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In dressage, details that are not visible from the stands matter. A well-fitted riding boot is one of them – it quietly contributes to leg stability, a calm seat, and the clarity of signals you give to the horse. We talk about why it's not worth skimping on everyday and competition boots with Aleksandra Szulc, a dressage rider who has been riding in DeNiro boots for over a decade and has just received a new pair from the Bellini line.
Table of Contents
- Why well-fitted riding boots are a serious topic
- Confidence in the saddle - how much comes from the mind, and how much from the equipment
- What a well-fitted riding boot gives to the leg and seat
- New DeNiro Bellini boots - first impressions
- Why DeNiro - cut, leather, and years of wear
- How to recognize a well-fitted riding boot
- Breaking in and settling of the shaft - what to expect
- Quality: what to look for - leather and sole
- Aesthetics in dressage - does appearance add confidence?
- First serious riding boots - tips and common mistakes
- Care that extends the life of riding boots
- Quick questions
- Summary - who are DeNiro Bellini boots for?
Why well-fitted riding boots are a serious topic?
In dressage, equipment is rarely the main focus - and rightly so, as the most important things happen between the rider and the horse. But dressage, like few other disciplines, exposes every imperfection of the seat. An unstable foot, a "flapping" calf, a boot that slips in the stirrup - all of this takes away something that cannot be regained in the arena: concentration.
That's why we decided to talk not about fashion, but about function. Aleksandra Szulc has been riding in DeNiro dressage boots for over a dozen years and has a lot to compare them to. In this conversation, she explains how to recognize a truly well-fitted boot, why a stiff shaft and soft leather on the horse's side make a difference, and what mistakes to avoid when making your first serious purchase.
Confidence in the saddle - how much comes from the mind, and how much from the equipment?
Monika (Equishop): In the saddle, you exude strength and self-confidence. Where does this inner strength come from?
Aleksandra Szulc: I think it comes from the number of perturbations I've been through. I don't want to say "failures" because I don't think of setbacks as failures at all. Let's say rather: from crises. I am a master of digging myself out of crises, and I know this because life has taught me. No one needs to tell me that I can get out - I know it because I've been down many times. My life, human, athletic, and equestrian, has largely consisted of falling into a rut and digging myself out of it again and again.
It's not about putting myself above others. I simply have inner peace and confidence that I will get out of every crisis. I trust myself - life has taught me that I will manage.
Monika (Equishop): And what is confidence in the saddle for you, and how does it translate into what happens between you and the horse?
Aleksandra Szulc: It translates very strongly. For no money would I be able to ride in a saddle that doesn't fit me. I sometimes hear the comment: "they must be paying you, that's why you're advertising." No, if it didn't suit me, I certainly wouldn't recommend it. It's like in any sport. To ride these horses well, you have to sit well, the saddle has to fit well - and then the horse is comfortable too.
Monika (Equishop): How much confidence comes from the mind, and how much from equipment that acts on the body?
Aleksandra Szulc: It certainly comes from the mind. Equipment adds the icing on the cake. I'll ride even in socks, but I'll be annoyed that the stirrup hits my ankle or that my foot slips in the stirrup. If you have a boot that slips, you can't step stably on the stirrup. And precisely, a better rider will be more irritated by this than someone who hasn't felt it yet.
Monika (Equishop): So a bad boot doesn't so much take away confidence as it does concentration?
Aleksandra Szulc: It takes away concentration, absolutely.
What a well-fitted riding boot gives to the leg and seat?
Monika (Equishop): How do riding boots affect leg position, calf action, and seat?
Aleksandra Szulc: Well-fitted riding boots certainly make our lives easier. It's not even about what kind of boots you have, but about them being well-measured and fitted - so they don't restrict movement. Riding in riding boots is phenomenal, and I believe that everyone who values time spent in the saddle should invest in good boots.
They provide stabilization and properly position the leg. The leg doesn't "flap" like in a boot with a soft shaft, because you have different support. A stiff shaft also gives you greater support in the stirrup.
Monika (Equishop): And what does such a boot give in contact with the horse?
Aleksandra Szulc: In contact with the horse, the soft leather on the inside helps - just like in DeNiro. These boots are stiff on the outside, but on the inside, they give you closeness. You feel the horse well and don't have to make any acrobatic movements with your foot to touch it. It simply facilitates contact.
