April 23, 2016 
Horse nameplate belts. Custom horsehair jewelry. Show ribbon throw-blankets. Monogrammed everything. If you’re a self-respecting horse person, you own one or all of the above items and the horse tattoo to go with it. It’s what we do.
It’s also what makes it next to impossible for non-horse people to find suitable gifts for the equestrian eccentrics in their life.
Take Geoff Nygren, husband of Grand Prix show jumper Elizabeth Gingras. Nygren is an AKITA Drilling rig manager. His wife, a member of the Canadian team who is self-admittedly obsessed with her horse.
Let’s take a moment and listen to Gingras count the ways she loves her top mount, Zilversprings:
“Zilver has so much personality. Every morning, he is so excited to see me (or Jessica Dooley, head groom) his neck grows tall and he puffs out his chest out while making a really deep but quiet nicker. If he thinks you aren’t blanketing him fast enough he will pick them up to help.
“He is a very confident horse and believes he has earned the right to be first for everything. He likes his stall to be cleaned first, walked first, turned out first, ridden first. The only concession he will make is at feeding time. He knows his little brother (and best friend) is always hungry so Chance gets feed first and Zilver is completely fine with that.
“If he sees one of my other horses getting attention/cuddles he will stare at me in disbelief. He has a stuffed elephant that travels everywhere with him. At horse shows, he gets really excited and makes elephant noises and will take off bucking because he just can’t contain his excitement.
“He loves all treats but really loves bananas, including the peel. He licks his lips and savors the taste for about 10 minutes after eating a banana.”
Yeah, we’re going to agree with Gingras and say “obsessed” sounds about right. (Also, Zilver sounds hella cute!) So what possible gift could Nygren give his wife that would have an even remote chance of competing with her horse? Luggage stamped with the face of her beloved!
Nygren claimed a victory for non-horse husbands everywhere when he gifted his wife these sweet custom bags for Christmas.
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Gingras
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Gingras
It’s not just a fantastically thoughtful gift that says, “I know where your heart lies and I’m cool with that.” It’s one that will remind her while she’s on the road that her husband is pret-ty rad, too. Well played, Geoff. (Check out the MyFly line from Luggagepros.com if you’re interested in a bag of your own.)
Zilversprings—both the horse and luggage variety—are currently in Europe to compete.
