The Legal Equestrian

Product Review: B Vertigo Breeches

First day wearing the breeches paired with the Horze short-sleeve show shirt.

First day wearing the breeches paired with the Horze Blaire Short-Sleeve Show shirt.

I’ve always wanted to try a pair of B Vertigo Breeches, but never got the chance – until now.

Horse kindly sent Scope Network members an awesome short sleeve show shirt (It is the Blaire Women’s Show Shirt, and it is super comfy, suitable for shows, flattering, and COOL, which is great for hot summer show days!) [retails for $34.95] as well as a pair of breeches ($179.95).

Horze is a brand I have never tried, so I wasn’t sure what to expect in terms of quality, fit, fashion, look, etc. I was very, very surprised and pleased. Their breeches have become part of my staple in my breech collection – and I have A LOT of breeches!

When mine came in, I was excited to see they were tan. I need more tan breeches, and if they were good quality, they were coming to shows with me. I tried them on, and I immediately felt the benefits. They were stretchy, but not too stretchy which means if you are a size 26R in some other breeches, a size 24R in B Vertigos may fit you. They were not super long on me. They were flattering and fit me super well. In fact, they were so comfy that I kept them on for a few hours after getting them even though I had zero plans to go riding.

Another of the first day they arrived.

Another of the first day they arrived. B Vertigo Breeches + Blaire Short-Sleeve Show Shirt.

I decided to really put these breeches to the test. My first test was wearing them out on a day I would be riding both Luther and Monte (and whoever else my trainer gave me to ride). Why not throw them right into an intense environment? We are in shedding, mud, and dust/dirt season here in the northeast, so this was PERFECT. I believe it rained that day, too. Plus, one minute it’s so hot you’re sweating; the next it’s windy/chilly, and you’re cold. The breeches held up perfectly. There were zero stains, even during the times I forgot and rubbed my hands on them. They also did not stretch out to where I needed to wash them to make them fit me properly again. I got tons of compliments on them from other riders at my barn and my trainer. I wore them 3, yes 3, days in a row to really test them out… and seriously, no problems whatsoever. No saddle stains; no sweat stains; NOTHING.

3 days after consistent riding, sweating, grooming, mud swimming, rainy weather, shedding, dust, etc.

3 days after consistent riding, sweating, grooming, mud swimming, rainy weather, shedding, dust, etc.

I didn’t wash them when I got home, and I let them sit for a little bit. Two days later, I took them out again for a ride. Stretching? No. Smelly from sitting and not being washed? No. Dirty? No. They looked just like they had when they arrived at my house. I took them for a lesson. This particular day the horses were especially muddy and dirt-covered as it had rained the entire week before AND they were shedding massively. Hair doesn’t cling to them. Dirt doesn’t touch them. Mud doesn’t even phase them.

5 days of no washing. No smelling. No stains, No stretching. They fit and looked like the first day I put them on. I just so happen to be wearing the same socks I was in the same photo - I wash my socks, I swear.

5 days of no washing. No smelling. No stains, No stretching. They fit and looked like the first day I put them on. I just so happen to be wearing the same socks I was in the same photo – I wash my socks, I swear.

I LOVE these breeches, and I desperately need another pair. I’ve only found one other pair of breeches that stands up to being worn 3 days in a row, ridden in 3 days in a row, and exposed to dirty/mud/sweat/hair 3 days in a row and shows NO signs. These breeches are a must have for your collection, especially if you are looking for a tan pair to show in that won’t stain easily, that won’t stretch, that is flattering and will fit you well, and is just the overall package. In fact, I just bought myself a new pair of B Vertigos; the turquoise Olivia Luxury Women’s Knee Patch pair with Swarovski crystal accents ($179.95).

 

 

 

 

Treat yo’self… right?

10 unique ways to improve your equestrian wardrobe

By Jordan Nassif.

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I figured that I would write my first piece for this blog in regards to something that I imagine everyone would like to know: In a sport where money gets you just about everywhere, and people can indicate their location on the equestrian totem pole via their wardrobe, how the hell does one save money trying to keep up? Is it even worth it?

