Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
Oh, how I wanted to love these breeches. I truly did. But alas, I don't love them. I like them, and I'm keeping them, but they're not what I was hoping for. The Good:They are unbelievably cute. I bought the anthracite with electric coral which is actually just a light black with hot pink accents. The fabric is nice and sturdy with a good stretchy feel. The construction is superb, and nothing feels loose or flimsy. They are a bit heavy for our summertime heat (it's still in the high 90s!), but they'll be fine for the rest of the year. The price is also good, especially since I got them for 25% off the regular price of $75.95. The Bad:The one and only thing that I do not like is the fit. Through the leg and thigh they fit great, but around my hips and butt that want to sag. I have to wear a belt with them and even then I am constantly hitching them up. I know they are a natural rise, but so are every other pair of breeches that I own. My husband thought they looked just fine, so it's not like they really do sag, and if I just get to work, I quit noticing the sensation that I need to pull up my britches. I wore them twice before washing them to see how they handled my work load. After dealing with hitching them up, I decided to wash and dry them to see if that improved things. To my disappointment, it didn't help. To the good however, the breeches came out of the dryer looking like brand new. I know that SmartPak would take them back in an instant, but I really (want to) like them and am willing to live with having to hike them up. I am even considering buying another pair in a smaller size to see if that might help the sag. I doubt it will solve the issue though as I am much pretty a size 28/30 (I go up to the 30s because I like that wee bit of extra room). Overall:I give these breeches 3½ stars out of 5. If they fit just a little better, I'd give them five stars for sure. That slight sag is enough to irritate more than one star from their rating.
If you're interested in trying out a pair, SmartPak has a 15% off coupon today only; use the promo code PARTY15 at checkout. USEF members get an additional 15% off. I am very tempted ...
9 Comments
Alanna
10/8/2014 12:03:00 am
I completely agree! This was my experience exactly.
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10/8/2014 01:20:24 am
Bummer about the sagging fit! I really want a pair of these and your coupon code is very tempting.
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10/8/2014 09:26:04 am
Same here. :-( They are super cute colors and a great price point, but the crotch sags like none other. I thought maybe it was just a cheap breeches thing, but I've since purchased other brands at a similar price point and have no such trouble.
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Yep, me too. Mine actually feel like they're too long between the knee and thigh (as opposed to saggy in the waist), and am super tall in that department, so I know it isn't me. Mine also got pretty pilly all along the inside of my leg after not-that-many wearings. Still, I like them medium, and I find that once I'm in the saddle, the feel great, and they're regulars in the breeches rotation for me!
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10/12/2014 08:12:45 am
I am such a sucker. I ordered a new pair in the 28L in the fervent hope that they fit better. I'll let you all know how they work! :0)
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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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