you could always wear them, especially when you have spur straps it is very hard to tell the difference.
I don’t like navy boots, personally. The brown is lovely. I would probably stick to navy or brown but not too much of either that it gets distracting, JMHO
I have. But now that you can buy half chaps off the shelf to fit practically any calf size/height combination, I don’t expect that it’s something you’re likely to see much of anymore.
I believe you can only wear half chaps through 1st.
@2DogsFarm - Unless things have changed since I last read the rulebook field boots are fine up to FEI, at which point boots with laces are not permitted attire.
I have a ways to go before I need to worry about giving up my field boots. :lol:
I see a lot of field boots. Personally, I don’t like how dress boots feel or look around my ankle.
Me too! :lol:
Has anyone ever asked if their black boots, black jacket, black helmet, black bonnet and black tack is too much?
If you like the boots, go for it. You could always swap out the bonnet for a black one.
But maybe you should ignore me. After all I did show in a brown vest and blue shirt this summer… :lol:
I am unable to find anywhere in the FEI rulebook nor the dressage attire equipment booklet that says boots with laces are not permitted.
You do not wear half chaps with jodhpurs.
I thought the boots had to match the coat.
By the time you’re ready to go beyond 1st, I would expect that you’re in a position to purchase tall boots, even if you need to go custom to get some that fit.
Not that I’ll ever have to worry about it. :lol:
Let me try again with smaller words and shorter sentences.
There was a time when a rider who was unable to buy off the shelf tall boots to fit and couldn’t afford custom boots had no other choice but to show in jodhpurs and jodhpur (paddock) boots. Back then, there was no such thing as half-chaps, or tall boots with zippers, or a dozen different options of off the shelf boots from a dozen different manufacturers.
However, today, with the widespread availability of half chaps to fit almost any calf size/height, those people are no longer forced to wear jodhpurs and paddock boots. Instead, these riders will opt for breeches or tights with half chaps and paddock boots.
Although I don’t know why you couldn’t wear half chaps with jodhpurs if you were so inclined and the half chaps would zip up over the bulk of the cuff.
Of course… just wanted to be clear about the level cut off! I’m glad there are now oppritunuty classes and the new half chap rules… and color! 
(nice) Half chaps are not exactly cheaper than tall boots anyways, $100 + paddock boots- easily 250-300.
I like your thinking! :winkgrin:
Hmm…that’s a good question. With all the colors allowed now though that seems like it wouldn’t be possible. What if somebody had a wine colored coat? Or a gray coat? I can’t imagine they would be able to match their boots.
Oh yes you can - boots can be custom made in ANY color. I’ve seen purple ones! If you have enough money, you can buy ANYTHING:cool:
The rules are a bit convulated, but basically until 4th level, the requirement is BOOTS. No color specified (unless you are wearing chaps, then black or brown). Above 4th level, boots are black. At ALL test levels, the boots may match the coat, which makes it permissive at 4th level and above to go wild as long as it matches your coat.
I love the look of your boots, they are so tastefully done, very understated but shows your personal touch. Do you have photos?
I seem to remember seeing some, not sure if you posted here or on FB.
OP - traditionalist here, so I would do the brown boots. I think the navy boots will not likely be close to the coat shade - probably lighter) and will just draw unwanted attention to your leg. I would also ditch the fly veil unless needed for bugs. Braid the forelock or not, no one will probably notice. (I braid my lusitano’s mane, but his long forelock blows free in the breeze!)
If you feel a need to do the forelock, dont get fancy, just do regular braid, fold it and stick a rubber band around it.
I would think you would have an easier time finding the brown boots, so I would say go with those. I splurged 2 years ago and bought myself custom, blingy Deniro boots and they have aged poorly (really only use for shows and a few rides before and I’ve already had to replace the snap and fix two holes in the stitching). They were my first real luxury splurge and it’s really made me sad to see them not hold up like I thought they would. Now, if you find later that your look is totally incomplete without the blue or other custom boots of your dreams, go ahead and splurge, but I think it’s nice to get started with boots that won’t break your heart (and your bank account) right off the bat.
Things haven’t changed, so you surely never read that in the rule book. It’s just an « urban legend »…
Field boots are allowed in FEI classes, at any shows up to the Olympics.
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