It’s beginning to look a lot like winter - by Derriere Equestrian Rider Avril Clinton-Forde

It’s beginning to look a lot like winter

by Avril Clinton-Forde

Dressage Ireland

Since the clocks changed, it is sooo tempting to hibernate indoors. And with limited daylight, cold days and the hustle and bustle of Christmas just around the corner, it can become more challenging to maintain regular riding and schooling, especially if a deep freeze sets in! Brrrr. There are still plenty of riding opportunities to be utilised however, if we focus on what can be done in the circumstances available to us. Whenever possible, prioritise your riding to the brightest part of the day, most especially if you have no arena, or one without lights!

If you are limited mainly to hacking, it is still possible to keep up your flatwork training. Most bridleways lend themselves to lateral work such as leg-yielding, shoulder in and bending right and left, as well as transitional work. This will keep your horse supple, obedient, between hand and leg and collected. Lengthening and shortening at any pace is also an easy task on safe straight tracks with good going underfoot. It can be more fun to work in tandem with a friend!

Quality time

Of course, there will be days when the weather or lack of time will defeat you, but you may still be able to spend some quality time on a good grooming session including some suppleness exercises with your horse, for example getting him to bend round either side to reach a carrot, but not moving his feet or body. Your local sports massage therapist or veterinary physio can show you a few simple massage techniques and/or some leg stretching exercises – these will also be particularly useful on any days that turn-out is limited. This non riding work also reinforces the bond between you and your horse!

If your arena does become frozen (“Let it gooooooo”......Sorry....mum-mode) or semi-frozen (“Do you want to build a snowwwwwwmannnnnn?”) you may still be able to exercise your horse at walk! Practise your free work on a long rein, encouraging the horse to take his nose to his toes, then back to a medium walk, without him anticipating trot. A square halt can be performed at various places, plus leg yield, shoulder in and turn on the forehand. 


Although this sounds simple, and perhaps not very interesting, if you can do it well, it will really help you when you return to your trot work, having established such good work at walk.

Remember also that there is also the possibility of a bit of hunting to keep you both fresh, from November until March, if you and your horse are fit enough! 




Don’t forget your Derriere Equestrian Performance Padded Panties, to make sure your foofoo is unscathed, following a tiring day in the saddle! Another great bonus is that they keep your bum warm!

Avril Clinton-Forde is a brand ambassador for Derriere Equestrian with her mare Grand Duchess; she’s based in the stunning surroundings of Dollanstown Stud, Co Meath, in Ireland. Avril rides at Medium level, and is ultimately aiming for Grand Prix. Visit http://duchessdiaries.ie/

www.derriereequestrian.com 

All change! Retailers - are your store changing rooms holding you back?

All change! Retailers - are your store changing rooms holding you back?

By Claire Galer of Derriere Equestrian

Nearly half of shoppers say they ‘hate’ fitting rooms, according to Body Labs, which analyses retail experiences.

Changing rooms are an important part of all retail outlets, but are often one of the most under-serviced parts of an equestrian ‘bricks and mortar’ outlet. According to Envision Retail, a London-based consultancy, customers who use a fitting room are 71 percent more likely to buy — and buy twice as much — than those simply browsing the sales floor.

Riding wear and undies for horse riders

Our business is riding-wear, breeches and of course underwear for horse riders; and all of these items need to be tried on in a changing room – as opposed to something like a coat, which can be slipped on by a mirror, on the shop floor.

Many non-horsey retailers spend a huge amount of time researching how best to service their changing rooms. They create elaborate strategies such as specific lighting in order to increase sales. Not all retailers have to make such dramatic changes, however. Simple methods such as making people feel more comfortable stripping off their trousers can help! (As of course underwear can only be tried on over one’s own briefs). If your changing rooms are in need of an update, boast a curtain that doesn’t preserve dignity, or are slightly dingy, people will be less likely to try items like breeches on. As previously mentioned, you need those buyers in your changing rooms!

