Submitted by Annie Banaszak: Honor, my 15-year-old Oldenburg, and I making our Second Level debut
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 atHorse DazzleandKerrits Equestrian Apparelhave graciously partnered with us to sponsor a#DressageForEveryBody2026giveaway for three lucky readers!
We recently asked our social media followers to share a photo of themselves and their favorite equine partner, and share a little about themselves for a chance to be included in an upcoming gallery on YourDressage, and we received an overwhelming response from riders around the world!
Submitted by Rebekah M.Kupid Shuffle 11 year old DHH, gave me the confidence to continue my childhood dreams for the 2nd time in my life. Dressage truly is for every body. ☺️ And of course, we rock our Kerrits breeches! 🥕Submitted by Jennifer B.I rehab and foster Standardbreds for the Standardbred Retirement Foundation. This is me on a former foster (only his 2nd time under saddle and a year since I’d last ridden). I have severe chronic pain, spinal issues, a spinal cord stim, neurological issues, etc and while the pain shows in my posture/position, I still feel the best when I am riding. Fosters get started under saddle here after rehab and I try to give them a good dressage foundation. This Standardbred, who is currently available for adoption, is a dream and going to make someone a phenomenal partner! I nearly kept this one, but I wanted to see him get adopted into a show home. – Maria G.I’m 5’10” and 200lbs… this boy is 16.2h and as big bodied as they come. We dressage to prepare for fences and build our connection! 💕 – Addie M.At my heaviest I’m around 210, lightest around 190. Hes got no problem catching air time for us both 🤣 – Addie M.And while I’m mostly a trail rider these days, when I’m not wearing jeans, I am wearing Kerrits breeches! My favorite pair is my purple coolcore, but I also love the flared ones for when I’m not on the horse (they look cool just as pants). So great to see this campaign, and I’ve always appreciated the size inclusivity of Kerrits wear. Here I am wearing mine in various settings/disciplines. – Laura P. USDF recommends all riders wear protective headgear when mounted.Skyler Fell & Fiona Starfire – Skyler F.This is my homebred Welsh Cob Tate. I had taken a few years off from riding after losing my heart horse. Tate and I are becoming a team. I took a fall last September and fractured my pelvis in multiple places so had to take 6 months off. Then another freak accident this spring refractured my pelvis but my doctor gave me the ok to ride last month. So I am working to gain my strength and balance as we work to get Tate back in shape. At 67 it’s not as easy to regain that strength! Hoping to make it to at least a couple dressage shows this summer. – Sheila B.10 year old Connemara gelding and I at our first recognized show. Came out at training 3 and placed 4th. We’ve been together 2.5 years and worked though a ton of past trauma so very proud of where we are #DressageForEveryBody2026 – Katie H.Chapman is a 22 yr old Dutch warmblood x Belgian. We did our first freestyle at 3rd level last year and had so much fun. – Kiersten V.Me and my wonderful “Discovered Treasure” – Dressage is an important foundation for Every Body!!! – Meredith H.My PB Arabian Gelding that shows 2nd and 3rd level currently. – Jean M.12 year old American Warmblood, D’Azur Titan CSH at his Intro C show! – Kimberly A.Myself and my 5 year old ClydesdalexTB mare Nova 🥰 – Mallory H.Myself and my previous lease horse, a foundation bred quarter horse! – Ellie G.Me and Swiss Miss (Cocoa) 16 yr old draft cross Owned by Angi Cocuzza Riding our test at Loch Moy. I am coming back into competing after quite a hiatus, and Miss Cocoa is learning how to be an amazing eventer! – Olivia L.Submitted by Caitlin M.This is me and my 17 year old spotted draft gelding, Chevy. – Stephanie W.My mare, Daphne, and I at a local show. We both have our own struggles and we dabble in a little bit of everything, but we enjoy working on our dressage skills together! – Catnip R.Coming back to the saddle after so many setbacks and many additional pounds. My new mare is so gracious with me. And she’s coming back after baby body herself. 😅 – Ctprof Lng DressMy practice round for first ever novice dressage show. We won a blue ribbon the next day. My heart horse. – Michelle L.My gypsy Sparrows first year showing – Nicole B.Submitted by Kelley M.Western Dressage – Gunda B.This is me last year on my then 4 yr old 18h baby. This is my first ride out in the big pasture. This photo is special to me..because it reminds me of why I started riding in the first place. Just you and your best friend learning together. This photo is also my inspiration to get back to. I am recovering from Achilles surgeryand I have had so many complications. Waiting for the day I can ride my guy again! – Cheryl H.Off the track standardbred warhorse Winter Mint! Making slow and steady progress towards our goals! – Heather M.2 solid gals that love life and each other ❤️ this is Harvey, a Belgian x QH that I got from an auction for a song, and we’ve been together almost 23 years now. She and I learned classical dressage together, and she was schooling 3rd level dressage in her prime. A DDFT injury and a bout of EPM has me enjoying every day we can ride together ❤️ – Tamara C.Curly Sporthorse Mare – Julie W.My Andalusian mare and me in my lightweight Kerrits jacket – Cari S.Cinnabar’s Painted Puzzle APHA mare 25 yrs old 15.3 hands came from cowhorse background and I’ve been working her english and dressage basics for 3 years. Got back into horses after 20 years out! So fun! – Peggy D.-A.After some health scares and diabetes scares I’ve lost some but still enjoy my new little man ❤️ – Aimie S.This is my future dance partner Aroura, she is a Friesian cross. – Yolanne K.Storm and I at his first outing. Perch/shire – Heidi S.This is my youngster, Gio and I (I’m in my Kerrits CoolCore tights!) learning how to be dressage divas together 💜🦄💗 – Debbie B.I’m in Australia but love my kerrits jacket. So thought I would chuck up a photo. This is my old mare Molly who we lost earlier in the year. This photo was taken at her last competition about 3 -4 years ago now, as she got injured a few weeks later and had to be retired. She was a difficult horse to ride but we had a go at everything from dressage to hunting, some small level showjumping, had a go at a horse trials, went bush bashing (although she had a crazy fear of kangaroos and nearly killed me a few times when they randomly popped out near us). She also was the green horse runner up in the first ever EXCA nationals in Australia, which I was proud of because I am not a western rider and I was up against riders and trainers that did it professionally and I was on a Clydesdale x. – Beth M.Submitted by Minerva C.Philip and I after our dressage classes. I’m rocking a Kerrits show coat! – Halley L.Submitted by Megan M.A 45 yr old wife, mom and a grandmother of 2 with my 4 yr old OTTB, Pistol Hip Sam at our 2nd schooling show. 📸mgc_photography – Shannon R.February 2025 I purchased my first horse in almost 30 years. When I tested her out she was nothing I was looking for, but I could tell that someone put a lot of time and energy into training her. More than I would be able to afford in my dream horse. I was never a dressage person (the cross country course was my love), so the past year has been focused on getting to know her, creating a bond, and learning her buttons. We had a few set backs (including a hospitalization after a fall), but we are starting to become a cohesive team. This spring I decided that we were going to do our first dressage tests. At the Northeast Friesian Council Horse Show we did intro tests A&B. Intro Test A was a little rough, but we scored a 63 and 3rd place. Intro test B was another story. We went in, relaxed, and had fun. The final result was a 69, and first place!!!!! In this picture I am wearing the Kerrits Aero jacket! Dallys M Photography – Julie A. Read Julie’s story “The Magic of Minerva McGonagall“Me and my Belgian Draft x Paint cross mare Iris at a competition. We are from Belgium. We aren’t exactly the standard type in the ring either, but as long as we’re having fun, we’ll keep going! – Karo V.
