Can I get away with wearing a navy jacket to a show?

[MissintheSouth]

Hi there,

I am hopping over from h/j land. I am currently riding a jumper who I think has potential as a mid-level dressage horse. I am not by any means a dressage rider, but try to instill in him a good base of lateral work.

Anyway, we are going to let him see if he prefers dressage world to jumper land. He gets really hot jumping and I honestly don’t know if it’s b/c he loves it or b/c he wants to get it over with.

So I am thinking about taking him to a few local dressage shows. We have a couple in the area that aren’t rated, just local stuff. From what I have seen, most people ride in white pants, white show shirts and if it’s not too hot, black jackets.

I do not have a dressage saddle, but my jumper saddle is pretty deep seated and black so I think I can blend in as long as my stirrups aren’t too short (maybe…I hope). I have a pair of white knee patch breeches that I can get away with and a white shirt…but no black jacket, only navy. Oh, and I have field boots, not dress.

Will I get laughed off the farm with my c/c saddle and blue jacket and lace up boots? We would only be doing Training Level for now, maybe Level I if he likes it.

I have this sneaking suspicion that I will either be “that h/j chic who has the nice horse who was going so well even in the wrong tack” or “that girl with the inappropriate tack who jumped out of the dressage ring-how embarassing.” :o

[dressagejudy]

If it is a schooling show you should have no trouble with a blue jacket (in fact, I think most of the dressage shadbellies ARE blue) or with a hunt seat saddle. The only problem with the hunt seat saddle is that you can’t really get the straight line on YOUR body. It might cost you a little in the rider overall score. At the smaller shows you will see lots of different apparel. Go for it!
Judy

[shamrocker]

You’ll be fine…my dressage coat is navy and I used to wear a navy hunt cap to match it. It looked great. Field boots are fine as well.

Just ride a good test, and showcase your horse, it’s not a fashion show, but a horse show. :lol:

[MissintheSouth]

@shamrocker;3071419

Just ride a good test, and showcase your horse, it’s not a fashion show, but a horse show. :lol:

Ah, yes…but you see if I focus on worrying about my clothing and tack, I can ignore all the other things that could happen that ARE important…like our currently awful downward transitions!

Thanks for the encouragement, I am actually excited. I have always felt that this particular horse hasn’t found his niche yet. Maybe this will be it!

[blackhorsegirl]

Good luck! You will do just fine at schooling shows. This is the place to see if you and your horse like it. You can also wear your white (or beige) pants and a black or navy polo. Be neat and clean. No fly away hair. Clean your tack and polish your boots and your horse. Look like you care. This is what the judge wants to see And smile!

[SillyHorse]

Your navy jacket is legal, acceptable, and fine for ANY show, not just schooling. It’s very difficult, and understandably so, for Hunter riders to get away from worrying about fashon in the show ring. Our judges honestly, really, and seriously do not care what color coat you wear, or what kind of saddle you’re sitting on. You’ll find it a refreshing change. :yes:

[magnum]

Many of our top riders have now transitioned over to DARKER navy blue. I am personally sorry that I own ANY black, since I am a fair skinned, blue eyed blond.

Brown saddles are also making a comeback.

Schooling shows … pretty much anything goes. You will stick out a bit at a USDF show with medium blue … but darker navy … it is to die for!

Magnum

[luckyducky1983]

Field Boots & add a stock Tie maybe(?)

Lots chiming in for blue jackets, but so far just one seconded the field boots so I wanted to add

I love my field boots, and have done through 2nd level schooling shows with them, and actually after the zipper broke off my dress boots (The 2 month old Ariat nice ones! and while I was UNZIPPING no less) last summer, I showed recognized Training/1st with field boots.

I personally just ride So. Much. Better. in them. More comfortable, more relaxed through the ankle. My leg can be longer – even though thats what dress boots are supposed to do, they just don’t do it for me, Especially the new ones with zippers.

I plan on leaving the dress boots home this summer, schooling or recognized, and so…I think its okay I’m no fashion guru, but ESPECIALLY if you are used to riding in field boots, I would stick with what you ride best in. Your horse will thank you.

