First of all, I just booked a couple of pet sitting jobs (yay for holidays!), which means I can get some goodies for myself. I've looked at my finances and I can afford these things with plenty of room to spare for savings! Hooray!
First off, I have sold almost all of the tack I had for sale. All that is left is a loose ring snaffle, the burgundy halter and the back wrap. I might end up keeping the burgundy halter as a 'public' halter for my future horse. It seems that halters really take a beating at most boarding barns...I would like to have a nylon halter for every day use so that I can keep my nice new leather halter (did I mention this?) in good shape. But at the same time, just because it's an every day halter, I don't want it to end up looking like crap, and potentially broken. I plan on buying one of these pretty Weaver halters. The burgundy halter is a cheapy, so I could buy a cheapy lead and let that be the thing to get tossed around!
The weaver halter in the lavender color is one item I am buying. A few general things...a loose ring french link snaffle. Sweet iron. I may as well get it because no matter what horse I get, I want to try that bit first. I like french links, and I like loose rings even more. Sweet iron is also something I like, so obviously that bit is something I favor because for the 'average' horse, it should be quite agreeable. Every horse is different though, I bear in mind, but I'd rather start with my favorite and see if it works out before I play musical bits! I'm getting some Cowboy Magic conditioner. A new lunge without the chain, this time in purple. I am replacing that not only because of the color, but because the chain on my old one weighed the line down and almost causing Jack to trip at times! I should have thought about it, but I didn't, and that line was actually cheaper at the time. And I do not like to actually put the chain on a horse. You know I am a less is more type of rider.
I'm also getting new brushes! Everything in purple this time. I plan on sanitizing my old brushes and donating them to the school equipment. I am also getting that nice grooming tote I have had my eye on for so long - in purple, of course. I am really starting to enjoy this whole monocolor thing. Purple is fairly common, and I like not having to think 'But what will I match it with?'.
I am also getting a light purple saddle pad, and polo wraps.
More news now, I was contacted by an old friend. She used to train at the barn I boarded Belle at when I was 13 or 14. I think I have spoken of her before - she is the person who essentially sparked my interest in dressage, even though I made no move to really get into it at that time.
She has a boarding barn now and runs a show team. It's only a few minutes from Goldsboro Equestrian is from me, and she has offered me a spot on her show team next spring! I must say I'm quite flattered to be asked. And I'm actually considering...
Board at her barn, including a stall, is $220. She uses straw bedding which helps her cut the costs, and allow her to offer the lower board. And I know that she is dependable and takes good care of the horses. I have to say it would certainly help me out cost wise. It's not as large as Goldsboro Equestrian, but it comes down to whether I am willing to put out more for bigger/better facilities. Not to mention, she has more dressage experience than Casey. This is not to say Casey is a bad trainer, she is simply more experienced in another discipline.
The problem is, I would feel a little wrong if I bought Amber, and this is all hypothetical, nothing is 100% certain yet, and then wisked her away. Sure, I'd have every right to if I purchased her, but at the same time I have given the impression I am there to stay, although I have not said so in any specific terms. Of course, she would remain there until Casey could replace her as a lesson horse.
It's all a lot to think about. Moving to the other barn after I purchase would, cost wise, and dressage wise, give me a big advantage. I think Casey would understand that, but I don't want to seem rude in any way.
But there is a lot of time to think about this! What do you guys think?
It is kind of you to think about Casey's feelings and not wanting to be rude. Have you thought about talking to her about it? If you went ahead and talked to her (leave out the part of the other girl being more experienced haha) now in November about leaving in the spring to go to a 1) cheaper barn and 2) a place where you could be on a team, then she should understand and ultimately be happy for you. I assume she is obviously a nice person since you are concerned about looking rude in front of her so hopefully she wouldn't be angry at you. I'd just really hate for you to pass up a good opportunity like this one!!
ReplyDeleteCan you hang around the other barn a bit before you make a decision? You'd get a feel for how well the fit is, and which barn you'd be happier at.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I thought about that, but being that nothing is 100% right now, I would hate to say something and then get her backing away from selling Amber to me - I DO want to keep that door wide open, because Amber has potential to the hilt, she's still young and I like her. I feel like her price might go up too if Casey thought I was going to move her away...and it sounds like poo but I want to get the best price I possibly can (and I know she gets her school horses dirt cheap, so it's not like she will need 10k for a replacement).
ReplyDeleteI don't want to pass up either opportunity, being with my old friend and showing on her team, nor Amber. It's just so uncertain now, and nothing is going to be until spring...I don't want to say anything, but at the same time I feel like I'd be being deceptive, and I would technically.
I guess I will just wait it out, and not say anything just yet. Not until I know a little more myself...I don't know Casey that well yet. She's nice, but I don't want to stir the pot over something that may or may not happen, and burn a bridge so to speak. Some trainers get offended if their students even think about moving off to another barn. I don't want to chance it under the circumstances.
And Terry - I'm sure I could, she's invited me to ride her high level dressage horse who is in rehab from a shooting accident already. I'm definitely going to scope it out before I make any big choices! :)