Know Your Olympic Sport: Equestrian

Back In The Saddle

Apparently getting in the saddle isn't what it used to be. Saddle fitting is a complicated process customized to each individual horse. While saddles still maintain the traditional leather exterior, the old-style wool packing underneath has been replaced in part by high-density foam. Some in the sport aren't so excited.

"I'm not that fond of it," said Doug Hannum, equine therapist and trainer for the U.S. Equestrian team. "With the foam saddle you can't adjust the panels. I can always shift the wool to make it fit the back."

And what happens if the saddle doesn't appropriately fit the back? "You have a very sore horse," laughed Bannum.

Nike Ippeas:  Nike

New Boots

This is it. This is the last Nike shoe we're profiling. But, come on, how often can you write about an equestrian shoe? The Nike Ippeas (Greek for "rider") is a replacement for the traditional leather boots with wood soles that riders have used for hundreds of years. The Ippeas maintains the traditional aesthetic (even the swoosh is small) but features a few improvements. The most noticeable is the titanium screw-in spur system that eliminates the need for any additional hardware. The full-length zipper makes the boot easier to take off, while abrasive rubber on the inside of the boot provides better grip on both the horse and the saddle.