Amateur Competitors

livvyc_ria

livvyc_ria

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2 November 2010
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To all amateur competitors does anyone else struggle to justify the price tags on some equipment that might not necessarily be 100% needed. On my wage i cannot afford to be buying thermatex to travel in and/or then thermatex to be seen in, leather headcollars, fancy italian stitched jackets and special jods, even expensive stirrups, treads and leathers have had to be sacrificed for cheaper and admittedly poor quality. Even one off things like those fab pro whips just don't fit in my budget.

Therefore i'm wondering are there others in this position who know what equipment they'd like or even in some cases need but simply cannot afford?

Would people be prepared to sacrifice the brand name and maybe some quality for affordable versions of the professional items we all want?
 
No, there is lots of stuff I think is beautiful but if I can't afford it I won't buy it. I have no desire to be Matchy-Toney or whatever this weeks fad is. A label doesn't make something better quality.

The cynic in me thinks you are about to launch a range of low price low quality kit :D;):)
 
I know the feeling well. Majority of things I use have been bought online, bought in sales (thank god for warehouse clear outs :o ) or acquired from friends.

To be honest it's not something I get bogged down about. I'm not one for keeping up with the trends, if I by something I want it to last, not to be out of fashion by the end of the season. I'll hold out for a bargain if it's something I need though.

I guess my horse doesn't exactly look like the typical competition horse and I'm not all fashionable so I don't feel any need or pressure to follow the trends the professionals set. But then, maybe it's because regardless of what I do to try and fit in, my horse and I will always stick out like a sore thumb :D
 
Brand names are overrated.

You don't need to buy things that are fashionable to have good quality equipment that does the job.

And I'd rather let my performance do the talking even if my horse and I are dressed in old tat, than turn up with all the gear and no idea ;)
 
no unfortunately not launching a range, although id love to! Im a working pupil surrounded by some seriously gorgeous stuff and wondered if there are others feeling the pinch too and are turning their backs on brands
 
Hmm, my instructor raves about the balance bits and saddles, and last lesson had me ride in a balance bit. These bits are £80-90 a pop :eek: for a snaffle, I currently wear an own brand happy mouth french link, about £10 - however I replace every year or so as my horse chews through them :rolleyes: Considering buying a new bit, and can't decide what to get - I don't know enough about bits to know what I'm buying beyond the basics really :o

I don't feel I'm missing out on the snazzy stuff, I have a nice bridle and jumping saddle (imo!) the former bought especially so my horse could be my 'bridesmaid', weddings are expensive, whats a new bridle on top?! ;) :D

Only thing I feel I miss out on is not having enough lessons/schooling time to improve, I'm more of a school on a hack person, jump in the field at home and just compete. It works up to our level (up to 1.10m) but I need to do more if I am to be competitive at this level. This is a time and money issue though! :)
 
Surely there has to be a warning in this. I am great at 'shooting myself in the foot' as it were. I shop around for ages to find the cheapest possible product, then find it breaks or isn't up to the job and just doesn't last as long. I have come to realise that sometimes it's's worth saving and buying that 'brand name' as they are better quality and last. My thermatex is about 20 year old and is still good 'to be seen in', but then 20 years ago there wasn't the choice either.
 
I do like to buy my boys 'nice' stuff but that doesn't mean it's necessarily expensive. I also shop around a lot for bargains and buy a lot second hand!
 
Don't think whether amateur or not comes into it. I will where I can buy good quality second hand rather than cheaper new. Some things have to be decent if they are for competing but so far as what they look like at home I don't mind as long as it does the job.

I think that being on a competition yard or pro yard there is more likely to be lots of bits/tack around so it is easier to try options whereas if you are on your own you generally have to buy it and if it works out it isn't what you want, then that is that unfortunately.

My horse - who I somewhat call tongue in cheek - top show horse (he has been placed HOYS etc) is currently in a rug that the mice have had a go at but it is still warm.
 
If your horse is good enough let him do the talking, you don't need fancy gear. Just safe, fit for purpose tack and equipment.

I ran a old Leyland Daf (22yrs old), when I got on the show grounds which was always at the crack of sparrow fart, for the hunter classes, just for a laugh I always tried to park between a couple of scania's with the pop out sides, awnings and drinks cabinets.

My truck was looked after, safe to use and tatty to look at, and it carried a horse that wore an assortment of old, borrowed and second hand tack, all of which fitted, was clean and appropriate for the class. The satisfying bit is winning the class and the horse did plenty of that. He didn't care if he went home in the old banger or the scania with the drinks cabinet !

Just keep it safe and enjoy the horse, you don't need bling to be succesful.
 
If it's not really needed then you don't really need it. :)

I think you get what you pay for, more or less, in saddles and bits. Which is not to say expensive ones are always going to work, but good quality ones cost money and if they are appropriate, they make a big difference. But I'd much rather have good second hand stuff than poor quality new equipment.

My biggest bug bear is people not taking care of good stuff! A well made bridle, jacket, pair of boots, blanket etc. will last forever if you look after it and get it mended well when necessary. If you drop your stuff in the dirt or let your horse eat it or never clean it, then even the best quality stuff will look lousy in no time and won't last.

