The End of an Era

 "She is telling me she is done."

Quick update on what has happened over the past couple years, between my last post and now: Ruby tore her suspensory in September of 2018; we did extensive rehab, stall rest, hand-walking, and slow progression back into work. Ruby was cleared to full work the following February; I opted to do dressage only to reduce the risk of re-tearing. 

We trained, we were working first and second level movements...and her heart was not in it. She was resistant, she was not having fun anymore, and she was trying to tell me she was done.

In October of 2019, I hopped on her bareback; we had a very enjoyable ride together, I stopped her in the middle of the ring, and I cried. I knew, in my heart, that this would be our last ride.

After 12 years of competition spanning the hunter ring (HUS and equitation), dressage, and eventing, she had earned her retirement. 

Ruby lives the life of luxury where has everyone wrapped around her little hooves and where I can still see her a few days per week. 

The Celtic-Russian Tattoo

"she got me a booking for TOMORROW!"

I am one of those people who has always had an appreciation for art, including body art. When I got Ruby all those years ago, I saw many other horse girls get tattoos as a nod to their horse riding passion- usually a flower with their horse's name, or a horse running, or horseshoe. But none of those seemed to fit "me," and I began to brainstorm...what WOULD I want?

First things first: find an artist you like! I saved pins on Pinterest, snooped pages on Facebook, and followed on Instagram- trying to find an artist that had a style that spoke to me.

Enter: Miryam Lumpini "the Witchdoctor."

I stumbled on her page a few years ago while browsing artists on Instagram. First, her name struck me as interesting as I have always loved "occult" type things like Buffy, Charmed, Lost Girl, Practical Magic and other influences which have also led to me support products like Witch Baby Soap and Ghoulish Delights. I mean, why not? Second, her talent is beyond incredible, and she had the color I wanted with the blend of illustration and art nouveau that I was looking for.

I waited.

and waited.

and waited.

After about 3 years of following Miryam, her books opened. Her studio is in LA but she had a guest spot in Atlanta for a weekend. Let me tell you, I have never clicked to respond so fast in my life! I submitted a booking application with what I thought I wanted, where I wanted it, and which day I wanted to come. Miryam is a very much desired artist, so I didn't really think anything would happen. A day later, I received a message from her booking agent.

Can you guess her booking agent's name?

Rubie.

Also, my birthday was only 2 days away.

I explained to Rubie that I wanted my tattoo to have 2 things: 1. a symbol for my Russian ancestry (I chose a snowy owl as I love owls and the snowy is indigenous to Russia and 2. symbols for my horse Ruby. Ruby was sold to me as a Connemara cross. After tons of research on ancient religions, I discovered that the gemstone Ruby was associated with the Celtic goddess of horses, Epona. How perfect is that? Epona was gifted with wreaths of roses, apples and apple blossoms, and pine cones; worshippers left these items at her altar. She carried a staff called a thyrsus (topped with a pine cone), the key to the underworld, and in some writings, ash leaves. Another great tie in- ash is my Celtic zodiac.

So, quite a list of items to fit in one piece of art! Miryam somehow found a way to tie everything together, and topped the staff with a Ruby gem (instead of a pinecone) so it was more obvious that Ruby was the inspiration for the piece. She also added the moon and stars, since I was working on SLS through Boeing/NASA at the time. 18 months later, and I still love my piece <3

It took about 10 hours of active tattooing, but we got it done in one session.

Here is a picture right after it was finished (screenshot from Miryam's IG post)





















This post was triggered by my last one with the engagement photos where I saw my tat and realized I had not mentioned it here yet! Here is the photo with a healed tattoo.

Getting a tattoo is a very serious decision and they are not for everyone. I drafted ideas for nearly 10 years and took my time finding an artist I wanted. You get what you pay for, and I knew that I was not going to go with any other artist, or skimp on cost. So glad I waited - I get to show off art from an artist I adore.

Here's to forever, Ruby, and may my body age well and keep this piece in tact (haha).

Welcome to the Family, Dan

"well of course Ruby has to be in our engagement photos"

I've been away from blogging for a while mostly due to life (engagement, marriage, honeymoon, work travel) and maybe a bit because (if we are being totally honest), blogging can be annoying and I'm too lazy to keep up with it. Plus, asking people for pictures of you and your horse so you have so fun things to look at gets real old real fast!

Dan and I got engaged spring 2017 and Ruby HAD to be a part of it. Photos by Leigh Joy Photography

Wedding happened November 4, 2017 in Charleston, SC

Honeymoon through Gate1 Travel in Montenegro, Croatia, Slovenia, and Serbia
Check out the phots on my photography site: http://stingrayimages.zenfolio.com/f430454767

Walnut Trace Schooling Show

"whoa there turbo!'

