As a grown up tomboy, I think everyone looks best in jeans & Tshirt (or hoodie if it’s cool) so I’m not really any use to this conversation 
That said, I used to be really careless about what I wore in public until I saw the website “People of Walmart”.
Since then my standards have risen - I look in the mirror and think, “would anyone snap a pic me wearing this & post me on PoW website?” If no, I’m good to go. Unfortunately occasionally I’ve had to say yes, then I go change! :lol::lol:
I, for one, love a skort. They’re so practical!
OP, you are looking at one end of a very large spectrum. And you are fine to want your trainer to dress a certain way, but you in no way have the power to say that all trainers should dress that way.
You can ride with the trainer that is dressed for tea. I will ride with the trainer that is dressed to ride. Someone else can ride with the trainer who is wearing their pajamas.
As an owner and a parent, I always dress appropriately for horse shows, as well as in daily life. I have noted there is a certain expectation of how one presents themselves in the H/J discipline. Heck, riders are judged on the calibre and turn out of their horse, clothes they wear, tack etc. Yes, I like to see my trainer dressed appropriately at horse shows as they reflect me on some level and vice versa.
The simple fact of the matter is that if you’re careless about your appearance, potential clients may wonder if you’re also careless about care and management of their very expensive animals.
Many young people today feel strongly that they should not be judged by their appearance - and in an ideal world that would be nice. But some (young and old) seem to go out of their way to say ‘judge me - I dare you’ - then are shocked when they’re judged unkindly.
Jeans or khaki’s that fit and a collared shirt takes no more effort than something that screams - ‘yes I AM a slob’ .
As for tank tops - the thought of sunburn and/or road rash from a fall should nip that idea in the bud for anyone with common sense. And anyone who wears flip flops around horses is making a deliberately stupid choice to push their luck beyond a reasonable person’s ability to feel any sympathy for them when they lose a few toes.
As a hands on owner and occasional horseshow mom/groom, I still try to dress neatly, as I’m representing myself, my horse, and my rider. I might end up looking like a frightfully hot/tired/dirty groom by the end of the day, but hopefully I don’t look like an indigent.
[QUOTE=Zuri;7702344]
As an owner and a parent, I always dress appropriately for horse shows, as well as in daily life. I have noted there is a certain expectation of how one presents themselves in the H/J discipline. Heck, riders are judged on the calibre and turn out of their horse, clothes they wear, tack etc. Yes, I like to see my trainer dressed appropriately at horse shows as they reflect me on some level and vice versa.[/QUOTE]
Well said. I agree. I think the trainer that I pay a lot of money to (theoretically) needs to look professional. I don’t want to invest in a sloppy person with ill-fitting clothing. I want to invest in someone who looks professional and makes me want to look good as well. It’s sort of like going to an interview. You want to dress the part of your boss and the position you aspire to. Yes, this industry is about appearances. It’s all a part of the game.
ETA…flip flops around horses are like riding without a helmet! Most barns have rules so this is just stupid to me.
Jeans + sneakers + tanktop is the normal attire of the local trainers near me. I wouldn’t think twice about that, although it’s usual to toss on a polo on top for a show and sneakers exchanged for paddock boots.
I care way more about training ability than appearance. I’d have a problem with flip-flops because they’re dangerous. I guess paddock boots are technically safer than sneakers, but I don’t begrudge someone on their feet all day for wearing what’s comfortable.
This is mostly my own musing, and an aside. I do very much believe that you will be judged by your appearance, good and bad. Yes, we are all aware of this. But you judging someone based on that can often make you look not just like a “mean girl”, it can also make you look like an idiot.
At HITS Ocala there was an older guy, late 50s or early 60s, in the warmup. Big guy, tall and heavy. A paunch under a…not particularly tailored or tucked in polo. He was wearing what can only be described as carpenter jeans, you know, with the sling for the hammer, and work boots. This isn’t even where I say “but he was a lovely rider.” He wasn’t. He was a big old heavy guy. But he was proficient. And he got his magnificent stallion to the fences correctly every time.
I’m sure many people who didn’t know better would have seen him walking around on that horse and thought that it was appalling. Hell, many of the idiot competitors might have thought the same…rest assured, there were some people talking. Maybe they’d take pictures of him and post them on FB so everyone could rip on the old fat guy who “doesn’t know the rules.”