The best retail experience possible

However, a few slight changes to your sales technique could help. Accompanying a potential buyer to the changing room or having a sales assistant outside can dramatically increase the chances of a sale; a customer who has to go back and forth to change clothes and get different sizes can quickly find themselves fed-up. A choice of breeches being bought to the customer will enhance their shopping experience, and will not inconvenience them.

Enthusiastic and approachable assistants

But remember, you need great service in order to get your customers into those dressing rooms in the first place! Having enthusiastic, approachable store assistants (who ideally LOOK like the ideal customer!) will help to ensure the best retail experience possible. It will elevate your brand and keep customers coming back. Derriere Equestrian is a prestige brand, so anyone stocking our range already knows about the marketplace for prestige brands; but small incremental gains in terms of the shop assistants’ service can really help to consolidate a shop’s appearance and ambience. Could staff members wear Derriere breeches as their uniform, perhaps?

The ideal changing room

Women in particular can be a little fussy when it comes to changing rooms. If they’re on their way to work for example, and have popped in for horse feed or essentials, they would probably prefer a clean place to try clothes on. Hooks and hangers would be a great addition to a changing room, as stripping off and putting their work clothes in a pile isn’t ideal. A bit of space always helps, as small changing rooms can quickly become annoying.

In summary, attention to detail and the visual appeal of changing rooms can only be a good thing - for the customer and also the store. Here are my top changing room tips for horsey retailers!

1. Every changing room needs the basics. A sense of privacy is essential; e.g. a functional curtain or door that closes. A chair or stool is required too!

2. Hanging hooks are a great idea, for handbags and clothes. Why not splash out on horse themed hooks?

3. Flooring is also something to think about. People are taking their shoes off; and although carpet feels nice, it isn’t the most hygienic. Cleanable, replaceable mats may work!

4. Could you add a second mirror? People like to see the back of their breeches too! And to check for VPL.

5. Why not include pictures of some of your store ranges in the changing room? Manufacturers like Derriere Equestrian can supply marketing images which show how an outfit may look, and will brighten up the room. This is also an ideal way to introduce a further product in the range, e.g. the Sportief Sports Bra.

Derriere Equestrian’s Claire Galer takes a tongue in cheek look at horsey fashions – from bling and matchy-matchy, to sparkling white breeches

Derriere Equestrian’s Claire Galer takes a tongue in cheek look at horsey fashions – from bling and matchy-matchy, to sparkling white breeches

As we hurtle into winter 2019 we can look forward to catching up on current fashion trends, and noting what will be The Next Big Thing.

Trends and crazes

Just as high street fashion is ever-changing, the horse-world also seems to go through different trends and crazes each year. Bling has of course been Big the last few years, but now the more traditional look seems to be creeping back into competition, with many more brown or tan boots on the retail shelves in 2019, and plenty of tweed coats being paraded on the eventing field.

Harmonious hues

The ‘Matchy-Matchy’ craze has continued to dominate lately, with some very interesting colour schemes! Apparently, a few of the de rigour colours this season (according to the experts at Pantone) are: pinky coral; dark maroon red; pink-infused lavender; and turmeric orange. Whilst these predictions are for human fashion, they certainly sound as if they’re a good fit for the ‘Matchy-Matchy’ craze of colourful saddle pads, fly veils and bandages, too.

Spotting the disciplines

Fashion and colour trends in equestrianism are usually very indicative of their discipline.

Take your average British Showjumping-run show - if you line the competitors up in their competition attire, there’s a fair chance you can tell who does what. For example, for the pure showjumpers, the give-away is usually a stock shirt (often coloured or sparkly) with no stock, a shorter, form fitting jacket, and plenty of flowing female pony tails or plaits down the rider’s back! Breeches are often sparkling white, and the horses are often the blingiest, often working the latest trends in sparkly browbands.

