Bling? Colors? What say you?

[ACP]

What do you think about the increasing bling on tack and attire? I have seen crystals on boot top and spur straps, not to mention helmets with hundreds of dollars worth of ornamentation. Browbands are no longer plain leather, with just an edge of contrasting leather trim; they look beautiful, like a bracelet or necklace with beads and jewels. Stirrups have bling on the side edge.

Stock ties are no longer plain white cotton with a plain gold pen fastened horizontally. I have seen rather bold black and white prints, ruffles, wedding satin or lush brocades in colors from red to emerald to aqua. Pins are ornate and much larger. Coats are navy blue, cornflower blue, wine, hunter green, brown. There are suede trims on collars.

I like the bling and the different colors. What say you?

[SendenHorse]

sure, draw attention to the fussy contact, bobbing head and wiggly legs by making it sparkly

I think there is a definite place for some color and indivuality, but the tide swung towards too much if you ask me. It should not detract from the beauty of the horse, many of it does in my opinion. I do like the colored jackets, that is a nice touch. I like the stock ties and ruffle shirts since that is more comfortable.

I think perhaps the trend is peaking or has peaked. but it’s so region specific. I have a huge dislike for western pleasure bling and colors, so I really hope english events can stay traditoinal and classic. That is one huge draw for me, it honors the beauty of the horse.

Might be good to remember that old fashion saying “Before you leave the house, take off two accessories!”

[Scribbler]

I like colours but am not a huge fan of rhinestones on horses or general wear clothes or anything worn outdoors. They make sense in an artificially lit performance situation, circus or bellydance.

I do like the old school Western silver tack and embroidered yoke shirts but not the modern garish shiny show shirts.

I like options beyond black in muted jacket colors. I don’t have a deep commitment to traditional Equestrian styles, just not a fan of rhinestones!

I also don’t like pink or purple on a horse. Burgundy and red are OK of course.

[2tempe]

Like most things its a matter of degree and personal taste. I’ve seen some lovely conservative color jackets - grays, browns. I’ve seen weird colors that just raise my eyebrows, and piping down the back that shows when you are crooked, etc.

Personally dont like sparkle - but never have, on anything. My idea of going wild is to change the points on my tailcoat - have 4 options. Did have a browband with pearl and red tiger eye beads for my mare, no sparkle just a little oomph. Too girly for my current horse.

[MsM]

In public, I like mostly conservative. Dark colored coats, a little frill or pastel on shirt. I like a dark rich color on a saddle pad if not black or white - not a fan of vibrant or lighter colors. As far as bling, I like a bit on a browband, but that is about it. Not a fan of sparkles on helmets, stirrups etc.

Now I have to confess I have been indulging my inner-pony-deprived child when at home! It kind of started when I needed overreach boots for my new super-cute palomino. There was a pair on sale - in sparkly purple! Now I already had a lavender schooling helmet so I decided to go with it. Then there was the purple saddle pad and the sparkly browband (his was too small!) which was all on sale! My barn owner came in as I was tacking up and went :eek: :lol: and said “well, you will always be able to tell which is your tack. Even in the dark!”

[Covergirl15]

I agree with most of the others–I like the addition of color and think the different coat colors can really compliment the horse’s color. I also like a little bling on a browband depending on the horses head (my guy is chestnut with a crazy shaped blaze so I just have one row of rhinestones but my trainer’s mare was dark with no markings on her face and had a full rhinestone one that was lovely), but I’m not a fan of the beaded ones. I also have silver piping on my helmet and patent tops (about the top inch or so, not a lot) on my konigs but not a huge fan of a lot of rhinestones

[ArabDiva]

Well, if you look at this picture you’ll see where I stand on the issue…

https://scontent-ort2-2.xx.fbcdn.net…1d&oe=5A31C3C2

Can’t see the pad very well, but it’s a medium gray oglivy with purple piping to match my coat.

The browband is a custom order from Pearly Ponies.

FWIW I frequently get comments like “lovely turnout” in my general remarks from judges, and lots of complements from fellow competitors too.

[mmeqcenter]

I love colors.
I don’t care for much bling (except on my fingernails), other than a browband, but even then I tend to prefer the ones that are done more so for a splash of color rather than the sparkle sparkle ones, myself.

