|
Last week I ordered a gray dressage pad hoping that it might look good against Speedy's gray coat. The fun thing about having a grey-nearly-white, horse is that he looks great in almost every color. As it turns out, gray might not be for him.  gray pad fail The plan was to update my gray show coat to a nicer gray coat and then pair it with a gray pad. I think the combination could be stunning if only the pad were a pretty gray and not a gray tinged with lilac. The pad was sturdily built and had a nice contoured shape, but the gray color was off. In some lights, it looked like it had a purplish tint.  The drop was too long. Even though the color wasn't what I was wanting for showing, I could have lived with the pad for schooling, but it was just too big for Speedy. This is not a new issue. Finding dressage pads with a shorter drop has always been a challenge. Finding one with a shorter drop in just the right color is going to be even harder.
At this weekend's show, I ran into my pal, Valerie, who owns The Dressage Pony Store. She and her pony Clooney were sporting a fabulous white pad with navy and gold trim. It was stunning and fit Clooney's diminutive frame perfectly! Clooney is similar in size to Speedy, so I know the pad will fit. So, guess what's on its way to Bakersfield? Show update tomorrow ...
lytha
7/30/2018 09:15:10 am
I like it! But I am probably not seeing what you're seeing in your sunlight. Funny how it looked grey in the last post, and in this one I can see lilac. I had the same issue with my grey pad - except mine looks baby blue to me, ugh. 8/8/2018 06:21:57 am
Yeah ... I am over the gray pad thing. I didn't realize how hard gray is to get right,. LOL
Carly
7/30/2018 11:25:01 am
Hmm, I'll have to peruse that website. Dressage pads tend to run awkwardly big on Opie as well unless they've been through the washer and dryer a hundred times already and shrunk up some. 8/8/2018 06:22:52 am
Valerie is super nice, so you could definitely call her and she'd be happy to answer any questions. :0) 8/8/2018 06:25:25 am
I think dressage pads might be easier to find than hunter pads - those come in all kinds of shapes! Finding just the right style must be challenging! All I really have to do is find a measurement (and color) that works. 8/8/2018 06:28:27 am
Speedy does look really good in black, but my black coat doesn't fit me anymore. No great loss there though as it's old and frumpy! With my navy coat (which I LOVE!), I can't use a black pad. My gray coat, which I could use with a black pad, is not my favorite, and it's also a bit too small. I am losing weight right now, so I am hoping the gray coat fits me next season. Either that or I am getting a new one. Then I could get a black pad too! :0) 8/8/2018 03:17:16 pm
I actually school in a navy pad, but's got too much branding to be show worthy. :0) Comments are closed.
|
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. 
Photo by Lori Ovanessian
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.
July 2020 (PC AJSK Photography)
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.
March 2021 (PC Tess Michelle Photography)
Bakersfield Dressage approved!
My favorite breeches!
FOR THE SMALLER EQUINE ATHLETE
I love her stuff!
Watercolor Artist and Friend
National Rider Awards
USDF Bronze Medal - 2020
USDF Second Level Rider Performance Award - 2018
USDF First Level Rider Performance Award - 2015
USDF Training Level Rider Performance Award - 2013
State Rider Awards
CDS Ruby Rider Award - 2018
State Horse Awards
Speedy G - 3rd Level Horse Performance Award - 2020
Speedy G - 2nd Level Horse Performance Award - 2018
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
|
