The key to a great performance is to make pieces so comfortable and functional that you don’t notice how hard it’s working for you.

FUNCTIONAL COMFORT
To be truly effective, today’s athletic apparel must multitask – block the sun, wick moisture, breathe, and create a seal against cold, wind and rain. And it must do this without sacrificing comfort.

Base Layers to Cool and Warm: Microfibers like CoolMax, Ice-Fil and other proprietary blends work year-round to wick sweat.  

These materials are great base layers for cooler weather.  If the moisture isn’t wicked away and insulated from our skin, we’ll get chilled. 

• Goode Rider has their first “Ideal” technical shirt in – it’s smooth and silky, lighter weight than the original “Ideal” and looks great.
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Trend watch: inventive necklines and luxury in wick-wear.  The most luxurious: PK Sportswear’s Fantasy zip in vibrant, saturated colors. 

The Middle Matters: By the time we get on our horses, we’ve shed the outer layer.  The mid-layer has to regulate body heat and moisture and allow complete freedom of movement.

Good ol’ wool works.  It naturally transfers excess heat and moisture away from your skin – and looks elegant in the process

• Pikeur’s Henrika V-Neck is this season’s best.  A touch of glitz brings out the glamour in this simple, elegant, and versatile piece available in warm and cool palettes.
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• Microfleece affords maximum benefit. It combines fleece’s wind-stopping properties with less bulk and a slimmer silhouette.

• Horseware Pessoa does it best – it’s replete with stylish details; come take a look at the Marcela and the Anna.

• Joules is back with its usual attention to detail and coordinating pieces.  Curl up with the Morley.

Trend Watch: Interesting textures and patterns in comfy, snuggly pieces from price leaders Kerrits, Romfh and Mountain Horse.

Outward Facing: Jackets and coats have a new profile this season: the trend is shorter lengths, lighter weights and sleeker shapes.  

• Synthetic “Down” for less bulk and more style. Quilt designs are as much a part of the look as the cut – Kerrits’ horseshoe-pattern quilting is a standout.
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• Trend Watch:  Belt it! We’re seeing belted waists on cute jackets, back belts on vests and adjustable waist tabs even on the heaviest pieces. Our favorites: Ariat’s Bristol belted-waist jacket and PK’s Claire vest.

EQ has a variety of coordinating pieces and accessories for all of these looks.  So don your favorite ensemble and don’t forget the technical socks.

 

Trend Watch: Removable/washable helmet liners: ward off a smelly helmet and nasty hair

It also helps the lifespan of the helmet by decreasing the erosion of the padding.  Helmets like the KEP, Antares and One K also use these liners to provide the size of the helmet.  This allows for a haircut or simply a replacement for a worn out interior.  

If you have one of these helmets and you find the size getting a little large after wearing for a while, just buy a new liner in the same size or one smaller.

We're thrilled to be wrapped up with the Sonoma Horse Park Show Series 2012.  We've had a wonderful Summer with specials and promotions centered around our show prizes: Ariat, Back on Track, Baker, Charles Owen, Equifit, Horseware, Stubben, and Walsh.

Height of the Summer show season and our Elite Riders are talking... 

Check out our FB page: /The-Equestrians-Concierge and see short video from our interviews, jumping rounds, pictures — and the MOST IMPORTANT — THE CLOTHES!

Wanna know more about the Outfitted by EQ program?  See our site:  http://www.equestrianconcierge.com/services_trainer.htm

Fitting a helmet is serious business — it has to be the right SIZE and the right SHAPE.  Plus, it has to be a good fit depending on the hair (even when there isn't any).

Helmets come in 2 basic shapes: round and oval.  Some helmets are more round than oval, some more oval than round and some styles come in either or.

This distinction for a well-fitting helmet shape is not a preference or choice, but rather  a function of the shape of your head — like it or not!  If you feel like you put on some helmets and get a strong pressure or pain on the sides of your head, then you're likely a round head.  If you wind up with alot of days with a red pressure point on your forehead — even when the sides feel a little airy, then your're more oval.  (The oval shaped comes along more often.)

Identifying this is critical, because it will keep a fence around which brands and styles you choose.  The Charles Owen Ayr8, SP8 and GR8, for example, are wonderfully comfy helmets with loads of cushion and a full range of size.  These helmets are not for the rounder heads — and they don't make a round version.  They are, however, fantastic for oval heads, even those that are quite oblong.

Equestrian apparel has always been about the elegant nod to tradition – it still is – but now our garments are more like gear.

Let’s celebrate that we finally have technical performance options – I want to be sure you know about them!  So here’s EQ’s first post of a three-part series on innovations:

1. Showing – Performance and Style

2. Schooling – Functional Comfort

3. Horse wear – Relief and Well-Being

 INNOVATION IN SHOW APPAREL – PERFORMANCE & STYLE

Most of the leading trainers and riders value tradition, but also take advantage of comfort fabrics, vented helmets and new materials for boots and equipment.

