Submitted by Katherine Shelton: I leased this Shire cross and was lucky to be able to show him at exactly one schooling show back in 2016. As a plus size rider, it is hard to overcome imposter syndrome. Someday I hope to return to the court and give dressage another go. Photo by Grey Horse Photography.
July is Plus Size Rider Month on YourDressage and we recently asked our social media followers to share stories, photos, memories, goals, and accomplishments of dressage riders who consider themselves “plus size” or who have once been “plus size.” And boy, did they deliver! Follow along all month as we share and showcase their favorite riding partner, go-to brands for the best breeches and boots, and training routines to get that last medal score!
We have also teamed up with SmartPak to offer three awesome prizes for readers and writers of our celebration of Plus Size Riders month! Check out how to enter here!
My PRE gelding Euphorbio. We do Spanish showing as well as dressage, jumping and working equitation. – The Wide Boot CompanyFormer Eventer and Jumper rider, more recently a Hunter and Dressage rider. Currently a full time barn manager and instructor. I’ve always been top heavy with a long back and short thighs for my 5’8” height, so I look super awkward on most horses but I’ve made the best of it. Pictured here is Bonfire, my 16.3h OTTB gelding. I got him as a four year old only two weeks off the track and he’s sixteen now. Over the course of his career I competed mostly in Hunters and Dressage, including attaining my USDF Bronze Medal. While I still ride whenever I’m not hindered by some chronic health issues, he is now getting shown in the Jumpers, Combined Test, and Eventing with students of mine. He is a truly well-rounded horse! – Josey S.Been on a weight loss journey since December (40lbs down and 20 to go)! It’s cause I want it and it makes me feel better! I have always fluctuated between 180-220… I’ve ridden my heart horse 16.2 h shire cross! He carried me at my heaviest and thinnest! He was something special (unfortunately left the earth early)! Now after 2 kids I just took off at recognized shows with my 17.2 hand TB! Pre weight loss here to current (right)! Favorite breeches for all my sizes and fluctuate with size changes are ROMFH ISABELLES!!!! – Racheal H.-C.Been on a weight loss journey since December (40lbs down and 20 to go)! It’s cause I want it and it makes me feel better! I have always fluctuated between 180-220… I’ve ridden my heart horse 16.2 h shire cross! He carried me at my heaviest and thinnest! He was something special (unfortunately left the earth early)! Now after 2 kids I just took off at recognized shows with my 17.2 hand TB! Pre weight loss at left to current (here)! Favorite breeches for all my sizes and fluctuate with size changes are ROMFH ISABELLES!!!! – Racheal H.-C.I have been riding since I am 11. After my first 15 rides I was put on a 17.1 Belgian draft (not pictured) because I was the only one with the body weight to possibly ride the horse. That was the tone of my entire riding career… until recently. I have been competing/riding/training teaching since and always as a plus rider. The smallest I ever was in my prime as an early teen was 170lbs size 14… by the time I was in my late twenties I ballooned to 220lbs. I never was allowed to ride smaller type of horses or ponies, I rode the problem dangerous ones, or the ones so big you needed weight to ride them. I got to my 30’s and became even bigger at 250 (not including the dressage saddle weight). Once I became pregnant with my son, I was sidelined. I outgrew the biggest available riding clothes. I also outgrew the biggest horses. I became fearful of hurting the horses, so I gave up the ride to my amazing students through the years that I brought along through the ranks. I last horse showed I believe was 2001/2002, the last time I rode to train was when I was pregnant with my son in 2011. By Dec 2021 I was enormous at almost 350lbs. My yearning to ride had overcome my desire for food, I began working towards my goal to ride again. I recently just had bariatric surgery because my time is now to get back in the tack. I am happy to report I am now just at 260, and looking to lose another 100lbs. I have a young horse that is my up and coming mount and plan on training again when I hit the 220lbs mark. I also plan on reintroducing myself to the horse-show world again once I start back. My goals are to achieve my bronze medal and possibly my bronze bar. I have gone from a size 30 to now I am in an 18, my goal is to be a size 10. (Pics bottom left with Mr.Mojoe appaloosa my age 24, top left Pengar 17.1 Swedish my age 29, top right Whirl Canadian TB 17.0 my age 33, bottom right 1 week before bariatric surgery: Huey a 17.0 QH my age 48 and weight 280!). I hope my story can give others hope to never give up on yourself, your dreams, or your passion! Not proud of my weight, but proud enough to say I took a stand against myself to Finally take back my life, and to LIVE and back at doing what I do best… riding/training/showing! – Cyn Do RooWe just started “dancing”, but HF Its Miller Thyme and I have been showing in hand for the past two years. Milly has since won 5 Regional Championships, 4 Reserve Regional Championships, a SHN Top Ten, and countless Regional Top 5’s. Milly started off life pretty rough as she was rejected by her dam