Any really big girls do dressage?

Having 3 day evented 20 - 25 years ago and done nothing since my early 20's, I recently started riding a bit, 3 1/2 stone heavier than I was. In truth, being much heavier does affect flexibility, balance and the seat as it is hard to achieve a deep but light contact. I feel a bit like a cork about to pop out of a bottle with my fat thighs!

On the other hand, I feel we have to get out there and do what interests us in life while we can. If you have a strong horse, what does it matter? Riding properly is also a much more pleasant way of exercising my aging muscles deeply than going to the gym, and enjoying an active and engrossing hobby a great way to help stop eating out of bordom or for comfort.

Good luck, enjoy your dressage, and I hope your health issues are resolved soon.
 
Well im a size 12-14 too and ive found since the lad has gone on DIY it is coming off which i aint moaning about
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but i also hate it when people sorta think cause some one is not a size zero model they are fat and lazy and eat too much well my advice is if you and your horse are happy who cares what people think and go and have fun!!!!
 
I am no twiggy by ANY means and dressage is something i would like to work towards eventually.I know my horse can take my weight (all 6 stone of it
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) so i will not be put off by people saying i'm too fat to do dressage.I will do dressage and if you dont like what you see tough!!.
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What a refreshing post this is. I am in the rotund club (proper built woman !)
I do most things horse wise, I own and ride two, do all my mucking out and walk miles with the dogs I am as fit as a fiddle. I had an MOT for work the other week and apart from saying I was over weight she said for a woman in her 40's I was fit. I dont take any notice of what other folk say I just get on and do it. My only tip would be to have your jacket made. as because I am short and round jackets off the peg just looked a mess. There is a good place in my part of the world that will make you a well fitting jacket that wont cost the earth. Give me a pm should you require there web site. Chin up and go for.
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I think it depends on what level you compete at and how fit you are. I have recently lost just over 1 1/2 stones (taking me to size 14/16 and my horse is competing medium. I am now fitter and feel I can ask more from him and have the fitness to keep up, I didn't feel quite so in control/on top of things before I lost the weight.
I've still got more to lose
Good luck
 
You guys are so lovely - I do feel better after all the supportive comments
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I eat pretty much the rosemary conley diet, its seems to be just a varient of Weight Watchers, both being low GI. I stopped eating bread months ago, changed white rice for brown, eat very little pasta and only natural high fibre cerials (eg porrige) and still it comes off at only a rate of about 1/2lb a week and sometimes not that
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(menapause I think). I have lost weight and become very slim in the past and it was much easier
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Anyway, you lot have helped to feel that I should just get on with it and plug away at the weight
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Perhaps we should start a "Big Girls Getting On With It" group!

14 stone and counting here and event fittening my horse for my daughter to campaign!
 
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Perhaps we should start a "Big Girls Getting On With It" group!

14 stone and counting here and event fittening my horse for my daughter to campaign!

[/ QUOTE ] Yeah, 'riding and proud' eh?
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I just had a look to see if I'd got any of me riding but I haven't got any non-copyright ones. (it's always me behind the camera!).
 
I am also menopausal and built more on the Dawn French than the Twiggy size. I don't compete at the moment but good luck to you and I don't see why you shouldn't.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Having 3 day evented 20 - 25 years ago and done nothing since my early 20's, I recently started riding a bit, 3 1/2 stone heavier than I was. In truth, being much heavier does affect flexibility, balance and the seat as it is hard to achieve a deep but light contact. I feel a bit like a cork about to pop out of a bottle with my fat thighs!

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I agree, fat most certainly does get in the way!! I do not ride nearly as well as I used to when I was smaller. (Errr, I have never even touched your level of riding. LOL)!

However, every week since I have been losing weight and working hard on fitness I feel my riding improve. Thank goodness!

I am certainly not proud of being fat. My fatness is not health related I have just been a greedy pig for too long!!
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I am sure my horse thanks me for every pound I lose too.
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I have literally just finished entering the "Race for Life". I am aiming to run it and run it I will!! (Training for that will really help)!
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Any more of you care to join me and train for something really great like "Race for life"?
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I'm a similar size and would love to do some dressage, but refuse to buy myself a new bigger jacket. So I'm joining the diet updates on soapbox. Hopefully by next month it will fit again. Fitness wise I think I'm pretty fit, I just eat too much
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What a great thread. Yep im in the category of 'larger rider' as well. After illness and babies and illness and age now as well - Im about 15 stone. I know I dont compete now and when I did I was ALOT thinner but I can still ride pretty well and really enjoy it. Its my exercise and has been my life for too many years to remember now.

I know there are some people in the horse world who think that larger people shouldnt be anywhere near horses let alone ride but I say if your horse is more than capable with carrying you why the hell shouldnt you enjoy them the same as a thinner person.

Go for it.... but remember ENJOY!!!!

I shall look forward to your next post "My First Dressage Test".
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Size 16 bottom half, 18 top half... diabetic and had weight problems for ages, but lost nearly 2 stone so far though at least 2 more to go...

Just started riding club dressage - no skinny teenagers, but older ladies and bigger than me too.

Oh and the ginger one is a 15hh 3/4 TB and carries me fine!

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I am about to hit the 14 stone mark, and trying to get back to riding since I moved here to the USA.

I hate the fact that so many people think you have to be a stick insect to be a horse rider!

I too have joined in the soapbox diet update, as I thougt a bit of support might motivate me to get back to a happier place! I am never going to be a supermodel, but wouldn't mind being a 12-14 again!
 
I have recently gone from nearly 17stone to around the 12st mark, though 'just' reaching under it this year.
I will say that I HAVE noticed a most definate difference for the better as me seat is better, I am more 'in tune' with my horse, and tbh I think its cos there is less of me between us!!

I am in NO way saying larger people shouldnt do dressage as I know for a fact, and have seen MANY MANY people a whole loat larger than me, and a few larger than I was, do very well showing/dressage. But must say deffo not seen it in SJ.

I would never go back though as I didnt like the feeling of sitting on top of my wobbly arse, too much like sitting on a bean bag, and it definately affected te strength of my back/stomach muscles (I have a six pack now
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Thats what I'm aiming for, at one point I hit 18 stone though I still don't think I ever looked quite that big, never got out of size 18 on bottom but 20 on top to fit boobs in!

Recent weightloss - have gone from 16 stone to just a smidge over 14, and not only is my hacking jacket now too big, but my gaiters no longer cut the blood supply off on my legs (lost 2 inches) and the blue jacket in the pics actually fits now, and it never has since I bought it about 3 years ago!!!

12 stone and a size 12/14 would be nice!
 
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