Careful creating that modern look – you don’t want bold fashion choice detracting from the overall picture.  But also, it can be an advantage over another rider with a similar round.

Technology Meets Tradition

 New Coat Fabrics:  Microfiber, Softshell, Pro-Stretch, lighter stretch wools that mimic the techies.  Machine washable (but most won’t) 

·      In-Style: 3 or 4 button, traditional 2-vent or modern single vents

·      Make a statement: suede (easier to care for than velvet) collars and/or piping as more acceptable in any ring

·      EQ Favourite: Grand Prix’ tech-Lite fabric is lighter and stretchier than former softshell.  Kingsland’s Technical is as just as light with beautifully crafted details: American Flag touches and brass buttons

·      You may miss: tech coats don’t have colourful linings as an option

Breech Advancements:
  CoolMax, Schoeller, second-skin stretch:

·      In-Style: Euroseat, frontzip, microfibers with back pockets

·      Make a statement: always colour in the jumper ring but more greys and shades of beige/tan/khaki in otherswhites are trimmed in colours and lots of logos

·      EQ Favourite: Ariat Olympia is #1 seller with Pikeur Ciara is #1 quality for the Hunter/Eq crowd; GPA’s Skin breech with no thread and thermal bonded edges is the latest

·      You may miss: side-zip, flat-front – especially for your shad belly

Shirts Evolved:
  Techy and lighter (see the pattern?)

·      In-Style: Still long sleeve, also short sleeve, both with wrap collars

·      Make a Statement: Colour in any ring; polo style that covers up under a coat; sleeveless looks more Euro; contrast collar/cuffs

·      EQ Favourite: Tailored Sportsman for the more traditional with beautiful colours and patterns; GPA takes it again with its most-stretch Salma show shirt

·      You may miss: embroidery on your collar

 

Not-So-Hot Helmet Designs: Vented and washable

·      In-Style: Still black – but vents are acceptable everywhere; keep the bling minimal and go for the removable/washable inside

·      Make a statement: Custom designs and different colours  

·      EQ Favourite: Antares’ Casque is beautiful from its all-black ultrasuede Hunter to its custom Ostrich leather – the black/brown combo is our fave; we’ve even been known to apply a barn logo; Charles Owen Ayr8 is most popular and now the SP8 (wider brim) for the sun-sensitive rider; Love the GPA First Lady for elegance and ultimate protection (but steep price tag)

·      You may miss: velvet “hunt cap” sleekness – but you won’t miss the concussions

Stay-tuned for EQ’s next entry on innovations in schooling attire – there’s where we’ll talk about boots …

It’s Medal Finals season. You’ve practiced, qualified, you’re ready! Now, make sure your turnout is as polished as your performance. 

While USEF Hunt Seat Equitation rules state “Exhibitors and judges should bear in mind that at all times entries are being judged on ability rather than on personal attire,” they also remind that “Management or Judge may eliminate an exhibitor who is inappropriately attired.” 

The Big Picture

Your Medal Final is not the place to push the fashion envelope. Turnout should be elegant – conservative with a nod to tradition – showing you and your horse to best advantage. That doesn’t mean you must look like everyone else! Fit options and style variations allow you to express individual taste. What’s non-negotiable: “… all attire and tack be clean, well fitted and in good repair.”

One Northern California trainer/competitor points out,  “overall turnout of horse and rider is often overlooked – and yet it’s the first impression the judge has as they walk in the ring… [it] can be an advantage over another rider with a similar round,”

Technology Meets Tradition

“Technological advancements are being embraced, provided they’re respectful of tradition,” says professional rider and judge, Ann Ruffner, who recently participated in a national judges’ clinic. Comfort fabrics, vented helmets and new materials for boots and equipment are encouraged. Be diligent creating that modern look – you don’t want bold fashion choice detracting from the overall picture.

Here’s a guide:

• Coats: “Conservative-wash jackets in season.” Recommended: black or navy. In-Style: 3 or 4 button cut in wool or technical fabrics. If you want to make a statement, add a colorful lining.

• Breeches: “Neutral” colors are permitted. Recommended: beige, khaki, or white. In-Style: Euro seat, front zip, micro fibers.

• Shirts: “Long sleeve or short sleeve with choker-type collars or stock ties.” Recommended: pristine white. A tone-on-tone pattern adds elegance. In-Style: Wrap collars

• Helmets: “Conservative color protective headgear with no additional adornments.” Recommended: black helmets with little or no “bling.” Leave out the two-toned, silver-vented and rhinestones.  In-Style: black vents

• Boots: Tall boots only – USEF rules do not address boot color. Recommended: Black with subtle styling details. In-style: high Spanish top and close fit through the ankle.

