Category: Clothing

Save Your Forehead

11/15/2018

... and if you're like me, maybe even your hair. Any guesses as to what this ugly thing is? No, it's not a beanie.

Whatever it is, it's ugly!

I am pretty gentle on my helmets. They're stored "inside" and out of direct sunlight. I wipe them off periodically with a damp cloth, I don't drop them, and I replace them after several years. Obviously the ugliness up above is helmet-related.

I finally figured out why the skin on my forehead was getting rough and why the hair around my face was suddenly getting shorter and wispier. Even though I periodically remove my helmet liner and wash it, I realized that it had arrived at gross. Just gross, nothing else.

I live in the land of nine month summers. My helmet gets sweat in more often and for a much longer duration than for what it was designed. The liner of my helmet had finally reached a point where I could no longer stomach putting it over my hair. It was crunchy, rough, and frankly, it smelled a bit off.

Oh. Not so ugly from this angle.

While perusing the Riding Warehouse for something completely unrelated, I finally decided to toss a helmet liner in my cart. At just over $9 - I had a discount code, I reasoned that I could afford it. I am actually kicking myself for not getting a second one so that I could wash and dry one while using the other.

So, you're welcome. That's my PSA for the year. Replace your helmet as needed, but for the love of all that's holy (I am looking at you, Sweaney), replace the liner with a bit more frequency. Your forehead and hair will thank you.

2 Comments

Bringing the Barn to Work

10/22/2018

6 Comments

Well hello there. I guess this means I'm back. It was a long week, but the migraines have (mostly) subsided - I hope. Even though I took a blogging break and a few days off from riding, the one thing I really couldn't do was miss work. That pays the (equine) bills after all, so I struggled through the week.

I did manage to at least bring the barn to my classroom though as any pony time makes everything better. In the afternoons, my kiddos worked all week on some science stations where they explored activities that had to deal with conserving Earth's resources. In one of the stations, the kids had to build a model of coal formation. The model required dead leaves (easily found right outside my classroom door), rocks, and "sediment."

You mean I actually get to get rid of some rocks and dirt?

My students were actually quite impressed to work with ranch dirt. When it came time to pour it into the model, everyone insisted on getting a turn to pour. Kids are so funny.

I run a very relaxed classroom where kids sit at tables instead of desks and where movement around the room is encouraged. Fifth graders simply can't sit for too long of a period before they erupt - sometimes literally.

I do a lot of small-group instruction in a space that is not large enough for 31 kids. That means my students meet with me in an area that we've carved out of the front of my classroom. There's not room for a table, and since my "small" groups sometimes number 15, we usually just sit on the floor - myself included.

Oh, have I got a use for you, monthly bucket!

At 47 years of age, sitting on the floor for 30 minutes at a time is no longer easy. If you're my age, you get it. If you're not yet approaching 50, you'll understand in about 20 years. My knees and hips just couldn't take it any longer. I love the intimacy of sitting so close to my kiddos though. When we're all at the same level, the instruction is much more personal, and kids contribute more to the discussion.

They are actually quite comfortable.

I had a year's worth of Platinum Performance buckets stacked in the feed room. It didn't feel right to toss them as they are good, sturdy buckets, so I brought them to school. I used a few of them for storing PE equipment, but I had a bunch left over. After one particularly painful morning, I glanced at the stack of unused buckets and came up with a plan.

The kids love them!

With the help of one of my students, we covered the Platinum label with a bit of contact paper that was buried in a back cupboard. Some of you might remember my post about hoarding all of the things. You never know when something might come in handy! With the label (mostly) covered - my helper was only 10, and I am not particularly crafty, the buckets make pretty cute little stools.

They have been a roaring success. The students love them, my knees love them, and they take up virtually no room once stacked and stored in the corner. And the best part is that if one gets broken, I can replace it easily as I get a new bucket every month. Thank you, Platinum Performance!

"Leggings" from the Riding Warehouse.

I have one last barn to work story. Since I sit on the floor every day, my work wardrobe runs on the casual side. On top of that, I teach PE daily, and frankly, kids are just messy. Last week I wore white shorts and ended up dropping a loaded rubber stamp right on my pant leg. They now read correct and return in bright blue. The kids thought it was funny. I had to agree.

A month or so ago, I bought that burgundy wrap (above) for a dress that was getting too big (long story) and realized it went great with my sleeveless blouse. With the mornings being cooler, I thought it would look great with a pair of leggings that I don't have. I glanced up at my Horze Full Seat Tights and thought why not?

