(Finally a Post!) And Owls Approve Blog Hop Two!!

It's been a little while since I've posted...oh well. Finals are done now and since then I've been home with Lily! Over this week...we rode bareback, did some dressage, some groundwork, ground driving and rode bridleless today! 

Today we rode tackless with her NEW neck rope from Reins for Rescues. Lily has apparently forgotten that she isn't supposed to be cantering quite yet...and also forgot to slow down when mom asked her. Oh well. We'll work on it ;)

We also practiced some fun tricks today! - Kisses, Bows, Stepping Up, Hugs and Pick Up Your Bucket!

Check out her ADORABLE bonnet from Bonnets By Beth! 

Lily Take a Bow!

Look at Lily's Santa ears!

Step Up!!

Blog Hop #2!!

Making of the Horse

Last week, we talked about our babies.  This week, let's talk about our greenies.  Who trained your horse?  Is your ponykins still in the process of figuring out this whole monkey-on-my-back thing, did you send off for thirty or sixty or ninety days, or did you buy a horse with all the bells and whistles?  Who has helped your horse become what he or she is today?

So Lily was born (not really- but she moved there at 6 months...) and raised at Steeldust Farm. She was broke and trained by Jennifer Elliott (my former trainer) and from there became her personal event horse. Jennifer trained with Denny Emerson and Stephanie Baer on combined training techniques. In 2008, Jennifer competed with Lily and placed ribbons in several events! (I used to have some cute pictures of young Lily training with Denny Emerson...but I seemed to have misplaced them. I'm looking for 'em!!) 

When I bought Lily, in 2010, I continued to lesson with Jennifer for a time. Jennifer switched her aspect to barrel racing and Lily and I participated for a little while. We did very much enjoy gymkhana events, but, my main focus was jumping and eventing!Therefore I felt we needed to move to be able to continue our training. 

Sometime around this time we also started participating in natural horsemanship and the Parelli program. 

Lily at Steeldust Farm 2009

In 2012, I moved Lily to Abenaki Farm and began training with my now current trainer, Sarah Bunkley. We actively participated in hunter jumper shows and took Lily to her first event! We came a long way these past two years and have loved every minute of it!! 

Riding at Abenaki Farm 2013

Lily is now living at Stagecoach Hill Farm with my trainer in Plymouth, NH.

Training at Stagecoach Hill Farm, 2013

The Owls Approve Blog Hop!

A Blog Hop? Such fun! I hadn't heard of a Blog Hop until I did some cruising through various equestrian-themed blogs and stumbled across The Owls Approve Blog Hop. 

A Blog Hop is essentially: one blog writes a question (or series of questions) and invites bloggers (usually with the same interests) to post about the question! Seems simple enough!

They will be doing a weekly question all about only the greatest creature ever- THE HORSE! 

So....

Week One:

History of the Horse

Before you met, where was your horse?  Who bred him/her?  What do you know about his sire and his dam?  What do you know where he came from?  Tell me about the time before he had a trainer.

Oh Lily. I have essentially known her my entire riding career. (I began riding a little over 12 years ago- and Lily is nearly 13). She was always the horse of my dreams. And sometimes I still can't believe she is truly mine. 

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Unfortunately, little is known about Lily's past. But I'll explain what I can. Lily's mother, Starlit Skies, or Starlit, was bought at an auction when she was eight years old (in late 2001) without her new owners aware of her apparent pregnancy. Starlit's owner took her new mare to boarding school with her and discovered she had been gaining some weight. Unbeknownst to them, Starlit was actually pregnant! (It must have been discovered at some point...either that or she was a little surprise one morning!)  One chilly winter morning (January 13th 2002) a small, somewhat sickly little chestnut filly was born. (At this time I don't have any baby-baby pictures- but am working on finding some!)

Here is Lily at about a year

This little chestnut filly became my Stargazer Lily. After Lily had been weaned, she was then given the trainer at the Farm I grew up taking riding lessons at. (Starlit's owner was also a student there). I met Lily when she was about six months old. (I don't remember her well- I was seven! But I do remember always wanting to someday ride her...she was so talented and beautiful...)

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These are pictures of Lily's mama, Starlit Skies. 

An older photo of Starlit- Lily's mom

A newer photo I took, maybe in 2011- look how much whiter she is now!

You can see Starlit really turned much whiter over the years!!

