Newly married and fresh off a three month extended ‘vacation’ working in Wellington for the winter, I arrived back in Ireland

Kylie and Sacramento the week before the event

eager to get back to my own horses and put to use a few new tools I had hopefully learned watching some of the best in the world. Working in Wellington even for a short time was an opportunity to venture into a different world no matter how temporarily. Just being at the shows and watching idols off the television like Laura Kraut, Beezie Madden and Nick Skelton warm up in the practice ring just like every other person was a lesson in itself.

In Florida I had plenty of time in the evenings to daydream about the coming season for my own horse, and the others I had left behind on holiday. Donnacha kept my own six year old, Rio, going over the winter, and he really benefited from a small amount of consistent work and piles of food. I bought him last year as a weak, green five year old and still can’t believe the horse he’s turned into with time. Sacramento, who did his first preliminary events at the end of last year, benefited from a couple months out in the field with the young horses. He came in a happy fur-ball and unlike Rio, needed a diet and came back healthy but a bit more svelte! The other horses spent their holidays living out on the land, and enjoyed a well-deserved break.

Rio was the first out to compete this season at Monart. He had been to a few shows last year jumping but it was the first event of his career. He put in a steady and consistent first test and show jumped clear around a straightforward but decent sized track. The rotten winter left us short on cross-country schooling, and although he was quite green on cross country he definitely left the event a different horse with plenty learned.

Next up was Lisgarvan and I had three horses for their first event of the year, and Rio for his second outing where he went out on cross country a new horse and much more sure of his job. He was not the least bit tired however and there was plenty of snorting in the dressage warm up!

The format here at events is entirely different and maybe simpler in the long run, but takes a little getting used too, especially with multiple rides. All events are run as one-days, and each horse is given a time for dressage, but no times for show jumping or cross country. After your test you switch tack and head off to show jump, and then the cross-country follows starting mid-day in numerical order. The day is fairly fast paced with horses out of the box nearly every minute. It’s not uncommon to see some of the green horses that had an issue at a tricky fence grabbing a lead from the horse coming up behind them and nearly running as a pair! The days seem to run amazingly smooth and orderly all the same, and many of the events have close to 300 entries and rarely a dressage test before 9 am. Not so bad!

Sacramento, who belongs to Siliva Hoffstetter, started the season at Lisgarvan, finishing second on his dressage score in the Novice (Preliminary) division. He won his last outing in 2012 and has been one of those absolute gentleman you can always count on, he’s also a freak that has no idea he just started eventing last year. Unfortunately (for me) he’s offered for sale, and I imagine he won’t be around long if he keeps going in the same form. He now has six events under his belt and all without a show jumping or cross country fault.

After our local event at Lisgarvan Sacramento and I headed to Ballendenisk in Co. Cork for his first CIC* where he again showed what a consistent horse he is, placing 5th in a field of nearly fifty horses, with a dressage score of 48 and one of a handful of clear show jumping rounds around a tough track. He had a quick trip around the cross-country in the mud and again was a straightforward gentleman at all the questions, though not a huge fan of the ground! It was my first FEI event here in Ireland and there were a few differences in the format but it was one of the most relaxed and fun events I have been to. There was no trot up for the CIC horses, and they also did not have to be stabled on grounds which obviously saves on expense and a huge convenience. Beyond that, it was also only two days with the dressage and show jumping on the first day and cross country on the last. There were a few top riders over from England for the CIC*** and other CIC/CCI classes so there was plenty to watch.

Also starting the year in good order is Barbara Hatton’s Slyguff Golden Ambition, or Marty. He also is seven this year, with even less mileage than Sacramento had last year without even show jumping experience before last year and now has three Novices (Preliminaries) under his belt. His dressage has been steady progress from last year, he has all the movement and ability, he just needs time and is improving with every event. He is also a very careful horse in the show jumping and has learned to jump more within himself, last year he had the most incredible hind end that was quite the jump to stay with at times! As he’s less experienced in the ways of the world I held off on taking him to Ballendenisk as we had to enter so early. He instead went last weekend to another one day event in Cork. He had an even better test though still not quite competitive enough yet. He had a clear show jumping round over a course that caused more than it’s share of trouble, and flew around the cross-country without any hassle.  He had finished 8th at his first event at Lisgarvan with a bit of time, and then was 11th in a field of 40 last weekend on his dressage score.

