Sunday, March 4, 2012

InVESTed Interest



Sunday March 4 2012

I warned it was coming, and it's here!

Jose Viola's vest arrived - our surprising award for AERC Second Featherweight in the Northwest Region in 2011! There are a lot of partnered miles woven into the stitching of this vest: 820 miles and 16 rides, the most I've ever done in a year.

Jose thinks I look better in the vest so he wants me to wear it, although he has dibs on the pockets and wants them kept filled with treats.

I've NEVER in my 13 years of endurance earned any year-end award, and Jose is a Very Special Horse (the Best Horse Ever, if you must know), which makes this vest the best piece of clothing I've ever owned, and I'm never taking it off!  

(It took many photo sessions to get the perfect photo - less of me, more of Jose, the words readable, no shadows… this will have to do.)

[slide show here]

16 comments:

  1. Congratulations, that is quite an accomplishment!

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  2. Congratulations!!!

    But the best part of all those pictures is the huge smile you are wearing in almost every one!

    That vest is a well-earned treasure. You deserve to wear it proudly everywhere you go. Keep smiling too!

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  3. Congratulations on your award - that is awesome!

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  4. Congratulations! I'm so proud of you and Jose! I love his last name by the way - how did that come about?

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  5. Wow, congratulations! That is an amazing accomplishment. Wear your vest with pride and keep the pockets full of treats. Jose is a very special horse and deserves a big congratulations and a hug too. You and Jose are a great team. Good luck this year with your endurance riding.

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  6. That IS the perfect picture! Words, SMILE :D, Jose. So happy for you!

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  7. Aw, that's so lovely! I bet you even wear it to bed!

    What a super horse to win that award for his mum!

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  8. Congratulations! It must feel great to win an award like that with such a special horse! My husband just recieved his vest for 3rd place in his region/weight division...I think he wore it for three days straight! :)

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  9. Thank you all, thank you, thank you -
    BEAMING!!!!!!!!!!!

    Karen, I am not even sure how José got the 'Viola' - in fact I don't even know his whole story!! I will ask Steph - she owns him. And do a story on him - it's overdue! His name when steph first got him was "Joseph Coat of Many Colors" - argh! His mane has many different colors - but he is SO not a Joseph!!! He's a total José.

    GHM, I'm overdoing the hugs on José. He would prefer more treats
    : )

    And Martine, I AM wearing it to bed! : )

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  10. That is so great! Congrats!!!

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  11. Looks great on you,Merri, way to go. ♥

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  12. Congrats! You both deserve it, and now you'll have to change Jose's color scheme to purple to match the vest.

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  13. Hurray for you and Jose'!!!! Great job!!!!

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  14. Love the VEST! Perfectly wonderful Accomplishment! My hat's off to you both!

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