Are you’re sitting comfortably? Then let’s begin, with a tale of supremely comfy riding underwear

Are you’re sitting comfortably? Then let’s begin, with a tale of supremely comfy riding underwear

Derriere Equestrian works with leading padding manufacturers, pioneers of the Elastic Interface; regarded as a world-wide leader in designing and developing pads for cycling shorts, to reduce compression in the gluteal, perineal and genital-urinary area zone. Thanks to its association with Derriere Equestrian, the brand is now also a world-wide leader in designing pads for equestrian garments, too!

Engineering, research and development

Our padding performance and testing manufacturers have been established for eighteen-years, leading manufacturer of technology for cyling-wear, and co-developed the first innovative cycling shorts with seat pads that stretched in all directions. If you’re wondering why Derriere’s performance riding underwear has a higher price-point than inferior copies, then it’s worth considering the engineering, research and development that went into our padded seat designs. Italy’s University of Padua’s sports science department was consulted regularly along the journey to develop the padding technology for the ladies’ DE Performance Padded Panties and DE Performance Padded Shorties, and the men’s DE Performance Padded Shorties. The padded elements are bonded using heat presses and ‘baked’ at around 200°C in a factory, bonding the parts together in a homogenous piece; this means no chaffing or rubbing in one’s most personal areas!

A stable and effective riding seat

Studies into seat-based sports showed that athletes seemingly believed pain and discomfort was to be expected. Chronic discomfort affecting the gluteal, perineal and genital-urinary areas actually creates genital numbness and other dysfunctions, due to compression of the pubic nerve. Yet researchers have proved that by being more comfortable, we use oxygen more efficiently, so have more stamina; because if we’re uncomfortable, we’re continually moving about to get comfy, wasting energy. In terms of a horse rider, this un-necessary movement can be detrimental to a stable and effective riding seat.

If you’ve checked out the padding in a pair of DerriereEquestrian padded underwear garments, you will see that a dynamic foam insert is used, contoured to very specific shapes. Our biomechanical consultant, Dr Paoli MD, Anatomy and Physiology specialist at the University of Padua, carried out extensive perineal pressure testing in various sporting situations, and has been able to demonstrate reduced compression in the gluteal, perineal and genital-urinary areas (as well as maintenance of blood flow to the perineal tissues), when using the  foam utilised in our padded underwear garments. Reduced compression; increased blood flow - surely this is a no-brainer for any horse rider looking to enhance their riding effectiveness and long-term comfort in the saddle?!

Contoured pads for posterior perfection

Dr Paoli and his team helped create a pad that targeted specific pressure points, noting how one’s body rotates, and where the padding should be sited; in some areas it is more supportive, and elsewhere, bulk is reduced. Of course, it goes without saying that not only do the men’s and women’s padded undies from Derriere Equestrian differ, but extensive research and design went into the contours! Without getting too detailed, lady riders benefit from a greater area of padding in the central area of the garment to provide increased comfort and tip-top protection, whereas the male padding is predominantly sited further forward. In both Derriere Equestrian garment designs (male and female), the rider’s seat bones and associated pressure points are protected, to enhance our riding performance, while the outside edges of the inner pads are contoured with extra-soft fabric, to further eliminate any chaffing.

No Fall Down Pants or Wedgies

The underwear itself (that the pads, in the case of our padded versions) are bonded to, are made from a breathable, micro-fibre fabric created from a Polyamide and Elasthanne blend. It boasts amazing multi-directional stretch. (No Fall Down Pants or Wedgies!)

We are talking bonded, seamless technology with no abrasive edges and reduced stitched seam-lines, for supreme comfort when riding your horse or pony. The range of Derriere Equestrian products go through more than 50 controls during their transformation in production, so you can be sure of a high-quality piece of sporting apparel that has breathable, anti-bac fabric. (And if you prefer non-padded undies, check out our full range, which boasts naked, bonded seams without full-stitching, for comfort and ‘Zero-VPL’!)

We hope we have outlined just why Derriere Equestrian is leading the field in riding underwear production; and do let us know why you love your Derrieres!

www.derriereequestrian.com 

PRESS RELEASE ~ Alexandra Phillips Appointed As Derriere Equestrian Brand Manager

PRESS RELEASE DERRIERE EQUESTRIAN LTD

Derriere Equestrian are delighted to announce Alexandra Phillips BSc (Hons), AMTRA, PGCE, has been appointed as the new Brand Manager. Alex has worked closely with the team since launch in 2014 and is perfectly placed to take Derriere Equestrian forward, with the continued successful growth of the Brand.

   

With a wealth of business experience in the Veterinary and Animal Health Industries, and an in-depth knowledge of the workings of the Equestrian World, Alex will be an invaluable member of the team. Driving forward continued growth in sales, marketing and being an excellent support to all Trade B2B clients.

Born and brought up in Hong Kong, her passion for all things equestrian started at the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club Riding School in Pokfulham aged 7, when learning to ride on ex racehorses and Icelandic ponies.

This interest progressed to gaining the dressage scholarship at Hartpury College in 1994 and gaining her degree in 1997. While at Hartpury, Alex founded a strong friendship with Derriere Equestrian founder Claire Galer and they have enjoyed working closely together through various points in their careers ever since.

Following graduation with a BSc(Hons) Degree in Equine Science, Alex progressed into an outstanding career in the pharmaceutical industry spanning 15 years. With positions held at Pfizer (Zoetis), Ceva and MSD in both equine and companion animal divisions as a Senior Sales Manager.

In 2004 she gained a PGCE in secondary science and taught in a comprehensive school from 2004-2007 before returning to industry from 2008-2013. Following a successful career in industry she returned to teaching becoming head of department and head of KS5 in 2017.