• Tack: Requirements vary depending on the type of Medal Final (jumper vs. equitation).  Again, consult the rules. In-Style: padded crowns, no fleece on boots or girths.

When in doubt, err on the side of tradition, no judge will fault you for that.

Good Luck!

Ashley@EquestrianConcierge.com
www.EquestrianConcierge.com

Ashley Matchett Woods owns The Equestrian’s Concierge at Sonoma Horse Park and is still a hunter/jumper rider.  EQ — the store, the online site and the direct services —  is the product of her life-long involvement with horses and her 20-year career in branding, marketing and customer service. As a central resource for the equestrian lifestyle, she outfits many of Northern California’s top riders.  Ashley and her husband, Craig, live in Marin County, California with their dog, Cookie – the official Equestrian's Concierge mascot.

 

 

Getting new boots is very exciting — and can be painful!

I know what I'm doin'
Those of you who know me, know that I re-condition saddles, treat new tack for best use as well as measure and fit custom boots.  So, that makes me a self-proclaimed a leather expert.

The state of boots
Most fine leather boots are now being made with softer leather and are meant for a stretch-to-fit allowance and incorporating "the drop."  Boots are also being made in leaner silouhettes and with zippers in back, side or wrap around.  Break-in isn't nearly as bad as it what  once was, but still ouchy, particularly behind the heel/ankle and behind the knee.

Best way — bar none — involves water. 
Are you surprised?
With the assumption that boots were properly fit and/or measured, my recommendation is to put boots on — zip part way up if very tight — and spray yourself with warm water (just the boots actually).  The whole boot — inside and out — can be sprayed with water.  Once wet, the leather can begin to give, so start doing some subtle squats.  NOTE: if equipped with zippers, that is the weakest, most vulnerable part of the boot and should be cared for carefully.  Another consideration for zipper health is to be sure nothing gets stuck in it — particularly socks.  My preference is to employ 2 simple tools: a brass zip-it (like a stud chain with a hook) and your own index finger.  Put your finger between the back of the zipper and your leg and use your outside hand to pull the zip-it.

Keep the top inch or two of the boots unzipped to keep the top from buckling until the drop occurs.  Walk around the house or elsewhwere for a few wearings, performing the same water trick.  An alternative is to take the boots by the foot and either spray or submerge inside and outside of boots and then put on.  Wear as long as possible, best until they drive.

So, what about the blisters and rubs
Some of this is unavoidable, but there is a major breakthrough that I sell in my store for $28.95: the Silcor Sport Wrap.  Its simply a gel-ish tube that has an elastic outer fabric that looks very much like an ACE bandage.  Not cute, but amazingly effective.  Email me if you want one ....

So again, back to the actual break in.  One last thing that is pretty important to properly break in the boots: managing the drop.  So this is about being mindful of where the wrinkles go.  As the boots begin to drop, the bruise on the back of your knee fades because the boot has become about 1" shorter.  The rub on the back of your heel, however, gets worse because now the wrinkles are forming and jabbing you.  Decide where you want the wrinkles, you certainly don't want them on your shin - you want them around the ankle (as low as possible).  So put them there, they have to go somewhere.  Push the leather with your hands to how you want the drop to be.

So that should do it.  Be careful on the boots' first ride — they'll feel stiff and slippery so you won't be in your most secure seat.  This'll be no doubt the day your horse decides to spook and run off .... I can't help you with that .....

Ashley@EquestrianConcierge.com

www.EquestrianConcierge.com

Some think that the more attention spent on cleaning one's boots, the better the care.  Not true! 

Over-cleaning actually strips the finish and colour from fine boots — say those made with European calf.

The best method for cleaning on an every-day basis is simply a HOSING OFF.  One of the worst thing to do for boots is a WIPE OFF — that actually grinds into the leather whatever the dirt is — a sand arena, for example.

Hose them off with water and take a wipe on those extra salty or dirty parts. 

At the end of the day, a good old-fashioned buff with a rag - like a shoe-shine you might get in the streets of Chicago, is the best last step with a leather milk or creme.  It actually brings the shine back.

And the best way and easiest way to handle the boots — with them on your legs for stability

The Equestrian's Concierge offers this service - a great way to make them show-ring-ready.

Welcome to The Equestrian's Concierge blog.  We welcome your questions, comments and concerns. 

Our intent is to discuss what we're all seeing in the English Riding world — what we observe, what we like — and what we don't!

Please look here in the coming weeks for discussion on things that I (Ashley Matchett Woods, Owner of The Equestrian's Concierge) fancy myself an expert: leather care, leather services, as well as show equipment and apparel.

We'll also be informing you of some great deals (the one's too good to miss) at our store and on our site - www.EquestrianConcierge.com

We look forward to hearing from you ....