Marathon weekend post #1

This may feel like a marathon of a post.  As it also felt like a marathon of a weekend.  I will squeeze all Friday and Saturday horse activities into this post and save  Sunday for another.  Because so much adorable media for Sunday.  I am severely lacking in media from the show.  My phone has no memory left.

SO we've got a lot to cover and not a lot of time to do it.  It's pretty much nonstop in my life so documenting it all is tough.  This past weekend was a busy one.  It was exhausting.  A bunch of running and not much sleep.  And I am taking the advice of many of you to heart about not worrying about cleaning and just focus on making memories because that is what really matters.  I completely agree.  So long laundry pile! We've more fun stuff to do.  Though you are not allowed to be offended if you ever come visit and there is no where to sit due to laundry covering the surface of all my couches!  Deal?  Deal!

It all started Friday evening with a  Pony Club tack cleaning party.  Not much to cover there.  Pretty much self explanatory.  Haul massive amounts of tack to someone else's house so the kids can sit together and clean tack.  It is far too much work to haul everything around but it did get the kids to clean their and MY tack while I drank sangrias so that's not so bad.

Saturday we slowly got moving to head out to a little show that had a few jumper classes mixed into the  combined tests.  We were meeting Monica and B out there which was the most exciting part!  I like the fact that there were times given for the jumper classes.  Showing up to do our classes at 11?  Not bad at all. The plan was to take myself, Steady, Elaina and Lego to do the 2ft, 2'3" and 2'6" classes.  Kelcie was watching us pack up and asked if she could go.  I wasn't planning to take her because she was to go to her games practice that evening but who can resist my sweet adorable Kelcie wanting to jump?  Not me.  So she too loaded up all her stuff and off we went.  I think Monica thought we were crazy rolling in 15 min. before the first class opened.  But I am probably one of he least likely people to get stressed out that you'll ever meet.  Like stress is not in my constitution.  I'm pretty sure that is the only way one could survive the hectic life I lead.  If I easily stressed I would be the most miserable person on the planet.  I work best under pressure and everything must be done quickly but NEVER rushed.  I got on Steady and he was, well, Steady at cold, windy spring show.  Not awful, not mean just his high energy can't stand still self.  6 years into this with him I think it's time to accept that is just who he is.  This behavior used to stress me and frustrate me.  I used to think I could train him out of it,  or he would grow out of it.  Nope it is just him.

Dis horse, Dis face, Dos eyes

I didn't want to jump in the warm up before the first class.  A) I could feel the ball of energy under me that I did not want to unleash.  B) it was a sloppy wet day and the footing was questionable.  And C) we were going to jump 10 2 ft jumps in the class.  That kind of sounds like a warm up if you ask me.  My trainer convinced me to take him out and jump a couple things in warm up.  Well it was interesting and I'm glad there weren't too many people out there with us.  Less people to mow down with my wild horse.  I tried slowing him down without hauling in his face.  I mean that's an actual goal of mine right now in my riding. Yes I set goals that ridiculous because I really ride that bad.

Anyways I'm dragging this out and there is no need or time for that.

2 ft class:

 

• Amy and Steady - really fast,  he has no respect for 2 ft jumps.  I circled him in front of jump 8 because it was a tight turn and he was barreling a bit out of control by that point.  But otherwise an uneventful round.

closest thing to media I have. It cut out right at jump 6 where he really started ignoring me and getting fast.

• Elaina and Lego - They were prefect.  Of course.
• Kelcie and Penny - Kelcie asked if she should trot or canter.  I told her it's up to her. If she felt penny wad listening then canter or if she was getting too fast then trot. I could tell when she picked up the canter and jumped jump 1 that penny was going the, too fast, route and Kelcie made the right decision and trotted the rest of the course.  As always penny is very obedient and the sweetest pony but she vang easily barrel around at ridiculous speeds which is no good for jumping.

Placings
1st  Elaina and Lego
3rd Kelcie and penny
4th Amy and steady

They actually told me Kelcie got 4th and me 3rd but I'm not completely positive the correct way to score jumpers but if Kelcie is a slower time yet I circle in front of a jump then I should be counted a refusal and Kelcie should beat me out.  The kid deserved a better placing than me.  She rode better and her pony behaved better.

2'3"

• Amy and Steady - this class was better.  He started to relax after standing around at the gate for an hour.  I started to speed up 3/4 the way through and wasn't adjustable the way I'd like but he does know how to go out and jump all the things.  We went clear and went clear on the jump off.

