Ramping Up

I’m now in week two of the official “Get More Better At Riding Again” unofficial bootcamp, and I’m loving it!! I had gotten kinda used to my 1-2x a week schedule for the last year+ and I don’t think I realized just how much my barn time makes everything better. Getting to log off the computer and immediately head to the barn is an amazing feeling, especially since my barn commute is 100x better from our new place than it was from my office.

In fact everything about our new place is a vast improvement, including the sunsets and our happy lil front porch. We’re out there almost every evening. In the gap between the houses you see here you can actually see the horse farm across the road, and we often hear them talkin to each other.

Frankie is on his way down to Lexington for the show with his leaser, which means it is the Meeko show for the week. We had our second hack together last night and I definitely feel like I’m getting to know him better; where he wants more support from me, where I need to dictate a bit, and where he needs me to back off and let him do his thing. He’s very similar to Frankie in that he likes a lot of support from the leg, but his gaits feel so different and he’s more responsive off my aids. It’s really fun getting to know him, he’s safe and fun and I’m so grateful I get to hop on!

I’m also pushing the intensity of my rides more this week. Last week was dedicated solely to making it around the ring a couple times to start building up my sorely-lacking stamina. This week I’m trying to actually, you know, ride like I’m doing something. Tons of transitions and playing with some lateral work has my core VERY sore so I feel like I must be doing something semi-right. It’s making me super eager to get back into lessons when my trainer gets back from the show.

Unrelated I just wanted to show you that Maggie is a big weirdo. This isn’t a screenshot, she likes to fall asleep like this.

I’m also looking ahead to our (hopeful) next show in September. It’s about 30 minutes away and we’ll be shipping in and out, and traditionally it’s not a super crowded show, so I’m feeling pretty comfortable that we can do it in a safe way. I’ll be hopping on at our trailer after only touching my own tack, and I won’t have to touch anything again until they hand me my big blue ribbons – putting that out into the universe now just in case. I already have a decent selection of masks that I wear when I leave the house (which is extremely rare other than going to the barn), but after seeing some posts here in blogland and on social media about the gaiters people were using, I went ahead and got myself one of those for showing:

Bordered in navy, because obviously

I also may have bought myself a little graduation present because you know what, I was tired and stressed and wanted something nice. It’s a new show coat!! I managed to find this Equiline in my size for an absolute STEAL since it’s used, but it’s in perfect shape. Black with satin pockets and burgundy suede collar. At least I’ve stopped compulsively buying new breeches? That counts for something, right?

The black is blacker and the collar is a deeper burgundy in person and it’s SO PRETTY I LOVE IT

Anyway, I’m trying to get back in the rhythm of capturing the journey more often as I get back into the swing of things. Excited to share more with you as we start to figure things out again!

Show Outfitting

Frankie and I are pretty un-fussy when it comes to our show outfits. We’ve built them up over time to become a setup that works for us and our job, but none of it is that different from when we started. Here’s a breakdown of what both of us wear to shows:

PC: A. Frye

The Human

Breeches: my go to are TS Trophy Hunters in white for classics and tan for everything else. I’ll sub in my old-model RJs or my Ghodos if I need to, but the TS are by far my favorite breech to ride and spend a long show day in.

Shirt: since I mainly show in the summer, my fave is my Ariat short sleeve show shirt. Super breathable and light under a jacket (and yes, I almost always wear a jacket, even in the jumpers). I have an Essex Coolmax that’s not bad for a long-sleeve, and a thicker RJ for winter shows.

Jacket: I now have two that I love! My AA Motionlite coat in Aviation Blue is an absolute dream for hot days- it’s literally mesh. And I think the color looks so pretty on Francis. For formal days or when it’s cooler out, I have my Grand Prix softshell in hunter green. It’s definitely cut more conservatively- I would be comfortable taking this in the hunter or equitation ring. I also love how this looks next to Frankie’s dark coat. I just think everything looks pretty on him #handsome.

Boots: For now, my Mountain Horse Sovereigns. I love love love these boots. My brown versions that I school in are pretty but not as high quality, but the black ones have held up wonderfully and fit like they’re custom. Fairly soon though, I’ll likely retire these to schooling status and splurge on a new pair of show boots. Any recommendations? (I know you all have recommendations on this haha)

Miscellaneous: Samshield gloves. I got a monogrammed pair as a gift several birthdays ago and they’ve held up remarkably well to frequent schooling and shows! CO GR8 helmet. It’ll likely need replacing next year but I’m not in a hurry. One-knot hairnets, because I’m old school and haven’t figured out the shmancy hairnets yet. Hunt Club belt because I like the colors and just-right stretchiness. Snarky socks. No-name rolly spurs with plain black spur straps (yawn). No-name crop a Barn Mom gifted to me when I lost my beloved black and navy crop at a show #RIP.

PC: K. Borden

The Horse

Saddle: ….the same one as always. Antares Unicorn saddle that fits my giraffe legs and tiny butt, and was re-panelled to fit Francis.

Saddle pad: teeny non-slip pad underneath, then a navy AP pad with my barn’s name and logo on it. No half-pad- see note about saddle being fitted to Francis.

Girth: Showmark plain girth, size 52″. After more than a year of constant hard use, the elastic is just starting to fray. This will become my schooling girth, and I’ll probably get exactly the same kind as a new show girth. Why mess with what works?

Breastplate: Nunn Finer 3-point with elastic. I like having the security of this helping everything stay in place as the jumps go up. No martingale attachment, because Francis.

Bridle: Vespucci fancy stitch. This was my birthday present last year and I love it! It only gets used for shows so it will remain gorgeous for a very long time. It’s technically a hunter style bridle, but I like that it’s versatile and I think it looks nice on Frankie’s sweet face. Maybe eventually I’ll get a figure-8 to fit in with the jumper crowd, but again- why mess with what works?

Bit: Full cheek slow twist single-jointed snaffle. We school in a plain full cheek at home and I like having a little more bit at shows- and Frankie doesn’t seem to care one way or another. I didn’t actually love this bit at our last show, so I may want to experiment a little with him.

Boots: Equifit tab-close open fronts. These are also only for show use and so are holding up well.

Bonnet: I use my trainer’s bonnet with the farm logo on it. Sometimes she probably regrets that I’m representing her due to my potato-riding, but TOO LATE IT’S ON.

Your turn! What’s your show get-up? (Not gonna lie, hoping some eventers pick up on this because y’all have waaay more fun outfits)