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Christmas night selfie with Knight.

Where has 2014 gone?

If you’re like me, perhaps you still have several items on your mental “To-Do List” that need to be checked off, things that just didn’t get done this year.

For example:

I still intend to scan several shoe boxes of old photographs into the photo scanner that I received as a gift THREE Christmases ago.

I have matching nightstands I bought from an estate sale two summers ago that I intend to refinish and buy new handles for.

And I still want to work with my Doberman so she can earn her Canine Good Citizen Certification. There’s a lot to do.

But Im happy to say that the top item on both my Wish List and To-Do List has been completed: buy a horse!

And because everyone loves top 10 lists, I will now share Saddle Seeks Horse greatest hits of 2014.

  1. 8 Reasons I’m Thankful for my OTTB

What It Reveals About My Readers: You like, maybe even love ex-racehorses.

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2. How to Fix a Broken Zipper On Your Boot

What It Reveals About My Readers: You have zippers that need fixin’!

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  1. The Somewhat Embarrassing Speedo Incident Which Led to Eventing Legend Lucinda Green Following Me on Twitter

What It Reveals About My Readers: You enjoy reading embarrassing moment narratives or you are fans of eventing (or both!).

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  1. Help! I’m Stuck (My Horse Dilemma)

What It Reveals About My Readers: You are a very encouraging group–helping me rally as I was preparing to buy my next horse.

One of my all-time favorite pictures.  I submitted this for the newsletter. Also used it in my profile later when I was Internet dating.

  1. Green Ex-Racehorse Reacts to Helicopter

What It Reveals About My Readers: You were as impressed as I was with how well Knight responded to the scary helicopter.

Knight 2

  1. How to Write Horse in Chinese

What It Reveals About My Readers: You were excited about 2014 being the Year of the Horse and decided to give Chinese writing a shot.

Summary: Here are all the steps in review.

  1. Kentucky Horse Park Post

What It Reveals About My Readers: You also think that mini-horses and the golf-cart tram boy were cute too.

This sweet Miniature Horse Filly came over to the fence and let us pet her. She had a summer haircut and stood quietly as I scratched her corduroy back.

  1. Throwing Caution to the Wind

What It Reveals About My Readers: You journeyed with me as I awaited the pre-purchase exam results on Knight.

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  1. Dog Training–Loose Leash Walking Breakthrough

What It Reveals About My Readers: I’m not the only one who has dogs who pull.

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  1. More Horsey Excitement

What It Reveals About My Readers: You like following Grand Prix show jumping (and wacky riders competing in charity benefit classes).

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Thank you for following along this past year. Even though I haven’t met most of you, I feel as though I’ve made some really great friends through this blog. It’s an honor.

And I’d like to specifically mention and express gratitude to my Faithful Five–my top five commenters from 2014. They are all wonderful bloggers you should check out (if you haven’t already).

The lovely Firnhyde from South Africa who writes with a maturity beyond her years at Riding on Water.

Carey a fellow SoCal rider, I actually got to meet this year at the LA Masters Grand Slam. Her fun blog is Me Jump Pretty One Day (nice nod to a hilarious David Sedaris book).

Martine aka Magreenlee who makes me laugh with her charming wit over at Tails From Provence. I dream about going on a hack with her one day. What could be better than a trip to France? Riding in France!

Midwestern Plant Girl–a horticultural maven, dog fan, and budding horse lover who never fails to leave an upbeat comment. I “get” her as we’re both from the same area of Illinois. Now if I could only garden like her.

And uber cool photographer/equestrian blogger/OTTB lover, Lauren from She Moved to Texas. (She has the best giveaways AND can make cool infographics!)

What have been the blogging highlights of your year, as a reader or writer? Feel free to share from your own blogs. And Happy Almost New Year!

 

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14 Comments

  1. Lauren December 30, 2014 at 4:42 pm - Reply

    Congratss on a great year of blogging! Curious how you got your top commenters – that’s a cool stat! πŸ™‚

    • Susan Friedland-Smith December 30, 2014 at 4:54 pm - Reply

      Thank you! Word Press just sent me a report with various stats and that was one of them.

  2. carey December 31, 2014 at 7:56 am - Reply

    Yay to great year! Thanks for the shout out πŸ™‚

  3. heartofhope10 December 31, 2014 at 12:35 pm - Reply

    New ponies make fantastic years! Happy new year!

    • Susan Friedland-Smith December 31, 2014 at 12:37 pm - Reply

      Thank you! It will be interesting to see what we are able to do together by this time next year. My last jumping lesson I almost peed my pants he jumped so high over a tiny vertical. “He has a lot of scope,” my trainer said.

      • heartofhope10 January 5, 2015 at 2:42 pm

        Scope is good! Refinement about how much scope needed will come in time! Haha! πŸ™‚

  4. Abby January 2, 2015 at 7:07 am - Reply

    Omg that speedo/ IHAD story is hysterical!

    • Susan Friedland-Smith January 2, 2015 at 7:12 am - Reply

      Thanks, Abby. I appreciate your comment because sometimes I think I’m the only one who finds certain things amusing. For example, my most recent post is of me trying to play polo. I included video because it’s hilarious (to me). I’m happy I can make others smile or giggle too. πŸ™‚

  5. Shannon January 2, 2015 at 7:23 am - Reply

    Nice, love the little summaries! That speedo post had me cracking up!

  6. Tracy January 9, 2015 at 10:22 am - Reply

    I found your blog through your #1 post this year! And I have to admit, that’s definitely my fave so far πŸ˜€ πŸ˜€ πŸ˜€

  7. heidibillmayer January 25, 2015 at 2:23 pm - Reply

    I absolutely love this! My very favorite is #6! It truthfully was the “year of the horse” for me and when I started all of my new adventures in January that was exactly what I had on my mind….not that it WAS the year of the horse, as much as I WAS GOING TO MAKE it the year of the horse for me! And it WAS! What a great list!

    • Susan Friedland-Smith January 25, 2015 at 2:24 pm - Reply

      Thanks, Heidi. Truly, isn’t every year a horse year?

      • heidibillmayer January 25, 2015 at 2:30 pm

        YES! I couldn’t even imagine a no-horse year. That would definitely be the worst year of my life!

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Photo of Susan with her horse Knight

I'm Susan and this is my horse Knight. We have been a blogging team since 2015 and we're glad you're here. Tally ho!

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