Crying in Public

The 2017 show season has officially commenced, but I wanted to share a little bit about our 2016 successes.

We had a good year within our state association and ended the year as the Reserve Champion Novice Amateur All-Around.  For those non-horse people out there, this basically means that we didn't suck too bad!  :)

To finish up the 2016 season, we loaded up to compete at the American Paint Horse Association World Show in Fort Worth, Texas.  Yes, Texas.  For inquiring minds, that's a 15 hour drive with a truck and trailer, four people and Horse Show Haddie.  It was a LOOONGG trip, but so worth it!

Quick recap:  We left Thursday night.  Hauled through the night.  Pulled into Fort Worth at lunch time Friday.  Settled in and rode.  Ate amazing Mexican food.  Slept.  Rode Saturday morning.  Eat some steak.  Practiced Showmanship.  Washed, banded and prepped for our class.  Practiced again.  Slept.  Woke up at the butt crack of dawn.  Showed Sunday.  Made the Finals!!  Placed SEVENTH at the World Show!  Took pictures.  Loaded up and were leaving at 11:30am Sunday.  

Quick trip, eh?  But it was so worth it!!

While we were in Ft. Worth I'd met a reporter for the APHA Journal and she mentioned that our 'story' might be in the World Show issue of the magazine.  I eagerly waited for the issue to hit the western store in town!  

 

As I flipped through the issue that water works really started...

Last season was pretty remarkable, but I've set some big goals for this year too!  I made the decision to 'level up' my riding and show full time with a the trainer that helped me prepare for the World Show.  She is really helping my riding and I'm already noticing a difference in just two shows.  It's a long season and I'm very excited to see just what Louie and I can accomplish together this year!

This Year It's Not A Resolution, But A Commitment

As last year came to a close I found myself thinking, "What do I what in 2017?"

And then it came to me...

My commitment is 'Do More of What Makes Me Happy'!

I found myself grabbing a scrap piece of paper and coming up with a quick list of things that make me happy.  

By all means this isn't a complete list, but I'll tell you so much of this makes me happy (or will keep me happy) and that's what this year is about!  

Show horses.  You better believe that I'll still keep showing my fancy horse.  Louie and I had a great 2016, but I'd like to make 2017 epic!

 

Baking.  Especially during the winter months.  It's too hot and humid in the summer to heat up the house too much!

 

Hang with my tribe.  I have great friends.  They are near and far; and I'll do as much wine sipping and road tripping with them as I can!

 

 

Snuggle my dogs.  Who wouldn't want to snuggle them?

 

Listen to more vinyl and live Texas Country music.  My turntable has been getting a workout!  I'm missing a few classics, but the collection I have speaks to me.  And Texas Country; lots of back and forth trips to the honky-tonk bar where they play.  Because they wear cowboy hats and boots, not skinny jeans.

Wear more vintage, sequins, feathers and turquoise.  Maybe even all at once!  

Slay in the gym.  I freaking love working out at my gym.  I feel like a rock-star when I hit a PR (personal record) and we just have so much fun!

 

Ag-vocate.  Speak with passion about agriculture.  That may be in-person or online.  People need to know where their food comes from.  Period.  I'm happy help connect the dots!

Let go of negativity.  That could be people, social issues or body issues.  Don't mess with my happy.

Swappers Gonna Swap

Last month when Crystal announced another round of her Beauty Swap, I totally forgot to sign up and then went into panic mode thinking I was too late!  Thankfully when I remembered there was still a few days to get signed up.

I don't know if it was because Ashley and I both signed up late or what, but I got another GREAT swap partner this time around!  Crystal literally works some serious skills matching us all up!

Ashley lives and works on a dairy farm in Michigan and has a flare for home renovation, agvocating as a FarmHer and enjoys good country music!  We've even talked about actually converging on Chicago at some point to meet up and enjoy some good food and libations!!  Keeping my fingers crossed that we can pull that off.

Okay, so back to the Beauty Swap!  Ashley and I sent countless emails discussing what sort of make-up/skin care items we use on a daily basis and then went from there.  I had told her that I was needing a good bronzer and wanted to add to my lipstick collection.  For Ashley I was on the hunt for some exciting skin care products, since she works on the farm everyday she mentioned wanting some things along that line instead of make-up make-up.  You can check out Ashley's post to see what I sent and her thoughts on each item!