This Sunday will be a week off from eventing, and tomorrow I head off show jumping with Donnacha. Next Sunday will be another local event in Gowran in Co. Kilkenny, only 20 minutes away and one I really enjoyed last fall. Starting last week I have begun teaching the Co. Carlow Pony Clubbers on Tuesday nights which was another fun time and nice change of pace. For other new adventures this week, last night I made my first drive to the absolute west of Ireland to Kilkee in Co. Clare. Donnacha delivered two mares to a new stallion and I look forward to going to collect them in the daylight so I can see more of the country than just pitch black roadway. We left home at 7 pm after feeding, arrived in Kilkee at 11 pm, unloaded the mares, had tea with the wonderful stallion owner, and hit the road to arrive home at 3 am, only in Ireland!

I came to the Wintec dressage saddle perhaps unwillingly. Long I extolled the virtues, but I was a little resistant to a synthetic saddles. As a retailer, it had solved many a saddle-fitting dilemma for me. As a competitor, I preferred leather. Yet the more I learned and worked with the Bates and Wintec saddles, the more curious I became about how this saddle could help me. (Maybe magically improve my dressage scores!) I tried the Wintec contourbloc saddle on my horses and was so happy with how well my horses responded to the CAIR system with a greater range of motion and increased swing in their backs that I brought home a Bates Next Generation jump saddles also, and now I ride in it, eventing both my Preliminary and Training level horses in it.

Now I invite you to come into the shop and learn about the many features of this saddle.  Change the gullet and discover how it

Easy Change Fit Solution includes gullet change and riser system

easy it is and how useful it is to have a saddle with a range of fit for our horses that change musculature from indoor winter training to summer conditioning rides.  Discover how easy it is to insert the shims into the panels and customize the fit to your horses shape.

My horses are no easy fit. One has an extremely high wither, dip in his spine, and the twelfth rib is still near level to the wither.  The shims help with bridging and the air helps level the fit and alleviate muscle soreness.

My other horse is very thin (although tall at 17.2 hands) but very sensitive. After only twenty minutes and a few verticals, the change in my horse and myself was surprising.  I didn’t even realize how tight my horse was on landing until he relaxed under the CAIR system of this saddle.  As soon as he relaxed, I was a quieter and a more secure rider.  It was obvious that the tension eased as a result of the air panels on his back.  I found that the air provided some absorption for the rider as well, much the way the springs in the front frame of a mountain bike ease the tension on the shoulder by taking up shock, the CAIR panels assist the seat in reducing impact on the rider body as well.

Come into Strafford Saddlery and change a gullet and be entered in a raffle for $100 gift certificate to Strafford Saddlery. No purchase necessary. And see for yourself all these great qualities of both the Wintec and Bates saddles:

Annie & Captain Lightfoot competing at GMHA OP in Bates Next Generation Deep Seat Jump saddle

**CAIR system: The CAIR® Cushion System replaces traditional fillings in your saddle with air cushions. CAIR® air cushion technology provides significant performance advantages in the way it distributes the rider’s weight and cushions the horse’s back.

Distributes the rider’s weight: Under the rider’s weight the air cushions continually mould to mirror the horse’s individual conformation and working muscles. This ensures a close, even contact over a much larger weight bearing area and eliminates instances of pressure points.

Cushioning the horse’s back: The dynamic nature of air ensures it works in synergy with the horse’s muscles, rather than the horse’s muscles working against a static medium. Additionally, air provides the ultimate shock absorption, reducing instances of trauma to the horse’s muscles in work.

**The EASY-CHANGE™ Fit Solution is the first total saddle fitting solution that not only enables full adjustment to be made to the saddle, but empowers riders to custom fit their saddles in a matter of minutes.

