Somewhere along the way, it became impossible to shop for Christmas in my family. One of us would see what we wanted, and then we’d just buy it, with no thought to how difficult we’d make life for our loved ones come the holidays. It doesn’t help that we have such specialized sports and interests, and picky tastes. However, if I say so myself, being an equestrian makes buying gifts a lot more easy because there’s no shortage of things we need. And want. And omg-I-have-to-have-it. Here are those things for 2016.

 

The Obvious

 

Let’s get the foremost item out of the way first. It doesn’t matter if we have zero ponies, or three, an equestrian is always going to want more ponies. I’m one of the incredibly lucky ones that has gotten a pony (ok, really a 17.1 hand jumper… so definitely not a pony) for Christmas, and all I can say is #worthit.

Christmas, 2001. All that’s missing is the bow. Somehow, I managed to get chaps over those jeans, too.

 

This particular gift takes a lot of coordination with your trainer, your vet, and your equestrian, so it’s not really a great surprise per se, but a horse for the holidays is the ultimate gift.

 

For the rest of us, there’s no shortage of – ahem – more affordable options.

 

The Trend Setter

 

Does your rider always manage to show up to the barn or a competition wearing something, and then a month later, you see everyone else wearing it around, too? These are the gifts that will instantly be trotted out.

 

I saw this new company called ColorTACK over on Sport Horse Lifestyle the other day and the urge for bronze stirrups is strong. Spurs in every color? They have that too. Oh, the possibilities!

 

Don’t be fooled by the fact that G/Fore is a golf company. Their gloves are so soft and come in every color imaginable.

Available here: https://equestrilifestyle.com/collections/belt-shop/products/g-fore-gloves-fun-colors

 

The Hacked Horse is all about making sure you know what’s happening on the Colorado circuit first. Every trendsetter needs one of our logo t-shirts first, then.

Available right here, December 8.

 

If there aren’t pics, or video, it didn’t happen. A Cambox Helmet Cam is the perfect gift to capture all those in-the-saddle moments.

There are even ones with crystals over on the website, to match her Samshield. Available here: http://www.camboxisis.com

 

The Practical Horseman

 

There are plenty of things that every rider needs. Things break, wear out, or run out. Here are the items everyone has to have, with some detailing that make them perfect for gift giving.

 

All I care about is horses and cupcakes, but I need 3 wines, 6 horses, and like 12 million dollars. The adorable t-shirts over at 20×60 are perfect for weekend hacks, and running errands after.

Get them here: https://shop.20×60.com/collections/t-shirts?page=1

 

I have a lot of thoughts on socks. They should be comfortable, not too thick, and also hold up to hours under a tallboot. Socks should also be fun. Stuff their stockings with these snappy options:

Lots of other hilarious socks at https://www.joyofsocks.com/duchess-of-sassy-town-socks-womens?gclid=CjwKEAiAjvrBBRDxm_nRusW3q1QSJAAzRI1tT5GR9gkD0DbdJ9_P5fZa6uf6guRfFN8clPgX0V-A5xoCznvw_wcB

Adorable! https://dreamersnschemers.com/collections/full-collection-of-boot-socks/products/bits-bridles-collab-sock

 

Who doesn’t love a spa day? Gifts that will clean and soothe after a long day of competition are pretty and practical.

Coat spray, lip balm, or heal quick balms at www.theherbalhorse.us

 

Sometimes all you want is beautiful tack, and halters shouldn’t be an exception. More than utilitarian, the Vienna padded leather halter, also over at 20×60, fits the bill.

Oh-so-gorg https://shop.20×60.com/collections/halters/products/premiera-vienna-halter

 

The Traditionalist

 

Leave the flashy colors, and pay homage to the roots of our sport with these gift options for someone who likes updated classics.

 

Personally, I could get lost in Cindy Lay’s Exceptional Equestrian rabbit hole of lovely things. The FITS Kallie knee patch breech at ExEq has some great detailing without being over-the-top.

 

Order these from www.exceptionalequestrian.com

 

We tend to carry around a lot of stuff at shows, and in general. A bag that is useful is nice. A bag that’s useful and stylish is perfect.

Orange Bits Zipper tote at Paul and Lydia: https://www.paulandlydia.com/collections/totes/products/orange-bits-zipper-tote

 

If pink spurs aren’t exactly what you can picture gift-receiver wearing, but they’ve wanted a unique touch to their everyday wear, Mane Jane spur straps are a must. I mean, just look at these.

Swoon. http://www.manejane.com/product-page/40676b79-1970-98c3-991e-2018fdbe718f

 

 

That’s it and happy shopping! Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some things to go buy.

 

 

This year marked a new experience for my daughter, Katie, her horse Rock Star, aka Caspian, and me.  Katie’s performance at Regionals qualified her for the 2016 ASPCA Maclay Finals in Kentucky.  So many junior riders today dream of qualifying to compete at Finals, whether it is in the USET, Pessoa, Maclay, or Washington, but the road to Finals is long.

 

Besides the difficulty of qualifying, the decision to go was almost as difficult. So many things were factored in to making our decision: the financial expense, the pressure, whether to take our very green horse, and Katie missing school being just a few of the concerns.  Ultimately, we decided to make the trek out to the Kentucky Horse Park to see how things worked at the Maclay Finals.

 

To say that just getting to compete was the experience of a lifetime would be an understatement.  So many kids show all year, trying to qualify for the Finals, and still will never have the opportunity to get there.  Katie took her young horse, knowing it would be a learning experience for both of them, rather than leasing a horse that was seasoned and already there.  Neither of us regret that choice.  Both Katie and Caspian learned a lot.  The Finals did not go as well as Katie would have liked, we all learned so many things for the future, making the trip worth every penny we spent.

 

I took a moment when I returned to highlight just some of the things I learned while I was there, in hopes that we will return next year.

 

1. While every big-name rider/trainer in the business was at this show, they all have to put their pants on one leg at a time.  Everyone we met was friendly and professional.
2. The Kentucky Horse Park was a fantastic place to horse show.  I would go back anytime, but next time I am bringing my own horse to ride around on the show grounds.  I was very jealous when the kids got to hack out on the cross-country course.
3. I should have been in the race horse business.  The thoroughbred industry in Lexington was beyond amazing.  The thoroughbred farms and Keeneland Race Track were showplaces.  We were lucky enough to get to look at some famous stallions and Hill and Dale. What an amazing experience – I’m so glad we took the time to explore outside of the horse show.
4. The riding times for the kids at the Maclay brought back memories of competing at the Stock Show when the schooling times were crazy.  Schooling at five in the morning, then riding again at ten or eleven at night is hard for everyone, including the horses.
5. The pressure of  was tough.  I have stood at the in-gate at competitions ranging from schooling shows to IEA and IHSA Nationals.  Nothing compared to the intensity of standing there looking at that course as my child walked through the in-gate.
6. I think I learned more from hanging out in the warm-up ring and watching other professionals ride and teach than anywhere else I have been.  To say we are isolated in Colorado is a true statement.  As trainers, we need to work harder for more opportunities to learn. I brought back a plethora of exercises to set at home and told my riders to be prepared! We have set a few already and I am seeing a huge improvement in our work at home.
7. We absolutely need to push our equitation riders by challenging them with tougher and more technical courses daily, both at home and at the shows.  What we see here locally is not enough to prepare our riders for other opportunities.

 

Although it took me a few days to recover, I have to say I would do it all over again.  I know that Katie is already planning (and hoping) for a trip back for next year, and working on plans for her collegiate riding career.  I have come home with a lot of ideas to help improve my program and to push our CHJA riders into the next generation of competition.