If there’s one thing Texans are really bad at, it’s winter. That’s because generally we have a couple of truly cold days a year (as in high’s near or slightly below freezing), during which everyone stays inside and complains, and then it’s over. None of us know how to dress for it either… why would you, when it’s so rare and fleeting? This winter has been super weird, with a lot of really cold days – weeks, even. When it stretches on for that long, you have to just buck up and go about your business, and that includes riding. Boy did I NOT have winter-appropriate riding clothes, though. Again, see above about things you typically don’t require when you live in an oven Texas (seriously trying to move away from this place, someone hire me).
I heard about the netequestrian.com liquidation sale at just the right/wrong time. Right time, if you’re me, and were freezing TO DEATH. Wrong time if you’re my bank account. Granted, there’s never really a good time to be my bank account. But when things are 75% off does it even count as a purchase? I vote no.
What I learned on those particularly cold and windy days is that the vents on my schooling helmet, a GPA Speed Air, work really well. That’s the reason I bought it. Because see above about how Texas = oven. The downside of those giant vents is that when it’s 25 degrees with a howling wind, your scalp feels every bit of it. I could have just bought one of those helmet cover thingies, but I also wanted a helmet that was more suitable for foxhunting anyway. So when netequestrian had their Charles Owen JR8’s for $43 (normally $170) and there was one left in my size, it went in the cart.
I wasn’t prepared to like it that much, but it actually fits me well and is comfortable. I definitely prefer it in 50’s or below weather, because otherwise I have a sweat-uation, but it’s way warmer on those cold days. $43 well spent, because I cannot afford to freeze any more of my brain cells. The only thing I don’t like is the super cheesy strappy nylon harness. I might bust it out for some schooling shows though, where I’m not as committed to my navy and yellow scheme.
The other thing I grabbed in that sale was a pair of winter breeches. I love my Aqua X breeches, they are great for 9 months of the year, but holy god I was quite literally freezing my ass off. It’s the wind here that makes it feel so awful, so I opted for a pair of black Irideon Wind Pro breeches. Normally $108, into the cart for $26. I was a little skeptical when they got here, because a) they’re tights, b) they look a little cheap, but those things are WARM and super comfy.
The fleecy lining is nice and they really do a good job of stopping the wind. Again, if it’s 50 or below I’m much happier in these than regular breeches. Granted, they’re thick in the leg so I can’t fit my Ego7 boots over them, I have to bust out the show Tucci’s. #horsepeopleproblems
Those two things alone made a huge difference in my comfort while riding during the coldest (for Texas) weather. I’ve always been able to layer, because I may or may not own like 7 vests omg I LOVE VESTS, but I didn’t have the stuff I needed for actual cold weather. If it ever got below mid-20’s I would need additional pieces, but for this weird super-cold-for-Texas-but-not-that-cold-for-everyone-else winter, keeping my ass and my head warm made all the difference in the world.
Completely unrelated to that sale, I did allow myself one little splurge item from my bonus check. And it was 100% driven by how friggin lazy I am.
I’ve been eyeballing this Valentine Equine shirt since they first rolled it out. I hate stock ties. I hate keeping up with them, I hate tying them, and honestly I don’t even like how they look. Who wants a friggin poof on their chest? But sometimes I do actually HAVE to wear one, so why not have one that’s already built in to the shirt? It is sheer laziness but it is sheer genius at the same time. The only thing I didn’t like was the short sleeves (I spent too long in hunterland to not have some cuff at the bottom of my jacket sleeve) so I asked about getting a long sleeve version and VE said it was no problem. All of their shirts are made to order by their tailor, so getting custom tweaks like sizing or sleeves aren’t a big deal, and they didn’t charge me any extra for it. I also really like the fact that the shirt is made from recycled materials. Eco-friendly clothing, FTW. Can’t wait to get it so I can try it out and review it!
Here’s to never tying a g-d stock tie ever again, and having a warm ass.
breedrideevent.com 
Totally not related at all. But I bet you could rock that old school class and a martini look.