New DeNiro Bellini boots - first impressions
Monika (Equishop): You've just picked up your new DeNiro Bellini riding boots. How did you feel before putting them on?
Aleksandra Szulc: I was excitedly waiting because for the first time I went all out with the design. Previously, I was reserved in that regard. I always liked suede boots - everyone has gray or brown, but I wanted green. If it weren't for the voice of reason from my sister, I probably would have bought five pairs. Ultimately, I chose two. I was a little scared of how it would look because I hadn't seen such boots anywhere before - but they turned out fantastic.
Monika (Equishop): What were your first impressions after putting them on?
Aleksandra Szulc: Great. They are perfectly fitted and measured. And since it's my subjective opinion - they are simply beautiful. I can't wait for the first training sessions. I'm even wondering which boot to put on first: maybe one from one pair, the other from the other.
Bellini is now a whole family of models, so it's easier to choose a boot for your riding style. For intensive, daily riding, there are the DeNiro Bellini Daily Plus boots, and if you're looking for top-tier finish, you'll reach for the Bellini Lux Edition version.
Why DeNiro - cut, leather, and years of wear
Monika (Equishop): You've been riding in DeNiro for a long time. What attracted you to this brand?
Aleksandra Szulc: I've been riding in them for about 10-15 years, and before that I had boots from other brands, so I have something to compare them to. I don't like jumping from flower to flower, so I've become attached to DeNiro and for now it will be hard to convince me otherwise.
I liked that they are cut differently than the boots I had before - more fitted. Where the calf was supposed to be cut out and separated, it's really noticeable. The Bellini line is quite strongly profiled; this cut makes it not a leg in a rubber boot, but in a nice boot.
Monika (Equishop): And the leather?
Aleksandra Szulc: The leather is different, very pleasant. The shaft is stiff and remains so for many years - my oldest boots are over 10 years old and are still in great condition. On the other hand, the leather on the horse's side is very soft, so it quickly absorbs heat and adapts to your leg and the horse. I won't lie - the first ride in new boots won't be phenomenal, because that's the drawback of any riding boot: they are stiff and need to be broken in. But after the first ride, subsequent training sessions will be great.
This attachment to one brand doesn't mean it's not worth comparing. If you yourself are hesitating between DeNiro and the Italian Tricolore line, our guide DeNiro or Tricolore boots - which model for you will help.
How to recognize a well-fitted riding boot?
Monika (Equishop): How do you know if a boot is well-fitted?
Aleksandra Szulc: By the fact that it's snug, but not too tight. It can't be perfectly "snug," because weather conditions change, and we have different periods in our lives - sometimes a few more kilograms, sometimes less, sometimes more water in the body. Too tight a boot is a very big discomfort. And it's terrible to ride in a tight boot.
Monika (Equishop): Once, when trying on boots, you said that the calf works during training, and many people don't take this into account when taking measurements.
Aleksandra Szulc: It's important that the shaft embraces the calf, but doesn't squeeze it. Everyone can walk down a hallway. But then you get on the horse and ride in balance, with a bent leg and strong support in the stirrup - and I guarantee that in boots that are too tight, after three circles you'll want to rip them open. It will constrict your leg like a clamp. And then you can't work. The calf is a muscle that works - a signal, or even just posting, starts to cause pain.
Breaking in and settling of the shaft - what to expect?
Monika (Equishop): There's a lot of distrust around breaking in boots - that the boot will change. What does that mean in practice?
Aleksandra Szulc: It means that when the boots bend, their height changes. Even if a new boot seems too high, there's no problem: there are heel lifts you can insert, and after two or three rides, the shaft settles down. You just have to be careful not to buy boots that are too short, because as the leather slides down, they will look bad.
Monika (Equishop): Can you say approximately how much the shaft drops?
Aleksandra Szulc: I think a maximum of one centimeter. But the boot must be kept on a boot tree - if we throw it anywhere, it will drop much more.
Quality: what to look for - leather and sole
Monika (Equishop): What do you pay attention to when assessing the quality of boots - the leather, the zipper?