There are certainly plenty of riders out there who couldn’t give a fig about what they wear and have probably saved themselves a world of trouble for it. Perhaps this is not the article for them. I admittedly can be spotted riding in garden shoes and a sports bra on our farm. In many cases fashion eludes me too.

As women, we deal with a lot of ‘first glance’ types of judgements. I am certainly guilty of this. This doesn’t mean that one needs to dress to the nines for schooling at home. Some days I go to the barn all dressed up because it makes me feel good. It’s the same logic I employ when I study in the library. There’s something about wearing an outfit that you feel good in and having your hair done nicely that makes you feel like a million bucks. Some of my most productive midnight study sessions have been accomplished in a full face of makeup. However, some days I could care less what I look like at the barn. I have made enough appearances at the barn in yesterday’s makeup and dirty breeches to probably make some people think that I live out of my car.

The point is, do whatever it is that you do looking however it is that makes you feel your best. Studies have shown that looking your ‘best self’ increases confidence and cognitive ability. It explains that extra ‘zing!’ you feel in your show clothes or even when your horse is looking particularly well-turned out one day. And quite frankly, if you feel your best in a chicken costume, well then I can’t tell you that it’s wrong for you to wear it. 

You probably already have an idea of what you feel your best in, or what you would like to see more of in your riding wardrobe. So it is now my job to help you put those items in your closet without leaving you broke (and some of these tips may apply to your horse’s closet as well).

1. eBay: It might as well be a crime to buy something online without checking eBay first. There is almost nothing for sale at Dover or SmartPak that you can’t find on eBay. I have purchased Back on Track, Le Fash, Tailored Sportsman, Edgewood, joint supplements, etc. from there. I’ve saved thousands of dollars doing this. Many people have raised concerns about buying faulty or fake products from eBay. This is not an issue at all. I’ve made some six hundred orders from the website in the last four years, and only one or two times have I had an issue. PayPal and eBay both have Money Back Guarantees, so if you are unhappy with your item, and you send it back you won’t be out any money. eBay also has an Authenticity Policy which keeps sellers from listing fake items. There are many tack shops that have opened eBay stores to list their items. Even if you cannot find a discounted version of the item you want, many stores don’t collect tax or they will ship for free, which still puts more money back in your wallet.

2. RetailmeNot. Most of you are probably familiar with coupon websites. This website searches thousands of brands to provide up-to-date discount codes for you.

Here are a couple I found when I typed ‘Dover’ into the search bar:

– $25 off of $150 with code CM17RIDE

– $10 off of $75 with code TENOFF

SmartPak also has at least ten codes listed under their search query. Sites like horse.com, horseloverz.com, and places like Hobby Horse Clothing, and Adams Horse and Pet Supplies are some of the names that appear when you type in “horse.”

3. Buy your summer gear in the winter. This applies to every clothing purchase, ever. Buy your bikinis in the fall when they are all on closeout. Buy your winter coats at a sports shop during the summer. There is no reason to buy something as soon as it comes out, unless you just have to have it. Almost every item you want will go on sale after everyone has had their go at it and moved on to the next thing.

Clarino padded TS belt paired with ten TS breeches.

Clarino padded TS belt paired with ten TS breeches.

4. When building your wardrobe, don’t focus too much on the trends. There is a time and a place to buy a Le Fash bomber jacket or a pair of denim breeches. If you are satisfied with your horsey closet then, by all means, purchase away. However, if you are just starting to build your wardrobe, it is better to start small. When I first started taking an interest in my riding clothes, I spent the first year and a half just replacing my old clothes with new staple pieces that would never go out of style AND would last. This meant a couple of nice pairs of tan breeches, a couple of sun shirts (necessary in this Texas sun), a nice black belt, and maybe one or two ‘fun’ purchases. I don’t think any trend will ever outlast the timelessness of a pair of clean tan breeches and a black pebbled leather Tailored Sportsman belt (or an equivalent).


