DefinitelyDressage.com

No it's not another horse!

I pretty much never get thing s for myself. For the animals, yes. For house and property maintenance, unfortunately, all the time. Fun stuff for me, pretty much years and years in between. Heck, I don't remember the last time I went clothes shopping for things other than undies or bras.

But, I splurged and had this made. Brought it home Friday evening and just got it hung up. The lady I found was wonderful...so meticulous and really understood how much this means to me. Fergus' battles with EPM put an end to showing...too much stress to ask him to endure, as stress has sent him into backslides over the years...but the ribbons we were able to get mean an awful lot. A few really special ones I have in special places, but the rest sat in a box for awhile after we moved. Along with that box full, I included a couple from a few very special horses who introduced me to Dressage shows while Fergus was just a baby back on his breeder's farm. It's all part of that same part of my life, captured with this quilt.

Who knows what the future may hold for my horse experiences, but when I look up at this on my wall, I remember so many good times, good people, hard work, successes, failures, laughs, tears, frustration, bone headed moves and attaboys...and I am so thankful for every bit of it.

That is beautiful! What a great gift for yourself.

I had one made last year too! I love it! Yours is beautiful! Creater was based out of Cavecreek/Scottsdale Az. Same person?

Wow - that is gorgeous! I love the rosettes transformed into flowers.

Srhorselady wrote:I had one made last year too! I love it! Yours is beautiful! Creater was based out of Cavecreek/Scottsdale Az. Same person?

Nope, small town North Carolina.

Thanks all, I love it! it has made me really sentimental today!

I love it. It's artistic and sentimental. Looks so spring-like.

It is really really lovely, makes me regret disposing of all my ribbons over the years! what a lovely idea, beautifully done and what a grand tribute to your horses, your efforts and those moments

Gorgeous, just gorgeous!

Oh no Chisamba, I'm sorry! I showed a photo to someone last night, and she was on the verge of tossing her massive collection, but now she is reconsidering.

Oh wow!

That is just BEAUTIFUL!

I love the flower theme. I have seen others done before, but I just LOVE this one!

Love it, very nicely done!

It's beautiful!!!

That's wonderful!!! Wish now I'd kept more of my ribbons. That is soooo Cool!

I still have ribbons from showing in my teens! What a beautiful idea.

Lovely and a great way to display all those ribbons.

Susan

Pretty nice hanging. Mine would not have so much blue in it.

Just wonderful! I've not seen anything like it! My ribbons would probably only make a placemat

boots-aregard wrote:Pretty nice hanging. Mine would not have so much blue in it.

Aw, boots, I think part of what made me so sentimental looking up at it on my wall was thinking about how blessed I have been my the amazing horses I have had the chance to know through the generosity of the wonderful trainers I have worked with. No bad apples in the bunch, kind methods, supportive gang to show alongside. The horses didn't have some incredible passport noting The Who's who of Dressage...just some wonderful worker bees with great minds and solid talent that these trainers loved just as much as some flashy fire-breathe dragon. My very first show was a Dressage show, on a mare who I guess kind of did have those amazing Holsteiner bloodlines, but came with a sad history and had been a jumper somewhere along the way. My then trainer connected me with the owner and said "if you can sit this mare's trot, you will be able to sit anything...I will come out and help you at her barn." This poor mare had an owner who let anyone up, including barrel racing mentality kids. This mare was ANGRY. She tried to bite people as they walked by her stall. The first time I showed her to my parents in town for Thanksgiving, she reared up in the cross ties while I was grooming her. My dear mother smiled and agreed when I blurted out, "isn't she just amazing?" I told the owner no more random riders, just me and my trainer, (and of course him though he never ever got on his horses). This mare became one of my three heart horses over the last 40 years. She was taken out by EPM, no more riding, and I lost her when she was sold away for breeding, which last I heard came so close to killing her...and did kill the baby. I still cry about her. It's been 20 years. That first show...my goals were to get her on the trailer, keep her from jumping out of the arena, and to stay on. She won 2/2 of her classes. She knew I was her person and would do anything for me, even when she was sick and I was too inexperienced to know about EPM. She went from ANGRY to sweet and kind and almost a babysitter. I have never known anyone like her.

That is so pretty, love it!

Thanks everyone! It's been home for a week and I am still staring at it every time I walk in the room.

Fergus, i'm going to PM you. Was the lady local to you? I might want to get one like this for a gift for someone in your area