INSPIRATION & INNOVATION BECKON AT THE WORLD'S LEADING EQUESTRIAN FAIRS

The Business of Show

The winter trade show season is upon us, and Derriere Equestrian is very excited to be heading off to the UK’s British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) International (22-24 Jan), followed by SPOGA Horse (5-7 Feb). These industry trade shows offer us a thrilling opportunity to meet retailers and buyers face to face, and to showcase our range of ergonomic, sporting riding underwear and breeches to interested parties. You can’t beat touching a product, stretching it to assess its malleable properties, stroking the tactile material, checking out the manufacturing quality, and examining the dimensions and sizing - this gives store owners, buyers and distributors the chance to see the Derriere Difference - a superior product that is a market leader! So we welcome the chance to invite interested parties onto our striking purple exhibition stand for a drink and chat at both trade shows, to discuss stocking our innovative range.

So what can retailers expect when they peruse the latest ranges from Derriere? Derriere Equestrian is without doubt the first equestrian undergarment rage to provide effective, stylish riding underwear. No bulky seam-lines, or stitching on the seam-lines where rubbing can occur! We use wicking materials with bacteriostatic properties, and of course padding is a unique selling point of Derriere’s range. We use breathable fabrics and yarns, eradicating the adverse effects of materials that absorb perspiration, causing chaffing and irritation to the skin. Importantly, our underwear is ergonomically and scientifically designed, ensuring no fabric edges will interfere with the anatomical proportions of the rider’s body where there is contact between rider and saddle.

Paying for quality

Our price point has been placed within the mid to upper range, and our customers testify that the price reflects the quality of the garments, and the manufacturing processes used. These are specialised sporting fabrics from Italy, using the highest grades of quality control, with 50 quality control measures between the start of manufacture to dispatch. You can’t put a price on comfort and a more effective partnership with the horse!

Our company has a successful distribution model with wholesalers, agents and retailers in scores of countries; orders come direct from our UK warehouse and we have a very swift and professional logistics team fulfilling trade and website orders.

Derriere is an award winning company - we were victorious in the 2016 Fedex Small Business Awards, were finalists in last year’s BETA Business Awards, and in 2014 won the coveted Spoga Horse Silver Innovation Award. We look forward to finding out who receives accolades at BETA and SPOGA this year!

A revolution

We are also thrilled to be launching our Derriere Sportief Bra at both trade shows - this is a ladies’ sports bra made from high-tech, breathable, temperature-regulating fabric that wicks away moisture, so please do come along and see why this attractive, empowering product is set to revolutionise the sports bra market! We are taking client bookings from all over the world, so do get in touch to reserve a time-slot if you’d like a personal showcase of our range. (+44 (0)1386 853039).

THE BENEFITS OF LAYERING

Lots of layers

When shopping for outdoor or equestrian clothing, most people will have heard a lot about utilising a layering system. Layering your clothing can help you to keep warm, dry and comfortable through varying conditions, allowing you to add or remove layers, depending on how you feel and the conditions you’re in.

As you’d expect, layered clothing is a term which describes dressing using many garments that are worn on top of each other; these layers have different functions. The concept of layering is that two thin layers can be warmer yet lighter than one thick layer, because of the air trapped between layers, creating thermal insulation. Thermal insulation involves the principles of three different kinds of heat transfer; conduction (exchange of heat through contact), convection (movement of air), and radiation.

Air has a low thermal conductivity, but is very mobile. There are thus two elements that are important in protecting from the cold:

1.) Stopping the wind from penetrating and replacing the layer of warm air close to the body.

2.) Setting up a layer of still air which serves as insulation, by the use of fibres found in clothing.

By using a layering system, clothing layers are able to transfer moisture, provide warmth, and protection from the wind and rain.

At the most basic level, the layering system will consist of three layers:

1) A Base layer - worn next to the skin to help to regulate your body temperature and wick away moisture from your skin.

2) Mid-layer - used to trap the warmth your body generates. Depending on the weather, this can be a Fleece or a Softshell jacket.

3) Outer Layer - usually this is your protective layer. For example, a waterproof jacket to create a barrier from the wind and rain, or a high visibility or fluorescent jacket to ensure you are safe on the roads during winter.

Derriere Equestrian Underwear provides the all essential perfection in base layers worn next to the skin. All fabrics are produced to ensure ultimate wicking properties ensure the prevention of friction and rubbing to the rider. The NEW DE Sportief Bra boasts a 3 Tier Dry Wicking Fabric Transferance, ensuring the rider is comfortable and dry at all times.

Look no further than Derriere Equestrian for the essential base layering system apparrel. 

Breeches

When choosing your training breeches in winter, less can be more! Look out for a product that offers optimal warmth and comfort as well as performance, so you don’t need to wear bulky layers beneath your breeches. The Derriere Equestrian Treviso Training breeches are designed to promote work in harmony with the Derriere undergarments, ensuring all fabric surfaces come together in a symbiosis that completely eliminates chaffing, abrasions and discomfort. They are made from a blend of Cotton, Microfibre and Elasthane that regulates body temperature beautifully.

