It seems that life either has 2 paces, lightning fast or slow as molasses. For us at Freedman’s, it’s always lightning fast, good or bad. It’s been almost a year since our last blog posting, my apologies but it’s been one of those years where we were hanging on by our fingernails just trying to be sure that everything got done and the blog had to take a backseat to the rest of the rush.

We have done a lot in this last year. Following the World Equestrian Games in Lexington, our boutique’s home base, we played a lot of catch up as those 3 weeks really required every bit of energy we had. Followed by memory loss of anything that came before or after it, we are still wondering if it was just a dream. We followed the WEG with Arabian Nationals and then the Royal Winter Fair where David is the Horse Show Chairmen. David then traveled to Spain and finally the holidays were upon us.

Fast forward to the first week of January and we once again made our yearly pilgrimage to the United Professional Horsemen’s Association convention, this time in Boston, MA. More about the UPHA later, they are up to great things right now. February had us in Scottsdale, Arizona for the Arabian show, 28 hours of driving each way. Did you know that there isn’t a single Starbucks from the western edge of Amarillo, Texas until you reach Scottsdale Arizona?? Awful.

 March was another annual drive to Ocala, Florida for the Live Oak Invitational CDE. We always enjoy this show in its picturesque setting, andFlorida isn’t a bad place to be if you are ready to get over the winter blues. Europe was next for us, we started in Spain for the Feria of Sevilla, never in my life have I seen so many horses, by the hundreds, mostly stallions and most in harness. It was a wild experience filled with so much color and culture. We went from Sevilla to Windsor,England for the Royal Windsor Horse show. Another experience that was memorable, the Queen, Hackney Horses, Coaching and Cornish Pasties were among my favorite.

Finally back in the States and closer to home, we jumped into our show horse season. The Buckeye, Rock Creek, Region 14, CAA Carriage Classic and the Bluegrass Morgan show all got us prepped for the really big shows to come. Junior League was a knockout, it’s our favorite outdoor show, love it or hate it the Red Mile holds a special place in many of our hearts. Sales of our new World Cup Super Grip saddle were staggering; we are pleased to see that our customers really appreciate the quality and fit of our product(s).  We traveled to the New England Morgan horse show, with an overnight stop in Saratoga, NY for a day at the races.

We then entered the homestretch of our summer show season, Walnut Hill Carriage driving show and Kentucky State Fair. These shows run back to back and its like going from the symphony to a rock concert, that’s how different the horses and people are. We almost washed away while packing up at Walnut Hill, our poor Coaching clients were stuck in the ring for their Appointments class, and all that beautiful harness was soaked. We moved ontoLouisville, to our biggest show of the year and the most entertaining for people watching. Our saddle was our biggest seller with show harness following closely behind. So now we take a breather before the fall shows take us out on the road again. Time finally for me to update about the World of Freedman’s and all the fabulous things that have gone on in the last year.   

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Freedman’s Harnesses Equestrian Lifestyle

Freedman’s has crafted the finest harness and saddlery for more than 200 years and continues this tradition of excellence with an extension into its leather goods and accessories line.

Midway, Kentucky | July 12, 2010 – What do top horses, top equestrians and good taste have in common?  The need for excellence and Freeman Harness is no stranger to that.  After six generations of servicing the needs of top equestrians with hand-crafted harness and saddlery, Freedman’s now takes its expertise a step further.  It is moving into the homes and wardrobes of the people who live the life.

“Participation in horse sport is unlike participation in any other sport,” said David Freedman, President of Freedman Harness.  “We cannot just shelf this interest when we are not in the mood.  Horses and tack do not fit neatly into the hall closest to be taken out again when we are ready.  Instead, it becomes a lifestyle.  Horse enthusiasts eat, breathe and dream about it.  It’s a passion.”

It’s this passion that the Freeman’s lifestyle line honors.  Equestrian themed belts and handbags have become the hallmark of the line.  Like all of the Freedman Harness leather goods, the items are made by hand, using the finest materials.

“If there is one thing that horse enthusiasts know, it is quality,” said Nicole Laver, Manager of Boutique Sales and Marketing at Freedman’s.  “These are exacting individuals with discriminating taste.  Our leather goods and accessories combine the quality materials our products have always been made from, along with today’s lifestyle needs.  The results are beautiful.”

“The response from the leather goods and accessories we have produced has been excellent,” continued Freedman.  “Based on the overwhelmingly positive feedback we have received, I am excited about the expansion of this line with the creation of a number of new items that will be launched later this year.  We are inspired!”

The leather goods and accessories line is available at the Freedman’s Boutique in Midway, Kentucky, through their online shopping site, or by phoning their home office in Toronto, Ontario. 

