Helmet Fitting 101

The proper helmet for riding is the most important piece of safety equipment you need to purchase.    Selecting the perfect helmet that fits properly can be a difficult process, at times.  To help make it easier, here are a few tips on fitting.

First you want to select the helmet that suits you needs and fits into your budget.  Equus Now! has several selections from Charles Owen, Kask, SamShield, GPA, OneK, and Ovation.  Many of these brands have different models designed to fit both a long oval and round head.  Before you try on the helmet, you will need to put your hair up in the exact way in which you ride.  If you ride with your hair down, in a ponytail, the placement of your pony tail will make a difference in the fit of the helmet. You don’t want to do it up too high so it is in the helmet.  This can interfere with the fit of the helmet and can give the rider a headache. 

Once you have your hair fixed the way that you like it, it’s time to try on some helmets.  If you are to measure your head, you will want to sit in a chair and have someone else do it for you.  To properly measure your head, you will want to measure around starting and ending at the largest part of the forehead, just above the eyebrows.  This will give you the size of your head, but, it is not always that accurate, because the numbers don’t always convert the same with each manufacturer.  If you try on a few different sizes, in the model that you like, you can get a feel for the helmet.  If it is tight on your forehead and back of your head, most likely you have a long oval head shape and may need helmet shaped accordingly.  A helmet that is pressing on the sides, yet gaping in the front and the back, suggests that you may need a round helmet.  Either way, the helmet should not feel as if it could give you a headache. 

When you have figured out whether you need a round or long oval helmet, you will now be able to get the most accurate fit.  When the helmet is placed on your head, it must be snug, but not to the point that it will give you a headache.  There should be no gapping in the front, back or either sides.  Also, the helmet should not move easily from front to back or side to side. The helmet should also not look perched on your head. The final test of a proper fitting helmet is the “brow lift” test.  To do this, have someone put both hands on either side of the helmet and pull it up very slightly.  If the eye brows don’t move, it’s too big.  If the eye brows move, but it’s hard to pull the helmet up to do it, the helmet is too tight.  When the eye brows move very slightly with ease, then you have a helmet that fits.  This is all done with the harness undone. Once you are sure the helmet fits perfectly, you’ll need to adjust the harness fit.  The chin strap on the harness should fit comfortably under the chin and not be too tight or too loose.  The best way to judge the chin strap fit is to snap it in and be able to fit two fingers in between.  The test that you DO NOT want to do, is to bend over with the helmet undone on your head. This is NOT an accurate way to truly test the fit of a helmet because with the harness undone, it will come off, no matter what.

About the Author…

Jennifer Hetzler has been an integral part of the Equus Now! Management Team for over 14 years. Under the tutelage of the leading manufacturers in our industry – Samshield, Charles Owen, GPA and One K – Jennifer is our GO TO expert for fitting these brands to ensure a PERFECT FIT for the rider.

---

Find YOUR perfect helmet this weekend at Equus Now! and get up to 25% off!

Shop our large selection in store and online – you’re sure to find a helmet you love for a great price.

 

Samshield Helmets

 

“Launch a product only when you are sure that it will be the best of the market.” This statement from Jim Jannard (the creator of Oakley Eyewear) has greatly influenced Samshield’s philosophy – and it shows.

Recently, while on his way to Rolex, we were lucky enough to be visited by Julien Lecomte from Samshield. Julien explained some of the benefits of Samshield’s innovative technology and design and even fit one of our lucky ladies in a Samshield!

So what makes Samshield Helmets so unique?

Samshield helmets were inspired by MOTORCYCLE helmet technology – their founder, Sam Maloigne, was a motocross/supercross international professional from 1980 to 1990!

After surveying hundreds of riders from all levels, Samshield addressed their top complaints to develop a helmet that is both comfortable and safe.

