Can we have an adult re-rider support group?

[iechris]

Glad to hear others are doing well and getting some rides in. I think it is almost always 1 step forward and one (sometimes 2!) backwards! I FINALLY had a lesson today after over a month off due to weather, horse shows, dog shows, my sinus infection, etc. I only rode twice in that whole time off, so I knew I’d be a bit “special” today.

Good news is my heels were down and I can still canter! Bad news is I was a bit handsy and back to my favorite bad habit of tipping foward. I was cantering along literally saying “get off this horse’s neck”. We did go down two lines of poles AND I got the lead change, so that was all good. Did not feel up to jumping actual crossrails today due to the whole “magnetically attached to horse’s neck thing”.

We just got a Tractor Supply on the way to the barn, which is great! Now if only the would carry Keratex, so next time I don’t notice I’m running out and my horse’s hooves suddenly decide to fall apart I won’t have to spend $50 at the tack store… Also wish they carried smaller sized bags of horse cookies. I ran out and now I have enough horse cookies to treat the entire barn.

My goal for this year is one I’ve had for a few years now: to show in Long Stirrup at a local show. Bigger goal is to show with several friends in the Hunt Teams class at one of our local shows. It is run at 2’6" but my trainer said she thinks she could get them to lower it to 2’ for our group (they do for ponies already), as the class doesn’t always fill. We’ve gotten as far toward this goal as cantering poles two abreast and doing the 3 person lead horse change at a trot.

[spacytracy]

iechris - I get handsy and tip forward too. Partially because my other saddle tips EVERYONE forward, partially because I have a weak core and crumple. Both are defense mechanisms for me.

My goals:

• Be able to be fit enough to ride effectively!
• Get Dublin up to his optimal weight, and condition.
• Take Dublin to a few local shows this summer, show in long stirrup, crossrails.
• Work with my DD and hopefully get her to riding independently on our pony.

What do people think about going against the “grain”? I was reading the other thread on faux pas in the hunter ring, and it got me thinking.

I just got a new saddle but its black. From far away I’m sure you can’t tell dark brown from black, as its an older saddle. However, I would LOVE to get a flat hunt bridle for him and show in it. I would love it. I think they look so classic and beautiful. Does anyone else ride in one? Would it be a stupid risk to take? I figure those who actually HUNT probably show in them so why not??

[Hinderella]

Spacytracy, I’m sure that those who show regularly on the hunter circuit would just DIE at the thought of a black saddle, but I’m sure that for local shows and long stirrup it would be just fine. And I can’t imagine that there would be anything wrong with showing in a flat hunt bridle. I think they look terrific on most horses. However, you’ll be hard pressed to find one in black, unless it comes from England or is special ordered, because brown tack is traditional for the hunt field, at least in the US. That’s not to say that no one hunts in black, but it’s uncommon.

If you search in the hunting forum, you can find contact information for Bartville harness. They’re Amish, no website or anything, but they have a catalog, and you could have a black bridle made up.

If you want to spend less and want to just oil the heck out of dark brown, horseloverz.com has a Gatsby flat hunt bridle that’s not bad, I bought one for my pony.

Personally, I think black tack looks sharp. It drove me crazy when my trainer kept telling me it was “wrong” for the show ring, as I couldn’t find a thing in the rules about tack color. I have read that in years past, tack made of a lesser quality leather was often dyed black because the black would cover the flaws, so perhaps that’s where the bias originated.

I do believe that in most shows, if you’re clean, neat and have obviously made an effort with your preparation and presentation, no one will care what color your tack is.

[Ray]

flat hunt bridle is perfectly fine. Black saddle is not - but - who cares! its a local show. if you are dressed appropriately and your horse is sparkling clean and you get around the course, the judge could care less about your saddle

[spacytracy]

It could pass for dark brown to the naked eye - its a County Pro Fit, older model that was never used, and it has faded some. Either way, I don’t care. I think it looks nice and I could definitely get a dark brown bridle and no one would be able to tell. Its not shiny, so I think once it gets scuffed up and softened, no one will give it a second glance.

Took some pics - the leathers are dark brown for reference, and I put my girth next to it to show that its not TOO far off. The girth is like a chocolate color
www.photobucket.com/countyprofit

If the judge docks me for that, well, then who cares. I’m not in it for ribbons necessarily anyway (although it would be nice!)

Even my super conservative trainer (must pull manes, no roaching, stick to the script) saw it and said, eh, just get a dark brown bridle.

The nice thing is that I want to do a dressage show or two this summer as well, so I’ll fit right in!!!

Hinderella - thanks for the tip on the Gatsby, a dark brown will work for sure. And it doesn’t have to be fancy. Again, no one will be getting that close and these are unrated shows.

OOH! Found this one, even if its crappy, might be worth a try. I just LOVE flat bridles and I LOVE black.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Black-Flat-Hunt-Leather-Snaffle-Bridle-w-Laced-Rein-/380393652722?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58913a81f2

[Dewey]

[QUOTE=spacytracy;6023049]
What do people think about going against the “grain”? I was reading the other thread on faux pas in the hunter ring, and it got me thinking.

