Has the bubble burst for Le Mieux new season colours?

[Boulty]

I am “that” person who has probably 20 odd saddlecloths but none of them actually match anything, I own zero bandages but will admit to one ear bonnet that matches one saddlecloth cos I saw it on sale for a fiver and it was pretty. I then proceeded to never use it & it’s still kicking around somewhere I think. I do like bright colours but most of my “everyday “ stuff is grey, brown or blue. (I did do accidental matchy for a while when I had an epic pair of lime green cotton breeches, a hi viz hat silk in the same colour & either a neon green hi viz saddlecloth or a lighter green & grey one with a fancy design plus a grey top… I used to try & deliberately blind everyone on the TREC PTV course with it… really must find something equally as ridiculous!). My actual favourite saddlecloth in terms of fit is a purple nuumed one I got when they were supposed to be closing down. For “posh” I have about 3 with a compass design on (cos I have that kinda sense of humour) & a tartan one that I scoured the internet for (I really wanted a LM heritage one but spent too much time ogling & not enough buying!)

Will admit to seeing little point to all the minutely different seasonal colours but as I wear things into the ground & don’t get rid until the Velcro is dead & there’s holes in it I don’t often NEED new stuff so just tend to get what I think looks pretty. I do enjoy having “nice” stuff to keep for competing / clinics / times when a camera might be pointing our way!

 

[Boulty]

That awkward moment when you match the number bib!


Think my t-shirt was letting the side down here (& blue gloves what was I thinking?!)


Found one where I had gone to the lengths of glove co-ordination (still with the matching number bib). I think this was pretty much the last outing of the line green jods as they started getting holes in them.

Now that I’ve successfully derailed the thread with my human matchy matchy we can get back to our analysis of LM & their business model

 

[McFluff]

If someone could design the dragon wing pad without any seams under the saddle area, and some sheepskin lining, I’d cave to fashion!
I actually have admiration for those who (after prioritising horse welfare) do proper matchy.
I’m way too lazy. Also too lazy to do boots, bandages or ears.
Which means that sometimes I’m clashy. Today was burgundy pad, neon orange quarter rug and navy jacket. Classy.
SBloom, I’m genuinely shocked by what you witness. So sad. Horse care and welfare MUST come first, and lessons.

 

[SatansLittleHelper]

I dont have any LM (too pricey for me) but I have few "fun" sets. Both of my boys are in full size so they share. I have a gorgeous green Dragon wing pad complete with Dragon ear bonnet, a Scooby Doo set, some plain orange and a starry one. Welfare comes first so the fun stuff is only bought after the proper stuff!!!

 

[mini_b]

In addition to the 'selection' process, an interesting choice given the previous affiliation with LeMieux versus people who applied to be ambassadors as genuine users and fans of WW products.

In neither case do I think these accounts are good ambassadors of anything tbh. I know not all will share that view but there certainly are people who are conscious of who brands use to represent them.

one of the ambassadors is not a nice rider and it comes across that she’s not got a great deal of respect for her really nice horse. Like a non horsey person bought a horse to showjump because they could afford to do so. She was recently slammed for comparing herself to John Whitaker. (In a non ironic way!) that actually puts me off WW a bit they’ve chosen to work with her.

much the same as I hard pass on anything that ray the goth has anything to do with.

 

[SheriffTruman]

You are very colourfull, Boulty!

I didn't know LeMieux had such a bad reputation as a company. I own one pair of breeches from them, fleece-lined, and waterproof, and it is fantastic quality. Fits like a glove, and keeps me warm and dry. I don't do matchy matchy, only buy black or red numnahs. I don't mind paying for good technical quality, though (in my search for a really good breathable saddlepad, I came home with a Cal Rei. It was on sale, but still ).

 

[SOS]

I am young (for H&H) and my tack is always brown, saddle cloths black or dark brown. I like plain colours and if they fade it’s hard to notice!

I couldn’t give two hoots what colours anyone else has on their horse at home and do occasionally see matchy matchy sets and think ooo they look smart. The right colour on the right horse can be very eye catching.

If competing or hunting I would expect the person to have appropriate coloured horse clothing for the rules o as you would expect their horse to be clean and tidy etc.

My only irk is when horses have ill fitting clothing or tack. I will hold my hands up and say I am no expert in tack fitting so always seek advice and I am by no means perfect. So along as your saddle pad fits your horse and is on appropriately, your polo wraps are done correctly and used only when needed and the ear bonnet not too small, I couldn’t care what colour they are. A perk of just using a saddle cloth is there is much less to fit and therefore go wrong!

To answer to original question is the hype gone? I think a little yes, some companies are falling foul of their own greed and constant “new lines”. Plus the cost of living crisis, people may not have the money they did before.

Lemieux is not a very nice company and I avoid buying from them unless there is no appropriate alternative.

Nuumed IMO do the best quality saddle cloths and I believe they are made in the UK. However they were almost victims of their own success a few years ago - making such good quality products that people didn’t need to buy again.

 

[southerncomfort]

Matchy threads make me sad.

My Fell has to have a non slip saddle pad, which seem only to come in black or white.
And he's a black pony so I have to have the white one, which is always covered in black hairs.

What's the point in having a black pony, which suits every colour under the sun, and only being able to use the same white saddle pad?!

 

[ecb89]

one of the ambassadors is not a nice rider and it comes across that she’s not got a great deal of respect for her really nice horse. Like a non horsey person bought a horse to showjump because they could afford to do so. She was recently slammed for comparing herself to John Whitaker. (In a non ironic way!) that actually puts me off WW a bit they’ve chosen to work with her.

much the same as I hard pass on anything that ray the goth has anything to do with.

And she has previously said she doesn’t like brands such as WW and prefers higher end brands

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Matchy threads make me sad.

My Fell has to have a non slip saddle pad, which seem only to come in black or white.
And he's a black pony so I have to have the white one, which is always covered in black hairs.

What's the point in having a black pony, which suits every colour under the sun, and only being able to use the same white saddle pad?! ☹

I feel for you! Tho I have traditional brown for showing etc, for RC stuff I pop a bit of colour on..... tho it's not quite matchy, more 'yeah, that's similar, I'll throw it on' type of stuff

 

[blodwyn1]

my dragon pad I love it! It's not le mieux.

 

[mini_b]

And she has previously said she doesn’t like brands such as WW and prefers higher end brands

wow. she might have to delete that…

 

[SheriffTruman]

And she has previously said she doesn’t like brands such as WW and prefers higher end brands

Can't be bothered by snobbery that's stupid to boot.

What does irk me is al the stuff that is used because it matches. Not because it's needed. Unnecessary bandages or boots are my pet peeve. It heats up the tendons. In some cases do more harm than good. Sure, you use protection to jump or event or for over-reachers. If needed. But not just because it matches your saddlepath.

/end of rant.

 

[maya2008]

I love brightly coloured stuff but won’t wear boots (heat legs) or ears (bridle comes off) so Le Mieux is just an expensive saddle pad that would be better in numnah shape at that point! I have a younger friend who loves the sets though.

 

[Boulty]

OMG I wish I’d known about dragon wing pads when I had the Welsh! He morphed into a dragon on a semi regular basis & using this on him would have been hilarious! (Not much point on the Highland slug!)

 

[southerncomfort]

I feel for you! Tho I have traditional brown for showing etc, for RC stuff I pop a bit of colour on..... tho it's not quite matchy, more 'yeah, that's similar, I'll throw it on' type of stuff
View attachment 108383

I love that! Maybe I can dye my white saddle pad!