1. Safety: Samshield helmets have a high quality polycarbonate outer shell, along with a polystyrene inner shell. In case of impact, the combination of these two shells ensure better dissipation of impact energy (in short: TOP impact absorption).
2. Sweating: Of course one of the top complaints for many riders is sweat, sweat, sweat! Samshield helmets have incredible airflow due to air canals under the visor (no huge bug-eye vents!)
3. Headache: the pressure from many helmets can leave you with a splitting headache and a mark on the forehead. Samshield helmets are built so that there is no contact in that troublesome spot (while still maintaining the safest of standards) – meaning no pressure and no headache! Plus, the MEMORY FOAM inserts don’t squeeze the head.
4. Rotation: The Samshield chin strap is lined with leather and has a foam inside – comfortable straps make it easy to keep the helmet from rotating!
5. Dirty insides: it’s inevitable. Helmets get dirty inside and out. What can you do? Well, Samshield helmets have removable machine washable liners – easy to clean and replace! They SNAP in, not velcro – velcro can grow weaker over time or with dirt. These snaps won’t do that. Another bonus of the liners – if you like to wear your hair up sometimes and down other times, you can buy another LINER to make your helmet fit safely both ways instead of having to have 2 separate helmets or riding in a not-fitting helmet (though we hope you’d never do that)!
6. External Color Fading: No worries there – Samshield helmets can be easily cleaned. The Shadowmatt helmet can be cleaned with simple glycerin saddle soap, and the Alcantara fabric is easily brushed out.

Another thing we LOVE about Samshield Helmets – Their customization options! Almost endless, you can create your custom Samshield with different options for pretty much everything. Plus, they have this amazing configurator tool which lets you see exactly how your helmet will look!

Once you’ve found your dream helmet, simply click “Ask for a Quote” to send us your order – and we’ll contact you! If you haven’t already, we strongly suggest trying out the tool – but beware, you may spend hours playing with it!

Thank you to Julien for stopping by and seeing us!

New Arrivals!

Who else is ready for spring? At Equus Now! we DEFINITELY are. With Spring just around the corner, we’ve started to get in some new sportswear! Take a look at some of our favorite new arrivals below.

 

The Lettia London Tee: This shirt is super cute for any rider who loves the show life. You know you know SOMEONE this would be perfect for (it might even be you!)

 

 

 

 

The Asmar York Show Jacket: this jacket is ultra breathable and lightweight but still has stretch. Expert tailoring and a front zipper give it a slimming silhouette (always a bonus)!

 

 

 

 

RJ Classics Gulf Breeches: We are LOVING the colors in this collection from RJ Classics.

 

 

 

 

 

Ariat Sunstopper Shirt: Available in GREAT new colors, this shirt will protect your skin from the harsh summer sun!

 

 

 

Noble Outfitters Back-to-Back Reversiable Belt: This super-fun belt is reversible, so it’s like having two belts in one! Bonus: the bright colors remind us that spring is coming!

 

 

 

 

Kerrits Ice Fil Tech Riding Tights: Your favorite warm weather riding tights are back – and in fun new colors for the season!

 

 

 

 

Asmar Rider Jacket: with this bright jacket in your wardrobe, even a rainy spring day will feel like a sunny one!

 

 

These are just SOME of the newest arrivals at Equus Now! Stay tuned on our Facebook page to keep up to date with the newest items in our store, and Check out more great pieces from our Spring Arrivals here!

Mardis Gras FUN!

Last weekend was our first ever Mardis Gras event – and oh, an event to remember! Festivities included a bead toss where customers could earn up to 25% OFF one item! We had a BLAST. Everyone was festively dressed in masks. Even our MANNEQUINS were dressed for the occasion!

Great New Orleans Jazz, Costumes, and Discounts! What could be more fun than that? Of course, we had to get a little goofy –

Barn Gift Guide 2015

‘Tis the season… for gift giving! Barn parties, stocking stuffers, and more. We’ve put together a list of GREAT gift ideas for every equestrian on your list.

Gifts Under $25

• Socks! You can NEVER have enough socks – especially when they are this colorful and fun. Zocks are available in super cute patterns as well as solid colors. Sock it to Me socks are SO MUCH fun with their crazy colors and designs. NEW in our sock collection are Noble Outfitters PEDDIES – these are super cool socks with extra cushioned feet and an ultra-thin calf for maximum comfort.

• Noble Outfitters Wine Down Hoof Pick – A great gift for the over 21 crowd, this hoof pick has an easy access corkscrew concealed right in its handle! A great way to “wine down” after a long day at the barn.

• Dark Horse Chocolates & a Bag of Horse Treats – Treat them AND their horse! Dark horse Chocolates are DELICIOUS and come in different sizes and types. You’re sure to find one that they’ll love. We’ve got TONS of horse treats to choose from. Some of Our horses’ favorites: German Horse Muffins, Stud Muffins, and Peppermint Plops!

