When you walk into an Ace Hardware do you feel like a kid in a candy store? If so, you’ll be able to relate to Lila Gendal’s latest column.

Many of us have our own niches in life, which ultimately shape and mold our entire worlds. So much that we start seeing life through a slightly different pair of lenses. For many of us, our passion dictates our lives, and we actually start thinking, dreaming, tasting and hearing according to that love that drives us. The baker who started baking when she was six years old. She dreams about beautiful loaves of bread, freshly baked croissants and more. Walking down the baking aisle in the grocery store really gets her excited. Opening a brand new bag of King Arthur Flour reminds her of Christmas morning. We might not all understand the baker’s way of life and love affair with cooking and baking, but we certainly can appreciate an obsession.

As an avid equestrian, I have discovered over the years that I am easily engrossed when it comes to certain odd little items. We are not all the same way. We are not all interested in the same items, but for better or worse, here’s a short list of weird horsey related items that I truly get excited about!

Double-ended snaps.

Ah, yes, the inevitably hard to find and often goes missing, and even occasionally gets stolen double-ended snaps. We find these at the end of cross-ties, holding water buckets up, and the list goes on and on. When you travel to an “away” event, where you might be stabling your horse for a night or two, you will often need a double-ended snap. Perhaps you do, or perhaps you do not, but I never like to leave home without these guys. Seriously, every time I go to a hardware store, or Walmart, I like to stock up on double ended snaps… they make me smile.

NEW brooms.

Perhaps if physical labor scares you, then you might find it difficult to relate on the subject of sweeping. However, for many of us who grew up as barn rats, sweeping aisles day in and day out, to the point where you think the broom would start sweeping on its own, because you’ve programmed the hell out of it. Regardless, when NEW brooms arrive at the barn, or you splurge at the feed store on some random Thursday afternoon and purchase several new brooms, life suddenly becomes seriously exciting. I almost can’t handle the eagerness. No joke. New brooms bring joy throughout countless barns.

Electrical Tape.

Yes, I admit, I really enjoy ordering, finding and searching for electrical tape, particularly when it comes in a traditional green and yellow shade, as those are the colors I rock on cross country. Weird? Perhaps. Practical? ABSOLUTELY! Not only is electrical tape relatively cheap when compared to the cost of an entry fee, or a shoeing bill, but once you’re favorite personal barn items are adorned in your colors, often times (but not always) those special crops, or favorite tail brushes are left alone by other wandering souls because they know which color belongs to which rider. Funny how that works out!

I could keep going, but I’m dying to hear what must have items are on YOUR lists, and why?!

My name is Lila Gendal and I am 28 years old. I am from Vermont and have been riding horses since I was 6 years old. I have been eventing since I was 10. I have been riding and training with Denny Emerson for the last 7 years. My goal is to compete at the upper levels someday. I’m currently leasing an awesome ISH gelding named Theatre Royal (owned by Gayle Davis), and we are going Prelim. When I am not on a horse or in the barn I am likely working in my office on what I like to call Equine Media… or social media for equestrians and equestrian websites.

Lila and Vinnie 2014 jump school