Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
I know that everyone has their favorite brands of breeches, and while I am not a snob, I am also kind of picky about what I ride in. I can't stand to pay too much for pants that I regularly trash. I do a lot of barn chores that typical boarders don't do. I feed every day, turn horses out, fill water troughs, drag the sprinklers around (they're dirty and heavy), add bedding to my stalls, sweep everywhere, and so on. I get pretty grimy, and so do my clothes. It's hard to spend $175 on a pair of breeches when you know they're going to be used as work wear on top of riding wear. I like the TuffRider brand; they fit and wear well, and the price is very easy to swallow. They're under $45. Even though I am happy with the TRs, I have been dying to try out SmartPak's Piper breeches. Another student of JL's has a pair, and they are really nice looking. C swears they are comfortable, and they do feel sturdy enough for the kind of use that I'd give them (she let me give them a feel). But. They're $80. For non-show breeches, that's above what I want to pay. So imagine my surprise when this showed up today in my email's inbox ... So, a new pair of Piper breeches are on their way. I chose the Anthracite with Electric Coral even though the charcoal with light gray was screaming my name. Surprisingly, I said no to the conservative gray pair. I am starting to dig this living on the edge thing.
The best part is that the breeches only cost $59.55 total (free shipping)! And if they don't fit, or I don't like them, SmartPak will happily pay the return shipping. 9/17/2014 11:10:35 am
What didn't you like, Lauren? Fit, material, …? I hope I like them; I am not TOO picky. :0) 9/17/2014 11:13:05 am
The extra 5% was for USEF membership. You have to type in your number somewhere (it's pretty easy), and then Smartpak remembers that you are a USEF member and you get 5% off pretty much everything. If you are a USEF member, you could definitely call SmartPak and get the extra 5%. :0) What color did you get? My friend, Cha Ching's Mom, just ordered a pair today as well. :0) I just ordered my first pair! Your post (and their sale) is very timely as I've been needing a new pair for a while now. You're not the first to tell me they love their Pipers so I'm really excited for them to arrive! I've heard they run a little large - have you found this to be true for yours? 9/17/2014 11:14:37 am
This is actually my first pair too. I have been hankering for a pair for QUITE a while. I hope I like them. I haven't heard that they run large, but I prefer that to running small. If they are too big, it's an easy return.
jenj
9/17/2014 04:03:09 am
I hope you love them! I will now be the only person in the entire world who doesn't have a pair of Pipers, lol! 9/17/2014 11:15:17 am
I thought *I* was the only person not wearing them! :0) LOL 9/17/2014 11:15:54 am
So glad to hear it. I have a feeling I'll be ordering more. :0) 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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