Freedman’s, Tradition in Every Stitch

Freedman Harness is known worldwide for their harness and equestrian leather goods. For six generations horsemen have respected, admired and valued the carriage harness bearing the maker’s mark of Freedman Harness. The Freedman’s horseshoe trademark has become synonymous with classic styling, timeless quality and legendary craftsmanship.  After more than 200 years, Freedman Harness is still the choice of royalty, heads of state, and owners of the grand champion show horses and ponies. Handcrafted of the finest materials, with an exquisite attention to detail, Freedman harness and leather goods set the standard of excellence in harness making and luxury leather accessories and accents. For more information on the tradition of Freedman Harness or their high-quality goods, visit the website at www.freedmanharness.com.

Contact: Barbara Daley

Equine Concepts

905.726.2057

barb@equineconcepts.com

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Midway, Kentucky | July 2, 2010 – With show season is full swing, the attention at Freedman Harness moves quickly to its newest development: the Freedman‟s World Cup Super Grip Saddle. The saddle combines the tradition of saddle seat riding with today‟s technology in saddle construction.

“We‟ve been making harness and saddlery since 1802 and servicing the saddle seat community since 1996,” said David Freedman, President of Freedman Harness. “Our boutique is based in Midway, Kentucky, so we get first-hand feedback on the needs of riders from the heart of North America‟s horse community.”

The World Cup Super Grip Saddle combines a traditional styling with a balanced seat topped with super-grip leather. It is constructed using the high level of craftsmanship Freedman‟s has been providing for six generations and results in improved fit, comfort and performance for the horse and rider. Like all of the Freedman Harness leather goods, the saddles are made by hand in North America, using the finest materials.

 

The launch of the saddle takes place as two of Kentucky‟s horse shows open their doors to exhibitors and fans: the 74th Annual Lexington Junior League Charity Horse Show at the Red Mile; Kentucky and the Bluegrass Morgan Classic at the Kentucky Horse Park. Exhibitors at both shows will be invited to participate in the Golden Ticket contest, which runs from July 5 to 10, 2010. Each exhibitor will be given a $50 gift card, which can be used for in-store purchase of over $100. Upon purchase, entrants are invited to swipe their card to discover if they have won the prize World Cup Super Grip Saddle.

“We are very excited about the launch of this saddle and the Golden Ticket contest,” said Nicole Dreher, Manager of Boutique Sales and Marketing at Freedman‟s. “It‟s an initiative that will reward clients that shop at Freedman Harness. Our goal is to provide them with a „Kid in the Candy Shop‟ experience.”

The World Cup Super Grip Saddle, priced at $2,495, is available at the Freedman‟s Boutique in Midway, Kentucky, through their online shopping site, or by phoning their home office in Toronto, Ontario.

Freedman Harness is known worldwide for their harness and equestrian leather goods. For six generations horsemen have respected, admired and valued the carriage harness bearing the maker’s mark of Freedman Harness. The

Freedman‟s horseshoe trademark has become synonymous with classic styling, timeless quality and legendary craftsmanship. After more than 200 years, Freedman Harness is still the choice of royalty, heads of state, and owners of the grand champion show horses and ponies. Handcrafted of the finest materials, with an exquisite attention to detail, Freedman harness and leather goods set the standard of excellence in harness making and luxury leather accessories and accents. For more information on the tradition of Freedman Harness or their high-quality goods, visit the website at www.freedmanharness.com.

Winter has drug on at a nauseating slow pace,  the horse hair will not shed fast enough and the grass cannot turn green quick enough for those of us that dread the long, cold, dark winter months. But hallelujah!! Spring has sprung with the daffodils and tulips budding, the birds chirping and the tack trunks being cleaned out and re-packed for the first shows of the season.

For us at Freedman’s, that means our first horse show of the season is now as well. Live Oak Combined Driving Event starts next week in Ocala, FL and we will have harness in tow as well as our newest collection of spring colored hand bags and other leather necessities. We look forward to the first show of the season as much as the rest of our carnie friends for the road never seems to be too long when there is a horse show to go to.

Good luck to everyone on a safe and successful show season!

We are horse people to the core, willing to go out in the elements and freeze all day to live the life we do is at times crazy but it’s in our blood. This time of year is always difficult as we prep for the upcoming show season, everyone seems to be holding their breath just waiting to be told its time to pack up and head back out on the road. Yes, we are horse show carnies and we love every minute of it.

and Pair Pony Harness

 This Harness was specially made for Anne Bliss of Sherborn, MA

Black Harness leather trimmed, with black patent and solid brass buckles with stainless steel tongues.  Personal monograms were used where appropriate.  All straps are doubled and stitched using waxed Irish linen thread and spaced at 10 stitches per inch. 

This harness can be used in either single phaeton, gig, tandem or pair configurations.

Photos show the harness in progress, the backpads are being hand stitched, the monograms have been added and the finishing touches are being applied before it is cleaned, boxed and shipped to it’s new home.

The Young Trainers committee holds a raffle selling tickets to benefit the UPHA with a total of 100 tickets sold. This years lucky winner was Stacey Kipper of Colorado. Congratulations Stacey!!!

The perfect bags for the horse show traveler and WEG Enthusiasts.  A great collector’s item with a permanent memory of your experience at the World Equestrian Games.  These bags will last a lifetime.  We are producing limited quantities, so order yours today!