Left: Pikeur Amelia short coat Right: Pikeur Lilien Tailcoat
With show season in full swing in some areas and gearing up in others we have started to see the latest fashion trends in the warm up , show rings and everyday schooling. Whether your style is more Meryl Streep or Elton John there is something for everyone! I went over to one of our local shops in Langley, BC which has been a staple in the community called The Dog N’ Pony Shop. You can find everything you could possibly need (and want!) in one place. From custom boots, helmets, breeches, saddles pads you name it, Nina has it.
Let’s start with the evolution of show jackets. The days of hot, heavy, wool coats are long gone (Thank-you!) and welcome to the world of innovative fabrics in every colour combination you can imagine (not to mention bling). Pikeur has always been an absolute favourite of mine, the fit, the style, the fabrics; they really have it down. For a short coat their new Amelia jacket is absolutely beautiful, it’s lightweight, stunning bling details on the pockets and collar with a hidden zipper under the buttons to avoid any pulling (ladies this is a real win if you’re busty!). The Pikeur Lilien Tailcoat with rose gold details is a show stopper, who doesn’t love rose gold?!
Let’s talk about matching sets! Wether you save your fancy sets for clinics or you embrace it in your everyday riding you can’t help but want to add to your collection with some of these stunners! If classic black with a twist is your style or you like to stand out from the crowd then the PS of Sweden set is for you (with matching DeNiro boots).
Helmets were not always a staple for every rider, it was very common to see trainers schooling horses in baseball hats rather than protective headgear but times have changed (for the better!). FEI even made it mandatory that all riders must wear protective headgear anytime they are mounted as of January 2021, pack away your top hats! I think after Courtney King-Dye’s accident in 2010 we began to see more and more riders opting for helmets instead of baseball hats.
Helmet technology and style has come a long way over the years and continues to advance, they are so comfortable and breathable now there is no excuse not to wear one. There are 3 tests that help determine how well a helmet performs, minimum standards must be met to be certified.
OneK Helmet with MIPS technology
- The impact test corresponds to a horse rider falling on his head. It measures the helmet’s ability to absorb a blunt impact.
- The side-distortion test simulates the squashing of the helmet by a horse. It measures the ability of the helmet to resist distortion.
-The penetration test measures the resistance the helmet offers to a pointed object that could penetrate the ventilation area.
OneK has developed their latest technology with MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System), statistics show that falls are often on an angle rather than linear. Rotational motion and impact can cause damage to the brain tissue leading to concussions and/or severe damage to the brain. With MIPS it reduces the rotational motion which can reduce the risk of brain damage. No one expects to fall but accidents happen!
Checkout The Dog N’ Pony Shop on Facebook or visit them in the store! They will also take orders over the phone and ship 604-532-2060.
https://www.facebook.com/dogand.ponyshop/?ref=page_internal