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This week our
team have been interviewed for a series of magazine articles for print
press on riding underwear. Being recognized as the world leading equestrian
underwear specialists, we are always more than happy to help in any
research, be involved in tried and tested and ensure all riders are
fully informed of the options available to them.
Here are a few of the questions posed to our team:
Question: What
sort of underwear should riders be wearing on horseback?
DE Answer:
The style choice for riders is very individual and is dependent on
preference and body shape, this is why at Derriere Equestrian we have 10 styles
in our underwear range for the male and female rider. Starting with the
non padded garments: The Derriere G, Seamless Shorty styles and Performance Panty styles. Looking at
our padded products, our lead sellers in the range, we have design
styles in the: Performance Padded Panty and the Bonded Padded Shorty styles.
Traditionally we were advised to wear cotton underwear, this is a myth
and has been proven through the development of technical fabrics for
sport to be ineffective. Cotton should be avoided as an underwear /
base layer. Cotton absorbs moisture and thus can in turn result in
rubbing, chafing, abrasions and an unhealthy environment next to the
skin. This is why our fabrics are all sport tech, breathable,
wicking fabrics with bacteriostatic properties and an all way stretch
to move with the body. Heath is key to performance and at Derriere
Equestrian all riders’ assets are protected on many levels.
Seamlines are also the highest level
of importance, the Derriere Equestrian Range work with bonding
technology and seamless weave technology, to produce garments with
minimal seamlines to the highest performance quality.
Should a rider wear padded or unpadded underwear? This is a question we
are often asked, in answer this will be down to the rider’s preference
and their own requirements. However one fact that has become clearly
evident through the growth of Derriere Equestrian is that all riders
love their Derriere Padded Pants, even those who felt they did not
require padding. Our lead selling product the Performance Padded Panty
has a worldwide reputation for total comfort and performance with
discretion. Once riding in these luxurious padded pants, riders won’t
ride without them!
Question: Can
underwear affect a rider’s position/performance; how?
DE Answer:
Without a doubt, yes. When a rider is comfortable in the saddle, even
at a subconscious level, they will ride with a deeper, more effective
seat. Carl Hester MBE Brand Ambassador for Derriere
Equestrian products believe in the underwear to such a
level, he is famously quoted in saying “Every Rider Should Be Wearing
Them”
The more comfortable and higher performing the padding is, the greater
energy savings and better posture for the horse rider. On the contrary,
discomfort can cause the rider to move in the saddle while trying to
readjust their posture, interrupting the harmony between the horse and
rider.
The Derriere Equestrian Range was developed by Claire Galer Equine and
Human Physiotherapist. After years of working closely with horses and
riders from grass routes through to Olympic level competitors, it
became clear to Claire the need for such garments to fill a gap in the
market for riders for technically designed performance underwear for
equestrian sport. When conducting symmetry assessment with riders and
working through product testing, the results and effects on rider
position, comfort and resultant performance were quite phenomenal. When
a rider is seated in total comfort and with products that are not
visible to others through their breeches, yet offer luxurious padded
support, a rider will ride more effectively and with a closer union
with their horse. No need to worry about uncomfortable seamlines,
underwear moving where it shouldn’t, Derrieres support riders to
perform at their best.
Question: Is
there anything riders should avoid wearing while on horseback and why?
DE Answer:
Absolutely!
Cotton is the fabric to avoid – Seek out technical sports fabrics that:
wick, breath, have bacteriostatic properties and an all way stretch to
move with the body.
Bulky, obtrusive, stitched seamlines should be avoided – they will
result in rubbing chafing, abrasions and sores.
Poor quality “invisible” undies – bonding can come away and these
undergarments will not stand the test of time.
Underwear with stitched seams in the gusset, a big no no for seated
sports! Seek garments with no seam in the gusset or supported, quality,
bonded seams in the gusset for riding.
Some riders like to ride with a thong, in this instance opt for the
technical designed Derriere G to ensure no thong sores for those that
favour this style.
