Review: OneK Racer Skull Cap (with bonus awkward selfies!)

I recieved the OneK Racer skull cap from my husband as a very early birthday present (we bought it on the Helmet Awareness sale in September) to replace a very aged and dropped-several-times Tipperary Titan. I tried on a OneK Defender locally, and took a chance on the Racer, because I prefer skull caps and (call me silly) I have some badass skull cap covers from Sipps Silks that I'd like to keep using.

I take awesome helmet selfies. Just wait.

When the OneK arrived, I was a little scared... It was a lot higher profile than my Tipperary Titan, and after riding in super loose older helmets all summer, the OneK felt very snug despite the same size in the Defender being very comfortable. 

The OneK was definitely wider, and sat higher on my head.

It has a lot more mass, but still overs great coverage down the back of my head, which is a piece that I really liked about the Tipperary. 

After a few months of wear, I really like my OneK. It fits snugly, and feels very safe. While it's bulkier, and the weight took some getting used to, I don't find it overly hot (though the Titan wasn't exactly as breezy as it's sibling, the Sportage, anyways). My Sipps covers fit it, though the texture of the helmet gives them kind of an odd appearance (the bubbling you see above). The cover hasn't moved an inch, and while I feel like the peak is a bit small for the width of the helmet, I'm pretty sure that's a me thing, having been used to a slimmer, more oval helmet. I would say that it does fit a bit more round than the Defender, but I don't have any slippage, or feel like there are pressure points on my head. I've toyed with the idea of buying a large liner, but so far, I haven't actually been motivated to do it. I do still have to rock a low pony with this helmet, but I really like the coverage and comfort it is providing thus far. 

All in all, I'm really happy with this helmet; it was cheaper than a Charles Owen, and while I'll definitely be trying on some CO Skull Caps when I come across them (just in case) I feel like I made a great choice with the OneK. I am hoping to be able to better test out the breath-ability of this helmet and will update if I discover anything life changing. It's high quality, and is not only a great safe helmet, it also feels safe, which goes a long way for me, since I often have panic moments when Bailey decides go  temporarily insane and worry about hurting myself. Maybe not a great thing to say, but I really like a snug, safe feeling helmet. 

BB and the Bridle

I've spent the last week working Bailey in a trial Micklem bridle from our favorite local tack shop. I was just planning to shove her back into a snaffle bridle from her BS of Sweden bridle at shows and call it good, but then a friend mentioned her mare didn't like her Mick(lie)m bridle after all, and said she was going to be selling it. And I happened to have some breeches she wanted. So we chatted about a trade, and I went, wait... I should probably ride my horse in this magikal bridle and ensure she likes it before I drop monies on it.

So I did.

First things first: I hate brown tack. Especially bridles. I guess I can't complain about the brown TSF girth that I know is coming my way for Christmas (I can deal with brown for a girth. It will just get dirty anyways, right?) but the brown Micklem? HORRIBLE.

Bailey was not meant to wear brown, in my mind. It makes her painfully plain looking and a friend and I had a hard time deciding if the bridle or the color was making her head look like an anvil. She was, however, freakishly soft while riding in an arena where she was normally very stiff/looky/spooky (the upper indoor is haunted, obviously) and had tons of white lipstick after ride #1. I wasn't going to count my chickens, so we kept using it... and I even, for science, slapped the same snaffle on a figure-8 bridle to see if things felt different. She continued to be soft, less confrontational about bit-related discipline and wasn't sucking back behind the bit nearly so much. Her tongue did come out a few times, but I'm hoping with more practice at taking a firmer contact, she won't panic so much. And if she does keep acting like her mouth is over full, we can always loosen the noseband and go in search of a narrower diameter bit.

So here I go throwing more fancy spoiled pony gadgets at my spoiled red horse. Divas! I swear. Since the Mick(lie)m I am buying has a fancy dutch drop browband that is missing some crystals, I took advantage of Small Business Saturday and am working with Amelia at Dark Jewel Designs to get B a fancy beaded browband. So far, we have a "fancy" strand worked out, and I'm delighted. I can't stop checking to see if we have progress on the other strand, though... Because life is never complete without some red and green!

The top one will be coming to a showground near you next year!

We continue to do a lot of work in the dressage saddle, which continues to be the love of my life. I've got it shimmed in the back, which has made it even more of a dream to ride in. I've had my front shims shoved into the back of my half pad, so I took advantage of Smartpak's sale to replace my rear shims that I (think) I sold with another Trifecta pad a few years ago. Bailey's back continues to not be sore, and while I have been (oh hai, actually doing stuff while riding) I'm happy to think that we're finally solutioning so I can just ride and not worry about equipment. The saddle still needs to see the fitter (note to self,  bother fitter) but once we're there, I think I will be able to buckle down and just... ride. For once. Won't that be grand?!

