Submitted by Tiffany Rutledge: My entire life I’ve never fit the look. I’ve gone back and forth with my weight but I’ve had the best equine partners. This is one of several I’ve had named Fabio that’s been through just has much in life with a heart so big.
It’s back!! This July we are running our Dressage For Every Body campaign on YourDressage, and we’re teaming up with our friends at SmartPak again to offer some incredible prizes for our readers and writers!
Each year that we’ve run this campaign, we’ve used it to highlight size inclusivity in dressage, and to give a voice to those who have felt like they don’t fit the stereotypical image of a rider. We’ve featured stories of resilience, courage, kindness, and confidence, and we want to continue to encourage and inspire riders of all sizes, because #EveryBodyIsADressageBody
We recently asked our social media followers who consider themselves plus-size or were plus-size at one time to share a photo of themselves and their equine partner for a chance to be featured in our Dressage For Every Body galleries or to share their story, and win some awesome prizes! The response was overwhelming and we look forward to sharing their stories all month long!
I am 5’2″ and 160-170 with short legs. On the stockier side. I’ve always felt more at ease on a larger horse, however when this 14.1 hand pony came into my life I leapt at the chance to take him on. I strive to be a physically fit rider so that his job isn’t harder than it needs to be. This doesn’t mean I’m small. His tack, equipment and body are meticulously checked to ensure his comfort carrying me. (As all horses should be regardless of rider size! ) It is always so important to listen to the honest feedback from our horses but it’s also important to remember healthy isn’t always smaller and smaller isn’t always healthy. Happy, healthy, athletic bodies come in so many different shapes and proportions. – Peyton S.My favorite time of the year! I absolutely love it every time and seeing everyone’s story and journey! It’s so important for younger generations to see they belong no matter what size breech they wear or the color of their skin
I can never pick a favorite picture of me and my girl. But this is me and my mare Kassie 🥰 – Chandra T.How fun! According to the BMI scale, I am considered overweight for my size and I’m so sick of hearing it at the doctors office. But I’m an athlete and I am proud to be one. At 140lbs and 5’2” I have always struggled with my image as a rider. Not skinny enough, not tall enough, not fit enough, too curvy with an hourglass figure and a booty, thighs too muscular, shoulders too athletic, calfs too wide for those skinny pretty boots. But I’m here, I’m doing it, and with a smile because I love to be in the saddle and being with my horse – Evie B.Been riding my perfect OTTB from my heaviest to my current weight 120 lbs lighter but still plus size. I’m such an advocate for plus size riders and am so thankful y’all do this every year! – Sara G.My lovely Tuney and I at the 2024 region 2 regionals! He has been my best friend for years. Through weight gain and weight loss and even more weight gain! I have a complicated relationship with my spine and when it stops doing its job and starts hurting I can’t move like I should. So I gain weight. Even as a plus size rider and a rider with less mobility due to pain Tuney always picks up the slack. The bestest boy! 2 years of no showing and just trail rides to enjoy my good boy he went to 1 show and we qualified for regionals and then got 7th! In a group full of amazing young riders at 2nd level! Very proud of my Tune Tune! – Alexis C.I am overweight in this photo beyond normal by about 20 lbs. I am currently 15 more pounds than here and really struggle with the image of not being slim and athletic looking. – Karen C.Me and my little draft cross Lyla. I have always been the biggest rider amongst my friends but I never let that deter me from my goals. I am active, strong and healthy. Who cares what size my riding pants are! – Laurel C.I am definitely not a “dressage body” but I am strong, soft, and effective and well matched with my horse. Thank you for bringing body awareness to our sport! – Desiree R.I went from 140 something to 190 after my daughter was born. Still riding my boy and getting our training better – Miya C.Thank you for being an inclusive organization and putting a positive spotlight on plus size riders! I definitely feel like a work in progress, and have a ways to go, but I was inspired to get back into riding several years ago BECAUSE I saw women who looked like me and were over 30! Then I fell in love with Fjords… this is me at my first dressage show 2 years ago on my favorite boy, Otzi. ❤️ – Eliza D.Then… – Sarah M.And now. Down 150lbs, but struggling with body dysmorphia. I can only see all the parts of my body I don’t like, even though my brain recognizes all the work I’ve put into changing. I focused hard on exercises in the gym that would benefit my riding, and I’m starting to reap the rewards! – Sarah M.It’s hard sometimes to not feel embarrassed when I say I am a dressage rider. It’s also intimidating to be an instructor in a world full of skinny, attractive, ultra fit trainers. When coaching at competitions, I am always conscientious of what I look like even on the ground. I’m certainly conscientious of my balance and weight distribution every time I sit on a horse, especially if it is someone else’s. I used to be younger, more fit, and honestly more brave. I have never, however, been less than obese no matter how hard I try. I love this sport and I love these animals and I will never give it up as long as I can get on! – Chris W.Dressage is for EVERY body. I am a 55 yo para dressage rider. I was able bodied until a recent below the knee amputation. Starting g over with a new body part but still a PLUS to include my attitude🐎❤️ – Maria S.-C.Me and my beautiful Hanoverian cross, Kazimeras, who I got as a 2 year old and had many wonderful adventures with 💜 – Jerrica S.My personal “4 everybody” is that I’m significantly physically disabled, while still being a rider and lower level, local trainer. Just back in the saddle after surgery 10, pic from post-op ride 2–my hips and pelvis have been surgically realigned so I can better live my life. – Emily L.I’ve lost 45 pounds and got back in the show pen! Still plus size but in a much better place to keep my 21 year old heart horse happy and healthy. 