Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
I'm watching my pennies really closely right now. I've been able to work out my budget so that I should be able to do two lessons a month as well a USDF show each month from April through the fall as long as I stick to my budget. Sticking to my budget means no more retail therapy. In fact, I've even cut out a few things that I've decided aren't working out well enough to continue buying each month. To say I am highly motivated right now is an understatement. And yet ... I am not so happy with my half pad. I actually have three, but the third one is a correction foam pad that was for a different horse. The two that I use regularly are both white. My every day half pad is a Fleeceworks wool half pad. I can't remember where I bought it, but they're a lot more expensive now than what I remember paying. I also have an ECP shimmable correction half pad that I use for shows. The Fleeceworks half pad is starting to compress a little bit, and it is a pain in the butt to keep clean and fluffy. The ECP correction pad is equally difficult to keep clean, and I inadvertently cut off the velcro straps that help keep it secured to the saddle. Don't ask. I've been combing through all of the websites that I usually frequent, but I just can't find anything that I like better than the Kavallerie half pad pictured at the top. I'm looking for a pad that comes in at or below $100. I also want something hose-friendly meaning all I need to do is give it a quick rinse in a bucket without the need to fluff it back up or wait several days for it to dry. The Kavallerie checks all of my boxes: the pad is $99.98 with free shipping. I think I can also get a discount code as a first time shopper. The pad can be hand washed or thrown in the machine, and to dry, it needs only to be laid flat. My only reservation is that I've never ordered from Kavallerie, so I don't know how good their products are nor how reliable the company is. LeMieux makes a nearly identical pad, but at $111.95 from Dover (the cheapest I could find it), it's a bit more expensive, but the shipping is also free. I have had nothing but good luck with LeMieux - I have a pair of breeches, a saddle cover, a bridle bag, and two pads, all of which I love. I doubt I would be disappointed by this half pad.
Has anyone ordered from Kavallerie? Does anyone have either of these two half pads? Anyone know of something similar that I might have missed? I would love to hear from you if you have some advice. 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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