Riding Wilbur?

I just may be riding Wilbur on Friday. I'll be on Ellie at 7:30am already- the heat has been killer and she has a chiro appointment right after our lesson. With the day off from work I thought I'd take advantage and do a "supervised ride" on Wilbur while Amanda was around to show me how to use Western tack and make sure we don't implode.

Because....the last time I rode him was in September of 2013.
Very exciting!

One of my favorite shots!

Every Day Tack Setup

Thanks to Stephanie at Hand Gallop for her Blog Hop: Every Day Tack Setup

Our daily "look" is pretty simple....clean and classic is our aesthetic.

Equifit T-Boots (not pictured here because I typically hack without boots)

Smartpak Lite AP pads These SP pads have a nice shape, are light, and cheap- trifecta! That said- I do have a cart full of Ogilvy pads ready to go....

Ultra Thinline Trifecta Half Pad  This fits her back and the saddle nicely and seems to provide support

CWD Saddle and Stirrup Leathers Bought used and in mint condition- recently repaneled so it really is like new

Royal Rider Stirrups which are just fine for schooling but will be grabbing a pair of MDC S Classic Stirrups for the Hunter ring soon

Nantucket by Smartpak Bridle It appears that SP has stopped making this bridle- which is a shame because I love it- great fit and soft leathers

Sparkle Bit  aka Tom Balding #6 Ballhinge Ring Snaffle, plain Dee, or the new Waterford that Hillary sent me

No Name Fleece Girth that in all honesty needs to be replaced sooner than later....girth suggestions anyone?

Sometimes when she feels like switching out her nail color she wears her Purple Bell Boots.

They both look a little awkward here- I love it!

Derby Daze

I played hooky from work the past two Fridays and started my mornings off at Woodside to watch the Hunter Derby run at 8am.

My new trainer, Diane, pulled a second and seventh in the first Derby and was in the top 12 the second week. I was also happy to see one of our Adult Ammy's come in third last Friday and win the highest scoring Amateur.

Co-workers Lesley and Haley joined me and we had fun catching up and enjoying a few horsey mornings!

Diane and Pickles on course

The Gals

Thinking of Lauren

When I casually scanned my news feed on Monday morning before braving the office I was mentally prepping for my Monday and not at all prepared to learn of a blogger friend's tragic loss of a family member over the weekend. 

It's just shy of a year now that Lauren and I had the chance to connect in Texas and I follow her blog daily. I was was incredibly sad for Lauren and admire her ability to use her writing (while even injecting a bit of humor to boot) as a means of catharsis.

Conversely, I was happy to jet off Monday evening to Arkansas and take a few days off from blogging.  I couldn't think of anything to write.

I'm thankful that Tracy from Fly On Over has set up something that lets us, in the blogosphere and beyond, channel our support. 

I appreciate and admire that Lauren is sharing her journey with us and my thoughts are with her in this difficult time.

Happy Father's Day!

All of the critters signed Paul's Father's Day card and he was treated to a massage and an Indian Lunch Buffet in celebration of his day!

What fun!

New Jewelry

Paul and I celebrated our 10 year dating anniversary yesterday.

I knew that I had a good catch with him when, rather than surprise me with jewelry, he gets me that bit that I've been wanting.

Wandering Banana

A smattering of photos from time spent in NYC and Nashville the past week. Off to Florida tomorrow!

Lots of fun and a great triple crown winner to end a Saturday workday!

Downtime in NYC was spent hanging out with my sister Kate- scoping out her new place in Brooklyn, eating a lot, and nabbing great views!!

Nashville was abuzz with the CMA awards coming to town! I had to snap a pic of my Uber driver, Rose- loved her setup!

Date Night

Every Wednesday evening my husband and I have a date night. This date, Paul offered to come to the barn to see Ellie's new digs. We stopped to check in with Wilbur before heading on our way to grab dinner in the barn neighborhood!

And a random packing shot- I am continually amazed by how much stuff I can cram into a Vera Bradley duffel! Off to New York City and Nashville for a few days!

New Bangles!

When Beka at The Owls Approve posted that her awesome horseshoe bracelets were back in stock in the Etsy shop, Straight Shot Metal Smashing, I darted right over and helped myself. What's better than a small treat showing up at work? That a fellow blogger made it by hand, or should I say, smashed it by hand! Love the pop of turq!