At the time, I was still making my tack with slip buckles. This made it nice and adjustable....TOO adjustable, and very much a pain in the neck. I don't even like setting that stuff up to photograph for sales anymore, it's too fiddly. So I'm passing the headache on to someone else at clearance prices. In most cases, the saddles are in awesome shape and so are the bridles...they're just a pain.
Now for the starting over...I'm really wanting to get back into photoshowing, for a variety of reasons. I have a competitive streak in me that loves to win, and online shows are a good way to get my fix. I also love photography, and really enjoy setting up scenes. I think it's got something to do with childhood and playing with my breyers for hours on end. Then, of course, there's the business principle: getting my tack out there and showing is advertising! I'm updating my IMEHA show string, and I was looking into joining MEPSA until I realized that it was all snail mail. I don't know about you, but I really don't think I can afford to print out the pictures and pay for postage and show fees. I wish I could, it's an awesome organization.
For now, though, I'm working on updating my show string of tack. I've got a western pleasure saddle done and a brand new working set done too. I've just finished a gorgeous english set on commission, and I want to recreate it for myself. I actually traced the pieces this time, so hopefully I can make that happen! I need a jumping set and a dressage set, but I've also got to decide who I want them on. Dressage has always been a tough one for me...I have no horses truly suited to upper level work. I know that a good lower level photo can win, but all things equal it seems that upper level work usually beats out a schooling show entry any day.
For now, I'm selling two english and two western sets. I have some other little bits and pieces I'd like to see gone as well, but I feel like I'm making progress. Here are some older show photos of the pieces I'll be selling on MH$P:
Your tack looks really great--I don't know how you can work in that scale and not go completely crazy!
ReplyDeleteThere are ways to make snail mail shows more affordable. I show with MEPSA but I split the postage with two other people. Basically, all the pictures live with me and I send them out to the shows. It's a bit more work for me, but the reward is that I only pay one third of the postage. Several other MEPSA showers do the same. The entry fees are quite reasonable so this makes my per show costs much lower. Just a thought!
Glad you're blogging again, too!