Not gonna lie, I got a ton of compliments on the outfit. No one could tell they were riding pants. And the best part? They were the most comfortable pants I have ever worn to work, especially while sitting on a bucket.

If you can't be at the barn, bring the barn to work.

6 Comments

Full Seats v. Euro Seat

10/1/2018

10 Comments

If you ride dressage, you already know who wins. If you do a different kind of riding, you probably like one for some things and the other for other things. I am not one to disagree with your own preferences, but I learned this weekend that for this girl, it's full seats or nothing.

At the start of summer, which lasts a full six months in my neck of the woods, I bought three pairs of the Horze Juliet HyPer Flex Full Seat Tights. It was a smart move on my part as this summer ended up being nearly as brutal as last summer (and it's not over). There were 67 triple-digit days in 2017 and 54 triple-digit days this summer. Our normal is closer to 33.

I rode in nothing but those three pairs of tights all summer long. The only time I put something else on was for shows, and I sweat my butt off. As a side note, these tights wore amazingly well and look just the same as they did when I bought them.

Back when I bought them, but they really do look the same.

Over the weekend, we finally had a small break in the weather (highs in the low 80s). I decided to drag out an old pair of Piper breeches with a euro seat and knee patches. They're cute, and I have a belt that matches perfectly.

As cute as they are/were, they now live in my discard pile. As soon as I sat in my saddle, I realized how slick it really is. With nothing but Polyester and Spandex between my butt and the saddle, I was all over the place. And while my sitting trot has improved tremendously, I still need all the help I can get.

No more Euro seats for this girl. It's full seats every time, all the time. Can I get an amen?

10 Comments

Roeckl Gloves - Giveaway

9/3/2018

35 Comments

There are so many glove choices out there, but since I started riding in Roeckls more than six years ago, I haven't ridden in anything else. I know they're a wee bit pricey, but they are worth every penny. Just as an aside, Riding Warehouse is having a 20% off everything sale through today, so if you want a pair of Roeckls RIGHT NOW, you can get them for $39.96.

An old pair of navy Roeckls.

Besides the cute color combinations - I've had the navy with white (twice) and the black with brown, I love how they actually feel like skin. My skin. Once they're on, I completely forget that I'm wearing them. I can wear these all year long, too, even in our brutal summer heat. They're breathable, and they stay flexible even after washing. Oh, yeah, I throw these in the washing machine (air dry though), and they come out like brand new.

I've owned 6 pairs of Roeckls over the years; I even have a white pair for showing. My every day pair is navy with white piping, but I've been lusting after a pair of black with red piping. Guess what showed up in my mailbox the other day?

I finally got a black and red pair!

Since I am such a fan of these gloves, a Roeckl rep contacted me recently and asked if I would do a giveaway. Are you kidding? Of course! I love these gloves and am happy to share the love!

Actually, there are two of these!

I rarely do giveaways, I think I've done two?, but this company makes a product that I truly love, so I am happy to spread the word. Since I don't do complicated, the rules for this giveaway are pretty simple.

1) The giveaway will run between now and Friday, September 7th.

2) Head over to Facebook and "Like" their page - Roeckl Equestrian.

3) Comment below and share whether or not you've owned a pair of Roeckl gloves (it won't affect your eligibility if you already love them). If you have, what did you like about them? If you haven't, why not?

4) Leave your email in the comment form so that I can contact you if you win. No one else can see your email address.

5) Since I like simple, over the weekend, I'll write everyone's name down on a slip of paper and have my husband pull two names out of a hat (or whatever I find laying around).

Good luck!

35 Comments

Back to Work

8/17/2018

0 Comments

I had hoped to tell you about our Sunday ride today. Spoiler alert - it was a good one, but I went back to work on Monday, and I just haven't had time to dig through the media and get it all down on paper. I'll finish the show recap on Monday.

The problem with having horses and showing is that you have to pay for horses and showing. In order to do that, you have to go to work. I'll admit that I have a pretty great job for someone who likes to ride every day and show all summer. I get off at 2:50 which leaves me plenty of daylight in the winter months for riding, and I get all summer off. It's pretty good gig.

The downside is that the work is never actually done, especially this time of year. In order to leave at 2:50, I get there before 6:30 in the morning. And while I can leave at 2:50, I haven't been able to do that this week. There has simply been too much to do.

