Back in the Saddle

Happy (Black) Friday and weekend, mes amis! I've successfully made it through most of today without buying ANYTHING online even though I've been so tempted by all the black Friday deals. I just about hit Checkout on the pair of Lanvin sunglasses that I've been eyeing for months now but I remembered that I'm going to the FreshOut sale tomorrow and also, I need to keep some money around because I'm finally back in the saddle again.

I haven't ridden regularly since the pony I was leasing, Miss Fancy, was sold (see me and Miss Fancy at a horse show here, riding on the beach here, and some more jumping action here). I tried out several horses, and the pictures you see here is a horse that I did not end up taking. She was a real cutie pie with the prettiest eyes.

Above and Below: Me trying to ride properly after a 3 month absence. This pretty mare wasn't really listening to me! I could barely walk the next two days.

Up next I tried a dark Warmblood gelding named Ned. My hubby found a note on my desk which I had doodled hubby's name and also "Ned" with hearts all over. He said, "LIVIE! Who's Ned?". Hee hee.

Below: This paint horse has the cutest eyes!

Third time was the charm and I found my match. My new horse is called Sandra Dee (Sandy), and she's another chestnut mare. She's a Holsteiner/Thoroughbred cross, and I'm starting next weekend. I can't wait!

All this means I need some new (stylish) winter riding clothes. Like the cozy Gersemi puffy coat below.

Or this Goode Rider puffy parka.

I am kinda in love with this tacky and ever so slightly cheesy horse printed fleece by Outback Trading. I think it can look kinda cool in an ugly sweater sort of way.

Hope you all have a great weekend. Anyone score great deals today for Black Friday? Or are you all saving up for Christmas?

Currently Coveting

I'm sitting here on a Sunday afternoon, with most of my chores done. I've got a nice beef bourguignon going in the slow cooker. I was sorely disappointed that I didn't get out to see this horse yesterday as planned. For those of you that don't know, I haven't been riding actively the past 3 months (hence the lack of horsey photos lately) because Miss Fancy was sold. I was sad to see her go but it was imminent. On the bright side, I have started to slowly look for another horse and I am finally looking at something this week. I can't wait! Pics to come.

I've put together some things I'm obsessed with lately. I'd love to get my hands on the Knockout Matte nailpolishes (shown in highest picture, in Concrete and Pool). I've never been much of a hand polish wearer because of the horses, but for some reason, I think the matte finish might hold up better.

I'm also loving the leather Michael Kors gloves with the zippers, and this tweed dress from Shop Cuffs.



I'm seeing more girls sporting the Aigle rubber riding boots as an alternative to the Hunters wellies, and I think they are super cute. For town only though, as I would never give up real leather riding boots in the ring!

Hope you're all having a relaxing weekend. What did everyone get up to?

Get Your Leather On

It's already June which means I'm just over 6 weeks away from my horse show at the Southlands Riding Club - yay! I had another great horse weekend, and my good friend Melissa came out to the barn to hang out. It was kind of a windy day and Fancy was being quite spirited (to put it mildly).

I had trouble doing the liverpool jump (over a small pool of water) and at first she stopped and ran out on me. Melissa got a few funny pictures of that. When I eventually got her to go over, she leapt across it like it was a raging fire, not a 2 inch deep plastic pan of water. I think I grabbed some mane. After that she was ok going over it.


We let her loose in the cross country field too and I did some small stuff - logs, fences and tires.


Outfit:
Urban Outfitters striped sleeveless shirt vest
Lululemon yoga top
Greenhawk blue riding breeches
Ariat lace up paddock boots
Half-chaps, from the Dog and Pony Shop

Chestnuts Have All the Fun

I'm having a fab Victoria Day long weekend so far, and yesterday my hubby came out to Southlands to watch me ride Miss Fancy and take some snaps. We hit the Van Dusen Garden Classic British Motorbike and Car show right after my riding lesson, so we did do some boy stuff in our day. Pics and review of the car show to come.

As for Fancy and I, we've been schooling jumps 2'9 - 3' - I was so excited when I did my first one! There's a 2 and 3/4 Phase eventing show coming up at the club, and I'm thinking about competing in it. Miss Fancy and I have been doing some x-country stuff and she just loves it.

I also went out to the Dog and Pony Shop last weekend and picked up some fancy new breeches by Trainer's Choice. I love them! I pulled out an old Polo by Ralph Lauren shirt and found a vintage belt that used to belong to my mom. My coach said I looked really dapper.






Riding outfit:
Polo by Ralph Lauren
Side zip olive breeches by Trainer's Choice
Tall field boots by Ariat
Studded brown oversized bag by Betsey Johnson
Vintage Belt
Riding helmet by Charles Owen
Wayfarers by Rayban

Nothing more beautiful than perfect unison

My riding coach passed this along to me and it's utterly inspiring. Using just her body and shifts in weight, this woman is able to work in perfect unison with her horse. there are no artificial aids or even any tack to help her guide the horse. They are communicating to each other so clearly and just working together as a team.

There are days that I ride and it seems I am just fighting against everything the whole time. My pony Spice locks her jaw and it makes me tense and lock up. Watching this woman, everything just flows so easily and naturally. It's just amazing.