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!
– Samantha C.
📷 @caitlindemura
– Candy H.
Note, USDF strongly recommends all riders wear protective headgear when mounted
Photo by Three Redheads and a Moose
– Katie L.
– Elena F.
– Suzanne N.
– Sheilah K.
– Lisa M.
Just one example of many: until recently I’d been riding in 12+ year old dress boots I bought used on FB, that I had to wear without any insoles so my feet would fit, just to fit my calves. When the leather literally peeled off those I had to switch to field boots because Mountain Horse doesn’t make boots with a 17.5” calf anymore. Ariat does offer a 17.5” calf, but only in Field boots, not dress boots. (If they have changed in the last six months, let me know).
The sad part is MANY riders have larger calves than I do! A couple of the “plus sized” boots come in wider sizes than than I need, but there is a gap between 17-19” where almost no one offers boots. Idk why. You are either fit and have a 16” “wide” calf, or you’re just fat and have a 19” “plus size” calf? No. That’s not accurate at all.
Just this year I was fortunate enough to order some custom Gallors – Taylored for Glory boots and they are AMAZING! I FINALLY have boots that fit without huge gaps in the calf or calves so tight my feet go numb, plus they aren’t huge in the ankle and they are my correct foot size.
While I LOVE my Gallors boots, custom boots are far out of budget for many riders. We shouldn’t have to ride in half chaps because the main off-the-rack brands offer little to no options that fit us.
I am so glad to see more of these apparel brands getting coming on board with larger options.
I have to give a huge THANK YOU to one of my sponsors Sync Equestrian. Keep being amazing! We love you.
Picture: Charles Owen Kylo helmet, Sync Equestrian top/belt/breeches, and Gallors boots. Notice I’m not wearing a coat? Can’t find one that fits properly.
Photo Credit: Calico & Chrome Creative
– Josey S.
Great to see pictures and short comments of ladies of a certain size. I don’t feel “alone” anymore ! We are larger than life and living the dream !