Halter Couture :)

For years dogs have been wearing designer collars with bling and more, now its time for the equines to share in the love. Redhautehorse.com has the absolute cutest halters ever! They are designed by "yellow dog designs" a company that creates adorable dog collars, but unfortunately only sells them wholesale to retailers. Red Haute Horse however, allows online orders! They have the High Fashion Horse line which incorporates two patterned nylons on one halter and they have the Equine Elite version which has a designed overlay on a regular nylon background. Both styles are so trendy, fun and cute and also come with the option of a breakaway strap for those of us w/ crazy babies! I am getting the Zebra and Pink Polka Dot for Karma and am debating on which design to get for Granite. Help me choose! I am thinking blue/green argyle, blue/brown houndstooth, blue paisley, or blue tartan. What do you think? I know I want the first one for Karma. The other 5 are choice for Granite in the order in which I have them currently in my mind. Help me decide!

DONEZO!!!

Yes my Friends I am done with the Spring 2009 Semester!
I will be heading off to Wilmington to watch my Best Friend graduate tomorrow then will be heading back to good ole GSO after that. Hopefully I can begin riding (and posting) more regularly.
Here's to Hoping!

SWEEEET SUMMERTIME!

New Helmet!

So I have been wanting a new helmet for quite some time. My current helmet is not SEI approved and was purchased in 1998. Eeeek... can we say, its time to change with the times? So being a poor grad students a charels owens or GPA was out of the picture. I settled on a IRH ATH 5 vent . I went and looked at some in Raleigh and was fitted with a great 6 7/8 Long Oval version. I didn't have the money on hand but I kept it in mind. I asked for my Mom to go in with me to get a new helmet for my birthday (tomorrow!). She gave me $100 toward the helmet. I went Monday to a local tack store and was in a rush but tried on a IRH ATH SSV size 7 round. It fit pretty nicely so I went ahead and bought it. $182 after tax. I was pretty happy with it but did a bit of research today for the heck of it on the helmet to compare it to the ATH 5 vent that I had originally planned on getting. While searching I ran across www.adamshorsesupply.com which had the IRH ATH 5vent 6 7/8 long oval for 99$ with FREE SHIPPING! I couldnt believe it so I called them. Their 1-877 number led me directly to a human being who was more that helpful and told me that this WAS true and that they were not dealing with International any longer and were closing out their stock. I immediately ordered this helmet and plan to return the SSV as soon as possible. I noticed that they have great deals, a price match guarantee, and free shipping on all orders over $100. I recommend taking a look at what they have to offer and don't hesitate calling because they are kind and helpful! I am so excited to get my new helmet and will be even more excited if I ever get the chance to try it out (hoping to ride Karma at the farm on Saturday!).

Perhaps I havent posted in months...

So let me excuse myself for sucking at life. In the past month (ok, months) life has been nuts-- I guess that was the premise of the blog: crazy busy grad student attempts to own horses. But heres whats been up. Granite turned 2! He is growing like a weed... soooo handsome and funny. He is like a dog. Always up in my business. He wouldnt hurt a fly, ever! I got an internship. I currently have 3 grad classes Tues-Thurs evenings. I am working 9-5 every day but monday. I am admining evals for the poli sci department and one of the profs I work for is seriously trying to kill me with manuscripts for publishers (they kinda sorta suck too-- I should get a by-line for fixin the shit). But moral of the story is that I haven't been riding and wont be for a little while. My best friend is going to look at a 3yr old Perch/TB on Sunday. Any advice on what to look for at this stage? He is apparently working with side reins and had been under saddle a couple of times. The farm seems legit, but she found him on Craig's List. I originally found Granite on Craigs list though... so you never know do you?

How sweet is this web site?

OK, this website sells consignments, but the great part is they are all french made used saddles. NICE!

Yep if you don't want to DRIVE a Jag, you could always RIDE one!

