Getting to know Showjumper Bex Mason

 

Getting to know you…

 

We asked showjumper Bex Mason to share a favourite flatwork exercise, and also asked her ten burning questions, from advice to training goals. 

 

 

A favourite flatwork exercise – honing balance

Recovery on landing from a fence is usually to do with rider balance and proprioception. 

I do non-mounted balancing exercises daily. A simple one is to balance in your jumping position on a showjumping pole (placed on a hard surface) – try to use your core to maintain perfect balance. Once you’re adept at this, you can then throw a ball from that position, to make it more difficult!

 

Ten burning questions

 

1.     What’s your most memorable horse and why?

 

Miserden Imprezza - she is nothing I would’ve chosen in a horse, but she chose me, and we won over 180 classes together. Pretzel is a broodmare now and is as quirky as they come; she’s quick and careful as a cat, so hopefully will pass her brave, gutsy traits onto her offspring. She’s the ultimate ‘diesel horse’ and will stay with me now for all her days!

 

2.     What’s your best piece of advice?

 

You can do and be whatever and whoever you want - you just have to want it enough!

 

3.     Who’s the person you look up to today in equestrianism, and why?

 

Liz Launder (osteopath and senior lecturer on Equine Science at the UK’s Hartpury College). She specialises in equine reproduction and equine therapy, and her knowledge goes so deep. Liz’s perspective on every aspect of the horse and rider is what constitutes the small differences which help us to be better in every day. She is a wizard!

 

4.     What’s your ultimate riding or training goal?

 

To jump a world ranking class in the next year.

 

5.     Can you share your biggest regret?

 

This would definitely be not checking my own tack at the talent seekers final! I had been drawn last to go (a prime spot) riding Vancurtis – she’d been on flying form, and I was confident this was her class of the year. I cantered to the first fence, and realised she couldn't get her head up; her martingale had been swapped when the tack was taken apart to clean. It was far too short. She was fighting for her head and eventually she ground to a halt at fence six. (Bearing in mind I started Kimmy as a three year old and she had never stopped, not even once in her whole career!) I knew what was wrong, so just retired. I was very grateful that I knew why, and certainly learnt my lesson about checking my tack. it was just a little frustrating that I couldn't have learnt that lesson in a less prestigious class!

 

6.     What would you tell your younger/teenage self?

 

Keep going, enjoy the interactions with people as well as all the small wins; and live in each moment.

7.     What’s the horse you would like to have ridden, or to ride?

 

Of course I’d have to say Stroller; Marion Coakes’ amazing little gelding, and the only pony to compete at the Olympics in show jumping. He competed in the 1968 Olympics in Mexico; he was the ultimate little horse with a big heart.  I think he would suit me, being only 14.2hh.

 

8.     Which three dinner party guests would you choose?

 

Showjumpers Edwina Tops-Alexandra and Rowan Willis (both top class riders who come across so positively in the sport). And David Attenborough; who wouldn’t want him at the dinner table?

 

9.     What would you like to see implemented in your discipline?

 

Prize-givings— it’s so sad now that at the smaller local shows, the owners don’t get to see their horses go in the ring to collect their prize. Obviously not currently because of Covid, but even before the pandemic, this had stopped. The owners put so much into the horses, and this was always a little piece of joy that they got back.

 

10.  What will you be doing in 20 years’ time?

 

I will be riding Vancurtis’ babies, and coaching, as well as spending time between sunnier climates and the UK.

 

All about Bex Mason

Bex has worked for many years breaking in horses and competing at an international level and specialises in producing competition horses. “I find myself expressing love for my Derrieres daily,” Bex says of the underwear range. “I openly discuss the results and versatility of the products, whether it’s to customers at my yard, or fellow competitors at shows; I don’t even realise I’m doing it - these pants change riders’ lives!”