Catching Up

Once again, time is getting away from me. Since I last posted, the saddle has arrived(!!!) and I've ridden in it twice now. I haven't been getting the ride time I've been wanting since the hubs has been travelling for work this week, but it's been productive enough. In addition to needing some flocking work (which hopefully I will get accomplished in trade after shooting some really lovely photos for a local saddle fitter on Monday) the saddle also needed some MAJOR reconditioning.

Here's the saddle out of the box after some cleaning with an Effax spray I picked up this summer after having some major mold problems in the humidity. This saddle had some traces of mold, and the seller did mention already cleaning some off, so I went to work. It was very marked up under the leathers and was extremely dry and stiff.

At this point, I was very "FOR SCIENCE" and decided to try Effax Leather Soft on one flap, and Leather Therapy conditioner on the other. As much as I like the idea of the Leather therapy... the Effax is a lot more satisfying for my needs. The saddle legitimately drinks the Effax up and it has consumed the half bottle I had remaining. The saddle did darken, to the point where the flaps are very dark with black knee pads (even darker than they are below), but the skirt areas have stayed a lovely red brown. 

As I said above, I traded some photography for flocking from a local fitter starting out, and I'm hoping she is able to pull some flocking out of the wither, plump up the rear panel and generally smooth out the panels, which kind of have the consistency of cottage cheese. I think with some flocking work, the saddle will be just about perfect. I'm already in love with it, and it's not even optimally balanced yet:

It's a touch narrower than my jump saddle, but I am hoping that resolves with flocking. Both mares moved nicely in it and while there was some bucking from both girls my first ride, I am attributing it to the cold wind blowing up their booties vs the saddle. Am I biased? Probably. But I'm obsessed. And not sorry.

While rides have been light this week, the saddle is getting coated in oil in an attempt to soften up the stiff flaps and ensure that the panels are supple enough to withstand flocking and fitting tools without getting damaged. I'm going to see what I can dig up shim wise to see if I can even it out a bit more while continuing to try it out. I'm also planning to stop by the tack shop and take out their Micklem bridle they have for trials. While I probably won't buy a real one when a friend is selling a much more reasonably priced knock off, it will be good to find out if I need one, or if I can pull off sticking a snaffle back on one of my regular bridles for shows. I've had lots of time for conjecture this week... so I am hoping I have more time for riding next!

Tasty Tuesday: Stress Less Easy Chocolate Mousse

Because owning horses is stressful enough, I don't mess around with gelatin or other shit when I want some pure, rich, chocolatey goodness. I just want my chocolate, and I want it sooner, rather than later.

I tracked this recipe down after falling in love with corner store chocolate mousse cups while studying abroad in London, and have been making variations of it (hubby prefers I put melted peanut butter in his..) to the point that I don't really even whip out the recipe or measure. It's pretty good, even when  you "mess it up" and while I try to wait for it to set up a bit in the fridge... it's darn good straight out of the bowl, if a little runny.

Eggless Chocolate Mousse, courtesy of some weird French real estate site that I don't think is even up anymore.

Note: I think this makes like... 4 Ashley sized portions.

Ingredients for 6 people:

- 3.5 ounces (100 g) chocolate (dark, or semi sweet.)

- 5 ounces (150 ml) heavy (thick) cream

- 1 ounces (25 g) sugar (granulated is usually my go to, but powdered is probably better for consistency)

Recipe:

• Break the chocolate into pieces and then melt it, using just enough heat to gently melt the chocolate (don't burn it, and definitely don't add the burned chocolate to the cream. Ask me how I know). Stir the chocolate with a wooden spoon as it is melting.
• While the chocolate is melting, add the sugar to the cream and then whip the cream until it is foamy.
• Once the chocolate is melted, "fold" in the whipped cream.
• Spoon the mixture into attractive glasses. Place the glasses in a refrigerator for at least an hour before serving, to allow the chocolate to cool.

(A Late) Tasty Tuesday: Thanksgiving Rev Up

I know, I know, double posting. I just couldn't get myself motivated yesterday... sorry? I don't think I am because it just popped into my head to share one of my favorite and current go to for thanksgiving. I'm known as the baker in my family, and I've been  bringing the pie the last two years. I'm working on getting better at decorative crusts... but these two recipes haven't failed me yet!

