On our way up

One major thing that prevented me from showing this past year was a rig. I mean I do have a horse trainer that could take me places if she wasn't out of town, but that includes paying hauling + trainer fees for the day. It just wasn't feasible for me.

I've been eyeing a truck and trailer for awhile, but since I don't have a big girl job, the money comes up short. I'm also terrified of buying an older used truck and have something seriously be wrong with it. Luckily, a family friend closed down one of their business's and has a few work trucks sitting around. And they saw my place and couldn't believe I didn't have a truck. So we made a deal.

It is far from fancy, but it should get the job done. It postpones some purchases that were coming up, but oh well. Its crazy to think that I am on my way to showing and going places on my own!

DIY: Blind them with Brilliance

So, if y'all don't know, I am a bling a-holic. I'm pretty sure I was born to be a DQ. I'm that girl that loves sparkles and getting dressed up, but also totally fine to go muck some stalls in the rain and get dirt under my nails. 

I've been meaning to finish this craft for say...hmm..TWO YEARS NOW. I started this in 2014 and promptly forgot how to function. Now that I'm starting to figure out how to work, horse, and life, I've unearthed the poor relic. So let me show you how to upgrade your boring pad into something sparkly!

DIY: Upgrade your pad

Step 1) Acquire said pad. Here I am using a Centaur Dressage Pad. I like this pad because the spine length is long enough for 18" saddles with a half pad. But use whatever you have around looking sad or whatever is on sale. 

Avoid letting your cats use the pad as a bed

Step 2) Measure the perimeter of the pad. Add a few extra inches for good measure. I definitely am not adding that little tid-bit because I didn't measure right and was like half an inch short. Nope.

Step 3) Acquire piping and Swarvoski crystals. I went to JoAnn's Fabrics for this. The pad itself doesn't have cord/piping and that is blasphemy. Again, add a few extra inches in length so you don't hate yourself later. I went specifically with Swarvoski crystals because you want them to shine and not look cheap af. This is similar to what I purchased and I used the 40% off coupon so price isn't an excuse. I also used this glue because I don't have the hotfix tool (but tbh I probably will get it at 

somepoint) 

Kittens are so annoying helpful. 

Step 4) Sew piping onto pad. I don't have a sewing machine so I hand stitched it. I started by wrapping the thread around the end of the cord so it didn't unravel and then tied it in a knot and secured it to the edge of the pad. I started on the top of the pad in the center on the rear facing part. I figured this was a good spot so if my sewing looked rubbish you wouldn't notice it easily. I then began sewing the cord down, it fits nicely between the pad and the binding naturally. I have no idea of technical names but I came in with the needle through the underside of the pad so the needle was on the inside of the pad and the piping was on the outside and then crossed over the piping. My stitches were about every half to a quarter inch. I had pre-started this in 2014 and maybe spent half an hour starting it. It took me an hour to finish sewing down the cord. 

Judge will be too distracted by sparkles to notice my sucky riding

Step 5) This was a gift and I'm super lazy so I used the same gem pattern that I did on my last one. I probably could have done something cool but I had a picture of what the design was so I was able to get it done quickly. Originally, it took me some time to figure out how I wanted the crystals and to come up with a pattern. I put a blob of glue on a plate and used a wooden stick (this was a cuticle pusher but a toothpick works good too) to put a small dot in the middle of a square on the pad. I went in a diagonal fashion and started with the biggest gems and let it fade it to the smaller ones. It is super easy and looks like it would be hard to make perfect but I kind of rushed through it and it still looks good. The glue dries clear but I would avoid excess glue and any on the crystal as it will make it foggy.

Step 6) Admire your handiwork! In just a few hours your pad went from drab, to fab!

Monday Musings

Happy Monday everyone! I had a fantastic weekend doing some house chores and went to a corn maze (and I suffered through it with my boot!)

I wanted to give a shout-out to all the new readers/followers/commenters! Its super cool to feel the support of not only fellow bloggers but just the horse community in general. While I mostly write my blog for me, I hope the things I share can provide you with something other than just entertainment.

I have some cool events happening at the end of the week that I can't wait to share with you. In the meantime I look forward to riding vicariously through all your blog posts! (Seriously Ive been reading so many blogs that I have dreams with bloggers in them)

Birthdays

Maybe I was around 10-11 here?

This little munchin is growing up! November 1st will be my 21st birthday. I think its safe to say high expectations for birthdays never work out.

I don't have any plans for my birthday, and if anything they will be lowkey. I know it is "normal" to have a big drinking fest, but I don't anticipate that. So tell me, what did you do for your 21st? Am I ultra lame for just sneaking a ride and buying myself a bottle of wine?

