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.