It's Show Time--Bring on the Plus-Size Riding Clothes!

Three dollars of glass beads and a little time can
transform a basic black jacket into a show stopper. 

Show season has officially started!

I'll admit I never thought I'd be a girl who likes to show. When I first met my trainer, I said, "I'm here to learn to trail ride. I'm not interested in shows."

I was wrong.

Shows are a great way to meet new friends, show off the skills you've gained throughout the year, and collect pretty ribbons. (I consider all ribbons pretty, no matter the color.)

Shows force me into new situations, both in and out of the ring. I figure I learn as much at one show as I might in three months of training. After all, where else would you ride over a suspension bridge and then ground tie your equine while you take a "pit stop" in an "outhouse"?

That said, there's one thing I don't like about shows--getting dressed up. It's not that I don't think I can look as snazzy as the thinner gals, it's just so hard to find fabulous show clothes in my size. Oh, who am I kidding? It's hard to find ANY show clothes in my size!

As the years have gone by, however, I've amassed a decent show wardrobe. Here are some tips to help you get your show gear ready:

Check out the Fuller Fillies line at SmartPak.com. I used to feel so silly during the English classes. Unable to find a pair of English boots to fit my mancalves, I was relegated to a pair of hand-me-down half-chaps that had been customized to fit a gal's larger calves. Usually I was the only one in the class wearing half-chaps. *shudder*

Then I found Fuller Fillies. They have a pair of English boots that fit fabulously--right out of the box! You can get their boots to fit up to a 19" calf! At $300 a pair, the price was still a little high, but it was worth it the first time I wore them into an English class, head held high!

I complimented my boots at that show with my first-ever dressage coat. Before I found this Tuffrider Dressage Coat from The Lexington Horse, I was riding with a navy blue business blazer I'd pulled together at the top with a diaper pin so it looked like it had the right number of buttons. Nice image, huh?

On the western front, I've been a little more innovative. My favorite show jacket (pictured) is one I bought at ShopKo. It started as a simple black jacket embroidered with black roses. Very subtle. Three dollars worth of glass beads and three evenings later, it's one of the showiest jackets in the ring! I get comments left and right.

My showmanship jacket also started as a basic black jacket I bought years ago from Lane Bryant. I hadn't worn it in years, but I remembered it when I was scrounging around for show stuff a couple years ago. A few iron-on embellishments and some glued-on crystals turned it into another show stopper.

So, if you're having trouble finding show clothes that are right for you, don't be discouraged. There are options out there for us larger gals. If you can't find something, get creative! And remember, there is an advantage to being the largest gal in the ring--it gets the judges attention. Then, all you have to do is ride well enough to keep it.

Protect Yourself From the Unexpected

We want you to stay safe on the trails this summer. 

*And now, a public service announcement from Jenny, Maxine, and Madge.*

My husband and I were driving through the country today when we saw people riding a moped. They were wearing helmets, but their arms and legs were bar, as they were enjoying the unseasonably warm weather.

"Oh, all I can think about is all the chaffed skin if they crash," I said.

"They say that when it comes to motorcycle crashes, it's not if it happens, but when it happens," my husband replied.

"Sounds kinda like horseback riding," I quipped.

Horse accidents happen to the best of us, so it's important to be prepared when they do. I know that not everyone can afford a full-blown health insurance plan, but many of you may not know about something called catastrophic health insurance. This is insurance that is generally cheaper than a regular policy because it has a high deductible. The point of catastrophic insurance is not to help with day-to-day check ups, but to protect you when the unexpected happens.

Many of my horse friends have Life Flight coverage and Good Sam-type coverage as a precaution. Catastrophic health insurance is just another form of protection for those of use who enjoy high-risk activities.

To find out what options are available for you, contact a local health insurance agent. You can find one online or in your phone book. You can also visit eHealthInsurance.com for basic information.

A coworker reminded me about this type of coverage when I told her about a recent horse-related accident, and I thought it's something every one should know about. I'll get back to the fun stuff, soon. I promise!

A Friend in Need

A friend of mine, JoLinn Hoover, was in a horse-related accident this past weekend. She's doing well, but will need some medical attention to fully recover. Unfortunately, she doesn't have medical insurance, so her recovery will impact her life in more ways than one.

To help raise money for her recovery, I've created a drawing just for her. I will donate 100 percent of the proceeds from the prints and cards that use this drawing to her medical fund.

The donation will be made in your name, and I'll include a copy of the donation receipt with your purchase.

"Get well soon, JoLinn" products include:

• 8"x10" print for $20 ($20 donated to her medical fund)
• 5"x7" print for $15 ($15 donated to her medical fund)
• Note card for $15 ($15 donated to her medical fund)

In addition, I will donate $1 from any other item purchased at MostlyMules.etsy.com through Monday, April 30. Simply type "Get well soon, JoLinn" in the notes field when you make your purchase.

Why Maxine is Priceless

I was wandering around YouTube tonight, watching some of my old videos. While watching this video of my husband Travis, it really hit me how priceless Maxine is.

When this video was filmed, Travis had probably ridden fewer than 15 times. Nevertheless, he rides with confidence because of his trust in Maxine. He's relaxed and happy. Heck, he even has softer hands than many long-term riders.

Truth is, he and Maxine have formed an amazing bond. Maxine likes and appreciates me, but she adores him. When I ride Maxine, she's sweet but always thinking. When Travis rides Maxine, she's protective. It's endearing to watch.

A few years ago, I suggested that Travis try taking Maxine through a novice in-hand class at a local trail show. Maxine followed him through the course like a love-sick puppy. They did such a good job together, they one the blue ribbon--three days in a row! Since it was a championship series, he officially won a champion ribbon. Not bad for his first time in the show ring.

Travis has never shown since. "One and done," he jokes whenever I bring it up. I don't mind, cause he's one hell of a show groom. But I make sure he rides Maxine for fun whenever I get the chance.

Video: Travis and Maxine riding the 2007 Northwest Trail Championship course during the practice session at the end of the show.

Mostly Mules Open for Business!

After years of looking for fun mule items online, I've found that most items depict realistic mules. The artwork is lovely, but it just feels like I'm putting up a picture of someone else's mule. I'm looking for something whimsical. Something fun.

So, I decided to create it myself. Motivated by a friends with successful shops, mostlymules.etsy.com is now open for business! My store features unique, handmade gifts for mule lovers. I now have two products available, a toasty warm scarf with a mule silhouette and cute note cards that depict Madge with a butterfly on her nose.

I don't know how popular my shop will become, but I'm mostly doing it for fun, so I'm not too worried about it.

If you like mules, check it out.

Photo: One of my first products - Madge note cards.

Maxine, the Shameless Beggar!

See what happens when I try to eat lunch in my tack room on lesson day?

Maxine has no shame. She'll eat practically anything that gets within a foot of her lips. You'd think she was starving to death.

At the end of each ride she always gets a treat or two. Usually we stick to horse treats, apples, peppermints, or bananas (her favorite). However, she does have a few guilty pleasures that she gets once in a blue moon, including french fries, Mountain Dew, and brownies. Can you blame her?

Photo: Maxine tries to grab a bite of my peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I can't lie—she definitely ended up getting a bite... or two.

Today was a Good Day