Derriere Equestrian is flying to Germany!

For the second year running, the Derriere Equestrian team will be jetting off to Germany for SPOGA Horse - the international trade fair for equestrian sports.


Last year's SPOGA event saw the launch of Derriere Equestrian, which won the prestigious prize of Silver Innovation Prize for the Equestrian Padded Support System as found in Derriere Equestrian underwear. The jury announced that "This equestrian underwear offers additional padding in the problem areas that are familiar from the cycling sport. It features only very few seams, is offered for riders and encompasses an entire collection."

Derriere Equestrian is very excited to network with international traders this August following on from the success of last year.

Claire Galer, founder, designer and managing director at Derriere Equestrian® said of last year's event: “SPOGA was an outstanding success for us... The work that has gone into ensuring every detail of design is meticulously thought through, every aspect of the concept is achieved and the quality production is secured... We have opened our doors to business and are delighted to have brought to the equestrian marketplace effective, elegant riding underwear for the perfect seat. To have been selected as a nominated product for the Innovation Awards was such an incredible achievement in itself, to then have gone on... as a finalist for the 3 days was an incredible marketing platform. The results from the judges and visitors votes to present Derriere with Silver for one of the most coveted awards in our industry is such a phenomenal success, I am delighted with the achievement of the award and what it says and stands for."

At this years event Derriere Equestrian have been fast tracked to a stand in the upstairs hall & are delighted to have been given this opportunity by SPOGA Horse. The event diary is filling fast with bookings from our existing international stockists and many new faces to Team Derriere Sales.

With stock in high demand, Derriere have several retail clients from around the world requesting stock delivery to SPOGA.

It will be a busy exhibition, refreshments for all will be on hand and Team Derriere are very much looking forward to many productive meetings with clients.

Derriere Equestrian Fitness Guru Lottie Keble-Wyatt ~ Raising your glutes, raising your game

Raising Your Glutes, Raising Your Game

Previously I waxed lyrical about the wonders of the derriere, the beauty of its design, and the reason for its curves and contours … but, remember a design must be constantly updated. Designs are there to be worked upon, to stay relevant and to stay at the top of their game; as for the muscles sitting at the tops of your legs … well, they are no different.

In riding, strong glutes provide you with a wealth of advantage with the perfect seat allowing you to hone the perfect steed. So, how to get a bottom to be proud of? Firstly, wonderful people, you need to lunge, and lunge a lot. In fact, you need to lunge about as many times as the words lunge appears in this ‘lungeing’ blog (lunge, lunge, lunge…). However, it is important that all the focus is on the back leg in the lunge and not the front. For the perfect set up, step one foot back, rolling onto the toe of this foot with a bend in the back knee, and a bend in the front foot, with the front foot placed firmly down. Balance your weight evenly over both the feet and lower the body down, bending both knees, then fire the glute in the back leg as you rise back up. Try to imagine the pubic bone is moving up towards your nose and keep the glute burning as you lift and lower, up and down, at a nice slow and steady speed, repeating 12 times before switching legs, and setting the other glute on fire. 

This exercise can also be done beautifully on a Pilates Reformer machine, with one foot against the carriage head-rest and the other foot astride the floor, pushing a weighted spring backwards and forwards to get extra weight behind the lunge adding even more of a kick to the glute.

Another really key point to note is the importance of stretching. Before, embarking on lunge, lunge, lungeing, a fabulous mobility warm up and hip and buttock stretches will literally take the hand brake off your parking muscles, increasing the range of motion, and ensuring you get the maximum from your maximus. I adore putting clients’ legs in straps, in a completely non fifty shades kind of way, again on the Pilates Reformer machine. It is not only an amazing way to take the tension off the lower back and stretch open tight hip flexors - which my dear riders, really are your forte, your piece de resistance, your je ne sais quoi - but, also, a fantastic insight into which leg is stronger than the other, which muscles are dominant, which are compensating, and allowing us to work together at correcting these pesky imbalances. In fact, it is crucial to come off the horse and on to an altogether very different kind of machine, one that doesn’t mould to your design, but instead remains rigid, gently coercing your body into a logical rhythm, which once perfected can be translated beautifully back to the horse.

