That being said, we don’t necessarily recommend offering yourself up as the obstacle! You have to wonder who the guy in the center ticked off to draw that particular assignment at the horse show….

Hunter/Jumper Horse Jewelry

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching.  If you’re going to buy your sweetheart horse jewelry for Valentine’s Day, consider selecting a piece that closely reflects their interests. Eventing is a passion: people who spend all of their time, money, and energy in the hunter/jumper world do so because they love it.  Select jewelry that reflects that love!

Bangle Bracelets are a perpetually popular option for Valentine’s Day. This Sterling Silver Hunter/Jumper bangle bracelet features a sculpted horse head with exquisite detail. A low, flat design makes it ideal for everyday wear: beauty can be durable!  Sized for a larger wrist, this bangle bracelet can be worn by men and women.  If you’re looking for a daintier version, check out this version. Slightly slimmer, this bracelet also features the detailed sculpture of a hunter/jumper’s head.

Earrings make a great Valentine’s Day gift! These sterling silver studs shaped like horses’ heads feature the same detailing seen in the bracelets. These earrings are small enough to be worn in the show ring and are great for everyday wear. You can dress them up or down: they go from home to office to dinner seamlessly – always appropriate and always stylish.

Valentine’s Day is all about the sentiment.  More than any other holiday, this is when it truly is the thought that counts.  Knock your sweetie’s socks off by presenting them with horse jewelry that’s stylish, high quality and reflects their love for their hunter/jumper – who they adore nearly as much as they love you!

Prison inmates in New Mexico are learning the value of hard work, compassion, and patience as they train mustangs captured by the BLM for subsequent sale to the public.  Mustangs that have been thus trained have a much greater chance of being purchased and loved by a family, giving them access to a life they might not have otherwise enjoyed.

It’s pretty amazing stuff.  The horses are helping these men make real changes in their lives, and that’s something worth paying attention to.  It’s also worth paying attention when the men in our lives go through change: whether it’s personal growth, a professional achievement, or gaining new skills in the show ring, it’s important to remember that these moments are special.

The tradition of commemorating life achievements with jewelry is nothing new for women.  Setting aside entirely the engagement ring and wedding ring conversation, many women collect jewelry that they find personally meaningful, related to specific events.  Perhaps a ring to commemorate the birth of a child, or a fabulous bracelet to celebrate a promotion.  Charm bracelets are used to provide a tangible narrative: each bead relates to a special occasion in our lives.  Equestrian bead charms are a great way to remember the fantastic times we’ve had with the horses in our lives.

But what about the men? Men need positive reinforcement and recognition too. It’s not something we hear so much about – but that doesn’t mean the need’s not real. Many men are touched and gratified when their loved ones present them with horse jewelry for them. Select pieces that are both high quality and personally meaningful, and you can be sure he’ll wear it proudly for years to come — remembering both the achievement the jewelry marked, and the people in his life who inspire him to greatness!

If you answered yes — or laughed because that hit just a little too close to home — chances are you’re a horse person.  Of course, there are other tell tale signs that you’ve got horse fever.  We’ve collected the top ten to give you a smile — and we want to hear your favorites, too!

You Know You’re A Horse Person When…

10.  Time spent grooming your horse on a typical day: More than an hour.  Time spent grooming yourself on a typical day:  Does putting your hair up in a scrunchy on the way to the barn count?

9. Your horses get new shoes more often than you do…and they cost a whole bunch more! (Even on a per foot/hoof basis!)

8. You’ve ever told your truck “Whoa!”

7. Discussions about expanding your family require clarifying if you mean buying a horse or having  a baby.  Once that’s cleared up, you plan your pregnancy around the show season.

6. There are snaffle bits soaking in the kitchen sink.

5. You really, really want Santa to bring some of these for your Christmas stocking. Of course, you’ve already taken care of the sugar cubes and carrots for your horse’s stocking. And they each have a present under the tree.

4. A perfect stranger has ever let you know you have hay in your hair. Bonus points if you’re wearing formal wear when this happens.

3. Going through a metal detector requires emptying your pockets — and out comes a hoof pick, curb chain, and a scrawled note that upon examination says, “Get more grain!”

