My most loved equestrian products of 2019

And just like that, we have stumbled to the end of another year which means somehow it's time for a end of year round-up post! How exciting! So rather than do the "this is what has happened in the last 12 months" post that I've normally done, I thought I'd share a handful of the equestrian products that I've been using obsessively over the past twelve months and have been seriously impressed with. These products I can't imagine not having as part of my equestrian day to day life, they are the heroes that get me through the months without wanting to give up! Without further ado, here they are...

1. Schockemohle bridles
I am SO pleased that I ended up getting the boys new bridles from Schockemohle. Whilst I would have loved to jump on the PS of Sweden bridle bandwagon, having seen and felt the difference between the two I'm content that Schockemohle was the right choice to go for. Both boys are much more comfortable in their bridles.

2. Spooks clothing
Warm, comfy and stylish! I've always loved Spooks clothing but for some reason I never really invested in any of them until this year when really, the majority of my riding clothes has been Spooks. From t-shirts to their super warm gilets I have been loving everything.

3. Kingsland boots
I have used and owned a lot of different boots for all our horses and I must admit I'm very much in love with these boots and how soft they are. I'm most impressed with the fact that a set of full size front and back boots will fit on all three of mine, from skinny legs Melisse to chunky monkey Vallu - which is a feat that no other brand has yet managed to do!

4. Pikeur and Kingsland hats

Although i've always been a head band type of girl, this year has been the year that I have accepted that hats keep you a lot warmer in winter! Both Pikeur and Kingsland have done lovely bobble hats which suit even my big head 💁🏼

My Black Friday bargains

Well wasn't that a good Black Friday this year? I had a great time hunting around for some cheeky bargains, here's what I got ⤵️

Aztec Diamond Equestrian clothing:

Aztec Diamond Equestrian clothing really truly are my most comfortable equestrian clothes. Their leggings have spoiled me - I find myself getting grumpy whenever it's too chilly to wear these and having to wear actual breeches. I live in these throughout the summer as they are so lightweight. So of course I grabbed another colour to add to my leggings collection. I was very excited to try out their base layers and their sport bra, both of which I have been very pleased with. In fact Im wearing the base layer as I type this, and as a curvy girl I'm impressed at how happy I feel in a top which is designed to be tighter than tops that I normally go for!

Schockmöhle Venice double bridle:

With Horze doing nearly £50 off it's RRP and having been SO impressed with Vallu's new Schockmöhle snaffle bridle, I could not resist getting Erik a new double bridle. His old one isn't actually old at all, but it was bought in a rush when he first arrived with us and doesn't fit him as well as I'd like. Although I was convinced that a PS of Sweden would be the best for him, having seen them in real life I must admit that I really do prefer the Schockmöhle bridles - the head piece is so sot and then noseband is perfectly designed.👌🏻Despite taking forever to be dispatched and being packaged in a square cardboard box (poor bridle was squished af... 🙄) I love the bridle and how happy Erik is in it!

The Best 2019 Equestrian Black Friday Sales

HELLO it is that time of year again! I'll keep things very simple. So below you'll find a list of all my favourite retailers who are offering Black Friday deals (or Cyber Week deals or whatever you want to call it as it basically starts earlier and earlier each year 😳). I'll be updating this list every day with all of the latest deals and discounts from across the web. In the spirit of shopping more consciously, remember to not buy what you don't actually need or won't be giving away this Christmas, and try t buy wrapping paper which be recycled (e.g. brown paper or then use old equestrian magazines!)

I'll update this post with the latest deals over the next few days, so I guess all that's left for me to say is HAPPY BARGAIN HUNTING! 🎉 These shops have everything from rugs, bridles and boots to lotions and potions - I've got you covered no matter what you're looking for!  ⤵️

Aztec Diamond Equestrian:

THE main for me for my riding clothing, with everything on the website reduced! Starting at 9pm on Thursday 28th until Sunday, Aztec Diamond Equestrian will have a discount on every single product on their website, even their latest products - lucky us! 🙌🏻 I've already done my order having missed out on this sale last year - I bought another pair of leggings to add to my collection as well as a base layer and sport bra, but you HAVE to be quick because they sell so quickly and there's no restock coming for a few months! With this sale, if you snooze you lose. So GO GO GO!⏰

