Braymere Custom Saddlery

Thursday, July 9, 2026

Braymere at BreyerFest

Today is the unofficial first day of BreyerFest.

photo by Celeste Alvarez-Plitz

For obvious reasons, I haven't been paying much attention to that.

James and Emma in 2018

I did manage to send two tubs of sales horses with Angelo. They're not organized and most of them aren't even priced, but if there's anything you're even remotely interested in, please check out Clarion room 643. I am one hundred percent open to all reasonable offers.

Since everyone wants tack, I will point out that a few of these horses come with their vintage Braymere halters.

I bought the Sears Special Run USET set in 1987.

The grey Keen - his name was Ghost Stories - was my favorite, so he got his own halter. This may have been my first attempt at a rolled throatlatch. It's a bit clunky, but not terrible.

The Classic Andalusian set was also a Sears Gift Book offering, this time from 1984.

In this case, the stallion was my favorite, but the mare got the halter! It's a simple piece, but I remember being quite proud of the leather pieces around the noseband ring.

Dancin' Darrell's halter is a little vintagey-vintage, having been created after the purchase of Susan Bensema Young's Guide to Making Model Horse Tack.

I bought Darrell at Knott's Berry Farm and he was named after one of the carts on the Wacky Soap Box Racers ride.

Last and most certainly least is this... fun costume... created by my sister and I when we were really young. Erin had remarked that the scratching foal looked like she was doing aerobics, so we made her a headband and leg warmers.

How could anyone possibly resist these amazing offerings?! Head right over to room 643 and be sure to tell Angelo I sent you!

Wednesday, July 8, 2026

Emma

After Darcy died, I had a heart to heart with Emma.

"I know you're an old lady," I said. "But my heart can't handle another loss. Please give me a year."

She was almost completely deaf, but I think she me heard me. The year mark came and went. Emma was solid.

But also, I could see time catching up with her.

I knew wasn't one hundred percent the morning I left for Wisconsin, and I worried about leaving her. I snapped a picture of the two of us together and asked her to give me a week.

Seth sent lots of reports while I was away.

watching fireworks on the 4th of July

He said Emma was clappy as a ham.

I wanted to believe him.

But in my heart of hearts, I knew she was giving me that week.

When I finally got home on Monday. Emma was alert and happy to see me. By the next morning, she was in crisis, and today we said goodbye.

Thank you, Emma, for giving me the time. You were the best bad dog ever. It was a privilege to be your person.

Monday, July 6, 2026

Plot change!

It's a long drive from Loveland, Colorado to Madison, Wisconsin, especially when you're driving one vehicle and pulling another.

James and I filled the hours with talk. Lots and lots of it.

One of the things we discussed was the importance of rolling with the punches. Life rarely goes according to plan, but it's easier if you learn to embrace those plot change! moments. At the very least, they often make for the best stories.

Yesterday, was supposed to be the last day of my trip to Wisconsin. James, Guppy, Mercury and I posed for one last selfie, then it was off to the airport. I drank a Spotted Cow in the bar and wrote a happy/sad post for Facebook.

Then I had a plot change!

This one isn't actually a fun story, so I'll keep it brief. After a long and unproductive night at the Madison Airport, I returned to James' apartment for a little bit of sleep. This morning, at the crack of dawn, we said goodbye again.

I boarded a Badger Bus bound for the Milwaukee Airport.

He walked back to his brand new life.

Despite some significant challenges, I am so glad we had this week together. I hope Wisconsin is everything James wants it to be and more. I love you, kiddo. Roll with those plot changes!