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I swore I was just going to post photos as this post is very self explanatory, but you know me; I always have something to say.  That's a very big box.  That's a very GOOD box. It's rare that something longed for lives up to the amount of yearning spent in the wishing. In this case, it was money well spent.  This looks very promising. I have loved those boots even more than I longed for them. Recently, the soles of my beloved boots suffered a pretty catastrophic fail. While they're still wearable, they won't be for long.  Hurry up! For Christmas, I received a very welcomed gift card to our favorite online retailer, the Riding Warehouse. That gift card barely made the flight home. In no time at all a brand new pair of boots were on their way.  So wonderful! This time around, I bought the Dublin Pinacle II's, and they are even nicer than my first pair. They run $184.85, but with my trusty discount, they were $157.21 plus tax. With my gift card, they were nearly free.  I love, love, love these. They say money can't buy happiness, but as every equestrian knows, that's a lie.
Merry Christmas! It's still the season after all. The day after Christmas, I always feel hungover - too much food, sweets in particular, too much champagne, too many Christmas movies, and too many boxes and paper to be rid of. It's a good hangover though. It's the kind that leaves you satisfied and full. My Christmas wish list was very small. I only asked for a couple of things, and my husband was happy to find them for me. The one worth mentioning here was a charm bracelet - an empty charm bracelet. I have two other bracelets with "charms," but they came with the bracelets, and new charms can't be added. My step mom had one when I was a kid, and I always loved fingering each charm asking her where it came from. I've always wanted a real charm bracelet of my own.  My initials. Last month I shared a photo of a little pony pill box that a student gave me as an early Christmas gift. Along with the pony were three little charms. As soon as I saw them, I knew I was finally going to create a real charm bracelet for myself. So, that's the Christmas gift I asked for, a bracelet with large links.  A mini carriage. In preparation for the bracelet, I ordered a bag of mini jewelry ring connectors. There are 500 in the bag, so I have plenty for however many charms I acquire in the future. I set aside the three little charms form my students and waited for Christmas.  Horseshoe and galloping pony. Despite having asked for the charm bracelet, I actually forgot about it. I knew that if Santa didn't deliver, I could always order the bracelet later, so I was quite delighted to see it lying on its bed of satin when I opened it yesterday morning. Once the rest of the gifts were all opened, I promptly set to work attaching the charms. I squeezed the connector rings as tightly as possible, but I am still worried the connectors will come open. Before I wear it, I am going to give each ring a tighter squeeze.  I am so happy with this little charm bracelet and can't wait to begin adding more memories to it.
Am I the only one who has succumbed to a 12 Twelves of Christmas deal? I hope not. I have been really good about not buying anything for myself, but dang it, Dover got me last night. I just couldn't resist the Day 10 Deal - 35% off Nobel Muck Boots, the exact boots I wear.  In my defense, I first thoroughly examined my current pair to see how they were holding up. Across the top they were beginning to crack which is right where mine tend to wear out first. I buy the really short ones because A, it rarely rains here, and B, I wear them all summer long. Since they are made of industrial grade rubber, the tall ones would be pretty hot in our scorching summer heat. Since I wear them nearly 365 days a year, I can get a full year and then some out of a pair. Eventually, the small cracks become just wide enough that water starts to seep in which stinks on a truly wet and mucky day.  Oh, baby! Nothing makes my heart go pitter patter like muck boots! My old pair will last at least another month, probably more. Knowing I have these bad boys waiting in the wings ought to give me something to look forward to once I am back to my regular grind.
If your joy is in rubber boots, own it! I swear that I am not a fashionista. I swear that I am not a clotheshorse despite what the evidence might suggest. What I am is a deal shopper. Finding quality clothing at ridiculously low prices is my super power. I am not a name brand shopper, not that I won't wear name brands, but if I can find the same thing at a substantially lower price, I am all in. So what's my new favorite? 32 Degrees. If you like base layers, soft fabrics, and low prices, this company is for you. I read quite a few reviews before placing my first order, and it sounds like this might be a brand that is found at Costco, but as I am not a Costco shopper, someone else will need to weigh in to confirm that. Either way, I am hooked on their winter stuff. I am hoping their warm weather gear is just as nice.  So far, I've purchased three different items, and I have more on the way. The first thing I bought was the Poly-Fill Packable Vest. This thing is amazing.