Just be neat, tidy, and smile

Oh, and another fairly inexpensive way to “blend” into the dressage fashion is by getting a stock tie/pin (just have someone help you tie it the first couple times) instead of a ratcatcher collar. The simple stock ties can be found pretty reasonably, around or under 20 bucks: http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1-2002&bhcd2=1205427730

[MissintheSouth]

Forgot about the ratcatcher/stock tie thing.

I actually think I have my stocktie for my hunter shadbelly around the tack trunk somewhere…it’s been a while since I tied it though!

As for the “do nots” - you can’t use bell boots in the ring, right? This guy tends to overstep when he gets excited and I usually ride him in them, but I had planned on not using them at the show. Polos are ok though right?

Also, as far as bits go - I jump Duke (that’s his name) in a rubber snaffle with a Kineton noseband, which is legal for jumpers. I am assuming it’s illegal in dressage?? For Training and/or Level I should I be in a snaffle with a drop noseband instead of a pelham?

[shamrocker]

You can warm up with bell boots/wraps/protective boots etc. but be sure to take them off before you go in the ring, but you cannot ride your test with these things.

Bits…check the USDF site for rules, but I am sure it is only varying degrees of snaffles for the lower levels, with the baucher bit being one deviation. Crank, flash or drop noseband are fine, no leverage nosebands.

Try to look as best as you can for your first outing to make a good impression on the judge, regardless of what level you ride, give the judge a smile!

Hope this helps. In dressage we try to keep it simple…its the mind that gets in the way and complicates everything.

[ika]

I’m a h/j rider as well and last month I went to a rated dressage show and wore a navy jacket, tan breeches and field boots. I did have a dressage saddle but my tack was brown. I wore a plain white show shirt. I was happy to see another jumper there riding in a similar outfit with an a/p saddle!

But yeah no one said anything and I doubt they cared. Everyone was focused on their own rides. I’m sure for a schooling show you will be fine.

[Margaret_Freeman]

The rules (dress, tack and otherwise) are NOT on the USDF site. They are on the USEF site. It’s easy. Just go to usef.org, click on rules, then click on rule book and scroll down to dressage. The dress, tack, and “protocol” rules are midway through that section, although there is lots of other useful information there, as well.

However, if you’re going to a schooling show, the management of the show can make its own rules. Some just go by the USEF rule book and others make exceptions. Some schooling shows even allow wraps and boots. The one exception they never usually make is for bits. The best policy is to check the prize list for the schooling show and/or call the manager of the show and ask about their own protocol. It could be quite casual.

If you can spare the time, you might drop by a local schooling show before entering one, just to get the feel of things. But, you should be fine. People are always friendly, and if you don’t know for sure what to do, then just ask.

[merrygoround]

I’d not think about dropping your stirrups past the length that you normally would use for schooling on the flat.

Firstly, it could throw your lower leg out of position.

And secondly You will crucify yourself. Those twists aren’t designed for a deep seat. :no:

Bits are impoetant. Start using one ahed of time if the bit you are using is not permitted. I’d pass on the polos, and bell boots, except in warm up. I’ve never seen a schooling show, that permitted them, however some allow a relaxed dress code.

[Ibex]

Most small schooling shows around here allow boots/wraps, and only require “tidy” for the dress code, plus proper riding footwear. They do however require legal bits.

The larger schooling shows tend to follow the rules more closely. That being said, I showed at a fairly large show last year in a dark grey hunt coat, and still got Reserve, so it won’t hurt you!

[Janet]

@MissintheSouth;3071930

As for the “do nots” - you can’t use bell boots in the ring, right? This guy tends to overstep when he gets excited and I usually ride him in them, but I had planned on not using them at the show. Polos are ok though right?

Nope. No boots or bandages of any kind.

Here is a direct link to the rules
http://www.usef.org/documents/ruleBook/2008/08-DR.pdf

On pg DR 16, rule DR 121.6 (You should read all of DR121).

6. Martingales, bit guards, any kind of gadgets (such as bearing, side, running, balancing
   reins, nasal strips, tongue tied down, etc.), any kind of boots (including “easy-boots”) or bandages
   (including tail bandages) and any form of blinkers, earmuffs or plugs, nose covers, seat
   covers, hoods are, under penalty of elimination, strictly forbidden.
   …

Polos are legal for an awards ceremony (if they hold one) but not for competition.