Riders can select the optimal tree width for their horse’s current shape and muscling with the EASY-CHANGE™ Gullet System, or make adjustments within their saddle panel for optimal balance and clearance with the EASY-CHANGE™ Riser System. Together these systems offer unparalleled scope of adjustment for a total fitting solution that’s not only easy, but measurable, and completely reversible giving total confidence to be able to easily make changes to the saddle.  http://www.easychangefitsolution.com/easy-change_fit_solution/index.html

**PERFORMANCE PANEL

All Bates Saddles feature a generous panel designed to ensure a large ‘footprint’ on the horse’s back, maximizing the weight-bearing surface of the saddle and resulting in a reduction in pressure per sq cm/inch and increased comfort for the horse. Coupled with a wide and even chamber, the performance panels support the horse’s working muscles, and maximize movement in the shoulder area.
Impressed by Isabell Werth’s commitment to the Wintec saddles, I decided there were benefits to riding my own horses in the lightweight synthetic saddle. Weather in Vermont is temperamental and my tight schedule offers little latitude, so synthetic was an easy care choice for bad weather and poor tack cleaning routine.  I was happy to have such a light saddle to carry down to indoor in the winter and my horse’s responded well: shoulders opened, backs swung, strides adjusted quickly to my seat aid.  Why spend more when my performance would not be less?  And if the multi-medalled Isabell can ride at the World Equestrian Games in a Wintec, I think I can ride at my area dressage shows and horse trials in one.  For inspirational video of Isabel in action in her saddle: http://www.batessaddles.com/isabellsaddle/action.htm

Saddles have improved over time with innovations for better fit and a better ride.  Bates and Wintec saddles offer a range of options for a precise fit: CAIR panels that conform to the shape of your horse, shims to further tailor fit, a gullet system to adjust the head plate, and a girth point system.  Girth up your saddle and in twenty minutes, the air conforms to your horse.  Horses change depending on maturity, type of work, and fitness level.  I like how this saddle responds to those changes.  The consistent balance and the fluidity of the air will allow muscle development and keep me even to work on my position to be a more effective rider.

There are a range of saddles in the Wintec and Bates—all-purpose, close contact, and dressage. Come into Strafford Saddlery and see the selection and Try a Change.

Annie Penfield is the owner of Strafford Saddlery in South Strafford, VT. She competes two Irish Sport Horses and loves to hack out with her husband and children and large dog.

www.straffordsaddlery.com

Meet the Barn: A Full Yard of Twenty Horses

arbara Hatton & I with Matty, aka 50/50, the four year old I own with Geoff Nichols.

Our yard is located in Borris, County Carlow which is fairly convenient with plenty of events and shows within 1-2 hours. Ireland is so small you could be anywhere in a few hours — if you are able to navigate narrow winding roads and make the most of minimal signage. Motorways (interstates) are far less common than in the US, and the smaller roads are not always well marked. Navigating Ireland is more a matter of heading from one village to the next to the next, and voila, you arrive at your destination, and if not, you call someone who has been there before, and they point you in the right direction.

We are 10 minutes from Goresbridge Horse Sales, Ireland’s largest sport horse auction, which is fairly dangerous unless you are able to keep your hands in your pocket. There are always tempting types and in September the top three year olds always bring prices to match, and in the excitement you’d be afraid to own something if you scratched your nose. I keep my hands under my seat, and definitely avoid eye contact with the auctioneer — sure fire way to own something quick! Next week is their March sale and we have a few horses entered, two that belong to customers and one that belongs to Donnacha’s father. I always look forward to seeing what horses are around, and at the October Sale last fall I came home with a colt foal by Harlequin du Carel, Tom Tom is now the youngest member of Ballytiglea Equine. My former US employer, Geoff Nichols, and I own a four year old together by Golden Master, out of a Maltstriker x King of Diamonds mare, he was bred just down the road at Slyguff Stud so didn’t have to come far to join us. Another two four year old geldings at the farm belong to Geoff & Joanie,

The youngest generation, three yearlings in ‘daycare’, mine is the bay in the middle, Tom Tom!

one by Golden Master and another by the same sire as Trading Aces, Coevers Diamond Boy and out of a Master Imp mare. Both are just broken and will get a bit of an education in Ireland before heading to the Nichols’ in the US with their new pilot, my good friend Ashley Adams. The Nichols sourced piles of fabulous horses and ponies in Ireland over the last 10 years, but this is the first time they’ve bought unbroken three year olds and left them to be produced in Ireland — it should be a fun new venture for all of us.

