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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Equestrian Blogger Gift Exchange

12/27/2015

 
I am going to apologize right now for three years of unimaginative and uninspired gift giving. And truth be told, my loved ones would probably tell you that it goes way beyond the last three years. I simply have no creativity when it comes to gift giving. The folks in my hemisphere are quite used to flat envelopes and jewelry sized boxes that contain gift cards.

I like gift cards. People get what THEY want when you give gift cards ... say unimaginative gift givers. Inspired gift givers still manage to give you something YOU want, but you don't know that you want it until you open it. That's when you realize that you've wanted that gift for like ... FOREVER.
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Click the image to visit Fly On Over, Tracy's blog.
So again, for the past three years that I've sent a blogger a gift, I apologize for my lack of inspiration. I just don't have that particular "gift." I am pretty sure Tracy is going to see my name for next year's blogger gift exchange, and she's going to have to draw straws to see who gets stuck with me. Don't pick the short straw, people.
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Funny story: this box was in the home of at least three different bloggers this month. I'm saving it to use for next year's gift exchange. No one will EVER guess it contains a gift card!
I came home on Saturday to find this box sitting on my kitchen counter, and I knew immediately what it was. I quickly checked the return address to see how far it had traveled: Virginia. I find it incredibly inspiring that a complete stranger (Nicole from Equinpilot) was willing to go through the hassle of mailing me a Christmas gift from 3,000 miles away. How great are horse people? Pretty damn great, I think. You, Nicole, are better than great; you're exceptional!
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Christmas Cobs checking the list - how cute is that?
The first thing I saw upon opening the box was a "packing slip" verifying the contents of my 12 Gift Sampler. I love number three, "3 Cheers for the 3rd Blogger Gift Exchange."
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Packed to the brim!
I peeked inside the box only to discover that it was crammed full of horsey delights. Plus, it all smelled really good. Inside were two pairs of bell boots, one for each boy. And they're made out of some super rubbery rubber that is going to be easy to put on - a huge pet peeve of mine. I don't know who in the heck some of those bell boot makers think we are, but I cannot stretch what isn't meant to be stretched!
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Thank you bell boot maker. THESE will actually stretch!
As I dug deeper, I pulled out bag after bag of different kinds of horse treats - eight different kinds actually. Speedy G will be in Heaven. His owner is not only unimaginative when it comes to gift giving, but she (ahem, ME) also fails as a treat dispenser. I buy the incredibly boring, but also cheap, snacks in Costco-sized containers that probably taste like cardboard. But hey, nobody complains so they must be okay.
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Okay - I might have tasted the German Horse Muffins
I wasn't exaggerating when I said the box was crammed full of stuff. I also pulled out a bag of tack sponges - boring, I know. However, what you don't know is that I am too lazy/cheap/boring to buy new ones. I currently alternate between two tack sponges that are so thin and worn out that my finger pokes through both of them as I try to clean my tack. Sometimes, I simply abandon the sponge and just use my fingers as that's what I'm already doing.

I now own 12 band new tack sponges. I solemnly swear to THROW AWAY my other two. No, I will not store them as back up sponges. I will not make the bag last for twelve years. In fact, I will try to use a new one each month. Try ... I said. I won't actually promise not to hoard my new treasure pack of tack sponges.
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I might have cried a little bit.
As if all of that wasn't already enough to make me feel like someone had taken the time to figure out what I need, there was one more gift, elegantly wrapped in a red and tan bow. It was actually number one on the packing slip, but I had saved it for last as it was specially wrapped.

When I slipped off the wrapping, it took me a moment to realize that I was looking at US - Speedy and me. I gasped in delight and immediately snapped photos to share with my friends and family. Nicole had found a photo of Speedy and me and somehow cross stitched our likeness. Don't ask me how as it looks like magic to me, and I don't want to know as I prefer to believe in unicorns and magic.

By the way, here's the original photo:
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Photo by Lori Ovanessian
So once again, a complete stranger has managed to touch my life in a most unexpected and heartfelt way. I hope that Nicole can feel my deep appreciation for her thoughtful gifts. While I don't know her, it is obvious that she is a compassionate woman who is genuinely thoughtful and relishes spreading good cheer to those around her.

Many thanks, Nicole, and I hope that everyone* at Sixpence Farm enjoys a healthy and successful 2016.

