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 ;)

25 things...

So this 25 random things note is going on around Facebook, so that and the face that Granite was the CUTEST thing ever this morning at breakfast inspired me to share with you:
The 25 Things I LOVE about Granite:

1. He is MINE
2. I bought him by myself
3. I picked him out
4. He is grey
5. His eyes are so sweet
6. He is a BIG boy
7. He is by the Graf Genius line
8. He has Hanoverian in him
9. Part Thoroughbred and that reminds me of Bonnie (The love of my life)
10. He is young and I get to raise him
11. He is very inquisitive
12. He is a social butterfly and loves to meet people (and flirt with them)
13. He is isn't too high strung
14. He makes me laugh
15. He has the potential to be a versatile horse
16. He is my first boy horse
17. He is already gelded
18. He likes to be scratched
19. He isnt a bully in the pasture
20. He used to be brown
21. He has pretty relatives
22. His lovely conformation
23. Everyone else thinks he is handsome
24. He is the complete opposite of Karma and I think its funny to have them both
25. He loves me!

SuperBowl XLIII

Hello. I am sorry for my increasing absence. School is kicking into gear and my internship search is getting desperate. I have also been 'dating' a bit more than usual and despite my insistence that I do not have time for a relationship, I have been managing to make some time recently... Which takes away from time doing much more productive things like working out, blogging, or doing reading for class. I figured I would write quick update just to let you know that I have not forgotten. Superbowl was last night and it was a blast. We had so much food. I kicked the diet for the evening and totally binged. I have only eaten fruit and popcorn so far today to try to make up for last night's indiscretions... Daphne was actually really well behaved and I am so proud. I got her a Ruff-Fur-Eee costume and she was on security detail for most of the night. She didn't eat anyone and that made me a proud mama!

I didn't get to see Granite today, but I did schedule a lesson with a local trainer for him and I. She is coming out to the farm next week to practice some groundwork and lounging with us. I hope he does well, I think it is about time to begin putting some effort into him because he is getting big fast and I don't want a 1200lb animal in my space! Well, work has involved actual work lately-- so I had better get back to it.

"Stand By Your Man" & other things that annoy me about Christians...

So a conversation with a coworker this morning led to me being really really annoyed. It all started when my coworker was talking about the topic of Oprah's show tomorrow. It is about a evangelist that got caught in a gay sex scandal. I was thinking 'ok, not THAT interesting, preachers do hypocritical stuff all the time, I don't care if the man decided to turn gay...' Then she informed me that Ted Haggard's wife decided to stay with him! I said something to the effect of her being a completely brainwashed dumb ass. Another (shall we say rather blatantly Conservative) coworker heard my comment and stopped in her tracks. She obviously didn't mind that the conversation didn't involve her, because she was eager to share her view on the matter with me. Joy of Joys... She began lecturing me on how only a STRONG woman could get through that. There was so much pain and hurt that they had to live through in order to not sacrifice their marriage! She even brought Hillary Clinton in as an example of Strength in staying with an adulterous spouse. I am sorry folks but when I hear about both of these women, strong is the VERY last word that comes to mind. First off I think Weak, followed by: sad, scared, pathetic, trapped, insecure, and uh did I mention terribly WEAK? I think the greatest strength lies in a woman who has the power to sacrifice all material things in order to keep her own dignity and self respect. I have absolutely no admiration for women who chose to stand by their man when he obviously and admittedly did wrong! I only have pity and disgust for these women. The worst part about this whole conversation is that I was made to feel like I was being lectured and that I was idiotic to disagree. The fact that christian men, as far back as biblical times have methodically planned to keep women down through fear of retaliation by religion. Religion really was designed to keep down the masses, those who are too scared or know no better than to question what is continuously being pushed down their throats. Oh I am so grateful for a mind of my own and a sense of self. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to those who instilled that in me instead of handing me an ancient book and telling me to take everything a man (merely a man!) tells me from the pulpit...

Good Article on a Good Topic

After my recent lesson with Karma, I was given some homework. I was told to begin teaching her to round and to work the topline muscles so that she will have the ability to bend and round with greater ease. In order to do this, I was told to enlist the aid of draw reins and of a martingale. I grew up using draw reins to help horses in setting their head. Now that I am using them for a slightly different purpose and now that I am old enough to question practices that I used to take as commonly accepted. I have done some research to help me in my 'homework'. I plan on introducing Karma to the draw reins this weekend. I am also on the market for a pair of side reins for lounge practice (when I don't have time to actually get a ride in) and a martingale for when she gets the idea and the muscles to carry herself. I found this article in my searches and I wanted to share it with you. I think its a good read. I will let you know how it goes when we ride on Saturday...

http://www.equisearch.com/horses_riding_training/english/dressage/eqreins2640/