5. Tee shirts! Polo shirts are so 2012, if you will. Some of you may still like them, but I often find them   unbearably hot and tight. No one should ever underestimate the power of a couple of graphic tees in your graphictee2closet. Not only can you wear them just about anywhere, but they can create many different riding outfits with just one pair of breeches. And they’re cheap! I’m not talking about the thick tee shirts that yougraphictee lay around the house in. The perfect graphic tee should be a ‘tissue’ tee with thinner and nicer material to keep you cool in the saddle while still ‘dressing up’ the tee shirt look. You can find these types of shirts at Target, J. Crew, Ann Taylor LOFT, etc. My favorite graphic tee brands are Wildfox, MinkPink, and Junk Food.

 

6. Belts. Okay, lets abandon the black or brown belt with tan breeches imagery for a second. You can

Colored belts add some flair to any equestrian outfit. Pictured here is one from Shop Hunt Club paired with TS Breeches & Hunt Club graphic tee.

Colored belts add some flair to any equestrian outfit. Pictured here is one from Shop Hunt Club paired with TS Breeches & Hunt Club graphic tee.

breathe new life into a riding outfit with a new belt. Adding just two or three different colored belts to your wardrobe makes for several new riding outfits. Plain white shirts and tan breeches aren’t so boring with a patterned belt. You can get a wide belt at Target for $15. If you have the money to splurge, I also suggest Gucci. I bought my first Gucci belt two years ago, and I wear it almost every week. It looks timeless with a pair of breeches or edgy with a pair of leather pants.

This TS quilted Clarino belt adds some color to tan breeches.

This TS quilted Clarino belt adds some color to tan breeches.

The best riding clothes are the ones you can wear everywhere. And if you decide to go this route, don’t you dare buy one without checking eBay first.

7. Goodwill. I would not be making my mother proud if I did not include thrift shopping in this list. I just want to start out by saying shoutout to the Bellaire Goodwill for selling me a $200 Ralph Lauren crystal pony polo shirt for $10. You can find SO much at Goodwill. Belts, shirts, you name it. I would also suggest donating your old riding gear to Goodwill if you can’t find anywhere to send it. There are many Christian Charity shops in my city that sell all sorts of items, typically donated by their wealthy church-goers. I would advise making the trip to the nicer part of town in your area to go thrifting. These areas typically have a few high-dollar items that have been carelessly tossed into bins.

8. Sell your old stuff. Yes, predictable advice. But here’s a perk to slowly adding nice, albeit expensive items to your wardrobe— they have a high resale value. If I was to list a pair of my Le Fash breeches on eBay I could easily make $200. That’s over 50% of the original cost. This is because they are a trending item. People are willing to spend $300 on them and they’re more than happy to snag them at less than retail. Another example, I sold a pair of Equifit boots that I purchased for $100, for $45. That money goes into my next pair of boots. There is truly something to be said about buying ‘brands.’ What will the resale value be? I advise heavily considering this when buying an item. I have made over $3,000 in the last two years selling my old stuff at leisure. And yes, the money went towards replacing it. (Editor’s Note: Poshmark is another great way to sell used or new clothing items. If you want to give it a try, use my code GRGUR when you sign up for an account. You’ll get $5 to use towards your first purchase!)

9. Make lists. I understand that “setting goals” for your wardrobe may make some of you laugh at the frivolity of my suggestion. But if it’s something you want to improve, then set goals for yourself. Make a realistic list of some items that you would like to buy in 2017. Having it written out makes it easier to track sales for the item. Websites such as Polyvore are designed to help you keep track of what you want and when it goes on sale. You can easily add an item to your Polyvore list by clipping it with their browser tool.

10. Do your own thing. I wouldn’t feel right compiling this whole equestrian fashion list without dropping in a note about how you’re dressing to impress yourself. Seriously. Don’t buy the item because someone else told you to. Don’t go broke trying to impress other people who will judge you regardless. At the end of the day, if you think about it, it’s kind of stupid how horses have blown up into this huge classist society. Do I love Gucci belts? Yes. Do YOU need to wear one because I (or anyone else) am wearing one? No.

