Tag Archives: Ribbons

It’s Back! 3W Rosette Special

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Earlier this spring we had a promotion that turned out to be quite popular.  Due to customer request, we have brought back the 3W Rosette Special.  From now through November 30, all Empire3W, Ideal3W, and Trent3W rosettes are on sale.  These are our classic rosettes with a twist to cut costs.  They feature a white gold rim center with any stock logo, a white center streamer with customized gold print and the rosette top and side streamers in your place color.

Your custom print cannot change from ribbon to ribbon (that means no placing or divisions can be printed).  Thinking of ordering multicolor or specialty side streamers?  Add them to your 3W rosette (standard charges apply) to take advantage of the savings.

In a hurry?  Rush orders can still take advantage of this offer.

Have a question? Leave a comment, send an email to info@hodgesbadge.com, or call Customer service at 800-556-2440.

Have you “liked” us on Facebook?

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Shameless bit of self-promotion here.  Hope you don’t mind…

If you haven’t already “liked” Hodges Badge Company on Facebook yet, head on over and check out our page.  It’s where all the tidbits of Hodges and award-related information goes that isn’t quite hefty enough to make a full blog post.  Just this week we posted:

  • A link to a New York Times article about the Yorktown Grange Fair where you could see some Hodges ribbons.
  • Our weekly Friday Funny- this one goes out to our agility and dog enthusiasts.  Check out previous weeks for fair and equine funnies.
  • A sneak peek at a very special equestrian order we have put together (I’m not saying- you’ll have to check it out for yourself)
  • That our blog post on awards and ribbons of decades past was part of September’s Blog Carnival of the Horse.
  •  A dress covered in rosettes.  You never know what you’re going to find!

Marshfield Fair Visit

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Last Friday, I headed up to the Marshfield Fair to watch the Demolition Derby.  While I didn’t make it to all the exhibits, here are some photos from the agricultural displays.  There were tons of our flat ribbons, as well as some of the Beauty rosettes awarded to the winners.

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Do you have photos of Hodges ribbons from a fair, horse show, or other competition you’d like to show off?  I’d love to share them on the blog.  Send an email to info@hodgesbadge.com with “blog” in the subject line.

Why a Badge Company?

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I realize there’s a small chance some of you may have ventured over to the Hodges History section of our website, but for those that haven’t, I wanted to write a post to explain why our company has its name– or more specifically, why it’s called Hodges Badge Company and not Hodges Awards, Hodges Ribbons, or some other variation on that theme.

While people today tend to use the word “badge” for police officer medallions, or company IDs, in 1920, when Hodges Badge Company was founded, a “badge” also referred to the name tag and attached ribbon frequently worn by fraternal orders, or social clubs, such as The Elks or the Knights of Columbus.  That’s how the company got its start- making badges for lodge meetings, parades, funerals and other fraternal gatherings.

Horse shows didn’t really become popular until the late 1930s, and Hodges didn’t start selling ribbons and awards to additional markets (gymnastics, swim, athletic, school) until much later.  Therefore, by the time we were manufacturing far more ribbons and rosettes than badges, the company name had already existed for several decades.

The company actually has considered changing names several times, as recently as last summer, when Hodges Ribbons & Awards was the popular choice.  Yet ultimately, honoring the 90 year family history of the company and keeping the original name won out. 

So now, when I travel to trade shows or meet someone and explain who I work for, I do have to take a moment to describe the type of products Hodges offers.  But honestly, it would seem strange to be working for Hodges Awards, since when I turned over my first horse show ribbon at age 10, it definitely said Hodges Badge.

On the Radar: 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

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If you stay up-to-date on equestrian news, you’re probably already aware of the huge event that’s planned for Lexington, Kentucky beginning in September.  But for the rest of our readers, we just wanted to spread the word about the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.  The event is the international championship for eight equine disciplines (eventing, dressage, show jumping, reining, vaulting, combined driving, para-dressage, and endurance) and is going to be hosted on US soil for the first time.

Having visited Lexington and the Kentucky Horse Park twice this spring (for the Rolex Three-Day Event and for IHSA Nationals) I know that preparations have been underway for months, and that nearly the entire city of Lexington, if not the state of Kentucky is counting down the days (87 as of today) until the opening ceremony.

Hodges is excited to play a small part in the planning, by supplying all ribbons and sashes for the event through our work with L.V. Harkness, the official awards supplier to the Games.

But really, what is most exciting is the high level of competition, and the fact that all eight disciplines will compete at the same location all during one event.  Even Olympic equestrian sports are limited to dressage, eventing and show jumping. 

Are you planning on going to Kentucky for the Games?  Let us know in the comments.