Aleksandra Szulc: The leather and the sole. These soles are reinforced with leather, and not every company encourages that. I recommend brushed leather to everyone. Firstly, it's much easier to maintain: you don't have to polish it, just water and a microfiber cloth. Secondly, it really looks nice. It often happens that someone has a matte boot and adds very shiny accessories - and then the boot looks dirty.
Monika (Equishop): Do you agree with the statement that it's not worth saving money on riding boots for daily work and competitions?
Aleksandra Szulc: Yes.
Aesthetics in dressage - does appearance add confidence in the saddle?
Monika (Equishop): In dressage, a harmonious appearance is important. Does it give you confidence at the start?
Aleksandra Szulc: Of course it does - it adds vigor. Dressage has very strict requirements regarding appearance in competitions. It has to be aesthetic, and everything has to match.
Monika (Equishop): Are you happy that classic black and white outfits are becoming more flexible?
Aleksandra Szulc: I'm happy, as long as it's done subtly and tastefully. You can add rhinestones or studs here and there, you can personalize yourself. It's cool, but no one really overdoes it - no one rides out in a pink tailcoat and orange boots. It's fashion in good taste.
This idea of discreet personalization is well reflected in the limited Bellini Swaro Limited version with crystals - there's sparkle, but still in good taste.
First serious riding boots - tips and common mistakes
Monika (Equishop): What advice would you give to someone choosing their first serious riding boots?
Aleksandra Szulc: It depends on the type of riding. If we're talking about dressage - buy stiff, dressage boots.
Monika (Equishop): What should you pay attention to when choosing?
Aleksandra Szulc: That the shaft doesn't look dirty, that it's stiff - if we're talking about dressage boots - and the leather on the horse's side is soft.
Monika (Equishop): And the most common mistake that can be avoided?
Aleksandra Szulc: Buying boots that are too short. People sometimes insist: "no, they'll be too long" - and they take ones that are too short. The boot settles and reaches mid-calf. Visually, it looks terrible and hinders riding because it catches on the saddle flap.
Care that extends the life of riding boots
Monika (Equishop): How do you care for your riding boots to make them last a long time?
Aleksandra Szulc: I always keep them in boot trees and in a cover. I clean them often - I have many horses to ride - simply with water and a microfiber cloth.
In practice, such a routine is based on a few things: inflatable boot trees that maintain the shape of the shaft, and a DeNiro Superior bag instead of a regular cover. You can refresh brushed leather with water and a microfiber cloth, and models with full-grain leather should be nourished from time to time with Polish Cream Gel Special or Polish Cream in black.
Monika (Equishop): And the zipper?
Aleksandra Szulc: I clean it and always zip it up while holding it with my finger. Instinctively. If you pull it by force or shove your foot in, you'll break the zipper. And these boots are supposed to last for years.
Monika (Equishop): So what do you save money on?
Aleksandra Szulc: T-shirts! I go to the outlet and buy them for 10 zlotys. But when it comes to equipment - breeches, boots - you know.
Quick questions
Confidence in the saddle for me starts with... a super saddle.
I recognize a good riding boot by... the leather.
My new DeNiro Bellini are for me... a great gift.
The best thing about well-fitted riding boots is that they... give me comfort while riding.
Summary - for whom are DeNiro Bellini riding boots?
The conversation with Aleksandra Szulc reveals a simple, yet often overlooked conclusion: in dressage, a well-fitted riding boot works for your seat, not against it. A stable foot, a stiff shaft providing support in the stirrup, and soft leather on the horse's side facilitating contact - these are specific features that translate into peace and concentration during work.
DeNiro Bellini riding boots are a proposition for dressage riders who take their time in the saddle seriously and want a boot refined in cut and craftsmanship. It's worth remembering three things: a good boot is snug but doesn't constrict the working calf; new riding boots require a short break-in period and will settle slightly (by about a centimeter), so don't buy them too short; and basic care can extend their life for years.
It's best to choose riding boots carefully, with proper measurements. You can get measurements and consultation at our Fitting Center at Oświęcimska 9 in Ruda Śląska. And since - as Ola says - confidence in the saddle begins with a well-fitted saddle, it's also worth checking the fit of your dressage saddle at the same time.