and was eventually raised by a Ster Friesian mare. We hope to show more under saddle soon! – Ashley R.Thank you for being body-positive!!! – Elena F.Now, where to buy plus size show clothes?! – Ferdbekah FarmEmily Heberlie aboard Blarney Stones To a T – Blarney Stone AcresThis is one of my barn horses Jack. He is mostly Shire I believe. I’m ride at a therapeutic barn. I’ve been riding my whole life and I have Autism plus severe depression. I’ve lost three horses (I owned) over the past four years. I only had them each of them for a short time. I am trying to get a new horse, but it’s hard to find one because I’m on disability. On of the hardest thing about being plus sized for me is people over the year not letting me ride horse’s because I am too heavy. People’s are mean about it, and I can’t help it being heavy. I have to take a lot of medications which doesn’t help. It would be awesome if someone made a group on Facebook for heavy riders. I get fat shamed all the time. It just so hard. – Rebekah VD.Trying to move up the levels in dressage as a plus size rider can be intimidating but here is me and my OTTB, Mixmaker! – Nicole D.Lucky (Best of Luck) and I at one of our last shows together before he moved on to being leased by a young rider. I remember this day so adamantly. We were doing starter eventing, nothing too serious, this horse was going beautifully practicing the dressage tests at home. When we got to the venue and went for warm up everything went out the window that we learned at home up to this point. I had one of the most difficult rides I’ve ever had on this horse, he’s a forward, stubborn POA trail horse turned eventer in his 20’s. We finished our test, walked up to thank the judge John Staples, John is great at giving feedback – he told me many things that day, especially that riding a difficult horse is hard. I don’t ever remember feeling so frustrated in my life, we walked out of the ring and back to the trailer while I cried the entire time. I just wanted to make this better for Lucky and have him enjoy the day. Thankfully, cross country is this pony’s A-Game – he galloped around the course amazingly, I remember this course going up and down hills and Lucky took it all in stride like the powerhouse he is. Now I remember that day as Lucky getting to finish off on his favorite activity – galloping through the woods. – Holli H.Thanks for promoting body positivity and showcasing riders of all sizes. Since the average woman in the USA is now a size 14-16, I think it’s time to abolish the term “plus size” altogether. We don’t refer to women smaller than a size 14 as “minus size” riders. Size/weight is only relevant in equestrian sport in terms of riding a horse with an appropriate conformation, size and fitness for the rider’s weight. Other than that it’s rider fitness and skill that count, and those attributes have nothing to do with a size. Sadly there is way too much body shaming still out there – from rail birds, other riders, coaches, trainers, even judges and officials. Find a coach who pushes you to be fit and who believes you can progress up the levels at any size. Then go do it! – Alison K.– Megan H.Love my 13.3h Lippitt Morgan mare. She handles my excess size just fine. (As does my 14.3h Morgan foundation stud). I have started both with my daughter as we’ve had both since they were 10mo old. Way back when as a thinner before kids and bigger responsibilities I rode my 15.3h Morgan gelding through 3rd Level and never gave much thought about my size. I have worried a lot about how my 2 young horses would handle my extra weight, but they truly show no signs of discomfort and I try to stay very centered and balanced on them. – Kara K.With two parents built “big and tall”, I’ll never be slim and petite. And until acouple of years ago, my weight never bothered people around me. It’s a crushing blow to you mentally, when someone gets on you about your weight and ability to ride, especially when it comes from someone you really respected and looked up to. Luckily, I acquired this 15.1+, PB Arabian gelding in 2014, and he helped me from a struggling Training and First level rider to earning my USDF Bronze and Silver. Currently we are working on the P & P to earn our Gold. So far he’s never had a problem carrying me around. The harder the work, the more he thrives! – Kayla S.– Nancy D.Weight has been a struggle for decades. I am the epitome of the physical Yo Yo. Now in my mid 50’s, I’ve just scratched and clawed my way back down 15pounds. I’m still a size 44 in the riding clothes. Adding to the struggle is Fibromyalgia. When I exercise? I just use up energy I don’t have to spare. Yoga has helped, and some different exercises mounted, like simply standing in the stirrups. Key word, Simply… Definition… NOT so Simply. I hate seeing myself in photos as it’s never how I want to look. All the regular restraints, plus the Fibromyalgia has definitely held me back, but, I love the sport and the creatures that make it possible. One more score and I’ll have my bronze. Grateful to be able to ride and always looking for clothes to, not only fit, but fit by flattering my “Rubenesque” body. B Vertigo and Equine Couture, from Equinavia, Tuscany breeches, Tuff Rider breeches. Pictured with my Unicorn Zillo. – Pointe Claire(In response to Pointe Claire’s post – left) Feel your pain! Literally! Plus having hip resurfacing