Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
Socks![]() I just got the best deal ever at Target. Although, when do you NOT get good deals there? You know those really cute Ovation Zocks that you can find in the catalogs - the ones that sell for $8.49 and up? I found the exact same tall socks at Target this week, on clearance, for $1.75. I bought four pair, but I should have bought more. I have two other pair that I bought a few years ago, but they're starting to get a bit thin. They work perfectly under my tall boots; they're thin, colorful, and tall enough. Which brings me to my dressage boots... Boots![]() Newly widened boots I like my dressage boots, a lot. They are so comfortable that I can wear them to work. They don't pinch or rub anywhere. Until lately... I am already pretty muscular, especially in the calves and thighs, and when it's hot, my calves get even bigger. I am not a super skinny twig, but my weight is right for my 5' 3" frame. I eat a healthy diet, and I exercise, maybe too much. I like to run, but I have trouble being consistent when the daylight wanes or the mornings are too cold. This spring I got back into the groove. Since school finished up, I have been on the treadmill five days a week for upwards of 30 minutes. Since I really like my dressage boots, I only wear them for showing which means I only put them on once a month or so. Imagine my surprise at the Clovis show a few weeks ago when I could NOT zip up my lovely, well fitting dressage boots. It wasn't easy, but I ultimately dragged the zipper up over the widest part of my calves, cussing the entire time. What the heck?! You're probably a lot sharper than I am and have maybe even had this problem yourself. It would seem that my recent bout of running has increased the muscle mass of my calves to the point where my calf width now exceeds the width of the boot. I AM NOT FAT! is what I had to tell the boot maker who fixed my problem. While in Clovis, several riders recommended that I send my boots to Luis Jovel, a custom boot maker, for a bit of widening. I took their advice. He assured me over the phone that I did indeed look lovely and that my boots needed just a teeny-tiny bit more wiggle room. Hmm ... I like this guy. Luis did a fine job of widening the boots just where I needed it. If you look closely, you can see that he added a small piece of leather on either side of the zipper at the widest part of the calf, but it tapers to a small point where the boots still fit. Click photos to enlarge.
Karen
7/7/2012 07:08:53 am
Sarah - I spent $15 to ship the boots to him and he charged me $90 for the widening and included the shipping in the price. So I spent $105 total, but that was still cheaper than replacing them! And honestly, I am not "heavy." Tall boots are just so narrow!!!!
Karen
7/7/2012 07:34:17 am
Kelly RGF - I would love to have slim calves, but alas ... nope! I do have smallish feet though. :0) Although at only 5'3" they're probably proportionate. If they were any bigger, I might look like a duck! 7/8/2012 02:49:53 am
Cute socks.
Karen
7/8/2012 04:26:07 am
Thanks for the info. I'll be sure to bookmark his address. You never know when you'll need a boot repair. 7/8/2012 02:52:14 am
Hmm - tried to imbed the link but no go - paste this into browser: Comments are closed.
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About the Writer and RiderI am a lifelong rider.
I began endurance riding in 1996 where I ultimately completed five, one-day 100 mile races, the 200-mile Death Valley Encounter, and numerous other 50, 65, and 75 mile races. I began showing dressage in 2010. Welcome to my dressage journey. About Speedy GSpeedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse. After helping me earn a USDF Bronze medal in the summer of 2020, he is now semi-retired. Speedy is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.
About IzzyIzzy was started as a four-year old and then spent the next 18 months in pasture growing up. I bought him as a six-year old, and together, we are showing at the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
National Rider AwardsState Rider Awards
State Horse Awards
Working Towards:
CDS Sapphire Rider Award Third Level: 63.514% Third Level: 62.105% Fourth Level: Fourth Level: 2023 Show Season
Show Rating (***) CDS/USDF/USEF (*) CDS (s) Schooling (c) Clinic (r) Ride-a-Test Clinic 2023 Show Schedule
TBD 2023 Completed … Pending 2023 Qualifying Scores
Regional Adult Amateur Competition (RAAC) Qualifying Training Level 3 Scores/2 Judges/60%: Score 1: Score 2: Score 3: Archives
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