Fourteen Carrots visits HITS Thermal: Part 2 - The Haul

HITS Thermal Haul from Fourteen Carrots on Vimeo.

During my recent visit to HITS Thermal, I had a jaw dropping moment when I saw the number of vendors present. Even Mr. Carrots was enthusiastic about how much horsey shopping was available. I would describe the layout as the Four Corners of the Financial Apocalypse. Below are the four shopping districts at HITS.

I spent the majority of my time and money at LA Saddlery's mobile headquarters.

These breeches were a crowd favorite.

On the right is Le Fash's new spring style!

Hello horsey world, meet the Harlem Shake

I have definitely over the past few weeks enjoyed myself some Harlem Shake time. I LOVE to laugh and these videos totally make me giggle. I had been discussing with some friends in LA the concept of the Harlem Shake with horses. My idea was to have one horse in a ring and then at the break down have a bunch of horses doing a variety of things: jumping an oxer, piaffe-ing, loungeing, some-task-done-in-the-Western-disciplines. Alas, this seemed quite dangerous. Anyway, Horse Junkies United has scratched my itch and heralded the announcement of the equine Harlem Shake.

When I searched You Tube to find the video, I actually came up with several different videos! The above one is my favorite because it is one of the few equestrian styled ones in which people actually stay on the horses. These horses are STOIC. I mean, they don't even bat a pretty eyelash. In particular, I was really impressed with the far right horse who just rolls with the dancing rasta banana astride.  Really impressive.

I also found this incredible shake, which I felt was note worthy for its inclusion of multiple equestrian disciplines. The piaffe is fantastic in the intro!

The next two videos, I am including because the girls who can jump are the best ones at dancing while in the saddle. I am so stoked that so many different riding ladies enthusiastically embraced this fun viral cultural quirk.

Fourteen Carrots Visits HITS Thermal - Part 1: Grand Prix

It was a somewhat-hot-for-February-but-gorgeous day in Southern California yesterday. On 3/3/2013, Mr. Carrots and I found ourselves 150 miles east of Los Angeles on our journey to our new home in Austin, Texas. How tickled were we to find ourselves in Thermal during the HITS (Horseshows in the Sun) winter run? We were like kids in a candy shop, like miniature horses in a football field of hay. This was like finding ourselves at horsey-Disneyland or the Burning Man for horse enthusiasts.

We stumbled around for about an hour initially, gawking at the phenomenal number of massive rings running in one place at one time. I dropped some serious cash in the Diagon Alley of horse world - more on that in Part 2. Then, we settled down for the Grand Prix!

Mr. Carrots and I situated ourselves near jumps 1, 2 and 3. Most of the photos I am going to share our from jump 1.

Axl Rose and Paris Sellon

Axl Rose and Paris Sellon

Eleanora and Jenn Serek

Jump 3 was the stickiest jump for everyone that day.  I think because there was not that many strides between 2 and 3 and the distance to turn left to set yourself up straight for the middle of the skinny jump was precise. This was certainly the most common jump to fault on.

Jump 3

Jump 3

Mr. Carrots and I are total groupies for Flexible and Rich Fellers. We love their easy yet focused riding style. They are so comfortable together they are....almost sloppy. While we were walking behind the warm up ring heading over to the Grand Prix course, I had a total fan-girl moment taking photos of them warming up.

Flexible and Fellers Paparazzi shot

We were thrilled to see the pair together for the Grand Prix. And they did win. Below is the footage that I took of their qualifying round for the jump off.

Going back to the whole Burning Man for horsey people analogy, we even found a sign for a camp at HITS. Really? Who in PR thought that "Horze" was a good spelling?

Lastly, I discovered the lamest jump of all time. I can just hear an Olympic horse's inner commentary (if they had inner commentary) going over this one: "I am a chiseled, multi-million dollar specimen of Equus ferus caballus and could jump a Hummer and you want me to go over this?"

Sorry Farnham, I think you could do better than this.

Stay tuned for Part 2 - The Shopping Haul

An exclusive expose with Weird Horse

 Fourteen Carrots is immensely excited and eternally grateful to present you with this exclusive interview with pop culture icon Weird Horse.

Let me put it simply: I adore Weird Horse. He is the bee's knees, the cat's meow. He is the sloth's third toe!

Weird Horse, photo from his Twitter profile

If you are not acquainted with this social medial sensation and guru (as he may call it, a "gu-ewe"), let me spell it out: you must be. Weird Horse has an unprecedented grasp of pop culture (for a horse) and his succinct prose is both efficient and powerful. Mr. Fourteen Carrots first found Weird Horse on his Twitter feed. Knowing of our common interests in carrots, he introduced me to this lovely Brittish enthusiast of parsley and worms.
Weird Horse is a busy, busy gelding across the pond, designing fashion fit for the Wellington runways; attending Farm strategy meetings; and still finding time to enjoy the swans and goats of his home. Though Weird Horse is most often intelligently creating satire and comedy, he also has a deeper insightful side as well. Along with Baffled Farmer, they are redefining the social landscape of the modern farm.