So, I've got nothing super exciting for you today unless you dig socks as much as I do. A few weeks ago, Dover sent me an email about some sale or other. I am not a huge Dover fan, but every once in a while they get me.

My absolute favorite socks.

A number of years ago, I got a credit card connected with Dover so that I get $4.95 shipping and gift certificates with so many dollars spent. I had a $10 gift certificate laying around that I felt obligated to use, so when I saw the sale, it seemed a good time to redeem it.

Dover had Over the Calf Peddies on sale for $2.99 each. I about died. They typically run right around 10 bucks a pair. I got three pairs for $9.00 instead of $30.00. I through in a tube of dewormer, also $2.99, and then paid $4.95 in shipping. The charge to my credit card was $16 and change.

So there you have it. Cheap socks. Everything a girl could want. Have a great weekend!

0 Comments

New Helmet, New Pad ... And Oh, So pretty!

7/20/2018

2 Comments

Four years ago, I bought the Ovation Glitz helmet. Back then, I was worried that the bling would just be too much. I need not have worried. I loved this helmet from the second I saw it.

Current helmet when it was new - the Ovation Glitz

I have the Romfh Bling Show Coat in navy (which I LOVE) and have been hankering for a navy helmet to wear with it. As luck would have it, Riding Warehouse started carrying the Ovation Glitz helmets in both black and navy. I had to order one.

New helmet with black buckles and straps.

A few weeks ago, a friend shared a Riding Warehouse coupon code for 20% off (RWJA - good through 9/1/18). That's a big savings for something that you already want. The list price of the helmet was $99.95, but with the discount and free shipping, the price dropped to around $80. For a helmet this pretty, that's a steal!

It fits perfectly in the helmet bag that I won from my CDS chapter (Thanks, Tracy!).

As I was looking at my cart however, I decided to maximize the 20% discount and toss in something else that I've wanted to try - a gray pad for my "dingy" grey Arab. Moderately priced gray pads are not easy to find. I opted for the Horze Bristol Dressage Pad. At just under $20, it's no big deal if I don't love it for Speedy.

The jury is still out on whether I like it or not.

Ultimately, I want to replace my current gray show coat (ahem ... shrinkage?) with another one. The Montar Ava Show Coat has been calling my name for a while, but I've resisted. At $138.95, it strikes me as a bargain. In styling, it is nearly identical to the Romfh, but it's missing a feature that I am not sure I can live without - the hidden front zipper.

It's not that the jacket is that expensive, but I did just buy the helmet and pad. On top of that, I am cramming in four shows in the next month:

A CDS show on Sunday ($100 for the entry plus gas)
A two-day USDF show the next weekend ($481 for the entry plus gas, a lesson, and a coaching fee).
The Regional Adult Amateur Competition (RAAC) which came out to $560 plus gas, a lesson, two days of coaching, and my share of the house we're renting (super fun, but $$$$$).
I am doing another CDS show two weeks after RAAC ($100 for the entry plus gas and coaching).

Like every equestrian, I need a money tree. Or, I could quit shopping online. Nah.

2 Comments

Update: Horze Juliet (fullseat) Tights

7/19/2018

2 Comments

In late April, I reviewed the Horze Juliet Full Seat Tights. I've been wearing them exclusively for the past two months and thought they deserved another review.

Riding Warehouse Photo

I have all three colors, but the gray is my favorite. Not that color has anything to do with performance. I bought these strictly for hot weather riding and wasn't at all concerned about making a fashion statement. Which is a good thing because these tights have no bells and whistles. They're pretty utilitarian and not likely to garner any "Hey! Those are cute breeches!" types of comments.

I wish they came in navy.

What I like most about them is how cool they are to wear. I almost don't even sweat in them. There's no shame in admitting that I have sweaty butt issues when I wear most of my other full seat breeches. Not with these bad boys. I still follow my beat the heat protocol - Body Glide is my best friend during the summer, but I have not had a single heat rash this summer.

Super soft silicone seat.

I was initially worried about the silicone seat, but it provides just enough texture to keep me from sliding around without glueing my butt in place. I mentioned before that the fabric is like what you'd get in a pair of yoga pants, and that is still true. What I didn't expect was that the fabric is holding up really well. I am wearing each pair twice a week before washing them, and they look the same as the day I bought them.

