Friday, December 20, 2013

Proper Fitting Jodhpurs Affect The Quality Of Riding Experience

By Cornelia White


Wearing proper fitting clothes for riding is a key requisite of good deportment. Approved riding association rules set guidelines. But, mistakes can still be made in purchasing appropriate attire. Choosing your jodhpurs wisely will increase your riding pleasure.

There is a reason why special attire was designed for riding. As critical points of contact between the horse and its rider are made with riding pants, properly clothing makes a significant impact. Ordinary trousers caused discomfort. The form fitting design prevents twisting, chafing, and other problems causing discomfort.

Riders wear these specially designed trousers for cross country training, show jumping, dressage and every day activities alike. Whatever the activity, this attire has a design which favors the well being and protection of riders. The seat layout is intended for a surer grip of the saddle. Knee padding guards the knees and seams are positioned so that rubbing is inhibited during the activity.

First time riders are frequently puzzled by the distinction between jodhpurs and breeches. The former are tight fitting trousers that cover the entire length of the leg. They are made out of flexible and breathable material to be comfortable during the exercise. Typically made from stretch materials, they are designed to be comfortable and to fit closely. Different fabrics can be used in their manufacture. They can be worn with chaps and jodhpur boots or with long riding boots.

Judges favor jodhpur use for showing as this length illustrates leg positioning better. This is why student riders are advised to use them for this purpose. Riding instructors find them useful in observing how learners position their legs.

Breeches are normally worn with long riding boots. The shorter pants are designed to finish mid calf. They provide more flexibility within the ankle. The seat patches are preferred by dressage riders for their added security and leg control. Show jumpers prefer breeches with padding and grip at the knee.

Informal observers are usually not aware how confusing a simple choice of materials may become. There is a cost benefit trade off with each option available on the market. As an illustration, for affordability and toughness, polyester may be selected. However, it does not provide a good grip, it is not absorbent and nor does it stretch. A polyester blend provides greater absorbency, but lacks useful flexibility. For a better alternative, a stretch denim blend could be selected. It possesses the beneficial traits of cotton at a more reasonable price. But, it is not acceptable for competitions. For cooler regions, corduroy, so long as it stretches, may also be worn for casual activities.

Optimal wear is provided by Cotton lycra. It is durable, absorbs and has a flexible stretch component. After deciding on the material, knee patch and underpass options need to be considered. For tighter grips, suede or ultra suede patches are suitable. Ultra suede is easier to manage and is cheaper than the real alternative. The underpass is a strap that ties down pants to fit them more closely with boots. Inadequate underpasses makes riders appear to be wearing short pants. Whether those with buttonholes are more suitable is up to individual wearers to determine. As this brief discussion reveals, choosing jodhpurs wisely is more complicated than it seems.




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