But when you’re a retired FEI grand prix rider and trainer who is now a very well-regarded breeder, you can wear whatever you want.
What one wears should be, above all, functional for the job at hand. I was at the checkout in Trader Joe’s yesterday, and the employee was trying to tell me about a special and a raffle and something else, but I couldn’t understand a word she said because she was lisping so badly trying to talk around or through the great big black wire ring pierced through half an inch of her lower lip. All I could think of was, “are you the one that got AWAY?” :lol:
It also took all my self-control not to say, “Why don’t you take the FISH-HOOK out of your mouth so you can do your JOB?”
By the same token, NO ONE looks appropriate for any job higher than mucking in their back yard wearing a tank top–that goes for male OR female. Armpits on either are simply TMI. Especially in the saddle, watching someone’s boobs bang around and the bra straps slip down their shoulders is just about as unattractive as it GETS. And I think if I saw anyone’s “thong,” EVER, I’d have to walk away. So save the camis and the tanks and the short-shorts and the pajamas for cookouts and ball games and . . . canoeing. 
In the words of Betty Skelton, one of my old trainers: “If you’re not prepared to do it elegantly, maybe you shouldn’t be doing it at all!”
In equestrian sport, the picture we present is part of the appeal. If you’re having trouble figuring out if it’ll pass, just ask “Could I wear this to audit a George Morris clinic?”
And THERE you go . . . !
Here I am, another weird one. I do judge people by their turn out. I do wear clean pants (well I try, but you know horses), It may be a tee, but it comes down to my hips, and advertises absolutely nothing. I do polish my paddock boots, and I spend enough money on them that they’d better be comfortable.
And I don’t fly in my pjs. I wash my face and hands and look presentable, I hope, even in WalMart.
Turn out counts in life. Who’re you gonna hire, the bare bellied, sandal footed, cigarette in the corner of the mouth messy haired individual or the tidy, combed and clean shirt tucked in type?
The horse show world has changed so much in it’s demeanor, absolutely nothing surprises me anymore. But, by the same token, when I was a junior showing at the old Maryland Pony Show when it was held in the Timonium racetrack infield, a certain male BNT was seen schooling his kids in the warm up area wearing a red Speedo. Period. I swear this is true. Yes, I was scandalized but no, no picture taking or posting. Well, I guess it’s also only fair to acknowledge there was no Facebook back in those days too. (But I bet if there was, it would have been ablaze with pix of this fella:) ) He sure didn’t lose any clients over it though.
As a profession rider/trainer who is at the ring with the horses/ponies and clients all day long, I think very carefully about my outfits in the morning. I’m always in one of 2 outfits- a) breeches and boots with some sort of sun shirt or collared button down shirt, or b) shorts and Toms with the same collared shirts. That said, I’ve seen a whole range of interesting outfits at the ring! Some people really just don’t care about how they look.
My thinking is always, “If I meet a potential client who wants to send their kid to train with us, will I give them a good first impression of our barn?” I’d say attire has a lot to do with this. If I was a mom, I’d be a little turned off if the trainers were wearing ripped, dirty, ill-fitting clothes while standing at the in gate. Chances are, if the trainer looks that bad, so do their horses.
[QUOTE=Fiction;7702953]
As a profession rider/trainer who is at the ring with the horses/ponies and clients all day long, I think very carefully about my outfits in the morning. I’m always in one of 2 outfits- a) breeches and boots with some sort of sun shirt or collared button down shirt, or b) shorts and Toms with the same collared shirts. That said, I’ve seen a whole range of interesting outfits at the ring! Some people really just don’t care about how they look.
My thinking is always, “If I meet a potential client who wants to send their kid to train with us, will I give them a good first impression of our barn?” I’d say attire has a lot to do with this. If I was a mom, I’d be a little turned off if the trainers were wearing ripped, dirty, ill-fitting clothes while standing at the in gate. Chances are, if the trainer looks that bad, so do their horses.[/QUOTE]
Love this. So true. My H/J trainer was exactly the same way, and added a broad brimmed straw hat in the summer. Always looked professional, and ready to step aboard a horse in the need arose. She inspired confidence, not derision.
