Author Archives: Anneliese

How to Choose the Right Turnout Rug for Your Horse

It is vital to keep your horse, warm, dry and clean and to do this effectively throughout the year you will almost certainly require more than one rug. A stable rug lacks a waterproof layer and so is not suitable for use outdoors. Turnout rugs are breathable, insulating and water resistant but should not be used in the stable as they could be damp from their time outside. Using your turnout rug in the stable will also mean that you will not have the opportunity to clean and dry it between uses. Continue reading

Border Fine Arts

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If you love horses and would like to celebrate these magnificent creatures in your home then the work of Border Fine Arts is well worth considering. The company produce a range of high quality figures and scenes which are incredibly detailed and realistic and which are also very collectable. Horses and the hunt are two of the principle themes in the Border Fine Arts range and with price points from £7 to £1250 there is something in the range to suit all budgets. Continue reading

Great Toys for Little Horse Lovers

Many little girls want a pony but that sort of extravagant gift is probably not an option as a birthday or Christmas present. If you need to find the perfect present for a little horse lover there are some great things on the market that won’t break the bank including several options from Gifts for Tweens, a company specialising in toys, games and creative gifts for young people aged 6 to 12. Continue reading

Special Toys – The Rocking Horse

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I remember that when I was a small child my favourite book was “Adventures of the Little Wooden Horse” by Ursula Moray Williams. It was the magical tale of a hand crafted wooden horse which set off to find its fortune when its maker ran into hard times. How I loved that story and it was probably because of my repeated appeals to hear it again that my parents bought me a rocking horse for my bedroom. My horse was a relatively inexpensive model and it wasn’t wooden but how I enjoyed it anyway. These days you rarely see rocking horses and I think kids are missing out on a real joy. Continue reading

Horse Riding – Just for Posh People?

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There is no denying that horse riding has a bit of an image problem. It has historically been associated with very wealthy people, and this image of horse riding only being for ‘posh’ people has meant that many people from less affluent backgrounds have got into the sport, meaning that the myth that horse riding is only for the wealthy is perpetuated. Riding doesn’t have to just be for posh people, it is a good way of getting out into the countryside, keeping fit and having a lot of fun at the same time. It can be expensive though, but this should not be a barrier preventing kids or adults getting into the saddle. Continue reading

Cutting The Costs of Riding

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Since the economy crashed in spectacular style back in 2008, we’ve all had to tighten our belts and get used to trying to live a bit more frugally. Living on a tighter budget can take a lot of getting used to, especially if you have been used to having luxuries and lots of disposable income. If you have a potentially expensive hobby like horse riding, it is all too easy for an outsider to offer the simple solution of selling the horse and finding a cheaper pass time instead. It’s not that easy though, and it doesn’t have to be a straight option between ditching the horse and getting into debt. Continue reading

Royal Ascot Week 2013

It’s Royal Ascot this week! I know I for one will be avoiding this lovely part of Berkshire over the duration of the event, as the popularity brings a large number of people to the area. That said, many do flock to Ascot for the races and it can be a very special event for those who do.

Royal Ascot Races

Photo at Royal Ascot races by Steve & Jemma Copley Via Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)

The event begins today, the 18th June and lasts through till Saturday the 22nd June. This particular event that Ascot host is steeped in history, with races taking place since 1711. Royal Ascot is marked by a series of high profile races and of course the Royal Processions.

One of the most notable races of the event is the ‘Prince of Wales Stakes’, this race occurs on Wednesday and you will note many recognisable names amongst past winners. Thursday is perhaps the most famous day of all amongst the Royal Meeting however. Thursday sees Ascot host the ‘Gold Cup Day’ or as it is more commonly called ‘Ladies’ Day’. This day sees a distraction from the horses somewhat with attention more firmly drawn towards fashion and the outfits and hats worn by some of the female racegoers. Thursday also sees a long 2 mile endurance race called the ‘Group 1 Gold Cup’.

