I haven’t shown in the hunters for 7+ years. I stay in the jumper ring. Tomorrow I’m riding two ponies in the 2ft. I’m a grown ass adult on a pony so realistically I don’t have a chance in placing BUT I’d like to not look ridiculous as I lose.
In the jumper ring I wear brown boots, brown helmet, brown gloves. They are field boots but they are very decidedly brown. I’m posting a photo below. I do have a pair of black boots but they are from my junior days and are a little tight.
What does COTH think? Wear them? Wear the black boots? I will be wearing a very traditional navy coat with either choice.
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I wear brown boots with a brown coat occasionally in the hunters. I’m jealous of your brown helmet! My boots are darker than yours but no one has been offended by my outfit yet, at least not that they’ve told me. You’ll probably be the only one in brown boots but they are not against the rules.
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It’s a OneK! I searched for it forever. I’ll be very upset when it’s expired
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I think the brown boots are lovely and very classy. 
In fact, I ride western (former h/j rider) and would love a decent pair of brown field boots to wear at home.
#ihatecowboyboots
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What brand are your boots??
Brown boots have definitely made a comeback. Wear them and don’t worry about it
Oh lovely! Wear the boots!
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They are Kavalkade. I found them brand new in a consignment shop in Virginia. I’m not even sure you can get them in the USA
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I’m not the one to ask, but I think your brown boots are lovely.
Pls do a Dinosaur a favor & tell me about your spurs. 
They’re are like nothing I’ve ever seen (which doesn’t say much - haven’t shown O/F since 2001 
).
What’s the technology/school of thought behind them?
They are fair riders. They are perfect for horses that need a little reminder with a spur but you don’t need something so pointy to get your point across. I use them on my made jumper gelding who only really needs them for flatwork to remind him to move his butt over when half passing. They also help immensely if your horse is prone to spur rubs.
I won’t be using them tomorrow because I feel they look a little unconventional but it’s almost always the spur I grab at home when I might need a little help in lateral movements. I highly recommend them
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I say rock those lovely brown boots!! Go have fun. 
I am putting on my old fogey hat.
Field boots are SUPPOSED to be brown.
BLACK field boots are an abomination introduced by the American Show Hunter clique several decades ago, and they have become seen as “normal”.
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I am the same vintage. Back when I rode Western, used to crave the brown field boots all the Hunter riders wore but by the time I switched to Hunters, was crushed to learn it was now black field boots…this was also before zippers were standard and custom full chaps with paddock boots were preferred schooling attire. Still have mine…nobody wants them anymore.
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I’m betting that hat is faded black velvet with a grosgrain bow (falling off) in back, no chinstrap… Well, maybe a useless piece of elastic
In addition to the brown field boots, may I add in the original Newmarket model with canvas shaft & brown leather foot.
Oh! How I coveted a pair of those back in my teen years. 
& Oh, how my parents insisted my OTR black Dehners were the only tall boots I needed.
No Madras plaid seersucker huntcoat either 
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I remember seeing just a couple of people who would still wear those at Devon some years back, although I think they were all in the older amateur division.
I’m not sure if those were their lucky coats that they saved just for the big horse shows, or if it was a nod to the change of seasons at that time of year, or what. Lol.
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I LOVE brown boots!! I’m a grown ass woman and I ride ponies in the hunters and I have brown boots - though I mostly wear my black ones in the ring, and save my brown ones for schooling. We even place very well too so don’t be surprised if you pin 
(We were Champion in the 2’ division at WEC 2 weeks in a row out of over 45 entries) Ponies rock!
Traditionally brown is informal and boots, gloves and helmet should match in colour. Black is formal, so should be worn for derbies etc (thats if you want to stick to “traditional” There are 0 rules on colour of boots, helmet etc and a good round is a good round no matter what you are wearing!). This goes way back to carriage driving. Brown harness for informal turnout, black harness for formal turnout. I would love to use a set of brown harness but all of my carriages are formal so I actually can’t use brown there…
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Not to derail from brown boots, but I bought a pair of full chaps (black suede, with fringe!) for winter riding this year. Every single person I’ve seen has complimented me on them – some of the older ladies at my barn are even talking about digging theirs out and wearing them too. Determined to bring the trend back!
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I am an old fogey too. I was horrified after a 20+ years break from horses to discover black field boots and puke green breeches!
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I had one of those. Third-hand from the barn resale shop. I loved it. I was so sharp! And now I look at pictures from back then and cringe. 
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I put mine on now and then. I love them, really.
