Well we’re just one week from Christmas and we here at NBW cannot wait! Christmas is one of our favourite times of the year – spending time with the family, eating until you could explode and the mandatory indulgence in tasty beverages. But we’d be lying if we didn’t say one of our favourite parts are the presents.
In saying that though, majority of the time the presents aren’t exactly for us but more for our horses. So when we were asked to provide a list of things we wanted, well we may have gotten a bit carried away. Our first destination for horsey shopping is always Old Mill Saddlery. We’ve bought things from their site a few times and we’ve never had a bad experience. They have every horsey brand under the sun too so they offer a great high quality selection and usually at a cheaper price than if you were to buy direct. So check out our very horsey Christmas Wishlist!
*THIS IS NOT A PROMOTION FOR OLD MILL SADDLERY. I SWEAR WE GENUINELY JUST LOVE THEM*
PROFESSIONAL’S CHOICE VENTECH CONTOURED JUMP GIRTH
After two years of good solid use, it seems Coco’s girth is on its way out. The elastic is starting to snap so I decided it was time to get a new girth. After some browsing I came across the Professional’s Choice VenTECH Contoured Jump Girth. I hadn’t heard of the Professional’s Choice brand before so I did a quick google search to see what they’re all about and I was definitely impressed.
This girth is designed with a non-slip, neoprene VenTECH™ liner which conforms to your horse and allows heat and moisture to escape. Personally, I like anything that is designed with the horse in mind so that was me sold.
Available to buy on Old Mill Saddlery for €84.69
PRESTIGE OPEN FRONT LEATHER JUMPING BOOTS
I have been eyeing up these boots before I even owned a horse. I could never bring myself to spend this kind of money on a pair of boots for the horse (let alone myself) but when I was asked to provide a list of things my boyfriend could buy me for Christmas, how could I leave these off? So, size Medium. Tobacco Brown. Gimme now.
Available to buy on Old Mill Saddlery for €126.50
LEMIEUX LOIRE CLOSE CONTACT SQUARE
Well people, they’ve done it again. The LeMieux gods have gifted us another beautiful collection of numnahs and saddle pads and we fell in love at first sight. The LeMieux Loire Collection is probably one of their finest works of art and incorporates words like satin fabric, memory foam suade collar and textured leather girth protection. What more could we want!? Oh and its also available in devilishly appeasing colours like Grey, Navy, Peacock and Blackcurrant.
Available to buy on lemiuexproducts.com for €71.94
ROECKL MADISON (ASCOT) GLOVES
I bought a pair of Roeckl Madison Gloves over a year ago and I have to say, I haven’t found a brand that has matched them since. In the equestrian world gloves are hard worn so it’s unlikely you’ll find a pair that won’t get a hole or two eventually but I don’t think I’ve ever gotten as long out of a pair of gloves as I did these. After trying some cheaper alternatives it became obvious that for certain things, sometimes you just need to spend a bit more to get your value.
Available to buy on Old Mill Saddlery for €22.54
SAMSHEILD SHADOWMATT
When you start your list of things you want for Christmas, the first thing you tend to think is, “Well, what do I need?”. It was only when I did this I realised I actually haven’t changed my helmet in nearly 3 years. In those 3 years I’ve had at least 4 falls, one of which was out cross country on very very dry ground. And you are advised to change your helmet every 5 years or after a fall where your hat sustained an impact so…I feel I should get a new helmet.
Enter the Samshield Shadowmatt! I’ve never spent this kind of money on a helmet before but when the majority of the cost is covered by a kind donation from Mr. Claus himself, then why wouldn’t I splurge? I do need to change my helmet afterall…But why out of all the helmet brands out there would I choose Samshield? Well aside from the fact that it’s endorsed by some of the best international showjumpers worldwide, I just really like the neatness of these helmets. I was comparing it to the KEP Italia helmets and I always found those helmets to look very bulky. So I have settled on Samshield.
This is not a product I’d be comfortable buying online so I’ll be heading to TRI Equestrian for mine. Available to buy for €270.00.
Shires Flamingo Single Bridle Bag
Holy Moly, Have you ever seen a print as pretty? This is one of those things that is not a need but most certainly a WANT. Travelling to shows, and well throwing your bridle around the back seat of the car & eventually you begin to notice a few scratches and tangles in your beloved most likely expensive bridle, so why not get a bridle bag that you can fling it around in?
The Bridle bag itself Features an inside adjustable clip-in strap to keep your bridle secured in turn lets in hang securely, with a padded grab handle and reinforced base. I will warn you all, this bag has been incredibly hard to find, they sold out within minutes of being put on sale!
Available on Shires Equestrian for €15.50
Shock Absorber – Shock Absorbing Bra
Something for the rider and not for the horse, An item any equestrian with big tata’s will take into consideration. Do you find it hard to find a bra/sports bra to keeps your twins in control when you ride? Well look no further. I think we may have found the solutions. It may be a little pricey, but there has only been good reviews on this Shock Absorber sports bra! A new running brand that have brought out the ultimate Sports bra to help everything stay in place!
Originally designed for joggers, this padded run shock absorbing bra, does everything it says on the tin, well I hope so cause I have just ordered one! It has been designed for ultimate bounce control!
Retailing at €55 from Brown Thomas, I think this buy will be an equestrian wardrobe staple for the next year!
Le Mieux Four Seasons Leg Wraps
Well, last up on our list. Something I have searched high & low for. Dante is a terrible traveller in the box, he is constantly ripping & tearing his travel boots so I set out to search for a pair that were a little less bulky & viola! I think I have found what I have been looking for. They are designed to wear in the stable, suitable for both front & back legs, also perfect for travelling your horse in, THANK GOD!!
They come in a few different colours, red, navy and royal blue. I know they may not cover his hock if I was to put them on behind, but I can put his larger travel boot over these for extra protection, god knows he certainly needs it! They can also be used as stable boots for keeping the legs clean and tidy they also providing a moisture wicking properties in the boot for wear after being washed.
Available from Old Mill Saddlery at just €29.95 a pair
And there you have our 2018 Christmas Wishlist! Needless to say we probably aren’t going to get everything we’ve asked for but hopefully we might get a few things ticked off list 😉 If not, our birthday’s are coming up in the next few months so we may get lucky!
Do you have your eye on any specific horsey items this year? Let us know in the comments, we’re always looking for more inspiration!
Thanks for reading,
Orla & Darielle
No Bucking Way 