Thursday, November 7, 2013

Equine Affaire 2013 - Day 1

Took off to the Equine Affaire early with K today (obviously stopped at Starbucks...)! I think I was... 15? Maybe 16, last time I went just for fun. I couldn't really shop or appreciate the things that I learned. All the other times that I've gone I've been working with the store and staying behind a counter. Finally, my turn to go EA crazy with some good friends!

Got there just in time to watch a couple of competitors in the versatility clinic. They had a specific amount of time to complete the course which was actually really difficult. Started with two jumps, then going threw a kiddie pool (I think there was water). When you walked through the kiddie pool you had to finagle a rope around the 4 posts surrounding it. Then lope around a set a barrels in both directions, pick up a spatula, side pass and back up to another barrel, flip a "pancake", side pass again and put the spatula back. Next step was dragging a stuffed calf backwards a few steps, then move poles on the ground attached by rope around a clock pattern. Trot poles were put down and you had to stop after the last, ground tie your horse, run over and throw a couple of hay bales on a tarp, then grab your horse and back him through some cones. There were a few parts where you had to pick up baskets and discard the contents neatly while on your horse as well as picking up a bucket and dumping it out in a muck bucket WHILE ON YOUR HORSE! I don't actually know if the 3 that we watched finished it but it was definitely worth watching... Especially because Brantley and I will be participating next year.

We didn't get to audit many clinics but we did attend a SmartPak "think tank" and as a reward, everyone took home a $50 gift card. Marched right down to SmartPak and purchased B's new embroidered cooler for $0.95. Damn that tax! They'll be sending it in the mail... There will be pictures.

20890.jpg
I'm really excited about their new Rockin' SP line and Western Apparel. I was going to use it for a pair of split reins which are probably the most supple things I've ever touched... But priorities! B needed a cooler. Their Rockin' SP blankets are supposed to fit more to the stock of a Quarter Horse unlike their regular blanket line which I learned is more for your Warmblood/Thoroughbred type. B is in the middle where he's got the height and length of a TB but the shoulder and ass of a Quarter Horse. I can't wait for it to come in! He may be getting a new matching sheet.

21332_BlackRed_D.jpg

I also picked up a pair of Professional Choice No-Turn Bell Boots which I am very excited about as well. K and I figured he'd be a large and I tried them on when we got back... PERFECT! Downside is yes I love my SMB Elite boots but I did fall in love with the new Pegasus Air Boots. More even distribution of pressure, more breathable, more support, same size for front and back, custom shape. They literally have pony size and horse size. One size fits all... Hard to believe but when we start really working off the property, it'll have to happen. Plus they come in his color as well as leopard print for anyone interested hahaha.
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We got to watch the end of a Stacy Westfall clinic which was very interesting. Some things I was confused on but I'll chat about that if I see her tomorrow too. Interested in watching Julie Goodnight. Heading back up in the AM... But I really want to ride my pony!

4 Comments:

At November 8, 2013 at 11:11 AM , Anonymous Lauren @ She Moved To Texas said...

I haven't been to Equine Affaire since I worked for SP and helped them set up :) It's a fun time!

 
At November 8, 2013 at 1:07 PM , Blogger Tracy said...

Equine Affaire is so much fun! I love it.

 
At November 8, 2013 at 9:58 PM , Blogger Madeline C. said...

It was really fun and I'm glad I went on Thursday and Friday instead of trying to get through on Saturday and Sunday. I used to work it when the feed store I worked for went.

 
At November 8, 2013 at 9:58 PM , Blogger Madeline C. said...

We had a lot of fun. :)

 

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http://www.controlhaltdelete.com/ Tear Drop Winken: Equine Affaire 2013 - Day 1

Equine Affaire 2013 - Day 1

Took off to the Equine Affaire early with K today (obviously stopped at Starbucks...)! I think I was... 15? Maybe 16, last time I went just for fun. I couldn't really shop or appreciate the things that I learned. All the other times that I've gone I've been working with the store and staying behind a counter. Finally, my turn to go EA crazy with some good friends!

Got there just in time to watch a couple of competitors in the versatility clinic. They had a specific amount of time to complete the course which was actually really difficult. Started with two jumps, then going threw a kiddie pool (I think there was water). When you walked through the kiddie pool you had to finagle a rope around the 4 posts surrounding it. Then lope around a set a barrels in both directions, pick up a spatula, side pass and back up to another barrel, flip a "pancake", side pass again and put the spatula back. Next step was dragging a stuffed calf backwards a few steps, then move poles on the ground attached by rope around a clock pattern. Trot poles were put down and you had to stop after the last, ground tie your horse, run over and throw a couple of hay bales on a tarp, then grab your horse and back him through some cones. There were a few parts where you had to pick up baskets and discard the contents neatly while on your horse as well as picking up a bucket and dumping it out in a muck bucket WHILE ON YOUR HORSE! I don't actually know if the 3 that we watched finished it but it was definitely worth watching... Especially because Brantley and I will be participating next year.

We didn't get to audit many clinics but we did attend a SmartPak "think tank" and as a reward, everyone took home a $50 gift card. Marched right down to SmartPak and purchased B's new embroidered cooler for $0.95. Damn that tax! They'll be sending it in the mail... There will be pictures.

20890.jpg
I'm really excited about their new Rockin' SP line and Western Apparel. I was going to use it for a pair of split reins which are probably the most supple things I've ever touched... But priorities! B needed a cooler. Their Rockin' SP blankets are supposed to fit more to the stock of a Quarter Horse unlike their regular blanket line which I learned is more for your Warmblood/Thoroughbred type. B is in the middle where he's got the height and length of a TB but the shoulder and ass of a Quarter Horse. I can't wait for it to come in! He may be getting a new matching sheet.

21332_BlackRed_D.jpg

I also picked up a pair of Professional Choice No-Turn Bell Boots which I am very excited about as well. K and I figured he'd be a large and I tried them on when we got back... PERFECT! Downside is yes I love my SMB Elite boots but I did fall in love with the new Pegasus Air Boots. More even distribution of pressure, more breathable, more support, same size for front and back, custom shape. They literally have pony size and horse size. One size fits all... Hard to believe but when we start really working off the property, it'll have to happen. Plus they come in his color as well as leopard print for anyone interested hahaha.
$T2eC16J,!)cE9s4PsMTtBRbEgrgjRg~~60_35.JPG.jpg
We got to watch the end of a Stacy Westfall clinic which was very interesting. Some things I was confused on but I'll chat about that if I see her tomorrow too. Interested in watching Julie Goodnight. Heading back up in the AM... But I really want to ride my pony!