Cleaning Closets

Up until now, my side saddle fund has been $2000.  It has been minorly depleted by shipping the first one in, then off to consignment.  Then shipping the second one in and returning it.  And once I went fox hunting in Virginia which took a nice little chunk out of it....  I have been able to replace it, while also buying related necessary side saddle equipment like girths, long reins, vet wrap and Oakwood conditioner.  But, due to my long legs and my horse's round ribs, it has become apparent that the price range I really need to be shopping in is not the $1500-$2000 range, but the $2500-$3000 range.  I have two possible candidates on the radar in this price range.

With that in mind, I have been hoeing out bookcases, closets, the attic, the basement shelves, in search of under appreciated items that I do not want as much as I want a side saddle.  I've made trips to the consignment shops, listings on Craigs list, Amazon and shortly Ebay to take advantage of America's upcoming festival of spending and self indulgence known as Christmas.  I have been hoarding boxes and padded envelopes, and portioning out my stock of packing peanuts and bubble wrap.  I have denied myself little luxuries like new clippers and tack room clocks. If all goes as estimated, by spring I will have grown my cash stash enough to embark on another saddle shopping spree.

But not to worry, I am still accumulating side saddle treasures.  It seems my mother is also in the midst of "fall clean-up" and I found these gift wrapped and sitting on my tack trunk the other day.

This set of hard board placemats has three side saddle images on them.  I had forgotten they existed, and I am very pleased to have them.  Isn't that the best way to clean your closet?  Get rid of clutter AND give a treasured gift?

Thanks Mom!

Christmas Shopping

Well you all haven't heard from me for awhile! Fear not, I am not discouraged or put off of riding aside, I am just saddleless at the moment. I am still researching and enjoying all things side saddle.

My family has not exchanged Christmas gifts in years, but we still enjoy a portion of holiday consumerism. We tend to buy things for ourselves instead which isn't a bad system. My husband and I have a route of antique stores that we frequent about every two or three months. Two weeks ago I scored a Royal Worcestershire mug with a hunting scene.

What caught my eye first was the grey horse ridden aside. But I am slow to pick up "dustables" as our house is small and already full.

The back has the first verse and chorus of the hunting song "Do You Ken John Peel" which interested me. but, the final stroke was that when I inspected the signature on the art, it was the same last name as my own. Oh very well! I'll take it.

I was still a bit put out over the cost as I thought $30 was a little much for a hunting mug outside of hunting country. But when I got home and looked on eBay I decided it wasn't out of line.

This past Sunday, I found another piece of Royal Worcestershire in another store. A little pin dish just like this one for $7, but I left it behind. That's $7 that can go into my saddle fund.

Meanwhile, my saddle is on consignment at The Side Saddlery in case any of you want to do some Christmas shopping for yourselves. Linda is great to work with. She is on the lookout for a a saddle that will fit Grey's infamous wither tracing and my long legs.

I've found myself indulging in a bad habit of recent. I'm judging women's fannies in the grocery. Not comparing them to my own so much, as determining whether they would have any better luck than I finding a side saddle to fit. There are some really unfortunate shapes out there, much more challenging than my own. And right now, mine is most challenged my Christmas Cookies which is no one's fault but my own.

So, Merry Christmas everyone. I hope to be more active on this blog come Spring.

Antiquing

My husband and I went on an antiquing extravaganza this weekend. Since we weren't far from the venerable Genessee Valley Hunt Club, I was hoping to find something side saddle to buy. There were the usual selection of large and proportionally boring hunting prints but finally, I struck paydirt in a box of post cards.

Hello Ida Margaret,

How do you and Harold and Chauncey like it over at the farm? I suppose you are riding your father's horses like this girl does.

With love to all from,

Mary somebodyorother

It seems the sides have been trimmed, probably to remove a century of fuzzy edges. Postcards are fun, even when they're addressed to someone else.

I eventually found a bamboo and deer antler riding crop, but for $40, it wasn't in the best condition. The tip was gone. It must have been wrapped with string or leather at one time. Since I've never taken the time to educate myself on prices and such, I didn't want to rush headlong into it for $40. At 25 or 30, I probably would have, and I'm not missing it too badly today.

It was short, no longer than 24" so I'm thinking it could have been a child's crop. It was labeled as a "gad about cane" silly people! It had a sterling silver ferrule on it, engraved "Julia Marie Batavia, NY". At it's length, it wouldn't have been useful to me other than for display. Perhaps, if it is still there next time I will feel differently.