Spring Cleaning

Sorry for the lack of posts recently y'all. I've been dreadfully busy over the last couple of weeks! Here's what I've been up to:

• Working! Donations for the Boots, BBQ, & Boogie fundraiser are just pouring into my office! I am so grateful to all of the fantastic local businesses that have donated items for the live & silent auctions. We've got great things from The Canebrake, Tulsa Shock, Oilers Ice Center, Arrowhead Resort, Texas Rangers, and many many more. 
• Riding! Over the weekend, I rode a beautiful mule for Mossy Rock Farms in the All American Mule & Donkey Congress in Tulsa. I was floored by the quality of animals present at the show- these mules were better than half the horses I've ridden. The owners of the mule I competed on were professional, friendly, and generous. I had a great time and hope to see them next year!
• Cleaning! My mother is coming to visit us next week, and while she'll only be at the house a couple of nights for dinner, Johnny and I are scrambling to clean! We've managed to clean out most of the boxes from the living room, have finally acquired a shelf for the living room (and some bins for magazines!), and we can see the surface of the kitchen table again. Whew. I know this week is going to FLY by, and I hope we can get everything in place before madre is here.

What have y'all been up to lately? Are you busy with spring cleaning too?

Professional Equestrian!

Hello, friends! I'm feeling much better about the whole Gina situation than I did last week; while I am still upset at the university's actions, I finally got answers about what spurred this policy overhaul and have the support of many friends who want to make sure I am able to give Miss G the loving home she deserves. So while I still don't own the horse, I feel confident that I'll be able to buy her at an auction for a reasonable price.

Onto happier news: my services as a rider have recently been retained on a professional basis! I was contacted by a gentleman in North Carolina who will be showing a mule this weekend in Tulsa and needed an English rider to show the animal in a few hunt seat classes. Although I am primarily a three-day eventer (and sometimes polo player), I did compete in hunters on an NCAA equestrian team for three years. I'm a bit nervous about the horse show, but the mule's owner seemed very nice and told me he wouldn't be upset if we had an off day. The mule has won a number of titles, so I think it will be a pretty easy ride (and a great way to earn some extra cash!). I hope he'll be satisfied with my services and recommend me to all of his friends showing horses in Tulsa!

After the show, I'm heading out do to a little fundraiser PR with my boss. We're going on a trail ride in Stillwater, Oklahoma! I'm taking one of the program horses, but I have to decide which one! I can't take my favorite, Roscoe, since he's not owned by the university. I'm thinking of riding Sabir, a elderly Arabian gelding, or Speck, a world champion American Quarter Horse. Decisions, decisions!! I'm so lucky to have such a fun job.

Short Break

I haven't felt like blogging in a few days, and here's why: I am terribly worried about my horse. The university I purchased Gina from (and work for) has recently had their sales practices questioned, and as a result, have declared the sales agreement for Gina invalid, refunded my money, and reclaimed the horse. I have few details, but I know my boss (the director of the university's therapeutic riding program who sold me the horse) has been on my side and fighting for me to retain ownership. Unfortunately, the university has made their decision and will be selling Gina at either a sealed bid session or public auction. I'm worried I'll be outbid at either of these, although it seems unlikely. Gina is a middle-aged Thoroughbred mare with no racing history and a bone chip in one of her front legs. In a land of rodeos, American Quarter Horses, and many, many equines for sale, she isn't particularly desirable. However, her bloodlines are excellent, she's in good condition, and is sound; perhaps someone would buy her as an addition to their breeding program. I am treading uncertain waters, and am very, very upset. To make matters worse, the university is reconsidering their horse boarding policy: it's possible it will be eliminated altogether. So if I am able to buy Gina (again), I may need to find a new home for her. Boarding at a proper stable in this area ranges from $300-$400 per month, which is more money than I have to spend on such a thing. 

So please forgive me for taking a little break. I'll be back, hopefully with good news.

Happy April Fool's Day!

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Pink & Green Thursday: Equestrian Edition

I was inspired by Pink Preppy Lilly Lover to participate in Pink & Green Thursday! Since I'm a horse person, I thought I'd make it an equestrian edition. Even better since Miss G is quite the princess.

Lime green saddle pad & polo wraps from Wild Horse Colors

I think this green is gender-neutral enough for Mr. Moe to wear!

Pink & Green Daisy Halter from Wild Horse Colors

TOO CUTE.

Pink polo wraps from The Tack Room

These are more Princess G's style.

Oster Grooming Kit from Dover Saddlery

For the pink-loving equestrian in your life!

Lime green Protech splint boots from Rod's

Perfect for splashing through the mud on XC courses.

So much pink & green horse gear! I don't know if any of it is really for me- my equestrian style is much more subdued (think navy, white, black)- but it sure is fun to look! Happy Thursday!

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Boots, Boots, Boots

My line of work is a dirty one. Horses aren't particularly neat creatures, and I really notice it when I'm mucking stalls or paddocks. The equestrian center has a lot of chutes and pens that get muddy when there's a mere drop of precipitation, so it's important to me that I have the proper footwear to deal with these conditions. I've already sung the praises of the Sperry Topsider Cormorant boot, but the time has come for me to buy a new pair of Wellies. My old, adorable pink-and-green plaid pair just gave up after two months at the barn. With Oklahoma's wild spring weather, I just know I'll need a new pair soon (before it starts raining again)! Here's what I'm considering:

Hunter Huntress Boot, $125

Sperry Topsider Pelican Tall Boot, $70

LL Bean Bean's Wellies, $59

Thoughts? I would love to hear your reviews/opinions/ideas on Wellies!

Fundraisers

Part of my job at the therapeutic riding center is planning fundraisers. Since we're a nonprofit, our funding comes mainly from grants and private donors. We're lucky enough to receive money from a local university (we're part of their community outreach program) as well as local public school that send their students to us for lessons. However, the struggling economy has caused foundations to reduce giving and state and federal government cuts have reduced our contract with the schools by $35,000. So this year, it's more important than ever that we have successful fundraisers! I speak for everyone at work when I say we love what we do and we want to continue to serve our special needs riders!

Boots, BBQ, and Boogie, our oldest annual fundraiser, is now in its seventh year! It's held at Cain's Ballroom in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and is full of good food, great music, and live and silent auctions. This year promises to be better than ever, as Paul Bogart is returning to entertain us, Trail's End BBQ is providing dinner, and we've got a whole slew of wonderful items to auction off. If you'll be in Tulsa on Saturday, June 11, don't miss it! If you'd like to buy tickets, don't hesitate to send me an email.

In August, we're partnering with the Arrowhead Polo Club to put on our first annual Chukkers for Charity! The club will play a match just for us, and there will be barbecue to buy, beers to drink, a champagne toast sponsored by Land Rover, and fun for everyone! And of course, like any good polo match, the halftime divot stomp is a must!!

After such a busy summer, we're planning to relax on our benefit trail ride in October on the beautiful Williams Ranch in Skiatook, Oklahoma. It's a two day ride, with a chuckwagon supper, campfire, and wagon rides on Friday night, and riding and lunch on Saturday. There will also be belt buckles available and lots of door prizes.

I am so excited for all of these fundraisers- not only are they fun events for everyone involved, they're benefiting a great cause! If you're interested in sponsoring, donating, or participating in any of these events, please let me know! You can reach me at prairieprep@gmail.com!