After taking it slow this year, Ruby and I decided to get out to a Walnut Trace schooling show (a jumper show with fence heights tailored to the eventing community). We signed up for 2 rounds of the Pre-Novice class (2'7").
















I just want to say: I REMEMBERED MY COURSE! Wooo!

Not gonna lie, we went into this show a bit unprepared- we have not been jumping much since the hock injections (too busy feeling that hind end in dressage!). Ruby was a little strong over the fences, but went right where she was pointed. Go pony!

No current plans, but training and looking forward to the fall season!

Add a Spring to Your Step

"So this is what is it supposed to feel like?'

After putting it off for a couple of years now, I finally caved and got the pony some hock injections (thanks to Dr. Mike at Tennessee Equine). In the winter, she has always gotten a bit stiff, but works out of it eventually. Wanting to move up the levels, which of course includes an inevitable dressage advancement, we went for it.

What a difference! At first I actually though she felt a bit off (as in lame off). Debi laughed and told me that she looked amazing- it is probably the hind end hip action I was not used to feeling. The next logical step: throw your best friend up there and see for myself!

She's so pretty <3!
Thanks Caitlin!

New Horse Survival Kit

"I just bought a horse today!"

My sister just got her first pony, a nice grey TB named Lady. After owning Ruby for almost 10 years, I have acquired a tack box full of stuff and have found out which brands I like the most.

Here is the start of a 'buyers' guide to get ready for your new horse/pony:

Horse Care:
Farrier-every 5-8 weeks depending on how fast her feet grow
Vet- for Spring/Fall shots and to be on call
Chiropractor- if you ride a lot, it is good to have this one a few times a year
Dentist- usually only need once a year
Saddle Fitter- you should have your saddle checked and adjusted 1-2 times a year
Insurance- optional; I use EMO Agency

Tack:
Bit- I would have 2, one for a dressage bridle and one for a jump bridle; basic bits are a dee ring snaffle for jumping and an eggbut snaffle for dressage
Bridle (jump, and dressage with a flash)
Saddle- good fitting saddle makes a huge difference in performance and back health; I have a Hastilow for jumping and a Custom Steffen's Advantage for dressage but there are a ton of brands out there
Support Boots- I use open front boots for jumping (thinline) and brushing boots (woof) for dressage; some people prefer polo wraps for dressage, so ask the trainer what he/she prefers
Saddle Pad (support)- if your saddle doesn't fit perfectly, use a half pad; I use the thinline sheep
Baby Pad- to keep your nice pads clean or to use if your saddle fits really well; I use the generic smarkpak baby pads (free monogramming days occasionally!)
Stirrups- obviously; I have the flex ones which some people love and other people hate
Girth- if your horse has sensitive skin, look for a fleece lined girth; otherwise the leather ones are fine

Horse Care:
Turnout Blanket- I would get a heavy for the winter if she doesn't grow a lot of hair and a light rain sheet for rainy days. Weatherbeeta is the brand I use, but the high end is Rambo
Fleece Cooler- for those sweaty rides in the cold
Leather Halter- always good to have a nice one for shows and photos
Breakaway Halter - for all other times
Fly Mask- fly barrier

Grooming Supplies:
Hoof Pick- get one with the bristles on it
Curry comb- most horses prefer the rubbery ones
Hard Brush- for body
Soft brush- for face
Mane and Tail Comb
Sweat Scraper
Scissors- spend the extra money on shears, not just cheap scissors
Solo Comb- if she doesn't like her mane being pulled, you can thin with a solo comb
Grooming Tote= super convenient for traveling; I like Kensington
Sunscreen- especially for grey horses, she will appreciate this in the summer on her nose

Medical Kit:
Farrier's Fix- hoof oil
No Thrush- Thrush
Shampoo- get a normal shampoo and a conditioner, but also an antifungal for rainrot season
Detangler- I like cowboy magic products a lot
Wound Ointment
Wraps
Fly Spray
Fly repellant (I love EquiSpot)

Shows:

Haynet

Water and Feed bucket

Trailer Clips

Mucking supplies

Other
Tack cleaning supplies- cloth, sponges, soap, conditioner

Work, Work, Work

"I think your candle is burning at both ends."

Happy Holidays! Sorry for the absence- I picked up a new, very time-consuming project at work and have had no time to do anything really! My loaned-to manager actually said to me 'you need to learn how to say no"- and he really isn't wrong.

Here are the pictures from the Riverdale show back in October :) We entered in the 2'3" division, but the jumps were on the small side so stayed for one of the 2'6" classes. Pony was awesome, but I obviously need to work on my pattern memorization haha (whoops).

Thanks to Savannah for the photos, to Caitlin/Dan/Valerie/Shane/Amir for the support, and Nance for the trailer ride!