Why I am inspired

I want to talk about what really makes me inspired: an amazing company I represent: Luv Inspired Jewels.

I’m sure most of y’all are thinking “This is soooo paid advertising”. Surprisingly, it’s not! Luv inspired ambassadors, also known as “Luvly Girls” aren’t paid for any of their work: we just love to do it!

Why is this company different?
There is so much negativity in the horse world today, especially for juniors riding in the equitation. We are constantly trying to achieve the perfect bodies. The only problem is that the “perfect” equitation body is a stick skinny, 5’10”, legs for miles kind of girl. We can’t all be built like Lillie Keenan…and we shouldn’t want to be. We are built perfectly just the way we are. Girls even go on the “big Eq diet”. Here’s the catch: the diet is anorexia. They further justify their sickness by quoting George Morris’ book where it says “The best way to improve your riding is to push back the dinner plate”. This makes my heart hurt.

Luv inspired wants to change that. They are constantly spreading self love and positive quotes out to the twitter and instagram riding communities (which are HUGE if you’re not a part of them). They are a personable company, that truly cares about each and every girl.

Not only is their message amazing, but their products are CUTE.

xoxo, D

let’s play catch up

These last two weeks have been such absolute joy. Mistletoe (or Toes, as he’s now known as) has been amazing. So….let’s play a little catch up, shall we?

My first picture with my sweet boy.

Our first ride!

“MOM I’m tired plz don’t lunge me pleeeeease”

More kisses!

After a great week with Toes, I headed down to Wellington for the last (TEAR) week of WEF 2014 and for the College Prep Invitational. I got 3rd out of 12 people, not bad for a girl with a healing back!! Somehow, my mom forgot to take any pictures (parenting fail) at the CPI show, but it was really fun & I learned a lot through the ISHA style competition.

Here are my WEF pics:

Georgina Bloomberg in the suncast 1.50 m finale (still in shock this was taken with an iPhone)

My happy place.

I loved getting to shop, eat and enjoy welly world. While most people were watching the GP (I did watch some of it), I was watching the Junior hunters & the Intl Derby…hehe. You can take the girl out of the hunters but you can’t take the hunters out of the girl!!

This week I am going to do my best to post regularly 🙂

Also, check out my new pages…Goals, Show Schedules, and Wishlists (disc: things that I want to buy myself) OH MY!

xoxo, D
@dayadair on twitter, instagram, and pinterest

thankful

what can I say? I have no words… Well, that’s a lie. I have a few words. Thankful, filled with joy, bursting with happiness, to name a few.

After more than 2 years of struggle (3 different horses that have become injured/severely injured me), I finally have a long term solution: my new baby boy. I cannot put into words how much I appreciate all of the love and support of y’all, my friends, and my family. Thank you to Trainer S for finding this amazing opportunity, Barn Owner/Self-Appointed Owner of everyone’s horses/bachelor fan L for sending me sweet encouragements and keeping me sane (and hating on Juan Pablo), and my loving and supportive family who has made so many sacrifices for me. I love y’all soooooo much. XXOXOX

Isn’t he a STUNNER?!

it’s going to be a goooood week.

xoxo, D
@dayadair on twitter, instagram, and pinterest

Prayers Needed!

Hey y’all, just a quick post this morning. I might finally have a pending deal on a perfect horsey. I would really appreciate a quick prayer that the deal goes through. Much love.

Day
Xoxo
@dayadair on twitter, instagram, and pinterest

moments of frustration, moments of joy

I haven’t posted in a while. It’s been hard to find the right words. I went into the the week of HITS not with high hopes, but with optimism that B and I would continue to grow as partners and that it would be a great warmup before WEF. That wasn’t the case.

I guess I should have noticed that something was off. B was definitely not her usual self, even on “perfect prep” and after being lunged. I got to Ocala on Thursday so I would have time to school B and be relaxed before my Eq classes the next day. I schooled her on the flat, and she was jittery, but not anything I couldn’t handle. I then tried a few low warmup jumps, and they were a little rushed, but fine. Then Trainer S raised the vertical up to about 3′-3’3″, and somewhere between landing and the first stride, I was on the ground. I have to be honest here, I was scared. I couldn’t breathe (no matter how many times you get the wind knocked out of you, it never gets any more bearable), and I couldn’t move without excruciating pain.

After a couple of minutes, I could somewhat breathe again, and S said that if I didn’t get up, the paramedics would have to take me (i’m doctor/needlephobic), so I made my way over to the golf cart.

Long story short, we’re not sure what exactly happened to my back, but I am just now regaining full use of it (and by that, I mean I can do things with the help of Advil and BioFreeze). It’s very frustrating, but I have to hope that something good will come out of this.