🖤 – Carrie F.Me and my home bred welsh cob pinto cross we are hoping for our 1st level debut late summer early fall – Meaghan D.I was never plus sized, but now that I’m approaching middle age, I have quite the hormone belly, despite working out, riding at least 1-2 horses a day, not perfect but reasonable diet, etc – but I’m balanced in the saddle and overall a better rider than I was, and I have a surprising amount of endurance. My only wish is that I didn’t look so terrible in pictures now and that some of my favorite clothes still fit – but aside from that, it is what it is. So I’ll just keep on keeping on I guess! 😉💪🤠🐴 Pictured here with our Belgian who was a rescue, he is so special, and slowly learning to trust us. – Micki Q.I feel seen! The body image issues may never go away but I’m grounded by all the things my body can do with this incredible sport. – Megan K.When I started my weight loss journey in 2017 I wasn’t able to ride due to my size. Once I was in a safe weight range I started beginner lessons at 30 years old and have been riding ever since! Had a set back in 2020 when I fractured my back in a fall but worked with PT to come back and did my first recognized dressage show this spring! – Catherine C.Love the positivity as we work towards our best selves! This is De Nada and I at our first working equitation show. – Brittney F.The photo says it all. It’s been an amazing journey and I am grateful for this journey and that I am finally at a safe weight to ride and train my horse that I bred and finally back to real riding after a 15 years of not layoff due to my weight. Still plus size but healthy and manageable. – Cyn Do RooI’m 59, and I have a bunch of health issues; lots of stomach surgeries from tumors, along with a rare genetic disease causing me to gain weight. I am working on 3rd and 4th level movements on my my 18h oldenburg named Sarko. Even though it’s a struggle in the hot weather I’m so grateful to be in the saddle. My motto is “never feel sorry for yourself, someone else out there is worse off than you.” Happy riding everyone. – Terri P.My old Irish Draft gelding and I ❤️ – Courtney E.I have gained a middle roll since losing my leg, but we still get out and try. – Anita M.Do what brings you joy and keeps you enjoying our sport! Thanks for encouraging us all to continue despite our age and clothing size!!! – Anne S.As a larger person who is passionate about dressage, I love that you are doing this piece again this season! Pictured is me test riding my horse Tío in Wellington! It was the perfect match! I think we fit each other beautifully. – Kris L.Since this picture from Feb I have lost 20 pounds (and am continuing) and learned to hold better contact! As for my partner there, retired show jumper playing in tiny eventing land for his new momma who brings all the treats! 🥰 – Laura L.Love this, what a great idea!! This is Mickey, so of course we had to dress up as Mickey and Minnie! – Kathy C.Me and my best bud Bentley. Thanks for running this again! – Sue M.Love this! I currently lease a Friesian/Percheron cross. I do western dressage with her. I’m also autistic. – Laura L.Cross-training! Doing poles and barrels with my dressage horse! Me with my gelding, Kedar! – Lisa S.I’ve never really thought about if I consider myself plus size, but I know I don’t look like a lot of the dressage community. Thanks for celebrating different bodies, there is sadly so much judgement in our communities. I am fortunate enough to be surrounded by a village of incredible horse people, who focus on the rider horse partnership and don’t judge on the superficial. There has been so much progress in clothing and options for people with bodies that don’t fit the stereotype in recent years, and these campaigns are such a huge part of that. Here is to strong balanced bodies for humans and horses, and lifting each other up! – Jenny S.I’ve had my thoroughbred gelding for 12 years and he’s seen me through all shapes and sizes over the years. I’ve recently lost 75lbs with a bit more to lose to be the healthiest I can be for me and my best boy. – Morgan D.
[…] who consider themselves plus-size or were plus-size at one time for a chance to be featured in our Dressage For Every Body galleries or to share their story, and win some awesome […]
[…] who consider themselves plus-size or were plus-size at one time for a chance to be featured in our Dressage For Every Body galleries or to share their story, and win some awesome […]
[…] one time to share a photo of themselves and their equine partner for a chance to be featured in our Dressage For Every Body galleries or to share their story, and win some awesome prizes! The response was overwhelming and […]
[…] time to share a photo of themselves and their equine partner for a chance to be featured in our Dressage For Every Body galleries or to share their story, and win some awesome prizes! The response was overwhelming and […]
[…] to share a photo of themselves and their equine partner for a chance to be featured in our Dressage For Every Body galleries or to share their story, and win some awesome prizes! The response was overwhelming […]
[…] who consider themselves plus-size or were plus-size at one time for a chance to be featured in our Dressage For Every Body galleries or to share their story, and win some awesome […]
[…] who consider themselves plus-size or were plus-size at one time for a chance to be featured in our Dressage For Every Body galleries or to share their story, and win some awesome […]
[…] one time to share a photo of themselves and their equine partner for a chance to be featured in our Dressage For Every Body galleries or to share their story, and win some awesome prizes! The response was overwhelming and […]
[…] time to share a photo of themselves and their equine partner for a chance to be featured in our Dressage For Every Body galleries or to share their story, and win some awesome prizes! The response was overwhelming and […]
[…] to share a photo of themselves and their equine partner for a chance to be featured in our Dressage For Every Body galleries or to share their story, and win some awesome prizes! The response was overwhelming […]