 Besides the vest, I also bought the Rib Base Layer in Grisaille - a steel blue color.
 Finally, I also bought the lightweight Crew Top in black.
 I have also ordered two pairs of leggings: this one and this one, along with a second vest, this time in Moonlight Ocean. My school's colors are blue and gray, so this will look cute on Fridays when I wear a school t-shirt and leggings. The chili pepper and pumpkin spice colors are calling my name though. How cute would those be with a pair of jeans and river boots?
I know there are tons of Black Friday sales going on - including this one at Riding Warehouse, but I am trying not to participate. Let me know what you find! I can't help it. I am also not sorry. And really, with the price of these, I don't feel at all guilty. Esprit Equestrian is my new go-to for comfortable, cute, and affordable breeches. I now own four pairs (hunter green PROs, black Classics, white PRO 2.0, and mahogany Classics), and I will own more before I am through. The white Classics are next on the list. I was jonesing bad for the mahogany pair, and I finally had the extra $64.99 left over from the month of October to buy them guilt free.  Such a gorgeous color. When I opened that cute little candy corn package, I whooped in delight. The mahogany was even more luscious than I was hoping for. It is a true maroon - blood red, deep, and moody. I knew what to expect from the fit as I already have the black Classics, but one never knows. I shouldn't have worried. It might be my imagination, but this color does feel slightly thicker than the Classics, but if it is, it is only marginally so and in a good way.  The Classics check off every single one of my boxes. And If I am going to pay for a pair of breeches and order a second or fourth pair, they have to earn five stars all the way down the list.
 Ingenious cell phone pocket!
 Lots of cute details.
 If you do decide to get a pair, use the code Bakersfielddressage for a one time 5% discount. Hey, every bit helps, and it should cover your shipping costs. I've already used the code so it doesn't help me, but that doesn't stop me from ordering. In fact, the black surcingle belt is calling my name. As soon as it is back in stock, I'll be adding it to my growing collection of Esprit Equestrian Wear.
Do I want to stop? Nah. My closet has some new space since I chucked a few old things. One in, one out! |
About the Writer and RiderI am a lifelong rider.
I began endurance riding in 1996 where I ultimately completed five, one-day 100 mile races, the 200-mile Death Valley Encounter, and numerous other 50, 65, and 75 mile races. I began showing dressage in 2010. Welcome to my dressage journey. 
Photo by Lori Ovanessian
About Speedy GSpeedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse. After helping me earn a USDF Bronze medal in the summer of 2020, he is now semi-retired. Speedy is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.
July 2020 (PC AJSK Photography)
About IzzyIzzy was started as a four-year old and then spent the next 18 months in pasture growing up. I bought him as a six-year old, and together, we are showing at the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
March 2021 (PC Tess Michelle Photography)
Bakersfield Dressage approved!
My favorite breeches!
FOR THE SMALLER EQUINE ATHLETE
I love her stuff!
Watercolor Artist and Friend
National Rider Awards
USDF Bronze Medal - 2020
USDF Second Level Rider Performance Award - 2018
USDF First Level Rider Performance Award - 2015
USDF Training Level Rider Performance Award - 2013
State Rider Awards
CDS Ruby Rider Award - 2018
State Horse Awards
Speedy G - 3rd Level Horse Performance Award - 2020
Speedy G - 2nd Level Horse Performance Award - 2018
Working Towards:
CDS Sapphire Rider Award Third Level: 63.514% Third Level: 62.105% Fourth Level: Fourth Level: 2023 Show Season
Show Rating (***) CDS/USDF/USEF (*) CDS (s) Schooling (c) Clinic (r) Ride-a-Test Clinic 2023 Show Schedule
TBD 2023 Completed … Pending 2023 Qualifying Scores
Regional Adult Amateur Competition (RAAC) Qualifying Training Level 3 Scores/2 Judges/60%: Score 1: Score 2: Score 3: Archives
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