The rules say the saddle pad has to be “white or a conservative color.” Does grey count?
I know that contrast piping is allowed, so I’d love to use this pad. But is this grey considered conservative?
“Conservative color” is open to interpretation. I used to show in a black pad through fourth at recognized shows because my horse was smaller and the white pad broke up her back. I never got a comment on the black pad. Black velvet, even!
I think, and from what I’ve noted while scribing, conservative colors include black, grey, brown, navy or forest green. I would even consider eggplant but would probably ask the TD. Brown boots and tack are now acceptable.
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We used a gray pad on our white horse because it made him look whiter. We also did a black pad now and then, same reason.
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I think the color is OK, but I’m not sure that size of emblem is acceptable.
I actually have that full gray bordeaux set; it’s very pretty but the fly bonnet is too small for my WB.
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I showed with a black pad for a while with my gray-white horse. IMO the gray color should be fine, but not so sure how shiny this pad really is and that would give me pause. That said, I’m pretty much traditional with respect to all this. And good point earlier about the emblem thing.
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I’m pretty sure the emblem needs to be covered if showing as an AA, some TDs will nail you for it while others won’t.
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I’ll have to check this pad, but the emblems on Equestrian Stockholm pads are usually magnetic, so I should be able to remove it easily.
I have the full size square cornered pad in that color and the emblem is very firmly affixed to the pad. I bought it directly from ES last fall.
I used to ride with a stock saddle pad (think a shorter, longer-drop western) in yellow check.
Turned up in very low level comps with it and everthing.
What? I’ve never heard of this and none of the emblems on my saddle pads have been removable.
it has been a rule for some time and there is a size limit. See USEF rules to check
I know about the rule. What I’ve never heard of is magnetic emblems on the ES saddle pads.
Color is fine, emblem is a problem if not removable.
Oh I see, Neither have I . Seems an expensive add on. I am not into makers logos, I guess I much rather not provide them with free advertising nor am I in to trendsetting.
Unless there is something super specific to a design that I want, would rather not buy their advertising only to throw it out.
I swear I’m losing my mind!
When I bought my first ES pad, I clearly remember accidentally pulling off the emblem, then realizing there was a magnet sewn into the back and it would snap back on.
I just looked at that pad again and couldn’t get the emblem off to save my life! 
