Noble Outfitters Guardsman Fly Mask Giveaway!

I've always really liked a particular fly mask, and both Riley and Harvey wore the Rambo fly mask. Years ago Harv scratched his eye on a too-small mask, and I liked that it had a stiff plastic piece that makes the area around the eyes stand away from the horse's face. It's lasted pretty well but last year, I noticed the stiff plastic had broken free of the fabric and poked out  -- dangerous. So, in the garbage it went.

This year Noble Outfitters kindly sent me one of their new flymasks to try -- the Guardsman®-- as well as one to give away! It comes with a detachable nose cover, and with and without ear cover, in gold or black. 

See Riley modeling this size Large mask. I do really like this fly mask. And here is why:

• It feels really sturdy, but not too stiff. There is a brow seam "flex spine technology" that creates a canopy to keep the fabric away from the horse's eyes.
• The mesh is UV-coated. I know some horses need this. 
• The fit is really nice -- no gaps anywhere -- it looks like it's custom made, and it makes it less likely that flies can enter the mask.
• the ears are not too short! Riley has long ears and they fit comfortably.
• I love the "ID card" on the velcro strap!
• The nose cover is detachable.
• A loop at the top of the mask makes it easy to hang.
• A very detailed size chart to select the right size mask (range, small to XXL). Riley is a Large, or warmblood.
• At $24.95, this is reasonably priced! The Rambo flymasks were a third again as much.

I was really pleasantly surprised by the fit and quality, as well as the "little touches" that make it safe and versatile. 

I have a LARGE gold flymask for giveaway -- it fits Ri great, so I'm thinking it will fit a warmblood best.  To enter just leave a comment with something about your horse and contact info. Thanks!

Oh, and if you want to buy it, they're available almost everywhere: Noble Outfitter's web site,
Valley Vet Supply, Dover, SmartpakEquine.com, and more I'm sure!

Happy Memorial Day: War Horse play horse meets real horses

I've never seen the horse "puppets" used in the play, War Horse. Very cool. 

Loved the rider commenting that she might get launched...

Romfh shirt with lace

I saw this shirt from Romfh at Rolex. It is stunning! I usually prefer short-sleeves or sleeveless -- I think you can get the lace in those styles as well. i saw mine from  Bit of Britain.
It comes in contrasting lace colors as well -- navy, burghundy, and black.

Riley sale video footage, May 16

Finally got some new footage of Riley. If you didn't know already, Riley is for sale -- see his sale at on dreamhorse.com  If you know of anyone looking for a safe, quiet, great-moving dressage partner at a reasonable price, feel free to share this post. To a super home only!

Kids book review! More Penny's adventures

I meant to do a review of this book prior to the Derby but life got in the way. Gary Scogin sent me a copy of his new illustrated book, Penny the Palomino Quarter Horse and the Triple Crown Mystery. Like the original Penny book, Penny the Palomino Quarter Horse and Her New Shoes, it's a fun story for young horse lovers -- a mystery this time! The color and expression in the illustrations are exquisite. Both books are only $12.95 from Amazon.com.

Gary is a middle-school teacher in Texas, and he and his children enjoy trail riding. 

2009 Holsteiner Molly Mule

Those of you contemplating a dressage mule -- here's one!

Cute dressage mule -- nice work!

I think I've seen this little guy before --  he is a cute little mover and all business.

"Against the Grain" Movie Trailer - An Original Equestrian Sci-Fi Film

What a hoot! Some very creative "directors." Love this...

Core Power Yoga For Dressage Riders .

I stumbled on this YouTube channel Dressage Rider Training -- it looks like there are some great yoga workouts, selected to assist dressage riders. It's great that it tells you how much time it will take and how it helps. Will try with my morning routine!

Equestrian Fashion Trends Spring/Summer 2016

I have seen the Pikeur jacket (at Rolex) and it is to die for. I'm not crazy about the bling on the sleeve...

Friesian Documentary

Not sure who produced this, but it is interesting! I did not know that the breed nearly went extinct in the early 20th century...


FRIESIAN - Documentary Narrated by Carol Meier from Carol Meier on Vimeo.

My brush with fame: Michael Jung

Another smiley autograph session that I observed at Rolex, Michael Jung signing a saddle pad for a fan. You'd be surprised at how many eventing athletes are "businesslike" at their autographing events. Michael was charming and friendly. He is so impressive on a horse, he seems tall in the saddle. On the ground, he is not a tall guy.

