Rolex Part the Second: SHOPPING ERMEGERD

Not gonna lie--I’ve been planning this whole “Rolex” shebang since like… November? And all along my plan looked like this:

1) Fly in Wednesday in case of delays or problems
2) Go shopping Thursday
3) Other stuff probably

and put a topline browband on Eagle Lion #achieved

Yeah not a joke. I don’t get to touch a lot of stuff where I live, so I’ve been putting aside shopping $ for a couple months now. I wanted to get a little crazy-go-nuts in the trade fair and not regret it for months afterwards.

socks

First things first. We took a selfie at the ticket booth, walked through the front gate, and BAM Rolex swag booth. I’d already peeked around the official RK3DE online store so I wouldn’t have sticker shock and I knew I wanted something Rolex-y to take home and wear forever and for always. I nabbed a fancy schmancy coat. And a hat. And a gift for a friend. And a lanyard, cuz all the cool kids have lanyards.

modeling talents provided by Leah

stubben

antares

Next up was a big, fancy outdoor tent that I have no idea what the name was, but they had a blue and orange polo belt with my name on it. Also an excellent British guy on staff who can take a pretty solid joke, which is good because one of us is sometimes awkward. #notsayingwho #itsme

eponia

Then we were following a hot tip about a sale and going as fast as we could to the indoor, but I possibly saw a whole tent full of fancy leather halters and remembered I needed to ask some halter questions. I stepped in the booth and started asking questions about a product they didn’t have in the tent and then all of a sudden I was handing over my credit card and apparently that happened. They say it will be at my house within 30 days.

We were still following the hot tip and made it almost 100 feet before we found the Perri’s tent. I was just standing there while Leah and Karen shopped for whips and I still ended up spending $30 on two new lead ropes for my newly ordered custom halter.

so many options!

Then we were like DAMMIT HOT TIP and made it all the way to the Horseloverz tend. I’ll be the first to say I’m not a big fan of the company in general because their shipping/pricing/website irritate me, but I also got another color of my favorite Noble Outfitters base layer for like $6 so yeah that was good.

options!

Let’s see… I think I made it the rest of the way around the upper level of the indoor without buying anything. No wait… there was definitely a Mango Bay purchase (Clearance belts for $9.50). Leah and Karen nearly talked me into a new dressage whip (since mine is actually like… 15 years old), but I didn’t want to take it on the plane (which ended up being a good decision because holy hell).

shad!

husky!

I also snagged three sets of cool boot socks. Ummmm helped Karen and Leah try stuff on at the Annie’s booth. Signed up for every single possible giveaway. Talked to the La Mundial people about custom boots (but did not indulge). We wandered back through the tents we skipped the first time out and ran into Liz and Austen (and I knew Austen needed a snaffle bridle) and that ended up in a repeat trip to the Eponia booth (also note 20 tack ho points award to me for getting Austen to both look at something and buy it).

Which uh.

oooooo brown patent

I saw this. Arm modeling courtesy of Liz.

You’ll be pleased to know I did not buy that. I just went back to the car and took a swag picture and sat in the sun with my friends and appreciated what an amazing moment it was.

day one haul

Then I went home and dreamed about said bridle and so yeah trip #1 of Friday morning was straight to Eponia to buy said pretty. Do I need a brown patent bridle for anything? YES YES I DO. I made Leah shop for a brown dressage saddle for me while I was driving to the Horse Park even. (No luck yet, but I’ll keep you posted.)

yesssss

damage done before 11am

Friday’s haul included a trip to the stubben tent (holla to my girl Carly for the heads up on $3 bits) (plus they had $29 leather draw reins) (and $8 grab straps) and another tent I don’t remember the name of but hello $30 Roeckls. Then Renate showed up booze-less, so I gave her a Mike’s and sent her to Annie’s with Leah.

the ever-dangerous annie's booth

Noted: Renate knocked this one out of the park. We also snagged sweet sweatshirts and socks from The Plaid Horse (thanks Amanda!). Bliss of London had a teal hat giveaway so yeah got one of those too.

so sad she didn't buy these

Saturday I definitely didn’t need to spend any more money, but we took Jen shopping. Leah kicks ass at digging through bins of shit and while looking for a Connor halter, she found my dream convertible leather grooming halter for $30. I got a lead rope to go with it because obviously.

day two haul

Sunday I helped Karen find a half pad… and I actually think I might not have purchased anything this day. Unless we’re counting hard soda, which I definitely did purchase.

um yes need this cat bag

Monday I also didn’t purchase anything but did totes steal Karen’s awesome cat bag that served us faithfully on cross country day.

Buckley approved

Annnnnd I think that about covers it? Maybe?

yesssss