2016 Fall Must Haves

Every year we like to put a list together of fall’s equestrian must haves. With fall officially upon us, we didn’t want to let our readers down. Below are some items we believe are trending (or will be)!

EquiFit EqTeq Boots: If you are an equitation rider, EquiFit’s new line of boots designed specifically for the equitation ring are exactly what you need. These boots are sophisticated, yet simple, while still offering all of the protection EquiFit users have come to know and love. Most unique is the ImpacTeq Peel Away Liners can be completely customized to your horse’s legs, compensating for uniquely shaped legs, an injury or wound, or other issues that may make your horse’s legs hard to fit. And, as always, the boots are extremely easy to care for with a washable shell and liners. They retail for $249.95.

EcoLicious Waterless Squeaky Green & Clean Shampoo: This item ($29.95 at SmartPak) is not new, per se, but it is certainly an essential for the cooler months when you might not be able to give your horse a bath. Not every barn is equipped with an indoor wash stall, warm water, or heat lamps to quicken the drying process and make a bath during cold temperatures more bearable. I am a huge fan of EcoLicious Equestrian’s Waterless Shampoo, and I have tested it on my own horses, including my pony’s infamous poopy butt. It truly works, and it makes keeping your horse clean during the cold weather much easier. (Note: To read my full review of this product, click here.)

SmartPak Blanket App: This is another item that is not necessarily new, but definitely something you should have to ensure your horse is warm and toasty during those cool, cold, and downright frigid nights. Though it is not foolproof, and ultimately you know what’s best for your horse, it can give you a ballpark idea of what type of blanket your horse should have on during the day and night based on the weather and other questions it asks about your horse such as its age, weight, where it lives most of the time, etc. To download the app, you can go here. To read a full review, go here.

Back On Track Baby Pads: I LOVE baby pads. In fact, they’re really almost all I use. I just discovered recently that Back On Track came out with their own line of baby pads. The pads provide the same technology as the regular BOT pads except they’re in baby pad form. I do not own these yet, but I will definitely be adding one or two to my stash. They retail for $49 on the Back On Track website and come in white and black.

Subscription to Heels Down Magazine: Full Disclosure: I am a regular writer for the magazine. When the weather is cold and you just can’t go outside, it’s always nice to snuggle up with a cup of hot cocoa or tea and read something. If you haven’t read Heels Down Magazine, you are missing out on a wealth of knowledge. Heels Down Magazine features articles by a bunch of Amateur equestrians on a breadth of topics including training for both horse and rider, balancing relationships and riding, mental preparation for shows, interviews with big name and up and coming riders, legal topics (by yours truly), and more. You can access the app here. You can purchase an individual issue for $4.99, and a subscription is $3.99 a month. The magazine is also full interactive and digital which makes it above other equestrian magazines out there. There are interactive ads, videos, and much more, making it one-of-a-kind amongst equestrian publications out there.

Kastel Denmark Sun shirts: These shirts have become extremely popular as of late. They have UV protection, inner sleeve cooling mesh, are breathable, have antibacterial odor reduction, and come in a variety of color combinations. They also come in long-sleeve, short-sleeve, and a variety of other options to suit any equestrian’s needs. If you love sun shirts, these are a must have, especially for the cool, crisp fall weather coming up. While at various price points, the long-sleeve model retails for $75.00. Kastel Denmark also has a variety of other fall friendly items to look at!

14517660_10207312196386586_532540686601853636_nThe Legal Equestrian Sun shirts: Sun shirts are hugely popular, and we couldn’t go through a whole list of fall must haves without mentioning our very own sun shirt products! Our sun shirts come complete with our logo, and they are completely customizable. You can place an order by emailing thelegalequestrian@gmail.com with your color choices, which can be found here (Price: $50.00). You can also get sun shirts that have Gingham accented cuffs and collars, found here (Price: $55.00). They are super breathable, lightweight, and stylish. I wore my new sun shirt on one of the hottest days of the year while schooling at a horse show, and I was completely comfortable!