I really detest the suede lapels/collars on jackets. Lord how I hate them.

[Impractical_Horsewoman]

I look like death warmed over in black and white so I appreciate the ability to choose conservative but appropriate colors that better suit my coloring and that of horse that I ride who also happens to be black and white. I like having a bit of color to liven things up so we both don’t look like penguins. I like very dark (not hunter) green, pretty much all shades of blue, burgundy, and grey. I’d love to be able to wear very light, pearl grey breeches versus white.

I don’t have a blingy browband but I’ve seen some nice jeweled ones that look very pretty. I’m not a huge fan of sparkle and glitter, though. I’ve never worn it and too much of it can actually be distracting on a bright day. I think I also have some glitter PTSD from cleaning it up after crafts as a kid.

[MissAriel]

After scribing at a recent show I was talking with the TD and the judge and a few other volunteers. The consensus was that the colors were great and that a little bit of bling goes a long way. There was one interesting comment regarding the colors making it easier for fans to recognize riders, making dressage more fan-friendly.

[NSC_Los_Angeles]

I love mahogany boots and the odd colored jacket but no bling for me as I prefer a workman-like style. I have friends who bling and look awesome, but I’d just feel a bit ridiculous personally.

[NSC_Los_Angeles]

Someone told me they had a $300 Hermes sparkle browband, tell me that’s not a thing!

[Training_Cupid]

I guess I’m a 35 year old fuddy-duddy because I prefer a traditional look and very limited color. I don’t mind detail in the leather itself - stitching or a raised noseband, but not patent, and definitely not a fan of sparkle (I don’t wear jewelry myself hardly ever either though)

[MysticOakRanch]

Bling baby, bling! I don’t like too much sparkle, but I love, love, love color! I detest white and always wonder what fool thought white clothing and horses were a good combination. Jumpers, eventers, most other equestrian disciplines discovered fashion and practicality long before us. Dressing like a butler is ostentatious in my opinion.

Btw, color and bling is all over in Europe, so I don’t think it is going away anytime soon.

As for “drawing attention” to rider issues, I think white is super attention catching and a horrible color for most w imperfect bodies. Thank goodness for color!

[Dutchmare433]

I agree, bling baby, bling! My horse wears an Equiture browband, so there’s “some” sparkle there. The color of the browband matches the color of the welting on my saddle. Otherwise I just do subtle color in the shows, brown coat and helmet.

I think probably bling on gloves is not a great idea if your hands aren’t perfect, but I also don’t think you’re going to hide busy hands with white or even black gloves.

[Draftmare]

All the colors!

I have a Haematite browband that I love: http://imgur.com/9GnA4J8

Currently I am not much more colorful than that, but I do plan to get a navy coat and possibly a navy helmet and pad for next year to complement my brown tack and brown tall boots.

[beowulf]

I love it. I love seeing the individuality and unique taste of each rider. It makes being a ring steward that much more exciting.

For showing, I keep my own stuff pretty subtle - my horse has a nice browband that has onyx stones set in brass accents and that’s it, but I do admit I really, really love some of the new boots that are blinged up…

[Scribbler]

It is going to depend on the horse to a big extent. Maybe a sparkle browband would look nice on a plain bay with a pretty head.

I have a loudly marked chestnut Paint with a big noble head and an asymmetric bald face blaze. And then I’m not a frilly person IRL, my work clothes are very classic (as in I have a lovely black wool hunt coat from a tack store liquidation that I wear to work).

I don’t love the white pants white saddle pad bit on us. I’d prefer some muted colors.

I can imagine thinking that a sparkle browband looks pretty on a specific horse and still feel it looks inappropriate, if that makes sense. Indeed it’s a reaction I also have to.young women’s outfits ( which I don’t voice): wow that looks really cute on her but she shouldn’t be walking around in public at ,9 am dressed like that.

[dotneko]

Not a fan. The horse is beautiful on its own. He doesn’t need his mother to play dress up Barbie with him.
I don’t even like white padded nosebands.

[Equibrit]

I would rather the horse’s performance be the bling.