The results of the First Annual Horse Hubby Calendar Contest are in! Thank you to everyone who entered and voted. All off the photographs we received were great, and I wish that there were more months in the year so we could include them all!
Isabela Mailman
Heather Forest
Mary Jo Duffy
Brian Rosati
Janice Cohen
Patrick & Michelle McKinney
Tammy Anderson
Susan Friedland-Smith
John Keene
Stacey Chepren
Abby Welch
Wendy Long
Submitted by Isabela Mailman. Eric, a Baltimore City Boy who before me, didn’t know the front end from the back end of a horse. The poor guy had absolutely no idea what he was getting himself into when he married me. Twelve years later, Eric has become an avid horseman. Eric and his sidekick Howdy can be seen in the cattle pen, mounted shooting arena, or out in the wilderness on a grand adventure. Howdy is Eric’s pride and joy and when work as a doctor in the ever bustling Emergency Room gets to be too much, Eric will take his favorite pal Howdy out and disappear into the mountains to decompress. Now we have to fight over who gets the horse trailer!
Submitted by Heather Forest. While I was getting my tack together a friend snapped this awesome photo of my horse, Doolittle and my husband, Christian scoping out the competition at a local dressage show. I don’t think Christian had any idea what he was getting into when he got involved with a horse enthusiast(ADDICT), but he has done an awesome job hauling us to shows, grooming, walking courses, helping memorize dressage tests… the list goes on! Plus it’s a bonus that he’s over 6ft tall and can reach Doolittle (16.3h) when he decides to raise his head higher than I can reach 🙂
Submitted by Mary Jo Duffy. My husband, Buster Carter has a muck rake in his hand; both he and Amigo are smiling broadly . Amigo was an Arab gelding that we lost at 38 years young several years ago. Amigo was the horse that taught Buster that it was possible (and rewarding) to have a relationship with a horse. He taught him that there was no reason to be afraid and to be comfortable with halters, leads, and bringing horses in during a lightning storm in the middle of the night. Amigo taught Buster that horses have feelings, emotions and pretty damn good communication skills. He taught him there was such a thing as a (fairly) trustworthy yard horse who could just walk around loose. He taught him that there was a reason to always keep carrots in his back pocket. Amigo taught him how to love a horse.
Submitted by Brian Rosati. Apparently, not all that happens in the barn could stay in the barn, as Horse Hubby Brian Rosati takes on babysitting, and horse sitting duties, as well as general tack overwatch from this local AQHA show.
Submitted by Janice Cohen. Ears up for a photo? I thought you wanted a kiss!
Submitted by Patrick & Michelle McKinney. Patrick is the Horsehubby to Michelle and Charm, and the Horsedad to Brynne, Elle and their pony Riley. 15 years ago when he and Michelle met, it was the first time he had been around horses. Through the ups and downs (and MANY remedies to try and control his allergies), he has grown into the quintessential Horsehubby and Horsedad he is today. Although his first attempt at putting on a halter needed some work (throat piece goes UNDER the jaw), he mucks stalls and rings, repairs blankets, and assists his wife and daughters with tack before and after rides and shows. He’s the “team mom” for the riders at B2Eventing leading the tailgate at offsite events (his walking tacos are to die for) and occasional photographer.
Submitted by Tammy Anderson. Here is Ross Anderson on a beautiful Sunny Saturday in Colorado. He is horse show dad and a horse hubby.
Lucky him! He has 2 ladies in his life that own horses. He has just cleaned out his daughters horse stall after a long weekend of cheering her on at her dressage show! He helps load, trailer and yes muck stalls. He is a great husband and dad 🙂
Submitted by Susan Friedland-Smith. I didn’t know just how horsey my husband Mark would turn out to be when we got married five years ago. I realized his potential in 2014, at a point in my life when I was horseless, trying to get back into riding. Mark and I were at a tack shop and I lost him temporarily. He re-emerged wearing riding breeches, and asked me if they fit correctly. Thinking that as the actual equestrian in the family, I should be the one to get new Tailored Sportsman, not him, I skeptically asked, “Are you really going to ride?” He said, “I’m not going to ride, I’m going to JUMP!” He bought the breeches, followed by half chaps, paddock boots and a helmet (I had to explain to him that although fancy looking, white breeches were not appropriate for his level of experience, trying to cushion the blow by stating they also showed too much dirt.) Mark is an avid mountain biker so going fast, trail riding, navigating obstacles and two-pointing are second nature to him. Theoretically his skills in the bike saddle should transfer over to a jumping saddle. As of today he is doing a great job at the walk and trot, although he did tell me he is struggling with posting on the correct lead. He’s learning to canter, and one of these days when life slows down enough so he can ride more consistently, I’m sure he’ll get to jump his first X. Until then he is a great barn story listener, show picture taker, and provider of zany horse husband material for my blog (like the time he rode his bike and I rode my green, not-really-a-trail-horse Thoroughbred on a trail with cliffs and switchbacks). I love my horse husband more than my horse, which is saying a lot.
Submitted by John Keene. Horsey daughter: “Dad can you hold my martingale, while I go into my flat class?”
Show Dad: “of course I can hold your around the neck horse jumpy thing, while you do your not jumpy class. As you can see I have a blue ribbon in horse junk holding!”
Submitted by Stacey Chepren. Shane and I took Mochi to the beach for the day and he insisted on leading her around and getting in the water with her after I was done riding. On our way back down to the water, I turned my back for two seconds to check something with my truck and trailer and when I turned around there he was, showing Mochi the tortoises.
Submitted by Abby Welch. This is my husband Ian and the lovely Rebel. I captured this sweet moment after a 5 hr ride in Sligo, Ireland where I convinced him to do a 4 day ride as part of our vacation. He spent all summer, between his busy work schedule to improve his riding skills including galloping (which was a requirement to go on this self-guided ride). His biggest “aha” moment was realizing they didn’t steer like motorcycles. I think he takes back his comment about wanting a hobby farm when we first met…I happily filled our home with 3 horses, a mini donkey and 2 dogs.
Submitted by Wendy Long. Larry a horse show husband was entering the big time. After attending horse trials of
various levels, he was attending Rolex. Tailgating had become an option at this time
so he decided in good spirit he would make the best of it. He read all the information
and even a few blogs… He felt that he should provide a safe have for all those “Horse
Husbands” that were lost with there wives walking for miles to get a glimpse of Boyd Martin
or William Fox Pitt. He made the signs set up the tailgate and he was a hit. Horse
Husbands from many states and several counties stopped to visit and have a drink and
share there woes. Turned out to be a great day at Rolex…
Winners will be contacted by email this week, and will each be sent a copy of the calendar as soon as it is off the presses. To get a copy of your very own (the calendar will make an awesome stocking stuffer!), visit http://calendar.shopequibox.com to place your order.
A huge thanks to Mallory Haigh from Equibox Equestrian for her sponsorship of this contest, which could not have happened without her help.
