Breeches & Boat Shoes

• Ax isn’t exactly bombproof, but he isn’t really spooky either. He is usually unfazed about everything but every now and then he likes to keep me on my toes and spook at random things. Like the horse that lives in the paddock outside the indoor arena doors EVERY DAY and he sees EVERY TIME we ride inside. But who knows, maybe he sees dead people.

• Long. And holy-moley bouncy!

• New England classic.

• This is a tough one considering Ax and I are constantly on the move. I think my answer would be no. I love my barn at home, my barn at school, and my barn on the island.

• This one is easy. TAILORED SPORTSMAN!

• If I was home I would count them all, but since I am at college I have absolutely no idea. Lets guess upwards of 90?

• Oh boy, another tough one. Too many. I have tons a home, so I will go with what is in my tack trunk at college right now. Four baby pads, five saddle pads, and two half pads.

• Of course! He’s just so cute.

• For me, this is more of a “facility permitting” type thing. When there are trails to ride Ax and I spend our lazy days and cool outs on the trails. My barn at home has trails, but most of them are uncleared or blocked. My barn at college has some trails, but there is a huge state park down the road with tons of trails and fields to school in. (Hill work for days!) So long-story-short, yes.

• Hidalgo. Without a doubt. I have watched this movie for days in a row and it never gets old.

A little while back I did a post on things that equestrians think they need a zillion of (with a little help from the gorgeous Ryan Gosling). Unfortunately, that list only included eight of the hundreds of items that us horse girls need multiples of and I received a few submissions from readers with other things that should have been added. So without further ado I give you…”You can’t have JUST ONE. Part Two.”

 SPURS

As a  proud owner of a spitfire mare, I never used to wear spurs for fear of my horse exploding like a bomb. Then I bought the laziest horse on the planet who ignored whips and crops of every kind. Out came the never-used spurs and the addiction began.  Since then I have accumulated five pairs of spurs and the want for more is real. Why? Why not?

HALF PADS

I am an admitted half pad addict, so this is no surprise. Like just about everything else that on this list, you can only use on at a time while riding, so why the heck do us equestrians think we need five different half pads? Because they are all different in their own unique ways, from the traditional sheepskin half pad to the newer models like EcoGold and Ogilvy. You never know what you might need that day.

BITS

Along every other piece of horse equipment I hoard, bits are probably the most numerous. I actually have a real reason for this one too! My pony was infamous about finding a way to get around using herself and would lean on anything you put in her mouth. This resulted in playing around with bits for a while until we found one that she liked…for the time being. The reject pile grew bigger and the bits kept accumulating. You name it and it is probably in my tack trunk.

BRIDLES

Unlike some of these items, a bridle is an essential piece of tack. Therefore having multiples is justifiable, right? I have a cheaper bridle that I use specifically for schooling rides and a nicer bridle that is saved for shows and clinics. Plus, if a piece happens to break, I have an extra! It’s all about thinking ahead…

SOCKS

Another riding essential! You (I hope) wear socks every time you put shoes on so it is pretty obvious to have a ton of socks. The real issue is the types of socks. I have a full-blown addiction to wild and crazy riding socks. Who cares if they are hidden by my boots? The sassy-ness of my “sassy whale” socks still shines through…so do the mustaches, dolphins, and Spiderman. 

SHOW SHIRTS

Growing up, I was that girl at the horse show with a super bright show shirt. When I was little it was cute, but now it’s not so cute. Now my show shirt collection consists of white, white, white, white, and a very, very, very pastel pink. Unfortunately, the lack of color did nothing to deter my efforts to buy way too many. The reason for this conundrum is the ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL lining on the inside of the sleeves and collar. Now that the snap and magnetic collars are a thing, you open your collar and the pop of color is back! From conservative patterns to bright paisley and leopard print, I want them all. Plus, you HAVE to wear a shirt, you can’t just go and show half-naked.

HAIR NETS

This one may be just me. Maybe I am just bad with these things but I am always losing them or ripping holes in them. As a result, I have accumulated a ton of these bad boys. I should add that it is hard to find the right color in the right kind with the right durability, so as an admitted hair net snob, I buy a years worth when I finally find the good ones. HAIR NETS GALORE!

What can you not have just one of?

– TC

I have been dying to participate in a blog hop since I started Breeches and Boat Shoes, so when I found a equestrian fashion related one how could I not? Here goes…

Equestrian at Hart asked…”I want to know about what you ride in and why? Show us your Equestrian Fashion choices and tell us why you wear them!”

First off, I think I have more riding clothes than I do “normal people” clothes. Scratch that. I KNOW that I have more riding clothes! My closet is overflowing with breeches, polos, and riding socks whether I am at home or at school. More often than not I am either going someplace after leaving the barn or going to the barn once I am finished, so if anyone ever sees me in something other than riding clothes they better take a picture because it’ll last longer than my outfit will.

Tops – My riding tops are usually polos or a conservative v-neck shirt in the summer. I love the  Joules polo shirts because they are fun and bold without looking like a 12 year old in a neon shirt and the fabric holds up well to my less-than-careful nature. Winter brings out the Under Armour with a long sleeve shirt, fitted 1/4 zip sweatshirt (my favorite is a monogrammed one from Etsy), Ralph Lauren sweaters.. I find that poofy jackets feel bulky and get in the way while riding, so if it is extra chilly I stick to a North Face vest or soft shell jacket and a scarf to stay warm.

Breeches – I am a HUGE breeches snob and I only have two words: Tailored Sportsman. I am IN LOVE with the Trophy Hunter line. Not only do they fit my body perfectly, they are ridiculously comfortable at the same time (a tough feat for any bottoms I try). The gorgeous color selection is just another plus. I own a few pairs of these in different colors and the dye and fabric has held up amazingly after numerous washes.

Socks – Socks are where my outfit goes a little wild. I always wear tall socks that are either knee or calf high unless I am wearing thin riding Zocks. My sock basket consists of mustache socks, whale socks, dolphin socks…you name it and it is probably on a pair of my socks and it is probably from Sock it to Me.

Boots – Ever since my last pair of paddock boots and half chaps popped stitches I switched over to riding only in tall boots and I am addicted. I school in a pair of Tredstep Donatello Field Boots and show in a pair of custom Der Dau field boots, both of which I found at a particularly lucky Dover Tent Sale. Both were incredibly easy to break in and have held up nicely throughout tons of riding and rough times. I recently purchased a pair of Ariat Monaco Field Boots to show in and I am in lust with the square toe. When I am not riding I am in my well loved Sperry Topsiders, of course.

Gloves – I never used to be a glove wearer but I purchased a pair of crochet-backed pig skin gloves a couple years ago and I love them. They are cool in the summer so sweaty hands aren’t a problem and warm enough in the winter without being bulky.

Helmet – I mind my melon with Charles Owen. The CO GR8 in black/black has been my show helmet for years and its little sister, the CO JR8, is my schooling helmet in black/grey (complete with a Personally Preppy monogram, of course). Both are super comfortable and still look brand new even after a few years of use.

I have to say, I LOVED this hop and reading others responses. I may not be the equestrian fashionista, but I will snag any chance I can to write about it. Happy Hopping!

-TC

PS. Read all the other responses to the Blog Hop using the link below!