It can be hard to be surrounded by people with deep pockets - far more often amateurs than most pros, unless it's sponsored stuff - but that's the horse industry and you can't let it bother you. Get the best you can afford, spend your money on stuff you need that fits well etc., and take care of it. Otherwise, don't sweat it. :)
 
Ebay is my friend - I have no qualms about 2nd hand if they are in good condition as I stick with makes that will last. I do not have the money to spend on items as I would rather spend it on training and competing.

In fact I almost cannot bring myself to buy new anymore as its such a rip off! All my breeches come off ebay - Schumacher ones with labels still on for £18 - why would I pay £79 for them? I am an avid bit collector and will only buy them if £10 or under. I am happy to just wait and have a massive long list of searches on ebay.
I also buy investment pieces in sales online or tack shops - bridles, hats etc.
The only bits and bobs I buy new are things like studs, grooming kit, haynets etc
 
Good quality stuff lasts. Buying cheap kit can be a real waste of money. There are certain things that I absolutely won't cut corners on - bits, stirrups, leathers, saddles, sticky-bum breeches, hats in particular. Safety stuff.
As TS says, if you take care of it, it lasts. I was using my leather roller today, and recalled that I had it made for me over 20 years ago. Ditto leather lunge cavesson. Both immaculate and still perfectly serviceable. I have bridles that are that old too. Oldest saddle is about 15 years old and still perfect.
As for the rest, I do without if I have to. I'd love to have stunning matched outfits from Cavallo, Pikeur, Anky etc, but I buy tops (that even go with my breeches sometimes!) from Mountain Warehouse in the sale, that sort of thing. They're well designed and made and cost about 1/4 of the price of the same sort of thing with a snazzy Equestrian label on it!
 
I think its possible to get really good stuff for cheap if you take the time to shop around . Like ebay is great , for example ive got so many used kingsland breeches off there for like £40 . I know i look really 'all the gear, no idea' ish but I just really like looking the part :) . However i think it looks much better when people turn up in cheap stuff thats clean and tidy than when people turn up in expensive brands and they are completely filthy !
 
I also think that its worth buying good quality stuff as in the long run it often works out cheaper. I have a quilted stable rug which is over 20 years old, oldie's double bridle is over 10 years old, stirrup irons are over 15 years old, and all of them look fine. My bits were pricey (all sprengers or neue schule) but they are worth it as the horses hugely prefer them to stainless steel. I think on saddles, bridles and the like you usually get what you pay for, same for gloves, hats and boots.
I keep my stuff clean and repair things.
I'm a big one for buying things when they are discounted or on sale or through cheaper shops too. Baby horse's rug wardrobe mostly came from the rug sale at ingatestone or the derby house 2 for 1 so good rugs at around half price, my down jacket was reduced, most of my cotton breeches were bought on sale too - often get them when there is a sale even if I don't wear them for a while - a few years ago I got a pikeur pair for £25 and I havent paid full price for a pair of cotton breeches for as long I can remember! Polo shirts , fleeces and long sleeve tops also mostly bought on sale.
I am always amazed at the people who seem to have millions of the same things though, like 20 matchy matchy sets for one horse, several hats etc.
 
It's the same with everything isn't it?! There's loads of stuff generally in life I'd love to own but can't afford/want rather than need/would rather spend my disposable income in a different way, so I don't have them!
 
agree with so many posts ' there is way too many people in the horsey world which think if you "LOOK" the part have the best tack, matchy matchy expensive competition gear and a posh wagon then your better than others around you.. fact is your not your probably just in more debt and have more insecurities than others around you.. not always the case granted some people have worked very hard for there nice things.


I like my horse to have nice tack and if i can afford it try buy branded but often this means waiting for birthdays, christmas etc and in the mean time i make do with what i have as long as its safe and reliable and well looked after your half way. Good saying you dont have to be posh to be privaledged :)

ohh and ebay is a must..... bargains to be had there for defo.. whats someone elses tat is another mans gold..
 
I'm another 'good quality stuff second-hand' rather than 'cheap rubbish new' type person. Most of breeches fall into the £100+ category but I rarely pay more than £20 for them on ebay, often barely or un-worn.

I spent a lot on my Butet saddle and would hesitate to say that I 'needed' it but it really is fabulous, goes on everything and fits me perfectly. It cost more than most of the horses it's been on but was 10yrs old when I bought it and right at the bottom end of the prestige saddle market price-wise. I've never regretted a penny.

Good kit lasts - buy quality, just keep your eyes open and when you get it look after it.
 
Im another who will buy good quality gear rather than cheap tat on the basis that sometimes you have to spend a bit to save in the long run! I dont necessarily mean 'branded' items (in fact I cant stand stuff with big brands plastered across them) but good quality stuff thats been well made.

That said 99% of my gear is purchased either second hand, on ebay or in tack shop sales out of season ie I buy winter stuff in the summer and summer stuff in the winter - shopping that way really does save you a packet!

Plus I look after my stuff too and keep it clean and in good repair because I know if I dont I wont be able to afford to replace it!
 
