My 5 Things: Bling it On!

7/2/2014

I totally stole that title from Cha Ching's Mom. She wears bling like I wear a pony tail. Toss it on, and forget about it.

My Ovation Glitz helmet arrived the other day, and it is the coolest, sparkliest, awesomest thing I have ever bought!!!!! Two years ago, okay, two months ago, I would never have been brave enough to wear it. I do not know what has come over me. Could it be the new confidence that Sydney and I have found together? Is a right lead canter that much of a life changer?

This photo does not do it justice. This helmet SPARKLES!

I also added one of my monograms from Personally Preppy (check out their brand new website). Now I wish I had bought a fancier font!

Loving it!

And as if a new helmet and monogram stickers weren't enough, I also bought Sydney some baby spurs. My bigger ones rubbed a little patch of hair off of his right side, which is totally weird since I've been using them for almost two years. I think my position has changed now that he has a right lead canter. Or, he has a right lead canter because my position has changed. Either way, a hole in his side is unacceptable.

They're only like a quarter inch - he can barely feel them!

But wait. Embarrassingly, there's more! My little zipper pull/bridle tags also showed up! They are simply too sweet. Check out Emily's Equine Creations on Etsy.

Definitely want to order more!

Speedy G

Sydney

And finally, do you remember that lovely purple lead rope I just bought this past February? I loved that lead rope, but unfortunately, Sydney freaked out while grazing in the yard in his halter and galloped off down the road and around the corner and back up the road and back down the road until he finally saw me waving at him. Once he came back to me, this is what I found - a shredded purple lead rope.

Yeah … not so pretty anymore. Or functional.

Hopefully this one lasts more than 4 months!

So I had to order a new one. That also just arrived. It's been like Christmas at my house this past week. Unfortunately, all of these things were very specific items which meant that they came from many different vendors. At least I can say I'm supporting lots of small businesses!

17 Comments

Deborah link

7/1/2014 11:40:31 pm

i love that you went tastefully bling-y. it's subtle but not (what's the point with subtle bling...?) making you look like a disco ball. :P

Bakersfield Dressage link

7/2/2014 07:15:00 am

Thanks, Deborah! I am new to the world of bling and as such am putting just my toes in. :0)

Carly

7/1/2014 11:53:14 pm

Man I love that helmet!

You know what you need now? Some spur bling!
https://www.etsy.com/shop/SOTM

Bakersfield Dressage link

7/2/2014 07:15:36 am

Thanks, Carly, and believe me, I have thought about it. The day is coming … :0)

Bakersfield Dressage link

7/2/2014 07:17:34 am

Wowza! Those are gorgeous!!!!!!!

Amanda link

7/2/2014 12:03:42 am

I love everything! You're starting to look like me with all the bling and monograms. ;) And if you want a fancier one for your helmet you can always just order another at some point!

Bakersfield Dressage link

7/2/2014 07:23:04 am

I am slow to decide, but once I do - watch out! My eyes are now open to the many possibilities. :0)

Lauren link

7/2/2014 01:47:29 am

Omg i LOVE that helmet! I may have to get me one for the jumper ring for some fun :) Also got a bridle tag from Emily's EC so get to enjoy that on my pony's bridle soon.

Bakersfield Dressage link

7/2/2014 07:25:11 am

I am really digging the helmet. I wish I could see it though. I need a mirror out in the arena. After my lesson today, several of the ladies oohed and ahhed over it. And I LOVE the little bridle tags. As I am riding, I can glance down and catch a little sparkle. I definitely want more of her stuff!

Sarah link

7/2/2014 03:02:00 am

Fancy shmancy! Now perhaps a fly bonnet? With rhinestones?

Bakersfield Dressage link

7/2/2014 07:27:26 am

Believe it or not, I actually do own a fly bonnet, black of course. :0)

I don't see many of them in the dressage ring though and think you have to have special permission to show in them. I need to ask around and see why they aren't more common in the dressage world. Do you know?

Tracy link

7/2/2014 05:35:57 am

I loooove the bridle charms!!

Bakersfield Dressage link

7/2/2014 07:28:01 am

Thanks, Tracy. I love it when cute stuff is also cheap stuff! :0)

Jodi link

7/2/2014 05:53:12 am

So much cute stuff! I love the new helmet and think that the monogram looks really nice!

Bakersfield Dressage link

7/2/2014 07:29:15 am

Thanks, Jodi. It's been fun hunting for bling that I can tolerate. Too loud and sparkly and I shy away. This is helping me ease into the world of all things shiny. :0)

Austen link

7/2/2014 11:31:57 pm

Omg. So much bling! I love the helmet, but think it's a bit too much for me. I bet it looks aaaamazing next to the bright shiny white Speedy G!!

Bakersfield Dressage link

7/3/2014 03:33:45 am

If I actually saw it on out in the sun while riding, I would probably freak out. The truth is, I don't even remember that it sparkles while I ride so the bling is actually lost on me. :0)

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. We're currently showing Third Level for the 2019 show season. Speedy 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 and showing at the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.

March 2019

Bakersfield Dressage approved!

FOR THE SMALLER EQUINE ATHLETE

I love her stuff!

National Awards

USDF Second Level Rider Performance Award - 2018

2nd Level Rider Performance, 2018

USDF First Level Rider Performance Award - 2015

1st Level Rider Performance, 2015

USDF Training Level Rider Performance Award - 2013

Training Level Rider Performance, 2013

State Awards

CDS Ruby Rider Award - 2018
CDS Second Level Horse Performance Award - 2018

Ruby Rider Award, 2018

2020 Show Season

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

2020 Pending …
3/7-8 El Sueno (***)
3/22 Fresno (***)
4/11-12 El Sueno (***)
4/26 TMC (*)
5/9-10 El Sueno (***)
5/31 TMC (*)
6/13-14 El Sueno (***)
6/28 TMC (*)
7/11-12 El Sueno (***)
7/26 TMC (*)
8/8-9 RAAC (Q)
8/30 TMC (*)
10/24-25 SCEC (***)

2020 Completed …
10/26-27/19 SCEC (***)

Qualifying Scores for 2020

Regional Adult Amateur Competition (RAAC)
3rd Level Qualifying
3 Scores/2 Judges:
Score 1: 60.405% Atkins
Score 2: 62.432% Atkins
Score 3:

CDS Championship
3rd Level Qualifying
5 Scores/4 Judges:
Score 1: 60.405% Atkins
Score 2: 62.432% Atkins
Score 3:
Score 4:
Score 5:

Working Towards:

CDS 3rd Level Horse Performance Award
3 Judges/3 Shows:
Score 1: 63.514% Lindholm
Score 2: 62.105% Lindholm
Score 3: 63.243% Wadeborn
Score 4: 60.405% Atkins
Score 5: 62.432% Atkins
Score 6:

CDS Sapphire Rider Award
Third Level: 63.514%
Third Level: 62.105%
Fourth Level:
Fourth Level:

USDF Bronze Medal
First Level - 70.179%
First Level - 72.600%
Second Level - 62.879%
Second Level - 61.970%
Third Level - 62.432%
Third Level -