Friday and Saturday include a number of other exciting races including none more so than The Diamond Jubilee Stakes on Saturday. This race is described by Ascot themselves as one of the most important and valuable sprint races, providing a wonderful climax to the Royal Meeting.

For many racegoers and organisers fashion and appropriate dress code is a priority for the duration of the event. Being steeped in history this Royal Meeting keeps to traditions by enforcing a strict dress code, details of which you can find on their website.

All in all a visit to Ascot during the Royal Ascot Meeting is well worth it. Even if horse racing isn’t really you’re thing you are sure to have a great time once you’re in the venue. There’s a great buzz about, with excitement and anticipation running deep. It truly is a special occasion and if you find yourself within some of the more exclusive zones you may find an extremely civilised fine dining set up including possible tea in beautiful decorative teacups

and luxurious laduree macaroons hidden amongst the fine dining options at Ascot.

Buying Horse Riding Clothing For Kids

Horse riding for your child needn’t break the bank. By a little savvy shopping, you can find essentials that look the part while being wearable at other times.

If your child wants is fascinated by horses, and wants to learn to ride, this is great for exercise of course. Cost is usually the first thing we think of when our kids have a new hobby, and horse riding is one of those past times that you know won’t be cheap. However, there are ways to keep these costs down.

Safety First!

The most important area to concentrate on is safety. A properly fitted riding hat is an absolute essential. While many stables and riding schools may lend riding hats and helmets, or let you hire them, it’s advisable to buy a hat that you can fit snugly to your child’s head, that won’t be continually adjusted to other head sizes. This will be your most important purchase. I know I’ve already said it, but it bears repeating.

You might also choose to buy body protection too. This can cause greater costs, and you can probably get away with hiring and borrowing this protection as there is more of a one-size-fits-all situation. This means that, as long as a body protector is fitted properly, it should be okay if it has been worn by someone else.

The Right Clothes

I’ve already mentioned that there’s a way of buying clothes for horse riding without getting caught out with too much expense. Buying clothes for kids can get expensive, because they grow out of them so quickly. The last thing you need is to pay out for clothes to worn exclusively for horse riding.

Fortunately, there’s a wide enough choice of attire from horse riding stores that make it easy to buy apt horse riding gear that can be worn elsewhere. Any casual wear will do, and while your child might want to wear the ‘proper’ gear such as jodhpurs, a pair of jeans will be fine, as long as their not baggy and can be worn comfortably. It’s also important that any trousers of jeans mustn’t interfere with the ‘communication’ of the feet to the horse, so not to hang over the boots by any great degree.

If your child does become a show jumper, however, there might be a need to spend a little bit more…

 

The History of Horse Riding Clothing

One of the wonderful things about the world of equestrianism is the tailoring. That might sound a bit shallow, but think about it. What other sport allows you to where a finely cut jacket and cool boots? Admittedly, this might sound a little shallow, but there’s a lot to be said for the classic styles that make up traditional clothing for horse riding.

The classic show jacket certainly doesn’t look out of place in modern fashion, particularly in women’s wear. In the last few years, there has been a resurgence in the popularity of the military style. Multiple buttons in regimented rows and additions such as epaulettes. This gave the industry a real shot in the arm when people were looking for something smart without conforming to the same suits and blazers.

It’s interesting how history repeats. As fashion is reflection the styles from equestrianism, it’s evolved from the military style. This is true of the origins of hunt and show riding clothing too. Equestrianism has always been an integral part of many country’s land forces. This is particularly true of Great Britain, with regiments such as the Guards. It was, naturally, officers who had become skilled at horsemanship who began to use their skills for entertainment. Over time, this became show jumping and horse eventing.

Naturally, the cut of the uniforms evolved into simpler, elegant styles. This became the uniform for these events. The process was probably a lot less simplified, but it’s interesting to see how this area of sportswear is dovetailing with recognised, smart casual fashion. Throughout this year, the equestrian influence can even be found in high street stores, but there’s nothing like buying the authentic equestrian brand clothing.