• Fleece Riding Gloves make a lovely stocking stuffer for any rider. We all know how unforgiving that winter wind can be on our digits, and how important it is to protect them!

• Boot Shine Kit – always great to have one of these on hand! This one comes in a handy carrying case with everything they need to get their boots show-ring ready!

• Scarves are a fashionable gift that they can use in or out of the barn. We have some GREAT selections this year from both Joules and Ariat! (Psst… the Ariat Cable Scarf is 20% OFF for a LIMITED TIME!)

• Monogrammed Centaur Baby Pads – we all know how easy it is to lose baby pads around the barn. Make them easier to find by monogramming with their or their horses’ name!

• Bit Bracelets are fashionable AND have just the right amount of horsey charm. Available in different colors and styles from Noble Outfitters!

• Engraved bracelets are a great PERSONALIZED gift that they’ll love to wear everywhere.

•  A Horseshoe Picture Frame is a great gift for any horse lover. For a personalized touch, put in a photo of them and their favorite horse before wrapping!

• Rebecca Ray Clutches make fantastic gifts – and the SALE price only makes them better! These colorful clutches come with Anchor, Dog, or Bird Silhouette patterns.

• MOSS Scented Saddle Soap comes in ah-mazing scents that will have them cleaning their tack in no time! Lavender, Vanilla Bean, Citrus Basil, and Tea Rose – we can’t decide which scent we like best!

• Insulated Tumbler – these cute horsey cups make a great gift. For a cute touch, fill them with hot chocolate packets or coffee!

Gifts $25-$50

• The Gourmet Horse Treat Gift Bag – this bag of pretty horse treats would make any equestrians day! Unique and pretty treats that any horse would love. Already wrapped and ready to go – for only $25!

• Noble Outfitters Vests were a HIT at our annual Black Friday Sale, and for good reason! This super-soft and cozy vest will be their favorite wardrobe item this winter season.

• Engraved Key Chains are both eye-catching AND functional. These are available in different sizes and styles and can be personalized with your choice of fonts to say whatever you like!

• Engraved Stall Plates are another great personalized gift for the barn. Great for any new horse owners out there.

• Helmet Bags make a great gift – stuff it with hair nets and helmet cleaner for a fun surprise!

 

• Boot Bags also make fantastic gifts for any rider (Even better if they have a brand-new pair of boots to fill them with)! We have tons of fun boot bags from Noble Outfitters, Centaur, and TuffRider.

• Back on Track Gloves or Socks – ask anyone who has tried Back on Track products and they’ll rave to you about their benefits. This is a practical gift that they will love, especially if they get cold hands and feet or suffer from arthritis. Gloves are available in both riding and regular!

• Belts – c4 Belts are unique, colorful belts that will fit almost everyone. They come in TONS of color combinations, and the belts and buckles are interchangeable. There are so many possibilities! For leather belts, Noble Outfitters and Tory are the way to go. Stylish and classic, you’ll find a belt for just about anyone on your list!

•  Rebecca Ray Cuff Bracelet – pretty much EVERYTHING Rebecca Ray makes would be an amazing gift, but our choice this year is the Rebecca Ray Cuff Bracelet. Available in brass or nickel in great colors with an eye catching snaffle bit accent.

Kit Ideas

• Horse Show Cleanup Kit – put together a basket or bucket with Helmet Cleaner & DeOdorizer, Boot Polish, and other essentials for horse show cleanup such as sponges and green spot remover! This is a unique and fun gift idea that will also get a lot of use.

• Tack Cleaning Kit – Cleaner, Conditioner, Scented Soap, Sponges, and Bit Cleaner in a small bucket!

• Gift of Warmth Kit – keep them warm with fleece gloves, hand and foot warmers, winter socks, and an insulated mug! For something even nicer, add in a dress sheet for their horse or an Equi-in-Style Heated Shirt!

Last but not least…

• The Equus Now! GIFT CARD always makes a welcome gift for ANY rider! These cards can be loaded with any amount and can be used to buy anything – perfect for that barn white elephant gift exchange!

 

 

 

 

Black Friday 2015

Well, another FANTASTIC Black Friday has gone by… and this was one for the books! Black Friday is always one of our BIGGEST sales of the year. This year was extra special with up to 40% OFF Storewide on everything in stock. Not to mention the HUGE markdowns in our Clearance Warehouse, where items are already at rock bottom prices!

