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Are you frustrated by the clothing sizes offered in most tack shops? You might be happy to learn that Fuller Fillies is a line of clothing for women sized 16 though 24. An attractive and flattering selection of schooling tights, tees, jackets, English show wear, tall boots and half chaps. They’re based in the UK but the line is now available at SmartPak.
My plus sized friend brought this clothing line to my attention. She’s doing the happy dance! However, we had to laugh about the name and the funny photography. Especially the breeches! Why is the model kicking up her heel? Skipping? I would’ve suggested a focus group to test the name (oh, wait…English humor?) and invest in some better photography.
Kudos!
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Update 5/29/09 I just visited the SmartPak site and discovered that they’ve invested in some new photography for the Fuller Fillies line (right). I’m sad to say that they’re still using the skipping photo (above) and the “pin the tail on the donkey” shot (below). My friend’s words not mine. Unfortunately, I can see why she said it.
You’re on the right track SmartPak. Just please get rid of the original photos from Fuller Fillies. They’re not flattering. You’re selling a look that your customers want to aspire to and these photos aren’t it.
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Update 7/29/09 I visited again and I’m so pleased with the photos. They’re right in line with a fashion magazine. I’d still like to see the skipping photo (top right) removed. It’s pictured in black on their site. The pose doesn’t make any sense to me.
Flipping through the April issue of Practical Horseman I ran across the “Dressage for Jumpers” article by Sandra Oliynyk. Olympian Robert Dover says, “…It’s the planning. Riding a perfect circle is one of the hardest things to do.” He recalled the first time he worked with former US dressage coach Col. Bengt Ljungquist and rode through a corner. “An hour-and-a-half later, I was sweating like a pig and still not doing it right.”
That says it all! If an Olympian says it’s hard then I guess it isn’t all in my head.
Yesterday’s lesson was better. I had the ring all to myself for the entire lesson. We trotted 20 meter circles and figure eights. I had a few great change of reins and a few moments where I felt a wonderful response while using my inside leg to outside rein.
Then everything went downhill and I’d go too far into the corner. Again, and again, and need I say…again. (Maybe my trainer’s a magnet because that’s where she was standing.) It seemed that every time she spoke my concentration went out the window. I would find myself making a correction to my position or aid only to find her saying it out loud. I think I need her to let me try first, then correct.
In the center circle I was riding an egg instead of a perfect circle, as usual, sigh. My trainer called me on it constantly. I think it ramped up my anxiety each time. I was on the verge of tears when she came out and placed markers on the circle for me. Then I continued, swearing under my breathe the whole time.
Looking ahead about half way around the circle does help but I still found the mare falling out. Of course I was collapsing on the inside, which increased the falling out. It was helpful to think of riding from touching point to touching point as a leg yield. Also if I remembered to keep my elbows glued to my hips it was easier to keep her light in my hands and in the outside rein.
Keep at it and don’t quit yet.
I’m a magnet, really I am. Every rider in the indoor was in my little corner of the world. Have I mention that this indoor is a regulation dressage arena? Plenty of space for everyone, but no, they all need to be at C where I am. Including all the parents, boarders and others with nothing better to do.
It was the end of my private lesson and I was trotting on a 20 meter circle at C (remember my nemesis?). My instructor, who’s been away training, had asked me to canter. At the same time her next lesson has entered the ring at C. The other instructor’s students are cooling out at C and her next lesson students are also entering and mounting at C! What am I, a magnet?!! Why at C?
So, instead of cantering I continue walking/trotting/stopping to wait for traffic. Growing more and more nervous about the canter. Watching clueless teens putzing around on their mounts, crossing my path. Can we say performance anxiety?! I’m stressed, the horse is stressed. I finally did get in a half circle of canter and my instructor finally asked the kids to clear the way for me. At this point I announced that I was too nervous to continue.
Can we canter earlier in the lesson? Please.
