And the winner is....

Genny from A Gift Horse!

Wahoo! Bacon hopes you enjoy the bonnet!

Woo hoo! Congratulations! O is going to look fabulous! And thank you to everyone who participated in my first contest. If this was your first time visiting my blog, I hope you enjoyed it. And I demand you to purchase a custom made bonnet for yourself from FUN bonnets!

They are the best!

Oh, and by the way, we did this today. Ignore my position. I promise you I am working on it.

Need to measure that bad boy.

Genny, contact me with the chord colors of your choice for your new black bonnet!

Contest Reminder!

Patriotic? Or just awesome.

Just a friendly bump bump and maybe a shove to encourage everyone to enter the FUN bonnet contest! Again, all you have to do is leave a comment on my original blog post (or this post) after going through their facebook page and saying what you loved!

Awesome team rockin' a square bonnet.

Bonus entry for sharing the contest on your blog! Contest ends tomorrow night!

And the awesome applique I'm having done on my next bonnet.

Winner gets a custom bonnet with a black base and two cord colors of their choosing. So, get to entering folks!

Rafter K Day Three: The Derby!

Finally, I shall enlighten you on my derby day experience. My friends know that I get a little bit weird and anxious on show days. This day was no different. Inhaler was at the ready, water was at the ready, Aimee was prepped with running shoes and my camera to make the trek across the waiting area to get as many photos of cross country jumps as she could. But first, there was dressage.

I was on a roll that morning and immediately went to tacking up my horse after barely letting her finish up her beet pulp. I was all sorts of flustered for no real reason at all. I brushed her up, threw on her saddle pad and bridle and went wandering off to locate my saddle. Bacon was really sensing my nervousness, and that didn't help the thoroughbred mare calm down at all. Once the saddle was on, I climbed on and went trecking across the open field trying to get her to settle.

Yeah, that didn't really work. She was super tense, as was I. Aimee found us, a sloppy mess, and alerted me to the fact that I still had about an hour until my ride time. Whoops. She calmed me down and found a lunge line for me. I hooked the mare up and just let her rip around. She didn't play or bolt or do anything stupid. She just stretched those legs and went for it. And some stupid ho on her arab kept coming into my lunging circle. The warm up field is about a trillion acres, get your ass out of my circle! I should have just let Bacon run into her. Dang nice people politics.

I hopped back on and rode a little longer. She felt better, and instead of frying her all over again, I got off and hid in the shade until it was about time to go. We had the same judge as our first derby, and she felt the same way about us as the last time. We had "no bend". I can agree with that. Bacon and I were a little all over the place, she was a little tense and I believe one of our canter circles was about half as big as it should have been. Whoops again. I was just happy that she had picked up the correct leads. She wasn't listening too much to my seat either, but I was bracing against her too. But all in all, I was pretty happy with it. Even if we were in last place with our 47.

Bacon had about 30 minutes before she had to be dressed for cross country. I drank a lot. Took another huff of my gaseous steroids and got ready. I had a different horse under me when she realized that we were now jumping. She stood ever so still gazing out into the fields of jumps, and was completely content. Apparently she just hates dressage. We were second to go, and out of the start box we went. The first jump was a regular standard jump. She kind of looked at it, I had my leg on, over she went, and that was the end of that.

There was no stopping the magical beast/ It was point, leg on, and hold on. I tried to set her up as perfectly as I could to each jump, especially the elephant trap. But she had come alive and was ready for anything. I had to haul on her face on the up and down bank. She hadn't gone down that particular bank, and it was steeper than the others. But she was a honey badger. She didn't give a damn. Same thing with the cabin. I waited for a giant leap, but all was good. Fifteen jumps later, I was still alive and my horse was completely happy. She cruised around on the buckle, stood to let me catch my breath, and happily hung out with another horse while his owner and I chatted about the course.

It was freaking awesome.

I love this pony. And she loves cross country. She ate and drank and took a nap and didn't even weave for a few hours. I was so happy. We did end up moving one position up, so there was that too. Yay pony!

FUN Bonnets: A Review....and a Contest!

We are going to take a quick break from our regularly scheduled blog to tell you about the most awesome bonnet I have felt thus far.

The FUN (For Ur' Nag) bonnet.

Success looks like this.

Based out in Canada, this wonderful woman makes custom bonnets at wonderful prices. The double, or thicker of her two bonnets, is what I ordered. Prices start at $25 for one of these styles, and includes two cord colors of your choice!

She also has rhinestones available, and some appliques, can also do crocheted edges, and shipping is always $7.

Isn't it beautiful?

I wanted a bonnet custom made to match my Ogilvy. Grey base, white chord and purple binding. I measured Bacon out to a horse size, and we settled. I was told it would be about six weeks until I would have it because she is so busy busting out bonnets all of the time. And that was perfectly fine. The maker was so easy to work with, very professional, and quick to respond to any messages or questions I had.

When she was finished, I got some photos. It was PERFECT!

