I bought a saddle

Because clearly, reading about several other bloggers purchasing sweet new saddles and various other expensive tack items wasn't enough, I decided I'd drop some dolla dolla bills y'all and get a saddle, too.

No, but in all seriousness - I BOUGHT A SADDLE!

An Ansur Classic to be precise.

And it was my biggest equine purchase investment to date.

After completing the Virginia Highlands 55 in Mary's Ansur (race 2 in this saddle) and having nearly zero soreness and being able to ride my own horses 2 days post-ride, I was convinced I needed this saddle.

The fit of the Wintec on Q isn't bad at all. But its not perfect. The Ansur is treeless, thus less of a fit issue when compared to treed saddles. And despite being a treeless, I have had very little issue mounting from the ground on the trail.

I rode Q for 8 miles in Mary's Ansur in early August with zero issue. I rode her in a borrowed Ansur from Mary for 10 miles the weekend prior and again this past Friday for another 14.5 miles with no issue. In fact, Q moved freer in the Friday ride than she has of late. She felt as though she were absolutely floating at times - and that's saying something because this little mare floats and bounces lightly along almost always as is!
I really wanted to say something on here when I found this saddle and when I purchased it and when I got the tracking number so we could all obsessively stalk it to my door together, but I just couldn't. I'm one of those people who is convinced that if I talk too much about what seems like too good a thing then it just won't happen.

And thus I only told a couple people. Only one horse person. I knew once it arrived, if it was truly in the condition in the photos, then I'd get to blab all about it.

And show up it did. And in such amazing shape!! It was really a STEAL at the price I found it for when you consider what they sell for new and what you usually find an older model like this one in this condition priced at. I base these facts on help I received from Mary, who has served as an Ansur rep for years.

The purchase was a little risky though as I found the ad on Craigslist...in Mesa, AZ. For anyone insanely new to this blog, I live in WV. Craigslist isn't exactly what you think of for secure internet purchases! But I emailed the lady and she got right back to me wanting me to call. I refused to call until I could see further photos. She sent them! Satisfied with what I saw, I took the plunge and called. She was polite and amiable on the phone. We discussed price/shipping/payment options and it was all squared away! She shipped it the following day and I had it within a week of shipment. Nicely wrapped, packaged, and boxed (which I believe the sticker on the box shipped USPS ground said was only $24 for anyone wondering what it costs to ship a saddle).

Happy happy happy.

I'm currently awaiting a Toklat Woolbak dressage girth (because the borrowed mohair/neoprene from Mary did not make Q's skin happy AT ALL) from the Distance Depot and then we'll be all set!

Onward to happy, long trails!

2012: A Year in Review

January:

Kenai tried his hand at being a ski patrol dog during my NSP candidate training and loved it. I spent every weekend training for NSP on the mountain and loved getting in all those ski days, even if the snow sucked. There were a few phenomenal days and I really loved my first season as I learned to telemark ski. I found some time to try my hand at chasing cows and had a blast! I accepted the change in my life as a good thing and then adopted some more change in the form of a new horse, Griffin!

February:

I had some difficulty coming up with a name for Griffin at first, but I eventually settled and posted a much-awaited (at the time) photo of him. He was so little! Mountain Khakis published their first catalog and I was the featured female ambassador. NSP training, despite difficulties, continued and I really began looking forward to its conclusion in March. I also found out that my summer plans to do a Leave No Trace Master Educator course with an emphasis on stock use in the backcountry would be happening!! I also finally got the edited video of me riding a horse I helped start the summer prior. Kenai had troubles with measuring, and I visited NYC for the first time for my birthday with my mom. I got to catch up with an incredible person while I was there, too. I learned to dance with a horse.

March:

NSP training continued and I completed! Huzzah! I filmed a training session with Griffin and Kenai got to play with a starling after. We bid adieu to one of the greatest horses I've had the pleasure to know due to a freak accident. Kenai turned two! Griffin got his first trim, and I posted photos of his improvement. And the biggest thing of this month, I went to MONTANA! We squeezed in a car. We skied. And we frolicked. And we visited Yellowstone and saw WOLVES! 19 wolves from three different packs. Marked that one off my 30 before 30, big time.