• Elaina and Lego - Do I need to say it? Besides them needing to fine tune and more tactful things of making a good horse and rider pair. They still go out with control and knock out a course.  Clear for them in both rounds.

• Kelcie and Penny sat this out.  I thought she might be able to do this class also cause they can jump 2'3". But after seeing that they really jacked up all the jumps and put in like 5 oxers I asked if she wanted to and she said nope.  Which I was happy about. So Kelcie spent the next couple hours cantering around the warm up.  :) their adorable.  And at a really small low key show this isn't an issue so I let her have at it.

Placings
1st Amy and Steady
2nd Elaina and Lego

An dat tail make erryone jealous.  M and B in background <3

2'6"

• Amy and Steady - by this time Steady was chill and this round rode perfectly.  He was adjustable,  listening and I wish every round could go so well.  Clear in both the class and jump off.

• Elaina and Lego - as if your doubted they were great.  Don't get me wrong he is not the easiest ride. But she is a good rider and can get him there.  Though I'd be happier if she got him there straighter but they have only been together a couple months and they will get there with the finesse. Both rounds double clear.

Placings
1st Amy and Steady
2nd Elaina and Lego

 

It was really fun competing against my kids.  We've never done that before.  And it was pretty awesome that my kids got to beat their mom.  At least in one class.  They deserved it. They were better.  But let's be clear I'm not the mom who will "let" their kid win.  If they want to beat me then they better work to earn it.  But I'm also truly happy when they do beat me fair and square.

We were not able to stick around until they placed the 2'6" class So the amazing M picked up our ribbons for us.  We had to quickly load up and head home.  Swap out horses for ponies and head to the games lesson.  K and M ride Penny and Lily and a Pony Club family brings and extra pony for E to ride.  I won't labor on about the games lesson.  I'll just say the kids love it.  They are starting to get the hang of some of the games and getting a bit more brave and adding a little speed into the mix.  My kids are pretty good riders but it adds a whole new element when you are talking about weaving poles with one hand holding an object and leaning halfway off your pony to set the object on a cone or into a bucket.  They are working on their running mounts and doing quite well.  M has a hard time with it though.  She is just not built for it right now.  But E can mount from a trot now and is working on the canter and K can actually now hop on from a stand still so next will be working on walking.  That is one of the most fun things to learn.  It's just cool to be able to run along side your pony and jump on. 

 

Horse Mom

I am going to wrap up into one post the many Lessons and clinics that I have been to lately.  No, not as a participant but as a chauffeur, brunt labor, hydrator and spectator.  It seems my life is becoming more and more of that and less and less of me actually getting to participate in the horse activities.  There is a sadness and a feeling of loss there.  But it is freaking amazing getting to do this with my kids and all my kids no less.  No being torn in different directions with different interests.  Nope we all just get to gorge ourselves to our hearts content on all things equine.  Some times probably a bit too much.  But it is hard to resist when it is so much fun!  Like the other night.  We set out for a "little" trail ride at about 6pm while hubby is cooking dinner(I know it's sickening how spoiled I am).  All 4 of us on our perfectly matched equine partners.  We got so engrossed in trails and fun and jumping things that we failed to return home until about 9:30!  Hubby was a tad irritated that dinner he had made was now cold.  I can't blame him but he quickly got over it because we all had smiles ear to ear.  I have concluded that I am probably the absolute worst at adulting.  I have a messy house, piles of laundry and so many chores to be done and an entire unscheduled weekend to do it.  Guess what I got done?  A boat ride, a trail ride, trip to a tack store, a hike, hanging out in the hot tub about 2 hours each day and that is pretty much it.

Well here is a run down of all the clinics and lessons that have kept me in the barn and got me out of the house chores!

All girls took a vaulting lesson.  It's a strange sport but fun.  I think all the kids liked running around the barn in socks just as much as flying around on horses.

Kelcie practices vaulting.

Macy's turn.

It's hard to see but that is K standing up.

Show jump lesson with David Beisel.  E and K both had a lesson with David.  It was Elaina's first outing with Lego and he was bit amped at the beginning. It didn't take long for his draft roots to show and he calmed nicely.  He did everything asked of him and E really liked David.  Kelcie had to spend most of the lesson slowing Penny down.  That is par for the course with those two..lol

K in the adorablest pony lesson evar!

So much blur but ermahgerd so much cute!