Ogilvy and bonnet obsession. It's bad.

And then I had it in my hands. And it was even better. If this is what the double strand bonnet feels like, I wonder how nice the thinner ones are. Everything is put together so nicely. The stitching is nice and taught, the pattern is beautiful, the yarn is not cheap feeling by any means, and the ears blend in nicely. Even the chord is soft and supple. The ear fabric is nice and stretchy and breathable and conforms to Bacon's ear well.

So soft and beautiful!

I busted the bad boy out for our second ever event derby, and I am pretty sure we were the envy of many riders. I showed a few people, and they loved it as well. It was so nice and lightweight, and Bacon made no fuss whatsoever about it. She had no sweat marks either, which was a first for the whole weekend. I can only say positive things in this review. And now I can't wait to have another one!

Batman bonnet? I think yes!

And that leaves you lucky folks a chance to win a black "double" bonnet with two chord colors of your choice in a horse or cob size! Awesome right?!

You could have a sexy looking bonneted horse too!

Please take some time to browse through their Facebook page here, and take a look at the website too! One comment on what colors you would love a bonnet in, or a favorite on their facebook equals one entry! Share this contest on your page and tell me about it for another entry!

Contest ends next Friday at 8PM Mountain Time. Remember, she is pretty booked because of her mad skills, so it may take eight weeks or more for your finished bonnet. But believe me, it is worth it!

This is all you get from derby day as far as pics. Today.

Good Luck!

Rafter K Cross Country Clinic: Day Two

Day two came upon us with the sun a' blazing and the heat cooking SB's epic sunburned legs. Today's new goal was to have no asthma attacks and come into everything with my leg on and and no roachbacks.

Bacon was geared up in her purple people eater garb and I thought she looked damn sexy. I matched her, and there was a legendary moment on pride. Except for that damn black and green protective vest. But whateve's, someday my attire will be complete. I took a long time warming Bacon up, and we were the first out in the big field to get things started. She warmed up nicely, was still a little tense, but I could walk her around on a loose rein.

A member of our musketeerness came out to join us in the warm up, and went through the water. I tried to get Baconator to follow, but she put on the brakes. You want me to do WHAT mom? But why would you want to drown such a nice bay spider legged giraffe?

It took a little coaxing, and then she just calmly walked in. First time in water? Check! She decided that it was great, especially when you trot fancy through it.

Soon it was time to begin the clinic. I think the clinician was on to me. First, I got harassed for wearing so much purple and bling. I turned the table and pointed out that she herself, was wearing a purple shirt with purple hair ties. I got no sass back. She began to give a quick speech on cross country things, and then realized that I had probably never heard any of that before. She was right. So the long speech began. And it was good. I remember her talking about galloping position and chiming in to say that I could at least do that. And then we went straight to the banks.

And Bacon was like, what banks? Oh, you mean this little step right here? This is supposed to be an issue? And then the giraffe went up and down the bank. No questions asked.

Everybody went into the water. And then over to the small ditch. And again, Bacon didn't realize that was supposed to be a thing. We turned around, and went over the bigger ditch. Same results. Damn awesome horse.

Next it was time to throw a little course together. Do the small uphill jump, jump some show jumps, go up and down the little bank, go through water and over the ditch, and over a small cabin. BAM. Done.

And then we had a different course. Again, Bacon was all over it. Banks were no biggie. Jumped down the small downhill jump. But that was all after we jumped the cabin coming the other way and I was launched out of my tack because my giraffe turned into a deer, and then back into a giraffe. I landed very much on her neck, she kind of cantered around confused, then slowed and lifted me back into my saddle.

HOORAY FOR GIRAFFE NECK AND NON CRAZY BRAIN!

So yes, start course with deer leap, and finish the rest of the course with no other issues. I'll take it. We then moved into another field with a larger ditch, a box, and a gate. Bacon did everything, big surprise. The next field had an a-frame with hay bales underneath, an elephant trap, and a nice log that we went over. I messed up and took my leg off and and just sat and grabbed mane up to the narrow elephant trap, to where my horse reacted by going around it. Because, why not? I didn't seem committed, so why should she be?

If all I have to do is tell my horse "Yes, we are doing this" and she happily obliges, then I have nothing to complain about. We turned back around and hopped right over. Everything else was cake. I think the clinician decided that Bacon was pretty much magnificent, even in all the purple, and maybe I was good at trying my hardest.

Would that set us up for success for the derby? Maybe I will tell you. Next time.

SO MUCH CLINIC LEARNING ACTION!

Dressed. And ready to...impress? Nah!

Well, Bacon, the Sprinklerbandit, and myself made a trip a couple hours away for a cross country clinic and derby this past weekend. And it was pretty much just completely awesome. And because of all of the awesome, I will have to break the post down into the three different days.

So, alas, I give you day one.

Actually, I will briefly state that the evening before, my horse traveled well, and survived through the night (despite all of my negative thinking and nightmares).