Doors opened at 10 am, but many arrived long beforehand and queued up outside. The line wrapped around the building – this might have been an Equus Now! record.

Early Birds got to choose from FANTASTIC prizes provided by some of our amazing vendors. This year, we gave away over $2,000 in prizes! Noble Outfitters, Ogilvy, and RJ Classics are just a FEW of the great vendors who provided prizes for the sale. Our Prize room was bursting at the seams!

An exciting addition to our Black Friday Sale this year was the PBJ Connections Bake Sale and Sponsored Photo Booth in the prize room. Amazing treats (including, of course, PB&J Sandwiches!) and The Photo Booth was SO MUCH FUN. Be sure to check out all of the photos on facebook!

PBJ provides professional mental health and behavioral health therapy for youth and families using horses. A big thanks to PBJ Connections for all of their hard work. If you don’t know this organization, check them out NOW – they do great work!

The fun folks behind Tango and Tilly were also on hand, with a super fun WRITING & COLORING CONTEST for the young ones! What a great way to keep the kids entertained. These books are so much fun – be sure to learn more about them here!

Bella Beads Studio was in the store during the sale, making custom bracelets! What an AWESOME personalized holiday gift – PERFECT for just about everyone on your list! We were so excited to have Bella Beads join us in the store!

This year’s Black Friday was an absolute BLAST from start to finish! We had so much fun. There’s nothing better than when we can spend a day giving great deals to our amazing customers. A HUGE THANKS to everyone who made it out to enjoy the sale with us, and to our amazing helpers. We definitely couldn’t do it without you! Be sure to go through our facebook photo album and see even more fun photos from the event.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

 

SPOTLIGHT TRAINER – Scott DeHelian

What discipline do you find the most interesting besides your own specialty?

Dressage, I totally appreciate the benefits of what dressage can do to improve a horse, as long as it’s done correctly.  Most horses will let you know if it’s being done correctly.  The horse should end up happier, not more uncomfortable.

What is your favorite place to travel to?

My small house up on Lake Erie, mid-way between Cleveland and Erie, PA.  It has its own beach, and I spend time water skiing, golfing, playing tennis, and biking.  The wineries up there are terrific, and I have sampled all the wines from that are.  Most people don’t realize that 75% of Ohio wines come from that county.

What is your favorite horse show as an exhibitor and why?

Country Heir Farm Show:  The conditions, stabling, footing, rings, jumps, and any horse and rider amenities are taken care of to the ultimate degree.  If there was a magazine titled “Horse Show Beautiful”, it would be in there.

Do you have a favorite breed?

Thoroughbred: With this breed I believe you combine the utmost in soundness, intelligence, work ethic, and athleticism.  As with all other breeds, you just need to be patient enough to find the right ones.  Because so many of them go to the race track and never are quiet enough later for a show career, I think too many people label them as “hot”.  There are just as many horse show rejects for various reasons in other breeds as there are in the thoroughbred industry.

Tell us about a horse that really made an impact on you and why

Rhett Butler, it was a small horse that I was very successful with in the Regular Working Hunter Division at the most prominent horse shows in the mid 1980’s both Rodney Jenkins and Charlie Weaver had shown the horse some years ahead of me, and at the 1985 Trader’s Point Horse Show, I was champion with the horse back during a time that only the best horses went in that division.  During that show there were the biggest named hunter riders east of the Mississippi competing against me.  Kenny Wheeler came up to me after being pinned champion and said he’d watched that horse go for a few years, and neither Rodney or Charlie rode that horse as well as I did.

If you weren’t a horse trainer what else would you want to be?

A landscape designer.  I love working with plants, coordinating flowers, shrubs, and trees to make an outdoor living space be an extension of a person’s home.

Thoughts about Equus Now! ?

I shop here because of the great variety of merchandise.  The value in the cost per item has always been clear in my mind.  My special experience was the day I came in when you had the 30% off contest with the basketball hoop.  I was there with Josh, Allison and Kitty, and it was so much fun, and because I made enough baskets, I got the 30% off discount and bought a pair of boots.

What is your favorite local restaurant? Any Cameron Mitchell Restaurant (all of them!)

