I have bad
news. I am not always horse
showing. This is both bad news for you
the reader, as I’m sure if I was I would be much more entertaining, and me the
rider, as I would always rather be horse showing than doing just about anything
else. I should make a bumper
sticker.
Since I am not
always horse showing, I am going to have to write about things that are
sometimes not horse show related. This
is likely where most people are going to think to themselves, “What? Why
bother?” Good question, but I soldier
on.
So for today’s
blog I thought I’d share two things that I like, with plans in the future to
share other things that I like. Why
should you care about things that I like?
Not even one reason I can think of.
First, often
people seem to be looking for a good schooling breech. Up until recently I only rode in Tailored
Sportsman TS or Trophy Hunter breeches. They
are pricey for a schooling breech, and honestly not all that durable. A friend of mine recommended that I try the
Tuff Rider Ribb breeches. She swore that
they didn’t show dirt, wore like iron, and were comfortable. At around 40 dollars, I didn’t really have
much to lose. The low rise version comes
in two different cuts, wide waistband with the euro seat, and regular waistband
with the normal cut.
For my first
pair I ordered the regular waistband in black.
I have to honestly say, these live up to all of the billing my friend
gave them. The fabric is very
flattering, doesn’t get baggy and loose after a day of several rides, but also
doesn’t cling and isn’t too tight. It
looks a bit like corduroy, and I liked the textured feel. The black was not perhaps the best of
choices, as my experience with the TS dark colors is that show dirt of every
kind (think like a black car). But these
Tuff Riders seemed to magically repel dirt and looked great even after a 4th
or 5th horse. They are super
comfortable, stretchy, and definitely a breech I can wear all day without thinking
about it. My fellow Costco shoppers will
attest that I did indeed wear them all day.
I hardly even notice the strange looks I get as I do errands in
breeches, boots, and half chaps. I
wonder if people just think I’m making an odorous fashion statement.
On top of all
this, they come in several colors, and as I mentioned are around 40
dollars. Not sure you could ask for
more.
Second is the
Sunshield Long Sleeve Shirt by Smartpak.
I have to admit,
when these high tech sun shirts started appearing in the schooling rings at
shows, I was quite dismissive of them.
To me there was absolutely no way that a long sleeved shirt could ever
be as cool as a short sleeved one. Over
the summer I purchased one of these so called sun shirts in Colorado, just to
try it out. That shirt proved my theory
right. It was hot, uncomfortable, and I
just simply didn’t like it.
Then over the
winter I was looking for a layering top for under my many many layers that I
wear riding in the cold. I hate the
cold. My “personal shopper” at smartpak
convinced me to try one of their sunshield shirts for this purpose, and added
on, that maybe I could try it when it warms up just to give it a chance. So I ordered one in the silver color.
True to her
promise, the shirt is perfect under a fleece and coat when it’s cold. It breathes and doesn’t make me too hot, but
gives just the right amount of insulation.
Over the weekend I wore the same shirt on a day that I thought was going
to be a little chilly, but ended up rising into the low 90s. To me, a little chilly is 80 degrees. The sun was HOT, and it was definitely a hot
day. I felt completely cool and comfortable. It didn’t cling, I didn’t sweat too much, and
in general I just loved it.
The Sunshield
shirt has converted me to the dark side of long sleeved summer wear.
Shirt and breeches in action on Ashton, a friend's horse that she asked me to come ride for her!
I may have to try the breeches! What a great idea.
ReplyDeleteYou should! I love them.
ReplyDeleteI agree with SprinklerBandit -- I need to try those breeches!
ReplyDeleteI have 2 clients who swear by the Tuff Riders. I'm pretty sure you can't kill them! (the Tuff Riders, not my clients)
ReplyDelete