Visit her website - www.bexmasonshowjumping.co.uk

Shop the Derriere Equestrian range today 
www.derriereequestrian.com

Lost in France

 

Lost in France – Derriere Equestrian ambassador Amanda Renouard has had a busy equestrian year, despite lockdown

Breeder and dressage enthusiast Amanda Renouard is based in France at the Haras du Ritz stud in Deux-Sevres, close to Parthenay in the beautiful Nouvelle Aquitaine region. Amanda produces elite sport horses for an international client-base. We asked her to share her news and views from 2020.

“Haras du Ritz is a small, private stud; we breed dressage horses, but a few have gone on to be eventers or show jumpers,” Amanda explains. “2020 has been a different year, hasn’t it! For us, the breed season this year was complicated, as due to the COVID-9 lockdown limitations, our vet was not allowed to perform echographs (ultrasound scans), and was only allowed to visit us for emergencies,” Amanda explains. “So our breed season started late.”

A team effort

Amanda, also a PR consultant to elite riders, journalist and former High Performance Director for Dressage/Para Dressage Ireland, had four mares in foal this spring, so her son Hugo was enlisted to help with all of the late night checks. “It was handy Hugo wasn’t at school, as he was present for the foalings with me, and was able to sleep during the day,” Amanda remembers.

“In addition to looking after the mares and their new arrivals, I had two horses to ride and two to back over the spring and summer. I didn’t get on the three year olds until  'confinement', however!” she continues. “The two six year olds had an easy spring, and we actually decided at that time that one of them did not love going round in circles, so we have since sent her off show jumping. The other six year old, Jura du Ritz, who is by Voice, competed in two young horse competitions, and had qualifying scores for national championships in Fontainebleau, but I opted to save her for another year, as she is still 'green',” Amanda explains.

Selling horses in a digital age

“Selling the foals in lockdown was interesting!” she continues. “I did lots of videos and Whatsapp live videos to prospective customers. I do still have two for sale, but am happy if they stay and aren’t sold, as both are really nice.” 

Many people have emerged from the earlier, full lockdown with a new perspective on life, and Amanda is no exception. “Not being allowed to hack out made me realise how important it is for the horses and ourselves!” she tells us. “And not being able to get a saddle fitter out made me realise how quickly the horses change shape. It’s also been good to reflect that I may think I have a horse good enough to go all the way; but they don't have those ambitions, and are quite happy eating grass! Life for us didn’t really change much, except we were home-schooling Hugo, and my husband Stephen stopped travelling for work. It was certainly a challenging time, and it is good to have some normality back again,” Amanda adds. (Although France does currently have a raft of curfews in place, as well as business closures and banned gatherings).

Working smarter

One of Amanda’s life mottos is ‘Work smarter not harder'’, and she explains that it is important to her to do professionally what you love in life. “For me, that would be writing about the things I respect and admire. I also work with the people I want to be around.

I work long, crazy hours, but it is never hard work; if it is hard, or I don’t like doing it, I question what am I doing wrong, or how I can improve,” she wisely explains. “Public relations is about making it happen for other people; working as a PR agent for some of the best equestrian athletes is about making their lives easier.  Breeding horses professionally and producing horses on a small scale gives me an insight into how the elite athlete ticks.  I always try to utilise that information to keep sponsors and media happy,” she adds. 

Finally, we asked Amanda what her favourite Derriere Equestrian item is, and why; but it proved to be a difficult question, due to the wide range of hard-working items. “That is such a hard question!” she ponders. “I love that you put on all the Derriere products, and just forget about them, and get on and do your job.  The underwear is amazing, the Cannes competition breeches are a must, so comfy, and the Treviso are hard wearing and always look smart. I am not sure I can choose a favourite!”

You can shop the Derriere Equestrian range at www.derriereequestrian.com

We wish Amanda and her team well with the lovely group of youngsters and equine future stars that are coming up through the ranks at Haras du Ritz.

 

The Male Equestrian Rider

Lumber flexion and lowering the pubic bone – and how padded riding pants can help!