YEP- the people who brought you luxury sports cars now bring you a saddle you can't afford either... check it out: Jaguar Saddles by H.W. Dabbs Saddlemakers Ltd.- Just as the Jaguar car elevates the automobile , the New Jaguar saddle gives discriminating horsemen a more responsive ride and a truly superb fit.Jaguar cars has now licensed H.W. Dabbs to create a new breed of saddle. The foundation of the Jaguar-a laminated wood spring tree-has been perfected through years of testing in real-life situations, with hundreds of horse and rider combinations. Superb fit, flexibility and comfort are the hallmarks of every Jaguar saddle. Wool-flocked or new, improved memory foam panels and a wide bullet combine for ample clearance of the spine and withers, another unique Jaguar attribute. In keeping with Jaguar's highest standards, the seat panels and padded flaps are carefully crafted in the finest grade of French calf leather. XJC Equitation Saddle-Designed specifically for Equitation riders, this model features an exceptionally balanced seat with slightly longer and straighter flaps. Jaguar's exclusive panel system allows maximum performance from your horse in flat work and over fences. Seat Size: 16-18" Tree: Medium or Wide Color: Autumn Gold XJS Jumping Saddles-This saddle has a slightly deeper seat and air-cushioned French calf leather padded flaps and seats. It gives the rider a feeling of absolute balance and total control in every stride. The free foam formed panels offer a better fit and allow the horse freedom of movement. It's also available in wool flocked panels. Seat Size: 16-18" Tree Medium or Wide Color: Autumn Gold Jaguar XKC Deep Seat Buffalo Leather Dressage Saddle-Made in England, this saddle is the ultimate in comfort. The deeper seat offers a close feel and the grippy buffalo leather breaks in quickly and provides security. Wool flocked panes ensure a comfortable fit for the horse. Seat Size: 16-18.5 Tree: Narrow, Medium, Wide Leather: Buffalo, Full Grain or Paris Wool Panels only Full Grain or Buffalo Leather Close Contact Buffalo Leather From Horse Tack Reviews.com: Manufacturer: Harry Dabbs Model: Jaguar XJS Jumping Saddle (Paris leather) Category: Jumping Saddles Purchase: Paid $2000+ in 2004 This was one of the few saddles that fit my TB (high withers, but broad-shouldered...I needed a tree with enough wither clearance but not too narrow in order to clear the shoulders without pinching) Likes: I fell in love with the saddle as soon as I sat in it. I had a hard-to-fit horse and actually had several saddles brought to my barn for me to try. Only 3 fit, and I settled on this one immediately. The leather was butter-soft with just the right amount of grip. It did not require breaking-in at all. I was worried that the leather would be too soft and would wear out but 3 years later it has only the smallest amount of wear under the stirrup leathers...no more than any of my other saddles. The seat is a great width--very comfortable for flat work or jumping. The 17.5" seat is perfect for me (5'5" and a size 10...about average sized). This saddle replaced my Stubben Edelweiss which I liked. However, after riding in this one, I put the Stubben up for consignment. It didn't fit my horse and after riding in this saddle I felt more secure and balanced. I never found myself fighting to find my seat. It is balanced so that I just end up in the deepest part of the saddle naturally.

Graf Genius

ES Graf Genius (1991-2008)
Source: Sandra Werkheiser, AHS Website Director Mar 25, 2008 - 9:18:28 AM

Graf Genius (Photo: Susan Sexton)

Louise Broadley of Honey Locust Farm lost her gray Hanoverian stallion Graf Genius (Graf Sponeck-Tarah/Trapper) to colic in mid-March. A Jumper Breeding Program sire, he was bred in Germany by Hans-Hermann Schroeder and was 17 years old.

In 1994, Graf Genius was the Colt Champion at Dressage at Lexington. He won the Three-Year-Old Colt class at the NCDCTA breed show, receiving an 8 from Hilda Gurney for conformation. He also won the Three-Year-Old Colts Under Saddle class at NCDCTA and placed fourth in the Stallion Class at Devon. Graf Genius completed the 100-Day Test in 1995, earning an overall score of 126.87 and showed through Fourth Level in dressage.

His first foals were registered in 1995. He currently has 59 AHS foals with 11 Main Studbook mares (including EMCs Graffini Grace, Goodness Grace, and Graffini Garnet), and one mare each in the Studbook and Pre-Studbook.


-I did some looking around today and really don't think that Graf Genius and Graf George are related. Booo. I wanted my baby to have two famous relatives ;)