The eventers meanwhile, who are attending to hone their accuracy over showjumps or bring on their youngsters, are more likely to have long hair tied up in a hair net; their helmet, if you look closely, is less than pristine, and likely to be slightly mud-splattered; and their attire is more traditional; maybe a tweed coat with a stock. Their nod to Matchy-Matchy could be matching the insulation tape on their horses’ boots to their own colours!

Any dressage riders out to inject some variety into their training are likely to be working a pair of spotless white breeches, extremely shiny black boots, their hair tied up neatly, and plenty of subtle bling and sparkle.

Everyone, whatever their discipline, looks longingly at the patent and sparkly riding hats that some contenders are wearing, and wonders if they can rock the look too. The traditional Velvet is hardly anywhere to be seen.

Riding attire and performance

Of course, your attire has to fit in with your discipline rules, but does what you wear actually make any difference to your performance? So long as you're smart, the most important thing is to be comfortable, and choose riding wear that fits. (How can you concentrate on remembering your SJ course or dressage test when your undies are riding up or down, for example?)

A well-fitting jacket can make you feel a million dollars, but if you don't like what you're wearing because of the styling, it probably isn’t for you, as you will actually sit up straighter and hold your head up higher if you feel confident in how you look. Ladies, don’t under-estimate the importance of a good sports bra - the racer-back-style Derriere Sportief Bra will help your posture no end.

Beautiful breeches and performance pants

Your breeches of course must be flattering and comfortable – like a second skin. The aforementioned ‘knicker ride-up’ is a no-no, as is the dreaded VPL. Derriere Equestrian’s white Cannes Competition Breeches go with any outfit – They are designed to promote comfort and performance, working in harmony with the Derriere undergarments, ensuring all fabric surfaces come together to eliminate chaffing, abrasions and discomfort.

They do feature very subtle Diamanté on the corner pockets, and have a designer crystal button fastening, so you can embrace a more flamboyant style, but in a discreet fashion! Team them with the Derriere Equestrian Performance Panty to eradicate seamlines; even if you manage to take an un-scheduled dip into a water jump, there will be no see-through undies shame, with this perfect combination.

Shhhh.....it’s personal

Shhhh.....it’s personal

Can we get personal with you? It is the unspoken element of horse riding... ‘personal discomfort’ in the saddle.

Many of us with such discomfort may be sitting in the saddle in a certain way to avoid this displeasure; for example, if you can feel a pressure in the area of your tailbone or coccyx, you are probably tipping your pelvis too far back in an effort to free up the area between your thighs - if you’re a woman, this will almost undoubtedly cause your shoulders to ‘hunch’. If you are compensating at all in your posture, you may experience misalignment of the spine and pelvis, resulting in an ineffective riding position.

Let’s look at the horse rider’s seat:

Many trainers refer to a three-point seat when riding horses and ponies, which is the triangle formed when you sit on your seat bones with the pubic bone at the front. It is important to bear in mind that ladies have wider seatbones than men, a much wider pelvic girdle and hip sockets, and a shorter coccyx that tips backwards a little. The ‘classical’ lengthened riding position is physiologically easier for men, as they can flatten their backs more when tilting their pelvis. When a man is in the saddle, he’s closer to being balanced evenly, e.g. in the middle of his seatbones - a woman tips more naturally forwards. If she hyperextends or hollows her lower back, she tips even further forwards, and downwards onto the crotch area. Ouch!! There’s your personal discomfort.

Dr. Deb Bennett speaks eloquently about male and female anatomical rider differences in her paper ‘Who’s Built Best To Ride’, for anyone who is interested in reading further. In her articles, Dr. Bennett talks about men’s ability to ‘slouch’ down into the saddle - typically seen in the riding position of male polo players on their ponies, when men ‘sit on their pockets’. Women are generally unable to sit in this way on a horse, with a straight or rounded lower back. (Which is no bad thing, as it can result in rounding of the shoulders, and that undesirable ‘chair seat’!)