Satin Dreams

This is the last photo I have of Ries wearing satin. Yes we did win some last year, but I forgot to model it. (I'm also wondering who's bridle that is; I definitely didn't have one nice enough to put a nameplate on..) 

Last night I attended the annual meeting for our region in Idaho's dressage and eventing association. We talked about the upcoming show calendar and I couldn't be more pumped. There is something every weekend! There are 3 rated dressage shows I want to do, as well as one rated hunter/jumper show. There are also a slew of schooling opportunities I can't wait to take advantage of.

It was super reviving to see all of the trainers and other community members at this event. Even though my foot is broken and I can't do anything, as soon as I get this thing off I want to work extra hard to gain some skills and money for next show season. I'm psyched!! What are some ways you are working towards earning more miles and money for next year?

Barn Hacks: Mat Moving

I don't know how many of you guys know this little trick, but it is one of my favorites. My mom was taught it when I first started riding by our horse trainer. It saves so much time and effort. 

Step 1) Acquire mat 

Step 2) Lay leadrope across narrow part of mat

Step 3) Fold mat over leadrope

Step 4) Grab both ends of leadrope that are sticking out of the mat and use them to pull the mat to desired location

Step 5) Be filled with relief when it doesn't take you forever to move said mat and you aren't huffing and puffing (ok maybe I'm just a weakling, but those mats can be heavy!)

And that is one of my favorite barn hacks in all the land! Now if only mats didn't have to be so expensive...

P.S. Brace was short lived, I'm back in the boot and convinced my Dr is a little "special"

25 Things You Didn't Know About Me w/ bonus random pictures

Because my blog is boring currently (but shouldn't be for much longer!) I have stolen this from L @ Viva Carlos.

I'm happiest when... my life seems to be going forward in the trajectory I want it to

.... Especially If... I'm reflecting on how my rides were that day

I've always wanted to... Be apart of a show barn. I wanted to go to big multi-day shows and immerse myself in horses 24/7. And I still do.

My family and I... don't always see eye to eye on priorities

I was a terrible... cheerleader. I always wanted to tumble and my first time in a cheer camp resulted in me being abandoned in a corner "practicing somersaults" while everyone else actually learned things. But I didn't give up. In middle school while practicing to try out for cheer I broke my left arm (re-broke from getting bucked off a horse, actually). And yet I still joined Pop Warner cheer after that healed. Needless to say I realized that I had no business trying to continue into high school. 

My first job was... working at a horseback riding camp for Girl Scouts. It was a rough start. I was on my feet for 8 hours in the hot sun trying to prevent kids from harassing the hoses. 

I could probably eat... Mexican food 24/7. GIMMEE

I stole.. a saddle pad from work (it was on accident I swear!) I was bejeweling it for them to sell and then they closed.

I was born on the same day as ... Coco Crisp? I had to look this up and apparently this guy is a baseball player. 

My all time favorite movie is... Oh god I can't. I like everything from Star Wars to Mean Girls.

I do a pretty mean... job at baking/cooking experiments. 

I'm still mad... about the finale of HIMYM

I met my SO at.. Tinder! Shout out to Monica who also has a Tinder SO. We've been together about a year and a half now. 

I always knew I wanted a .. officer position in a sorority 

I'm not afraid to... follow my happiness and dreams, even if other people have different goals for me.

I make the best... Macaroni and Cheese (it has a pound of bacon in it, just saying,,)

I have almost no... student skills. I am the worst.

I always cry when.. anyone yells at me or gets mad at me. I am weak.

I'm (now) a Senior (with Junior credits) in college!

I spent years.. trying to make everyone happy and like me. 

I wish my folks... invested in my horse career (lol like there is actually one there). 

At 5 I was deeply in love with... Britney Spears. Look, if she can get through 2007, I can get through anything. LEAVE BRITNEY ALONE. lolz

I believe if everyone... loved instead of hated this world would be amazing.

I can't stand.. when people leave time on the microwave

Whenever a good infomercial... is on I'll watch it. Weird addiction I know. 

that was fast

No more boot? I got re-xrayed yesterday and my doctor wants me to just be in a brace for the next three weeks. Thats pretty cool? Here's hoping to shove my brace into a riding boot this weekend!

WW: that smell

Of beautiful leather ❤️

Happy Caturday

I can put weight on my foot and walking is a beautiful thing. Estimated to be out 4-6 weeks. Follow up in two weeks. Hard to be sad with a house full of kittend though!