Also, as far as bits go - I jump Duke (that’s his name) in a rubber snaffle with a Kineton noseband, which is legal for jumpers. I am assuming it’s illegal in dressage?? For Training and/or Level I should I be in a snaffle with a drop noseband instead of a pelham?

The rubber snaffle is legal.

Bits
(including curb and/or bridoon bits of a double bridle) must be made of metal or rigid plastic
and may be covered with rubber; flexible rubber bits are not permitted, except as noted below,
under A.

The Kineton noseband is not permitted, nor is a pelham. The permitted nosebands are a regular caveson, a dropped noseband, a flash, and a figure 8 (aka Mexican). The most common is the flash.

[luckyducky1983]

Ok, I’m officially confused as to whether flexible rubber bits are legal or not.

“*Any of the above may be made with a rubber, plastic or leather covering, but the bit may not be modified by adding latex or other material. Bits with mouthpieces made of synthetic material are permitted, provided that the contours of the bit conform to the contours of one of the
bits pictured above. Flexible rubber or synthetic mouthpieces are permitted.” (USEF, 2008)

This is from page DR18 on the pdf dowloaded from usef.org

Yet, post above, another quote direct from rulebook, says flexible rubber is not permitted. This has come up in other posts, and I’m still not in good clarity. (Is there any chance the ‘no flexible’ comes from the 2004 edition?

Janet, since you are at this post, help please :)?

[ESG]

@Janet;3072323

.

The Kineton noseband is not permitted, nor is a pelham.

I’ve seen several Kinetons at recognized shows. Are you sure about this? I thought I read in the rules that they’d changed that.

And to the OP - you won’t be out of place with your navy coat, field boots and black CC saddle. Rules specify “an English saddle”, conservatively colored coat, and “white or light colored breeches”. Field boots are appropriate through 4th level, with dress boots being appropriate with a shadbelly and top hat.

Good luck, and have fun! Welcome to the dark side!

[Tiligsmom]

[QUOTE=Janet;3072323]
Nope. No boots or bandages of any kind.

Here is a direct link to the rules
http://www.usef.org/documents/ruleBook/2008/08-DR.pdf

On pg DR 16, rule DR 121.6 (You should read all of DR121).

Polos are legal for an awards ceremony (if they hold one) but not for competition.

The rubber snaffle is legal.

The Kineton noseband is not permitted, nor is a pelham. The permitted nosebands are a regular caveson, a dropped noseband, a flash, and a figure 8 (aka Mexican). The most common is the flash.[/QUOTE]

These are for RECOGNIZED shows - not schooling shows which is what the OP is talking about. I’ve been to schooling shows where riders wore sweatshirts, jeans, half chaps and schooling helmets. I’ve also been to schooling shows where …Oh, My…Gadgets are permittedhttp://www.chronicleforums.com/Forum/images/icons/icon10.gif

[Tiligsmom]

[QUOTE=Janet;3072323]
Nope. No boots or bandages of any kind.

Here is a direct link to the rules
http://www.usef.org/documents/ruleBook/2008/08-DR.pdf

On pg DR 16, rule DR 121.6 (You should read all of DR121).

Polos are legal for an awards ceremony (if they hold one) but not for competition.

The rubber snaffle is legal.

The Kineton noseband is not permitted, nor is a pelham. The permitted nosebands are a regular caveson, a dropped noseband, a flash, and a figure 8 (aka Mexican). The most common is the flash.[/QUOTE]

The rules listed in the post above are for RECOGNIZED shows - NOT schooling shows which is what the OP is talking about.

I’ve been to schooling shows where riders wore sweatshirts, jeans, half chaps and schooling helmets. I’ve also been to schooling shows where …Oh, My…Gadgets are permitted!

So, i’d see what your local schooling show rules are then behave accordingly.

[shamrocker]

Yes, definitely check out the flavor of your local schooling shows. I know the schooling shows that our GMO puts on are very much like a recognized competition, very professionally run. All the riders wear jackets but many of the horses are not braided, although braiding is never a requirement in a recognized show.

We try to set riders up for the real world of recognized shows even though they may never go that route. It just sets a higher standard and it really is nice. We have the very fancy dressage horses come as well as the Quarter horses, Morgans etc. and many event riders come to get their horses out. But always, the best thing to see is the little kid on the pony with the braids flying in the wind, dressed in formal show attire.