The first event of the year is a one day on Saturday at a place called Monart, about 30 minutes south of us near a village called Enniscorthy. I am riding one horse for his first time out, a six year old named Rio that I own myself. He was broken late as a five year-old last year and a bit green but I think a lot of him and it should be an exciting year. He’s by Master Imp, who sired four horses in the London Olympics, and out of a Glidawn Diamond x Coevers mare, so he’s a proper old fashioned Irish bred with all the right qualities and a super brain, but not without his quirks!

Next month there will be a few others to get their feet wet for the first time in 2013 — I am especially looking forward to getting back out with two seven year olds that I started eventing last season. Both took to eventing quickly and finished the season with a 1-2 finish in the 5/6 yo CNC* at Ballinaclough in Waterford, a CNC* is the equivalent of a US Preliminary level event. These two needed a bit more time to get fit as they only came in from the field after our wedding a month ago. Both were turned out after the last event of the year in October, and shortly after I headed off to Wellington to work for Irish showjumper Andrew Bourns for three months in the off season (also to trade rain for a bit of sunshine!). The horses enjoyed a well- deserved break and now we’re back in action and ready to roll.

The first seven year old is a lovely big gelding, Sacramento, who is by Passion & owned by Silvia Hoffstetter of Switzerland

Galtee, my mount for my first days’ hunting with the Killkenny Foxhounds, and Donnacha’s dog Cindy, who misses nothing!

who has been a great supporter of my husband Donnacha and now kindly let me have the ride, sorry Donnacha! The second is another big and rangy seven year-old, Slyguff Golden Ambition, who is owned by Barbara Hatton of Slyguff Stud. He is by one of her newer stallions, Golden Master, who is a son of Master Imp. Slyguff is a bit of an Irish legend as the home of stallions Master Imp, King of Diamonds, Imperius, & Highland King — Syguff is traditional Irish breeding in the truest form, breeding world-class show jumping and event horses for the past thirty years. You don’t have to look far to find Slyguff breeding in any part of the world, but beyond that it’s a humble place with happy horses minded like children and the kindest of people.

Things are starting to take shape over here and thanks to Donnacha, we have a very busy yard with 20 horses total between

the two of us. With only Donnacha and I doing the riding and mucking out, there is no danger of anyone lacking work, horses to ride, or suffering from boredom. The first few weeks post-wedding did not see a drop of rain, nothing short of an Irish miracle I am certain! But all is right in the world again and it’s not only wet here but we have had plenty of snow. Yesterday we took poor Rio off cross-country schooling in a proper blizzard, so we are ready for anything Saturday!

We welcome Kylie Lyman Dermody to the Strafford Saddlery team.  Kylie will be assisting with product review and marketing. And we will be following her journey to develop her own yard of sport horses in Ireland.

Kylie grew up in Hartford, VT and started her competitive life at Hitching Post Farm in South Royalton, VT.  She went on

Kylie and Trading Aces

to work for Robert Costello for several years before setting out on her own to train horses for the Nichols’ family’s Tom White Farm.  Recently married, Kylie has relocated to Ireland.  There, her plan is to build a sustainable string of horses from the ground up again, with the continued support of the Nichols’ family, along with new owners, and some horses of her own.

Here is the first installment of a regular series. Here she introduces us to the horses in her yard, horses we will be following.

“What I have now is direct access to some of the best prospects in the. Being based in Ireland I have constant opportunity to source the young horses the Nichols’ and I would have sought out in previous years, and this time with a better first hand knowledge of the breeding that sets Irish horses apart.

In order to maintain a constant string of horses, and keep the best ones for the long road, I hope to sell quality, well produced young horses on a consistent basis — I wish to continue on the road we began with Trading Aces.

Trading Aces was found in Ireland in 2009 with the Nichols’ as a 5 year old having hunted with the Island Hounds. At the same time Garrison Flash was found, also a five year old. In 2011, at the end of their 7 year old season, Trading Aces won the Fair Hill CCI**, the USEF CCI** National Championships, as well as the 6/7 National Championships, where Garrison Flash was 6th in the US and 3rd in the 6/7 year olds. At the same event, another young Nichols’ owned horse, DB Cooper finished 4th in the 5 year old East Coast Championships at Fair Hill. Both Trading Aces and Garrison Flash were named to the 2011 USEF Developing Riders’ List, and participated in team training sessions last winter with Captain Mark Phillips.

