From the Early Days ...

2/20/2011

Deadman 50 - 2006 (Photo by Alicia M.)

One of the best things about making the switch from endurance racing to dressage showing is the clothes ... I love endurance clothes, but I really love dressage clothes! Endurance riders can wear ANYTHING that they want, as evidenced by my tie-dyed t-shirt and custom-made electric blue tights. (One well-known endurance rider competes in cut-offs and a white tank top ... all the time, winter or summer!)

Many endurance riders originally come from the showing world (both western and English) and after years of boring, tan breeches, navy coats, and plain leather tack most enthusiastically embrace the available wild colors for both tack and clothing.

I went the other way. After many years of neon stripes, giraffe prints, sparkling greens, and other odd combinations, I was thrilled to start amassing my PLAIN schooling and showing wardrobe. Dressage clothing seemed so ... tasteful and elegant. I went berserk last summer shopping for WHITE breeches, WHITE show tops, WHITE stock ties, WHITE saddle pads, BLACK saddle pads, BLACK girths, BLACK bridles, BLACK coats, BLACK boots, BLACK half-chaps, BLACK helmets, and BLACK hair scrunchies. After I was through with that, I started searching for tasteful, dark schooling breeches with equally tasteful, fitted polo shirts for lessons.

Endurance Ride T-shirt

In the past I would have never even considered spending MONEY on a riding shirt. After all, I got those for FREE at the completion of a race. It might be neon green, but it was well-earned and "free!" This Christmas I filled my Dover Saddlery catalog on-line "wish list" with moisture wicking, form-fitting polos, which oddly enough, my husband thought were sensible purchases. I now own a closetful of collared riding shirts that can be paired with coordinating breeches.

After a 12-hour endurance race or a 20-mile conditioning ride, I was always really dirty, my tights might have a tear, and I was probably missing a toenail. I always felt like that kid, Pigpen, from Charlie Brown. Now, when I am done with a lesson, or after a schooling ride, I'm clean (mostly!), my body parts are usually where they belong, and I look cute!

Let me know if you spot any good deals on breeches or tops on-line!

cheryl casati link

2/24/2011 07:25:40 am

The absolute best dressage riders/trainers DO cross over..even at F.E.I. levels...in Tucson they often work cows on their dressage horses..even the upper level ones, and go for very long rides often during the week..through the mountains.

In Europe most dressage horses are also trail horses, Robert Dover trailers his to a different location to school several times a week and finishes with a fairly long ride out according to what he shared.

I come from an eventing background and still use a modified interval training for ALL levels of dressage horses...it keeps their minds and bodies better balanced.

Of course there really are 'ring potatoes' too.

Karen

2/24/2011 09:39:52 am

Cheryl - thank you so much for commenting. This is a new blog and the purpose is to generate conversation about ... well riding, dressage or otherwise.

I find it very interesting how many people change riding disciplines. in all honesty, it has to make you a better rider. And if not a better rider, at least a more open-minded rider.

I hope you'll keep reading. If nothing else you can at least give me food for thought! I am truly interested in what others have to say about different disciplines and how they maintain thier horses. I might have to blog about one riding center in Ireland that I visited and how they keep their horse's shod- pretty interesting stuff.

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Not-So-Speedy Dressage