gear post: 2017 edition

As a self described borderline-hoarder, I especially appreciate that eventing calls for so much stuff. And every year or so I like to go through an inventory of sorts of what I'm currently using (2016 post on show apparel is here, and my 2015 post is right here). L Williams' recent inventory post reminded me of this, so here goes!

Today let's just stick to the stuff we are using for competitions - and I'll take advantage of using even more of those lovely photographs Austen snapped while at Loch Moy recently. Thanks girl!

it's pretty amazing how much stuff fits into this trailer haha - esp the junk we can get into that wooden trunk!

For dressage, Charlie wears a PS of Sweden dressage bridle with no-name extra long webbed reins from consignment. The bridle has a removeable flash strap (he actually raced in a flash and it's been decided that he simply goes better in one) and sports a Dark Jewel Designs browband.

Some of our favorite venues (like Loch Moy!) provide bridle numbers for the dressage phase, but most just expect competitors to wear pinnies. So we picked up these competition number sets from Dover to make our own bridle tags, the better to show off our colorful coats!

dressed for dressage success?

His bit is a Sprenger KK Ultra bradoon snaffle (a hand-me-down from Izzy). After taking a clinic with Stephen Birchall last winter, we experimented with a single-jointed fat eggbutt snaffle. But ultimately he goes a little better in this bit.

Believe it or not, Charlie actually uses the same saddle and accessories as Isabel for dressage. We have a Bates Isabel dressage saddle, Prolite shimmable half pad, and Ovation Gel Body Form dressage girth. The girth is about 2 years old at this point and is showing signs of wear, tho Charlie wears it covered with a terry cloth sleeve anyway bc he's a sensitive snowflake lol.

Irons are of the plain fillis variety that came with my first saddle off eBay a literal decade ago. Leathers are from consignment. Typical competition saddle pad is also from consignment.

dressage saddle and storage in the trailer. extra hooks for all the things, and extra bits bc hi my name is emma

For jumping, Charlie wears the Mark Todd bridle in the Dy'on style (a gift for which I continue to be very grateful!) with flash strap and matching Dark Jewel Designs browband. The reins are extra long rubberized Stubben buckle-end reins (with brass hardware to match). He wears a Nunn Finer neck strap as well.

We've played a little with bits, but Charlie goes in either a plain loose ring Sprenger KK Ultra, or the universal KK Ultra (same mouth piece but different cheeks). The universal has added no-name flat curb rein. I also have a Stubben double jointed full cheek, but that's not in regular rotation.

Charlie wears Isabel's old jump saddle too - a Bates Caprilli that's been converted to wool flocking. Ollllllld-ass stirrup leathers from aforementioned decades-old first ever saddle off ebay (something I will replace sooner rather than later); and lightweight Compositi stirrups. 

Girth is the Ovation Fleece-lined Equalizer, which we switched to after Sir Dinosaur-Stuck-in-Tar-Pit decided my fancy ADT anatomic leather girth was a no-no. We use the same Prolite shimmable half pad as for dressage, and typically compete in this navy LeMieux shaped pad. 

jompies outfit!

For the rider, not much has changed in the last couple years. For dressage, I wear Tredstep Da Vinci boots and Symphony breeches. Plus a Horseware Competition Jacket in berry, and my tried-n-true Equi-logic stock tie from Riding Warehouse (alas my DIY tie isn't really the right color for this jacket). And my standard One-K Defender helmet and black Roeckls.

To jump, I normally switch to Piper breeches (but have also jumped in my Montars and Irideons) and Mondoni Kingston tall boots. The protective vest is by Harry Hall out of the UK (Beta 3 certified and pretty freakin affordable too!) and the skull cap is also by One K (tho the cover is by Charles Owens and decorated with a fun patch from ebay lol).

The competition pinny is from Smartpak, armband from Dover, and little nubby spurs with nylon straps from ebay. I wear either my brown SSG gloves or navy Roeckls to jump.

two different looks for one special pone

Rounding out the whole shebang are Smartpak long sleeved sunshirts, or just a regular old polo from Marshalls haha. And usually a Mango Bay belt.

Charlie wears black Woofs on his front legs, and Weatherbeetas on his hinds. Plus Horze velcro-on bell boots. Maybe when we get to more advanced cross country and do more actual galloping, I'll invest in better protective boots. But these do quite nicely for now.

carrots are always in style

All in all, I'm pretty satisfied with the gear we use. Nothing stands out as a weak link, or is on its last legs or anything. Tho aside from the bridles, none of it is particularly fancy either.

Looking forward, I'll need to replace a few things eventually, and may want to consider some upgrades:

• tall boots - the Mondonis are showing their age
• stirrup leathers for the jump saddle
• xc boots for the horse
• pinny (one of my clips cracked)
• RoadID bracelet to replace arm band? 
• new helmet soon-ish
• dressage gloves
• dressage girth

What about you - do you feel like you've basically got everything you need? Or are you still working to gather all the right equipment for your sport of choice? Do you like to mix it up at every outing, or do you have some tried-n-true basics that you know work well for you?

Would you consider yourself more of a minimalist? Or a full-fledged tack ho? Somewhere in between?