Mid-Week Mashup

Published on by Amanda C

I have a lot of little things today that are kind of random but this week is full of exciting stuff, so bear with me here…

First, and most important, today is Henry’s 12th birthday! Time is flying, guys. How is he TWELVE already??? Sometimes I wish I could just stop the clock so he could stay this age forever. I love him so much, it’s borderline ridiculous.

And yes, it’s possible that I raided the office supplies to make him a headband at work yesterday, so that I could take birthday pictures.

Second – I have TWO giveaways running right now and both of them end tomorrow, so if you haven’t entered yet, today is the day! The first giveaway is based here, through the blog, for the US Event Horse Futurity. It’s super easy to enter and there’s a gift card and saddle pad up for grabs, check out the post if you haven’t seen it yet.

The other giveaway is through my Instagram and there’s a $100 Riding Warehouse gift card up for grabs! It’s worth a shot, free money is awesome.

View this post on Instagram

It’s Monday – let’s start the week out with a bang with a GIVEAWAY! Who likes free money? 🙋🏻‍♀️ 💵 My friends over at @ridingwarehouse are getting close to 10k followers, so let’s help them get there! Here’s how to enter for a chance to win a $100 Riding Warehouse gift card (you must do ALL THREE to enter!): 🐎 🐴 1. Follow me AND @ridingwarehouse here on Insta 2. Like this post 3. Tag 3 friends who also like free money for horse stuff 🐎 🐴 Complete terms and conditions can be found on RW’s website. Entries close Feb 14 at midnight CST, winner will be announced next Monday 2/18. Good luck! #giveaway #ridingwarehouse #eventing #eventer #horseshow #dressage #hunterjumper #equestrian #horses #horsesofinstagram #horsebackriding #ottb #thoroughbred #quarterhorse #equine #equestrianstyle #horseblog #equestrianblogger #showjumping

A post shared by The $900 Facebook Pony (@the900facebookpony) on

Semi-related to the first giveaway – if you’re not following the US Event Horse Futurity on facebook, you’re really missing out. I am loving all the vlogs posted by the trainers so far, showing what they’ve been doing with their Futurity horses and what they’re working on. There are some awesome little training tidbits in there, and it’s really interesting (at least to me) to see how these different riders start their horses. Yesterday they posted the second of Doug Payne’s entries, Quberon (one of my early favorites), and showed what he’s been doing during his first couple months of training. Doug talks about how he starts his horses under saddle, when he introduces jumping for the first time, his thoughts on their first horse shows, etc. It’s so educational, I’m loving it. Can’t wait to see more of these from all the different riders!

 

Henry has a fancy new bit on the way! Riding Warehouse is carrying Neue Schule bits now, which is dangerous as hell, and after much deliberation I settled on giving the “Tranz Angled Lozenge Eggbutt Bit” a whirl. He’s been going in a KK Ultra for dressage for a few years now, so I’m interested to see how this one compares and see if he likes it. You never know with Henry, he’s a delicate flower. I’ve heard a lot of really good things about the Neue Schule brand though, so I’m cautiously optimistic.

 

And last but not least, I’ve finally found a couple of horse-related podcasts that I like! I’m a big podcast fan, but I’m also really picky, especially when it comes to content (or on the more shallow end of the spectrum – people’s voices). I want to learn something from a podcast, or at least feel like I’m really engaged in the subject matter. I haven’t found many that have kept me consistently coming back for more.

The first one I’ve really been enjoying is Major League Eventing. They interview bigger name event riders, which isn’t something that would typically grab me, but I like the conversational style and the questions they ask. It’s more interesting than I originally thought it would be, and I’ve listened to most of the episodes by now.

MLEpodcast

My favorite one is Big Talk for Breeders, which… I KNOWWWW, most people aren’t going to be interested in, but hear me out. An Irish showjumping breeder (which – the host has a very pleasing Irish accent, that makes it a winner already) interviews some of the most successful sporthorse breeders in the world. The first episode was a little rocky for me, but each episode after that has gotten better. The host asks really good questions, and I’m always so fascinated to hear all the different approaches when it comes to breeding. There aren’t many episodes yet, but I’m looking forward to more.

This weekend is our next Prelim HT (the weather is looking more and more cooperative – except its supposed to be 85 degrees on Friday, WTF?) and then next Tuesday, Michelle and I fly to Ocala for USEA’s YEH/FEH symposium. Not gonna lie, it’s possible that I’ve already plotted out a few tack shops to hit on the first day. For uh… ya know… research.

What are you guys up to this week? Any cool things you’re loving right now?

 

28 thoughts on “Mid-Week Mashup”

    1. I think that bit looks cool. Remus has had the same baucher french link and the loose ring snaffle french link for years (no real brand just a cheap couple bits). I should take a look at these. IF I EVER RIDE AGAIN THAT IS!

      HAPPY BIRTHDAY HENRY!! I hope she gave you loads of cookies!!
      And hope the weather cooperates for you for the show and HAVE FUN IN FL! Can’t wait to read all that.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  2. I’m a podcast junkie though there are few I subscribe to and listen to all content. I bit the bullet and bought the Free Jump stirrups finally last week and am anxiously awaiting there arrival to test them out. Thanks for the research on them!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Yeah that was really interesting to see him ride through the baby moments. There are other videos from other trainers on there too, like another horse’s first time trotting under saddle, even. I love seeing all this stuff that normally isn’t shared!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  9. I am praying that it will warm up enough that I can ride. It will be two weeks on Friday since it has been warm enough! FML. I know people that have been riding buuuuuuuut when your horse is on outdoor board, it’s not okay to me to be riding when overnight temps are -35*CELSIUS with a windchill on top. No thanks. Pony can have a vacation.

    I also love my NS bit. I have the TurtleTop loose ring and my girl goes so much better in it than anything else I have tried.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  12. I listen to the Major League Eventing Podcast also, and think they do a really good job. I really liked the one with Matt Brown! Definitely makes commuting to and from work go by faster

    Like

    Reply

  14. As a Central Floridian, I have probably been to all the tack stores from Ocala to Orlando several times over. Tack Shack is always fun. Their leather halters are a great quality for the price. Good Apple (the larger consignment store) and Tack Shack are within walking distance of each other so you should be able to hit both. HITS vendor village would be a great way to hit a bunch of tack stores in a hurry. If I could be of any help do not hesitate to ask.

    Like

    Reply

  15. I’m loving getting to see the back side per day of the training. We normally just get the mostly polished product and getting to see the process is super cool!

    Like

    Reply

  16. HBD, Hen!!!! 🙂 How is he liking his new bit? I switched from a KK Ultra to a New Schule Turtle Top this winter and my pony is so much happier…my half-halts are clear, he doesn’t get offended and defensive, he’s softer through his neck and reaching into the contact better, shoulder are more lifted, and he stopped opening his mouth even when the contact is a little heavier (I even took the flash off my bridle). Needless to say, it was worth every penny.

    Like

    Reply

Leave a comment