Why, people all over the country are laughing at you." She paused, then asked, "Do you mind? My saying such things to you, I mean?"
"Not at all," I said. And then, since she was no spring chicken, I asked, "And why don't you stay at home?"
"I'm always at home. My husband and I live in the trailer. And I wouldn't be caught dead dressed like a man. Oh, do you have an extra postcard?"
She bought three. I figured she was a woman of high morals, and my opinion only lasted until late the next morning when the state police dropped by and arrested her and the husband. They were wanted for thievery, and the man was not her husband. I heard they had even stolen the trailer.
-from "Last of the Saddle Tramps" by Messanie Wilkins, a book about one woman's trek across the US, from Maine to California, on horseback. To order click here

My efforts to clear the warehouse (and my house- house) of accumulated oddball products continues to gain momentum. I've written about it before. The point continues to be, sometimes the space becomes more valuable than the items that are occupying it. So this is where most places say... "our loss is your gain!" Well, check out this super-cheap stuff and BUY IT. And your gain will be my gain, too. Because I need that space on the shelf.

Have you ever been to a play (or a Broadway show) and marveled at what it must have taken to assemble the actors, music backdrops and sets? And thought about the fact that all those folks out there are performing LIVE - in front of an audience - so there is no option to go back and redo if there is a mistake or someone forgets what they're supposed to be doing or saying? Imagine all that - with a bunch of HORSES thrown into the mix! Cavalia performs in an actual tent - all over the world - for spellbound audiences of all ages.

Cavalia was born of the dream of a few horse enthusiasts with a passion for performing. The production takes the art of dressage to new heights of kindness and respect, countering the traditional domination of horses by humans. During the two hour show, a group of artists; horses, riders, acrobats, singers, dancers and musicians - run, jump, dance, swing and twirl in their own way, enacting a glorious account of the history that unites humankind and the horse.

This was recorded in 2010, but it's new to HoofPrints this season. For the first time on stage, the equestrian arts are infused with unprecedented magic and emotion in Cavalia, an innovative multimedia extravaganza. Homage to the poignant history and fascinating bond between human beings and horses, Cavalia is a poem written in the language of sound, image and extraordinary performance. Blending dramatic visual effects, live music, dance and acrobatics with the bold presence of over sixty magnificent horses Cavalia raises the bar for spectacular entertainment in the 21st century. Regular price is #34.95, on sale for a limited time for $29.95 here

This DVD is dated 2005 - it was filmed when Frederic Pignon and Megali Delgado were touring with the show, along with their Andalusian stallion Templado. Sadly, Templado has passed on and Frederic and Megali are no longer performing with the show. To order click here

Beautiful color photographs on each page illustrate all facets of this amazing performance. Read about how Cavalia came to be, how they care for and train the horses, plan the shows, build the sets, etc. Every question you might have about how in the world they pull this off is answered in the book. To order click here


In this profusely illustrated hardcover book, Frederic (a specialist in liberty and ground work) and Magali (a talented dressage rider at Grand Prix level) share the secrets of the relationships they have cultivated over the course of their lives with horses. They tell the story of Templado - the difficult and rebellious stallion who demanded they question all they had learned as horsemen and look at, in a whole new light, what it means to train horses. It was this tempestuous character that taught them that the process of building a relationship with a horse can be on more equal footing than most would dream possible.

It is with this lesson in mind that Frederic and Magali explain their Six Golden Principles. These include how you can become a "safe haven" (the most important being in your horse's life) while ensuring he gets the leadership he craves. And, how to establish acceptable limits of behavior, as well as respect, without ever succumbing to anger or using force. They describe how to read horse behavior so you can better understand and communicate with your equine partner as an individual. Plus, you'll see what it means to be patient and give your horse a say in his own training - and just how rewarding the results can be. To order click here

Gina's note - the four Cavalia products we sell all compliment each other:
New performance acts under the directorship of Normand Latourelle, also includes footage of a training session with two horses and a tour of the stables
has beautiful still shots from the show, and explains in detail how it came to be, and tells about the horses and the human actors.
goes into detail about how Frederic and Magali came to be the talented horsemen that they are - and how the Cavalia horses learn to perform on stage. It's full of wonderful and surprising facts - like the fact that Templado learned on his own to swirl his incredibly long mane, because it pleased the audience and caused them to applaud.

To see all the Cavalia items, click here

This sweatshirt is lined with the softest, fuzziest fleece we've ever felt. Side seams give a flattering, ladies' fit without being too tight. We've embroidered it with our Pony Girl logo. Cotton/polyester blend washes and dries beautifully with no special attention. The Brown faux suede embroidered trapper hat is lined in pink and trimmed in super soft fleece. Both of these are discontinued, so supplies are limited. To order click here