Derriere Equestrian Brings Comfort To Side-Saddle Riders ~ Guest Blogger Lauren Faggetter

I’m hoping to have seen the back of my waterproofs and thermals and ready to start getting in shape for my new Side-Saddle adventures!  It all started when I had a couple of lessons last year with a borrowed saddle and was hooked immediately. I attending my first side-saddle showing class in torrential rain on the borrowed saddle having had just a couple of lessons having spent less than 3 hours in the saddle. The decision was made that I needed to learn to ride like ‘a lady’. I promptly started my search to get kitted out and was lucky to find a brand new side-saddle.

I've only managed a couple of goes on my new saddle as with a aside saddles it is equally important it fits well and it’s taken a few visits from the saddler and we are almost there, but still have some flocking issues to get the balance right. I have however had my first lesson jumping aside wearing my Derrière Treviso navy Training Breeches.

I plan to wear the navy breeches under my navy habit for some showing classes (when I manage to find a little vintage navy number) so thought my jumping lesson would be a good time for a test ride.  Foolishly, I didn’t think and wore my navy breeches for the first time without having tested them for colour fastness!  Fortunately they didn’t shed colour – thank god, as the doe skin would be ruined if the colour had run!  The breeches seat fabric was ideal, gripping against the doe skin seat and having my Derrière Performance Padded Shorties on underneath I was comfy for an hour in the saddle (which is a long time when you’re unfit for side saddle and particularly for learning to jump). I had recently badly bruised my leg so couldn’t wear my stiff long leather boots and had to wear just the one boot as the popper and zip would scratch the saddle. The Flexi Cuff system on the lower leg (just visible in photo on right) is my favourite detail – not only does it look smart with the fancy design but I hate having added bulk around my ankle when wearing boots and the standard Velcro finish most breeches have irritates my skin so I tend to wear two pairs of thin socks.

I am hoping the Derrière range will soon include grey breeches as I have a grey starter habit I purchased to get me started this year and matching breeches is a must side saddle!  I’ve got lots more to purchase and work on but have found a nice costume and can wear my Padded Panties or Shorties under this too as no breeches needed in this case!

Away from side-saddle, I’m also hoping Team Derrière start selling the sports crop tops with their logo (seen in some advertising images), I’m rarely seen with a t-shirt at the yard while the sun is shining and love a bit of matchy-matchy so fingers crossed these are added to the collection