So in summary, without going into too much anatomical detail, personal discomfort from horse riding in women is often caused by a hollowing of the back, or a general immobility in the lower back, which causes a forward-tipping motion, and rubbing; while for men, it can be caused by an unexpected tipping forward onto the genital area (e.g. a horse spooking), or a lack of balance (or even too much ‘bracing’ of the back) that causes rubbing or bruising. In both cases, it may also be caused by wearing underwear with stitched seams.

If you are suffering from personal discomfort when riding your horse or pony, there are options. Look at your saddle - do you need for example a larger saddle seat, or one with a narrower twist (the width of the section under your thighs); could you benefit from a leisure activity like Pilates to aid mobility and core strength; or would riding lessons help you to mobilise your pelvic area, and achieve a better riding seat?

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 correct riding undergarments, are one of the most important investments a rider will make. That's right, riders should never wear inappropriate underwear and should aim for well designed, sporting equestrian padded pants and bras for every occasion! This does not mean the traditional "Bridget Jones’s Knickers”, riders everywhere now have the luxury of selecting from the full designer range at Derriere Equestrian. Derrieres have become synonymous with the perfect style, comfort and performance combination for riders in every discipline.

ULTIMATE COMFORT FOR THE PERFECT SEAT

www.derriereequestrian.com

Key words - Saddle, crotch, riding position, rider, rider’s seat, three point seat, horse, pony, underwear

Soft, structured, supportive, bespoke #Derrieres will keep you in the saddle for longer this summer #2019 #Summer #Essentials

The 2019 Summer Season Is Upon Us With comfortable style as our core ethos, Team Derriere Equestrian are to hand, to deliver to you, your ultimate riding underwear for a summer of fun, style and comfort in the saddle. www.derriereequestrian.com   As we hurtle into summer 2019 and the start of the various competitive equestrian seasons, we can look forward to ensuring #Derrieres are providing performance underwear to riders everywhere. Derrieres will certainly ensure in your chosen discipline, you are set well for high level performance and comfort whilst in the saddle this season. Be this: Eventing, Show Jumping, Dressage, Hacking, Endurance, Polo, Vaulting, Trekking, Riding holidays and more. Derrieres are your secret to success!

The 2019 Summer Season With Team Derriere Equestrian Soft, structured, supportive, bespoke #Derrieres will keep you in the saddle for longer this summer #2019 #Summer #Essentials www.derriereequestrian.com

We receive emails daily at the Derriere Equestrian HQ, asking for advice and support. Examples of Equestrian's Underwear questions, requests and more ...... riders really do need there Derrieres! Does your underwear prevent rubbing at the seam-lines? YES Do Derrieres show a VPL? NO Can you feel/see the padding? NO Are they comfortable? YES (Of course!) Do the padded products prevent rubbing at bony prominence's: seat-bones, tailbone, pelvic bones, pubic bones? YES I need padded underwear that protects my TAILBONE, will Derrieres do the job? YES I am just wondering whether your products provide padding for the pubic bone - or “front bottom” area? YES I am experiencing chafing occurring while riding, specifically chafing lines down my buttocks that can become very painful, will your padded products help me and remove this underwear problem? YES I do endurance riding, and no matter how I sit or which saddle or horse I am working with that day, I always come home with a very sore groin. I've had several people review my riding position and saddle, and apparently, there is not a problem with my seat or my saddle. Will Derrieres help? YES! Please recommend the best product. Derriere Equestrian Performance Padded Panty or Derriere Equestrian Bonded Padded Shorty. When riding my knickers often take on a mind of their own and move north or south creating a "wedgie!" Does your underwear move? NO. Will your garments prevent the movement and stay in place in comfort? MOST CERTAINLY YES! The area at the top of my thigh where thigh meets the buttock often gets rubbed from my underwear seam-line, do you have products to prevent rubbing in this region? YES - Derriere Equestrian Performance Padded Panty or Derriere Equestrian Bonded Padded Shorty. Also the unpadded range protect exceptionally well for those riders who do not require the padding: DE Performance Panty & DE Performance Seamless Shorty I ride in your underwear and LOVE IT! I have the Performance Panty, Seamless Shorty and Padded Panty, would you recommend I try the Bonded Padded Shorty? YES The padding in the shorty gives a different support, feel and style, offering an alternative in your daily selection. Do they last, do they wash well, are they worth the money? YES YES & OH YES!! www.derriereequestrian.com

