The Long Riders' Guild

Clothing

Lady Godiva rode naked through the streets of Coventry, England, to win relief for the people from a burdensome tax.  She died (probably clothed!) in 1057.

Long Rider Comments

CuChullaine and Basha O'Reilly have each bought the appropriately named "Long Rider" coat by Kakadu.  As these pictures of Basha show, it can be worn long or short, or transformed into chaps.  While we haven't tested this coat in the field, we believe it has great potential for Long Riders wherever they are.  We bought them from Kakadutrader.com  This  '3 in 1' multi functional waterproof  oilskin coat has cowhide storm collar & rein guards, deep double stacked patch pockets, removable cape, storm collar tab, snap closure covered by large snap down storm placket, drawcord waist, adjustable cuffs. A series of strong snaps transforms the full-length coat into a 3/4 length jacket or chaps.  Equally importantly, unlike tight raincoats, this one is loose enough to allow you to move easily in the saddle, and long enough to prevent rain getting into your boots! 

Designed by CuChullaine O’Reilly, the Long Rider hat is a modification of the Chasseur African hat favoured by 19th century travellers in Africa. This high-quality felt hat sports a slightly down turned 4¼  inch brim so as to provide maximum protection from the sun. It is whisky coloured, so as not to show dirt during a rigorous journey. A wide cloth hat band absorbs sweat on the outside, while the Long Rider’s name is stamped inside on the leather hat band to deter theft. Unlike horsehair, which is very scratchy, the extra-long leather stampede string is very soft and includes a carefully woven slip knot so as to keep the hat securely fastened either during a gallop or in the course of an emergency.

The workmanship throughout is excellent. Every hat is handmade, personally guaranteed and can be shipped worldwide. The result is a hat which is not only worthy of admiration and respect, more importantly, it will withstand the challenges found on horseback in jungles, deserts, steppes and mountains. Thus, the Guild would like to thank the owners of the Montana Peaks Hat Company for helping our organization create an item which is of great importance to the international equestrian travel community.

Click on picture of Basha O'Reilly and Count Pompeii to enlarge it.

I have recently bought a vest from Scottevest.  It has 21 pockets, inside and out, and although I have not tried it on a Long Ride yet, I am sure that it will safely hold all my valuables while I am in the saddle.  http://www.scottevest.com/v3_store/New_Travel_Vest_Women.shtml
There is also a man's version which - curiously - has one extra pocket - 22!
http://www.scottevest.com/v3_store/New_Travel_Vest.shtml

Basha O'Reilly

I bought an Australian-style rain coat.  It looks very nice, but I have never used such a bad raincoat!  It is not efficient for hard riding in the rain, nor does it cover anything when you are in the saddle. For example, on a Long Ride in Canada I got completely soaked ! I have not yet seen a rain coat that could cover everything, as a Long Rider needs. Maybe I'll have to make one myself, but I'll have to find good material for that.

Edouard Chautard

Edouard-coat.jpg (205472 bytes)

These gloves are great!  I have never before found warm and waterproof gloves for riding in the pouring rain.  But you do need to have long sleeves on your coat or jacket, otherwise after several hours the rain will seep under the cuffs of these gloves.

www.kakaduaustralia.com/G965.htm

Katie Allen

Kakadu-gloves.gif (34695 bytes)

Riding boots were another disaster.  We spent a lot of money buying what we thought was the best boots we could find for both riding and walking.  We bought Ariat boots, with a new, supposedly, very good sole.  Mine (Howard's) started to fall a part almost immediately.  The leather seams to be of good quality, but the sole is a disaster.  They have been repaired several times, and now I have as a sole made of a used car tire, which is very common and durable down here.  Janja use Brazilian boots for about a tenth of the price, and she is happy. Howard Saether and Janja Kovačič
Forget traditional wax raincoats which are heavy and let the rain in after several hours: get an 'Oringi' equivalent, totally rainproof and designed for riding in.   Waterproof trousers are a boon as well.

Mary Pagnamenta

Army gear is often best, except that one doesn't want to look too military.  Army boots are great for riding - and walking, more to the point.  Chaps if it isn't baking hot.  Light-coloured clothes for the sun.  Bush hat (although mine can be a pain on windy days in the mountains).

Capes don't work in the wind!

Julian Ross

Re riding boots I am a huge fan of the Mountain Horse walking/riding boots. Comfortable, long lasting in the face of a lot of abuse and reasonably priced. 

Wendy Hofstee

I kept my rain slicker along for those amazing thunderstorms that spring up.  I opted for light-weight, breathable Gore-tex rather than cool-looking oiled canvas.
 
I used heels-down endurance riding boots on the first trip, and they crapped out at the end, so on the second trip I wore Rockports, and they made almost to the end of the 3,000 mile journey in good shape.  Since I walk more than half of the time (to keep the weight off my horse's back), that's a remarkable testament to that brand.  For both trips I had little canvass camp slippers I could change into.
 
I wore a felt cowboy hat for both trips to keep off rain and sun.  I needed a good keeper for windy days - twice a tornado passed within a few miles of me.  The hat for the second trip was an Australian number with Teflon in it and it held up better in the frequent rain and strong wind.

Lisa Wood

I can recommend wearing a pair of bicycle shorts under your pants, guys.

Howard Wooldridge

We also use the Rain Gear from Outfitter Supply.  After three years of use, they are still like new, even after the abuse that we have put them through.  We like the Saddle Coats, which come in two colors, green or yellow.  They fit extremely well, easy to snap and are more comfortable than others that we have used.   They are easy to roll up and tie on the back of our saddles and most importantly they keep us absolutely dry.

Janine and Jim Wilder

Riding Boots:  I have never found a riding boot that was both waterproof and not too hot for a tropical country, like the island of New Caledonia where I live and ride.  So I have become used to riding with wet feet, as it rains a lot here.  But I still hope to find something good in the future.

Edouard Chautard

I do not use riding boots, but leather hiking boots into which I have inserted screws which serve as spurs.  

I wear leather chaps and a multi-pocketed waistcoat (under a jacket in winter).  In this I carry a mirror, metal spoon, a Swiss mug (flexible rubber which keeps water hot), mobile telephone, water purifying tablets, pencil, lighter, the horses' papers, bank card, insurance documents, spectacles, address book, maps - and don't forget the corkscrew!

I have made my own poncho and over-trousers.  I do not use a hood, but the poncho has a high collar and I wear a wide-brimmed, waterproof hat.  

Jean-Claude Denys

Years ago I bought a cashmere/silk polo necked ribbed pullover.  It cost a fortune, and is useless as a fashion item, but worn next to the skin in cold weather it is far warmer than any of the modern thermal garments I have tried.  Unlike fleece, it scrunches up to the size of a bag of sugar, and only weighs a few ounces.

Basha O'Reilly 

Items of Interest

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Rain Rider Rain Suit 

Any Long Rider can tell you there's nothing more miserable than being soaked in the saddle!  The majority of rain-gear is designed for "Sunday riders" or people nostalgically harking back to the "Old West." Neither application is designed to stand up to the rigors demanded by inter-continental equestrian travel. The Rain Rider suit was invented, tested, and perfected in the rain-soaked North West region of the USA. Though it has not yet been tested by a Long Rider, it comes highly recommended by Tom Sites, one of America's foremost endurance riders. We believe this product could be of major tactical importance to anyone riding in rainy climates.

rainridergear.com

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