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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

My 5 Things: Tack

2/5/2014

 
I have had several hundreds of dollars ($$$) of fun this past month. I am not much of a user of retail therapy, but January turned out to be one of "those months;" the kind that just kind of kick your butt. Every time I turned around I thought to myself, I really deserve that.

I started with a second Micklem bridle; this one was for Speedy. I do love it by the way, and if you are thinking of getting one, DO IT NOW!
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Speedy in his Micklem bridle
The Micklem purchase led to the desire to spice things up a bit so I bought the clincher browband for Speedy which turned out to fit Sydney better. You cannot image how much I love this thing. When I ride Sydney, I get all kinds of warm and fuzzy feelings; it's just so pretty!  It was completely worth the 20 or so bucks I spent on it. Imagine how warm and fuzzy I'd feel with some real bling!
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Meant for Speedy, but it ended up on Sydney's bridle.
And then I thought I might as well complete "the look" even though Speedy didn't end up with the browband. I love the pads just as much as that browband. Saddling Speedy up in pads that fit brings me so much satisfaction. He just looks so cute in his monogrammed saddle pads. I am such a dork; no need to point it out, but isn't it great that something so simple can bring so much happiness?
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Love, love, love!
I have no rational for the $75 halter and lead rope purchase. I love my rope halter, which is what I've been using on Sydney for nearly two years. But somehow, I became obsessed with buying him the same Tekna halter that I bought for Speedy, but in brown. After an initial period of I am not sure about this, I have grown to LOVE this halter! I simply had to have a second one. Sorry for the less-than-flattering photo, but Sydney just would not cooperate. If you're interested in the Tekna halter, you can find it at the Riding Warehouse.
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Tekna Halter in brown with his new PURPLE lead rope!
And who can buy a new halter without a lead rope? No one, that's who! I only use yacht rope leads which are on the pricier end of the lead rope spectrum. The price doesn't matter to me as these ropes last forever and feel wonderful in your hands. If you want to check out these ropes, visit the Riding Warehouse; they comes in 12 colors. 
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I actually bought this!
The lead rope actually has a funny story. I originally ordered it in Boring Karen Tan. No, it's not really called that, but my pals called me on it IMMEDIATELY! The thing is, I really wanted the purple one but thought it was too loud for sensible ol' me.

My email to the Riding Warehouse didn't make it on time (they ship SUPER fast), but they graciously paid for the return shipping of the tan lead and then paid to ship me the PURPLE one. You HAVE to check out this company!
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It's great to have friends who know how to "dress" you!
By the way, Ladies, the purple is fabulous and looks super great on Sydney! Thank you all for stretching my envelope!
ChaChing's Mom
2/4/2014 10:40:09 pm

Woo hoo! Go purple!!! The color of royalty!

Bakersfield Dressage link
2/6/2014 09:56:43 am

You are such a good influence? :0)

Judy
2/4/2014 11:08:41 pm

Love all your purchases! And as your friends told you, purple goes with anything.....and so does red!! Two of my favorite colors!

Bakersfield Dressage link
2/6/2014 10:01:10 am

Every time I put the halter and lead rope on Sydney, I smile at the color; it is gorgeous! I am so glad I ditched the tan one!!!

Hannah link
2/4/2014 11:13:45 pm

I love that the saddlepad monograms are the horses' name instead of yours. Perfect!

Bakersfield Dressage link
2/6/2014 09:56:04 am

The S is actually for all of us; Speedy, Sydney, and my own last name. I actually love how all three of our names are so similar. It was totally by coincidence. :0)

Austen link
2/5/2014 12:33:23 am

Bahaha. Growing up as an eventer, I CRAVED purple stuff. Couldn't find it back then. Now, I seem to only want things in black, white, and gold and I can only find purple.

What's up with that?

Love the simple browband. I've been looking for one similar, but with a wave shape!

Bakersfield Dressage link
2/6/2014 10:00:19 am

I'd like to find a similar one for Speedy's bridle as it turns out that i like it a lot! :0)

Lauren link
2/5/2014 01:06:44 am

I think the simplest things usually give me the most happiness :)

Bakersfield Dressage link
2/6/2014 09:57:21 am

For me, too! Absolutely.

Amanda link
2/5/2014 02:51:57 am

Yay for all the cool things! Adding some color is always fun! :)

Bakersfield Dressage link
2/6/2014 10:02:09 am

New and colorful both freak me out so I am stepping into those waters slowly. It's been fun, though!

Sandra
2/5/2014 04:52:46 am

OK You have convinced me! I am getting a Micklem for Varro. I should start my new job in March and with my first paycheck I am ordering one! I also LOVE them monogrammed saddle pads! Where did you find them??? Woobie simply MUST have one too!

Bakersfield Dressage link
2/6/2014 09:59:44 am

Micklem needs to give me a "cut" of their action :0) The pads are on sale at Dover. I wrote about the pads a week or so ago here: http://www.bakersfielddressage.com/1/post/2014/01/dressage-pads-and-ponies.html

You can find the link in the post. :0)

Tracy link
2/6/2014 12:22:17 am

I love the monogram!! Soo classic and pretty

Bakersfield Dressage link
2/6/2014 10:04:14 am

I cannot believe how much I love those pads. I think they are gorgeous! :0) I showed them to a barn mate expecting an over the top, WOW! She simply smiled. WHAT? They're fabulous … to me anyway. I wasn't offend though as they probably aren't actually earth shattering to anyone else. When you're as conservative as I am, little things like a monogram are a BIG deal. :0)


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.
    ​Welcome to my dressage journey.
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    Photo by Lori Ovanessian

    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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    July 2020 (PC AJSK Photography)

    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 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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    March 2021 (PC Tess Michelle Photography)

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Among other things, Karen is a Wife, Friend, Reader, Writer, Rider, Traveler, and Dog Lover
Contact her at bakersfielddressage@gmail.com
  • Home
  • About
  • My Horses
    • Horses
    • Imperioso
    • G Ima Starr FA
    • Sunshine
    • Nakota and Gideon
    • Corky
    • Sassy
    • Montoya DSA
    • Mickey Dee
    • Sydney
  • Show Results
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
    • Dressage Organizations
    • Memberships
    • 2019 Dressage Tests
  • Local
    • Shopping List
  • Home