Favorite Movie?  The Out of Towners

What are you reading right now?  Great Lighthouses of the World

Favorite Reality TV show?  Survivor

Scott DeHelian is a lifelong horseman who has been a hunter jumper professional since the early 1980s. During his competitive career he trained and showed some the country’s most legendary hunters, competed successfully at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show and Washington International Horse Show, and earned significant prize money and titles in major Grand Prix jumping events in the Midwest. From 2000 to 2006 Mr. DeHelian was an adjunct faculty member at the University of Findlay where he taught and helped coach teams that won national titles. Today Scott DeHelian continues to ride, train, and teach through his business based at Wild Oats Farm in Delaware, OH. In addition to working with his own clients, he teaches clinics at private stables and college campuses. Scott DeHelian holds large R judging credentials for hunters, jumpers, and equitation and a special events judging card for Quarter Horse hunters. He judges competitions for both the Interscholastic Equestrian Association and the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association.

On the Road with Equus Now! The 2015 New Albany Classic

The latest stop for the Equus Now!  mobile rig was at the New Albany Classic.  This is a show like no other! Every year, we are so thrilled and honored to be the ONLY mobile unit at this event, which raises so much for the Columbus Center for Family Safety and Healing. We enjoyed seeing our regular customers and welcomed so many new ones who not only came to shop, but also came to learn more about this sport that we love so much. And it was also a wonderful feeling to be able to donate one hundred percent of our proceeds to the Center for Family Safety and Healing. So, a big thank you goes out to everyone who made a purchase – you all made a difference!

This year, the Classic started out for us on Saturday with a fabulous reception at the store welcoming Meg Banks, a famous blogger who was here to cover the Classic. Meg came right off the plane from Florida to Equus Now!, and from 4 – 5:30, our guests all had a chance to meet Meg and have their picture taken with her or get an autograph. Bucky, the New Albany Classic mascot was there for photo opportunities, AND local New Albany Classic 2015 riders Ali Wolff and Andre Mershad showed up and were available for photos and to talk about their success stories. 2014 local New Albany Classic rider Gabriella Mershad also came to join in on the festivities. The store was packed and there was a line to meet Meg, who was so gracious to everyone. There was food and drink, and lots of pictures taken! We gave out goodie bags with lots of great stuff in them to the first 100 customers and they went fast. There were 20 New Albany Classic general admission tickets given away. The biggest give away of all was 2 VIP passes to the Classic. At the end of the night we did the drawing and the lucky winner was Fin Mueller! Fin and his family were new customers to the store, so what an exciting opportunity for them! Congratulations Fin! What a great way to end the party! It was certainly a lovely event and a great opportunity to meet Meg Banks.  Even Gracie got a picture with Meg!

Be sure to follow Meg for the latest updates on the A circuit on  Instagram (MEG_AT), Facebook (followmegat), and Twitter (@meg_at_). Plus,  check out her blog!

But wait….. There’s more!!

After a wonderful pre show reception with Meg Banks as our guest of honor, the mood was set to continue on with the main event the New Albany Classic. The mobile rig, chock full of stuffed ponies, puppies, and of course, Breyers, was moved to the Classic the Friday before the event and set up in the perfect spot. How cool is it to be right next to Jurassic Park and the High Walk!

On the morning of the Classic, we quickly went to work organizing everything to get ready for the crowds. The awning was pulled out and quickly began to resemble a carnival with all of the stuffed animals clipped to it.

We also had Breyers galore, which filled up three tables outside and several shelves inside. The weather was perfect, with a slight chill in the air, but we were prepared with new Fall sportswear from Ariat and Noble Outfitters.

But this day wasn’t about new sportswear, it was about families. There were enough happy faces around to last a lifetime! And that’s why the New Albany Classic is not just another horse show – it’s a family event, from which 100% of all proceeds are donated to the Center For Family Safety and Healing. From the concert, to the rides, to the food trucks, and of course, to the horses, there was something for everyone to enjoy.  There were kids with their faces painted like their favorite animal or super hero. There were zip line rides, petting zoos, incredible food trucks, and some of the most talented horses and riders in the world. It was a great day indeed!

