Get the Look – Texas Women

Take a peek into the lives of the strong, spirited women of Texas with CMT’s new show “Texas Women”. In the show, four friends come together to show that in Fort Worth, TX you can work hard and play hard. The foursome includes; Ali Dee – an aspiring country singer, Hannah – the youngest and the wild child of the group, Brooke Jeter – a professional barrel racer, and Anna Hunt – a strong willed stock contractor. Get the look of these Texas ladies’ at Rods.com.

Sam Hagey Custom Pinstriping

Rod’s is now carrying custom painted hat cans! Jazz up your hat can with custom paint from Sam Hagey. You choose the colors and name and he does the rest! With over ten paint colors to choose from combined with a little crystal bling, your hat can will be the talk of the barn. Sam puts his flavor in every can – no two hat cans will be alike.

About our artist, Sam -
Sam Hagey is a student at the University of Texas at Austin who rides and shows pleasure horses. He is a self taught artist who specializes in the art of pinstriping. When we asked Sam how he got started painting, this is what he said,

“As far as painting hat cans goes, I started at a horse show in Ohio early last year. I set out (while at the show) to find a pinstriping brush at a paint store and couldn’t find one to save my life. As I was driving through nowhere outside of Springfield, I passed a small country church where an older gentleman was lettering a church van. I stopped to ask where he bought his brushes, and he ended up giving me his pinstriping brush. He told me that he didn’t like doing that kind of work, and if he didn’t have the brush, he wouldn’t have to do it! He sent me on my way to an old paint store downtown to get the proper sign painter’s paint, and it only grew from there.
Sam’s custom painting has grown from hat cans into things like motorcycle equipment, helmets, horse trailers, trucks, golf carts and even laptops, cell phones and jackets. If you want to see more of Sam’s custom paint work, visit him on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/samspinstriping

Sign up to win a single hat can with your name custom painted on it! Contest will be held through Sunday, 8/21 and one winner will be drawn on Monday, 8/22. To enter, post your name and your horse’s name in the comments box below.

Sam will be in Rod’s booth at the All American Quarter Horse Congress in Columbus, OH in October.

Behind the Scenes – Rod’s Fall Catalog Photo Shoot

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Behind the Scenes: The Making of Rod’s Fall Catalog
Creativity and humor are the main components of Rod’s catalog photo shoots. Whether it is an uncooperative horse, wardrobe malfunction or unpredictable weather – the show must go on! Rod’s photo shoot team works hard to beautifully present authentic western lifestyle in four seasonal catalogs every year. Check out some of these outtakes and behind the scenes pictures from our recent Fall 2011 catalog photo shoot. Enjoy the ride!

Get Ready for the Fair!

That time of year is here again – state and county fairs! It is time to show your accomplishments and to close the show season with a bang. Although this is an exciting time of year, it can also be very stressful. Rod’s has compiled a list of helpful tips to make this fair spectacular.

Know the Fairgrounds –Take a walk around the fair grounds and get your bearings. It is good practice to know the essentials: where to sign up for classes, restrooms, and where your horse stall is located. The more you can become aware of now, the easier show day will be!

Research Surrounding Area – Get to know the surrounding area. If you are staying for a couple days, you may want to know the local hotels and restaurants, and if there is a store in town for anything you may have forgotten at home.

Get Packing – Pack all of your grooming supplies, and show accessories. Make sure your tack and show clothing is cleaned and ready for the ring. Braid and band your horse, keep the braids safe by using a sleazy hood.

Keep Your Horse Happy – Don’t forget the fly spray! It is hot outside, and the close quarters in the barn can accumulate flies. Be sure to keep your horse hydrated and bring extra buckets for water!

Last Minute Essentials for the Show – Get registered for all of your classes and make sure your number is attached to your shirt and horse blanket. Practice your patterns if needed, and grab a show roster. Knowing the show schedule will help to fit in last minute grooming and practice.