Trading Aces successfully moved up to the Advanced and CIC*** level before being sold to Boyd Martin and the Trading Aces Syndicate in 2012, with sights set on the WEG in Normandy. Garrison Flash is now in England with US Team Rider Clark Montgomery.

Late in 2011, the Nichols and I set off to Ireland again, and came home with two top four year old prospects, and two unbroken three year olds. In 2012 both qualified for the five year East Coast Championships with top scores in the qualifiers, and the two four year olds made their eventing debuts in 2012. For both the Nichols’ and I this was a confidence booster we could continue to bring quality horses to the sport from the ground up.

In June of 2012, I set off to make a life for myself in Ireland, build a string of my own horses, and continue on with the lessons the previous years have taught. Quicker than I thought, a group of exciting prospects has come together and I now find myself with a place to put my feet on the ground and look ahead. With the help of my partner and husband, Irish show jumper Donnacha Dermody, I have a promising string of horses for 2013, three of which with sights set on the World Breeding Championships for 6/7 year olds at Lion D’Angers in France at the end of the season.

The first horse is Sacramento, a rising 7 year old belonging to a new owner for me, Swiss businesswoman Silvia Hoffstetter. ‘Jackson’ ran his first ever event late in 2012, coming off a show jumping career he took to eventing quickly, with a strong record last season. He won his final CNC* of 2012, just ahead of stablemate Slyguff Golden Ambition, another rising 7 yo. ‘Marty’ is owned by one of Irelands’ legendary breeders, Barbara Hatton of Slyguff Stud. Barbara quickly became a good friend and fantastic supporter, and is also the breeder of one of my most exciting new prospects, ‘Harbor Master’, a 4 yo  that I own together with the Nichols’ family. I hope to aim ‘Matty’ at the FEHL, as well as show jumping him in the age classes. If all goes well I’d hope to aim him at the Burghley Young Event Horse qualifiers, but the main goal being to save this horse for the long road. To join this promising group is the one horse I own on my own, a six year old by the famous Master Imp, he is another I hope to keep for the long road and produce as a future International horse. A short term goal for ‘Glidawn Master’ is also Lion in 2013. Joining this group is a five year old mare belonging to British owner Caroline Teltsch, also with sights set on the FEHL classes, and possibly the Burghley qualifiers in England. In a short time I’ve found myself with a exciting group of horses to develop and hope that at least one can take over where I left off with Trading Aces, while he is undoubtedly a once in a lifetime horse I will never replace, I know I want to try again and finish what I started.

I hope to continue to spend time in the US each year and maintain contacts in both places — as I’ve done this year, spending three months in Wellington working for Irish Show Jumper Andrew Bourns. While not directly benefiting my own eventing career, it’s been a fabulous adventure in an entirely different scene but wonderful education in both show jumping and dealing to both US and Irish markets.”

Join us as we follow her progress, through posts on facebook and blog updates. Good luck Kylie!!

Dazzle joined our family as a nine-month old when my middle daughter was a nine months old. I acquired him from a shady donkey dealer who covered his name on a list of donkeys on a some communal coggins test (is there such a thing? Communal coggins test?) in an effort to prove he was negative. I really didn’t care about his health status, as a mini Castilian nine-month old stud donkey colt, I just wanted to bring him home, and out of the clutches of the shady donkey dealer.

Dazzle did not seem to understand that he was thirty-two inches high. He wove impervious through the legs of giants, Cleveland Bay crosses, even though his eye level was at their elbows. And he spent time communing with Sylvia. Seems like nine-months old have a common language.

A common language for Sylvia and Dazzle

My small children loved that he was eye-level. He was their first ride—until they discovered that ponies steer and that the saddle is less likely to swim about on the pony back. And if the moveable saddle wasn’t enough to pitch them off, then it was, his crab crawling sort of canter down hills, and off-trail around trees that was slightly terrifying.

So not the most desirable ride, but he is sought after. He goes out on jobs. To babysit convalescing horses, as a companion to lonely horses. Trips to pre-school. The fourth of July fair.