2 Games lessons for K and M and even E got to borrow a pony for one of the lessons.  These are always really fun for the girls.  If you are not familiar with games it is one of the Pony Club sports but it is also an international competitive sport.  The kids really enjoy it and it is a fun way to improve your balance, seat and stickability without even thinking about it because you are playing games.  They involve all sorts of props.  Too many to list but watch some you tube videos and I'm sure you'll be pulling out all kinds of barrels, poles,  coffee mugs,  cones,  tennis balls,  buckets, sticks etc wanting to get your game on. Watch these hard core gamers do running mounts.  It's super fun.  E has been perfecting her running mount on Lily.  No photos of games but here is a video of a badass girl and her pony and a gratuitous Corgi eating ice cream photo.

And M grazing L after a games lesson.

Watch this video to see how crazy fun Games looks!

Kelcie did her D2 Certification.  We hauled Penny to Twin Towers the local horse park and basically hung out while K was tested all day.  If you aren't familiar with a Pony Club Certification Test.  Well it's intense to say the least.  They are tested in every single aspect of horsemanship, horse management, veterinary care, riding on the flat, show jump and XC.  They and their horse must be impeccably turned out and know their stuff.  K passed with flying colors!  She studied and practiced hard to do so.

XCing like a badass

Nailed it!  Then braided her pony's mane with her friends.

Walking out to XC course.

Eventing clinic for all 3.  This was a one day clinic with each having a lesson in each phase over the one day.  OMG! Mom overload.  This day was exhausting.  The kids had fun and learned a lot and that was the point.  But dammit all if it did like to kill me!  Lego was perfect.  Lily was for flat and SJ but as per normal lost her shit a bit XC and unseated M. Then she did enough theatrics for  Mom to get to ride that day. I always make it a point that if I have to get on you because you are misbehaving for a child you better believe that you sure as hell will regret it.  Macy was able to get back on after Lily's time out with mom and Got to go over Couple things to end their otherwise great day!

Her quote of the day, "MOM I LOVE THIS HORSE!!!!"

Our pretty regular view.

K and her friends that all passed the Pony Club Certification the day before all rode in the clinic together.

These two <3

What you find at the end of 2 really long, tiring, fun horse filled days.  Smiling collapsed 9 year old in the trailer.

Does it get more perfect?

What does she do when she gets home?  Read a horse book of course.

Mah girls!

XC schooling for E and Lego.  That horse has not disappointed.  He has over and over proven to be the coolest horse I have ever owned.  Jumps anything and everything you point him at.  Is not lazy and never gets overly anxious about anything.  He is a dream.  We hadn't really seen him go XC before and again he proved to be a saint.  Jumped everything he was pointed at.  Popped over the ditches with no thought, up banks, down banks.  In the field completely alone? NBD.  Such a cool horse.  Damn lucky kid.

Damn lucky kid!

M jump lesson. It was a brisk, windy day and all 3 horses in the lesson were feeling it.  All being pretty green riders on enthusiastic horses they ended up doing a lot of flat work with a gymnastic line worked in at the end.  M and Lily did great!

Not from actual lesson but Macy and Lily <3

Coming up on the docket?  Me spending all my damn money on these kids.  I will keep complaining about it.  Even though I am still going to do it I just have to vent that to the universe once in a while.


Wednesday weekly lessons for me with M.
Kids having a tack cleaning party with PC Friday (think I can sneak my tack in on this party?)
Little jumper show Saturday for me and E with Monica and B!
XC schooling for K and E this weekend
E starts working for trainer at her barn 2 days a week and Lego over nighting and lessoning both days.  So excited for this opportunity for her.
Following week is Pony Club camp all 3 kids for 4 days
the next week a lesson M and K
the next week is Mega rally for all 3 girls at Kentucky horse park.  3 days for  M and K. 5 days for E. We will be camping there.  Maybe I will do the Midsouth horse trial that weekend.  Maybe?
That will take us through June and by then we will all need a break. My bank account included!

Late Bloomer

While all of you have been at it this spring.  Competing, lessoning, clinicing. I've been here just loading up the trailer and hauling my kids around to lessons, clinics and XC schoolings.  That's as close to a lesson that I have gotten in a long, long while.  That is, until yesterday.

