As a keen horsewoman, last season required some new equine equipment, including new boots for me!
The Mountain Horse Sportive High Rider looked perfect, they were made of supple leather, with a panel of stretch re-inforces material to expand and hug the calf. I used to have problems in finding the width of boots to fit due to my calf muscles. When I do lots of exercise like walking and mountaineering, they grow! I needed a boot which could cope with this!
I did some research, and found they were reasonably affordable and more importantly from a brand that I'd already used and trusted for quality.
They retail between £127-£140 per pair, which I think is very reasonable, especially because the leather quality is very good.
They are zipped boots, doing up at the back, with a tab of velcro at the top to finish the top of the zip. This is smart and the panelling is comfortable. The boots come with heel lifters, this raises the leg until the boots naturally "drop" around the heel and wear in. As I have said, these drop and mould very quickly to the leg. They have a steel enforced shank through the sole for stability and have a non-slip sole which grips on slippery ground.
There is no spur rest, but spurs stay on well, bith my huge dressage spurs and my shorter jumping ones stayed on through training and competition. The boot itself is comfy, with no need to wear thick socks to prevent blisters. I wore thin little things.
They are waterproof and mud proof, no wet feet after cleaning them under the yard hose, BUT only if you polish them well! The reason mine have lasted so well is the fact that I polish them once every two weeks, and leave the polish on if I'm not riding. Mountain Horse are an excellent company, providing many other products apart from boots, with well made products which are durable and well made for the purpose.
I would recommend these for training and competition, I wore then non stop for 3 months around the yard, and they feel good to wear. I have had this pair for nearly a year now, and they still look as good as new after a wash and polish. The leather hasn't worn and I expect many more years of service from them!!!
The boots come in sizes 3-12, but vary from supplier to supplier. I got mine from Derby House. There are half sizes and you need to measure the height of your heel to the knee and width of the calf to determine what size you'll need. Trust the chart, and put in the exact measurements. HOWEVER- Do the Width measurement with Breeches on, as that accounts for about 0.5-0.75cm etc! Do this and your boots will be great. After a while the width of the boot will give and take to your own shape- pretty quickly infact. I found it two weeks.
Black is the most popular colour, however I did see a pair in Brown, but I think they have discontinued that style.
Overall, a good all round boot, cleans well after the yard and looks very smart!!
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