These tights are so comfortable that I don't strip out of them as I am walking in the door. My other full seat breeches - all of which I love when it's not 110, keep me wet and sticky until I shoehorn myself out of them. I am finding that I when I get home, I don't even feel the need to pull these off. Many evenings my husband comes home and asks why I still have my riding clothes on.

No sock bottom, but the whole leg feels like a sock bottom.

There are only two things that I don't like about the breeches, and they're both things I can live with. 1) They don't have a pocket. I already bemoaned this feature and have just learned to deal. 2) The fabric is so soft that hay sticks to them. I have a hay bag hanging where I tack up my horses, and I am constantly bumping into it. Hay sticks to these breeches like magnets. Again, it's not a deal breaker, but I do find myself constantly brushing off hay stems and other dirt.

Besides being cool and comfortable, they're also super affordable. If you buy two at a time and combine that with a 20% discount coupon, they're more than reasonably priced. The Horze website shows them in a gray/blue color, so maybe Riding Warehouse will add that color to the lineup for next summer.

Because really, I need 7 pairs - one for each day of the week!

2 Comments

Should Have Worn a Helmet

6/4/2018

8 Comments

There are days when I think that I should wear a helmet the second I arrive at the barn - even when I am not riding. Saturday was one of those days.

After I had ridden both horses and they were both tucked away, I puttered around, finishing my chores. As I was rinsing feed buckets, the last thing I do before I leave for the day, I remembered that I wanted to daub a little Equiderma Skin Lotion on a one of Izzy's pasterns.

He was slurping up his beet pulp as I walked up to him. I shook the bottle a few times to mix it up and then leaned down to feel his pastern. The next thing I knew, the world went black. When I next opened my eyes, I was lying in the dirt rubbing my head.

This fence. The pole is right behind his butt.

It took me a minute to figure out what had happened. I think I startled Izzy when I touched him, and he must have spooked hard enough to knock me into the pipe fencing, bashing my head into the pole. I laid in the dirt for quite a few minutes boohooing as I checked my scalp for blood. My neck hurt and so did my head. Poor Izzy stared at me lying in the dirt with a very worried look on his face.

After making sure that nothing was broken, I sent a text to my husband explaining why I wouldn't be picking up lunch on my way home. When I walked in the front door, he had an ice pack and some ibuprofen waiting for me. After icing, I took a two hour nap and even went to bed early.

I spent the rest of the weekend gently probing my skull, checking on the tenderness. It hurts enough this morning that even my sun hat caused me some discomfort. I am on my way to the barn this morning. Before I saddle up, I am going to check to see if I can even wear my helmet. No helmet means no riding.

See what I mean about needing a helmet while not riding? Like they say, it's not if we'll get hurt but when ... Sheesh.

8 Comments

Spend Money to Save?

5/28/2018

0 Comments

My husband just doesn't understand the whole Look how much money I saved! strategy. He doesn't get it because he doesn't realize that I am going to buy those things eventually which will be money spent, but when I find a deal on said items, I really have saved money. You follow this logic, right?

Riding Warehouse Memorial Day Sale

Not too long ago, I wrote about a pair of summer weight tights that I really liked. I definitely planned on ordering more, but I was waiting for a sale or more money to find my wallet. When I saw that Riding Warehouse was running their Memorial Day sale, I knew it was time to order.

The Horze Women's Juliet HyPer Flex Full Seat Tights go for $59.95, a good price for tights that you like. But, if you order two or more - and why not?, they go for $52.95. With the 20% off sale, the discount for buying two pairs, and free shipping, I only paid $80.86.

I now own all three colors.

The discount is automatically applied - I love not having to enter a promo code!. The sale end today though, so if there is something that you know you're going to be buying soon, you might as well spend it now and pay less than you might in a month or two.

See! Spend money to save. What's not to understand?

0 Comments

Crazy Sock Day

4/27/2018

0 Comments

The other day I told you about the Horze Juliet Hyper Flex Full Seat Tights. I am still just as happy with them. In fact, I am wearing them to work today with a particularly loud pair of Over the Calf Peddies from Noble Outfitters. Today is "crazy sock day" at school. I'm topping the whole thing off with a school t-shirt. It's great to work someplace where offbeat attire is expected.

You've heard me go on and on about my sock preference, see above. I pretty much wear Noble Outfitters Over the Calf Peddies to the exclusion of all else. They're the first socks that I've found that can stand up to my super destructive, but neatly pedicured, toenails. They also stay up.