I finally got to pack up the trailer for me and Steady and headed to EME for a jump lesson.  I had no idea how it was going to go down because I haven't ridden in a solid 2 maybe even 3 weeks.  YIKES!  How has time gotten away from me?  I won't go into long detailed play by play of the lesson.  I will say that the more lessons I take from M the more I love her.  She knows exactly what my horse and I need.  It was one of the most "in control" jump experiences that I have ever had on Steady.  She was trying to get me to avoid getting him strung out and running at fences. It started Ok but he did start getting too excited for the tiny x bounce we were doing.  She got on him and got him sorted out then told me how to ride him.  It is all about straightness.  I didn't even realize how crooked he would get jumping.  But if he was straight and I sat and waited to the base of the jump he was like a different horse.  No more holding on for dear life, pulling and dragging to the next fence.  I was actually learning to ride my horse from back to front and it was amazing.  There was a whole heck of a lot of right leg involved and as soon as I would forget to use it he would immediately drift his hind end right.  She told me I need to bring it back down a notch and go to some shows and just do baby stuff so I can just concentrate on having a thinking ride and not thinking about jumps.  So we may be hitting up the little local hunter/jumper circuit and play around in classes with little kids...lol.  Maybe I'll enter the same classes as Kelcie.  Watch her and Penny beat me!


On an unrelated note but something that has been bugging me.
Has anyone else noticed how nasty the horse industry can be to itself?  It is disheartening.  I will just say when someone bad mouths another trainer in any way I immediately lose some respect for the one bad mouthing.  Not the one they were hoping to bring down.  Can I just say I don't care, how you know them, if they were mean to you, what they did to you or even how much money they owe you.  Whether or not you think they are a qualified to teach it is really none of your business.  It is unprofessional and tacky to spread that around the horse world like it's your job to ruin them.  Damaging their reputation doesn't just hurt their business but it also hurts yours.  So you are kinda shooting yourself in your own foot.  I have been around long enough to know that everyone pisses off someone at some point in their life.  And that we all even screw up sometimes but for those screw ups to follow us around by way of our competitions mouths.  Yuck.  So please unless a person has abused a horse(then I am all for you telling people) then STFU!  Stepping off the soap box now.

The Haul

I am NOT a shopper.  I do all I can to stay out of stores as much as humanly possible.  I don't like spending money and I don't like looking through a thousand items saying, "omgee isn't this so cute?!"  That actually makes me want to poke out my own eyeballs with a  hot fire poker.  I don't believe in retail therapy.  Going shopping stresses me out and I feel like I need therapy afterwards.  See I just don't like it.  So Rolex is actually perfect for the I hate to shop shopper.  It is a one stop shop.  Anything you could want will be there for purchase.  If you know where the vendors are you can stop in get what you need and walk out.  Or you can peruse to your hearts content or you can go watch horses.  So I save up for this reason.  I'd rather pay a bit more at Rolex then look for 2 months online for the best deal.  See I don't even like online shopping either.  Because I have saved up for it and have the money set aside specifically to spend that weekend I don't get the guilt that come with typical shopping and spending money that I usually get.

This year I had a smaller list than in years past.  I had no 'big' item to purchase and I had 3 kids that could use a few things.  Get your kids into horses.  It'll be good for them.  And you'll regret it every time you try to balance your budget.  Just got questioned by the husband yesterday why I have about $200 a month each month in just pony club expenses.  Opps, my response is.  I actually have purposely not been keeping track.  You should try that coping method.  I think it works a bit better than the checking the bank account and balancing the budget. 

So a budget of only $500 will get you pretty far.  There were some cheap but functional purchases, some needs fulfilled, some wants, possibly a drunk purchase, some super good deals AND one purchase that will make the whoriest of tack whores proud.

4 Pairs of schooling breeches 2 for M and 2 for E that were $11.99 each.  They had to do a bit of digging and trying on but they are old enough I left them to it and went to buy some other fun stuff.

1 Pair of XS Woof Boots for K and Penny.  Those are not pictured because we had to purchase them and have them ordered and shipped because they did not carry the XS pink boots.  These where actually a good deal for $26.  I haven't been able to find them on sale and are usually $38.  They were one of two things on Kelcies list.  The other was a fly mask for Penny.  The boots.  I can't wait to see how tiny and adorable they will look on Penny.

1 fly mask for Penny $21.

Purple slow feed hay bag $42 for K and Penny

Pink and black cotton lead $5.  K and Penny

Noble Equine athletic wear shirts 8 assorted colors and sizes for all 4 of us. ranging from $7-$11.  Awesome deal!

3 Pairs of Noble Equine schooling gloves. $6.95  I am actually kicking myself I didn't by more of these.  You can't have enough schooling gloves with 4 people riding.  Me, K and M.

Things I needed:

SmartPack Lined dressage leathers $52.  You can get this price online right now a SP but they were a nice leather and the best price I could find from any of the vendors.

