Button braids and natural tail at an 'A' H/J show: is it a total No?

[ACMEeventing]

There is a H/J show very local to me in December. I have absolutely no aspirations of becoming a “thing” in the Hunter world, but I would like to enter some classes. I’m primarily motivated by the chance to do multiple stadium rounds over the course of a couple of days (hunter & jumper).

I wouldn’t have to stable on site, and I absolutely wouldn’t be paying someone to braid.

So . . . can I show up with button braids and a natural tail? I don’t really give a flying rat’s @ss if I look out of place or don’t take home any prizes, but I also don’t want to look blatantly disrespectful of the sport.

Appropriate clothing and tack is not an issue, got that covered.

[StormWarriorC]

Would you be doing actual hunter rounds? What is the rating of the show?

[CHT]

Jumpers you would be fine. Hunters not sure: depends on your area. Around here an unbraided tail would be ok, but button braids would look out of place. Can you look up any photos of past competitors to see what the level of turn out is at this show?

[misssarahannie]

If it’s not USEF rated I would rather have no braids at all.

[judybigredpony]

You actually are old school correct turn out especially if top of tail is pulled…it is not disrespectful…today’s turn out is all a " faux Fashion" …read the rules…LOL no where does it say 60 braids or braided tail with full fake extension…

[CHT]

[QUOTE=misssarahannie;8368621]
If it’s not USEF rated I would rather have no braids at all.[/QUOTE]

She says right in her title that it is an “A” show.

[ACMEeventing]

Yes, it is an ‘A’ show. But it is an outdoor show in December, and when I spectated last year it seemed fairly casual.

Like I said, my farm is literally a mile from the venue (Carolina Horse Park) and I just want to maximize my opportunity to put in several rounds in a convenient location.

I actually think he would do well in the Hunter ring due to his absolutely gorgeous and steady canter, but if my presentation is better suited to the Jumper ring I’ll just do that. I’d love to do the handy rounds on him, because he’s so handy . . .

[janedoe726]

I haven’t been to shows at CHP, but traditionally, the winter A shows in Raleigh have been pretty informal. You rarely see braided tails there, so I imagine it would be similar turnout at CHP.

[Midge]

You will be fine and not alone with an unbraided tail.

[Training_Cupid]

Ack I feel so out of touch, I thought button braids were the standard for hunters?
(For what it’s worth I haven’t shown for over 15 years and even then it was just local C stuff)

[ACMEeventing]

Okay, great. Thanks for all the replies. I’m primarily an Eventer/Dressage rider so the H/J world is a bit foreign. I rode it eons ago as a kid, but things have changed drastically since then.

The good thing is that I’ll be able to do my showing on the Thurs-Fri and be out of the weekend melee.

And, to be honest, it wouldn’t be the first time I’ve made an absolute fool of myself :lol:

[Lord_Helpus]

What hunter division are you planning to go in? If it is an unrecognized division then you do not have to braid. Most horses will not be braided for unrecognized divisions.

If it is a recognized division (green, performance, ammie hunters) and want to look as if you belonged, then braid as many button braids as you can comfortably fit in. Braiding is a sign of respect for an A level rated division, not a mandatory thing for a Dec show at CHP. Your braids will only stand out if you put in 10 chunky ones.

However, if you are just going for the experience, then don’t worry about braiding for any division; if you look a little casual no one will run you out of town and you will get the experience you are looking for.

[ElementFarm]

I brought my mare to the A show at the CHP last Dec. Even in the hunters, no one braided (my mare did the 3’ divisions), at least on Thur/Fri. It’s rated, but was small and fairly informal compared to many of the A shows I’ve been to. If you’re going to do Raleigh or the bigger ventures, def braid the mane with hunter braids. But for the CHP one, you’ll likely be fine with no braids and natural tail.

[Soaponarope]

If you are doing an A rated hunter division you should braid your horse’s mane in hunter braids. If you can do button braids you should be able to to do hunter braids. I wouldn’t worry about the tail at a local A show. If you are not doing a rated division then I wouldn’t worry about braiding at all unless you want to get a pretty picture for a sale ad or just to have. You can tell from the prize list if the division is A rated.

[RugBug]

[QUOTE=CHT;8368623]
She says right in her title that it is an “A” show.[/QUOTE]

Not all classes at an “A” show are “A” rated. As a few others have mentioned, people usually only braid in recognized divisions.

[QUOTE=Lord Helpus;8368831]What hunter division are you planning to go in? If it is an unrecognized division then you do not have to braid. Most horses will not be braided for unrecognized divisions.

If it is a recognized division (green, performance, ammie hunters) and want to look as if you belonged, then braid as many button braids as you can comfortably fit in. Braiding is a sign of respect for an A level rated division, not a mandatory thing for a Dec show at CHP. Your braids will only stand out if you put in 10 chunky ones.

However, if you are just going for the experience, then don’t worry about braiding for any division; if you look a little casual no one will run you out of town and you will get the experience you are looking for.[/QUOTE]

Agree with LH. I recently took my mare to an A show. We did 2’6" hunters and didn’t braid for a few reasons:

1. It was for experience. The only shot at a ribbon she had going in was the hack
2. It was an unrecognized division
3. It’s expensive and I would have had to find a braider.

That said…we were the only one that wasn’t braided. :o It didn’t hurt placings, because again, we pretty much knew that unless all the stars aligned (a.k.a. landing all her leads) we would be at the bottom anyway. We were supposed to go to the follow up next week and I would have had her braided. Not because she needed to be, but because:

1. We have more of a shot now (changes are coming along)
   and
2. Pictures! I got some nice shots…and if she was braided they would be that much nicer. Oh well. There is always next time.

Despite my own experience, I still say, if it’s unrecognized, don’t worry about it. If it is, and you want to partially conform, do buttons, but do more than normal (is that even possible? Sometimes you see horses with 7 braids total. shoot for at least 15 and 20 would be better)

[copper1]

Having button braids instead of hunter braids is not a deal breaker and unless your horse screws up badly, or is totally awesome, the judge isn’t going to notice!

[midstride]

FWIW

IMO button braids are nicer anyways (but I am a self acknowledged weirdo!)
definitely won’t need tail done.

[midstride]

Double post…Double post…

[Tackpud]

3’ and under - unbraided mane and tail will be fine. Anything over 3’ in the hunter ring should have a braided mane at the least. Button braids would be preferable to no braids at that level. Those shows are casual, but a nice turn out is desirable at any show.

[ybiaw]

I’d just go unbraided mane and tail. No big deal.