2. Everyone you know refuses to go to any historical or fantasy movies with you, because your commentary on the finer points of horsemanship interferes with their ability to enjoy the movie. The local theater owner had to physically restrain you from seeing Secretariat ‘just one more time!’

1. This is your dream horse jewelry collection!

Perhaps not…but we have the next best thing.

Vintage Horseshoe Jewelry

As close as your wrist, you can have the iconic symbol of horses: This horseshoe bracelet , featuring a great Art Deco look, set with two coral cabochons and 8 seed pearls — gold and gems combined and shining with that distinctive luster that only age can give. Despite its great age, this piece is timeless: it will slide seamlessly into your horse jewelry collection, suitable for the office, classroom, or church — anywhere you want that look of effortless elegance and personal style.

Horseshoe jewelry is also popular in necklaces and pendants form. A particular favorite is this amazing 14K gold horseshoe, whip and stirrup pendant. This piece is from an original antique mold, connecting you with the timeless tradition of horse jewelry and connecting you with the great horses of old — both from history and from your personal life. An exceptional charm or pendant with a deco feel featuring a horseshoe, a hunting whip and a stirrup with leathers.

Horseshoe charms are available with the shoe pointed down, such as we see in this piece, or with the shoe pointed up, like a U. If you’re buying this horse jewelry as a gift, you may want to find out if the recipient is superstitious: some folks believe that a horse shoe pointed up is the best kind of good luck charm!

Not this year.  This year will be different — particularly if you’re shopping for horse lovers!  We have the absolutely perfect gift — something that’s guaranteed to delight, that no one else will get them, that’s reasonably priced.

We’re talking about the Sterling Silver Horseshoe and Nameplate Bracelet. This item is one of our top sellers, and it’s easy to see why: an attractive, distinctive, high quality sterling silver bracelet, with five sterling silver horseshoes alternating with six sterling silver nameplates. On each plate goes the name of someone near and dear: beloved horses, the best dogs ever — why, there might even be space on there for the kid’s names! When you’re looking at the picture, examine the second bracelet from the top: that’s the one we’re talking about.

This is the type of piece you can wear every single day.  Sterling silver goes with everything, and the design of this piece is appropriate for all but the most formal occasions.  A thoughtful gift, sure to be treasured, and a tangible demonstration of how much you care!  Cross one name (or more!) off your shopping list now and make the holiday season less stressful for you — and more joyful for the person you give the bracelet to!

Of course, being Hermes means it is also going to have an amazing price tag.  Without exaggeration, you could buy yourself a horse — perhaps an entire stable full of horses and the barn itself! — for what the new line is going to cost.

No  matter! We’ll get that lottery ticket someday!  Meanwhile, there is a lot of vintage Hermes and Hermes inspired equestrian jewelry available right now. Long a favorite of many horse jewelry collectors, the elegant lines, strong styling and bold grace of these pieces make them appropriate in any setting.

At the moment, we’re particularly entranced by this amazing 18K gold snaffle bit bracelet. Imagine this dangling from your wrist: substantial enough to make an impression, airy and designed not to be heavy on the wrist. Every movement, every wave, every handshake, creates just enough sparkle and shine to make meeting you memorable. Hermes did so much with the bit motif — you can see that here in this lovely vintage bracelet and it is truly a fabulous way to communicate your love of horses.

Looking at the beauty, style and distinctive shine of silver, many people assume that the  majority of this metal winds up in jewelry.  After all, it’s so perfectly suited to that purpose!  However, if you want to discover where most silver goes, you need look no further than your cell phone, computer, television, GPS, or any of a million other technological gadgets that surround our daily lives! Batteries contain silver.

Confusion crops up around the term sterling silver. Sterling silver is an alloy, which consists of 92% silver and 8% other metals. Mixing the metals results in a more durable product, as pure silver is exceptionally soft.   Most fine jewelry artisans work far too hard to want to see their artistry obliterated when someone bumps a bracelet against a tabletop accidentally. Sterling silver horse jewelry is durable and beautiful, tough and exquisite — not at all unlike the horses we hold so dear!

