Equestrian sport trends at spoga horse spring: from luxury goods through to lifesavers

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Today, riding clothes are highly functional and are no longer conceivable without materials such as softshell and co. The riders can thank the exhibitors of spoga horse spring in Cologne that they don't have to carry out their sport covered from head to toe in rustling plastic, but can even head straight for the city from the outdoor school wearing some of functional garments on offer, without looking out of place. Once again, these exhibitors will be presenting the entire spectrum of equestrian sport equipment - from luxury goods to lifesavers.

Riding is a sweat-inducing sport and at the same time, the riders are exposed to the elements. Thanks to breathable, wind and weatherproof clothes and sophisticated collections, which enable a perfectly aligned, multi-layer "onion look", it is guaranteed that the equestrian athletes will also stay dry and warm in the autumn/winter season 2015/2016. The best thing about it: Even though the functional clothing is extremely technical, the rider often doesn't see or feel this. In this way, a manufacturer promises a jacket that is "as comfortable to wear as bed clothes." High-quality materials, extraordinary upper materials, soft, warm padding, high cosy collars and hoods create a comfort zone-to-go for riders. At the same time, stylish cuts not only ensure an elegant appearance, but also a good fit and plenty of freedom of movement. These characteristics are often reinforced in the modern-day jackets by drawstrings at the hem or waist.

The manufacturers place great value on small details, which always lend the garments that special touch: a gold-coloured zipper in the shape of a horse's head, jacket lining with a stirrup imprint, lily embroidery, glitter logos or sequins, to name just a few examples.

Printed patterns and denim
The autumn/winter collection 2015 is dominated by classic colours, especially navy and other dark blue shades. Jackets and waistcoats in black or various grey shades through to granite and asphalt (or also silver) that are often combined with mottled effects or red contrasts lend jackets an elegant appearance. Natural shades such as truffle, off-white, taupe and different shades of brown are also popular. Contrasts are added in the form of feminine blue/grey marine colours or shades of green from grass green, through to bluish dark green or olive green. Next winter there is going to be a pretty palette of red wine shades through to rhododendron, occasionally one finds also garments in pink and orange.

Floral patterns are also en vogue, both abstract in the form of paisley or Jacquard patterns or also "real" floral patterns, which look great as an imprint on a pair of jodhpurs. This trend often goes hand in hand with denim or jeans-like materials, which are celebrating a comeback for jodhpurs and jackets.

Boots for every situation in life
Technology and functionality also play a major role in the shoe and boot sector today. A particular eye-catcher is a robust, new model of riding boots, the shaft of which is made out of perforated, breathable leather. In the "classic" segment, new, very elegant ankle boot and boot models with square-shaped toes are turning heads. Even traditional riding boots are meanwhile equipped with practical details such as elastic inserts in the instep or as in one case unusual laces made of contrast-coloured leather. Two models that combine high-quality leather with canvas material are very elegant. There are also new models in the segment of country boots that enjoy ever-increasing popularity - in traditional look, a robust boot, which thanks to its highly-functional attributes, is equally suitable for taking the dog for a walk as for completing a cross-country course. Horse enthusiasts no longer have to compromise on wearing comfort when it is pouring with rain: The new generation of Wellington boots, which are made out of neoprene and rubber, makes sure of that and they are also lightweight and comfortable.

Luxury equipment for horse and rider
There is a luxury segment in the field of equestrian sport that is hardly available in any other area of sport, which is consciously fostered by both the manufacturers and the riders. In addition to particularly high-end garments, which are equally suitable for the stable yard as for the city boulevard, this segment also encompasses equipment for the horse. A good example here is a series of handmade equipment that can be individually designed: The browband with Swarovski crystals in unusual colour combinations simply cries out for the big outdoor arena (and wallet). To match: Bracelets and belts for the rider as well as headcollars and a series of patent over-reach boots embedded with a row of Swarovski crystals. The new high-quality all-inclusive set comprising of a competition blanket, numnah, headcollar, fly bonnet and travel boots of a further manufacturer is also decorated with rhinestones.

Bath robe and shrink blankets
However, in general, the main focus lies on practical aspects when it comes down to equestrian equipment. This can be a brushing boot with protection for the fetlock or a nylon/Lycra sleeve that protects either the sensitive fetlock of the horse or the riders' heels against friction and infections. Also very practical: a bathrobe for horses! Made out of towelling material with a roll-up neck part, it is designed to dry horses in record time after they have been hosed down. "Darling, you have shrunk the blankets!" is what some pony owners might scream when they see the new blanket series of one manufacturer, who is now offering his established fully-grown horse collection comprising of paddock, stable, competition blankets and sweat rugs extra for ponies. Incidentally, horses have now also discovered the material softshell for themselves, which keeps their backs dry in the form of an off-the-shoulder horse-walker blanket.

Feed and Care Products
Because the healthy diet of horses is a complex theme, researchers and manufacturers are incessantly working on the new and further development of feedstuffs. A new flea seed supplement, which stimulates the intestines, promises relief against constipation, diarrhoea and faecal water problems. A new type of saltlick, which contains minerals and vitamins, yet is low in sugar, promises to be a healthy pastime for bored horses. Sugar - yes, but the right sugar, is on the other hand the motto of an energy paste, which can be administered to high-performance horses for an additional boost of energy, quite legally and without causing the usual drop in the sugar level.
In the care product sector, one company has succeeded in replacing the water pipe for cooling the legs with a cooling gel - the "cooling sleeve out of the tube" is applied to the wet legs and soothes or regenerates horses' legs and has a long-lasting effect.

The real luxury
By the way, in the equestrian sport the motto is often: Luxury doesn't always have to glisten. For example, a particularly practical, stable and easy-to-operate pitchfork demonstrates true luxury. Or a product that is inconspicuous at the first glance, but which can prevent a critical situation from turning into a life-endangering one: An emergency notification system for the rider, which can be attached to the belt, as well as a new connecting piece for the paddock fence, which thanks to a fast breaking point allows a horse's leg that has been caught up in the fencing, to be freed fast in the case of an emergency.

spoga horse 2015 is open for trade visitors on 8 and 9 February from 10:00 a.m. to 07:00 p.m. and on 10 February from 10:00 a.m. to 05:00 p.m. Further information is available at www.spogahorse.com

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