Every body is an equestrian body, which is why August is focusing on size inclusivity on YourDressage. As we share the stories, struggles, and triumphs of plus-size equestrians from across the country, our friends at Horse Dazzle and Kerrits Equestrian Apparel have graciously partnered with us to sponsor a #DressageForEveryBody2026 giveaway for three lucky readers!
By Lauren Romanelli
In 2023, a PRE/Arabian cross named Eclipse arrived at my barn. He was there for one of my students to learn the ropes of dressage. He was imported from Spain, but mostly because the person who sourced him felt bad leaving him there. His nose is covered with scars from a serrated noseband, and it took me most of the winter season in Ocala to realize that his flanks are, as well. He doesn’t have any notable bloodlines or elite inspection results. In fact, his mother’s name isn’t even listed. But that hasn’t stopped him from blazing up the levels to become a confirmed Prix St. Georges horse.
At the time, my student (his owner) was just getting confident in the canter, and I wanted something small, easy to put together, and not a huge mover. He did exactly that job for two years, until she was ready to move along. We had a pre-purchase exam done on him, discovering a questionable finding on his radiographs. We re-priced him with the new information, but as it goes, no bites. So, we decided that I’d show him a bit in an attempt to make him more appealing to buyers. That way we could also monitor his x-rays over some time.
This is a good time to mention that I’m an event rider. I have had a few upper-level event horses, all Thoroughbreds, but I’m not particularly good at dressage. To me, it has always been a means to an end to get to the jumping. I have pretty good timing and feel when there’s a jump in front of me, but in the sandbox? Forget it.
In 2024, I earned my final scores for my USDF Bronze Medal on a client’s horse that I was rehabbing from his struggle with equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM). Stanley was lovely, well-schooled, strong, and very bouncy. As that was my only time riding any kind of more advanced movements, I was thrilled to get the chance to school those more with Eclipse, for all the same reasons I liked him in the first place – he is easy to put together and not a huge mover.
Over the summer of 2025, I felt confident enough to start playing with some Fourth Level movements. So, I took Eclipse to my dear friend and Nashville-based dressage trainer, Tami Crawford, to get some feedback. Ever the optimist, she said, “Lauren, I think you could get your Silver Medal on this horse!” With her encouragement, I started to take the work a little more seriously.
Cut to January in Ocala. I had taken a lesson or two with Megan Fischer in the past, so I scheduled another one early in the season and told her my plan: “I want to get my Silver Medal on this horse, and by the way, he’s still for sale, so we have until April.” To her credit, she didn’t flinch. Four weeks later, I was cantering down centerline to get my Fourth Level scores.
We spent the next two and a half months bringing Eclipse along to Prix St. Georges (PSG) level. We watched him carefully, to ensure he was not overfaced, but he never offered any kind of resistance or pushback. He just kept cheerfully doing what was asked, and before I left Florida at the end of April, I rode my first PSG test. I’ve been lucky enough to take him out two more times since then. I finally landed my first PSG Silver Medal score at the Kentucky Dressage Association (KDA) Summer Classic.
Needless to say, I’m very thankful we opted to ride the horse, instead of the X-rays.
I am a very memorable person in general, between my looks and my opinions. As a plus-size rider who has an outgoing personality, short hair, brightly colored glasses, and an obsession with the color pink, I tend to be noticed. My journey through the dressage levels has brought me a lot of attention from both my eventing peers and those who look to me as a role model for riding as a plus-size woman.
My social media is constantly showing posts looking for wide calf boots, trendy schooling outfits, and nice show clothes in larger sizes. A lot of confidence can come from nice turnout, and while shopping as a plus-size rider has gotten easier, there are still a lot of brands that make plus-sized clothing in weird proportions, tout size inclusivity while their XXL is the equivalent to a size 12, and often just plain ugly.
On the bright side, several brands are getting it right these days. Kerrits was first on the scene with a wide range of sizes, consistent fit, and adorable styles. More recently, I have discovered Novella Equestrian. I now have a beautiful pair of comfortable and flattering white breeches and several of their shirts, which are clearly developed by riders, for riders. Their fun patterns go well with my bright personality, and I am constantly being complimented when I wear them!
My (pink-lined!) shadbelly is custom from an Indonesian tailor named Adi Valentino, who is very well known and loved in the plus-size riding community. Dapple Bay and Espirit Equestrian Wear are two other brands I’ve begun adding to my closet, and I am thankful for the options!
While things have certainly improved, there’s still a long way to go. I always find it strange that finding size-inclusive equestrian brands is such a struggle, as the average adult woman in the US wears a size 16/18. In a sport that is largely supported by adult women, that is a significant portion of the riding population who would be willing to spend some of their disposable income on riding clothes… if they existed. Even after sending an email to a popular tack store encouraging them to carry extended sizing in brands they already had in the store, I was met with a response stating they would not be doing that. I just can’t help but think of the demographic they would reach if they carried extended sizing.
On a personal note, I am fortunate that my riding has not brought any disparagement from the general public. I have, a few times, been on the receiving end of the well-meaning but slightly backhanded compliment of “you are very balanced, for your size.” Now, I’m happy to point out that I’m simply well-balanced.
In my 20s, I rode with a coach who spent a fair amount of time telling me if I lost weight, I’d accomplish more. Now, in my 40s, having accomplished everything I set out to do, and more, I have surrounded myself with people who will happily coach me through struggles, correct my position, provide support for my mental game, and help me do the best for my horse, but would never dream of commenting on my body.
In my own program, I promote inclusivity in all forms. We are a safe haven for adult amateurs returning to riding, a move-up program for motivated teenagers, and a beginner program for kids and adults who simply love horses. I am thankful I can be a positive influence for those who may not feel comfortable in their bodies. Instead, my barn family focuses on each other’s strengths and is constantly lifting each other up.
I think, as riders, we will always be self-conscious about something. For plus-size riders, that is almost always going to be their weight. Slender riders may struggle with strength, short riders may struggle with balance, younger professionals struggle with imposter syndrome, and older professionals worry about burnout and relevance. Whenever I go down that mental path, I’m able to remind myself that this body. that I’ve been living in for 40 years, is doing a pretty good job of riding horses.
In this day of needing to post on social media to feel connected, I think it is important to simply point out to be kind to everyone. Putting yourself out there is vulnerable. You never know what someone is going through, and posting an encouraging comment costs nothing. The success of one person does not require the failure of another. I never worried about Eclipse’s pedigree or radiographs, and Eclipse never cared about who his rider was or what she looked like; we just kept looking ahead and moving towards our next goal.
Maybe we’d all enjoy this sport a little more if we gave each other that same grace.
