Dream gifts for dressage divas

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Price no object If someone you know hates polishing their boots before every competition, then why not splash out and buy them a pair of Petrie patent leather boots for Christmas. Made from top quality patent leather, these boots offer a mirror shine without hours of buffing. The boots have a soft inner for a close contact with the horse and a rigid outer for a beautiful appearance. You can choose from a full-length front or rear zip design. Available in sizes two to 12, with 15 leg fittings per foot size, these boots will fit just about every shape and size of rider.Priced at around £425. Contact Belstane (tel: 01335 372600) or visit: www.belstane.com

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Feeling flush Every dressage rider wants to look and perform like a pro in the arena so why not give them an Elevator comfort bridle from Horsesense. The Elevator is increasingly becoming the bridle of choice for many top riders, including Olympic rider Nicola McGivern and international dressage trainer Ferdi Eilberg. Designed to alleviate pressure on the horse’s sensitive poll area, the Elevator is ideal for horses working at all levels of training. It is available as a snaffle or double bridle in pony, cob, full and X-full sizes in a choice of nut brown, havana brown or black leather.Prices start at £145. Contact (tel: 01564 778899) or visit: www.elevator.gg

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Something special Regular training of horse and rider is vital if high scores are to be produced in dressage competitions. Most riders spend all their training time concentrating on cementing a good partnership with their own horse. However, few would turn down the chance to train with a top trainer on an advanced schoolmaster to perfect their own skills, as well as experiencing higher level movements than their horse is currently able to produce.A lesson on a dressage schoolmaster with top trainer and H&H columnist Pammy Hutton at The Talland School of Equitation in Gloucestershire costs around £55. Contact (tel: 01285 652318) or visit: www.talland.net

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Beat the budget If someone you know is having problems learning the British Dressage preliminary and novice tests then the Equitest Interactive Dressage CD from Equitech could make an ideal present. The CD can be played on a PC and allows the rider to watch each of the prelim and novice tests being performed, before experiencing a “rider’s eye view” of the action. They can then test their knowledge to ensure they know the test inside out before riding it in competition. The CD includes the new 2005 tests, with 17 tests featured in total.The CD costs just under £25 when ordered online at www.equitechsoftware.co.uk. Contact (tel: 01822 840779)

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Counting the pennies Why not buy your dressage friend a really practical gift that you know will be used time and time again? After all, no dressage rider can have too many sets of white dressage bandages to help support and protect their partner’s joints while training for that important competition.Available from all good saddlers, a set of four white dressage bandages from Woof Wear can be purchased online at www.olneysaddlery.co.uk for less than £13.

Carol is an experienced journalist and editor, who is also a passionate amateur rider and dedicated horse owner, having ridden since childhood. She has a particular interest in the emotional well-being and ethical training of horses, alongside veterinary matters, having garnered extensive first-hand experience of numerous equine health conditions through more than 30 years of horse ownership.