I just got a new saddle but its black. From far away I’m sure you can’t tell dark brown from black, as its an older saddle. However, I would LOVE to get a flat hunt bridle for him and show in it. I would love it. I think they look so classic and beautiful. Does anyone else ride in one? Would it be a stupid risk to take? I figure those who actually HUNT probably show in them so why not??[/QUOTE]

Several judges on this forum have posted that they almost never notice the color of a rider’s tack or whether the saddle and bridle match, etc. Apparently only the other competitors are obsessive about details like that. :lol:

I like the idea of “going against the grain.” I show in unfashionable tack, and IMO, if it’s clean, in good shape, and well-fitting, you will not be penalized. No one has ever said anything to me about my tack. Of course, I don’t show in rated shows, but most of my fellow competitors are much younger, and they DO follow the trends. My feeling is that if you ride well and have self-confidence, people will respect you no matter what kind of saddle or bridle you use.

If you’re going to an A show all bets are off. I have never ridden in one.

[spacytracy]

Thanks, because I really really want a flat bridle for my guy. He has this look. I can’t explain it but he has the face of an old gentleman. He’s only 6 but he looks so much older to me. It might be also because he’s chestnut with a gray mane and tail, but, I don’t know!

[Dewey]

[QUOTE=spacytracy;6023498]
Thanks, because I really really want a flat bridle for my guy. He has this look. I can’t explain it but he has the face of an old gentleman. He’s only 6 but he looks so much older to me. It might be also because he’s chestnut with a gray mane and tail, but, I don’t know![/QUOTE]

Well, I think you should go for it, and I think we’d all like to see a picture of him in his new bridle! He sounds handsome!

[Dewey]

Sad Day

I just found out that because of unpleasant financial realities, the owner of the mare I’ve been riding is going to have to put her up for sale. I am crushed!!

[spacytracy]

Oh no!!! I’m so sorry Dewey!!! Do you have any other options???

[Hinderella]

So sorry to hear that Dewey. I hope that another ride comes for you soon. If there is a trainer at your barn, they’re the best contact, but you could also post a sign at your local tack/feed store. There must be someone out there who has a horse that needs some mileage.

[spacytracy]

Dewey you can come to my place!

[EquineImagined]

@Dewey;6023359

My feeling is that if you ride well and have self-confidence, people will respect you no matter what kind of saddle or bridle you use.

I really needed to read this right now, as I’m mentally preparing for the next show season (which for me and my girly doesn’t start until April)

Right now, her bridle doesn’t even match itself. It’s pieced together from two broken bridles that were similar enough in color that from a distance you can’t tell one part is more red brown and the other more chocolate brown. Have no earthly clue what saddle I’ll be using, either! None of mine fit and while she’s still getting her weight up I refuse to go out and purchase her a new one until I can have her truly fitted so we’ve been schooling in a borrowed ortho flex dressage, but I show Hunter/English Pleasure!

Will say this though, her first and only show (local schooling type) I had a black bridle with ‘silver’ on the brow band…and a deep brown saddle. Wore my riding sport zip up shirt, couldn’t find my show jacket and wore half chaps. We came home Champion. So I can definitely say that as long as it’s clean and you show well, matching tack is close to the bottom of the list of concerns. Until you start getting into the upper level things.

Sorry about your mare falling through! Hope your search for a new mount is easy and not drawn out.

[spacytracy]

Thanks Equine. I am overthinking this too much, I’m sure. I have so much idle time on my hands. There’s not much else to do!!

[Dewey]

Thanks for all the concern. There won’t be any trouble finding something to ride. The BO where I ride has said that I can ride any of her horses at any time. In fact there is another greenie for sale at her place that she would love me to start on. If I know the horse is for sale at the very beginning, I can try not to get so attached (famous last words).

I’m just so sad because I love this mare, and she was just starting to really come along. We had just made a big breakthrough with her jumping when I got this news. The plan was to show her pre-green this year in our local circuit–I guess that won’t happen now. The mare is very affectionate, too, and I know she loves me (wipes tears). She has this little trick where when I take her halter off to bridle her, she nuzzles up to my cheek and just holds her muzzle there for about ten seconds. She does it every time, and it’s so sweet.

The owner feels terrible about the situation. He has been emailing me all morning. He wants me to buy her and I am sure would bend over backward to help make it happen, but as I told him, it’s not a good time in my life for me to take on ownership. DH would just flip out–we have one in college and another with student loans to pay off, not to mention other expenses I won’t bore you with.

Well, the owner has asked me to keep riding her for now. Will keep you posted. Thanks again for your concern, everyone.

[spacytracy]

Its good that you are thinking with your head and not your heart. Being strapped with the burden of being strapped financially.

Hopefully it takes a loooong time to sell her!

[Dewey]

Yes, I know the owner needs to get out from under the financial burden, but part of me hopes it takes a long time, too…

He is also going to have to sell his “heart horse,” another nice mare I showed for him some last year. He had big plans to breed her. It’s really sad. I was absolutely shocked…I thought he would sell one of his grandkids before he sold that mare.:lol:

[spacytracy]

I hope I never have to face that. But better to move them to a place that can care for them than to go under trying to hold onto them and end up in a dire emergency situation.

[Dewey]

Yes, absolutely. We just have to hope that they end up in good hands.

[spacytracy]

Good luck Natalie! I’m sure besides a little soreness it will come back pretty easily!!