Submitted by Nicole Anne: Lola and I at Region 10! We also love western dressage! We transitioned from classical!
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!
Years ago with my heart horse, Pahiki, aka “Pretzel”. I’m still plus size, but he carried through my first rated shows and beyond! – Dana C.If you want to include a Western Dressage Rider I definitely qualify as “size inclusive” and as a trainer I understand the struggle of the extra judgement that can happen. I love seeing all the smiling faces in this post! – Cristin K.I never used to be considered “overweight” except for the last two years, and I can’t figure out how to lose it. I feel people judge me and my weight, especially finding correct sized riding clothes! Here’s me and Elysium Boanerges GCH (a grand champion Morgan) in Second Level. – Abby L.We wrote an article last year 🙂 Quintessa and I have moved up to second level since then! – Lily K. Read Lily and Quintessa’s story, A Chestnut Mare For ConfidenceJD’s Image is a 2017 Dutch Harness Horse. Here we are making our Prix St Georges debut! I purchased him as a coming 3 year old….its very rewarding starting them under saddle and bringing them up the levels! – Jennifer M.My Milly’s First AHA Regional Dressage Championship last week! – Ashley R.Neither I nor my horse have a typical dressage body, but we still go out and do our best! – Cynthia K.My sweet Friesian Raven who takes care of me. We just got our first bronze score, so just starting our journey. I so wish the makers of equestrian attire were more size inclusive, it’s hard to find things that fit, sizing is all over the place! – Katherine L.Not skinny enough to fit the image or “big” enough to fit that image. In the middle 😆 my 29 year old ottb carries on without issue. My freebie rescue that has rescued me and brought me back to riding atleast a dozen times over the years of wanting to call it quits! – Sarah S.Henry and I having just finished our ride with Michael Poulin. – Elizabeth R.I was recently body shamed and it didn’t feel good. I’ve always had ups and downs with my weight but it hasn’t affected my riding and never will. – Lindsay W.At 180lbs and 5’7 I’ve always struggled with body image. I’m not “plus” sized to most but not skinny to the others. I have an apron belly and struggle with my mid section flopping while sitting trot. I’ve been 190 and I’ve been 160; But I still ride 4-6 times a week and I’m strong 💪🏻 even though my BMI considers me obese. We all are perfect and our horses love us 💜 – Liz P.Another plus sized rider checking in! I’ve been riding 40+ years and I’m so thrilled to see body positivity in equestrian sports finally gaining traction! – Jamie T.I ride at a barn with my daughter and granddaughter. I have to remind myself often that my size and age aren’t a reason to quit riding. I am blessed with a stout 15’1”ish 7 year old Morgan gelding for a partner. We are riding training level with my daughter riding him at 1st level. I hope to do a Century ride on him in another 14 years at what ever level we can both manage 😀! Photo by Karin Weight taken during one of our lessons. – Ruth M.I’ve never fit into equestrian sports. I rarely can find clothes to fit and when I do fit in the body they are usually too long since I’m only 5ft 2inches! I have to have my saddle modified my clothes modified or custom made. I could go on and on about how my body has been judged unfairly. This is my Arabian Max and we show western dressage. – Veronica K.Me and my Friesian boy Onyx. I have had regular weight fluctuations throughout my riding career and have decided to not make it a reason to not do what I love. I am healthy and strong. I need to be with this powerhouse!🖤 #EveryBodyIsADressageBody – Dark Horse FarmI am 5’9 and I’m not skinny, but it hasn’t stopped my just over 15.1, now 20yr old Arabian gelding and I are competing at FEI levels, including dabbling in Grand Prix last year… we had a little set back this winter, but he’s back to wanting to work and we’re working on all the GP movements again. – Kayla S.My dream horse and me. 