The 125,000 Invitational Grand Prix was like no other. Close to thirty horse and rider teams competed for the Authentic Cup, named in honor of Abigail Wexner’s brilliant jumper, who had been retired at the New Albany Classic just a few years ago. The course, as always, was strategically designed and set on a well manicured grass field in a stadium like setting.  The seats were filled with eager spectators for the main event. Two of Central Ohio’s own competed this year, Ali Wolff and Andre Mershad, both from New Albany. Ali, in her third Classic, and her horse Casall were fresh off of an exciting second place finish in the Welcome Classic at the Gold Cup. Andre and his horse Man and Black, in his first Classic, made history by being the youngest rider ever to compete in the Invitational.  David Beisel of Goshen, Ohio, who is well known in the Columbus area, also competed on Harlow Investment Enterprises LLC’s  Call Me Hannes. All riders rode very well, but in the end, it was between Beezie Madden and Breitling LS and Irishman Conor Swail and his horse Simba De La Roque who finished with in seconds of each other.  Swail bested Madden’s time over the eight jump course by a thrilling one second to win the Authentic Cup for the Irish for the second year in a row. Congratulations Conor Swail and Simba De La Roque on winning the 18th annual New Albany Classic!

The day ended with a mad rush for the last stuffed ponies and Breyer horses that we had left. As we packed up, we all talked about what a great day we had had. We were honored to be a part of this wonderful day for a wonderful cause. Special thanks go out to the Equus Now! New Albany Classic Team who volunteered their time- Julia Bowen, Kitty Amorose, Arielle Smith, Brian Wolfe, Jamie Barkhau,(who also volunteered her truck), and Rosemary Staeck. You all rock! Thanks also go out to Lisa Hinson and the team at Hinson Limited Public Relations for making the weekend run so smoothly. We don’t know how you do it! And to Abigail Wexner, whose vision and compassion for others that has turned into this spectacular event, we thank you.

The Equus Now! Mobile rig made its next stop at Equivents at Far and Away Farm, September 25-27. Gracie was working at Equivents. She wasn’t at the New Albany Classic because she was up way past her bedtime the night before! (A Princess always needs her beauty sleep!) Stay tuned for more blog posts! Until then, get out, get on, and go horse show!!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Check out our FACEBOOK page for more photos from the Pre Show Party and the New Albany Classic!

On the Road with Equus Now! Delaware Labor Day Classic – (9/4/15 – 9/5/15)

The latest stop for the  Equus Now! Mobile rig was the Showtime Series at Delaware Labor Day Classic. The rig was loaded up with new Fall merchandise from Joules, Asmar Equestrian, Ariat, and Noble Outfitters.  Even though it was one of the hottest weekends of the year, it was all very popular.  We started the show on Friday with Hunter Breeding. It was wonderful to see all the future champions as they went through each class.  We had a visitor from Tennessee come all the way to Central Ohio to show case his beautiful horse.  Brandon L. Gibson and Aqua Point went back home with the honors of Best Young Horse! Congratulations Brandon!  We hope we see you again soon!

As the day went on, the hot sunny weather suddenly became stormy, typical for Central Ohio.  The show had ended for the day, but, the rain started just in time for schooling.  Gracie and I were stuck in the rig for about 45 minutes and I heard that there were some who started schooling at 8:00!  Now that is dedication!

By Saturday, the rain had stopped, but the humidity was up.  Everyone had great attitudes as they went about the show.  The judge had very kindly waived hunt coats for the rest of the day.  Through out the day we saw lots of winners and had lots of fun.  The rig became a play ground for lots and lots of kids, which was so much fun!  We had a pool, which was intended for Gracie and her friends to play in, but I think it was more wishful thinking on my part. Try as I may, I will never get Gracie to like the water!  Instead, it became a kiddy pool, and at one point I was even seen taking a partial dip!  We had lots of fun with bubbles, with Jackson and June leading the bubble parade!   We also gave away four tickets to the New Albany Classic which were generously donated by Hinson Public Relations.  They were won by Jordan Koenig.  Congratulations to Jordan!

There was an awesome Silent Auction, from which all proceeds went to the Stephanie Spielman Cancer Fund for breast cancer research.  Thank you to all of those who donated so many great items.  Your generosity helped to raise more funds for research to find a cure for breast cancer.  On Saturday, Nira Pullien, from OSU brought the Mobile Mammography Unit to the show and gave educational guided tours of the state of the art facility.  If you didn’t get a chance to see it, make sure you do. It’s amazing.