PERFORMANCE PADDED PANTY World leading design, award winning product. Lead selling garment in the Derriere Equestrian Range #SPOGAHORSE #INNOVATIONSAWARD #WINNER #RBAWINNER #FEDEXWINNER #LEADINGUNDERWEARSUPPLIERWINNER   Order Now BONDED PADDED SHORTY Male & Female Style Designs The Bonded Padded Shorty Style provides, solutions with style, for both the male and female rider. Order Now

Six things we have learned from sports bra research By Derriere Equestrian

Six things we have learned from sports bra researchBy Derriere Equestrian

Comfort and fit are key for mature women

A brand new (2018) study published in Ergonomics found that age and body mass index significantly affect breast characteristics, tallying with a previous study in the 2014 European Journal of Ageing that found that bras have a ‘social role’, in terms of one’s body perception and self-esteem. Just 7 % of the ‘mature’ women (45-65 years old) surveyed were ‘still proud of their breasts’. Of primary importance to those ‘mature’ participants included areas such as comfort, the bra's ability to stay in place, and optimal fit.

Comfortable straps are preferable, during exercise

A 2015 study published in Sports Medicine looked at bra strap width, finding that thinner straps offered least support, and the most amount of pressure.

Bigger boobs jiggle more (quelle surprise!)

A study published in Applied Ergonomics in 2013 studied what’s described as ‘bra-breast forces’ in women with large breasts while standing and running. Unsurprisingly, bigger boobs caused more ‘vertical breast displacement’. (That’s jiggle, to the rest of us). The researchers advised wearing sports bras with ‘high levels of breast support [during] physical activity [via a sports bra], to reduce force generation and breast discomfort’.

Elevation and compression boots comfort

A 2010 study published in Medicine and Science in Sports Exercise looked at bra design, concluding that elevation AND compression of the breasts is preferable to increase breast and bra comfort, when compared with a standard encapsulation sports bra. The team stated: ‘Exercise-induced breast discomfort was achieved through greater breast elevation and compression, with no increase in vertical breast displacement (jiggle!) [when the breasts were elevated].’

Compression bras aren’t necessarily comfortable for non-exercise situations

They’re not for everyone, but compression bras CAN work well for women with smaller breasts. A 2016 study published in Ergonomics found that, of the women studied, who were of Chinese origin (Chinese women average a 34B or 34A size), compression sports bra provided more ‘comfortable support’ than encapsulation sports bras, which give more separation and elevation. However, when the wearers were stationary, the compression bras were found to be more uncomfortable.

The majority of female sporting enthusiasts seemingly experience bra-fit issues

A study relating to participants in the 2012 London marathon published in the Journal of Sports Sciences found that three-quarter of participants reported bra fit issues, e.g. chaffing and shoulder straps digging in, with a higher incidence of issues reported by participants with larger breasts.

Naturally, Derriere Equestrian has taken all of the industry’s research into consideration with the design of our Sportief Bra, which boasts:

A fusion of encapsulation and compression in the sports bra, which is designed for horse riders.

An exclusive (non-underwired) cupping system designed to lift, separate, shape and support the rider’s breasts.

Shoulder straps featuring a padded support system.

An item that’s comfortable and flattering under clothes, both on and off the horse, and both in and out of the gym.

A wide range of sports bra sizes, with an enhanced ‘plus’ range coming soon.

BUY YOUR DE SPORTIEF NOW!

www.derriereequestrian.com