LikeLike
I’ve had to very rapidly learn to winter this year and I also picked up a pair of those Irideon tights and they’re so cozy. I still have a total hang up about the fact that I’m wearing tights, but I’m also lazy and like being warm sooo.
LikeLike
That’s kinda how I felt too! lol
LikeLike
Um, at those prices you were morally obligated to make those purchases!
LikeLike
i only wish i hadnt had the flu coming on when you told me about it. the website and my general wooziness could not get me to purchase a single item. So glad you scored. And um that show shirt. is amazing. I HATE STOCK TIES too.
I find if my feet, head and hands stay warm i am okay usually in cold (NOT SINGLE DIGIT COLD THOUGH Then i stay indoors) LOL…
LikeLike
why are we still wearing stock ties in 2018?
LikeLiked by 1 person
i refuse to. I just wear my ratcatcher at my level. I NEED NOTHING ELSE TO MAKE MY BOOBS LOOK BIGGER! LOL. HA but i agree. why??
LikeLike
AMEN.
LikeLike
It’s been the weird opposite here. Not that cold at all – it’s supposed to be 70 next week! Vegas is warm but not THAT warm! So I had actually gotten a pair of Ovation fleece tights. They looked pretty cool, had the silicone knee patch and euro seat and so far I like them! I’ve worn them maybe once now to ride since it’s been so warm? Weird. And OMG you can NEVER have too many vests lol.
LikeLike
agree about the vests. that and socks. Never too much or too many 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Warm breeches and warm head/face are key to riding in the cold. I even wear one of those dorky helmet-cover-slash-face-and-neck-warmer things when it’s really cold and it just makes everything more comfortable.
LikeLike
How you have lived this long without winter breeches is beyond me. They are a necessity from like October-May 😉
LikeLike
Not when it’s 60! I sweat like crazy.
LikeLike
For when it’s terribly miserably cold, I have a goofy face hood that I can put under my helmet. It just has a small cutout for my eyes. I’ve never been a big fan of the winter breeches, so I have a few pairs that are big enough for me to squeeze under armour tights under them. I also ride in a ski jacket, and those ridiculously ugly/warm yellow gloves that all horse people have. Plus the insulated Ariat tall boots. That getup has never been required in Alabama, but I lived in it during Kentucky winters. Coldest I ever rode in was 12* with a wind chill in the negatives 😦 I regretted it instantly haha.
LikeLike
Cheers!
That shirt is fascinating – I can’t wait to hear about it.
LikeLike
Um. That shirt looks amazing. I second all your points on stock ties.
LikeLike
I refuse to buy winter breeches. But I have bought a new blanket, new sheet, rainproof fleece lined quarter sheet, and a wool cooler for Eli–all in the past few months. I need more vests.
LikeLike
Do I dare ask how much that shirt runs? 😮
LikeLike
It’s not bad at all – $89 USD.
LikeLike
I bought those breeches too in the netequestrian sale. They’re not as nice as the Kerrits ones I bought in the same sale, but they do the job! If you like then, you need the Kerrits if you move up north! They’re a bit warmer and thicker.
LikeLike
I lied they’re not thicker. I meant to write that they’re warmer and LESS thick.
LikeLike
They didn’t have any of the kerrits ones in my size or a color I liked, or I would have bought them too!
LikeLike
Ohhhh good shopping and 75% totally doesn’t count as a purchase. Is the Valentine shirt worth it? Does it look OK under the jacket and not like a weird pretied stock? I admit, I hate stock ties but totally wear an old school untied one for the look and because I have a fear of my former instructor yelling at me for not wearing it hahahaha. And despite the fact I have bought a few pretied ones, they never look right to me and I look like I have a big wadded up napkin hanging around my neck LOL!
LikeLike
I’ll do a review once I get it! They’re custom and from Australia so it might be a little while.
LikeLike
I’m glad I somehow missed out on the majority of this sale! Nice choices though! I have a few CO helmets, and I really like them. Agree though the JR8 harness is icky. That shirt is brilliant. And awesome they didn’t charge more for long sleeves!
LikeLike