The next exercises I love for the bum are focused around my latest obsession Ballet Barre. Ballerinas are really not that much different from riders, their bodies communicate their art form and have to be deliciously strong and responsive to their environment. However, the grace of a ballerina need not be emulated; it is just their booty toning exercises we steal, to create an altogether different kind of steel… the buns. Using a Pilates Soft Overball (large squidgy ball) placed in the crux of the knee and thigh of one raised leg, arms against a barre, or chair, simply pulse the leg up to the ceiling straight for 16 pulses, two sets, then turn slightly at a 45 degree angle and repeat. Next, swing the knee forward to the chest and back up to the ceiling whilst lowering the chest down towards the barre or chair, ensuring the Overball remains in place, and therefore the muscles are continuously activated. This is delightfully difficult and creates a devilish burn, tightening just the right spot at just the right intensity.

So there you have it, just a few techniques to create a truly delectable bottom which deserves to be encased in only the best pants. Indeed, after all the work put into creating the perfect bum, only the perfect pants will do, pants that know your worth, and that’s where Derriere Equestrian come into the equation. It’s as simple as Lottie Exercise + Derriere Equestrian = The Perfect Seat. Now, go figure…

The bottom line – EWW reviews Derriere Equestrian Ladies Performance Padded Panty

The bottom line – Eventing Worldwide reviews the Derriere Equestrian Ladies Performance Padded Panty

www.eventingworldwide.com

I am not alone when I say that the quest to find the perfect riding knickers is one well-trodden (or well-sat upon) by many riders. Comfort is everything but who really wants to be wearing granny knickers on a daily basis?

In a quest to tackle the problems of chafing, soreness and not to mention the dreaded VPL the founder, designer and MD of Derriere Equestrian®, Claire Galer, has launched a ground breaking product. Claire has 20 years of experience working with both horses and riders. By qualifying in 2004 with diplomas in holistic massage, sports massage and equine sports massage Claire has followed a career pathway which has led her to treat 25-35 horses per week and also makes rider assessments. This background has enabled her to use her expert knowledge of posture and use of seat when developing her range of underwear. 

With the tagline “Lasting Comfort for the Perfect Seat”, Derriere Equestrian has developed a range of underwear for men and women, some with integrated padding and some without, plus a range of specialist breeches. The Derriere Equestrian® concept is driven from years of research, experience and exploration of the use of underwear within equestrian disciplines.

Claire observed how the equestrian marketplace had moved forward in many ways with development and advancement in the technology of riding clothes — but the world of equestrian underwear was left behind. When looking into cycling, rowing or spinning, the wealth of products available to support these athletes is extensive. Many research trials have been undertaken to ensure these sporting athletes are supported and comfortable while enjoying their chosen discipline so this research has been applied and developed for the equestrian market. 

So what makes Derriere Equestrian riding underwear so special?

For a start it’s manufactured from breathable, comfortable, wicking fabrics. The products are designed to encompass seamless and bonded manufacturing processes, leading the way in non-chaffing, abrasion free, padded, stylish equestrian underwear. Derriere has worked closely with CyTech — their Italian manufacturer which is a worldwide leader in the cycling padding industry, with its brand Elastic Interface® — to develop the padded support system.  With a really thorough approach they have designed, prototyped, trialled and thoroughly researched the requirements necessary for a comfortable and non-bulky padded riding undergarment.

With an endorsement by Carl Hesler who speaks highly of the brand and some very on trend, dare I say it, fashion centric advertising; the brand has sparked a lot of interest with riders who are seeking comfort and style with a contemporary look. 

The bottom line – what we thought of Derriere

Being a bit of an underwear addict and often found perusing the likes of Agent Provocateur and Selfridge’s lingerie department we gave the job of reviewing Derriere to our Fashion and Lifestyle editor Nikki. 

So what did she think of this ground breaking product?