He dazzles. And whether pleasing crowds of toddlers or manuvering now through 17.2h Irish sport horses, he commands the crowd—and the household. I know when dinner is late, according to the loud braying resounding through barn and house. And he goes where he pleases. For a while, he and his sidekick Kita (a 10.2h white pony mare—lots of

Sylvia accompanies Dazzle (keeping him in the back of the truck) to a school visit

mane and even more attitude) dove between electric wires for moonlight romps in the hayfield, or wrangle into the horse trailer to clean up the hay, or to taste the apples on a far tree, or arrive unexpectedly in a jump lesson, and then roll in the nice sandy

arena, or follow us along on a trail ride in his meandering, crooked, and delighted way of going.

He has strong opinions. Wary of the whims of Vermont summer, he won’t shed out until July. He won’t come out in the rain, or the snow.

He is very protective of my large 16-hand mare. Dinner should arrive on schedule. Wreaths should not be tied on a donkey, there is dignity you know.

Wreath duty

He’s a wanderer. I am never sure where he may turn up. Dazzle: Donkey at Large. Where will he be next?

Keeping your Horse Cool, Clean, and Comfortable

“But it’s not a stable sheet,” my rep laughed.

“But it’s great.” I said, “Stuff doesn’t stick to it and it’s warmer than an Irish knit but with the moisture management system, it wicks moisture.”

“If you like it that much, you might like it even more for what it was actually designed for: a cooler.” He replied.

I was speaking of my Helix Cooler by Horseware Ireland. Designed as a cooler, I had often reached for it over my fleece coolers, particularly when leaving a horse in a stall because the smooth surface prevented shavings from adhering to it. Because it seemed to function well as both a stable sheet and a cooler, I used it for traveling to shows as well.

Horseware Ireland’s Helix uses an advanced fabric construction to wick moisture and disperse it across a wide surface area. Unlike fleece coolers, there is no layer of moisture settling on the top of the sheet. Although fleece is an improvement over wool because it wicks the moisture away from the body, and like wool, keeps the body warm, but the fast drying fabric dries which seems to aid the drying of the horse’s coat as well.

I have put the Helix on cool but wringing wet with sweat horses and been happy at the drying properties of the blanket.  Because of these features, I have preferred to use this as a travel rug, because often four horses in a trailer can heat up the small quarters of the trailer. Then the sheet keeps off dust when travelling but also keeps wicks sweat and alleviates muscle tightness because the body stays warm while drying. And I have used it as a layer under the blanket.

Apparently others found this sheet versatile. Horseware Ireland now markets it as three in one: travel blanket, cooler and stable sheet. The sheet also conforms well to the body with Horseware’s patented design of leg arches.

There is a low budget alternative to the Helix from Horseware Ireland: it’s the  Amigo® Stable sheet. The Amigo version also uses an advanced fabric construction to wick moisture and disperse it across a wide surface area and stays in place due to cross surcingles.

This is the Optimo Turnout with center pivotal dart.

And I did get a stable blanket. I was leaving the sheet on every night and because my horses have big shoulders, I felt that it might be tight with the two traditional front closures and I wanted something with the v-closure that would allow for more freedom for the shoulder. Not that they are moving much in their stalls but I didn’t want t to rub.

What I chose was the Optimo Stable Sheet. The Optimo sports a whole new design: New innovative articulated pivotal dart system with split technology located in the center of the sheet. The horse’s body, front and back, are constructed differently and move differently. The only way to resolve the majority of fitting problems is to have two different garments combined as one. Using Split Technology, the front of the blanket is free to pivot, extend, turn and float with the shoulder while the back of the blanket will sit firmly in position. Designed as a stable sheet, the outer layer is more durable, and therefore probably a more suitable choice for overnight.

-Annie Penfield

From All of us at Strafford Saddlery, we wish you a

wonderful holiday season and a Dazzling New Year!

  

Don’t Go Unnoticed: The Samshield Helmet—Safety and Style

Some time ago, my mother, my sisters and I all went mattress shopping. Needless to say, mattress shopping was not high on my list of things to do at that age (or any age for that matter). I would much rather have been spending my time shoveling manure in a barn…really, I would have. But sometimes mandatory family outings are not open for debate. Regardless, I was young and definitely not in the mood to watch my mother and my older sister (who was in the market for a new mattress) make a mental pro and con list after testing each and every mattress in the entire department store.

