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Post by Skinny show rider on Jun 20, 2010 20:36:54 GMT
I understand that this may not be a suitable topic and I will not object to it being deleted but after having the debate at East of England this afternoon I am interested in hearing peoples views on the matter.
Was speaking to a couple of riders this afternoon about the "pressure to be thin for the show ring" the riders aged from 14 - 45 and most felt the need to look "skinny" on their rides and are currently or have in the past dieted to achieve this - may i add the majority of the girls where no bigger than a ladies size 12 and by no means overweight.
Just wondering if it was pure coincidence that the girls i spoke to agreed with this or if this is a common thing.
Regards
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Post by flagmountmolly08 on Jun 20, 2010 21:06:55 GMT
if you look at the role models out there: Vicky B cheryl cole katie price megan fox etc
these women are beutiful and skinny.. todays culture puts pressure on girls as young as 14 wanting to look slim and attractive.. and natrual beauty seems to be decreasing.
i have to agree that as i'm only 5ft4 i'm always looking into different ways to shed a few pounds so i can ride the likes of sections A's and B's etc..
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Post by jubbily1 on Jun 20, 2010 21:07:58 GMT
I'm currently on a diet because I'm too heavy for my welsh C. I'm a size 12 and was a size 10. I love riding little ponies. I just want to be the size I was.
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Post by sageandonion on Jun 20, 2010 21:12:45 GMT
jubbily, you are no way too fat for your section C, get any thinner and you shalln't have the energy to ride well.
Oh my goodness, please don't tell me this is happening in the showing world so we have skinny women on fat ponies!
Just be fit and healthy within normal weight ranges.
Yours from a size 8 desperate to be a size 12 and less haggard looking lady.
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Post by pollypocket on Jun 20, 2010 21:21:33 GMT
I think there's lots of pressure on people to look good on their horses, I'm a size 16 and would love to be loads thinner!! But for now I make sure I wear a correctly fitting jacket that covers my bum! haha! And I would only ride ponies that are right for me...I wouldn't buy an arab, hack or show pony for example. I always want to make sure that I feel comfortable and that we both look good on the photo's. I've been to a few big shows recently and a majority of the riders are very slim and look great...Special K diet for me!!
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Post by heathers on Jun 20, 2010 22:52:27 GMT
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rooanda
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Post by rooanda on Jun 21, 2010 6:50:55 GMT
I dont think that there is anymore pressure to be thin within the showing world than in normal everyday life.
However I can understand the need and desire to look good upon a horse and if you are overweight then jodphurs show every spare bit you may have and sometimes highlights the butt area making it appear larger than it really is and if not careful you look like you have a getto booty. I personally would like a booty but alas have the same problem as S&O
Anti fat is the new anti smoking campaign, everybody blames the role models but its society in general that dictates how people look, we are being bombarded by health adverts on the tv but we are becoming like the americans and they are a fat nation. I personally get really cross by people who moan about their weight and then catch them later sitting on the ramp of their lorry with a burger stuffing their face. How many people do you know that say I need to lose a few pounds and we all say oh no your fine dont be silly when we are really thinking erh yep you could do with a bit of a tone up. What riders must not forget is they have spent hours months years preparing their horse correctly and then hours to turnout to perfection and forget themselves which spoils the overall effect.
I have yet to meet the person who says they need to lose weight and really doesnt need to unless they are just fishing for a compliment as they have low self esteem.
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Post by Not Really on Jun 21, 2010 7:56:02 GMT
I don't think there is excessive pressure to be thin in the show ring, I think it's more of a general thing in society. Yes, ideally everyone would like to be the perfect 10 but people aren't built that way and you would end up doing yourself far more harm than good stressing about getting to that size. What people also seem to fail to realise is that you build up quite alot of muscle in your thighs from riding. Some gain thin, wirey muscles like race jockey's others end up with bigger muscles. Its the same with your shoulders, the more you ride, the broader they become - then you start finding it difficult to get show jackets that give you movement in your shoulder but still fit elegantly round the waist!
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Post by thecremellosociety on Jun 21, 2010 8:05:48 GMT
I dont see size 10 as perfect as if you scraped every ounze of fat off me my bone structure and most of my families would be bigger than a size 10, i weigh in at 15 - 16 stone and a little more at certain times of the month, but can gurantee alot of that is muscle and muscle weighs more than fat !!!!
I carry mine around tummy and back but have thin legs so its quite deciving, My horse is more than able to cope with me, must admit would be different if i was a new rider / total novice that didnt have self balance and a decent posture. I think more empahsis should be put on the horse and not what the rider looks like.
