The ideal high school graduation present for most kids would be a car, not for me! Mine was a horse, and not just any horse. My Aunt and Uncle who lived in Illinois, had a half Arab mare who had been bred to a gorgeous Arab stallion and had given birth to a baby colt. The summer I was 16, I got to stay with them to learn to ride. I spent every day at the barn where they boarded their mare. There, I worked, learned all about horse care, and best of all learned to ride. I was able to choose the style I wanted to learn and picked English hunt seat. I was lucky enough to get to do basic hunt seat, a little jumping and some dressage. ( It didn't hurt that the owner's had a gorgeous son who was in his first year of college! Yeah, it was the best summer ever! I not only got to learn about horses, I got to know my Aunt and Uncle who I hadn't spent a lot of time with since they lived so far from CA. They were the best! Sadly, the summer after I was there, while out at the barn with their mare and her baby, my Uncle suffered a major heart attack and passed away. At the time, they were planning on moving to a small farm near us in California and raising horses. My Aunt made the choice to go ahead and move out to CA and bring Tewa, the mare but was going to sell her baby. I'd been babysitting since I was 12 and working at a neighbor's carwash, (ugh, that's another story), and saving my money. I convinced her and my Mom that I'd send her whatever money she needed to
take care of Ahweha, ( sounds like it's spelled, Indian name meaning the wanderer). They agreed and my Aunt and the 2 horses came to CA. I couldn't afford to buy him but took care of him and paid for his upkeep. My parents surprised me with his papers on my graduation day from HS. We had many fun adventures and some misadventures during our years together, and as horse people know, we had that special bond where we could almost read each other's minds. Anyway, what this means is that I have loved everything horse forever and one of my favorite decorating styles is Equestrian Style.
take care of Ahweha, ( sounds like it's spelled, Indian name meaning the wanderer). They agreed and my Aunt and the 2 horses came to CA. I couldn't afford to buy him but took care of him and paid for his upkeep. My parents surprised me with his papers on my graduation day from HS. We had many fun adventures and some misadventures during our years together, and as horse people know, we had that special bond where we could almost read each other's minds. Anyway, what this means is that I have loved everything horse forever and one of my favorite decorating styles is Equestrian Style.
Here are some examples of my favorite of Equestrian Style
from one of my favorite places that I visit to be inspired, Pinterest.
One of my old riding hats and some of my favorite books. I love books
with outdoor titles. Notice the title of the last one? One of our favorite
dealers in our old store gave it to me and even managed to find
one with my BF and store partner's name, Wanda in the title.
One of my favorite books!
Had to add this one, becoming an equestrian is hard work!
modern day riding outfit
Ralph Lauren dinnerware
Ladies, I couldn't resist ending with some
Equestrian eye candy, Nacho,
the most famous Polo player around.
You may have seen him and his beautiful
wife in some of Ralph Lauren's adds.
œ
from one of my favorite places that I visit to be inspired, Pinterest.
One of my old riding hats and some of my favorite books. I love books
with outdoor titles. Notice the title of the last one? One of our favorite
dealers in our old store gave it to me and even managed to find
one with my BF and store partner's name, Wanda in the title.
modern day riding outfit
Vintage riding outfits
Ralph Lauren dinnerware
Equestrian eye candy, Nacho,
the most famous Polo player around.
You may have seen him and his beautiful
wife in some of Ralph Lauren's adds.
œ
Till next time,
Rebecca
This week I'll be partying at:
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
17 comments:
I love the Equestrian style, too, Rebecca! I won't ever forget my pictures that you gave me when we first met, I just wish that I could find them!! I have stuck the somewhere, somewhere safe where they wouldn't get bent, and I really need them as I am making some changes around here. Let me know about the yard sale. Was it great this year??
Oh, Rebecca, your 16th summer sounds like a novel! And how wonderful that the horse became yours. Great family story--I really enjoyed it!
Love your hat with the books! I love books with outdoor titles too.
Hope you're having a good summer.
Jen
Hello Rebecca! Very interesting story! I really enjoyed your post a lot. Such a passion.
Besos!
Ah! lovely photos. And thank you for the last one, LOL.
That was a lovely story, i understand that you like horses. The polo player is very handsom, i like him!
Hugs and love
AnnaMaria
Great story....lovely style :)
Hi Rebecca! Great story and lovely photos of Equestrian style! I share your love for horses and you brought back sweet memories. Loved this post!
Linda at The French Hens Nest
Love the classic equestrian style. My favorite photo is the one of the baby on the saddle!!
I like that green entry hall. I have a hat like yours.
great pics. i too love the style. what are the sources? i'd love to pin them!
Rebecca, What a great gift from your parents! I loved your story and the pictures. Thanks for linking to the Open House party.
xx,
Sherry
My sister raises Friesians and though I don't have horses I do love equestrian style. Great inspirational pictures, thanks so much for sharing at Amaze Me Monday!
Blessings,
Cindy
What a beautiful story! And a great memory for you, too! It sounds like a dream - living and working on the farm and learning to ride. The cute boy didn't hurt either! ;o) I'm fairly certain that at her graduation, Lex would much prefer her own horse to a car, too! :o)
Rebecca, Nacho is nacho ordinary man. lol! He is gorgeous! Loved hearing your wonderful summer story of when you were 16. I love equestrian décor. I don't decorate with it, but love how it looks. I have always wished I had been raised around horses. I love them, but am a little afraid because I have not been around them. If one took off on a dead run with me on it's back I would be mighty scared. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Love that nursery and the green bench and I'll take Nacho, too. We had a Shetland named Nacho- he wasn't as good looking! Sweet story, Rebecca...how's your girl?
What a heart warming story, Rebecca! A wonderful way to spend a summer of your youth. :)
Love the decorating ideas, too!
That baby sleeping on the saddle is darling:) Equestrian style is a look that will never go out of style.. a true classic. Leather boots, ridding pants and a crisp white blouse is gorgeous. I share your fondness for horses:) Beautiful creatures!
I love Equestrian style! Your story is so enjoyable! You have gorgeous photos and the polo player is not so bad either! I'm now following along on your blog. Teresa, from 1800 Farmhouse Rd, mentioned it to me.I look forward to more great posts!
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