The Horsepower Homestead

  I didn't show much as a kid. I did one play day type show at a neighboring barn when I was 12. But my first real show wasn't until I was 15 years old. We went to a county level show. My trainer, a few of his other lesson kids, and myself. My parents came along to help. We brought four horses. Barrister, Chesapeake, Precious, and Nip. I was signed up to ride Ches in a Walk-Trot class and Working equitation. She had never been shown before, and needed the experience. Precious, a veteran in the show ring, was my mount for Hunt seat and Hunter. Barrister, also a show veteran, would be in the English Pleasure and my working equitation class as well, ridden by Alex. Nip was doing a few classes for our under 12 years old age group.   The day started off early. We loaded Nip, Barrister, and Precious without a single issue. But then Ches decided that she didn't want to load. We had practiced a million times. She had been trailered in the past. But today, today she di...

It's ironic, jumping was the part of horseback riding that I missed the most when I wasn't riding. But as a teen, when I rode all the time. Jumping was what I used to dread practicing. And when I was first learning, I found it terrifying. The fright factor may have had something to do with the fact that might first jumping experience was less than ideal. When I was about 10 years old, I was riding a pony (yes, I know that was my first mistake) named Sassy. It was bareback day at Horseback riding camp. So there I was sitting up on Sassy, bare back with nothing but a halter and some clip on reins. The teenager that was "instructing" us would lead Sassy around the arena and then another kid would get on. Other, older riders, were practicing trot poles and little cross jumps in the center area of the arena while we took Sassy along the rail. When it was my turn, the teen instructor's phone started ringing. She looked at me, decided I was one of the bigger ki...

At the Hunter/Jumper barn that I take lessons at during the week, there are over 15 different horses. I've only been there a few months. I'm still learning them all. I've ridden about 5 different horses so far. They wanted to offer some variety, make sure they found the best fit for me as a rider. Yesterday, I rode Mickey. I didn't know much about him previously. Even though I've ridden him quite a few times now. He was actually the horse I rode during my first lesson at the barn. He's a very tall, 17 hand, stocky Appendix Quarter horse. He's about 13 years old. Bright red chestnut, thick white blaze, two white socks on his hind legs, and bird catcher spots sprinkled over his back and rump. Mickey  From what I've learned of his bloodlines, he's a very well bred horse. His dad was an OTTB. His mom was Champion AQHA Jumper. He used to do shows. But he got hurt. He has a chip in his back right knee. And an occasional sore back (Ki...

I purchased my Collegiate Hunt Seat saddle through a Craigslist ad. I paid $120 dollars for it. I then paid $70 to have the Billet straps replaced, as they were very well worn. I had an extra set of stirrups and leathers on hand. The knee rolls are a little worn, but I will likely replace those down the road as well. Collegiate saddles, in my opinion, are a step up from the synthetic and other "cheaper" saddles. But they are not quite as popular as the higher end brands like Stubben and Pessoa. Overall, I quite like this saddle. It is comfortable, and the leather is already supple. It had been stored inside for most of it's life and was in great condition. It's a large seat size, 19 inches. I prefer a larger seat size than most. It has foam panels which still have a good amount of give to them despite their age. The new Collegiate Hunt Seat saddles range from $1000 to $1400. A quick online search shows used Collegiate saddles available ranging from $200 to...