As for me... Ashley sent me some really rad goodies that I'm pretty much in love with!

The Kat Von D lipstick (Lovecraft) is literally like butter on my lips!  It's like the perfect no color, color!  I'm certain Ashley selected Lovecraft for me because I had told her that I prefer to accentuate my eyes when I do a 'full face'.  She totally nailed this item.  The sample of shower oil went right into my shower and is fantastic.  I also received a sample of First Aid Beauty (FAB) face cleanser.  While I haven't used this one yet, the five star reviews are plentiful!  Ashley had previous reviewed the L'Oreal Paris Pro-Last lipstick on her blog and I was so excited to see she'd included it in my box of goodies!  I used this lipstick over weekend and it literally lasted ALL day... just like she said it would!  The UD Naked Flushed palette which features a bronzer, highlight and blush is on point!  This little ditty has definitely gotten the most use out of everything Ashley sent.  And you can't forget the Lindor egg truffles!  They're chilling in the freezer for a rainy day!!!

I'll leave you today with a picture of the handsome pony and myself this past weekend at our horse show!  We're all clear I like love the color purple, right?!?!

All Hail Friday!

It's sad when you have to refer to your calendar to remind you where and what you've done this week!  This week was softball, two nights worth for Matt and one for me... It was fun playing again!

Top that with meetings, FFA contests and yield checks for work.  

I can't forget those nights at the horse barn either!  Louie is riding really great these days!  We have one more IPHA show this season and then it's our 'off season'.   And all that really means is I'm still riding a couple nights a week, but not showing until next Spring.

To round out the work week, tonight my pal Maggie and I are headed to Springfield for an Aaron Watson concert!  I talked a bit about him in this post and I've heard some amazing things about his shows.  Pretty excited for some 'Red Dirt' country music to come to the flatlands of Illinois!

Then this weekend is the annual Apple and Pork Festival!  Close your eyes and envision: flea markets, crafters, all the apple things... Cider. Dumplings. Fritters.

It's a Fall lover's paradise!  Too bad (or not really if you're trying to keep your horse from putting on his winter hair coat for just another week or so!) there's talk of it being in the mid to upper 80's this weekend!

I'm hoping the festival will inspire me to dig out all my fall decor and get the house in the spirit of the season!

How did you spend your week?  Have any fun plans for the weekend?

Linking up with Karli, Amy and Amanda.  

Weekend Recap

Holy smokes.  This weekend wore. me. out. 

Friday night after work I headed to the barn to get Louie ready for our first big show of the year.  After getting him all glammed up, I loaded him in the trailer and headed to the show facility.  Matt met me there, thank goodness.  He was a huge help getting Louie settled and me all organized.

It takes a lot of 'gear' to show horses.  Saddles, bridles, blankets, show halters, grooming supplies, feed, supplements, hay... The list goes on.  And that doesn't even count the stuff for me!

Friday night after tucking Louie in the for the night, Matt and I grabbed some Mexican food.  I had a margarita to help calm my nerves!  It was tasty, but I can say that I've never met a margarita that I didn't really like.

Both Saturday and Sunday mornings I was up and at 'em at O Dark Thirty or 5 in the am!  I got my make-up and hair done before leaving the house.  One less thing to actually worry about at the horse show.  I really need to get photos of the whole process that is 'showing horses', but it's really the last thing on my mind on those mornings!  After getting myself all prepped, I drove over to the show grounds to feed Louie and start getting ready. 

Long story short... 

I was worried that he wouldn't settle in and relax at this first overnight show, but he was a trooper!  We had a great weekend!  Louie and I placed in every one of our classes.  We also earned both state and national points with the American Paint Horse Association. 

I owe a HUGE "Thank You!" to Matt, my parents, my pal Maggie (who came over and was my groom/personal attendant/gopher) and my paint horse friends for all their help and support this weekend!

Handsome Louie and I in our finery!

The exhaustion and jello legs are totally worth all the fun I had this weekend!  And I'm already counting the days until our next show... 

26 days.