Undated handout photo issued by Mischief PR of Designer shoes made in the style of real horse feet and legs are set to go on sale at the Cheltenham Festival tomorrow. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Monday March 14, 2011. The knee and ankle-length zip-up hoof shoes, commissioned by Betfair, are being pitched as the perfect accessory for racing fans who want to stand out from the crowd. See PA story CONSUMER Hooves. Photo credit should read: Dan Glover /PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
Riding is viewed as a very traditional sport and it’s true that a lot of the kit and riding gear hasn’t changed all that much during the past century. But some of it has. Oh yes, it has. Just when you think you’ve seen it all…
1. Riding skirts
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
There’s something very Game Of Thrones about these hard-wearing riding skirts. Hand-made in the Arctic by a small local business, you can choose your skirt length and whether to go for wool or waterproof. Why would you want to wear a skirt to ride? Well, erm, why not? Whether your horse will admire your unique style — and the rustling material draped over his back — remains to be seen.
Pink everything, actually. Bridle, stirrup leathers, the lot. If you dream of your horse looking like a giant ball of candy floss, this is the look for you.
One way of standing out in a competition is by literally dazzling the judge, in this case with a bunch of Swarovski crystals on your head. Crystal Junction offers a bespoke service if you fancy getting your bling on.
If in doubt, bling it out. Or something like that, anyway. Yet another case of seeing something and wondering how it ever existed without being covered in glitter. Let’s cover everything with glitter. Yay, glitter.
The title says it all, really. Apparently cowboy boots with pixie toys are a thing in Mexico. We presume they don’t actually wear them to ride – but who knows!
Undated handout photo issued by Mischief PR of Designer shoes made in the style of real horse feet and legs are set to go on sale at the Cheltenham Festival tomorrow. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Monday March 14, 2011. The knee and ankle-length zip-up hoof shoes, commissioned by Betfair, are being pitched as the perfect accessory for racing fans who want to stand out from the crowd. See PA story CONSUMER Hooves. Photo credit should read: Dan Glover /PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
(Image credit: PA)
There is almost nothing to be said about these hoof boots (which were designed for the 2011 Cheltenham Festival). Just… why?
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Amanda Vlietstra is a freelance writer and editor who’s worked for a number of national magazines and websites. Having thrown herself back rural living with gusto since moving from London to Buckinghamshire in 2012, she juggles her horsey life with work and two small children. She claims to do dressage, but really just potters about having fun on her 14.2hh Belgian Warmblood mare, Roxy. She also enjoys a good gossip over a coffee in the tackroom!
