I LOVE him. I’m already looking at my little Huntin for Chocolate filly and thinking: “Girl, someday you’re going to meet a tall dark stranger and his name is going to be The Krymsun Kruzer…” Actually come to think of it, I guess she’ll just have to satisfied with watching the video huh? ;-p
[QUOTE=meaty ogre;6351671]
Thanks ozzerati!
…I think I’ll go with a solid button down shirt, black vest, black chaps, pants and boots and my black ovation schooling helmet, and a saddle blanket with black and my shirt color to tie it together. I may do a scarf pin and small earrings but that will be my only bling.[/QUOTE]
Troxel makes a nice western design helmet (no, not those ridiculous pumpkin/bucket-headed western helmets) for around $100-120 or so (cheaper some places on sale). Trimmed in leather w/western “flair”, it comes in all-black:
http://www.amazon.com/Troxel-Cheyenne/dp/B004BOU6IC
Just a thought, and kudos to you for going w/a helmet. I showed western back in the early 70’s, and even back then, trends were going towards silver bling. My saddle was a plain (no tooling whatsoever) Tex Tan dark-oil saddle that looked fabulous on my roan spotted appy mare. My bridle was a one-ear dark oil w/white buck stitching w/buck stitched reins (that was really my only “stylish” touch since buck stitching was all the rage back then).
I wore a simple plaid western shirt w/jeans, chocolate-colored suede chaps (fringed, of course) and the proverbial felt western hat. I didn’t show pro, but at the local shows, I did pretty well (even started beating out the local guy who did show pro on his “fancy” QH’s…LOL).
Good luck, and above all, have fun!
Ebay, Ebay, Ebay!!
There are several girls on my equestrian team that have found really tasteful shirts for pretty cheap. I think that vest you posted looks like a tank top over a long sleeve shirt. A more plain shirt is fine too, but I would definitely go for one that is fitted, vs. loose like a guy’s shirt.
Showing in a helmet is fine at schooling shows, just make sure to do a bun (if you have long hair) rather than doing hunter hair. Though, we have one IHSA western show that requires helmets due to the rules of the facility, and I did hunter hair just for the ease of it, and it really didn’t matter. The bun looks better though–more western-y.
What type of showing are you doing? I’m doing reining at a combo of local and NRHA recognized shows and doing the Rookie / Beginner classes in just a shirt, jeans, belt, hat, and boots. My saddle has no silver, and there’s just a bit of rawhide/flash on my bridle. Haven’t had anyone comment beyond telling me that we look nice.
Here we are at a schooling show last Monday:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7081/7299812374_67d1f0e93f_c.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7239/7299818906_e8f3ab4928_z.jpg
I love telling this story 
A few years ago I went with my mom to a local charity horse show. Folks from around the surrounding states tend to enter for experience and to raise money for the charity.
I will never forget a Western Pleasure class they held. There were female and male riders all sorts of blinged out: heavily-tooled saddles with silver and black gems, sparkly shirts, suede chaps with fringe and conchos, blingy hats, sparkling bridles, etc. Horse with tail extensions, banded manes, vaseline and hoof polish, etc.
Then in rode a guy: clean-dressed with a white long-sleeved dress shirt, clean blue jeans, simple and plain brown leather smooth chaps, a tan/straw Resistol, a conditioned sorrel QH gelding with just a plain brown leather saddle and plain headstall.
The other riders in the class looked at him and brushed him off with an eye roll or scoff, but you know what? He was the best dang rider in the class. He and his horse had such a relationship that it looked like the horse could hear the judges and did what they said. The rider looked like he was riding effortlessly…you know…a “pleasure” ride.
The horse turned sharply, had smooth gaits, calm headset (not a peanut pusher,) and it looked like the two were the best of friends. The rider would smile at children near the ring, and it looked like a walk in the park.
He and his horse came in first with the others following. Then after the class, he was more than happy to talk to everyone, let kids pet his horse, pose for pictures, etc.
Well, mini MO and I noticed a QH show going on at the local fairgrounds so we stopped in to see what the attire trends were. There were just as many riders in plain shirts as there were in the fancy, head-to-toe bling outfits.
All of the tack was still dripping in silver - no plain saddles in sight. I don’t know if plain tack will become a trend because obviously if you’ve already invested thousands in the blinged out saddle, you’re going to stick with that.
No helmets of course but they were western classes, (horsemanship I think? They were riding patterns). I have a feeling the western pleasure classes will still be more blingy–we’re going to go back Sat. and check out some more.
Attire did not affect the placings as far as I could tell, and I sat very close to the judges who appeared to be looking at the horses with only brief glances at the riders. It was funny to see 4 of them lined up with clipboards. Every time there was a blown lead change or a bobble, all 4 heads went down as their hands quickly scribbled, all in unison. I don’t know if all 4 were judges or if western judges have “scribes” but they were all dressed well and all had clip boards.