 If he is a machine in the ring and going cross-country, I think the media have been good at showing his "human side" as he won Rolex yet again this year. By all report, his mare Fischerrocana is a nice but not crazy-talented mare, and not easy to ride. Someone wrote that with any other rider she would not be a three-star horse, and when you watch her jump she is not the scopiest horse out there. Michael has gained her trust and brings he to every fence optimally. He's from a good (wealthy) family and has a string of horses, but it sounds like they aren't all high-purchase priced mounts -- he makes them good.

Libby Head Badminton

If you love OTTBs, this will make you cry. Libby Head and her little Thoroughbred Sir Rockstar placed 33rd at Badminton, one of few Americans to finish. She is number 45 in this montage of competitors.

Horze cooler giveaway!

The fabric/design is lovely...

Horze.com and I are doing a giveaway for the Spirit Brighton Cotton Waffle Cooler in Horse size.

The timing is perfect! Summer is almost here.

I love the color scheme of blue, brown, and beige, with brown leather details. The fabric feels like it will hold its shape, but I did read a review on the Horze.com site -- overall positive -- but it indicates it does shrink. Order a size larger if you are concerned, but the horse size is generous.

The only think I don't like about it is the fuzzy at the wither -- I'm sure it does its job, but I wish it were beige. The white sherpa piece is a bit thin, and the color makes an otherwise rich-looking blanket a little cheaper.

At $49.99, it's a bargain.

If you want this blanket, just leave a comment on this blog with your contact info -- tell me how you selected your horse's "color scheme!" When you buy blankets and saddle pads, how do you pick the color?
 

Sox Trot Giveaway: Awesome boot socks!

I have two pairs of awesome boot socks from Sox Trot. I have socks of this type from a number of manufacturers, but I love the Sox Trot designs -- over 50 styles of anklet, tween, and knee-high, with seasonal updates. Check out their store, with most styles about $8.99.

Which one do you like? I love the vibrant floral, but the green and black is cool too. Let me know which one you'd like by posting a comment, along with contact info. 

The Rolex jog, Sunday a.m. Drama in the Park

If you've never seen the horse inspection/jog, it is fascinating and I feel for the riders. This year Holly Payne's mount Never Outfoxed was not accepted. Being 19th in the standings this must have been heart-breaking. You can see his jogs at 16:19 and 29:07, as well as a long, tense discussion by the ground jury.

 To my layman's eyes, there was nothing wrong in front, but it was really hard to see the hind legs from the camera's view. In the first jog, maybe I could see something. Not really in the second jog.

Holly Payne discusses the decision to "not accept" Never Outfoxed, as the horse is led away...

Sidesaddle lady is Samantha!

The young lady in my Rolex post has been featured in Viva la Breyerfest. Very Cool!

More Thoroughbred naming

A post I did years back on naming Thoroughbreds is one of the most-viewed pages on my blog. This recent Washington Post article Think Picking a Baby Name is Tough... covers the subject in more detail.

Selfie at Rolex: Friday afternoon

Love doing the coursewalk the day before Rolex...

Rolex in a sidesaddle!

Well, it was one of the outriders. What a gorgeous outfit, and

so realistically historic. Like she stepped out of history!

Blue crocodile?

So I snapped this shot of some poor anonymous lady sitting in a Custom Saddlery custom saddle! Love the blue detailing.

Strongly worded letter

So I got my tickets for Rolex back in November. And because I like aisle seats, and have always liked aisle seats, and have always gotten aisle seats here at Rolex, I selected aisle seats again.

Check out my awesome view.

And audience goers, particularly the younger kids but adults too, have no idea about what I'm going to call Theatre Etiquette. "I can't be the only one ready to strangle the dawdling clueless," I thought. They stamped up the stairs in the middle of a round, calling out, creating a racket, arms filled with pizzas and beer. Kids and adults alike would linger at the landing to watch a bit of a round -- completely obscuring the view of my little section.

Some of the folks around me would direct the gawkers to move, and I somewhat-politely asked an older guy and his wife, dressed to the nines and in a cowboy hat, to move away from the landing so that we could see. He wheeled around and said, "Yes, Ma'am, we'd like to see too!" totally missing the point that this is why people buy SEATS.

I will be writing a strongly worded letter to -- someone -- not sure who.

Rolex 2016 Helmet Cam: Elisa Wallace & Simply Priceless

Thirteenth going into Show Jumping!