The Plaid Horse 2016 Holiday Gift Guide

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The Plaid Horse Sweatshirt is the softest, most luxurious sweatshirt you will ever have the pleasure of wearing! Show your TPH pride in red, blue or gray with this super cute, super comfy crewneck sweatshirt! Grab yours now – they’re going FAST!

Comfort Wear

THEPLAIDHORSE.COM/SHOP


www.

.com






















DECEMBER 16TH - ONE DAY ONLY JOIN US FOR K-DAY AND RECEIVE 20% OFF YOUR ONLINE KONIA EQUESTRIAN ORDER WITH THE CODE KDAY16

koniaequestrian.com










Need, Want, Gotta Have! Gifts we are currently totally #obessed with here at TPH

Piper’s Picks GPA First Lady 2X

Konia Equestrian KARI Jacket

Struck Apparel Breeches

Fabbri Pro Boots

Betsy’s Picks Benefab Smart Scrim

Gray & Co Hand-Dyed Lead

Fleeceworks Show Hunter Pad

Noble Outfitters Schooling Breeches

Liz’s Picks Awesome Artifacts Jewelry

Ruespari Belt

Dreamers & Schemers Socks

The Plaid Horse V Neck Sweatshirt






STONEWALL FARM

Offers for Sale or Lease

V ER MON T GOLDEN GR A H A M

Eligible Green Medium Pony Hunter 13.2 h, 2009 Gelding By ROWFANTINA GOLD SOVEREIGN

Emily Elek • 920-889-0028

S TO N E WA L L P O N IE S@YA H O O.CO M • IXO N IA , W I S CO N S I N PHOTOS © ANDREW RYBACK PHOTOGRAPHY.


STONEWALL FARM

Offers for Sale or Lease HELICON COU N T RY ROSE

Beautiful Small Pony Hunter - Qualified Pony Finals 2017 12.2 h, 2007 Mare By GLANNANT COUNTRY ROADS

Emily Elek • 920-889-0028

S TO N E WA L L P O N IE S@YA H O O.CO M • IXO N IA , W I S CO N S I N


STONEWALL FARM

Offers for Sale or Lease M R . AU S T R A L I A

Medium Pony Hunter - Qualified Pony Finals 2017 13.1 h, 1996 Gelding By BOSTON BITTERMIT

Emily Elek • 920-889-0028

S TO N E WA L L P O N IE S@YA H O O.CO M • IXO N IA , W I S CO N S I N


STONEWALL FARM

Offers for Sale or Lease L OV I NG L I F E

Large Pony 14.2 h, 2007 Mare Half sister to CHANCE OF A LIFETIME and LIFELINE.

Emily Elek • 920-889-0028

S TO N E WA L L P O N IE S@YA H O O.CO M • IXO N IA , W I S CO N S I N












Celebrate Knowledge. Promote Horsemanship.

Support HQC!

The Horsemanship Quiz Challenge encourages education and recognizes young equestrians who have exceptional horsemanship knowledge.

USHJA.COM/HQC



Ugly's not really my color... You wonder, what was your best friend thinking? Maybe it's a hint that she wants to see you in something other than Tailored Sportsman espresso trophy hunters, but if the gift is going to sit in the back of your closet until the release of Avatar 2 then go ahead and exchange it. Don't feel guilty. Unless it really is blackjeggings. Give those a chance. They will change your life! Trust me ... The situation will require tact, because you will have to tell your friend about the exchange: "Melissa, that was such a kind gift. I hope you don't mind that I exchanged it for a pair in a darker shade. What a treat to have a pair of pants that I promise will never see the inside of a barn!" Don't forget to write her a thank-you note. The time not to exchange a gift is when you've received something handmade or so unique that the gift-giver would be hurt if you traded it in for something else. Trainers, this means you: No matter how many coffee mugs or homemade holiday ornaments you receive from 7-year-old students you must keep them forever, less you break their wee little hearts. And you must eat every last cookie they make for you. Many stores make exchanges easier and less awkward by offering to enclose a gift receipt in the gift box that doesn't show the price. Start including gift receipts in the gifts you give for good gift karma.