April:

I spammed you with more photos from MONTANA. And I shared a video of us skiing western powder (squee!). And then spammed you with videos of the horses. And Griffin started tagging along on trail rides. I took a moment to reflect on how incredibly awesome life is. Griffin discovered his inner idiot. I updated on my year of yoga (which failed miserably due to a shoulder injury) and gave yummy recipe ideas. Somehow I had a ton of time to read books. We went to the Equine Affaire, too. Oh and of course, there were a lot of Griffin updates!

May:

I focused on the fact that I needed to be more present in my every day life instead of always looking toward the future. I scored a sweet deal on some minimalist shoes for running in a hope to start running more (which never happened because my ankles are whiny little bitches). I spent a fun week of adventuring and training with Griffin. I had a really big weekend of photography for prom, an engagement shoot, and finally went climbing. This Wordless Wednesday post got a heck'ova'lotta hits for some reason. I had another memorable weekend watching my good friend Chris graduate from college, taking photos for two of my best friends for their engagement, and ground driving Griffin. I went to a clinic/trail ride weekend in the southern part of the state with friends and met Q; I then proceeded to ask advice on her and ended up buying her. I think its safe to say she was a pretty good decision!

June:

I threw myself into life with two horses full-force. I found out that Q hates bears, but really doesn't mind ground poles, and she really has a knack for jumping! I got to fulfill a mini-dream of mine and play with Freisians for a day (and many after, actually). I finally left for 2½ weeks in the Great Smoky Nat'l Park where I learned to pack horses and practice Leave No Trace concepts.

July:

I re-hashed my pack experience gone wrong in three different parts (part I, part II, part III); it is the longest story I've told on my blog to-date, and was really hard for me to tell at the time. I went on a crazy-fast 20-mile training ride with a local endurance rider on two of her horses. And jumped back in action with my own horses, while finally pondering some of Griffin's potential TWH background. I continued to spend a lot of time with my horses, photographed one of my best friend's wedding, celebrated Griffin's birthday, and had an absolute blast fulfilling a childhood dream of riding my own horse in a parade!

August:

With August came the start of the coveted 30-mile ride. I had some pre-race anxiety, but Q exceeded all my expectations for this ride and did AMAZINGLY. I was (and still am) so happy with her performance. To get my mind of horse things I went and saw Mumford and Sons the weekend following the race (THEY ARE SO AWESOME LIVE!!). I shared a huge post of new experiences with my horses and then went to fulfill yet another horse-related childhood dream (wow, I really fulfilled a lot of these this year) and rode at Spruce Knob.

September:

I took some time this month to summarize the progress that both Q and Griffin had made during our time together. Q got a mystery ailment (which is still a mystery, though I lean toward a friction/heat cause) and I freaked out a bit and ended up not doing any more training or races this year because of it. I made the decision to really devote myself to getting into a better fitness routine for the upcoming ski season/life. I also dabbled with both horses lunging in a quasi-liberty exercise and decided it was something I would work on more this winter after I established both horses on the ground a little more. I embraced my favorite WV season (autumn) with several pursuits outdoors; this state is absolutely magical in the fall.

October:

Q and I did our second parade; the weather wasn't as great, but she did phenomenally again! A friend came and photographed Q and I jumping; our form is really improving. I spent a lot of time on the rail trail goofing around riding with cyclists instead of other horses. Q continued to amaze me during our last trail ride of the season.

November:

Frankenstorm (Hurricane/Superstorm Sandy) trashed my trails as over 3 feet of snow was dumped at the higher elevations. At this writing they are still clearing trees from roadways. I don't know if any of my summer trails will be the same for awhile. The horses weren't hurt, only a little sore. The weekend after the storm I put away studying to explore the woods with the ladies on horseback. Q and I had a blast. I worked on trailer loading with the horses some, and then goofed off with Freisian horses more. And then I went to Cape May with my bff Mandy and we caught some raptors and I met Dom IRL! Griffin's really gotten big and solid as of this month, and Q exceeded any expectation I had for her in our third parade of the year - a night parade.

December:

I reviewed 23 things I've learned in my 23 year of life. Spent a rainy Sunday training Griffin; put in my first ride on him. I spent an unnaturally warm December day climbing (finally). I took some time to recollect resolutions and goals I had for the year and make some new ones for the upcoming year, and I finally updated everyone on fitness and what I'd learned from my readings.

Man, 2012 was a busy year full of fun adventures, welcoming horses into my life, and developing myself as a person. Here's to a new year, new adventures, building upon foundations I've laid, and making 2013 the best year yet.