I would rather be bonny than skinny, i dont snap and can honestly say im happier now than i have been in many years, even when a size 12 when younger still saw myself as fat, so maybe its just how i am meant to be, yes dont eat salad everyday and will eat out and have takaways, lifes just to bloody busy not to, but lifes to short, live for today and enjoy your life and if people cant see past the skin you are in then they are quite shallow xxxx
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Post by mol123 on Jun 21, 2010 8:12:40 GMT
your right emmajane - as long as the horse can carry you its not a problem in the show ring. However last year I saw a huuuuuuge rider on a poor little sec C, it was really struggleing and she got cross with it when it wouldn't (couldn't) gallop! This is not fair at all I don't see a pressure to be thin in the show world, just look how busy the burger van always is!
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Post by stormkrowe on Jun 21, 2010 8:33:29 GMT
its has to be said, most schedules say the rider must be an appropriate weight for the pony and i think it should be stuck to. saying that my little Exmoor can carry up to 13 stone so i don't really worry about weight!
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Post by Guest C on Jun 21, 2010 10:15:08 GMT
I don't see much pressure at shows to be thin, but what has really started to annoy me is, my primary school age children coming home from school and being asked to log what they have eaten over the weekend to see if they are eating healthierly or not. My oldest is 7 skinny and very petite and already saying she does not want to be fat, this I find very worrying. Are motto in our house where food is concerned is everything in moderation and little bit of naughtiness won't hurt.
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Post by clobo121082 on Jun 21, 2010 10:32:02 GMT
I hate to say it but I think there is pressure to be 'smaller' for riding. I have heard many people say they need to lose weight to ride the smaller ponies - myself included. However at the age of 27 I have come to the conclusion this is pretty much my shape and I will never have the figure of a 15 year old on a pony even though I maybe the same height as i have thighs, bum and boobs!!! I always wanted to drop weight of my thighs especially for the 'look' when I ride judge but it really is muscle and I have concluded if I lose it I wouldnt be as strong as a rider ;-)
I think people should be more tuned into riding the appropriate pony for their weight/height and agree I wouldnt feel comfortable riding a small plaited FR type neither a 17hh hunter!!!
Also I think people should remember being thin doesnt mean beign healthy. I have a friend who is a tiny size 8 and is far more unhealthy than my fit size 14 friend. In the same way a tall size 8 person can still weigh a fair bit.
Lets be honest riding gear is not the most flattering of outfits to ride in - maybe we should adapt black breaches instead ;-) I would hope horse riding would promote a health fit way of life and not an obssesion with being thin.
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Post by Julie(luke3) on Jun 21, 2010 10:41:50 GMT
Well said clobo I have a lovely welsh/TB mare at home who can carry me fine but, I will not show her as I personally feel that I spoil the look of her! I also have a 16.3hh cob who I am happy to show as I look OK on him. Both horses can carry me fine but I do think the overall look is important to show the horse off.
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Post by mandmfan on Jun 21, 2010 13:09:06 GMT
I think that is a great idea - Clobo. I wonder if dressage would also adopt that idea? Would also be much more practial than light coloured jodphurs/breeches.
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Post by thecremellosociety on Jun 21, 2010 14:42:19 GMT
Heres me on mine she is a lighter type of cob but is happy - and yes i need a new jacket and liposuction but if we happy who cares Yes im big but enjoy what i do and do it in fun not going to let my size stop me xxx
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Post by bunny on Jun 21, 2010 14:51:56 GMT
Ooo black breeches and black jackets with vertical stripes would help us a lot. I bought a fab C and have shown him at local level, i am not comfortable though and feel the look isnt right for anything else. I am size 12 and weigh about 10 and half on a good week or nearly 11 on a bad I am 5'7. I keep him fit and we have a great time hacking but I have now decided that as daughter is growing into him she can take him over and I will get something a little bigger if I want to show when the smaller ponies are outgrown. Show outfit away for yet another year.
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ISRT
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Post by ISRT on Jun 21, 2010 15:51:02 GMT
I'm 5'6, 9/12 stone and size 10, do wish i was thinner so i could ride little ponies more often!
And yes, i do feel there is a pressure to be thin on riders to look the part.
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Post by Not Really on Jun 21, 2010 16:27:52 GMT
You don't need to be stick thin to ride small ponies you need to be shorter of stature. Sorry, I don't like seeing people with their knees folded up under their chin just so they can carry on riding ponies - adults or kids.
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Milliesmum
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Post by Milliesmum on Jun 21, 2010 16:56:22 GMT
I think looking stick thin can look as bad as being overweight, choose your mount accordingly and enjoy is what I say!
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Post by Rockstar on Jun 21, 2010 17:27:11 GMT
Ive not ridden my horse in the ring this season, partly because I feel too big for him. EVERYONE tells me Im being daft (Im a size 12 - 14, and he is a hack......), but I just dont feel comfortable. Am on a MAJOR diet so I can ride at the RIHS without feeling like a heifer
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Onthebit
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Post by Onthebit on Jun 21, 2010 17:30:38 GMT
I think its quite sad that there is this pressure on riders to be stick thin, especially as some are so young. I went through a phase where i convinced myself that being smaller would be better, and took out the enjoyment of showing in a way, constantly worrying about what to eat, what not to, ect. Obviously, I was pretty pathetic, ha. From my point of view, provieded that the horse doesn't struggle, and the rider is healthy, it really shouldn't matter on riders size. I'm an 8, and I wouldn't want to be any smaller and have it affect my riding. To be honest, I'd rather be bigger and have more strength to hold a horse and ride it well than be stick thin and have no control over the horse and risk getting injured. There shoudn't be a pressure, and its sad that this pressure exsits. Lead a healthy life, indulge in chocolate every now and then and enjoy your horse, insted of worrying about being a size 0. xxx
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Post by sophieandcallum on Jun 22, 2010 11:30:52 GMT
I agree there is a pressure to be thin and I am going on a major diet and get fit plan this summer now I'm doing workers I would love to be lighter for my lad to find it that bit easier if I mess up He is very capable of carrying me even at only 13.3hh and I'm 5ft6/7 and he takes up my leg due to his deep chest but I think it would look a nicer overall picture if I lost a bit This is just for my own personal goal and well being, not bothered what other people think
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Post by Trudy on Jun 22, 2010 20:44:41 GMT
Well Im the opposite Im 5ft3 and weight 7stone (on a heavy day) size 6/8, I can assure you I eat like a horse and alot of the time I feel my small size holds me back. I mainly ride A & B and other small ponies and would love to ride the bigger horse but Im just simply over horsed I eats who I like and just cant help the way I'm built, I have been very petite all my life, Im 20 & have a 15month son and literaly only my belly grew and went straight back to how I was before despite stuffing my face haha! So I works both ways...People who want to ride the smaller ones, its not that good when you'd love to get on a nice big strapping horse but look utterly stupid ;D I think people under-estimate how much these horses can actualy comfotable carry ;D ;D
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Post by Trudy on Jun 22, 2010 20:51:42 GMT
Ooops meant eat anything not anyone can't edit
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Post by whydo on Jun 22, 2010 21:41:46 GMT
Why do people always think, thin people, are weak? since when has riding been about strength? Stick thin out of control, i dont think so!
I do not think any more pressure on people to be thin, in the ring, than anywhere else.
Im sure its always the larger people out there, who say things like i have read on this thread, to make themselves feel better, sorry but the majority of riders, do need to lose weight, for their own health, never mind the horses!
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Milliesmum
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Post by Milliesmum on Jun 22, 2010 21:50:05 GMT
The majority of riders need to lose weight? Isn't that a bit of a sweeping generalisation?
Surely, there'll be some who are about right, some a bit to small, and some a bit too big? As in any walk of life?
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Post by Not Really on Jun 22, 2010 21:57:33 GMT
Being thin doesn't always mean you are a weaker rider. Look at all these jockeys - Flat jockey's go down to 7 1/2stone, Jumps jockey's do 10st minimum weights and these guys (and gals) have around half a tonne of raw energy to contain. It's all about technique, not strength or weight.
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Post by whydo on Jun 22, 2010 22:07:41 GMT
Precisely Not really! having rode many very large, naughty horses at only 8 stone myself and a nice, muscular, size 8, i can guarantee strength has nothing to do with it! Though i would look stupid in the ring on a huge cob!
Fat is not pretty, no matter what you ride!
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Milliesmum
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Post by Milliesmum on Jun 22, 2010 22:08:12 GMT
Well only one person has said that, but I think if you put it in context what she was saying was if she dieted to the extreme, she wouldn't have the muscle and the stamina to ride effectively, that's a different thing altogether than someone who might be the same physical size but put together differently, and would be fit and healthy enough to be an effective rider.
I think we are all different, and some people are able to be fit and healthy at a size 8 for example, others would be seriously underweight and not well if they were that size. Which all comes back to being a healthy size for you as an individual and not being pressured into losing too much weight by unhealthy means.
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