When selecting silver jewelry, remember that you’re looking at a material that has timeless appeal — yet is priced to allow you to keep up with the trends without breaking the bank.  Every horse jewelry collection should include some silver!  (And yes, if for no other reason, silver has been known to keep werewolves away.  Talk about peace of mind!)

Now, it’s no secret that we at Show Stable Artisans have a certain fondness for Estate and Antique Horse Jewelry. There’s something almost otherworldly and beautiful about these pieces from yesteryear, when everything wonderful was made by hand, and detail was captured by a fine eye.

And among the great jewelers, of course, we must give credit to Hermes.  Founded in 1837, Hermes is renowned for being the French jeweler (they did some bags and such too, you may have heard of them.)  The relationship between Hermes and the horse world is well established — the family, after relocating to France from Germany, worked making harness and tack. Their saddles were so magnificent that they were the choice of the Czar of Russia!

Over time, the Hermes family moved into apparel.  They became famous for their scarves, and their distinct approach, which one of the family described as “Leather, sport, and a tradition of refined elegance.”

You can see that refined elegance in this Amazing rare vintage Hermes horse bit bracelet. We’ve taken far more pictures than usual so you can really look at this piece — frankly, it’s not the type of thing most of use get to see often enough! It’s a gorgeous sterling silver Hermès snaffle bit bracelet circa 1950-60. This was the era when Hermes was seen being worn by Grace Kelly, the Princess of Monaco!  Talk about glamour!  Today, you’ll see Elle MacPherson, Madonna, Nicole Kidman and other celebrities turn to Hermes when they’re striving for that elegant, polished, ultimately sophisticated look.

We only have one of these bracelets, and if we had our way, would likely keep it for ourselves.  But the boss has informed us that our mission is actually connecting horse lovers with the ultimate in horse jewelry — and for the lucky customer who buys this bracelet, we’ll have certainly done that!

But you don’t have to be a jewelry designer to tell your life story with jewelry.  You can convey the tale of your life with the jewelry you wear!

For example, take this piece, which we’re calling The Ultimate Rider’s Charm Bracelet. At first glance, it’s immediately apparent to even the most casual observer that the wearer loves horses.  Look at the horseshoe charm, and the finely detailed horse head.  Closer examination reveals more: the gloves, boots, and hat that speak to hours preparing for the show arena, the training, the grooming, the nerves fluttering like so many wayward butterflies in your stomach.  And of course, the show ribbon — and who couldn’t use a little good luck, delivered in the form of a four leaf clover?

Selecting jewelry that tells a story is an intensely personal process.  You want to think carefully about what’s important to you, and then take the time to really browse through all of your options. It’s possible to be fashion forward and still very individual: Charm Jewelry is one great option. A golden wheelbarrow might remind you of wonderful days working in the barn, or a childhood when you were so excited just to be around the horses that you’d do anything — even muck stalls — simply to be there. It’s about YOUR memories, YOUR story, and YOUR look.  So don’t delay: start telling your story today!

What could be simpler than a cuff?  The beauty of this piece rests in the quality of the materials used — in this case, sterling silver — the measured grace, and the intricate detailing.  Look at the horse’s head.  You can almost see the light in the horse’s eyes as he looks ahead to the next jump, or prances eagerly in place, ready to enter the ring.

Part of the beauty of cuff bracelets is that they’re always appropriate. You could wear this piece casually — paired with a sweater and jeans, it’s a nice, bright, sporty accent — or in an office environment, where it pairs nicely with more formal attire while still conveying a sense of style and timeless elegance.

Not all cuff bracelets for horse lovers are strictly figural, either. This sensational Yurman-style cuff bracelet with satin matte silver curb links outlined by a shiny basketweave border embodies the equine aesthetic without being over-the-top, in-your-horse centric. It’s possible to be subtle and fashion forward at the same time, and this stunning cuff accomplishes exactly that.

Silver horse jewelry really shines in the winter, capturing the cool elegance of November skies, the frosty clouds of  your horse’s breath in the morning when you go out to the barn, the shimmering beauty of a dappled mare’s coat as she runs across the pasture… how could any horse lover resist?