I’m glad my daughter is always game to stop and watch a horse show. Good kid!
anti-bling
I’m a hunter princess at heart, but show a friend’s Morgan in Western Pleasure. It has been PAINFUL to have to invest in the blingy WP stuff, but it doesn’t seem to be going out of fashion in the Morgan world any time soon. 
I had a “wardrobe malfunction” last summer and couldn’t get my chaps zipped. Ended up going into my class at the state fair in jeans. We won.
I am trying to remember the site where I recently saw a photo of a rider showing without chaps. She had dark jeans that were very long with a decent flare at the bottom, so the same outline as chaps but no fringe. I had to look twice at the photo to realize she didn’t have chaps on. It looked sharp. Of course the rider appeared to be of the same build as a victoria’s secret model, which helps! :lol:
but who wants to wear full chaps when it’s 90 degrees outside?
I don’t think the morgan or arab people will ever give op their bling. I think those people bedazzle their underwear.
I do not bedazzle my underwear 
I bought a fuschia shirt a couple of years ago at Target that looked just like those on clearance for $7. :lol:
I LOVE the bling! Love the whole look. I love makeup and wear hair extensions frequently. Don’t mind a fake tail. Love the beautiful outfits. I can’t wait to order my own customs once I get into showing down the road. Just learning western pleasure now after years of english. I’m super small with implants so buying a used ready to show outfit probably won’t work for me. I may fit into a youth but women’s no way. There are tons of sites selling slightly used show clothes in regular sizes. Check them out. Gorgeous designs. Bling bling bling! Sewn well. If you look you will find what you need unless you are a 34D-25-32 like me ugh!
[QUOTE=meaty ogre;6366404]
I am trying to remember the site where I recently saw a photo of a rider showing without chaps. She had dark jeans that were very long with a decent flare at the bottom, so the same outline as chaps but no fringe. I had to look twice at the photo to realize she didn’t have chaps on. It looked sharp. Of course the rider appeared to be of the same build as a victoria’s secret model, which helps! :lol:
but who wants to wear full chaps when it’s 90 degrees outside?
I don’t think the morgan or arab people will ever give op their bling. I think those people bedazzle their underwear.[/QUOTE]
Haha! Yes, we Morgan people do love our bling for the western horses! I agree though, I would love to lose the chaps in the extreme heat. I have to say though, I don’t know anyone who bedazzle’s their underwear! :lol:
Crossing over from dressage land here… I do go to Morgan shows as a spectator from time to time, and the bling gets me a bit… even though my palomino Morgan mare would look fabulous in silver.
My number one issue with the Western riders – and riders in every other discipline for that matter – is please, please wear a bra that supports “the girls” enough that you don’t bounce at the jog/trot/whatever. And if your show shirt is a bit tight, might be time to get one slightly bigger, and/or wear supportive undergarments… I know, torture on a hot humid day, but a gapping shirt is really not attractive.
Meaty, this is an old thread. Did you ever do this show and how did it turn out?
Watching motorbike racing where all the riders were wearing the brightest colored leathers, there was one rider in plain black. Every time he went past on the circuit he caught my eye because he was so different. Being plain can really make you stand out!
[QUOTE=meaty ogre;6349623]
I noticed one manufacturer is giving a nod to the minimalist trend, but at $139 for a plain shirt I think they’re missing the point!
http://www.showdivadesigns.com/Shirts/[/QUOTE]
FWIW, the fabric on those is thin (read: sausage casing). They are meant to be worn under something else. Same place makes a gauzy + sequin/crystals tank top or shell that you wear over this shirt to add the required bling. I think the plan was to make it cheaper to update your whole outfit each year. But it wasn’t to just wear that shirt.
OTOH, girdle it up and go if you want to wear those pretty sausage shirts!
I have not read all the posts, but I wanted to add in my encouragement. I for one recall showing in a nice pair of jeans, chaps, boots and a plaid or long sleeves button down shirt and a western hat. If I ever went western again that is what I would do again. I don’t think I can pull off all the bling.
Yes OP - you can 100% show in a plain fitted shirt and black jeans and black chaps. Its actually quite the fad now
I have shown AQHA for 15 years and this is a very welcome change.
The ShowDiva shirts are nice being that they zip. The button down shirts tend to bunch and gap at the bust. That being said there are plenty of people making the zip front shirts for around $60 versus the $139 of Show Diva. You can try the various Facebook tack groups for them. Like Western Pleasure and Western Tack Trader. A lot of women are also using button up shirts from Victoria Secret that have a leotard type bottom. These help to elimiate the bunching and always stay tucked in.
I will say the silver ribbon tack is out. You would be better to show in plain work tack. Or a saddle with basket weave or plain floral tooling (like many of the reining saddles). The style of skirt is very different on the modern saddles versus the vintage ones. Certainly as long as your saddle fits and you are in the correct position - then I would use it and if you like the classes upgrade in the future.
Good Luck and enjoy!
I like quality in a plain package, if a judge gives any points for decoration I don’t want their opinion, and I shouldn’t be there.