Come on our yard! Apart from a couple of teenagers (who are major dressage queens), we are seriously not into gorgeous stuff. In fact, most of us hack/school in leggings/jeans in joddy boots and half chaps with muddy horses and skanky fleeces full of holes and haylage and shavings. I felt quite smart on Sunday when I had a clean horse, clean tack, my best newmarket exercise sheet and my Pikeur breeches and Mountain Horse fleece on. Even wore my best bespoke Davies riding boots, to give them an outing for a change. Didnt last long as got gobbed on and slipped over just before I left the yard, so muddy/scruffy look resumed.

Seriously though, who really cares? I admit neither Mini TX or I will compromise where things like riding hats are concerned, plus we do wear decent footwear as well. She's got an expensive bp which is custom made in sponsors colours and a Point 2, but sponsor paid for them all. We do like nice tack and will take care of it as well. However, everything else doesnt really matter. I will admit to being a bit 'all the gear, no idea' when I first bought my horses a few years ago, but thats worn off pretty much now.

I really cant be fussed with the matchy matchy, or have to buy expensive Anky saddle pads, mega blinged designer make look. I am not jealous, and I do have a very good job which means I can afford to buy it, I just find it a bit well, silly and I just cant be bothered with it personally. Its a bit different for Mini TX, as she events. Although the eventing scene is not quite as precious fashion wise as say the dressage scene seems to be (yes, we do dressage as well, so not being bitchy), you still need certain things to fit in. However, ebay is my greatest mate there - why pay full price if you can get it on ebay, and I dont mind if its second hand as well. Nobody else will know unless she tells them. Have got some great bargains there.
 
There are loads of things I would love to own, but realistically i struggle to have one lesson a month and to compete (BD) once a month so unfortunately I have to make do. Everything I own is perfectly adequate and does the job well. I dont comprimise on anything but I will shop around for the cheapest/best deal if she needs something.

When I was competing seriously about 5years back (again BD) I had a lot more money than I do now (was still living at home at the time) and I had some seriously nice ''gear''. I kept all the gear when competition horse was sold and i've slowly been selling it all over the last few years to make money to pay for the keep/training/competing etc of my other horses.

I actually dont like Anky pads, I think they are too thick and alter the fit of the saddle. I use a thin saddle pad (normally Inch's own brand which have lasted me for years) and have a very thin gel pad underneath to stop friction. All is perfectly adequate for what I need.

Saying that all the matchy-matchy does look really nice and I like the Eurostar/HKM ranges that are out. Unfortunately £80 for a saddle pad is what I pay to have all 3 of my horses feet trimmed every 6 weeks!!
 
I only buy new if I really need it, or if costs marginally more than second hand. For example last year I needed a cheapy no-fill turn out to put my horse in over summer. My local shop had a Rhinegold one for £26, the cheapest second hand ones were going for about £20, so I bought the new one.

Likewise I also wanted a tweed jacket for showing, and needed it urgently. Wanted a second hand one, but shop didn't have any in my size. However, got a really nice new one for £40!
 
I've had my horse for a year now. Is a very un-posh welsh D. Everything she has is either secondhand, been in a sale or been repaired. It has taken me 12 months to get the money to ditch her knackered wintec. Her new saddle is also secondhand but fits a lot better.
But that said, you can still do matchy. All her rugs are scarlet. I just started planning way way before I needed them so I could pick and choose.
The only new stuff is safety gear. Body protector and a HS1. I also posh it up riding in ariats....but they are 3 years old and on the 6th set of heels. When they leaked in the snow they got nikwaxed. No budget for replacements until at least christmas.
 
Oooooh....I feel embarrased at my mice eaten rug post. I do look after stuff but the flipping mouse got at it. Only mouse chewed rug I have.

I used to find it funny years ago admittedly before there was quite so much matchy matchy stuff around that I would warm my old horse up in old tack, me in old clothes, crash helmet and body protector and then go back to the lorry and appear even if I say so myself immaculate. We used to do a lot of turn out classes and he needed working in so that he could stand quietly in a line so anything decent needed for the turn out class was kept clean, hence horse worked in in our at home classes.

I too have lots of really ancient stuff- my nice witney blanket for riding out was bought in 1986 and my double I use in the show ring is a 1980s purchase as well. Even more anicent history a shirt from when I did my BHSAI in 1983 still gets the odd outing.....
 
you just need to shop around.

I am a HUGE fan of eBay for a bargain
and also local tack sales etc
I bought my lovely green thermatex from a local hunt yard having a clear out, it was covered in *****, nibbled by mice and STANK! Sent it to the cleaners to be washed and fixed and it looks brand new now, and it cost me?.............£10!!!!!!

I also don't 'hold a lot of stock' as it were, I sell stuff I don't use so that I can release the cash and reduce the clutter

I always like to buy 2nd hand good quality over cheap and new.

and you don't have to be 100% 'on brand' eg my chaps are ariat (bought in the sale with a discount code) and the boots which are a perfect match are derby house own brand (also bought in sale!)

you can have nice stuff you just need to be a savvy shopper.

which leads me nicely onto pointing you in the direction of this fb page.... ;)
https://www.facebook.com/equine.co.uk
 
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