Fourteen Carrots was blessed with the opportunity to be able to sit down in the virtual barn with Weird Horse. This is surely the most important piece in the history of Fourteen Carrots' journalism. So fix yourself a proper cuppa' and enjoy this special insight into Weird Horse's mind. We think this may be the most amount of words he has ever neighed at one time.


Fourteen Carrots: You speak eloquently about the farmer, goats, badgers, cows and slugs. Tell us, is there a special rider in your life?
 Weird Horse: In a word, no. As a former employee of the West Hampstead Police mounted branch, I have done my time. Since then I've never really practiced the canter and I rarely amble anyway. Farmer often takes me down to the shops when his tractor is in for repair, but it's nothing too major. Sometimes I let worms climb onto my back so I can give them a tour of the field; it gives them a new insight into how life as a horse would be. It often makes them jealous but it's nice to give something back to the little ones.

 

Fourteen Carrots: Tell us more about the otters. 

Weird Horse: It's a difficult one. Otters are great and I'd be the first to come out and say that, but there are a lot of them. During the colder months on the farm they can become a real nuisance because they rarely settle down. All day long they insist on scurrying up and down the fields, bumping into our legs and nibbling at our hooves.  That's why a lot of them are kicked into bushes. It can be quite literally, an otter nightmare.

 

Fourteen Carrots: Here at Fourteen Carrots, we are huge fox-hunting enthusiasts. Do you participate in this Brittish tradition? 

Weird Horse: I took park in one, against my own will in 2004. I was very young and it was intense. A little too intense for me. I don't really get on with dogs you see. Foxes either. I'm very emotionally closed at times and my social life has been affected by this.

Fourteen Carrots: Have you ever been in the Tardis? 

Weird Horse: We used to watch a show about a time-traveling sheep called Doctor Ewe. That's the only time I've come across a Tardis. There's a phone box just outside our farm on the country path but I dare not go inside. Just in case really. Also, I can't fit or make calls because of the hooves.

Property of Weird Horse

Fourteen Carrots: If you had fourteen carrots, an onion and sprig of parsley, what would you do with them? 

Weird Horse: I'm a real sucker for carrots. I adore parsnips and I love a good onion. If I had fourteen carrots, I'd probably eat thirteen and keep the final one for sniffing. If you have a good imagination, a sniff can be as powerful as a bite. The sprig of parsley sounds incredible. I sometimes sprinkle parsley on goats because they sneeze. I'd probably just do that. I'd probably donate the onion to a malnourished swan.

 

Fourteen Carrots: What is your favorite mane and tail styling product? 

Weird Horse: No preference really. I use mud or snail-trail for my mane. I like to brush it to the right and gallop at speed into the wind. The tail is left to farmer as I don't see it. Out of sight, out of mind they say and it's just as well, because boy can that tail get messy after a busy Saturday afternoon.

I don't know about you, but I am totally trying out Weird Horse's snail-trail styling tip!
Many, many thanks to Weird Horse for donating his time to Fourteen Carrots and its readers. As well, this couldn't have been made possible without Baffled Farmer. Please do check out their 2013 calendar, which I have at Casa de Carrots reminding me of important dates like Dr. Dre's birthday and organizing activities and appointments for my own personal weird horses.

Image property of Weird Horse

Weird horse can be followed on Twitter here and on found at his website here.

EOOTD - The Punisher

I am confused about whether this "hairdo" counts as an outfit or not. But this just demanded to be blagged about so here it is under Equine Outfit of the Day.

 Most of the horses at my dressage barn keep hairy legs and a saddle pad spot. This particular fellow, Amigo, has some extra awesome flare to go along with his winter shave.

As if Amigo isn't bad ass enough already being a dressage Arabian and all. Ta Da!

Amigo sporting Marvel Comic character "The Punisher"

Please do forgive the terribleness of the photos. I had a hell of a time photographing Amigo's ass end.

Even if you don't know who is on Amigo's rear, this would be pretty cool in and of itself. But, even better, the image is the Marvel Comic character "The Punisher."

My interpretation of this symbolism is that Amigo is going to punish the other horses this spring by getting really high scores on his dressage tests. No, I do not yet know what would count as a high dressage score.

I personally feel that Amigo's Punisher is somewhat reminiscent of an Ood.

An Ood

Yes, Amigo does have a front end as well.

Can you believe he is an Arab? I guess maybe the ears give him away.

What cool shave patterns/designs have you seen this winter?

If you haven't entered the Holiday Giveaway, click here!

2013 Blog Resolution: Better Photos for a Better Blog

Something has always irritated me with my blogs: the absolute wretched photographs I take. So for 2013, I made a resolution: better photos for a better blog. I was very lucky to be introduced to the blog of Ken Rockwell. This has provided me with simple, usable, and understandable basics with which to begin my acquisition of "photography skills."

