..to this length. I think it will not only be nicer looking, but more comfortable for me as well!
Monday, November 9, 2009
Alterations!
When I saw this photo from my first show, I knew the length of the jacket was too long. It is the standard length of a saddleseat jacket when worn with an astride suit. I do not have any matching saddleseat pants for this jacket - so I am going to shorten it...
..to this length. I think it will not only be nicer looking, but more comfortable for me as well!
..to this length. I think it will not only be nicer looking, but more comfortable for me as well!
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4 comments:
Couple of suggestions. Don't shorten the coat too much because it will not then look like a saddleseat coat - it will look either hunt-seat-y (not a word, I know, I know) or historic costume-y. Weight the hem with drapery chain. I would not shorten more than a couple of inches, frankly. The skirt needs more attention. First,scoot forward in the saddle so there is room for two fingers between the back of your knee and your top pommel. That will allow your lower right leg to hang straighter. Then, when the right toe isn't pushing the skirt forward and changing the line, have someone photo and look at the "balance" of line not only in proportion to you but also in proportion to the horse. Then video if you can and look at same. I think you may want to reduce the fullness of the apron and straighten the hem. In huntseat you want a severely straight line. In saddleseat, not so much - you want flow and elegance but what you don't want is balloon effect - not that much flow! So much of the judge's visuals are across the arena - that appropriate look delivered to a judge in the middle is what your goal is, if that makes sense.
That does make sense.. I was thinking about taking 6 inches off of the coat. It would still be well under my behind when I am standing as it is currently just above my knees (I am 5'6") Kind of wanted to make it a bit shorter in the front too..but not by much.
As for the skirt ..and BTW - I hate that picture of me. I look absolutely constipated! I was scared as a field mouse being chased by a cat and it showed! It is hard to look at that picture and see how the skirt was suppose to hang. I was adjusted and readjusted because I had such a hard time with the slipping that I am not even sure it was 'under' me at all in that photo! I need to put it on again at my next lesson and have Kelli take a video of me in it. I am not going to use it for the next show. I have a Christmas plaid skirt (cotton) I am going to use in it's place..but that said - I am not wanting to disgard it either. The fabric is just stunning!
About my leg...what leg..ha ha.. I was so numb I could hardly do what Kelli told me to do! But - now that my first show is behind me, I hopefully will be able to relax more, think and DO what I need to.
I know that when I start to hear the music that is playing - I will have made a lot of progress. As it stands now, I seem to turn deaf (and dumb!) in the show ring!
Well nerves aren't always a bad thing, Julie, as it puts your mind on hyper-alert so that you can focus intently on the job at hand. You will be able to strike a balance SOON between the supercharged nerves and the dispassionate intellectual focus. That balance comes with the practice you are so clearly doing.
Your commitment to this challenging skill with all its peripheral facets is wonderful.
I hope you can rework that outfit because I think it is really attractive. The colors work well with the color of the horse. I do not know what you can do with the skirt, though. Velcro????? It is sad it is slippy....
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