
A Pony Birthday Party
When Simon turned 7 and when he turned 8 I brought some party items to the barn for a photo opportunity. It was always something minor – little cupcakes or a cookie cake, and I never announced before hand. I just brought some sweets to share with anyone who happened to be at the barn, and asked someone to take a picture with me and my favorite nerd horse.
Recently I’ve learned that anything can be a cause for celebration. What’s a better excuse than a horse’s birthday to drink wine outside on a Monday night? With this in mind, I casually opened Facebook and created an event a few days in advance to let people know that Sir Simon would be celebrating.
More people showed up to Simon’s birthday party than my own, and that’s awesome on so many levels.
I went to party city and bought plastic ware in our barn’s colors, made some homemade pimento cheese and drew a nerd horse portrait on an HEB sheet cake.
Add in some bottles of $3 buck chuck and we officially had ourselves a party. Other folks brought food and drinks, and we chatted and watched people ride from the viewing stand while the sun set down over acres of pasture around us.
Since this was a horse birthday party, I of course had to dress Simon up for my photo op. I originally planned on just a hat and some streamers around his neck, but one of my friends joked about putting the “Happy Birthday” banner on him… so naturally I had to do that.
At first people were like, “Oh he’s so tolerant!” but I kind of brushed them off.
“This isn’t the first or last time he’s been in costume. His mother is crazy.”
So Simon being Simon, just kind of sighed and stood there like the saintly creature he is.
A few other friends took advantage of the pony party favors as well, because you can’t have a celebration without some of your pasture buddies around.
When it finally got dark and the cake had been cut, people started saying their goodbyes. We agreed the pony party was a grand success, and others should do the same for their beloved equines. As one woman was leaving, she waved and said “I’m so glad you’ve had Simon to help you through last year.”
She’s right. I’m so glad I have him too, and he continues to help me through those hard days in ways no one else can. What I didn’t tell her but probably should, is that it’s not just Simon that helped me. The people that I’ve met through horses are just as important as the horses. We are a tribe… a fanatical tribe obsessed with french leather, but a tribe all the same. Yes, we’re likely to bark out “Can you BELIEVE what she’s doing with that horse?” to someone moments after waving to them at a show, but when the shit hits the fan horse people are there for each other. They’re connected.
We come from different places and we meet at different stages. We even have different goals, but we share the same love. We know what it’s like to put your fingers into the thickest part of your horse’s crest, and bury them in that thick, somewhat dusty mane. We know that the most comfortable place is often the first few strides of our horse’s familiar, swinging walk when we leg up after a long day at work. We know that jobs or boyfriends come and go, but the love of the horse is the thing that preceded them all and is just as likely to outlast them.
Most importantly, we know that it’s a good idea to gather and celebrate an ordinary bay gelding’s 10th birthday.
30 thoughts on “A Pony Birthday Party”
That looks like a fun party!! And you should have gone into cake decorating! I thought for sure the bakery had done that for you. Happy Birthday Simon!
I think this is one of my most favorite She Moved to Texas posts ever. Love, love, love it.
(Especially the part about the fanatical tribe obsessed with French leather. That’s us.)
Awesome party!
100% yes. Love it. So glad you have such a great place to be when you need it the most.
This sounds like it was so much fun! I’m glad there was such a great turn out.
You literally just gave a whole new meaning to the phrase “pony party” for me! LOL I love it!! I should have had a pony party for Gracie, she just turned 9 last week. Give Simon a Bday kiss for me!!
This should be a requirement for all horse birthdays.
I’m totally stealing this pony party idea! We’ve always done it for our dogs but never my horse. And I’m game for anything that involves wine! haha Happy birthday Simon!
I’ve done a horsey birthday party before and they’re so much fun! I love the Simon decs and the matchy hats. So cute! If you’re looking for party games, I recommend bobbing for apples. 😉
That cake looks awesome! That party looks like a ton of fun and makes me want to have one 🙂 PS – I love that you’re wearing jeans at the barn! Woo hoo!
This is an amazing party and a great reason to have one! Maybe I’ll have to celebrate Moe’s birthday at the barn! 🙂
You are so talented drawing on that cake!
And yes, the people that we meet along the way are one of the best parts of horses.
This, every word of it. Happy birthday Simon!
Happy Birthday to Simon.
omg those decorations are classic!!!! (tho is it terrible that this post made me feel marginally sorry for myself that we don’t have $3 buck chuck in baltimore bc of stupid blue laws?!? ugh…). happy bday ponykins!
Pony birthday parties are the best! Happy, happy, HAPPY 10th Simon and cheers to many, many more <3 <3 <3 He will always be my favorite nerd horse!
Everyone loves a reason to dress up pretty ponies, eat and drink 3 buck chuck!
Love this post–horse people friends are the best 🙂
This is awesome on so many levels!!
I want to share is birthday costume pictures all over the internet!! <3
This might be my favorite post ever. You also might be the coolest person ever to organize such an excellent event. Happy B-Day Simon!
I try to always live by the philosophy that any reason to have cake is a good reason. But Simeon’s birthday is a GREAT reason! Happy birthday Simon!!! And you’re so right about horse friends.
I love everything about this. EVERYTHING!
So um… I’ve been toying with the idea of hiring the Pizza Truck and throwing a huge party for Rio’s 20th next month. We didn’t think he’d make it this far, so it’s for sure something to celebrate. Your pony party is making me feel less crazy for wanting to do this!
Looks like fun!
This sounds like such a blast.
Very fun and true about horses and horse people.
I love this post! I’m having a moment of “did she just say that to me” but know when push comes to shove…they’re all good people! Appreciate this post, love the party, and- as usual- you are awesome girl!
Your cake skills are freaking impressive! Look at that handsome horse. Wish I could have been there to celebrate!
Love it! Happy Birthday Simon!
Sounds like a great party! I love the the 4th picture down. It looks like Pascale is laughing her head off at Simon’s expense.