Ready to learn. And try not to die.

This was my first overnight trip with a horse ever. So I was extra nervous. It was also my second clinic, and first time riding with this clinician. I have been around her and her barn, but she had no idea what she was dealing with. Really. And with my health issues lingering on my brain, I was nervous as to how I would hold up in the heat and sun. Fortunately, one girl traded her ride time (which was earlier) with me, so it wasn't as hot when I rode. I think it turned out for the best, because the group I got to ride with was great.

Sprinklerbandit was on photography duty, water duty, health watch, etc...and she did so well! Day one started out with grid and course work. None of which I have ever done. And it was probably pretty obvious. Immediately, I changed my position based of what the clinician said, and felt a lot stronger. I never noticed that my hands were all over the place. I don't know how. I was also asked to change the length of my stirrups.

Hey there thoroughbred, how about we canter in this large open field for the first time ever?

We had to trot and canter through four poles on the ground, which were then raised after a couple of run throughs. Bacon took a good look at them every time we went through. After a bit of that, we started to add in jumps and create a little course. We had to do sharp turns, and cantering. Which may not seem like a big deal, but when you haven't really done it, it is a little exciting. And so was my horse. And so was my breathing. I tried to correct Bacon when she was on the wrong lead and realized that I could not catch my breath. I was able to pull her up, and started my little asthma attack...yep. A little embarrassing.

Pure skillz. We know you jealous.

How NOT to canter over raised poles.

Aimee came over with rather large eyes, and tried to hand me a water bottle. And then somebody else came running with the clinician's inhaler. I brought mine, but it was in the car. Being extra useful. My left hand was numb, and the tip of my ring finger was tingling (and continued to tingle for almost 24 hours). I am going to tell you now that it is difficult to ride when you can't feel the rein in your hand. Oh well!

Lattice jump? No biggie.

Open the chest and collarbones, practice keeping hands together...

After I was able to catch my breath and hydrate, I came back over to join the group. And the coursework continued. Bacon tried hard and did her best at everything I asked. I was so proud of her!

I just love this Bacon horse!

I Use To Have a Gelding. And He Was The Best.

Such a sweet boy.

  Total Tenacity was my heart horse. He was also my first horse. The 15.3 red breeding stock paint gelding had four perfect white socks and a blaze shaped like a fatty sword pointed towards his nose. He was halter bred, handsome, and looked an awful lot like his daddy. I thought he was perfect.

Yep. All fat and muscle.

Booger was to be mine, and I never thought that was to happen. I was cleaning stalls at the barn I was riding at when I saw this new horse in one of the stalls. His nose was so sunburned, it was cracked open and about 1/2 inch deep. The next thing I did was buy some sunscreen and aloe vera gel, and every day I applied it to his nose. He was so damn cute. It healed up so nicely, and that was that. My friend knew I was looking for a horse to call my own. She knew he was for sale. For a 14 year old girl looking for her first horse, we were thinking something nice and broke. A "been there done that".

Booger was two. But we lined up a test ride anyways, because, why not. Our first ride was at night in the covered arena. There was some spooking at the white horse running around in the adjacent pasture, and a little buck when I asked for the lope. But he was so smooth. And it felt just right.

We didn't have funds for fancy clothes or tack.

His owner would pick me up from school, and I would ride him around. After about six rides, my grandma bought him for me. I was ecstatic. I ran around the neighborhood yelling "I HAVE A HORSE! HE IS ALL MINE!" Two weeks after he was fully paid off, my 4H leader said she could trim his feet for us. She did. And the next day my horse was dead lame on all four. She told me it was just from all of the circulation he was getting to his feet now because his shoes were pulled off.

I'm just a good little horse.

Um, no. He no longer had any heel left. His legs were three times their size and filled with fluid. He could barely walk. We called a vet out, and he did all kinds of things. Nothing worked. We drained his legs (watching orange fluid pour out of your first horse's legs is a little horrifying) and I would scrub them with betadine every day. Everything scabbed over so he couldn't even bend anything to walk. I would cry and cry. Finally, a farrier pointed out he thought it looked an awful lot like scratches now. We called a different vet out ( a very very old vet) and he gave us an ointment, antibiotics, and some other instructions. After 3 days, I couldn't believe the results. He looked wonderful! After two weeks, he was almost as good as new.

My brother learning the ropes of playing in ponds.

The first time I was able to turn him out in months, he galloped and bucked and spun. And I was so happy. After that we did everything. We played with cows, we tried to jump things, we went on trail rides, played polo, did jousting events, just everything. Pretty awesome for a young little horse with his young little owner. We did have one big spill. My mom was in Idaho for the first time ever, and I wanted to show off how we could gallop through the pasture. Well, he bucked and tripped at the same time and flipped. I obviously didn't stay on. He got up and stood over me, and I stumbled up and just leaned on him until I could kind of see. My mom was like a bat out of hell.

Such a fun horse.

To be continued....