Frequently Emailed Questions

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Our general inquiry email, info@hodgesbadge.com, receives many emails about general order-related inquiries.  While we try to have an extensive and comprehensive F.A.Q. section, we understand that people may not want to search through the entire list.  So I thought I’d help you out and compile a few of the “more frequent” F.A.Q.s:

  • Do you supply copies of past orders?  YES!  We keep records of all orders placed within the past two years.  So if new to the awards responsibilities of your event, don’t worry.  We can email a copy within 24 hours of the request.
  • Will my logo work on your products? Some logos need to be “cleaned up” in order to use them on engraved products.  If you supply Customer Service with a logo, we will get back to you with an estimate on required art time within one business day.
  • Do I need to use a Hodges Badge Company rosette or ribbon in my photo for your equestrian Cover Contest?  Really, we do get asked this!  If you were us, would you put a competitor’s ribbon on the cover of your catalog? 
  • Can you take over my order that used to be made by another company?  Yes.  If you provide us with images of the ribbons or products you previously ordered, we will supply a quote with the best match to a Hodges product.

Just for entertainment’s sake, here’s another (real, I swear!) question that made our customer service reps chuckle.   

  • What would it cost to turn your trophies into a lamp?

What do you do with your ribbons and awards?

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We know that it takes a lot of time, effort and preparation to get ready for competition.  So when the event is done and you’ve received a ribbon or award, how to you show it off?

I know I’ve seen quite a few rosettes hanging on stall doors, displayed on barn banners at horse shows and strung up on the walls of kids’ rooms.  But what else can you do with your hard-earned prizes?

Some creative ideas I’ve found include:

  • Putting together a shadow box
  • Making placemats or table runners (sew the streamers  into long strips and weave them together)
  • Making a ribbon wreath , ribbon quilt, or ribbon belt
  • Passing along the smile and giving your ribbons to children participating in therapeutic riding

Do you have a picture of your Hodges ribbons, rosettes or medals on display?  I’d love to share them with the rest of our blog readers, so send it to us at info@hodgesbadge.com

New Equestrian Products- Check ’em Out!

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For those of you that were reading carefully, you may have noticed a few new products slipped in to our 2010 Equestrian Catalog.  At Hodges we try to keep an eye on new and different awards that stand out yet still fit in with our long-standing commitment to quality.

At the top of the list is our new selection of Pewtarex™ plates, bowls, and trays.  (Side note- I just love the horse print along the rim!)  These hand-finished pieces are a hefty and durable award or gift.   For dog lovers, watch for the dog line of Pewtarex™ coming out with our new Dog Catalog in May.  

This is the Pewtarex 5-3/4" plate

The other major addition is our new line of trophies.  All sizes of equestrian trophies are available in black faux marble, ruby faux marble, and walnut finishes.  Trophy tops come in a variety of English, Western, gaited horse and breed designs.  Prices start at just $6.00 and include engraving on the attached gold plate.

This is the 12" trophy with Ruby Red finish.

We have also introduced a new rosette, the Malden.  With Dorset points inside a 6″ ruffle, we think the design is a classic.  Last, but not least are our multicolor stock ribbons.  With fun, creative designs, like Dusty Bottoms and the Clean Pony Award, they are a great award or for children in your riding program, camp, 4-H group or Pony Club.

The Malden

 

So cute!

How many Hodges’ Awards do you have?

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A few weeks ago I decided that it was time to go through the attic. Winter would be coming soon and it was time to do some fall cleaning. Well, image my pleasure when I found an old box full of childhood memories that my parents had put away. Believe it or not I found Hodges Badge Company ribbons from almost 30 years ago. Ok, so going through the box and reminiscing was a bit of a tangent from cleaning but it was really neat seeing all of the old drawings, birthday cards, pictures and yes, award ribbons.

It brought back some good memories. I can remember being so proud when I received my ribbons back then for completing swim level classes with the Red Cross. Every week in the summer, my brother and I would go down to the Sakonnet River in Rhode Island and have a swimming lesson. At the end of the season Red Cross would always give out  ribbons or a medals. (I found his medals too!)

Apparently I am not alone in having old Hodge’s ribbons without knowing it. I received an email from a woman in  Alabama this week that told a great story and I have to share it.

She got her first horse show ribbon in 44 years at a costume competition. She hadn’t been in a show since 1965.

Well, when she brought her new ribbon home she wanted to display it with the last ribbons she won back in the 60’s. As she hung them up, out of curiosity she looked on the backs of the old ribbons to see who they were made by. She was surprised and pleased when she saw that they were from Hodges!  They look quite different from the ones she just received but she did note that the old ones certainly kept their colors well even after being tucked away in a scrapbook for 40+ years.oldribbons

So……How many Hodge’s Awards do you have hidden away and don’t know it?  Go take a look!

SEND US YOUR PHOTOS!

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RosettesWe are putting out a call to gather photos of Hodges Badge Company awards in action. We’re looking for all types of photos from anyone who gives or receives Hodges’ awards.  

Send us your photos! Tell us the who, where and when of the event, fill out these forms and look for your photo in our catalog, emails or on our website!

Release Forms