Charlotte's Giddy Up Gazette©
Everything For Riding Except the Horse!
Vol. II Issue 01 - January 2008
- Letter From the Equi-ditor
- Top Ten List For 2008
- Meet Our Family
- Little Known Dates
- Internet Specials
- New Pre Owned Saddle Listings
- Helpful Links
- Frequency and Feedback
It's been three months since the last issue of the Giddy Up Gazette© was issued. I owe readers a
little bit of an apology for the time lapse. I'm a "one man show" when it comes to organizing and publishing the
newsletter. I was a little overwhelmed during the Christmas season and found myself going a lot of different
directions. A New Year's resolution (one of many) for me is to stick to a stricter time table with the newsletter.
You may notice some changes as well; the font size used for the newsletter (e mail version) is larger making it easier for some of us
to read. The overall length of the newletter is shorter. I have been doing some research on online
newsletters and a consensus seems to be that shorter, in many cases, is better. Readers do not always have a lot time to read
lengthy publications online as our time seems limited these days with the hectic lifestyles that we seem to have. I will try and focus
on one area. I will also do a better job of keeping you up to date on all current sales and specials that are happening at our stores
and any current internet specials. I might add that I found quite a bit of inspiration from other well thought out newletters in
our industry. If you as a reader have ideas or information you think would be relative to other readers please do not hesitate to let me know.
I can always be reached online or via the phone: 1.800.231.6530.
A new monthly feature is "Meet our Family". These are the helpful staff members you speak with when you call or come into our stores.
These are the associates that Mark and I couldn't be without.
Some process your special order requests. Others pack and ship online orders and always manage to meet the daily UPS deadline.
In other words, without this group of individuals we would *not* be in business. So every month take the time to "put a face to the
name" or "put a face to the voice".
Charlotte's Annual Clearance Sale is in progress at both locations. Save up to 50% on selected saddle pads, sportswear, horse clothing,
helmets, hunt coats, gifts and more. The Clearance Sale runs through January 31st 2008. Call the Houston location (1.800.231.6530)
or the Tomball location (1.281.351.1705) for more info.
Our online "Clearance Zone" will start expanding in the next couple of weeks. Right now we just feature
new saddles (currently three listings),
but look for the addition of boots, helmets and many other items.
Reading educates! Until next month.
Tim S. Raisbeck
There is a saying that if you always do what you've always done, you continue to get what you've always got. This applies to every aspect of life, but is particularly true of riding. It is easy to carry on doing what we've always done - after all some of us learned to ride years ago and are unaware that we may have developed bad habits, perhaps to compensate for physical changes in our bodies, or not realizing that we are capable of riding more effectively.
Horses that continually do the same thing quickly become bored and unmotivated. This year, why not resolve to put some sparkle back in to your lives and try something new? You will be surprised at just how much fun and enjoyment you can have, and how your confidence and relationship with your horse can be strengthened, simply by stepping out of your comfort zone.
Here is the top ten list to insure that 2008 really is a happy new year!
10. This winter, book up for any lectures or demos in your area. Make it into a outing, where you can get to know other people and have fun together.
9. Buy a good survey map and find new places to go hacking. Arrange to meet a non-horsey friend for a picnic lunch.
8. Check out summer camps for adult riders. They are great fun and a wonderful way of trying new disciplines and making new friends. Alternatively, organize a summer gymkhana on your yard. Buy some cheap prizes and have fun, perhaps teaming up with a child and reliving the joys of a bending race!
7. Invest in some new everyday riding clothes. A new jacket and breeches will do wonders for your confidence and self-image.
6. Check your tack. Do you need that martingale now? Or that drop noseband? Can you school without them and put them back on for hacking? Remember, if you always do what you've always done…
5. Consider taking lessons with a new instructor. No matter how old you are, or how long you have been riding you will benefit from lessons and a new instructor can motivate and improve your confidence so that you have renewed enthusiasm.
4. Why not book a holiday for you and your horse? Check out listings or classified advertisements in equine magazines for farms that offer accommodation for horse and rider. Imagine cantering along a beach on your own horse, or exploring new countryside. Make it happen!
3. Try a new discipline and set yourself a realistic goal, such as learning a musical dressage routine and entering a competition. Sharing your goals with a friend can help to keep you both motivated.
2. Watch children riding and note the fun they have with their ponies. Allow you and your horse to have a little ‘yee-hah' time where you have a good gallop now and again, or invite friends over to ride with.
1. Review your riding and make positive changes. If your schooling routine consists of endless circles or practicing dressage tests that your horse knows inside out, resolve to do something new each day, perhaps by incorporating some pole work, or hacking over to a friend's yard occasionally to school with them.
Remember - horse riding is fun!
Meet Rosemary Watson: Rosemary is the cheerful voice with the English accent that you hear many times when calling our Houston location. Rosemary is patient and knowledgeable with customers. She is indispensable when it comes to helping me with online orders. She handles a great many of the drop ship orders and communicates with the customer either by phone or e mail if there are unanswered questions. Rosemary was born and raised in England. She moved to Houston in 1997 and lives with her husband Andrew, two children (Jack 13 and Molly 11) and their cat (Sasha). She joined the Charlotte's Saddlery family 2 years ago. She owns a Thoroughbred named Blaze, rides for fun, and spends what little free time she has left watching her daughter ride.
Answer Your Cat's Question Day - Annually, Jan 22. If you will stop what you are doing and take a look at your cat, you will observe that the cat is looking at you with a serious question. Meditate upon it, then answer the question ! For info: E Mail or phone: 717.279.0184.
* Buy any eGift Certificate from $75 to $150 and get a second one for $10 FREE. Buy any eGift Certificate over $150 and get a second one for $25 FREE.
* FREE Ground shipping on any SSG Gloves purchased.
* $5 OFF Dublin Half Chaps
with purchase of any Dublin Paddock Boots ! (Ladies or Kids)
* FREE pair of Braided Spur Straps with purchase of any set of English Spurs !
Pre Owned Jump:
HDR Pro Pony 14", Albion Legend 5000 17 1/2", Collegiate Graduate 17", Bates Caprilli 16", Crosby XL "H" 18",
Devoucoux 16", Jaguar XJS 17 1/2", PJ Original 17", Black Country 17 1/2".
Pre Owned All Purpose:
Bates Momentum 17", Bates Caprilli All Purpose 17", Bates Caprilli All Purpose 17 1/2", Collegiate Senior Event 16 1/2", Stubben Siegfried 18".
Pre Owned Dressage:
Anky - Buffalo Print Leather 16 1/2", Passier Grand Gilbert 16 1/2", Passier Grand Gilbert 17 1/2", Wintec Pro Dressage 17 1/2",
Bates Isabell 17 1/2", Bates Caprilli 18", Passier Katrin 17", Stubben Maestosa Deluxe 17 1/2".
Keep in Touch:
Contact
the Equi-ditor
Charlotte's
Storefront: Lets
Shop!
Charlotte's Saddlery Locations and
Hours: Where
Can I Find You?
The Giddy Up Gazette© is usually mailed the first week of each month and offers special promotions and discounts from time to time. We understand your right to privacy. We will not abuse this privilege. Your feedback is important to us! Simply let us know of your concerns, questions or suggestions. Send us an email.