Regifting This practice of gift recycling is a favorite of members of the old school, the die-hard practical and the tightwad. But is "regifting" an acceptable, i.e., polite, practice? It depends. Our desire to regift is often a side effect of the economy, our surplus of "stuff," and a desire to be practical and give away things we know we won't ever use. Regift with caution and only when the following criteria are met: • The gift is something the recipient would really like to receive. Don't re-gift a box of chocolates to your friend who worked hard all year to lose 20 pounds. • The gift is brand new (no cast-offs allowed) and comes in its original packaging. If you already opened the Snuggie and threw out the box, you can't give it to someone else.

• The gift isn't handmade or one-of-a-kind, such as a handmade sweater or acquired during your parent's 30th anniversary trip to Greece.

Make sure you don't hurt feelings-neither the original giver's nor the recipient's. Would the person who gave you the gift mind that you passed it along? Do he and the recipient of your gift know each other, and would it be awkward if they realized that you've recycled a gift from one to the other? Make no mistake, the potential for humiliation does exist, and many consider this practice to be completely unacceptable. But here are the kind of situations where I think it works. Last night you went to holiday party A, where there was a gift exchange and you came home with a nice bottle of wine. Tonight you're going to holiday party B and you would like to bring a gift to the hostess. You forgot to pick something up, and she's a big fan of red wine. As long as the guest lists don't overlap, last night's gift is tonight's hostess gift. Only you can decide whether to pass along a gift, and if so, how to do it appropriately. Think through each situation carefully and then, if in doubt, don't do it.

Holiday Thank Yous For Horsey Helpers The end of the year is the traditional time to acknowledge the hard work of the service providers in your life. For us barn girls, that isn't usually the doorman, nanny or personal trainer; it's the farrier, barn workers, grooms, vets and barn managers who care for our beloved animals as well as the trainers who teach us and our children. The most important gift you can give these folks is to settle any and all debts you may have incurred during the year if your account is not current. Often, these are the folks who won't speak up when your account is several hundred dollars behind and won't charge interest. Do the right thing so that they aren't left shortchanged over the holiday season. Keep in mind, all of these gifts are optional. Many of us are on a very strict budget and simply can't give anything this ye That's OK. Take the time to write a note of apprecia be ama t the impact.


a cash tip to barn workers and grooms. If you're new to the barn, ask other boarders what is typically done. It's appropriate to give a higher amount to full-time workers. Give to each worker-even those that you may not see. If your budget is tight, don't feel pressured to give what you don't have. You may leave a large tray of cookies or other group gift for all of them to share, just be sure to leave a note addressed to all of them. Body lotions, gift cards for manicures and any other kind of pampering products are great gifts for female barn staff. Gift cards for $10 or $20 to the favorite local sandwich or coffee shop works for men and women. Regardless of what you give, include a hand-written note of thanks to express your appreciation. Two or three brief sentences are all that's needed: "Amanda, thank you for everything you do all year long to take such good care of Toto. We both appreciate you very much!" For farriers, cash tips are appropriate, as are gift cards. There's even an old tradition of giving the farrier whiskey, or is it bourbon? The same holds true for trainers. If you know someone's personal interest or taste, gift accordingly, a favorite bottle of spirits, a new book by a favorite author, luggage, or a gift card to a favorite restaurant, bookstore or electronics store. Encourage your child to get involved in the gift-giving. They can help select the gifts, wrap and write notes thanking people for their service and hard work. These are important rituals that help kids learn how to express appreciation. And in this sport, there's always an opportunity to express thanks. Veterinarians' offices are a great place to bring food trays or baskets along with a personal note of thanks.

Gracious Receiving And finally, what should you do when someone gives you a gift, and you don't have one for them in return? Smile, open the gift, say thank you. Write a thank-you note. There's no need to reciprocate.• BY ELIZABETH HOWELL




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