Feather Dressage:

Discounts across our the store with Pikeur, Kingsland, Spooks, selected Eskadron, Harcour, selected Roeckl, HV Polo, Imperial Riding, Anky, Catago, selected PS of Sweden and Equestrian Stockholm, with discounts ranging from 10-30%. There is free UK postage for orders over £50 📦 and free gift worth up to £14.99 when you spend over £150! No code needed, just add to basket and the rest will be taken care of! My Christmas present from my parents is coming from here with the BF discounts, I'm very excited 😍 Shop here

Foster Equestrian:

Starting at 7am on Friday 29th until midnight Sunday 1st December, Foster Equestrian has 20% off Pikeur, Eskadron (will not include the latest Heritage collection), Roeckl, Anky, and 25-40% off selected Equestrian Stockholm with FREE UK postage (discounted international postage). For Equestrian Stockholm prices will be visibly reduced on each individual item but for all other participating brands 20% will automatically be removed at checkout! 👏 Shop here 

Aztec Diamond Equestrian Black Friday 2019

Just a quick reminder for you guys that the lovely gals and guys at Aztec Diamond Equestrian have just started their 2019 Black Friday sale! You have to be quick as last time some sizes and products were sold out in minutes, which is insane yet at the same time totally understandable as this company is one of the truly great British equestrian brands.

In case you didn't know, Aztec Diamond has been one of my long time favourite brands. I've owned a pair of their leggings which are several years old and are still going strong, and honestly and truly they are my favourite ones to wear throughout the year. This year I spent the afternoon in London for a Behind The Scenes press day in the amazing Core Clapton building and after meeting Jordan this brand became a firm favourite. Jordan is so awe inspiring and just so lovely that you can't help but slightly fall in love with her products, because so much time, dedication and love go into the design of every single item. 

So now that Black Friday sales are here, I wanted to highlight to you the Aztec Diamond Equestrian sale, which is THE main for me for my riding clothing. Everything on the website is reduced! Starting at 9pm today on Thursday 28th until Sunday, Aztec Diamond Equestrian will have a discount on every single product on their website, even their latest products - lucky us! 🙌🏻 Leggings are -10%, base layers are -20%, sports bras are -50%, breeches are between -30 to -50%. The latest pull on hoodies are -10% as is their brilliant new rain jacket too. Don't forget that the Young Rider collection is also included in this sale, so if you've got a young member of the family AD have got you covered too, with -20% to -50%!

I'm going for another pair of leggings to add to my collection as well as a base layer and sports bra, but you HAVE to be quick because they sell so quickly and there's no restock coming for a few months! I LOVE my leggings, but honestly I'm super excited to find out what the sports bra and base layer will be like too.

With this sale, if you snooze you lose. So GO GO GO!⏰

HAPPY BARGAIN HUNTING! 🎉

 * This is a sponsored blog post with Aztec Diamond Equestrian, but all of my views and thoughts are honest and I do truly love the brand *

Riding exercise of the month: trot-halt-rein back-trot

Every winter when the clocks go back and it gets darker earlier and earlier, I always go through a few weeks of experiencing a persistent grumpy mood, a loss of interest in just about everything and constantly feeling lethargic and sleepy during the day - I wouldn't say that it's seasonal affective disorder since it only lasts for a few weeks but I do think it's the winter blues hitting me hard. But now that a few weeks have passed and I've started feeling better and more like myself again - it's time for one of my favourite riding exercises, the trot-halt-rein back-trot!

The trot-halt-rein back-trot is a fabulous exercise for creating a quick burst of engagement in your horse’s movement. I was taught this in one of my lessons with Andrew Fletcher years ago with Vallu and it's one of those exercises that I always go back to whenever I need a little bit more oomph from the horses. It's a great chance to practice getting sharp responses from your horse, especially for getting them to think more quickly. Obviously first do your normal warm up, and then once you're ready find a nice rhythmical trot. When you feel like your horse is ready, ask for a prompt halt. Make sure you are not pulling back on the reins to halt. When the horse stands still, ask for  3-4 steps rein back and then go forward into a trot from the rein back. And repeat again, again and again until it feels good. The repetitions that you do within this exercise allows the horse to naturally improve each time, because they can start to anticipate what comes next.