January 2, 2014

New Years Eve I went and stayed with my friend Lindsey. We had a good time eating a nice dinner and then falling asleep on the couch, well before midnight, watching the Mustang Millionaire series.

What better way to start off the year than hanging out with friends in a horsey environment? So The next morning we went to the Eylers New Years Day Horse Auction in Thurmont, Maryland. This is an annual event that I have gone to on and off since I was a kid. I always see people I know, and get in some socializing, while looking at horses for sale, and picking up a few quick deals to take home. It’s a great time and wearing riding pants, coveralls and muck boots is considered standard attire. Woo!

This year the sale seemed quite a bit smaller. There were a lot less horses than at the usual NYday sale, and the amount of people in attendance was also down. Which made it a heck of a lot less crowded. Lindsey and I got their early, and jumped in line to get a number. While this extremely long process was going on we saw some flat cotton games reins (the ones we all love) sell for $4 a pop. We were both grumbling we did not have a number yet. Then a lot of stirrup leathers went for $3 a pair, which had me grumbling again. Finally, with number in hand, we got into the bidding and picked up a few items. Later we loaded the manure fork, new helmet for my husband (that will actually fit his head), roper halter (also for my husband since he does not want “his pony”, aka Simon, outfitted in “girly” colors when he rides him), a replacement curb chain, and an extra-long lead rope.

We checked out the outside items which included trailers, jumps and carts. And then we looked over the outside vendors. Lindsey spent way too much effort picking out a halter while I spent some time chatting with Linda. Then we headed inside and browsed the horses. There were none I was particularly interested in. Which was good since I am not shopping for another pony. A friend did pick up a nice looking quarter pony though. And there was a gorgeous black and white draft horse that everyone was eyeballing. He sold later for $2500.

We spent most of the afternoon at the outdoor tack sale which included mostly used items with some new stuff mixed in. Lindsey got a few boxes of items to take home and go through, and I was extremely excited to pick up three folding saddle racks. One screamed “Carol Ann” at me. It was green, her color, and she had just mentioned to me a few days early that she had been wanting one. The other two were silver and mauve. Yes, mauve. Not pink, mauve. But hey, I just want to put a saddle on it.

By then I was burned out for the day so I paid my tab and headed home. It was a good day, and a great start to 2014. Friends and horses, what more could you ask for?