To avoid any serious confrontation, I decided to take a nap on some random mattress and dream about the next horse I would gallop, jump or own! Well, I RANDOMLY chose to lie on the best mattress in the store, and this particular mattress was the Tempur-Pedic Memory Foam Mattress. It was sensational! My mother always told me I had the most expensive taste of anyone she knew. I couldn’t help it-I knew which the best products in life were! Lying on this mattress was like sitting on a cloud made of pudding! You could simply sink into the material and have this amazing sense of security, yet unbelievable comfort simultaneously. We didn’t leave the store that day with a Tempur-Pedic, but I certainly left with a distinct sense of what real comfort revolved around–memory foam!

Fast forward about fifteen years later and I’ve found myself in my local tack shop-Strafford Saddlery, during a big sale. During the sale, I tried on a helmet that instantaneously brought me back to my youth in that mattress store, except this time the overwhelming sense of comfort and security was surrounding my head, not my entire body. I can honestly say I have never tried on a more flattering, or more soothing helmet than this new line of helmets made by Samshield!

As an event rider, and as someone who has been riding a lot of horses over the last 20 years, I have gone through my fair share of helmets. I am pretty sure I started riding horses with a bicycle helmet-which, in retrospect, was a lot better than not wearing a helmet at all. Helmets have gone through waves of variations and alterations. As time passed in my childhood, I became increasingly more involved with horses which led my family to invest in better head wear, and leave the bike helmets for actual bike rides. Helmets are fascinating pieces of equipment, cosmetic and yet essential, and the Samhield Helmet undoubtedly fascinates me.

Samshield got it when they designed this line of helmets. Samshield strategically combined high-style with high-tech functionality, making this helmet not only gorgeous to look but, but extremely easy to wear and incredibly safe. In fact, Samshield has become the number one helmet of choice for several top European riders. Now that Samshield has become ASTM/SEI approved, the line of helmets has become available for purchase in the US.  Samshield is proud to offer American professional and amateur riders the ultimate head gear in fit, safety and style.  (http://www.riders4helmets.com/2011/04/samshield%E2%80%99s-innovate-helmet-design-attracts-top-equestrians-at-home-and-abroad/). Samshield helmets are exquisite, highly functional, and extremely comfortable…what more could you ask for in a single helmet?

Several reasons why Samshield to put on your wishlist:

1) Ventilation. This helmet has a unique cutout design along with advanced air channels which allow increased airflow. One of the number one biggest complaints in the world of equestrians is that riders heads get overheated, which can obviously be extremely problematic. Overheating can lead to several problems such as headaches, nausea, dizziness and more. Samshield does not restrict airflow. This revolutionary helmet will you keep you cool on the warmest of days. Some helmets attempted to solve this overheating problem by placing vents on the top of the helmet, or on the sides of helmets. Samshield placed their air channels directly above the rim of the helmet which creates the most direct and efficient path for air to pass through. Not only is this helmet exceptionally designed, but is highly functional, and looks fantastic as well!

2) Safety. Samshield has designed a helmet that is ASTM/SEI approved and provides all the necessary safety features a helmet must have this day in age. Safety is the number one most important factor in the riding world. There are countless regulations in official rulebooks for eventing, dressage and hunter/jumpers, some of which cover proper and mandatory head gear. A huge benefit to owning a Samshield Helmet revolves around the memory foam liner, as mentioned previously. Furthermore, this liner can easily be removed and washed when it becomes dirty, or has a bad odor. Samshield actually recommends that the liner be cleaned from time to time because perspiration build up will ultimately clog the pours in the material, making the liner lose its original shape. Additionally, with the memory foam liner, along with a functional comfort leather harness, a correctly fitted and cared for Samshield helmet will never shift forward hindering a rider’s view. Nor will it slide back in case a fall occurs resulting in a potentially dangerous contact at the base of the skull. Therefore having a helmet that fits and provides safety is a must. Samshield covers all the before mentioned bases and looks fabulous on every shape head! “Samshield’s strong, light polycarbonate outer shell and EPS inner core keep riders safe…” The extremely important safety factor combined with Samshield’s distinctive design and ground-breaking air channels guarantee constant comfort.