Warming up

We all warm up our horses, but should we ‘warm up’ ourselves? Usually we can gain benefit from ‘warming up’ our own muscles as the horse warms up - lots of arm circles backwards to release the shoulders, as well as gentle head rolls to loosen the neck muscles. Let your legs hang loose from the stirrups in walk, and rotate the ankles inwards, to loosen everything up!

VISIT WWW.DERRIEREEQUESTRIAN.COM

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON QUALITY FABRICS AND GARMENTS FOR THE PERFECT EQUESTRIAN BASE LAYERS FOR RIDERS 2017

HOW YOUR TORSO AFFECTS POSITION AND CONTACT

Positional points

Brand new Derriere Equestrian sponsored rider Daisy Berkeley offers some advice on how your torso affects your riding position.

For any rider working to achieve a consistent rhythm and outline with their flatwork, the torso is key. It can influence all aspects of your riding, in both positive and negative ways.

From a dressage point of view, judges are looking for a horse that goes forward with a good level of self carriage, rather than one with a false outline, whatever the level of competition. It is common to see people ‘hanging on’ to the rein contact, with a rigid hand. However, the hand simply connects the seat to the horse’s mouth, ideally in an elastic way. The seat and the elbow are the ‘anchors’ of the rider’s position – not the hand!

Self carriage

Equine self carriage is achieved through a soft, yet consistent rein contact, and targeted flatwork training to get the horse working forwards into the contact. The rider should aim to carry the hands and keep them level, without trying to interfere with the horse’s head carriage too much; it is also important to ensure the rider’s arms don’t straighten, which is an indicator of tense shoulders. Tense shoulders usually lead to a fixed hand, meaning the rein contact isn’t elastic!

‘Carrying the hands’ really starts at the shoulders – when you are schooling, try to think about establishing a good rhythm with sufficient self carriage, without ‘holding’ the horse – the hands can actually be quite light. For a good rein contact and a correct torso position, drop the elbow comfortably and relax it. This is the key to having a good rein contact; not a fixed hand!

A common fault for many riders is to collapse their hip – they usually drop their hip to the outside, which imbalances the horse. Remember, your body weight needs to be in the direction of movement. To correct or avoid a collapsed hip, sit up tall and make sure your back isn’t slumped. Relax your shoulders and check your arms – do they have a bend at the elbow? Carry the hands!

Remember also the importance of ‘personal comfort’ in the saddle - if you are working to improve your flatwork, good riding underwear is a boon. Consider padded underwear like the Derriere range; remember - when the rider is comfortable within the saddle, there is less likelihood of compensatory misalignment of the spine and pelvis, e.g. altering the body position to avoid pain to the sensitive crotch areas. And a comfy ‘personal area’ means a more effective partnership with the horse!

“THE DAY IN THE LIFE STORY” FEDEX FILMING AT DERRIERE EQUESTRIAN HEAD OFFICE

Derriere Equestrian head office was a blaze of activity yesterday as the FedEx film & marketing crew came to call. Founder Claire Galer, last years small business contest winner, took to floor in the interview hot seat - talking brand story, triumphs & challenges, while team Derriere's Rachel Baldwin & Ian Piper joined the action at various locations during the day. Looking to inspire entrants for this years Small Business Grant Contest, FedEx filmed their 'day in the life' of Derriere Equestrian at various locations throughout the grounds, gaining an intimate view into the story of this incredible Brit brand.

Derriere Equestrian head office was ablaze with activity on Monday the 9th of January, when a professional film & marketing team from FedEx descended to film last year’s winner of their Small Business Grant contest, Claire Galer.

Technical precision and a strong set of core values form the formidable foundation nestled at the heart of Derriere Equestrian. This was recognized by FedEx who look for innovation, passion, business acumen & market-leading qualities in their yearly contest.

FedEx award small business grants to entrepreneurs all over the world who have creativity and drive for their businesses. Winners become part of a community that gain and share insights from peers, and enjoy great exposure. Innovative individuals drive the economy, and true entrepreneurs will always originate forward-thinking concepts to influence ongoing business development. 2016 was the first Business Grant Awarded by FedEx in the UK, with Derriere Equestrian crowned as the Winners.

The filming objectives looked to inspire new entrants for the 2017 contest, with a’ behind the lens’ view at the Derriere Equestrian brand story, and just what it takes to win the contest – journeying through the challenges, triumphs and the market position today.

The ‘Day In The Life of Team Derriere’ covered interviews with founder Claire Galer, ‘in-situ’ work day activity including Derriere Equestrian Marketing Manager Rachel Baldwin and Ian Piper of the Technical Design Team, product shots and a production meeting regarding NPD & the imminent launch of the DE Sportief Bra, the very product that the £20.000 prize award boosted into production.
 

The FedEx Filming Crew, Production Team and Marketing Executives will pull together 5 short films featuring The Story behind Derriere Equestrian, the journey to production and Hints and Tips to 2017 Fedex Business Contestants. Derriere Equestrian are very much looking forward to working with FedEx and sharing the content of these films through our social media platforms.

There is little doubt that Derriere Equestrian have found their ‘sweet spot’ in the market with a business that remains highly relevant to its customers. Today's’ economic climate has meant that people are choosing brands with strong heritage they can trust, products that deliver on the promise, and a service-focus, placing Derriere Equestrian firmly in the driving seat for the future and beyond.

www.derriereequestrian.com