All through this time Alex has pursued her love of Dressage, both riding, competing and now breeding her own Dressage ponies. Alex started as a teenager training with Franz Rochowansky, and then trained with Pammy Hutton, Tessa Thorne, and Isobel Wessels and is currently training with Sally Thorndale, aiming for medium level on her own ID rescue horse and at Elementary on her own Welsh Section C pony this year.

Alex has had a keen interest in Derriere Equestrian from its inception by Claire Galer to the huge success that it is today.

“I’m excited to be joining a company that has been close to me since it first launched in 2014. I have watched DE grow from strength to strength to become the most innovative equestrian underwear manufacturer in the industry, and I am looking forward to being a part of it’s progression as it grows in success worldwide” Alexandra Phillips BSc (Hons), AMTRA, PGCE

We are delighted to welcome Alex on-board and wish her every success in her new role.

Contact Details

Alexandra Phillips BSc (Hons), AMTRA, PGCE
Brand ManagerDerriere Equestrian LtdEmail: hq@derriereequestrian.com

www.derriereequestrian.com

Concentrate on the process, not the outcome – Top competition preparation with elite rider Erin Orford

Concentrate on the process, not the outcome – Top competition preparation with elite rider Erin Orford

Dressage rider and Derriere Equestrian ambassador Erin Orford has been selected for the British para dressage team at the 2018 World Equestrian Games, with Annabel Whittet’s Dior – so ahead of this important event in the equestrian calendar, we asked Erin to share her pre-competition preparations with us…

Firstly a HUGE Congratulations to Erin, such well deserved selection. Erin Won the 2014 Derriere Equestrian Stars of the Future Sponsorship and we have been behind Erin every step of the way with this magical journey.  

As a top-level rider, mental preparation must be key – so how does Erin prepare for a big contest? “The bigger competitions are often the most important; so of course I put myself under more pressure for these, as I want to do well and show the horse off to the best of its ability,” Erin explains. “I often feel more nervous in the build up directly before getting on, when I have time to think about the event or occasion, and my mind has time to build it up and go over it in my head! I've been working a lot this year on concentrating on the process and not the outcome, however – so for example if you're trotting around thinking, ‘I need to get 75%’, the chances are you're not concentrating on your horse, or riding the movements; this makes the desired outcome less likely to be achieved,” Erin tells us.

Here are her five top tips for making maximising the chances of achieving a personal best at a competition of any riding discipline:

- Leave sufficient time: I like to make sure I leave myself plenty of time at a competition; I get ready early, put my earphones in and run through my test by the arena, so that I can familiarise myself with the layout, and the surroundings. Little things can throw you when you're under pressure, so you want to minimise the likelihood of this happening where possible.

- Control the controllables: You can't change the weather, who's on the judging panel in a dressage test, or who else is in your class; you can only do the best that you can do on the day, so focus on what you're doing.

- Have the right people around you where possible: whether that's something to give you a kick up the ‘derriere’ in the warm up, or to build your confidence just before you go in; learn what works best for you.

- Use targeted warm-up exercises: If you're nervous or get distracted, give yourself specific exercises to work on in the warm up; this way, you have less time to be overwhelmed by the big occasion.

- Invest in your Derriere! Derriere Equestrian underwear will provide you with discrete comfort, ensuring you are able to achieve a deeper, more effective, symmetrical seat. The Performance Padded Panty and the Bonded Padded Shorty Styles provide the best in selective, technical padded underwear.

We went on to ask Erin about equine anxiety or tension, and how she deals with this. “An anxious or tense horse can be like sitting on a ticking time bomb, which can make the rider anxious, and it becomes a cycle of nervous energy between the horse and rider,” she advises.

“Tension can show in many different ways; some horses ‘go in’ on themselves, while some are outward in their response, with spooking, running off, etc. You can often feel it in their back, in terms of their lack of attention or responsiveness to your aids, making you feel even more out of control. In this situation, you want to try to relax the horse with easy exercises that encourage them to bring their attention back to the rider. It is your job as a rider to give the horse confidence, use your voice to settle them, or to give them an aid when their bodies are too tense to listen to the rein or your leg. Large circles and easy transitions help to bring their attention from outside the arena back to you; you want to ride positively but in control, helping their balance and building their confidence as you go. Leg yield can also help to encourage them to use their body, as well as encouraging them to accept the leg; but make sure the exercise is easy for them, and then you can increase the difficulty when they are able to maintain the relaxation. Patting them gently on the neck can also help to encourage them to relax, as well as making sure that you're not holding them too much with the rein, so that they don't feel ‘trapped’.”

Many of us experience physical tension when riding; Erin says that common issues are becoming ‘fixed’ in one’s body and position, so the shoulders ‘hunch’. “You might for example grip with your hands and / or legs, and this will affect your ability to use your seat effectively. In the trot, you might struggle to do sitting trot, as it will feel as if you're being bounced out the saddle, “ she explains. “It might help to take your feet out of the stirrups for a stretch before putting them back in again; if you have a tendency to grip the reins, keep giving little pats to the horse, so that you can release the pressure, and mix up the sitting trot with rising, so that you can allow your back to warm up a bit more. Doing exercises in walk and canter can also help with your pelvis - and don't forget to breathe!” she concludes.

Erin rides at para grade three, as she is missing the radius bone in both arms, meaning she has shortened lower arms and only four fingers on each hand; the leading dressage rider also rides with prosthetic legs during competitions, as she’s a bi-lateral through-knee amputee. 

“As I have no lower legs, my seat is extra important - my Derriere undies are therefore invaluable!” she adds.

For a detailed Bio on Erin Orford, visit our sponsored riders page on the website.

http://www.derriereequestrian.com/sponsored_riders.html