on both hips. Going to continue to try to finish my silver, fluffy or not 😉 – Elaine S.This is my 11 yo Gypsy Vanner, Sir Kingsley.. aka Floof! I have had him for 2 years now and we have been on quite the journey. I am a two time Cancer Survivor and now I am banking on him surviving Canker right now in all 4 hooves… 🙌🏻🦄 being Plus size and riding a non-traditional breed for dressage has it’s challenges but I have to say that most people I have come across have been very supportive. Honestly, I think the clothing is the most difficult but most recently have been really loving Free Ride Equestrian breeches! And now that we can wear black for showing I love their many options. I have always worn Kerrits Equestrian Apparel as well but am frustrated by the fit of riding jackets still. I think Romfh does an amazing job with their breeches as well and am hoping they develop a true plus size jacket! We have shown at WEC Ocala to Hits Saugerties just in training level. We are qualified for Region 8 Regionals but time will tell if we will be able to do it.. we had two successful showings at first level this spring right before he got Canker so we r praying to make a return to the show ring some day! He is a true Unicorn.. and I am blessed to have him.. 🦄🤩🥰 – Heather N.– Ashley S. NOTE USDF strongly recommends all riders wear protective headgear when mountedI fractured my back off a fall 10 years ago from a horse . This pic is far from perfect, but she’s my perfect. – Katy J.– Lindsey D.I’m barely in what most call plus size, but I have a hard time finding clothes for Dressage in my size. I’m athletic, and in my 50’s, I’m not the outline I was 10 years ago. I’m scored down by judges for my size. This is a hard sport if you don’t fit in the mold. So glad to see real plus size riders featured! -USDF Diamond recipient on horses I trained thru the levels and YH/DH competitor. – Molly M.What is considered “plus size” by todays fashion industry? Anybody who is over a size 8 in US clothing. At 5’5 and 175-180lbs with genetics fit to survive a European plague, I am short and stocky, just like my boy, an Azteca gelding named Prince Philip, aka Duke, who is 15-16 years old and just barely 14.1 and BROAD. While he wears an XW tree and borders on needing an extra full size breastplate, I on the other hand wear leggings from Sam’s club for their comfort and affordability, or some Ariat breeches in a size 32-36R depending on the fabric blend (this translates to a size 12-14 in jeans.) My boots are from Premier Equine England and I treasure them greatly! My routine stems from both his and my inability to drill the same thing over and over- and avoiding the heat of the day as living in South East Texas is both hot and humid year round, lots of trail rides and riding in the pasture forces you to come out of a frills for thrills mindset and to come into a “we will do x here, y here, and z there, and this is when we can try it.” Overall both of our bodies are instruments that we must tune regularly to sing and dance appropriately. – Siren W.Not all dressage, but im trying my best to go to more shows with my ottb Sienna. I wanted a taller and my drafty cross look so id feel better about riding the horse, but my dads like how are you gonna get back on by yourself out on the trail? Well i cant get on a 14hh pony by myself so it doesnt matter haha but i feel im too big for her but everyone says because of how i ride, its fine. Im glad because shes an amazing partner and a beast for cross country 🙂 so hopefully with being newly married, trying to go to school, work a forty hour a week job and maintain a life in general, i can do more shows and go up the levels 🙂 – Delayna B.Competing at FEI with my haflinger stallion, have always struggled with my weight, but have a supportive, inclusive coach in Jennifer Kaiser. – Laura K.I used to be over 350lbs and certainly couldn’t ride let alone walk like that! So I lost most of the weight (still plus size) and started riding again with a “lowly” lesson horse that I leased. I worked with him and myself to gain the confidence to compete, without a trainer, and we got champion in the schooling series. Super proud of him and me proving that you don’t need an expensive horse or a “perfect” figure to achieve the dream and have fun! 😃 💜 🐴 – Gayle M.My horse Pip and I 🙂 – Ashley M.My beef cake Addison and I .. I love wearing a pair of stretchy breaches like canter couture. Or the high waisted breeches also with stretch like Fits. Sometimes it’s hard to find the right breeches that can accommodate the bigger ladies/ or men… Also I am top heavy so thats a whole different story. – Tammy A.– Shari M.This is my 17.3 hannovian and myself competing 1st level. We are now about to compete 2nd and 3rd level. One of biggest struggles is fi ding decent riding clothes that fit. SYNC equestrian are some of my favorite breeches. But the struggle for tall boots is real. – Melissa C.Thank you for the attention to plus size riders! This is definitely a controversial topic with riders, and often get judged or get side looks when riding. I love riding and finding barns accepting play size riders or with bigger horses is always a challenge. Not only that, the saddles they have are often on the smaller side. I have difficulty finding affordable breeches that don’t pull down due to my smaller waist but larger thighs. I can’t afford a saddle myself so I make do as long as the saddle fits the horse I ride. This is Dino, a new horse at the barn, and so far a good match for my skills:) I hope I can do dressage once I can ride without losing balance. – Marilou D.My favorite CRHA gelding as inspiration to lose weight! I’m down 30 pounds and still working on more so that we are both happy when riding! – Tawny D.