I don’t have any answers. Will I find another horse soon? Will my back completely heal? Will I be ready for my CPI show in a couple of weeks?

All I know is that I am so, so, so blessed. I fell the best way possible. I only have muscular damage (or so we believe). I could be a quadriplegic right now for all I know. God took care of me in a way that still blows my mind 3 weeks later.

I am learning to take my days 1 at a time, patient through my afflictions and filled with hope. I’m keeping my mind off of the impending future through friends and family. And I can’t wait to see what my future holds.

Time to rise & shine.

I so appreciate the love and support of my friends, family, and readers. Y’all mean the world to me. Thank you for being such a blessing to me.
Xoxo, D
@dayadair on twitter, Pinterest, and instagram

reminders

Sometimes, everything works out to be exactly as you had hoped it would be. Sometimes, life hands you lemons. This weekend, I have been handed plenty of lemons. From an injured back, to some other things I can’t clarify just yet, things are not going my way this week!

Luckily, I have pinterest to remind me of a couple of very important things:

 

 

I know that each of these has a different meaning for everyone, just like when I saw these and immediately connected it with a personal experience. 

Rise and Grind, y’all!

on twitter, instagram, and pinterest @dayadair

20 Questions

Hey y’all…I was planning on having some really cute Bianca pics up on the blog today, but I haven’t been able to shake my sick spell i’m in the middle of. AND, I took the ACT this morning with a 100 degree fever…#36forsure. Ah well, can’t win em’ all.

I came across the on another horsey blog (check this FAB ammy out over on Ready For the BigEq who shows that you don’t have to let your eq dreams die just because you age out!) and thought it would be a great post to do now that i’m on house arrest!

1. Whats your horses name and how did they come by it?
Oh man…this is a very hard question for me because i’ve only had Bianca for a couple of months. I’ll tell y’all what I know, though! When Bianca lived over in Europe (she’s a KWPN or a Dutch Warmblood), her name was actually Viky. Viky. I know. Luckily, her awesome owner Alexandra imported her and renamed her Vanity Fair, or ‘Bianca’.

 

Side note-I almost never call her Bianca. More likely you’ll hear me say B, QB (Queen B), Queen Diva, or just straight up Sassy.

2. What are your favorite breeches?
I love Tailored Sportsman Trophy Hunters. My favorite pair are French Blue, I am OBSESSED.

3. Tall boots or paddock boots and half chaps?

I used to refuse to school in tall boots, but they have really grown on me since my Tenney’s chaps broke (they’re awesome if you’re looking for nice chaps). I’m actually thinking about retiring my Sergio Imperias to practice boots and investing in a show pair.

 

4. What brand of tall boots do you have (if you wear them)? If you had an unlimited budget what would you get? 

Right Now, I have Sergio Grasso Imperia boots. I love how skinny the ankles are. I have hard to fit legs, really tall and really slim. I’d really like some Parlantis, however their off-the-racks are known to be really short legged, and my parents probably aren’t on board with me getting customs at 16. If those don’t work out i’m thinking Tuccis. However, if I wasn’t an eq rider, I would TOTALLY get Casas De Las Botas customs (if only someone spoke english in their Argentina shop!) They make some of the most original customs i’ve ever seen. Jumper riders…you’re welcome!

5. Favorite Helmet
I have a huge head. The only helmets that have ever fit me are GPAs. Good thing I love them 🙂 My current helmet is the GPA First Lady. I love it because I am very picky about my skin/wrinkles sun exposure, and the visor keeps my face nice and shaded.

6. Shows or no shows?
Shows, of course! The queen diva has to strut her stuff.

7. Jumping or flat work?
Of course jumping is more fun, but I love flatwork because it can tweak tiny details in my ride that can change the whole appearance of it.

8. Hunters, Jumpers, Cross Country or Derby’s?
I’ve been a hunter girl my whole life, but I am a recent Eq convert! Also, Bianca has some 1.10 experience so I may dabble in the jumpers (let’s just say I’m doing it for the white tailoreds.)

9. What other disciplines have you ridden? 
None! (although secretly I really want to try polo. Anyone want to hook me up?)

10. Dressed to the nines or whatever you can find when riding?
Dressed to the nines! I love fashion in real life, so obviously I try my best to incorporate athletic materials into a cute #ROOTD (riding outfit of the day, for the non-insta users out there!) I usually wear Lululemon or Nike long sleeve tops tucked in with a belt. Cute and Florida weather friendly 🙂

11. Where do you shop the most for you? Your horse? 
Well…my go to place for anything nice is Stockman’s Harness in Otown. Although he doesn’t carry many high end items instore, Mr. Stockman is the absolute sweetest and will order anything for you (and I personally find that easier than buying online). Orlando does have a Dover now also, which is awesome for when I need random things like no bows, or earplugs. Style wise, I am obsessed with Shop Dapple Gray in Ontario, and Blueberry Hill, a vendor at HITS (Ardie’s instagram is on point!!). 

