In this era of “tidying up,” storing horse show ribbons in boxes and tucking them into a back closet won’t do. Neither will hanging them on a wall to fade and collect dust. It’s a nice problem to have – what to do with those show ribbons. Having them in your possession is tangible proof you’ve been out on your horse, and you’ve been recognized for your accomplishments. The ribbons spark memories, but do they “spark joy?” Before Marie Kondo asked the world that question, I’d already come up with a solution!
I found this chest at a flea market. In it’s past life, it was at a general store in the South, usefully holding seeds for farmers. Now it holds my ribbons.
Some of the drawers have remnants of labels that identified the contents.
I don’t know whether Tonka and I will win more ribbons. He’s coming back from his sacroiliac issues, but I don’t yet know if he’ll be comfortable enough to show this summer. I hope we’re both able to compete, but if we don’t, we’ll still find things to do. If we do win more, I won’t need to display them all. I already have a stash inside of this chest. What do you do with your ribbons? Has anyone had a pillow made out of them? Tell me in the comments!
I love that. We collect old things like that and give them a new purpose. That is really beautiful.
Hi Terry,
I notice in your photo the basket of blown eggs on the top of the ribbon cabinet.
I’ve been using my little egg-blower (bought it years ago on your recommendation!) this morning as a friend gave me some of her olive/blue green Araucana eggs.
It still works well and yes! the blown eggs bring back happy memories of beloved chickens past.
I hang them on a branch of twisted hazel in Spring and at Easter. So they do indeed ‘spark joy’!
Yes, those are my blown eggs. Most of the eggs have the names of the hens who laid them written on them. So they provide my memories of all of my Ladies.
That’s a great display! I’ve thrown most of mine away over the years and just keep my test booklets for lack of a good display option.
I keep my tests, too. I just found one, filed away, from when I rode in the First Level Championships at Dressage at Devon back in the 1980s. I came in second to Heather Mason. Last year, she judged Tonka and I at a show. Small world!
I think it is really cool that you found a piece of history to store and display your ribbons.I had a quilt made from my son’s t-shirts, so I think a talented person could make a pillow from the ribbons. It sure would look nice on a couch or chair.
I’ve also seen stuffed animals made from ribbons. Far beyond my sewing skill!
Hello, I just wanted to let you know that the quote on your homepage, by Joseph A. Estes………..You said he wrote it about Whirlaway in 1937. But Whirlaway wasn’t born until 1938. It was probably written about Man o’ War, whose grandsire was Hastings, and Hastings was bad-tempered. Just wanted to say something, in case you wanted to research it. But if I’m wrong, please feel free to correct me. Peace!
Thank you for this correction! I’ve seen this quote in various places and read that it was about Whirlaway. But probably one person got it wrong and we all followed along. I appreciate your comment and have corrected my blog.