Ashley's top 3 picks for riding breeches (and 3 pairs she destroyed)

Ashley wearing her favorite pair of Horze Grand Prix Breeches

Eeeek! You know that really awkward feeling when you tear the crotch of your breeches during a lesson? I recently purchased a pair of breeches that tore just like that in under 30 days. They were on sale, but cost over $130, which led to my disappointment when they unraveled so quickly. I realize that I am hard on breeches, but for that much money I would expect them to hold up at least for six months, if not longer. This prompted a list of my top three favorite pairs of breeches and how they held up through time. 

​1. HORZE Grand Prix Breeches.  Early in my riding career I had a pair of these super-awesome breeches. They lasted over three years, looked fantastic, and had a cloth-like feel to them which is important because I don't like breeches that cling to my skin tightly. I chose the pair very carefully; size 30, grey color, and black patches that were flattering on me. I am also really picky about the ankles on my breeches. I know this sounds weird, but I HATE breeches that cling to me or my ankles. It gets way too sweaty hot in a pair of tall boots with a bunch of elastic choking off your ankle at the end of the day, so I chose this pair specifically for the velcro ankles. 

After my HORZE Grand Prix breeches met their time I decided to order a pair of HORZE spirit breeches. They were a pretty navy blue, with purple piping, and I thought wow, this will be a fantastic cute pair of breeches. WRONG!!! They came looking like a pair of glorified sweatpants with a very thick and suffocating feel to the material.

---

Featured below, breeches that I LOVE! 

Breeches like cheap sweatpants!

2. Kentucky Breeches 
Love. These. Breeches. 
After my pair of Horze Grand Prix breeches died I went on a quest for a high quality pair of breeches. Due to a great deal, I decided on a pair of full-seat Kentucky Breeches in size 32 long (learned the hard way that I have a wide twist and need to order the "long" on full-seats to make it work) in navy blue. I have tortured this pair of breeches for over a year with riding four to five horses per day five days per week. Earlier this year the stitching started to fray, but instead of purchasing a new pair I took them to a tailor and they fixed them up. These breeches have velcro ankles (Yessss!) and a really nice feel to the material. I will order from this company again. Did I mention they are super cute? You can order a pair here! www.healthyhorseboutique.com/kentucky-breeches/

3. Tropical Riders 
I confess, I am the type of person that likes the feel of silky sheets or a fuzzy blanket. That's also why I LOVE the feel of these breeches. It feels like you are wearing silky pants on your legs. The downside is that the pair that I have is not flattering (beige, who wears beige in 2020?) and has a side zip, which makes taking the belt off to undo the side zip a PITA when I drink too much coffee before morning rides. If this pair didn't have a side zip I would probably wear them every day. Here's a link to order your pair for show season: www.tropicalrider.com/home.asp

Breeches that did not fit or last

1. Ovation breeches
Do you know what a THIGH HOLE is? Well, that's what happens when the material on the breech is so flimsy that you get a hole in the fabric on the inside of your thigh in less than sixty days. Ovation breeches are GREAT for kids starting out, but they can't hold up to the daily wear and tear of a professional. 

2. Tredstep Ireland Symphony Breeches 
These breeches fit like a clothespin, which is definitely not me! I do not understand the design of these breeches because they always feel awkward and uncomfortable on me. These breeches are in the same size I always order, yet they are loose at the waist so I need a belt. What is really WEIRD about these breeches is that they cling very tightly at my knees, and also at my ankles. I feel like i'm in spandex from the knees down and yet I look like Joe Plumber about to show a butt crack from the top. 

3. FITS Breeches 
I know a lot of people that LOVE their Monkey Butt Breeches (follow the link to see what they look like), but I don't. Quite simply, I don't like FITS because they are expensive and they don't last. I didn't even get a crotch hole on this pair, nope, way further back on my butt due to the monkey butt. I have a pair that is supposed to be cooling in the summer, but it feels like my ankles are being strangled by the elastic and mesh. I do like how they have low rise options and they do look good with a belt, but If I have $250 to spend on breeches i'm going to take it somewhere else. 

3 Brands that I want to try! 
Here are some stylish breeches that I want to try. The top two on my list are Goode Rider and HKM, and I'm pretty certain you haven't lived as a dressage trainer if you've never owned a pair of Pikeurs. Happy Shopping!