Compsiti Irons with royale blue grips  $37  They are a good quality less expensive composite stirrup.  I wasn't sure if I was ready to buy into the composite thing but for that price who cares really if they are only a fad for a year or two.

A splurge for the super Corgi was a new rolled leather engraved brass collar and lead.  Cause the best dog ever needs fancy.  This was a day drinking purchase so I am not %100 on what I paid.  Most likely far too much for a collar and lead but it was worth it.  I am thinking it was in the range of $85ish.

I happened upon some nice free t-shirts for the girls and I. $0

And lastly my purchase that would make a tack whore drool.  Thanks to my friend that knows her tack and how to sniff out a good deal.  I now own a bridle that is far more fancy than any of my animals.  I told Elaina she could have it for Lego but I may have to steal it back if I ever make into a fancy dressage show.  It is a Vespucci Rolled leather Dressage bridle.  It is double bridle but it is easy enough to take out the extra piece.  I find it funny that the bridle my daughters horse will wear retails for the same amount as the actual horse cost.  I paid $75 for it.  This is the bridle.


Which totaled up left me at about $435 which is about right because I even made it home with a few dollars in my pocket.

Over all I am super happy with all my purchases.  We got practical things and some fun stuff.

Doing Rolex, the right way.

Sooooo it's been a while. Many, many amazing things have gone on that has pretty much made the month of April a wash as far as any productivity in real life goes.  Hint; Real life is over rated.  Really though I love my real life and am grateful for all the fun stuff I've gotten to do but I am ready to just stay home, ride, boat and play in the woods.  And maybe work here and there...lol What?  You mean that shouldn't be considered real life?  Haha then you are not doing life right. 

My April consisted of a week on vacation on St. Augustine FL.  Pony club clinics and activities galore.  A week in Ocala, FL exploring horse country and attending Ocala International (more on that trip later) and to close out the month, an EPIC Rolex adventure.

I will be covering the Rolex adventure in this post.  I love reading everyone's Rolex experiences.   For some it was their first time.  Some traveled halfway across the country to attend.  Some loved it, for some it was just Meh.  I have been going to Rolex for several years now. For a few years I did the just XC day, which is OK.  For the past 4 I've gone full bore 4 full days but this year I think I finally perfected how an Eventer does Rolex!  There are many factors that go into the perfect Rolex experience.

1.  It's all about who you know.  I have a massively amazing group of ladies that I have been doing this trip with for the last 4 years. I have the shopping conasuere.  She is quite the tack whore that knows where and how to find the good stuff.  Remember I am a tack slut.  My only requirements are a) is it cheap b) is it functional.  But this amazing lady can sniff out buttery soft leather and fancy Dubarry Jackets like she was born to.  It also helps to get he champagne flowing in the Dubarry tent when you have a friend that will actually drop $600 on a "I'll only wear it a few times" coat.  Really it's all in who your friends are.  Then you have the encyclopedia.  Seriously a girl that knows every rider, their horses name, where they have competed recently, the breed of their horse, where every course walk is, who is where and when and make sure we are at the right place at the right time.  I just pretty much drink and follow her.  The best jump to see Phillip Dutton at?  Well she has it timed out and planned out how to be there.  Then you have the mother hen.  Who makes sure you can find the potty when all the Day drinking catches up and you have to pee and remind you that you probably should eat at some point.  A liquid diet is only responsible if it involves more than alcohol.  And what do I offer to the group well I am really quite good at sniffy out free stuff, providing music, yummy food and a camp site.

Some of my amazing crew.

2. In the prefect Rolex experience.  Don't be ashamed of day drinking.  Really and after a few glasses of champagne in the Dubarry tent you won't really notice the dirty looks from the Responsible Pony Club moms.

3.  Have really awesome kids that will trek all over kindom come without a peep of complaint.  Even when your mother accidently drops you in the water jump in front of an entire group of course walkers and you have to walk the rest of the day in wet tennis shoes.  How does that even happen?  Trust me I'm talented.  Hey I have never claimed to be a good Mom.  I mean who does that to their kid?  They really are troopers.  And when mom has had about 4 too many they even clean up dinner and put themselves to bed despite the obnoxiously loud music and carrying on outside the camper.  Not mention when the police showed up...OPPS!  Yep.  That happened.

This was just the start of a very wild night. 