‘I was sent a pair of Derriere Equestrian Ladies Performance Padded Panties which came in some high end packaging with some useful information about the tech behind them. They came in a black fabric with a soft yellow branded waistband. They certainly looked like a performance product and initially I was slightly taken aback by the depth of the padding. Within the equine world we aren’t used to this scale of design. The knickers looked more like a cycling style at first glance and I was keen to try them on and see what they felt like. The fit was brilliant, the cut was great under breeches and they were a high enough rise, but not enormous. This product has clearly been thought about, tested and tweaked as there was nothing I could fault with the design or style. In fact it was refreshing to see a product with a contemporary, sporty look. 

Now for the big test… the ride! I first wore my Derrieres during a long dressage lesson which I thought would be a great test. They felt great under breeches and there was no sign of VPL! When I first got on my horse and started the session I was slightly ‘thrown’ by the feel of my seat bones. It took a while to adjust to this new ‘padded’ sensation. I say a while… about 10 minutes of adjusting to comfort. I really noticed the padding during longer sitting trot and canter sessions. I think having the padding made me notice my seat more which was a good thing.

Because the knickers are made of wicking, hi tech fabric you don’t get hot, despite the padding. They are also easy to wash and quick to dry. Coming in a non-padded version and a shorty padded and non-padded style, plus men’s styles there are lots of options for riders. I think they would be brilliant for riders schooling multiple horses but also those hunting and spending long periods in the saddle. 

Priced at £34.99 for a padded pair of Derriere Performance Padded Pantys aren’t the cheapest brand out there, but no brand comes close to what they offer. So in this sense I think they are great value for money. They are well made so will last, I also like the strong colours of black and purple which are available as well as white for competition wear. I will be buying more pairs and look forward to testing them during events, where I am in the saddle for longer periods. 

In sum, Derriere Equestrian has provided a great solution to a perennial problem. It is really refreshing to see style, tech and practicality combined and I hope more equestrian designers look towards this model when designing new products for the market.’

For more information and stockists visit www.derriereequestrian.com 

Derriere Equestrian Fitness Guru Lottie Keble-Wyatt pumps up those Derrieres!

Derriere Equestrian Fitness Guru Lottie Keble-Wyatt 

Discusses The Derriere!

We are delighted to be introducing our Derriere Blogger and Rider Fitness Guru Lottie Keble-Wyatt. We had a fabulous photo shoot with Lottie and have some outstanding images to share with Lottie's fitness blogs that will follow. As a little teaser of what is to come ~ Here is Lottie's first Blog for us, it is captivating and will have you eager to read some more! Thank you Lottie and welcome to Team Derriere Equestrian.

The perfect Derriere.......

Dear riders I want you to look at your bottom anew, I want you to marvel at it, I want you to challenge it, in essence this is a call to arms (or legs), I want all derrieres to be rediscovered. It is time to ignite the passion back into your relationship, and it's time to treat those buttocks with the respect and care they deserve. Most of us consider the derrière just a pair of 'chunky monkey' muscles that sit astride the legs. But, when you consider the saddle is a mechanical extension of this physical attribute, and then you realize the level of craftsmanship and design that goes into fashioning these saddles, it becomes axiomatic that the bottom is pretty darn special. And I don't mean just a teeny bit special, oh no, this is super hot stuff right here, because the bum, well, it's actually made up of a series of muscles arranged in layers. If the muscles are weak then that throws the hips out, and if the hips are unstable, that throws the alignment of the trunk out, and if that's imbalanced, well inevitably this all too quickly translates through to the horse.

It is an unfortunate, but unavoidable fact that flaccid, unconditioned, unsuitably 'suited and booted' bottoms will ultimately be responsible for the demise of riding skill, passing on poor habits and imbalances to the horse. If you want the best from your horse you want the best possible body. You want to fit the mold, and create the perfect symmetry between rider and horse; and this can only be achieved through hard work, combined with a hard working material to encase this new creation you have so painstakingly carved. I mean, if you've trained your bottom to look like a Ferrari it deserves to be treated like one, for gods sake, get it a proper dust cover to protect and support it, don't leave it to rot in some grotty little 'lean to' of a garage.