Today after I rode Oliver (aka Mr. Withers, Olivander, Twistey), I decided to shoot some photos of my friends at the dressage barn. By friends, I of course mean horses. My sole approach for today's photo-shoot was to integrate Ken Rockwell's F.A.R.T technique for photography: Feel, Ask, Refine, Take.

These photographs, in my mind, are already tremendously improved. Just having an intent with the photography - similar to riding - brought them a long way. Here are a few of my favorites.

Oliver, with purple cooler

Oliver

Amigo, you may recall him from his EOOTD

Amigo

Sutter

Wishful thinking: 13 pieces for 2013

I compiled a list of wish items for 2013. Most of these are impractical and far out of my price range. Maybe I could aquire them all over the next 13 years.  A girl can wish, though, right?

1. A Horse! Of course.
Actually, this is probably one of the few things on this list that I will acquire this year. After we settle in Austin, I am going to seriously start the search for a horse with whom I can really grow. My husband thinks I should get a Morgan. Other thoughts are a Fresian. Ultimately, I want someone to event with and fox hunt with So, your overall athlete. I am thinking of checking out Madison Morgans when we get to Texas.

Charlie, from Madison Morgans

 

Crystal, from Madison Morgans

Blanket Palomino, my favorite coloring

 2. Le Fash hunter/jumper show shirt
These shirts are so classy and original. They run from $195-215. You think that's expensive? Just wait. It gets crazier.

Lefashny.com

3. Equiline Lissome dressage show shirt
Oh, this is so Victorian and beautiful. I don't know how practical eyelet technical fabric is, but for ~$210, I probably won't have to make any decisions about this shirt. Just imagine me in in it on my blanket palomino Morgan horse doing piaffes...that's right, totally an impossible occurrence.

Equiline Lissome

  4. Hennig Sofa dressage saddle
I have Stacey over at Behind the Bit to thank for this one. Specifically, I want the saddle in this odd combination of brown and black. Then, you can really show off that you are a lover of both dressage and jumping! I would pair this with black stirrups, ideally a pair from Five Star Tack.

Hennig Sofa

   5. Voltaire Palm Beach jumping saddle

I love the lines on this saddle. A bunch of people at my barn ended up in Voltaire saddles this year. I am such a lemming. But its gorgeous! And the leather is just so fantastic, soft as can be.

6. Asmar Equestrian coat
Originally, I was obsessed with the All Weather Rider. I even paid for one at a horse show, but the vendor failed to put my order in after 6 weeks. So I cancelled the order because I was so disappointed with the customer service. However, I also really love the Hunter coat. Most likely, I will in the end go with the All Weather rider. What the hell, this is a wish list right? I want them both!

Both photos from the Asmar website

  7. An Ultimate Hoof Pick
Woohoo! Something I can afford! The Ultimate Hoof Pick is $16. If you don't lose it, it will last forever.

8. Stretchies Tail Wrap 
 My friend Amigo, who you may remember from his recent Equine Outfit of the Day post, wears one of these fancy pants Tail Wraps. If they're good enough for his Arabian tail than that is a stamp of approval in my book.

9. Rambo Quarter Sheet
I am not sure if I will need this in Texas or not. So, I have held off on purchasing it. 

10. Uniqcorn Montrose Breeches
I thought that Animo was pricey at $350-$450 for breeches.  Here though, we have an example of the possibility of always being able to find an even more expensive brand in the horse world.  This company's breeches have been described as the "Astin Martin of breeches." The Montrose breeches from Uniqcorn retail for $720! I feel like you would get laughed out of the jumper ring with these. I surely would wear them hunting though!  The button detail is fantastic.

 

Here is what I fantasize Mr. 14 Carrots wearing after a long days hunt! Totally sexy.

11. Ambleside Designs saddle pad 

 These Ambleside hand mad saddle pads run $120-150.  Each one is so unique. I cannot wait to have a horse that I can match to a saddle pad. Supposedly, they will last you for a decade though; so worth the investment. They do both dressage and all purose pads, as well as multiple other types like Iberian, Jousting and Rennaissance.

  
12. Uniqcorn dress boot
Interestingly, the Uniqcorn boots are not quite as crazily priced as their breeches. The boots run in the $600 range. Here is a pair that I would love to show dressage in. You can pick from like 6 different leathers and no, I would not pick this mustard yellow. Thanks again to Behind the Bit blog for the heads up on Uniqcorn. I like these so much because of the detail at the ankle section.

 13. Already checked off the list!
I ended up getting two items off of the list just before the end of the year. So, I am including them here. First off, I got a work out DVD Rider Pilates. I plan to do a full review of the DVD in a few weeks. 

And, I got a Porta Grazer!

This is a slow feeding travel system. You fill up the barrell with hay or pellets. Then, the horse eats through the holes in the insert. The piece to the left is both a top for the system and a watering dish.
They have a great video on their website about the system. $309 is the reasonable price on this size.