– Stacy A.Made In The Shade and I in passage. We were a team — both wide as we were tall. There never was a day that he did not come out saying “What do WE get to do today” – MJ H.Lowen Warrior (2013,TB,Gelding) and I prepping for Ride For Life, our very first recognized attempt. I have always been a bit heavy, but here I am at 200lbs and 4 months pregnant going for it and taking the recognized leap and hoping for a great 1st level experience. I ride almost daily, (pregnancy is only so kind to me here recently) for at least one hour of ring work or two hours of hacking out. I’ve owned Lowen since his track retirement in 2017 and together we both embarked fresh as the day on this dressage journey. I am so inspired by the numerous people around me who have been kind enough to not only mentor me but encourage me to do better. I try and ride in front of as many eyes as I can and take each mark and word home with me to improve myself in my communication with Lowen. I plan on riding and showing this year for as long as I can keep up with 1st level demands on my riding. My favorite brands are Kastel, PS of Sweden, Cavallo, SheFit, and Kingsley. So many brands are bringing in some truly stretchy materials that are just as flattering as they are comfortable! In this photo I am measuring at a 44 inch bust, 40 inch waist, and 45inch hip. I’m excited to read about everyone’s adventures and I plan on documenting mine as well as I can so I can look back on for I’ve come and be excited for how much more there is to come! – Bobbi M.Lipoedema gives me odd fat pads that love to hold water and can be sensitive to pressure. Tall boots have to be custom because my legs go from ‘cow’ to foot like stovepipes. I’m grateful to be riding and am happy that I’m at least a balanced and mindful rider. I still struggle with pics of myself riding though, because when I ride I feel more like the tall skinny women in the magazines with 12″ calves! – Sheri P.Bubbie (Percheron) and I. Competed him some but a difficult ride for me. He had lots of opinions. A young trainer competed him later and went to Finals with him. – Linda P.Our first show at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Fl. – Robin D.This is my Dutch WB/Welsh Cob mare, Castleberrys Rockette, and I at our first ever USDF recognized show two years ago at Waterloo in June of ‘21! We both had ridden eventing when we were younger, and then had a large chunk of years off before we paired together and began our dressage journey at the end of 2020/beginning of 2021. Since then, we have achieved our first scores towards our bronze medal, and are working together on qualifying for regionals in Region 2 at first level this year, and are hoping to qualify for a freestyle so we can begin on our freestyle bars as well! We hope to tackle second level next year! Dressage has been so wonderfully welcoming to all body types, lifestyles, and diversity it has been such a joy to ride for the both of us 😁 – Hayley S.Thank you for being inclusive! I used to struggle lots with my weight. As soon as I stopped caring so much about the weight and more about my general health things got so much better! This is I’m All Dun For You, AKA Duncan. I have done all the work from the ground up on him. We currently compete at training level! – Ava S.Plus size riders can be great riders. I’m Canadian but so glad to see this from USDF. Since I’ve been an adult I’ve always been plus size- though of varying sizes. Celeris custom boots are my go to- as nothing off the shelf fits. Plus Size Rider Canada is a new brand that I’m really enjoying my winter breeches from. Kerrit’s are a usual go to for me as well. This is me with my current mount- an Iberian warmblood- who’s transitioning from being a western horse to dressage – Krystl R.My best buddy aka LA Baltic Silver Star gave me a great performance and CBLM’s qualifying score this morning past weekend and we got our first, first level test over a 60%! Three years working together and we are finally figuring it out. Couldn’t have done any of this without my amazing trainer and his awesome owner!! – Amanda G.Western Pleasure horse decided he liked dressage more ♥️ – Ashley M.I’m 69 years old and plus size. Achy joints and being a larger person would likely keep me home except 12 years ago I found my absolutely amazing horse Abby. We had our ups and downs but she always gives 110% and carries me around with joy and dignity. I rarely think about my size or age when I am with her. I’ve also been blessed to have had 2 unbelievable instructors in my life. The first taught me balance and confidence and my current instructor is showing me all the dressage dancing moves. Others can think or say what they want but we are a team and don’t look back. – Julie W.I started back in the saddle after about a 5 year hiatus last year and returned with low confidence and more than a few extra lbs. Navigating both has been a harder battle than I ever anticipated!Thank you for making body positivity a priority! – Leah A.