Every once in a while though, a new sock will tempt me. The C4 socks are still in my rotation; they're not my favorites, but they made the cut. The Stance Compression Tall Boot Socks from the Riding Warehouse sounded interesting enough that I caved and decided to try them.

From the Riding Warehouse ...

Perfect to wear on the ground or in the irons, these socks feature air channeled cushioning for cooling comfort. The anatomically correct footbeds contour to your feet, ensuring customized support. A reinforced heel and toe offer durability for the long trek ahead and the sweat-wicking, breathable mesh material keeps feet going strong. Cut in a tall boot length, these socks are the perfect addition to any equestrian's sock drawer.

They're not kidding. These are pretty high tech socks. When I really want to see how well a product will perform, I like to wear it several days in a row doing my normal stuff without washing in between. These socks exceeded my expectations.

What I really liked about them was that they retained their shape and never got saggy even after wearing them for several days. My Over the Calf Peddies can't do that. The Stance socks had just as much compression on the third day as they had on the first. I wore them at a two-day show and found that my feet were less tired and a lot less sweaty than with my Noble Outfitters.

There is a left and a right.

There really wasn't anything that I didn't like about these socks. I will say that they are snug going on, but once you have them on, they compress in a friendly way. The only thing that will keep me from loading up on these socks is the price. At $25.88 a pair, I am not willing to buy more than a pair a year. The two pair that I do have are being reserved for shows only.

I'm going to be on the lookout for sales or discounts though; I liked them that much. Here's to "crazy sock" day!

0 Comments

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About the
Writer & Rider

I am a lifetime 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

Email Karen

About Speedy G

Speedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse and occasional trail horse. He is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.

August 2018

About Izzy

Izzy 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 schooling the dressage basics. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand Zweibrücker gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.

Second Show - July 2016

Bakersfield Dressage approved!

National Awards

USDF Second Level Rider Performance Award - 2018
USDF First Level Rider Performance Award - 2015
USDF Training Level Rider Performance Award - 2013

Stuff I'm Working On in 2018 ...

Regional Adult Amateur Competition (RAAC) Qualifying Scores
Second Level Scores:
Score 1: 63.485%
Score 2: 61.282%
Score 3: 62.879%

CDS Championship Qualifying
Second Level Scores:
Score 1: 63.485%
Score 2: 61.282%
Score 3: 62.879%
Score 4: 61.970%
Score 5: 62.973%

CDS Ruby Rider Award
Training Level Scores:
Score 1: 70.179%
Score 2: 72.600%

First Level Scores:
Score 1: 66.093%
Score 2: 68.750%

Second Level Scores:
Score 1: 63.485%
Score 2: 62.879%

USDF Second Level Rider Performance Award
Score 1 - 62.879%
Score 2 - 61.970%
Score 3 - 64.242%
Score 4 - 64.268%

USDF Bronze Medal
First Level - 70.179%
First Level - 72.600%
Second Level - 62.879%
Second Level - 61.970%
Third Level -
Third Level -

2018 Show Season

Show Rating
(***) CDS/USDF/USE
(*) CDS
(s) Schooling
(c) Clinic
(t) Ride-a-Test Clinic
(Q) Must Qualify

2018 Pending …
Season over

2018 Completed …
1/14/18 Hurtado Clinic (c)
2/10/18 Hurtado Clinic (c)
2/24/18 Hurtado Clinic (c)
3/17/18 Hurtado Clinic (t)
3/18/18 GEAHS (*)
3/31/18 Hurtado Clinic (c)
4/14-15/18 El Sueno (***)
5/27/18 Tehachapi (*)
6/16-17/18 El Sueno (***)
6/24/18 Tehachapi (*)
7/22/18 Tehachapi (*)
7/28-29/18 El Sueno (***)
8/11-12/18 RAAC (Q ***)
8/26/18 Tehachapi (*)

Save Your Forehead

Bringing the Barn to Work

Full Seats v. Euro Seat

Roeckl Gloves - Giveaway

Back to Work

New Helmet, New Pad ... And Oh, So pretty!

Update: Horze Juliet (fullseat) Tights

Should Have Worn a Helmet

Spend Money to Save?

Crazy Sock Day

About the
Writer & Rider

About Speedy G

About Izzy

National Awards

Stuff I Read

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About the Writer & Rider

About Speedy G

About Izzy

National Awards

Stuff I Read

By Topic

Archives

About the
Writer & Rider