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Mane Jane Spur Straps & Reversible Belts: I have been promoting these for a while (Disclosure: I am an East Coast Representative for the company), but I 100% stand behind the product). The leather is super high quality, and the products are fully customizable. For belts, you choose two colors of leather, thread color, buckle color, and give your custom measurements so the belt is cut fit your body type. For the spur straps, you pick a leather color, thread color, buckle color, and charms. The best part? They are acceptable in all three rings. I know hunter riders that use13700178_10206803340705512_1150931826835109755_n-2 these spur straps in the hunter ring. I know equitation riders that use these spur straps in the eq ring. There’s just enoughh bling to make them custom and unique, but not enough for a judge to notice. Of course – charms and bling are different riders’ cup of tea, but I adore the product. Furthermore, if you order through me, you get a 10% discount on your order – how great is that?! I adore these products, and the reversible belts are a great, more affordable, yet high quality, alternative to the ever popular, coveted Hermes belts which are huge bank breakers. Without the discount, belts are $120 and spur straps are $40.

Ecogold Jumper Flip Half Pad and Heels Down Jumper Pad.

Ecogold Jumper Flip Half Pad and Heels Down Jumper Pad.

Ecogold: As many of you know, I officially switched to Ecogold not long ago. Their products are better quality, have better science behind them, and are simply a better value. If you haven’t tried these pads, I highly recommend them. They have a variety of half pads and regular pads to suit your needs. Plus, their products are backed by some of the greatest in the business like McLain Ward, Scott Stewart, William Fox-Pitt, John French, Hope Glynn, Boyd Martin, Brittni Reflowitz, and most recently, Juan Matute Guimon. For a full review on Ecogold products, click here or here. Plus, they have amazing customer service and superb shipping time. If you’re on the fence about half pads, Ecogold is quickly rising above the rest as the go-to pad to support horses’ backs and riders.

 

What is on your fall must haves list? Leave us a comment below!

 

Product Review: Mane Jane Spur Straps & Reversible Belts

If you haven’t heard of Mane Jane, you need to check out their website right now. Mane Jane is a company that creates unique, one-of-a-kind spur straps and reversible belts. They have a wide selection on their website that you can order, or you can place a custom order with basically any color threading, leather, and charm (for spur straps) that you want.

I found Mane Jane through one of their East Coast Representatives on Twitter. Full Disclosure: I am now an East Coast Rep., and Mane Jane is one of our advertisers. However, I absolutely adore their products and did so before I became a representative and before our advertising partnership began! The founder of the company, Shelby, is an absolute sweetheart and so easy to work with. She’s also a lawyer, which makes her extra awesome. Additionally, turn around time after you place your order is super fast, and shipping is even faster, which is fantastic considering she makes everything by hand!

Mane Jane belt. Photo by Jessica Sutcliffe.

Mane Jane belt. Photo by Jessica Sutcliffe.

Currently, I own two pairs of spur straps and a belt. I also have another belt coming in very soon. For my first belt, I choose black patent leather on one side and a turquoise leather on the other. The belts also come with either a silver or gold stirrup shaped buckle. I chose silver because silver is my favorite tone of metal. My second belt will be white crocodile on one side and black leather on the other side with turquoise stitching and a silver buckle. I can’t wait to get it, and I will post photos as soon as I do!

The belts are super easy to reverse, and they are made so that it’s super easy to coordinate with different types of outfits. Reversible belts are totally in right now, especially because you are paying one price for two belts, and the reversibility makes for so many more #ROOTD combinations. Plus, you can even wear these belts with your everyday outfits. One client I just sold a belt too created her belt with not just riding in mind but also her work outfits.

Mane Jane Spur Straps. Photo by Jessica Sutcliffe.

Mane Jane Spur Straps. Photo by Jessica Sutcliffe.