Some Lily & Starlit love, 2010. <3

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Anyways, Lily grew up on the Farm until I bought her. She was at the same Farm for about 9 years- And lived outside. (She still does-most nights) Lucky girl! 

Lily at about age 5

(And I'm not supposed to reveal her training yet...according to the blog hop question! So I'll leave it at that!!)

Lily remained at this farm until I purchased her in 2010. Then our story begins...

March 3rd, 2010- the day she became mine!

Lily shortly after we purchased her.

This blog hop is gonna be fun!!

XOXO

DJC & Lily

What's On Lily's Wishlist this Holiday Season...

Shopping is such fun, especially when it's for equines! I've recently become obsessed with etsy. There are just the cutest things listed there. Well Christmas is just around the corner, and what better time to go shopping for your favorite equines- or equine lovers!!

So what's under the tree for Lily this year??

* A new dressage bridle- specifically the Crown Premier Dressage Bridle. A great bridle for the price- I love my crown padded stitched bridle and as soon as I saw the sale for the dressage bridle I had to snap it up!

* Emily's Equine Creations' bridle charm! In red, of course! These are hand-stamped, super cute and totally personalize-able! I'll probably put it on my saddle!

* The Pony Box. A monthly horse package subscription. Filled with 100% handpicked and tailored to each individual, it's perfect for that special pony at the barn! Use code PonyD for 10% off!

* Her brand new Ogilvy Pad. It is so beautiful. I love it! It's soooo worth it!

* and treats, duh! Lily's favorite are the Peppermint Snacks, She'll perform all sorts of tricks: kisses, pick up the bucket, bow and we are working on hugs!


And what's on her/my wishlist??

* A Handmade Neckrope from Reins for Rescues. We have been riding bridleless for over three years now. I've always used a leadrope. I figured it's time for a real rope ;)

* With all the jumper shows we have been doing, a Custom Competition Pad in red, navy and white with a fancy monogram is also on her list. Yippee!

* Walsh Padded Halter with embossed nameplate. We're getting fancy, Lil'


And what's on your list??

Here are some other ideas of my favorite companies! (All small business. etsy!)

* Bonnets by Beth: hand-stitched bonnets in beautiful colors and styles. Lily has three! (check 'em out on Instagram)

* Polo Perfection: handcrafted polo wraps in ribbon trimmed styles! (look it up on Instagram!)

* The Chestnut Mare: handmade saddle pads, coolers, quarter sheets, saddle covers, polos and more!)

* Browbands R Us: stunning, hand-jeweled browbands in many styles and colors!

* Simply Equine Design beautiful handpainted stall signs!


What's your favorite etsy shop?

Merry Christmas,

xoxo Lily & Dee

October Review and (we are skipping November....) Onward to December Goals

HOLY CRAP.

Time Flies!!

I have almost finished my first college semester...and have neglected my blog!!! NOW my goals are to pass FINALS with flying colors, much less midterms!

OCTOBER Review:

To say the least, I did pass my midterms with awestruck wonder...I suppose. (It's nearly midnight, don't judge my word choices). P.S. I got an A on my biology. HOO-RAH.

I had been going to yoga 2-3 times per week...and then...I just stopped. Life got busy and exercise is what I cut. I'm bummed, but to compensate I'm trying to make healthier eating choices! I'll try harder next semester!

Kill my first horse show. YEAH. I rode an (adorable) little black pony and we won first in novice flat. She reminded me a lot of Lily (a smaller, blacker, quicker Lily!) I also took a large bay warmblood who was a little too pokey for me in the hunter fences. It was okay. We took fourth. Not bad for a kick-hard-to-start-canter and a trot break before a fence!

I didn't get to take Lily to the beach ): Next year.

ANNNNND Onward to December. The most wonderful (and busy!) time of the year!!! 

1. Finish Christmas shopping (and DON'T keep buying my horse 83272532050 things). I only have two gifts to go!

2. Boost my home-created business- Soaps N' Such Creations. (visit my website HERE)

3.  Post a heck of a lot more. AT LEAST 2x per week...

4. Do some fun equestrian reviews of those 83272523050 things I have purchased for Lily...

5. Watch It's a Wonderful Life. (the annual BEST film ever. It's simply a must!)

6. Head home, grab mane and kick on.

7. Oh and I should probably study for finals to kick some more sweet ass. WOO.

XOXO,

Delaney (and really no input from Lily- what a lazy bum!!!)