Needlepoint Shadbelly Points

If you ride, show AND needlepoint, then you are going to love this.

Hingham Square Needlepoint can make you custom points for your shadbelly. For those of you who don't ride, a shadbelly is a riding coat with "tails" that you wear for "formal" events like a hunter classic.  The "points" are the part in the front of the coat that covers the are around your belt.  The points are usually detatchable. I have never seen needlepoint ones until now.  What a great idea.

Shopping Around.....For a Horse

For the past six months or so, I have been shopping, for a new horse.  Some love the thrill of looking at dozens of horses, trying each one on for size, scope, scale, rideability, but for others, like me, the process is agony.  It's time consuming.  People often don't accurately describe what they really have.  And for me, I don't have a lot of free time so it's not the way I want to spend my weekends.

I didn't look at many.  By looking, I mean getting in the car and actually traveling to see and ride a horse.  I looked at one in very early January in Virginia.  He was very cute, very green and not a good jumper.  Very spoiled too by his owner and I would need to "undo" that.  So I passed.  That all-day trip was a bust.

This very cute bay mare, I just happened to see at a horse show in February. She was adorable, a bit older than I wanted but fit the bill of an "Adult Horse."  I tried her a few times.  Really liked her and she was fun to ride.  She was not as pretty as I wanted, which always bothered me a bit but I thought I'd take a chance with her.  The vet said no. 

So I decided to look in Europe.  The supply of quality horses there is unmatched.  The prices are very good and the scope of these horses is fabulous. Alfie came from Europe.  Another fancy horse I once owned, Dandy, also was imported.  So I looked at quite a few through videos and had a horse dealer I know and trust looking for me.  We found this lovely Dutch gelding who is five. I was thrilled about him.  The vet said no.

So by late March I was bummed and decided that I should just quit looking for a while so I just stopped.

And then I got a call about another horse in Europe, Hera.  I fell in love with her and thought, well maybe this is the one. But she was in Europe, I had not ridden her, and she was not inexpensive, at the top end of my budget. But much to love about her, and she can jump!

 But then my trainer called me.  Out the blue, she was judging a horse show and a small bay mare walked into the ring.  She said the horse was perfect for me.  She was not for sale.  The next weekend she saw the young horse again at another show.  The trainer and owner were contacted.  We tried the horse last weekend.  She was vetted on Tuesday, she was mine on Wednesday!  If my budget had allowed two, I would have bought Hera as well.

Three's a charm.  She was the third horse I vetted.  She is lovely and she'll have a lifetime home with me.  Ask Sega, who I bought at 3 and is now 23.  Alfie arrived at 4 and is 16. This one is 6.  We hope to have a long and happy partnership.  The shopping is over.

Horse Show Weekend!

There's a lot in store this weekend.  It's horse show season and we have two great weeks of AA horse shows locally.  My friend Leslie Brown manages these two shows and goes all out for everyone involved.  Guess where I'll be?

Hats Off Again

It's that time of year when you really do wear hats.  To the races - the Derby, the Maryland Hunt Cup, Steeplechase races like Foxfield here in Virginia.  And why not just wear a hat just to wear a great hat? Well, I fell in love with these hats and guess what, they are so reasonably priced, you'll think you are shopping at Wal-Mart but trust me, this is not Wal-Mart. I found them on Etsy.

This hat's brim underneath is black. It also has an adjustment so you can make it fit. It's lovely quality and mine was shipped almost immediately,

(Snaffle Bit Hat)

(Oversized Straw Sun Hat)

 (Sun Hat)

(Wide Brimmed Hat)

(Brown Hat)

(Raffia Sun Hat)

Don't you love finding a great place to shop? And wouldn't you rather support small businesses with great quality, prices and customer service?  Yes, of course we would.  Happy Wednesday!

New Needlepoint

While I have not been stitching much lately, I've seen a few things I'd love to add to my "stash." If you are looking for some new projects, here are a few I am loving.....

(Needlepoint.com)

 

(Needlepoint.com)

Today is a good day to stay in and stitch.  Happy Tuesday!

Derby Mania

It's that great time of year..........

The flowers are blooming.  The grass is a lush green. The days are warmer and longer.  And the Derby is only ten days away!  When I was in Kentucky a few weeks ago, the signs were everywhere......

From Kentucky Derby bottles from Woodford Reserve....

To Kentucky Derby flags....

To horse racing china (at L.V. Harkness of course):

To Arthur Court Twin Spires bottle stoppers....

 To fun pillows and fancy Mint Juleps. Consumerism is king, but I love it.

Tory Burch Garden Party

Tory Burch's summer line reminds me of a garden party.  The colors are vibrant and fresh and who wouldn't smile wearing these lovely clothes?   And guess what, she's having a sale, 20 percent off or more depending on how much you buy.  Here are some looks I am loving.......

60 MINUTES Goes to the Timber Races

The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat will be explored this Sunday when CBS' 60 MINUTES explores the unknown world of timber racing. If you are a horse lover, a racing fan, you might want to tune in.  Tune in at 7 pm EDT for sure.

                Watch an excerpt.

                America’s Timber Races  – so named for the wooden fences horses and riders must jump –  are up to four miles long and contain as many as  22 jumps. The sport originated in Ireland 250 years ago when horses were raced across the countryside jumping hedge rows. Today, a series of run-up races in the Mid-Atlantic States culminates in the Maryland Hunt Cup event that will be held Saturday April 29.             

Paddy Neilson has won the prestigious race three times; he comes from a family that’s been riding and racing since 1875.    At 75, he’s considered the dean of Timber Racing.  He still rides for pleasure and wears the scars of old injuries that any timber jockey will tell you come with the turf.    Some of the injuries are serious, but it’s all worth it says Neilson.

                “There’s just some magic about the power of that animal underneath of you,” he tells Rose.  “And then when you ask him for everything he’s got the last quarter a mile…and there it is, it is a marvelous feeling that only comes from doing it, really.  It is great.”

J Crew Spring Picks

I have not done much shopping this season so I was justified in picking out a few new items from the recent roll out at J Crew.  The pickings there have been slim lately but there were some highlights this time.....

Like this classic candy pick long-sleeved t-shirt that will look grand with white jeans.  See it here.

I adored this cute white linen jacket with rick rack trim.  I have not seen a jacket like this in years.  See it here.

If you dress for work or need a ladies lunch dress, then this one might do.  Very cute and it comes in several colors.  See it here.

Love these pink linen Bermuda Shorts.  See them here.

If I needed a bathing suit cover up this one would be ideal.  So cute. It also comes in pale pink.  See it here.

This white link necklace will look great when you have a tan.  See it here.

This straw clutch will go with everything you own.  Love it and it also comes in pink. See it here.