Product Review: Professional’s Choice Quilted Dressage Pad

Welcome to EN’s Product Review series! Who doesn’t love shopping… especially when the object of your search is new gear for yourself or your horse? As an enthusiast of all products equine, I LOVE trying out new gear. Which is why I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to try out products, so that I may share my many adventures with all of you! Please join me as I narrate my personal journey of trying out all of the products featured. While I will make no recommendations, I hope that you simply have fun and find entertainment while reading about my many adventures of trying new products, and that hearing about my personal experiences might help give you factors to consider when you are on your own quest for new gear!

Professional's Choice Logo on Quilted Dressage Pad with Crystal Border - Photo by Lorraine Peachey Professional's Choice Logo on Quilted Dressage Pad with Crystal Border - Photo by Lorraine Peachey

I like to have a bit of fun with my wardrobe…because that’s just who I am. From my perspective, every outfit that I put together presents me with the opportunity to incorporate a bit of my personality. Each selection of style and color that I make just infuses a slice of me – and don’t even get me started on accessories.

Ok, well since I opened that particular door up, I’m just going to go ahead and walk through it. Accessories can be totally freaking awesome, because they are just another venue to add some snazzy bright colors, or a little sparkle to jazz up an ensemble. You’ll often see me with a pair of sparkly shoes, a jangly bracelet, or a BRIGHT manicure.

But why stop there? Really, why should I limit the fun to my own wardrobe? Being a rider with my heart rooted in eventing, it might make a lot of sense when I say that I like my bright colors and sparkly things. So I’ll admit it…I like decking my horses out as well. It’s a lot of fun to use some jazzed up gear for them, even when I’m only schooling.

I have three geldings – but before you get too worried for them, please rest assured I try to deck them out in a way that is ‘macho’. I do try to avoid colors or patterns that look more feminine for them, so that my boys look like…well, boys!

The Crystal Border trim option of the Quilted Dressage Pad adds a little extra 'bling' - Photo by Lorraine Peachey

The Crystal Border trim option of the Quilted Dressage Pad adds a little extra ‘bling’ – Photo by Lorraine Peachey

When I first heard about the stylish Quilted Dressage Pads that are offered by Professional’s Choice, I immediately perked up a bit. Most of us know quite well that dressage pads are traditionally white in color and can be…well, a bit plain looking. So when I heard that the Professional’s Choice Quilted Dressage Pads feature some pretty snazzy trim options, I immediately liked the concept straight away. I mean, who wouldn’t like the idea of a dressed up dressage pad?

And the Quilted Dressage Pads are dressed up, indeed. The pads are available in 3 styles of trim – each different to suit various rider personalities, but all lending a little bit of dazzle to your your horse’s dressage get-up. Each pad is rooted in tradition, by starting with a white colored dressage pad; it then takes a sharp turn towards fabulous with some fancy trim options. The trim styles include your choice of Black Glitter Trim, Patent Leather Trim, or a Crystal Border.

So, when I had the chance to try out one of the Quilted Dressage Pads for myself, I was one happy camper (in the sense that I don’t like to go camping in the very least). I quite anxiously awaited the arrival of the pad, because I had no idea what style was being sent.

And the funny part was—as excited as I was to see one in person, I had quite the internal conflict going on. You may ask why—the reason is simply that I couldn’t even make up my mind on which style trim I hoped that I pulled out of the box, because each of the 3 unique trims all look pretty awesome, in my opinion.

Adding the Quilted Dressage Pad with the Crystal Border lends a little extra dazzle - Photo by Lorraine Peachey

Adding the Quilted Dressage Pad with the Crystal Border lends a little extra dazzle – Photo by Lorraine Peachey

When the day arrived, and I opened that box, the anticipation was rapidly coming to a close. I reached into the box, to pull out a Quilted Dressage Pad with a Crystal Border. And once I removed the pad from it’s packaging, I noticed that the underside of the pad felt nice, and is made of a soft, brushed cotton. When I picked the pad up, it felt like it was of a nice weight—it definitely had substance to it, and was not too thin feeling; but at the same time, it didn’t feel overly heavy, so as to cause additional sweating.

But, of course what caught my attention the most was the Crystal Border of the Quilted Dressage Pad. I really like the fancy appearance that this particular trim style lends to the pad – and I’m personally excited, because I think it will match nicely with one of my dressage bridles that has a clear crystal inlay in the brow band. Basically, the Crystal Border is a trim option that I feel I can go to when trying to ‘bling’ up my horse a bit.

And so, the time came to place the pad upon one of my horse’s backs to try it out. I liked the underside, which is crafted of a brushed cotton. And, I was very happy to see that the Quilted Dressage Pad looked very nicely under my own dressage saddle. Especially glad actually, as my saddle is a larger one, being a size 18, with a wide tree. The pad was a good size, and looked very flattering, even under my larger saddle.

When I stood back to look at my horse after tacking up, I definitely felt like the Quilted Dressage Pad with the Crystal Border really added a tasteful dose of extra style – something that I personally would feel great taking into a dressage ring at event.

Every so often during my rides when I glance downwards, I see a sparkle from the Crystal Border, which makes me smile - Photo by Lorraine Peachey

Every so often during my rides when I glance downwards, I see a sparkle from the Crystal Border, which makes me smile – Photo by Lorraine Peachey

While riding, I would every so often notice a little sparkle in front of the saddle if I would look down, and I found that it had me smiling – just because I liked the extra bit of fancy that the sparkle added to my appearance. Remember, I like bling even when I’m only schooling! The pad also stayed in place nicely during my ride, and I did not have any issues with it slipping.

The Quilted Dressage Pad with Crystal Border from Professional’s Choice definitely helped to infuse a bit of style into my dressage riding. And with two other trim styles—including the Black Glitter and Patent Leather—I may find myself indulging in another when I want to change up my look at bit.

All three trim styles of the Quilted Dressage Pads from Professional’s Choice retail for $59.95. And, Professional’s Choice also offers a 30-day money back guarantee on your purchase! Check them out here!

And…for my video debut – watch the below clip to hear how much I like the Quilted Dressage Pad (and make sure you Shine Bright Like a Diamond!)

Go Dressage Pads that Shine Bright (Like a Diamond).  Go Professional’s Choice.  Go Eventing.

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