I need new gloves. I had two pairs of summer weight, ripped the palm out of the first pair, and holes are springing up all over my second. I do have a pair of heavier ones, but I’m not keen to go back to them. They’re too heavy, and now that my hands are [slightly] more sensitive, I don’t think I’ll be able to feel the bit as well as I ought.
For such a horsey nation, there is an utter absence of horsey shops in auld Dublin town. As I don’t have a car, this makes online shopping my raison d’etre. Which is okay… but whilst I’ve been lucky in finding jods I like that I can order without fear, I’m starting to get fussy about my other bits and pieces.
I want a fancy arse pair of leather gloves. I admit it. Nice, soft, leather riding gloves. There was a pair I had my hands on at the Dublin Horse Show in August [a post in the making, I’m still trying to get my breath after that extraordinary display of all things equine], but my Mastercard was whimpering, and I didn’t pick them up.
So, no car, which makes shopping impossible, and my journey to the stables, to one who cares far, far less than I, sometimes astoundingly arduous.
Tonight I took a bus to the light rail system to a taxi to get out there. Homeward, it’s a lift to one bus into town, than another out to my apartment on Dublin Bay. Saturdays I’ve hit it lucky, and I get a lift [after a bus journey], and then a lift out again, to another bus… to get my second bus.
As I was hoofin’ it to the tram, I took a moment to be amazed at myself. The countryside is not far, as the crow flies, from the centre of Dublin— you can see the mountains all round, and it’s grand thing altogether. Trying to get there on the rather limited Dublin Bus system is truly a test of devotion, however.
I used to be in a state of panic, especially in the dark of winter, about getting a lift down to a bus, any bus, after my Tuesday night lesson. Now, I get offers from everyone, and I am grateful. Grateful for the kindness, but even more for my ability to just ask. Asking for help. Not in the top ten of my hit parade, but something that has reaped some really terrific results. It’s humbling thing, asking for help, and something as simple as a lift had been far out of my ken. There’s that ego business again. Might be about how I can’t afford to run a car [I’m spending that money on the horses!], so hey, I let that go like a blazing coal. Things are changing, and an hour long commute is as amenable to me as is cadging for lifts wherever I can.
So… anybody got a brand of gloves they might want tell me about?
MANY BRAVE FOOLS 
I get thin, cheap nubby (rubber dots on cotton blend) ones and just throw them away when they get torn up. I used to have fine white leather ones for dressage. What was I thinking? They looked fine for about five minutes.
It’s hard to believe you can’t get to a tack shop in Dublin. Not that I’m doubting you! I just had other images of what living there would be like…. The James Joyce Tack Shop. Or something like that.
I visited Ireland once. The most helpful, friendly people on earth. Strangers doing things for us every whichaway. You would probably be doing somebody a Big Favor to let them drive you to a tack shop where you can touch and try on to your heart’s content. You would make their day.
Wish I could go with you — just for the ride.
Sorry I can’t be more helpful about the gloves.
Try These: http://www.bionicgloves.com/gloves/equine/
Or these: http://www.bitofbritain.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=0322
And my personal favorite for three seasons: http://www.tackroominc.com/good-grips-crochet-glovestan-p-799.html
I don’t know if you’ve found the perfect glove yet, it’s my most hated thing. In my 26 years of riding and showing, I’ve always been a person who only pulled on gloves walking into the show ring. I understand your apprehension about a glove that interferes with your feel. I purchased Roeckl Chester gloves a few months ago, and they are seriously the only gloves I’ve ever owned that I didn’t hate wearing. They are extremely thin and flexible, the only drawback being that this thinness can lead to early wear. Still worth it in my opinion.
I’m still sticking with the lightweight sticky gloves for summer, and I’ve discovered MacWet which I think are great. Just thick enough and just thin enough, for summer and winter!
your story about the bus system is making me laugh! I lived in Sandymount and rode at Carrickmines from around Oct 2008-April 2009, intermittently however, and the buses were a nightmare! I used to love walking up the lane to the stables though….such a nice walk and often dogs would be loose and wandering around and they would walk with me