Calling all hunters (what's acceptable in the show ring)

[Lexie55]

[QUOTE=findeight;8506147]
I still see them, fleece pads, at the rateds…in the Adults and AOs, just not in the must have everything new, not even born when you bought that fleece pad, Pelham or gasp rust breeches kid classes.

If it works use it. It will NOT reflect in your score, just amuse the tweeners fashion police hanging around the gate.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for making me laugh out loud. I feel like I read on this forum that the tweeners were wearing green jackets again. I have a Grand Prix forest green herringbone hanging in my closet from the late 80’s or early 90’s that is older than nearly of the kids riding at the place I’m taking lessons. I would love to wear it again … Green is my color … but sadly it won’t button (I didn’t gain weight, it shrunk… that’s my story and I am sticking to it).

IMHO, green was the only color that ever looked good with the old green Tailored Sportsman breeches. I have heard that color is now OUT and if so, I am sooooo glad. I hated when the TS came back in, I found the 2 way stretch and the knee seams very uncomfortable, and really didn’t want to have to take care of the real suede.

Would somebody tell me the latest in breeches? Are there any comfortable, stretchy, forgiving to a middle aged figure, easy-care breeches out there that are acceptable for the show ring? Also - color - I am seeing various shades of tan from super pale down to a taupey / fawny color in the catalogs - are any of these shades of tan acceptable? I would like to go to the darkest tan I can get away with - any suggestions on makers / colors?

Also - is the Euro seat style acceptable in all classes? I like the look A LOT.

[SillyHorse]

[QUOTE=shadedingray;8504738]
Here are PS of Sweden’s current bridle line.[/QUOTE]

@AmmyByNature;8504749

Those browbands make my little H/J heart shudder. Just not my style! (But the bridles are objectively lovely and I’m sure very well made!)

Guess what? They make my little dressage heart shudder, too. I cannot for the life of me understand why people think they look good.

[AmmyByNature]

[QUOTE=Lexie55;8518716]

Would somebody tell me the latest in breeches? Are there any comfortable, stretchy, forgiving to a middle aged figure, easy-care breeches out there that are acceptable for the show ring? Also - color - I am seeing various shades of tan from super pale down to a taupey / fawny color in the catalogs - are any of these shades of tan acceptable? I would like to go to the darkest tan I can get away with - any suggestions on makers / colors?

Also - is the Euro seat style acceptable in all classes? I like the look A LOT.[/QUOTE]

Buy yourself a pair of the mid rise, side zip, tailored sportsman Trophy Hunters.

The mid rise version of this breech is the most flattering thing I’ve ever worn. They’ll run you a little under $200 but at least give them a try.

[kenyarider]

So long as your tack and clothing do not attract or distract from the horse, anything is fine. What’s important is to get 8 fences, not what you or your horse is wearing. Traditional, traditional, traditional.

[Trixie]

A cheap fitted pad can be gotten so easily that I wouldn’t use a black pad or a square pad at any level of the hunters except at,

Gah, unless you’re my weirdo saddle. Anyone know where I can find a cheapie for a Frank Baines 17.5 that for some reason is ENORMOUS front to back? I just wind up showing in a sheepskin half pad at this point because it’s the only thing under $150 that seems to fit.

[Badgergirl]

Is it required for pads to be fitted? I like the look of a quilted square pad but it seems not many people use them on HUS or jumpers.

[AmmyByNature]

[QUOTE=Badgergirl;8520853]
Is it required for pads to be fitted? I like the look of a quilted square pad but it seems not many people use them on HUS or jumpers.[/QUOTE]

In the hunters, fitted pads (or 1/2 pads) are “virtually” required. The HUS people use those fitted pads with number pouches, I think.

It would not be appropriate to use a square pad in hunters.

Most people do use square pads of some sort in the jumpers and often pin their numbers to them.

[Badgergirl]

Is there a difference between hunters and HUS?

I have a lot of dumb questions, I’m sorry. I’m a fresh transfer from the dressage world

[AmmyByNature]

“Hunters” is usually the “hunters” associated with jumpers and equitation. This is the H/J board, so that’s what people assume when you mention them here.

HUS is “hunter under saddle” which is a breed show thing. I know quarter horses do it and other “breed show” type breeds. VERY different from Hunter/Jumper “hunters.”

(I know this sounds like I’m just talking in circles - sorry!)

[Dewey]

HUS is an acronym used by breed show people. It’s considered a separate discipline from the breed-show hunter OF classes, which are much closer to what open show hunter classes are like. The horses and riders that do HUS at the breed shows most often are not the same ones that do the OF classes. The horse’s way of going in HUS is quite specialized, and the turnout is not identical either.

At open shows, the same horses and riders with the same turn-out generally participate in the entire division, both OF and under saddle classes.

You really do need a plain white fitted pad for most hunter classes. Fortunately, they can be had very inexpensively.

[luckymaverick]

why does white matter so much for pads?

if those set-ups make you shudder, you don’t want to see pics of what Pony goes in- riser pad, white towel underneath with standard saddle pad and black non-slip pad underneath it all. She’s mutton-withered and this set-up keeps her comfortable and happy. Of course, we don’t do rated hunters, just local schooling show stuff.

[Soaponarope]

White, fitted show pads are preferred because they are clean and classic. Fitted show pads are tailored and don’t distract from the beauty of the horse; there is just a small, hopefully sparkling white rim around the saddle. So it increases the impression of smartness and cleanliness. When everyone’s turn out looks pretty much the same, i.e., almost a uniform, attention is drawn to the horses themselves which is at it should be in the hunters.

[JenEM]

[QUOTE=Trixie;8518824]
Gah, unless you’re my weirdo saddle. Anyone know where I can find a cheapie for a Frank Baines 17.5 that for some reason is ENORMOUS front to back? I just wind up showing in a sheepskin half pad at this point because it’s the only thing under $150 that seems to fit.[/QUOTE]

Will the Wilkers not fit? I’ve got an 18" Dabbs with a ridiculously long/forward flaps, and their 18" model actually fits my saddle fine. (A pleasant surprise.) Beval also makes a “butet” pad model that will let you size the pad and flaps, so maybe if you went up a size there?

As to the “why” of minimalist white pads, traditionally horses showed without pads. So the very minimal white pad would have been the least obtrusive when people started to use them.