So, what is the fantastic region aka our backsides made up of? The gluteus maximus is the most superficial muscle. It is responsible for the power needed to drive the horse forward, to maintain a good connection and to keep the horse active. It is also the part which keeps you balanced and centred in the saddle. Then there is the gluteus medius and minimus, these are the deep muscles and are there for postural support rather than strength. They control the alignment of the leg relative to the pelvis and are responsible for the side to side movement of the pelvis and rotation of the leg from the hip. In riding, if they are strong and working effectively the rider can keep themselves perfectly grounded in the saddle, able to use these muscles to control the horse's position and make subtle changes in the pressure of their seat accordingly. When they are weak, riders compensate by recruiting other global muscles in the leg, knee and foot, in an effort to control the leg alignment, limiting the success of leg aids and ability to influence the horse.

Have I got your attention then, are you sitting on the edge of your derrières? There is a whole plethora of exercises devoted to your new friend, but for now I'm just going to tease you. Yes, that's right, you heard me, I'm going to leave it hanging... Literally. If you want to find out more, in my next blog post I will be showing you exactly what you need to do to whip that butt into shape, and in the meantime, well, don't just sit on it.

To learn more with Lottie visit: http://www.keblewyattstudios.com/ Or Email Lottie at: llkeble@hotmail.com

Keep a close eye on our Blogs for more from Lottie

Derriere Equestrian July 2015 Day at the Races

Buying Your Derrieres ~ Ultimate Comfort For The Perfect Seat

Texan Devan Horn leads the field as the 2015 Mongol Derby gets underway...

Texan Devan Horn leads the field as the 2015 Mongol Derby gets underway...

Picture - the start of the Mongol Derby 2015  - credit to Saskia Marloh

Quote of the day

"Thomas Ellingsen has been experiencing some chafe already and has resorted to duct taping the family jewels into a 'lift' position" (Katy Willings, Mongol Derby Chief on the ground)

Looks like Thomas should have invested in his Derrieres!

The 2015 Mongol Derby is underway – and got off to a scorching start both in terms of the weather and a frenetic first leg.

In the lead is 2013 Runner-up, Texan Devan Horn, who clocked the fastest time ever for the race in 2013, but lost first place to Lara Prior-Palmer after a vet's penalty during the last leg...

She is back and obviously means business….

SOPHIE WILFORD at the start line - Derriere Equestrian Sponsored Mongol Derby Rider has a flying start in her Derrieres 

Day 1 Report http://www.theadventurists.com/the-jibber/2015/8/5/mongol-derby-2015-race-report-day-1

Leaderboard Day 1 - http://www.theadventurists.com/the-jibber/2015/8/5/mongol-derby-2015-leaderboard-day-1

Info to date:

The 2015 course - http://www.theadventurists.com/the-jibber/2015/8/3/mongol-derby-the-2015-course

Hot tips of riders wanting to win - http://www.theadventurists.com/the-jibber/2015/8/4/mongol-derby-2015-5-hot-tips

Pre-launch report - http://www.theadventurists.com/the-jibber/2015/8/4/mongol-derby-2015-pre-launch-report

Up to the minute information:

Twitter @mongolderbylive

Facebook – wwww.facebook.com/mongolderby

Via the website (blogs / rider tracking)  www.mongolderby.com

The Course this year:

The 2015 Mongol Derby course is the toughest yet – more mountainous, more challenging and more spectacular.

Whereas previous races have been in a horseshoe shape, the 2015 course crosses right across Mongolia starting 300km further north and finishing on the shores of Lake Khovsgol, the jewel in Mongolia’s crown.

The region will not only be colder but there are more hazardous areas where it will not be possible to travel in a straight line making mapping a bit of a nightmare!

Mongol Derby Chief, Katy Willings says:

“We wanted to make this year’s race markedly different, not only so it is damn hard to navigate but also so it offers a broader flavour of Mongolia.  It offers the 39 riders a different navigational and horsemanship challenge this year and just to finish will be a great achievement. There are bound to be some thrills and spills along the way!”

Places for the 2016 Mongol Derby are selling out fast.

www.mongolderby.com