*Including: you, Dottie, DaVinci, Winston, Rosemary, Roscoe, Comrade, and Sonny
Judy
12/27/2015 08:04:00 am

Omigosh Karen! That lady knows how to give thoughtful gifts! Amazing! I find myself coveting everything in your box of treasure even though I haven't owned horses for years! I guess once a horse person always a horse person! Now I have a strong urge to walk into a tack store and just stand there breathing deeply......

Bakersfield Dressage link
12/27/2015 09:11:43 am

Isn't it funny how we had the exact same thought? And the box did smell fabulous. Sean of course wrinkled his nose and asked where the smell was coming from - LOL!

Carly
12/27/2015 08:30:52 am

I'm a pretty unimaginative gift giver too. That's a box full of some seriously awesome and useful stuff!

Bakersfield Dressage link
12/27/2015 09:13:06 am

It definitely was. Tracy needs to pair the creative people together and the gift card people together! :0)

Hillary link
12/27/2015 09:01:08 am

What a great gift! She really nailed Secret Santa! Thoughtful and also very useful gifts!

Bakersfield Dressage link
12/27/2015 09:13:51 am

She did indeed! I needed everything in the box, including the cross stitch!

Jan link
12/27/2015 02:35:46 pm

OMG that box of stuff is awesome, and so is the cross-stitch! I want to make one of Mikey now, just have to figure out how!

I am also a completely unimaginative gift giver. I love gift cards. Gift cards let people buy exactly what they want, as long as you get a card for the right store! Poor husband. He has "the gift" when it comes to gifts and decorating. He is stuck with an unimaginative wife!

Bakersfield Dressage link
12/28/2015 06:23:37 am

Nicole posted below how the magic was accomplished. You could probably contact her for links to more info. :0)

My husband is pretty good about finding stuff for me that I didn't know I wanted - this year he bought a Roomba iRobot. It's kind of run.

Nicole
12/27/2015 05:03:14 pm

Just so you know I use most of my creativity this time of year, very limited amount in this Bio Major head. But I am glad you enjoyed everything, especially the cross stitch. I always hold my breath when portraying someones horse.

PS Jan, my sister uses a computer program, PC Stitch, to create the pattern and colors. The programs are available online. This one used 25 colors on 22count fabric. Last years used 50 colors, same fabric. Very cool to see my sister manipulate until we get the picture quality we want.

Bakersfield Dressage link
12/28/2015 06:26:48 am

Isn't it amazing what technology can help us do?! You used 25 colors?! I count count about 10! Pretty fascinating.. :0)

Again, thank you! Rest assured your work is much appreciated and will be displayed proudly. :0)

Kalrey link
12/27/2015 08:34:44 pm

WOW what an awesome present!!! And that picture stictch- omg amazing!!

Bakersfield Dressage link
12/28/2015 06:24:12 am

I got lucky. :0)

Tracy link
12/28/2015 08:48:18 am

What a cute idea!! I love this <3

Bakersfield Dressage link
12/28/2015 10:35:14 am

It is cute. Too bad I can't steal the idea for myself - zero talent for that kind of stuff. :0)

And really, I won't be offended if I get assigned to next year's non-creative gift givers group. LOL

Abby link
12/29/2015 07:59:38 am

Wow - that is so neat!! I used to do a little bit of crosstitch (my grandma taught me!) so I might have to look up that program!

Bakersfield Dressage link
12/30/2015 06:16:29 am

If I knew how to cross-stitch, I'd be like a gardner with too many tomatoes - none of my horse friends would want me pulling up as I would come bearing even more gifts. :0)

Carey link
12/29/2015 09:36:30 am

Thank you for the gift card!!! Not only do I get a brand new belt, I get the thrill of shopping for one--without spending money! :)

What a cool gift that cross stitch is!

Bakersfield Dressage link
12/30/2015 06:18:00 am

You are quite welcome, Carey. Her choices are simply overwhelming. How does one choose? You can pick by color or motif. I think that's why everyone must have so many. :0)

emma link
12/29/2015 08:11:35 pm

that cross stitch is pretty incredible - what an awesome and creative gift!!

Bakersfield Dressage link
12/30/2015 06:18:40 am

It definitely is!


Comments are closed.

    About the Writer and Rider

    ​I 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.
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    About Speedy G

    ​Speedy 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.
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    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 showing at the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
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