3) Comfort. As mentioned previously, this helmet feels like a tempur-pedic mattress circumventing your head. A memory foam liner actually comes with any purchased Samshield helmet. The foam liner inside the helmet maintains shape while allowing the helmet to fit appropriately and securely. (An important side note-these liners can be purchased individually at any time).  A common problem with other helmets revolves around ill-fitting designs. As time passes, your helmet can became looser as the inside liner thins out, even after numerous cleanings, the helmet will not hold its original shape. But the memory foam liner of the Samshield helmet does exactly what memory foam was designed to do: mold around an object while maintaining shape. This innovative design and liner provide continual comfort, while flattering any shape head. Every time you put your Samshield helmet on, it’s almost as if the helmet comes to life and actually remembers the specific and intricate shape of your head.

4) Style. There’s simply no denying the beauty in the inventive design that Samshield has created. These helmets come in numerous varieties, colors, and bling! These helmets can be custom made to your specific taste. There are countless different choices, but whatever specific style you choose, you will not go unnoticed. This helmet cannot help but draw and allure the attention of those surrounding you and your horse. This helmet ups your game, whether you’re in the jump ring, or doing canter pirouettes in the dressage ring. In the words of Brianne Goutal, the winner of this years $100,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix at the 88^th Royal Horse Show in Toronto, her Samshield helmet “provides ventilation, which I love when we are in hot climates, and the color and texture options make it adaptable to any taste or style. I’m planning on wearing mine for a very long time! Samshield helmets are flattering on every shaped head. They look amazing straight on and from a profile perspective. They are an extremely slimming and incredibly flattering line of head gear. By offering numerous colors, texture options, and providing aesthetically pleasing appearances, this helmet ultimately appeals to a broad range of equestrians. Depending on your personal style and your discipline, this helmet can be custom designed to reflect your individual taste.

No matter what the design and no matter what the color, Samshield will not disappoint. This helmet truly has it all, from the strategic ventilation, to the innovative design, all the way to the overwhelming comfort.  Samshield has created a helmet that has jumped leaps and bounds past other helmet manufacturers. This helmet will reduce overheating, provide continual safety, and offer unparalleled comfort, while allowing riders to look their best at all times! What more can I possibly say…let the helmet speak for itself…Samshield!

written by Lila Gendal

All quotes:

(http://www.riders4helmets.com/2011/02/samshield%E2%80%99s-innovative-helmet-design-attracts-top-equestrians-at-home-and-abroad/)”

Embroidery Service: Personalize a saddle pad, cooler, or blanket for your horse or rider in your barn.
***Buy your item at 20% off and have us personalize it for you with our new embroidery service
1-3 letters $14.95
4-10 letters $21.95
11-20 letters $28.95

3 day turn-around! Email, call or send us a message on FB to take advantage of our new and exciting service!

HOLIDAY SALE!!! STORE-WIDE—

            Monday, December 10^th – Saturday, December, 15^th  (regular store hours)

            EVERYTHING ON SALE. Great Holiday gifts & gift certificates.

LET US HELP YOU: Wish lists (fill out your dream gifts for your friends and family); Trainer Gifts (pool your resources for one great gift); Gift Certificates (buy on line, on the phone, email or call) or talk to our staff about ideas.

FACEBOOK: Like us on Facebook! Each day we post a special—more for the holidays. Friend us on Facebook and we will enter you in a raffle of a $100 gift certificate to the shop. Drawing on January 15^th.

WEBSITE: also has a weekly special that can purchased on-line—Dazzle’s pick of the week.  All our blankets specials are on-line (like Rhino Pony Wug medium and WeatherBeeta Orican medium weights) and more! BIG BOOT CLEARANCES now on the website!! IF you can’t find it, email us:info@straffordsaddlery.com

BLOG: posted on our website www.straffordsaddlery.com  sign up on our website and be alerted when the blogs are posted.  We review products and discuss our experience with tack, blankets, apparel.  Past topics: Air Vests, Matrix Half-pads, and more.

3 day turn-around! Email, call or send us a message on FB to take advantage of our new and exciting service!