I am having a hard time with riding in tall brown boots in dressage. I have the mountain horse sovereign boots and they seem a little light to wear in the dressage ring. I don’t see a lot of brown boots being worn in the dressage phase but I also have a beautiful brown helmet to match so the combo does look good together. I like to worry about the little things (clearly as I am worried about my boot color) does anyone have pictures to share of them wearing brown boots in dressage to put my mind at ease?
I don’t remember where online, but some years ago I saw someone (I think in England) doing dressage in brown tall boots. I think they were riding a test at a show. And I think they wore a ratcatcher coat. Maybe try YouTube?
Looked different to me (I’m in the US) but nice and neat and classy, IMO.
I love brown boots with brown tack and helmet if brown looks good on the horse.
Leah Lang-Gluscic wore brown boots for dressage at Rolex & there were a few in dressage at Badminton too. I have the same mountain horse boots as you do & I’ve never done dressage in them, they are pretty light brown. I got a new pair over the winter - which are lot darker (but they have navy at the top), I have been thinking about using them for dressage but same as you, feel the black is safer so I’ve stayed with that so far 
I have the same boots and if my black custom boots don’t get broken in enough in the next few weeks will happily be wearing the brown ones in LL dressage–although I’d probably opt for my tweed coat or anything other than a black coat which really ought to be worn with a stock tie and black boots. (Or no coat!) But that may just be me and the more old fashion view of “correct attire.” Brown boots with “informal attire” is completely acceptable in lower level dressage.
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don’t the rules specify “brown or black?” let me go look… I am going to purchase those self-same boots and intend to wear them at HTs.
Edit: EV-144.5
“Boots—black, brown, field, jodhpur or a black or brown full grain smooth leather leg piece and matching leather boots.Chaps and/or half-chaps are not allowed.” This is for BN-P. At I, A, they say “Dress boots, preferably black,” but not only black.
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I had this same discussion with a young friend of mine last week, and I think it depends on where you are in your riding life as to whether it is “ok” or “acceptable.” I know subk, and with her riding cred, I wouldn’t think twice about whatever she showed up to ride in at any level. (well, if she showed up with a dirty, unkempt horse and dirty tack and raggedy clothes, I’d be concerned, because I would assume that the REAL subk was taken by aliens!! :lol: )
But, the young lady I was talking to wanted to wear the brown sovereigns as her only pair of tall boots, and she’s doing Intro A & B, and has never even cantered her horse – on purpose. I explained to her that while the “rules” (such as they are, since we are talking about local schooling shows) would permit such a thing, I didn’t think she should do it. She needs a pair of basic black boots, and can wait to have repair work on the fancy Sovereigns until she has enough extra cash that it would make more sense. Basically, she picked a pair up at a good price, but it will cost almost an additional $300 to get them wearable, which on a budget, makes zero sense. Especially because it will also look like she’s wearing a top hat to preschool.
Maybe I’m being unfair, but I think in order for a rider to appear appropriately turned out, and proper for the level, one should start with some good solid basic choices, and then, when there is extra cash about, add some fun fashion choices. I’ve competed up to Novice and have been around a long time (even if I’ve only done Intro A & B myself lately!) and I had the funds several years ago to order custom boots. I ordered a plain, black pair and didn’t add any piping or patent trim, even though I could have, and it wouldn’t have “broken any rules.” But, I didn’t think I’d “earned” the right with my riding skills to cross that line. And maybe this is a ridiculous and outmoded idea, but I feel pretty strongly that in my own case, I need to work hard on establishing my horsemanship, which includes good, clean and basic turn out, and then add some exciting trim.
Libby ( who thinks that brown boots with ratcatcher turnout looks fabulous when worn by the right person. In part of the discussion I had about this issue last week I was informed that it was proper eventer turnout because Sinead was seen schooling in them at home. My answer to that was a) she’s sponsored by Mountain Horse and isn’t going to have to spend her gas money for the month on having them altered, b) they aren’t her only pair of tall boots, and c) you aren’t Sinead. I think this might have finally gotten my point across. Maybe.)
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I think they look GREAT!!
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I wore light brown boots with a light brown saddle on my palomino through Novice level. I also don’t show in a jacket - just a navy polo. We were usually in the top 5 after dressage on the winter circuit in Ocala and never had a judge comment on it. We mostly got comments about what a nice pair we were. I am a professional groom so the horse was always impeccably turned out. Do what makes you feel comfortable and what is easiest/cheapest. We are eventers. No one cares, and people that do should try focusing on their own riding.
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I did check the rules as I was very paranoid when Eventing Nation ran a story about how brown helmets are now legal, I had no idea they weren’t and I own a brown helmet (it is hard to tell it is brown but still I had no idea brown helmets were not legal in dressage and show jumping because its eventing and people wear zebra print on XC so who knew). I have no plans of going Intermediate or Advanced any time soon
I don’t think you can wear the brown helmet in recognized eventing dressage until 12/1/18. If memory serves me correctly only black or navy until the rule change goes into effect.
If I show this year I will probably wear my brown boots but mine are very dark brown almost havana or chocolate. they are Ovation Olympia dress boots. My saddle is not black. It is Cognac with havana accents and piping and my bridle is havana.
But I don’t tend to notice what others are wearing and don’t care what people think about what I wear. If I do notice others I tend to think hmmm… interesting and move on. I am more judgemental about apparel for horse or rider that is unsafe or overly harsh. Color choices not so much.
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I looked and you are correct, which really throws a curve ball in my outfit planning I have a navy helmet but its not as nice as the brown one but I cant break rules so navy helmet it is.
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I dunno, I don’t ride that well (most of the time) and I wear brown Petries and a brown helmet for dressage shows. I haven’t evented in this getup but I would. I have a palomino and a buckskin, so I take advantage of daring to be different.
I wouldn’t spend a lot of money to do it, but I needed new boots and they were a good price and fit perfectly - so I bought them. I also have a pair of petries in cognac that I school in.
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Wow, I could swear brown helmets were legal in the past! Well, I don’t have one so doesn’t matter. I’d say wear what you think looks good. Your dressage will be what it is, and your clothes, as long as they’re legal and neat, won’t make any difference in the judge’s perception of your ride. That’s coming from someone who’s perpetually second to dead last after dressage (doesn’t matter how good I get, everyone else gets better!) and not only wear brown boots but also no jacket at one days AND school the judge on the rules when incorrectly called out on it. I get lots of compliments (except from that judge). Of course, if YOU’LL be more comfortable blending in, by all means blend.
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I like those boots! Are they nice? They would only be about twice the price of fixing my black dress boots.
I love them. They are really very comfortable. I went from wearing paddock boots and half chaps to wearing these for every ride. I can walk around in them comfortably and ride in the comfortably. No real break in period. I don’t know how well they will wear since I have only had them about 7 months. So far they are holding up well.
I have gotten nice compliments on them.