[QUOTE=Lady Eboshi;7702820]
By the same token, NO ONE looks appropriate for any job higher than mucking in their back yard wearing a tank top–that goes for male OR female. Armpits on either are simply TMI. Especially in the saddle, watching someone’s boobs bang around and the bra straps slip down their shoulders is just about as unattractive as it GETS. And I think if I saw anyone’s “thong,” EVER, I’d have to walk away. So save the camis and the tanks and the short-shorts and the pajamas for cookouts and ball games and . . . canoeing.
In equestrian sport, the picture we present is part of the appeal. If you’re having trouble figuring out if it’ll pass, just ask “Could I wear this to audit a George Morris clinic?”
And THERE you go . . . ![/QUOTE]
WWGD? LOL. So true.
And thank you! For the comments about tank tops. The H/J barn I rode at for years banned them. No way you EVER rode in a tank top.
I still can’t bring myself to wear one unless I’m in the privacy of my own home! They are not flattering attire for the majority of humanity.
[QUOTE=anmoro;7701819]
What starts as a post to ask about attire has now turned in to an attack thread stating that apparently I judge people if they aren’t in the “beautiful crowd”. Apparently those making this assumption do not know me, my friends or my family.
I’m so glad to come on COTH and learn more about myself than I apparently knew. Thank you for telling me I’m classless and judgemental. I will be sure to remember this when people describe me as a caring person who goes out of their way to help others.[/QUOTE]
I agree with you. I read the original post, then read the responses. Um, wow, people. Legitimate question, and when she was asked for examples, she posted them. Now everybody’s mad because she did?
I didn’t see the picture, but believe me, I know exactly what she meant because I’ve seen it at shows.
Part of our sport is about turnout - neat, clean and conservative. To be blunt, a horse show is a workplace, and everybody is a potential client. Remember the saying ‘dress for success’? Well, sloppy turns me off, and if that’s my first impression, you’re done.
And don’t tell me I’m missing out. There are a lot of trainers out there that ride well. I’m sure I can find one that doesn’t look like a slob.
Heck, we were taught that when showing cattle at the county fair you (and your stock) better look dang good, even if you are not in the ring.
You can let it hang out before the gates open, but after that the barn, the animals & you better be whistle-clean & presentable.
I guess I go against the grain as I choose a trainer based on their ability. I don’t give a hoot what they look like, if they smoke (as long as it’s not in the barn, obviously). None of those things matter to me in the least.
But I view the world differently as my family is judged daily. I am a foster parent to 3 black kids, one Hispanic, and one white kid - all males, all 16-17. Whenever we go anywhere we are judged, especially when we walk into a restaurant. I see the looks, I see the older lady indicating to her husband that he should look at us while we wait for our table.
I guess we are a bit scary to some, if you are scared of race or youth - but ‘my’ kids say please and thank you, every single time. They don’t raise their voices, or curse and are entirely appropriate. Often people comment on how well behaved my crew is, and I think that comment is made because others were not expecting them to be.
So that’s a long way of saying, I judge people on their behavior, or in the case of a trainer, then add ability - not their appearance.
Speaking of undergarments, people should not wear colored panties underneath white breeches. Please people, have some common sense!
Turnout is everything. I “dress” for schooling and make sure my tack is clean and my boots have a shine. I believe that sloppy dressing leads to sloppy riding.
I would want my trainer to dress professionally at shows; not only as a reflection of her skill and level of care for her horses but as a role model for the kids in the barn. It brings every body up a notch.
Not really a fashion expert, but as a trainer, I think it’s important to dress appropriately at all times…not just at rated shows…?
I appreciate a trainer who is always dressed such they could hop on (w/helmet) and ride at a moment’s notice if needed. I know that not all trainers still ride, but for the ones that do, it is nice when they dress appropriately.
I’ve had a few lessons where the trainer has hopped on to demonstrate something, then I get on and go through the same exercise or movement.
When I see trainers at shows who are dressed in a sloppy fashion, it makes me wonder what else is slipping in their program. Perhaps the answer is “nothing”, but still, it can’t help but make me wonder.
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