🥰 – Darby S.I love this!! As a plus size rider I struggle terribly with body image. My 28 year old guy and I are starting 1st level this year and my 14 year old Percheron mare and I dabble in trail challenges and western dressage. – Heather T.Hello, and greetings from South Africa. I am so loving this campaign. As a curvy rider I am so tired of being told that I shouldn’t be riding, or that I look unsightly on my horse. My horse War Man is a 6 year old OTTB standing at 17.0hh and weighs around 650kg. Currently we are doing dressage at a Prelim level but over the years I have ridden various horses and in high school schooled my then OTTB to a Prix St George level. I love dressage and would love to participate in this wonderful initiative you guys have. – Erica C.My dream manifested in many ways competing on my own horse at a big show. My Shadow and I had an amazing class. Having my whole barn support us and never making me feel like the “big” girl there truly helped so much. Both of us had shed some pounds before this training hard. Knowing that we achieved that gives me confidence to keep working hard. – Ricki L.I stepped away from traditional dressage because I felt I didn’t fit in and because I kept getting told I needed to lose weight. I am 5’6 and 198 lbs and 58 years old. No matter how hard I try, I only lose a lbs and then it stalls. – Emily V.5’2 and over 180lb riding a Paso Fino pony in dressage. I don’t fit in anywhere, lol!!! Absolutely love seeing all these incredible athletes and bodies more like mine!! Very inspiring! – Kim G.I started my dressage journey on my 17h draft cross. I bought him because he was able to handle my weight. Over the time I showed him (I still have him but he is semi retired) I dropped 100 lbs and we grew together into a solid team and earned our USDF Bronze medal together. I currently have a 15.2h GRPxTb. My struggles with weight will be lifelong. I have managed over the years to keep 70 of the lost lbs off. With my smaller guy I worry constantly an about being too heavy for him. At least it keeps me focused on trying to remain strong and healthy! Pictured is when I first got my draft cross, later in our journey, a picture riding my small boy and another picture just hanging with my small boy. – Susan O.My wonderful lease horse, Kryptonite, and I – Mariah H.I always felt like I was doing my horses an injustice. Here I was at my max. I lost 1/2 of myself, but only have a few pix before I took a break. I miss my boys! – Jen Z.This is my appendix Ringo, I’ve had him for a year and I’m his plus size rider. I definitely struggle with my body image. – Mary C.Me with Welsh Cob youngster Ffrewyn Anthem during our recent clinic with Jessica Jo Tate . Photo Credit to Charles Toler – Kelley W.Love this! This is me and my 4 year old Westfalen, Punk. I bought him as a yearling and am surprised I didn’t wear out the weight tape in the weeks leading up to his third birthday. He’s a smaller horse (just now 16hh at 4yo) and I was anxiously waiting for him to be big enough for me to safely start him as a heavier rider. I was terrified of screwing up since I hadn’t started a horse before and, 46 at the time, I don’t bounce anymore. My trainer has been amazing and encouraging though, even pushing me past my panic over my weight, and this has been the most rewarding experience so far. I can’t wait to see what the future holds. I have seen the negative opinions and normally don’t post pictures publicly just to avoid the drama. Happy to be part of any project though that normalizes a reasonable view of body image in dressage. I adore this horse!!! 😍 – Adrienne K.I absolutely love that this is being encouraged! I have seen the ugly side of dressage, where I have been told that I am an animal abuser and that I am much too fat (I am not exaggerating) to ride my horse by keyboard warriors. This is despite the fact that my QH is literally bred to carry 200+ pound men all day, every day. Thankfully the opposite side hosts a wonderful group of men and women who encourage and support rather than try to tear each other down. It’s what keeps me going as a rider and horse lover. – Veronica M.Love this campaign for plus size inclusivity! – Kate H.Bud Wiser at his first off property show, prep day!!! – Malorie P.Thank you for thinking of everyone. I’ve been battling rheumatoid arthritis and medications definitely cause weight gain. My- just turned 5- Irish Sport Horse loves me regardless!! – Elizabeth A.Dressage at Devon CDI3* Inter 1 – Lori G.
[…] 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 […]
[…] 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 […]
[…] 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 […]
[…] 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 […]