4. All the other things I have done the passed 3 years which has made Rolex our highlight of the spring but what made it absolutely perfect?  Camping at the park.  I never want to do Rolex another way.  No worries about having to drive after all the day drinking.  Pretty much my entire Indiana Eventing Posse camp which makes for a wildly fun party in the evenings.  And is there anything better than campfires, music, dancing and horse friends?  Not often that we get to hang out with our horse buddies and not be at a show or a clinic and have horses to care for and actually have to be sober to ride.  But a Rolex?  All bets are off.  We most likely took it a step too far and that became more clear when the police rolled up and we all scattered to our rightful campers.  But it was SO MUCH FUN!

Why do I do all 4 days?  I can assure you it is not because I am interested in watching the same dressage test ridden a million times because I saw all of 2 tests.  They were good ones though, Mark Todd and Phillip Dutton on one of his mounts Copper Beach, and that is all that counts.  Quality not quantity. Why the home body that I am and would rather stay home than almost anything looks forward to Rolex next year before I even pack up to go home on Sunday?


Thursday, to shop.  You get to see everything, touch everything and search for the few and far between deals.  All without being touched by cracked out shoppers that only show up one day and think they deserve to push their way through everyone just to get their fix.  And drinking

Friday is for a bit more shopping, read- go back and buy all the things you scoped out on Thursday, talked yourself out of but couldn't stop thinking about lying in bed that night so you run back and buy as soon as the trade show opens.  And course walking.  Following around big time riders, not being able to keep up or hear a word they say but it doesn't really matter because your back pack has drinks in it.  And the Dubarry tent.  Because if you're smart at all, all your hunting type shopping better have been done Thursday because people. And now we wander, drink all the alcohols we can find and scope out free stuff. Oh and drinking.

Course walking with Doug Payne.  Someone needs to explain to these people that us mere mortals cannot walk at 10 mph up hill in tall grass.  Think of the Corgi's people and old ladies.

Saturday, you won't catch me dead spending any amount of time shopping.  Nope, no way.  Freaking madhouse.  Saturday is all about XC.  Seeing 2-3 horses at each jump then moving on to the next.  Following my encyclopedia around getting the low down on every rider.  She makes it so easy to have a drink in one hand an umbrella in the other and still be in the know.  And pretending that we have the authority to critic these bad ass riders.  "Ooooo they jumped that so nicely",  "Oh man! they really took a long spot there.", "Is that a chickenmonkey on that horse or is that Buck?"  Seriously that man is amazing but sometimes he makes you close your eyes.

What Corgi's think of a wet XC day.  Why mom, why?

shout out to the awesome corgi umbrella!

Just Done.

Sunday we've done several ways. Watch some SJ from the sidelines.  We've bought Stadium seats but this year we opted to do the Pony Club Stadium course walk  with the course designer, which is really an amazing opportunity.  Then pack up and head home to see the ponies and skip the exit crowd and traffic.





Cool Pony Club opportunity is they take the PCer's out on the stadium course Sunday morning and the course designer talks to them about the course. RAD!

The Sea Serpent.  Loved the drop into the head of the lake.

Look Rolex barfed in my kitchen.

 Which was perfect because it was a beautiful day and we made it home in time to dump every thing from the camper and truck into the kitchen, literally. Hook up the jet ski and play in the lake for  a few hours. Can't think of  a more fun way to end Rolex weekend.  Sure we were exhausted from walking probably 20-30 miles over the past 4 days.  Had so much crap to unpack it is stupid.  But while I am not REALLY good at much in life I am actually really good at avoiding all adult responsibilities and playing instead (if you hadn't ever noticed it's kind of my specialty)



So that my friends is how one does Rolex.  It is some what about the huge international competition, big time horses and riders but really it is SO much more.  I will have to do a separate post on what I love about shopping at Rolex.  I've read many that were disappointed by the lack of good deals.  Having done this for many years I can tell you that there are some good deals that are out there but they are few and far between.  It if far more about all the touches and all the feels.  Getting to see everything in one place. Things you have heard about our seen online but really want to see what they look and feel like.  Create want lists for future reference.  Trying on every kind of breech out there to find out what fits you best so you can watch for good deals online.  Putting your butt in fancy saddles and trying on all the XC vests.  Just in case, you know, one day you're a millionaire.  .  But I can see if you show up Saturday, Sunday and even Friday the crowds start rolling in why none of that is that much fun.  And you should always budget for at least 2 or 3 of those, "I really should not buy this but I drank just the right amount and it's SO pretty!" purchases  That's what sick days and Thursdays at Rolex are for.  Next Post what swag made it back home with me????  Now I am off to see a girl about a saddle.  Or to see a saddle fitter.