How about a Country HoeDown? (What is a Hoedown? and What do I wear to a hoedown?)

Last night, my daughter and I went to a "Country HoeDown"(or is it Hoe Down???) arranged by the local Girl Scout Council for girls ages 5-8. Living in metropolitan Philadelphia, country and hoedowns are not a big part of life here. Leaving some wondering what is a Country Hoe Down? - and - What should my daughter wear to a Country Hoe Down?

Last year, this event was called a Western Dance. It is a dance with Country & Western themed decorations, Country music, and a bit of square dancing. I like the Country Hoe Down name for it. Hannah Montana Movie anyone??

Sadly, the DJ did not have the Hannah's Hoedown Throwdown song to play. But, he showed the girls several simple country dancing moves - "Round The Circle", "Do-Si-Do", and "Boot Stomp". He tried another he thought was called "Going to Meeting" - but it was a bit too hard to get the hang of given the young age and high numbers of girls.

The girls (and moms) had fun choosing what to wear to the Hoedown. Even city-slickers likely have what they need in their closets! I saw lots of jeans and jean skirts, of course. Plus - cowgirl boots - including PINK cowgirl boots! Plenty of brown and black too.

Also popular were prairie skirts- elastic waist skirts made of light weight cotton, sewn in multiple tiers, to create a full "circle" skirt. These skirts make for great swing and swirl when dancing. We saw lots of tops and shirts with horses, white blouses, and plaid button-front shirts.

To make something from your closet a bit more Hoedown ready....

• Add lace or fringe to the bottom hem of a denim skirt - or any skirt. You can get some eyelett fabric, lace by the yard, or fringe by the yard from a fabric store. (for the fringe, check with the drapery supplies) Just sew it on with a few long stitches, so you can easily remove it later.
  
• Wear a full, lacy slip under any full skirt - to give it more poof. If the slip can hang below the skirt - all the better!
  
• Use long brown or tan shoelaces through the belt loops of regular jeans or a straight skirt
• Grab a white or striped or plaid button up blouse and tie a bandanna around your neck (bandannas match all colors and all prints!)
  

For your/her hair....

• Fold a bandanna in half and fold over your head as a kerchief
• Wear two low side ponytails. Perhaps tie some scrap fabric around them... nothing finished or fancy
• Wear a low back ponytail, and top it with a cowgirl hat.

Whatever you wear... make sure you are comfortable! I definitely recommend layers - no matter when or where your Country Hoe Down is! These events get hot from all the people and all the dancing! But, can also be cooler than expected, depending on the venue.

And, make sure to wear your dancing shoes (or boots!) . Enjoy line dancing (yes, yes, the Macerana, even at a Hoedown), square dancing, the "Cotton Eyed Joe", and plain old regular top 40 style "dancing".

Have fun now, ya hear?

Cindy - the HorseLoversMama

A One-Time Horse Riding Lesson For Your Horse Lover

It was cold and rainy the second day of our 1st trip to Chincoteage (June, 2007), so we offered Jess a riding lesson at the Chincoteauge Pony Center. She did have some riding experience from 2 weeks of half day horse camp the previous summer.

The lesson was a full half hour, with all one-on-one with an instructor.  The instructor had her trying to walk the horse through cones, and all kinds of interesting things!

We arranged for the lesson without advance notice, and only had to wait 15 minutes or so for it to start - in their indoor arena.     The Pony Center has plenty to do, so we really were not "waiting".    We "met" a bunch of their ponies, watched a film on the early Pony Round Ups, and explored the amazing selection of horse stuff in their shop.

Upon completing the lesson, Jess was given a large ribbon, was grinning ear to ear, and could not stop talking about "her pony".     So, even if your daughter is an unlikely equestrian, a one time horse riding lesson is a fabulous way to indulge her love of horses - an experience which will last a lifetime!

If your daughter takes a one-time lesson, either in Chincoteague, or anywhere, please tell us about it here!

Cindy--- a Horse Lovers Mama!

I Took My Horse Lover to Chincoteague Virginia

If your daughter or grand-daughter loves horses and ponies, and you are on the East Coast, you MUST take her to Chincoteague Island, Virginia!

Chincoteague Island is a barrier Island located just off the coast of Northern Virgina, with Asseteague Island just a short 100 feet beyond it.

The legend goes that a 16th Century Spanish Ship, traveling to the new world, ran ashore in the stormy, shallow sea. The horses in its cargo-hold were then left to fend for themselves. Many of the ponies managed to find their way to dry ground, evolve to their new surroundings on Asseteuge Island, and create generations of "Chincoteague Ponies".

Today, Asseteague Island is a National Wildlife Refuge and remains home to the free roaming Chincoteague Ponies. Chincoteague Island provides access to Asseteague island, and is a horse lover's delight!

Make certain your Horse Lover will see ponies on your trip!

While you can drive, bike, and hike through Asseteuge, or take a guided boat door around the perimeter, you will most likely only see pony herds in the distance. Hopefully, you will get lucky and see a few up close!

Of course, those of us with young horse lovers in our lives know that is not enough! No worries, though! To ensure your daughter gets plenty of face time with plenty of ponies, choose a hotel with their own Chincoteague Ponies on site!

We always stay at the Refuge Inn - requesting a Ground floor room on the "Pony Side". The Refuge Inn keeps several mares penned in a large area running parallel to the Eastern side of the hotel. They sell feed for 50 cents a bag. Plus, if you go during May or June - there will probably be BABIES too.

Each morning, our daughter jumped out of bed and pulled back the drapes to "See the Ponies". Here she is feeding them and patting them! She was 5 on our last trip, and we felt comfortable allowing her to go out the sliding glass door of our room, and walk across the narrow parking lot to see the ponies.

With the ponies right next to our room - we visited with them many times each day. It truely makes the trip!

Cindy

PS... Ill report again with more Chincoteague activities for horse lovers!

PPS... You can also enjoy an amazing stretch of non-commercialized seashore on Assetegue, so be sure to bring your beach gear.