We saw some milestones reached at this show.  Marilyn Ransom, who has been showing lightly this summer, was Reserve Champion in Intermediate Adult Hunter Division aboard Street Magic.  Great job Marilyn!  Lisby Roberson has been working hard with her horse Skippin’ Chruch and it has paid off as she was Champion in the Low Thoroughbred Hunters.  Way to go Lisby!  Jenna Rieder has also been putting in some serious mileage over the summer which has paid off! She was Champion in the Intermediate Adult Equitation Division!   Yay Jenna!!!!  June Hunkins and Blackie showed that they are rising stars in the show ring by winning the Lead Line class.  We’ll be keeping an eye on June as she makes her way up the ranks!  Mica Rose Frank did very well as she moved from a pony to a horse.  We wish her well with her new team mate, Alligator Rose!

The main event of the show was the Ride For The Ribbon Classic.  One hundred percent of the entry fees went to the Stephanie Spielman Cancer Fund, in honor of Stephanie Spielman, who lost her battle with breast cancer. Before the Classic, we were treated to a tasty Italian dinner thanks to Carl and Judy and The Warehouse Italian Dinners.  If anyone wants the recipe for the meatballs, be sure to see Carl.  They were very good!  There were thirty eight entries in total and the competition was fierce.  Lisa Schaffner and Social Register rode in their first ever hunter derby and got great scores.  Great job Lisa, you should be proud of yourself!  Riders competed at three different height levels. They were scored on their first round, and if the score was high enough, they were invited back to do a handy round. The highest combination of the two scores for the entire class was the winner. This year’s winner of the Ride For The Ribbon Classic was Sarah Santisi and her lovely horse Jackson. Great job Sarah!  Following closely behind Sarah was Charlotte Clark and Rio’s Jubilee.  Well done Charlotte! At the end of the evening, once again, we were treated to the “Neigh, Neigh Dance”, by Jaxon Arthurs and Katie Rankin.  This is becoming a wonderful tradition at Showtime, indeed!   Thank you to all who participated in the Classic.  You are all champions riding for a great cause!

Thank you Carl, Judy, Chris, Maureen and the entire Showtime staff for putting on yet another successful show.  Thanks also go out to Stealaway Inc. and Angela Moore for sponsoring the lovely breakfast on Sunday, always a nice treat at Showtime.

And last but never least, thank all of you who attended this show.  You are the reason we love this sport and what we do.  You are all champions!

The next stop for the Equus Now! Mobile rig was the New Albany Classic.  Stay tuned very soon for the Blog Post! Until then, get out, get on, and go horseshow!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

SPOTLIGHT TRAINER- Maureen Fagan

How old were you when you first became involved with horses?

When i was five years old my parents bought a farm in Dublin to retire their standardbred race horse. My first experience was at the race track, Scioto Downs to be exact.

What discipline do you find the most interesting besides your own specialty?

I have always had an interest in reining horses.  I always thought it was cool.

What is your favorite place to travel to?

My favorite place to vacation is Tennessee.  I vacation to Florida every October with my four sisters and my mother. I don’t get to go enough but I love traveling to Italy and Ireland.

What jobs have you held besides training horses?

I was an animal trainer at the Columbus Zoo for 12 years. I spent most of my time with gorillas and bonobos.

Favorite Local Restaurant:  Bravo

Favorite Movie:  Legends of the Fall

What are you Reading Right now?

I am reading currently: Switch-How To Change Things When Change Is Hard by Chip and Dan Heath and The Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon and The Valley of Horses by Jean M. Auel

Favorite REALITY TV show?

I don’t watch any reality shows but I just finished watching The Affair series, The Missing series, 2 seasons of Orange Is The New Black and Downton Abbey 5th season. I routinely watch Ray Donavan and Masters Of Sex.

If you were trapped on a deserted island with 1 person (excluding family) – Who would it be?

Probably Cheri Bregel!

Thoughts about Equus Now!

“I love shopping at Equus Now! because I always feel like the red carpet is rolled out for me every time I visit. Kitty and Jen always take fantastic care of me along with everyone else that works there”

Maureen Fagan is the owner & Trainer at Limerick Lane Farm in Hilliard Ohio. Limerick Lane, situated on 20 scenic acres, is a beautiful state of the art Hunter/Jumper Facility which houses 30 horses.  She has been showing and training hunters in the Ohio area for most of her life. Her Students have gone on to win many Year End Awards in the Tri State and Ohio Hunter Jumper Associations as well as the Kentucky Hunter Jumper Association.