Sally's Baking Addition's Great Pumpkin Pie

(and a great crust recipe, because crust is important.)

The crust recipe is a gem; I use it for everything from pot pies to pumpkin pie and it's easy, tasty and versatile.  The last time I made it for pot pie was life changing out out of the oven... it's seriously a good tasting crust, and very easy. I'm kind of a weirdo, but this crust even tastes good raw (and I tend to snack on the leftovers like a weirdo.). 

The pumpkin pie recipe is darker than your usual store bought pie, with lots of spices (I tend to go overboard a bit, but I like a spicy, darkly sweet pie) and has turned out nicely both times I've made it. While I still harbor a weird love for Cub Foods pumpkin pies with Redi Whip, I'm becoming more and more of a DIY convert. Plus, I get to taste test while I'm baking, which is the best. 

Exciting Stuff

I'm in a bit of a holding pattern; waiting for it to turn to winter, already, waiting on a very important/exciting package (which was apparently shipped via covered wagon...) and waiting on myself to be motivated.

Last week, I rode both horses in the AP saddle on Halloween; I had to stop and drop my board check anyways, so I hopped on both horses and had a quick ride. And I don't hate it. So I'm content, for now, with keeping it. I might have straight billets put on it eventually, but it really could do both jobs for me should I need it. In the mean time, it fits Fox well and it's comfortable, so now I just have to figure out how to break it in enough that the damn  thing stops squeaking, because that is the worst.

Squeaky. Plus dirty mirror, valentines day style clashing outfit and Fox, who was Over It.

Wednesday was a blah ride in a dressage saddle I couldn't get happy with; even with very limited actual riding, Bailey seemed back sore after and I was just crabby and discontented with the whole day. I changed the blocks out, I changed arenas... and still felt off balance and ineffective. The upside? I broke the husband down with my childish-but-at-the-time-justified pouting and he agreed to let me purchase the saddle I had come across online which I am hoping is the solution to all of my problems.

Not as much of a unicorn as I thought

This brings us to last weekend, which I was motivated enough to put into numbers for ya'all


10: Technically 16, but the number of photos I took at the barn on Sunday, because it was 71 degrees on November 6th and I couldn't resist standing out in the girls' paddock loving their sleepy selves up.

9: The number of times I decided, mid-ride, that I hate riding in half chaps and paddock boots. Seriously why do my half chaps suck?? Do they make half chaps that don't suck?

8: The number of hours I spent doing horse related activities this weekend. This included trailering a friend's horse to the vet, riding my two (she helped) and then driving out to ride Bailey and re-blanket the beasts on Sunday in preparation for the cooler weather this week.

7: Approximate number of times I checked my email before I finally got invoiced on Paypal for my new-to-me saddle. I might be checking my email every hour today waiting for the tracking number to show up. Don't worry, I will post about said saddle when it arrives!

Hint: what's black and brown and my most favorite obsession?

6: Approximate number of times my husband tried to make me feel guilty and do things because we bought another saddle. Also the number of times that I indicated that I wasn't the least bit sorry.

5: The number of pieces of chocolate it took to make me feel human after such a long day on Saturday.

4: Approximate number of times I felt like we were in intensely questionable driving situations while taking J's horse to the vet. No one died, but we did drive without lights for a little while. Clearly I need to remember to figure out why  that connection never stays connected.

3: The number of rides I got in this weekend. Bailey and Foxie both got ridden on Saturday (equally dreamy weather) and Bailey again on Sunday.

2: The number of people I whined to before I could justify not taking my newly-for-sale dressage saddle to the tack swap this weekend. I don't regret this decision, because I'm super lazy and super protective of my tack.

1: The number of times I wished I could be going on a glorious fall trail ride, but then remembered it's deer season and I don't want to die.

(Oh, and exciting update: guess what got transferred from a covered wagon to a jet plane and is going to be delivered. TODAY. Hearteyesemoji).

Tuesday Tasty: 11/1/16

I do actually have hobbies outside of riding horses, and since this is my blog, I've decided to talk about them... a little bit. One of those hobbies is cooking things and eating them. I really enjoy cooking for others and, of course, eating delicious things.

Today, the recipe is a fantastic toasting bread recipe from King Arthur. It's very simple, extremely delicious and I've made two loaves in two weeks. I'd highly recommend this toasted with butter and jam. Even if you've never made bread at home before, I think you can pull this one off; just don't beat the dough more than a minute (I made this mistake; its still totally delish... just shorter) so you don't undo all the delicious chemistry going on with the baking soda and liquid.