Slim away as a corsette for riding?

If you havent seen the informercial for Slim away yet its basically a neoprine corsette of sorts. Has several zippers (bout 4 inches apart) so you can adjust smaller as needed (hopefully - since its supposed to help you loose weight via sweating, we'll see). They also mention about it being good for back support. One of my biggest issues with riding, hunt mostly, not as much as dressage or western longer stirrups, is leaning forward. Which in turn messes up my leg position. My back does get sore sometimes if I show a lot of classes.

In reading Riding Asides blog about her nice fancy corsette http://ridingaside.blogspot.com/, I thought not only would that help make my show clothes look better (esp western shirts) but it might help me keep straight, stregthen my core and as a bonus tone up a bit (not really counting on that part).

I never order anything off an informercial, esp when so often now you can find the items in the as seen on tv sections at several stores. Well I happened to be in a chain Fabric store looking for iron on patches for Divas poor shredded winter blankets (she REALLY needs to learn to fight back), and look what I found, 10% off even, no shipping, no handling and no extra one for "free" that I dont need. So for less than 10 bucks I thought Id give it a try.

Says it fits 22- 50 inch waists. Im somewhere in the middle of that, yet I am on the second to last zipper. Third to last was far too loose, this one feels snug but helpfull. That means I only have on more zipper smaller, kinda surprised me. My biggest fear was that it would roll up on the top or bottom, especially when seated. Not so far. And its hard to slouch! So I am going to try riding with it and see if it helps any. I can bet its going to be hot in summer but should be worth it. We shall see! Off to do some house work with it on.

Year end awards

Had our Arabians Unplugged banquet today and here are our high point awards! Our costume, liberty and dressage classes went into the Judged Misc div where we got a top 5, the other top 5 is for Equitation, Reserve English and Champ halter woohoo! One more hp banquet to go but not til March.

PIX!

Finally shots of the finished costume in action (on a fuzzy fall coated Arab)

and some shots of her in dressage tack for fun. Going to work on that snaffle alot this winter. Got her a new bridle (not this one) in a trade at our barns tack swap, its nicer leather and finer which is going to look awesome on her head! 

My costume top is now done!

YAY pix from show are here

Thanks to Abby for getting some great shots of us, including the one where Diva stopped short at the water puddle on center line and nearlly threw me in (not really but she could have).

Back to Dressage!

So with lack of time and decent weather to practice in I opted to only show sport horse in hand mares and intro level (test A). The show was much smaller than I expected. With a score of 74% we got 3rd out of 3 on in hand. For our test there were also 3 and we managed a second with a 63.75%. It had rained a few hours before show start and the arena was sloppy with a big puddle right down the center line. She wasnt too enthused about that. We did our pattern ok but had issues with getting her to relax and give to the snaffle.

the show!

It was the closest I will probably ever get to riding an Arab across the desert, complete with dusty sand:) be sure to watch to the end!

 

The piece I planned for my top did not arrive so I had to improvise.

The trim is here the trim is here

now Im only waiting for 2 pieces from ebay, one is essential and should be here on time, the other isnt and Im not sure its even shipped yet as it hasnt been updated. So rather than mow the lawn I had to start in on it! Its looking so much more finished now, and at 6 plus shipping for 16 1/2 yards - a TOTAL STEAL. But even with that much Im going to be a bit short of what Id really like to do with it.

Dress up the Diva time

Tried it on her Monday, everything fit perfectly and she could have cared less!

since then I have finished the second row of tassels and done some more work on the bridle, cant finish the bridle til I get my ebay purchases but I can now put the backing on the saddle piece and reinforce the girth opening with ultrasuede.

Arab costume sewing - saddle piece cont.

back piece

nearing completion

 

Arab costume sewing - saddle piece

 Where I left off with the saddle front piece last night

Arab costume sewing day one

Breast collar:

The Frugal ... Arab Costume maker???

Say what? Arent we supposed to be practicing for the Dressage show thats now less than 3 weeks away. Eh theres time for that later. Determined to do EVERYTHING with my Arab I got the crazy idea to make Diva an Arab Costume. Not only that but to make it in 2 weeks and for less than $100. Whats that I hear "your nuts", "no way"...oh naysayers and disbelievers. You know me not! When I want to do something I do it. I already have about 100 tassels made and that should be about enough for 1 row. I want 2 rows but that can always be done later. Ive started on the breast collar and my head piece but cant do much more til I get a few more supplies and some measurements of Diva (tonight). So far I have spent less than $80 and just need a few trim pieces and something for my pants. Worst case scenario I just use my breeches since I have a hunt class 2 classes later anyway. Its purple (duh!) and gold and here are some pix of the supplies and ideas: