Christmas reviews

In this post I will be reviewing all my presents from Christmas and telling you what I like about them and things that could put you off when buying. I will also mention the cost and other factors that you will consider. Finally I will tell you whether I think they are worth buying and will leave alternatives that are out on the market in the post encase you would like a comparison. I won't be going in any particular order but I will be keeping the same brands next to each other.

Any companies mentioned the websites will be put right at the bottom (even alternatives)

Aztec Diamond Equestrian Navy Technical Stretch Baselayer:

I have worn this about three times since I got it and so far it has been nothing short of amazing! The baselayer fits perfectly and allows me complete movement in the saddle. I know some tops/baselayers can limit your movement over jumps but this baselayer doesn't at all. A couple of issues that I have come across however are the zips, these zips are fully functioning don't get me wrong but with the zip on the neck I have found a bit of the glue (I am guessing) sticks up higher than the zip goes. This wouldn't be an issue at all as no one can see it but due to the high neck it ends up sticking into me.

I can easily fix this issue by cutting off this bit of glue which I'm sure would fix this and I'm sure this was just a one off due to rushed orders at Christmas. Finally on the logo on my right arm (pictured left) I have found that there is an error where another diamond has been stuck over another (resulting in there being four diamonds instead of three) this wouldn't have been an issue but the diamond wasn't stuck centrally over the other meaning you can see the one underneath sticking out also this diamond is bigger than the others resulting in it being quite noticeable. Other than these issues the baselayer is very comfortable and smart but I was disappointed as these could have been avoided. Overall I think this baselayer is amazing and is defiantly one of my favourites however does have some problems that could have been avoided on this particular one which doesn't at all mean this is normal this is just my personal experience.

These baselayers retail for £40 on the Aztec Diamond website. They come in the colours: Navy, Black, Burgundy, Metal, White, Stone, Sliver, Khaki and Pink. They come in sizes XS - XL.

Some other options/alternatives are: the Apt Cavalier Performance Skins which retail for £47.50 and come in Navy, Black, White and Burgundy. Or the Brook Legacy Equestrian Bodyfit Baselayers which retail for £22 and come in Navy, Black, White, Burgundy and Baby Blue.

Aztec Diamond Equestrian Sliver Technical Stretch Leggings:

I personally love these leggings they are so comfortable and provide me with complete movement in the saddle even over jumps. Since I got these I have not ridden in anything else (I will do, just have been so obsessed with these) due to them being so perfect for all training and other sports. I have found they are a little big but this is just me as I find it with all jodhpurs so don't let this put you off! There is nothing uncomfortable about these and they go so well with the baselayers from Aztec Diamond. They are fairly thin so will be perfect for riding in summer when it is just far too hot for thick jodhpurs. Finally I wasn't too sure about the phone pocket at first as I was worried about my phone bouncing out at trot and canter but I was completely wrong and found that it works so well! My phone stayed exactly where it was during every trot and canter and didn't move out of position once! The only time it fell out was when Buddy did a 180 turn and bolted off and I wouldn't really expect it to stay in from that. Overall these leggings are amazing and so far I haven't have any problems.

These leggings retail for £35 on the Aztec Diamond website. They come in the colours: Navy, Black, Burgundy, Metal, Sliver and Khaki. They come in sizes XS - XL.

An alternative for these leggings are the Arion Equestrian silicone leggings which retail for £17.50 and come in the colours: White, Black, Grape, Navy, Chocolate Brown, Grey, Bluestone, Red and Almond.

Burghley Horse Trials Jacket:

Personally I believe that this coat is an absolute must have! I have worn it all the time since I got it and it is so comfortable and the buttons on the back help so much when bending over to pick out Buddy's hoofs. I rode for the first time in it today as I wanted to see whether it would restrict my movement in the saddle as my pony club coat did and has consequently ripped under the arms from going over jumps. After jumping in this jacket I found it gave me full movement and didn't restrict me at all. I personally have had no issues with this coat and from looking at the reviews they all seem great! This is definitely a must have for winter although on the pricey side.

This coat retails for £100 on the joules website. It only comes in red (due to the collection). It comes in sizes: 6 - 20.

An alternative for this coat is the Brook Legacy Equestrian Steel Grey Light Weight Legacy Jacket which retails for £50 and only comes in grey.

However if you are looking for an alternative for a Burghley Horse Trials coat there aren't any due to Joules providing the collection.

Lemieux Suede CC Corn Blue Saddle Pad:

I personally love this saddle pad and wouldn't look for any others! I constantly have issues with Buddy's saddle pads slipping back under his saddle even when I attach them to his saddle and I had wanted a Lemieux saddle pad for ages and assumed that I would just have the same problems! I couldn't be more wrong ever since I have got this saddle pad I have worn it on every ride and love it! It has not moved an inch and stays perfectly in place and provides Buddy with full comfort! I have also considered selling all my other saddle pads to get more Lemieux ones due to them being so perfect. I honestly can not sell this product enough and would 100% recommend to anyone who is in need of a new saddle pad. I also love how they come with matching ear bonnets and polo wraps as Buddy always looks so smart! From the corn blue set I have the saddle pad, ear bonnet and head collar and am looking into the midnight blue set next.

These saddle pads retail for £39.95 on horse health. They come in the colours: Caramel, Midnight Blue, Plum, Benetton Blue, Corn Blue, Lime Green, Blueberry, Coral Red, Fuchsia, Turquoise, Burnt Copper, Teal, Berry, Black, Grey, Navy, White and Beige. They come in sizes Small/Medium and Large.

An alternative for these saddle pads are the Aztec Diamond Equestrian Logo Saddle Cloths these retail for £50 and come in the colours: White, Navy and Black.

Lemieux Signature Fly Hood Corn Blue:

I have used this fly hood once since I got it (when we took Buddy out) and it is such high quality! It also doesn't have the throatlash strap which personally I find quite annoying especially as the fly hood's stay perfectly in place without it. The ears are so soft and provide Buddy with complete comfort. A couple of issues I have had however (and have found this with my other Lemieux ear bonnet) is that the ears are too big for Buddy's ears which I do not mind but the other thing is that Buddy has quite wide set ears and so when he wears the fly hood it does push against his ears a little bit however this is probably just Buddy. Otherwise these are amazing high quality fly hoods and look amazing with the matching saddle pads.

These fly hoods retail for £24.95 and come in the colours: Caramel, Midnight Blue, Lime Green, Corn Blue, Plum, Blueberry, Fuchsia, Turquoise, Teal, Benetton Blue, Coral Red, Peacock Green and Burgundy. They come in sizes: Medium - X Large.

An alternative for these fly hoods are the Aztec Diamond Equestrian Mesh Insert Fly Veils. They retail for £30, come in the colours: White, Navy and Black and come in the sizes Small - Large.

Lemieux Teknique Tendon and Fetlock Boots:

I have used these tendon and fetlock boots a total of three times since I got them and absolutely love them! I personally keep them for good use only (competitions) as they are so smart. I haven't used tendon or fetlock boots with Buddy before as I usually use brushing boots but I love these. They are so easy to put on and fit Buddy's legs so well. The only thing I would say is that the elastic across the front of the tendon boots does come up a little short they still fit Buddy really well but this is something to note if your horse is between sizes.

Overall I 100% these boots as they are amazing! They are so smart and protect Buddy's legs so well when jumping, his legs haven't sweated under them are I feel like he is much more supported when landing.

These boots retail for £49.96 (tendon) and £39.95 (fetlock) they come in the colours: black, white and brown and they come the sizes medium and large.

Some alternatives of these boots are the Lemieux Derby Projump boots. These retail for: £39.95 (tendon) and £32.50 (fetlock) they come the colours: navy, black and brown and come in the sizes medium and large.

Lemieux Bandage Bag:

This bandage bag has been the perfect addition to my show things as it keeps my tendon, fetlock and over reach boots clean and helps me keep them so organised. The six compartments work so well to keep these neat and is great to just grab in a rush as I know all my things are in there. I personally would really recommend this bag as it helps me stay more organised in the stress of a competition and to keep my boots cleaner.

This bag retails for: £19.96 it comes in the colours blue and burgundy.

An alternative is the Eskadron Bandage Bag which retails for £14 and comes in the colours black and navy.

The Mark Todd Collection Competition Over Reach Boots:

These over reach boots are amazing. They are made of a tough tear resistant fabric which works so well they protect Buddy over jumps and when turning. I haven't had a problem with Buddy over-reaching yet but like to use over reach boots for extra protection. These boots have a wedge at the back which sit in the back of the horses heel to stop the boot from spinning which is a problem I have had with my Lemieux over reach boots as they don't have a wedge at the back.

I also only use these at competitions and use my Lemieux ones for training as these boots are so smart.

They retail for around £20 they only come in black and come in sizes Small - X Large.

An alternative of these boots are the Lemieux Proshell Over Reach Boots which retail for £22.50, they come in navy, black, white and brown and come in the sizes Medium - X Large. (These are not the Lemieux over reach boots I have).

Products reviewed:

Aztec Diamond Equestrian: https://aztecdiamondequestrian.com/

Joules: https://www.joules.com/

Lemieux: https://www.horsehealth.co.uk/ or https://www.lemieuxproducts.com/

Mark Todd Collection: range of sellers

Alternatives:

Apt Cavalier: https://www.aptcavalier.com/

Brook Legacy Equestrian: https://brookelegacyequestrian.com/

Arion Equestrian: https://www.arionequestrian.co.uk/

Aztec Diamond Equestrian: https://aztecdiamondequestrian.com/

Lemieux: https://www.horsehealth.co.uk/ or https://www.lemieuxproducts.com/

Eskadron: http://www.eskadron.org.uk/