Padded cycle shorts – These are designed for riding a bike, not sitting
in a saddle4. They do provide some relief for those seeking padding.
However they are obtrusive, bulky, uncomfortable and can be seen
through riding breeches. The Derriere Equestrian Padded Support System
provides all the support you need, without the discomfort experienced with
bulky cycle shorts in the saddle.
Question: Are
you involved in any scientific research related to equestrian underwear
currently?
DE Answer:
The development of the Derriere Equestrian range involved extensive
research, scientific studies, performance testing, efficacy testing and
continues to do so as the range sees expansion.
The Team of experts that’s makes up the design team at Derriere Equestrian
are:
Claire Galer – Designer & Founder
Julie Micault – Production Design Leader
Ludovic Mouret – Production Director
Marino De Marchi – Technical DEPSS Design Director
Stefano Coccia – Technical DEPSS Design Director
Giovanna Dal Vera – Deign Tech Team DEPSS
Dr Antonio Paoli – EIT’s Scientific Consultant
Our experts are from Italy, France, UK & Tunisia.
Having the backing of such a fantastic team has ensured we have been
able to research, design and develop a product range that conforms to
the horse rider’s saddle and anatomy while seated. The Derriere
Equestrian Padded Support System (DEPSS) has been thoroughly
performance tested and is produced with the highest quality tech
fabrics, where bacteriostatic properties have been a key element for us.
Our Italian padding manufacturers are regarded as the worldwide leader
in designing and developing insert pads for cycling shorts, now they
are also the world leader for their work with Derriere Equestrian, in
insert pads for riding underwear!
The team created its technology in response to problems reported from
cyclists affecting the gluteal, perineal and genital-urinary area
(GPGU). These problems manifested as genital numbness and other
dysfunctions due to compression of the pubic nerve. Some incidence have
been reported in horse riders, however the main criteria for the rider,
being that of supporting the pubic bony prominences and pressure
points. The anatomically designed Derriere Equestrian underwear
presents with a snug fit, resulting in complete non-movement, keeping
the underwear in place, whilst the high tech wicking materials keep you
cool.
Dr Paoli MD of the department of Anatomy and Physiology, from the
University of Padova is our design team’s biomechanical consultant. He
has carried out extensive perineal pressure testing in various sporting
situations and has been able to demonstrate reduced compression in the
GPGU zone and maintenance of blood flow to the perineal tissues when
using the pads. Further studies have been carried out to ascertain
measurement differences of bony anatomical landmarks between differing
body sizes, this work has helped us to develop a padded support system
that works for all sizes of the human race.
The Italian manufacturing design team at our suppliers have used all
their experience and expertise in collaboration with Claire Galer of
Derriere Equestrian to develop the specific padded support systems for
the equestrian rider.
Specifications, Science, Technology and Design Criteria of the Derriere
Equestrian Padded Support System:
The finished garments are elastic to allow the full range of movement
of the rider.
DEPSS incorporates different densities to provide the correct support
according to different compression levels at key points in the saddle,
identified by mechanical pressure testing studies.
The garments are multi-anatomical, they conform to the saddle, and this
ensures multidiscipline application.
Derrieres have a specific design that maximises the fit of the rider to
the equestrian saddle.
The garments provide support, comfort and use fabrics that are
bacteriostatic; fabric that will stop bacteria from reproducing, while
not necessarily harming them otherwise. This is in contrast to
bactericides, which kill bacteria.
Designs incorporate: EIT X-TRACT, an air base layer for maximum
ventilation, and high-density foam layers.
All products undergo performance testing, and further ongoing research
trials are mapped out and undertaken by Derriere Equestrian.
The result of the product range is a specially developed breathable,
micro-fibre fabric that features the patented all-way stretch of the
Italian technology.
The DEPSS ensures special high density foam inserts are placed at key
pressure points in the perineal and ischial zones to provide maximum
comfort and performance, while the outside edge of the pad has extra
soft fabric in the external zone to eliminate any chafing.
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