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E L James has a lot to answer for. It seems the Fifty Shades book craze has led to a craze of another kind. Equestrian supplies.
For those who have read the bestselling erotic page-turner, it will come as little surprise that sales of riding crops have "mysteriously doubled" in the past year, according to an article in the Star. And the reason has little to do with horseback riding, but another kind of ride altogether.
Fans of the book are looking to take fandom to the next level. Just as Twi-hards rushed to the fictional setting of the Twilight saga, Fifty Shade fans are looking to replicate the S&M adventure between characters Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey—with a riding crop of their own, purely for explicit bedroom use.
This is good news for store owners with a passion for horses. Business is booming in a North Toronto store, Greenhawk Harness & Equestrian Supplies, as fans stock up on what the Star calls "slender, sting-inflicting instruments of discipline."
Outside the city it seems riders are well, simply riders with no ulterior, literary motive.
“I don’t know the exact numbers,” says Greenhawk owner Concetta Tucciarone, “but I would definitely say there’s been a doubling of sales.” The sales, she claims, come from purchasers who obviously wouldn't know their forelock from their fetlock. They don't beat around the bush, either, being quite open about the fact that the crops won't be used for riding...
The crops range in price from $6 to $10. Leather ones, though, will run you as much as $65.
Apparently what now goes for T.O. has always gone for New York City, where one store apparently has a strong fetish clientele. The crops may come cheap, but the shoppers don't seem to mind.
“To be honest with you, they don’t care,” says Mike Santiago, manager of Manhattan Saddlery. “When that one breaks down, they say, ‘Next!’ As long as it inflicts pain, they’re happy.” Yikes.