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Mane Jane Spur Straps. Photo Credit: Jessica Sutcliffe

My first pair of spur straps was black patent leather with turquoise threading to match the Charles Ancona shadbelly I will be getting. I also got charms on mine – there is a “J” on one and an “S” on another for my initials. The great thing about the spur straps is they are unique and keyed to your personal fashion sense, but they aren’t so flashy that they would be flagged in the hunter or equitation ring. I know many people who have custom Mane Jane spur straps that would be considered “unconventional” for the hunter/equitation rings because of the charms or threading, but they still compete in them (and place!)

Mane Jane Hamsa Evil Eye Spur Straps. Photo Credit: Jessica Sutcliffe

Mane Jane Hamsa Evil Eye Spur Straps. Photo Credit: Jessica Sutcliffe

I also just got another pair of spur straps that I absolutely adore and that match the Evil Eye charm I have on my saddle. They are pure black leather with Hamsa charms that have the Evil Eye in the middle. Being Italian, I totally believe in the Evil Eye folklore, and I love having the Evil Eye as a subtle part of my riding gear as I believe it keeps away negative energy and helps keep me positive and doing well with my riding.

When you get your Mane Jane package, the spur straps come with a cute little pouch in which to store them when they’re not in use. Like I said before, the shipping is super fast as well, so you won’t be waiting forever for your custom belt or spur straps, which is surprising considering how custom you can make either item.

Mane Jane Reversible Custom Belt. Photo Credit: Jessica Sutcliffe

Mane Jane Reversible Custom Belt. Photo Credit: Jessica Sutcliffe

The leather is high quality and durable. I’ve worn my belt and spur straps many times, and I haven’t noticed any wear or tear or loose threads. The items are definitely worth the price.

Now for the best part: Since I am an East Coast representative, you can order through me and get 10 percent off. You can do this by tweeting me, emailing me, or PMing me on Facebook, if we are Facebook friends, or through The Legal Equestrian Facebook page. I would be happy to help you design your perfect belt or pair of spur straps, and I promise you will be 100 percent happy with your purchase!

Interested in all things Mane Jane? You can find them here:

A big-busted equestrian’s guide to riding comfortably

Written by Kate Stone.

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Photo Credit: Cheata Equestrian.

How many women who are a blessed with a larger bust struggle to find the solution for a comfortable, non-bounce ride (or run, or, well, any everyday activities!)? I am most definitely one of those women, and I have become extremely self-conscious about it. While I was in Kentucky for Rolex walking through the aisles of shops, I finally found the solution! I walked past and met a representative for the Cheata Equestrian Trotter sports bra! She took me to a changing room and once I got the bra on, she assisted me with the “technique” that activates the bra. I know that “technique” really sounds crazy, but truly I have never been more impressed with a piece of clothing.

The sizing of these bras is based on your personal band size, not your cup size, which is very different from other sports bras. They range from X-Small (31-32) up to XXX-Large (43-44). This means that someone who is a 32C and someone else who is a 32DDD are both a size X-Small. They recommend not sizing down, as the material will not stretch! I have found that mine has not stretched from wear, and I have worn it and washed it a lot since the end of April. There is a zipper with a pull on down the back, along with a hook clasp. The sports bra is very

Photo Credit: Cheata Equestrian.

easy to get on, and it stays on while you wear it. The Trotter Bra comes in 3 colors: grey with black trim, black with grey trim, and nude. The design of the sports bra does help keep your chest from looking all squished and pushed together, while flattening your back and shoulders. This has helped me fit back into my old show coat that fit before my chest got larger. It also helps me feel much less self conscious about my chest even with everyday clothes on.

Cheata Equestrian has a Trotter Tank Top which would be good for the gym or riding on a hot day! They also offer other styles of sports bras such as, the Cheata Lock Down, Cheata Step In, and the Medical Recovery Bra.

If you are layering sports bras, using Ace bandages (which is a huge no-no, because it can do a lot of damage to your body), or self-conscious about your chest flying around in any sporting activities (running, riding, swimming, etc.), I  really recommend trying this brand of sports bras. Cheeta Equestrian has finally found the solution to ensure comfort as well as to provide coverage!

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