It’s important when considering the ability to absorb the horse’s movement that we think about anatomy. To celebrate the fantastically popular Derriere Equestrian Male Performance Padded Shorty, let’s look a little at why a male rider would want extra comfort down below.

We’re all taught to follow the movement of the horse, but in order to execute this, one needs a mobile lower back, being able to both extend and flex the lumbar region without restriction. (And flexing can be more difficult for male riders).

Benefits to the male anatomy

The male’s hip sockets are always further in front of the spine than his female counterparts’, meaning the male rider is usually more able to ‘tuck’ the tailbone (this extends the lumbar area). In men, the sacrum, which connects the lumbar vertebrae to the pelvis and legs, is longer and narrower than in women. The male pelvis is taller, with a higher ‘iliac crest’ (this is the arched bone at the top of the pelvis – the two crests would look a little like angel wings if you were to draw them, or observe an anatomy drawing, and are attached to the oblique muscles. These are the outermost abdominal muscles that keep our middle section elevated, and our core ‘switched on’ for sitting trot.)

There are some benefits to the male anatomy for riding - the hip sockets face further forward than in women (and are closer together) – so the thigh can more easily rest against the saddle. It’s also easier for men to lower the tailbone, as we have discussed. For novice riders, it is intuitive to not mobilise the pelvis too much – it’s the backwards and forwards tipping motion, as opposed to a more upright motion, that absorbs the movement, and avoids that terrible ‘banging’ sensation on sensitive areas that novice riders may experience. However, this motion takes time to achieve, and initially it’s common to ‘brace’. 

 

 

The Derriere Equestrian Performance Bonded Padded Shorty can help elevate the discomfort associated with 'bracing' making for a more enjoyable and comfortable ride. 

More difficult to lower the pubic bone

If a seated male rider allows gravity to act on the pelvis, his pelvis will rock backward, so his pubic bone rises – if a male rider completely relaxes in the saddle, e.g. at halt, this is commonly what happens. This does mean conversely that it’s harder for male riders to lower the pubic bone.

Because the male rider has the benefit of automatically rocking the pelvis backward, the supporting muscles will likely not be so ‘used to’ supporting the pelvis when the pubic bone is lowered, e.g. in an anterior pelvic tilt. (Plus, men would typically avoid this tipping position anyway, to maintain comfort).

(Remember, we need to flex the lumbar region effectively without restriction in order to be truly mobile and flexible – this helps improve communication with the horse. As skillsets advance, we can be subtle with our movements, and also our aids.)

Stilted motion

This issue (that the supporting muscles may not be ‘used to’ supporting the pelvis when the back is flexed) does mean that a sudden imbalance can tip the rider forward uncomfortably. (If in this position, the supporting back muscles are weaker, there’s also the risk of strain, e.g. if the horse spooks). Because men may also actively avoid the tipping forward motion to avoid discomfort, the full range of movement of the pelvis can become stilted – this is where padded underwear can help.

The Derriere Equestrian Performance Padded Shorty (DEPPP) is designed to protect the perineal area (the bit between the pubic arch and the tail bone), from discomfort, and also prevent rubbing, due to innovative stitched seams. Our male customers tell us that having extra padding improves their intuitive riding, as they may not ‘brace’ to protect themselves. Many male riders around the globe rely on Derriere Equestrian underwear, including top international dressage rider Carl Hester MBE, who was quoted saying "Every rider should be wearing them" 

Derriere Equestrian are world leaders in horse riding underwear and experts in their field. The range of Derriere Equestrian undergarments have been scientifically developed and researched in the UK and abroad with advanced technology and only the best fabrics used, customers can be confident they are receiving high end luxury performance wear. Shop the Derriere range at www.derriereequestrian.com 

To improve one’s pelvic mobility and range of motion (and strengthen the supporting muscles in the anterior tilt stage), there are plenty of standing exercises we can do such as switching between posterior and anterior pelvis tilts. YouTube has many examples, like this one.

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.