture of Your Horse

It’s not exactly a photo, but this is my favorite funny video of Diesel this year. He loves to “help” me pick and put new shavings in his stall. 😂

Favorite Horse Meme

Finally, this is one of my favorite horse memes that I have seen this year. If this doesn’t describe life with green or naughty horses perfectly, then I don’t know what does. 😂

My Current Favorites | Early 2018

If there’s one thing I love, it’s trying out new tack and horse-related products. I don’t usually get to splurge on high-end horse products very often due to my unfortunate limited bank account, but when I do get the chance, I go for the stuff I’ve been drooling over for a long time. If you’re looking for your next splurge-worthy list of items, look no further for I have made a list of my current favs!

Galloping Graphics

The search is over – Galloping Graphics is your one-stop shop for everything custom. Not only did Elizabeth do an AMAZING job with my new logo, but her shop carries some great items such as custom stickers, mugs, t-shirts, and beautiful custom graphics. I can’t put into words how much I love my new logo and the items in her shop! They are truly unique!

SmartPak Air + Neoprene Girth

If there is something that I couldn’t live without, it would be this girth. I have one for both of my guys and won’t use anything else as an everyday girth. In fact, Diablo has had used his every day since I got it in 2016. They are so easy to clean with the removable neoprene lining, and both ponies seem to think they are pretty comfortable.

The Herbal Horse’s Healthy Hair Salve

I’m a little obsessed with The Herbal Horse’s products now that I have been using them for the past few weeks. However, their Healthy Hair salve really stood out to me due to its luxurious smell and the results I have had with it.

CWD French Noseband Bridle

This honestly has to be my favorite item that I have ever purchased off of eBay. I got lucky and snagged this gem for $200 – it retails for $500 brand new on CWD’s website. The best part is that it only had five rides on it when I purchased it! It has now become a part of Diesel’s show wardrobe and looks fabulous on him! Plus, the leather is so soft and supple that it feels like butter in your hands. I was really surprised that I actually liked the more narrow noseband as I gravitate towards wider noseband bridles. However, the noseband on this one really shows off Diesel’s features.

 

Saucy Piaffe Ergonomic Fancy Stitched Halter

I definitely splurged a lot on this purchase even though I snagged it while on sale. I have to say, it was definitely worth it though as the halter is just beautiful! Saucy Piaffe is so great that I have been a repeat customer of their’s for quite some time. All of their products are great!

Back On Track Quick Wraps

As a standing wrap girl, I told myself that I would never own a pair of these. But alas, the temptation was too strong after the baby horse decided that taking standing wraps off is fun. They are definitely pricey, but the ease of putting these on and taking them off makes it worth it.

D sporting his brother’s BOT Quick Wraps

Dy’On Rubber Working Reins

I ended up buying these reins spur of the moment off of a Facebook group when I found them for a price I just couldn’t pass up on! These reins are usually pretty pricey, but I managed to snag them brand new for $40. They have flat buffalo leather fronts, which I have found makes them super durable. Plus, the rubber portion of the reins is probably the grippiest rubber I have ever felt on a pair of reins.

 

Back On Track Back Pad

This is one of several BOT products that have made my list. As it turns out, I am an avid fan of BOT. In fact, I own several of their products and use them all the time. I bought BOT’s back pad on a whim for $30 from a Facebook group in an effort to try and avoid forking out the money for one of their coveted mesh sheets. At first, I wasn’t quite sure how I was going to like the pad, but it has quickly become a staple in Diablo’s warm-up routine.

Ogilvy Baby Pads

This is probably no surprise to anyone. I’m a saddle pad hoarder with an affinity for anything that is customizable.