12. When was the last time you rode and what did you do?
I rode Thursday in a lesson (pre-plague) and I mostly did some little Eq courses, to see what B can do. She was fab, of course. I’m trying to figure out how to make the footage better quality so I can post it. 

13. What tack do you use every ride/day? 
My Antares, Arc DeTriomphe Scott Stewart Bridle/Martingale, Random Girth, Front & Ankle Eskadrons, a Sheepskin Halfpad, Pomms, and my favorite horsey item ever- my Signature Spurs monogrammed crop!

14. What are your horses color(s)? 
I don’t really have “colors per say, but I love how crisp navy looks with B’s baker. SKS‘s colors are Royal Blue, Black, and White, not far off 🙂

15. How often do you clean your tack? 
It depends on the weather. During the summer I’ll end up cleaning it after every other ride, but during the winter I’m a wimp and don’t like getting my hands wet, so it’s more like once a week.

16. What kind of bit do you use? 
B is currently in a Pelham for jumping, and a D-Ring Snaffle for flatwork.

17. Mares or Geldings? 
Not answering this in fear that QB might somehow get her hands on my blog…

18. What is something you want to improve on in your riding? 
Equitation, Equitation, Equitation! My entire career has been about making the horse look good. Now I have to make myself look perfect as well. struggle bus for sure.

19. Favorite horse-themed quote?

Does my equestrian pinterest board count? I do love the youtube “equestrianisms” series. I would look those up 🙂

20.What was your most recent equestrian purchase?
A Baker stable sheet and white Tailoreds (now all I need is an Oglivy, or some Le Fash breeches…ahhhh)

That’s pretty much my horsey life in a nutshell. Enjoy!

If you do this tag as well, send me a link, I’d love to see it!

@dayadair on twitter, instagram, and pinterest.

 

Lesson 2/3/14

Here’s some video of my lesson today. This felt like the first time really jumping her, as the actual first time was when it was pouring down rain…(i’m trying to forget that one). Starting tomorrow, we are doing some intense eq bootcamp. You got it… turns on the forehand/haunch, no stirrups, simple changes down centerline, and serpentines galore! Wish us luck!

rain rain, go away!!

When the rest of the US has been getting fun, pretty snow, Florida has been getting-you guessed it- rain. Cold, bitter rain ): 

I was supposed to (keyword supposed) do a local this weekend with B to get some practice in before HITS and WEF, but the footing on Saturday got so sloppy that it was dangerous, and it wasn’t worth putting her tendons at risk.  At least we got a good schooling in Friday afternoon…B isn’t sure what she thinks about palm trees just yet (I guess that’s how it is when you’ve lived in Germany & the NE your whole life!) WEF is going to very interesting….anyways. HITS V in two weeks! AHH!

 

B snacking away

 

Best part of the rained out show?? My real life BFF C came to meet B and watch me ride! Talk about worlds colliding 🙂 I am so blessed!

 

and my horsey BFF Kayla hung out with me that night- We went to my favorite co-op in Orlando (East End Market) and then went to the grand opening of College Park’s new juice bar Grounding Roots! I love organics and juicing..being healthy is the best way to improve your physical game in my opinion!

Today it was super sunny, so I hope it stays that way!

How’s the weather where y’all are?

Gone to Carolina in my mind

Sorry for the break on posting-B and I have been busy! Besides a little bit of a cold this weekend, she has been a total rockstar. I am so excited to take her to a local show this weekend to test her out! 

This weekend, I did some really fun non-horsey stuff, so I hope it’s okay that I share 🙂

Being a college junior means tons of fun stuff: prom, SAT/ACT prep (HA), driving to school (more importantly driving to the barn), and college tours!! Most horse people want to move closer to Florida for obvious showing reasons for college, but because I live here, I’m not applying instate!

This weekend I visited 3 SC/NC schools, and loved them all! 

1. Furman University: Greenville, SC

 

Furman was SO beautiful! I loved getting to see my friend Dorothy (she is a fellow blogger..check her out at prepinyourstep.com) and see the campus. It was absolutely frigid, but I figure i’m testing my limits for college 🙂

2. Wofford College: Spartanburg, SC

 

Again, I loved Wofford. It was small, but in a really homey way. I got to see a horsey friend who goes there while on my visit, so it was even better! 

3. Davidson College: Davidson, NC

Davidson is nestled in the cutest little town, and is absolutely stunning. Plus, there’s a really vibrant horse community around the charlotte area!

All in all, I had a great weekend with my mom, and honestly, I could see myself at any of these schools!

Next stop: the virginia schools!

xoxo