I am riding in a clinic with a BNT at the end of the month. I have a black and a navy blue Tuff Rider technical shirt in long sleeve. Day one I plan to wear the navy blue one with navy blue breeches, and day two I plan to wear the black one with charcoal colored breeches. Both days I plan to use my navy blue BoT pad and navy blue DSB boots. Or should I go with a white pad and more neutral colored boots?
I think your attire sounds lovely! And no issues with the saddle pads either (love BOT), but I’ve been told that white boots (for the horse ;)) are preferable - easier for the clinician to see / watch footfalls, movement, etc. I kept white polos on hand just for clinics.
Navy is my favorite color but if you want an opinion, day 1 sounds like way too much navy :). Why not tan, cream, white, etc., to replace either the shirt or the breeches? White boots or wraps make it easier to see horse legs.
I’ve found that the rail birds are much more concerned with attire than clinicians :).
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That’s just weird, tried to edit my reply and it went poof! Anyway, I think your attire sounds lovely!
Love the BOT pads. The only thing I would change is the boots for your horse - I think white is SOP, at least it used to be. Easier for the clinician to see footfalls, movement, etc. I used to keep a set of white polos (actualy 2 sets, one for each day) just for clinics.
I’d go with light colored boots for the horse, and lighter breeches. It is easier for both clinician AND railbirds (ooops, I mean auditors) to see your position in lighter breeches. Otherwise everything just fades into the dark saddle, especially if you have a dark horse too. And easier to see the horse’s movement with lighter boots - plus more traditional.
And agree, day one, maybe too much navy. I’d do a lighter breech with the navy top. But anything that is neat and clean and fits well is acceptable. If it is cold, I love a contrasting vest too - it is a neat look, and adds a bit of warmth…
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I’ve always heard clinicians prefer lighter breeches so they can see your position better. But a good clinician should be able to figure out what you are doing regardless.
The attire question reminds me of a favorite exchange between me and a clinician during some sitting trot work. (I tend to perch):
Him: “You paid good money for those riding pants, so SIT on them”
Me: “Actually I bought 'em on sale for $40”
Him: “… well, I still want you to SIT!” (but he was laughing)
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Light colored boots or wraps for the horse your attire sounds fine
I typically go white pad and white polos/boots (or black if it is a grey horse). But seriously, unless this is a symposium type clinic (geared towards auditors, probably lots of them), then anything neat and clean is fine.
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She’s a lighter colored horse, and I ride in brown dressage tack if that makes any difference. https://imgur.com/EvNIqm2
My only other viable option is a white dressage pad, and I only have brown or navy leg wraps. They are for her hind legs as she is a bit base narrow and hits her fetlocks together.
omg I love her! What is she?
I think your attire sounds great. Go with the white pad if you think you’re too matchy matchy otherwise. My favorite lesson/clinic attire is a dark polo, navy breeches, and a navy pad.
Thanks! She’s an Appaloosa x Belgian draft cross.
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Who is the BNT?
I was at a Lisa Wilcox clinic this weekend and all participants (except 1) were wearing white pads with 4 white polo wraps. Us rail birds did notice and comment on the rider who showed up in a green and chocolate getup - definitely appeared more geared to a cross country round, but her riding and high quality horse made up for the odd attire.
I’m too concerned with what others think, I guess, because I would be tempted to pick up a set of white polos for the weekend. Under $20 and you’re set to go.
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I’m a terrible polo wrapper. You would think after having to wrap my mare’s injured leg for a year I would have learned, but I am just as terrible after as I was before.
I am fascinated by this discussion. I attended my first dressage clinic a few weeks ago on my reining horse in my western saddle. I wore clean jeans 
, a tucked in button up, belt, cowboy boots and spurs (typical for reining and cow horse clinics I have attended). My horse wore bell boots only. I had no idea there was this much thought put into it! Either way, we were very well received and felt so welcomed by everyone.
I did my first dressage clinic 2 years ago and had a white AP pad and my jump saddle only because I had just started taking dressage lessons. I wore a light blue Kastel type long sleeve with khaki breeches my field boots and my horse had navy polos we were complimented on how clean and shiny he was many times. Focus on good horse care and clean clothes and I don’t think you can go wrong! I would think at a clinic you’d want lighter breeches so the clinician can help you with your leg. Who is the BNT? I’m very curious 
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Well I am happy to say that I was not the only one at the clinic going with a navy theme.
Though I will admit watching the flashy warmbloods in their white polos was pretty cool too!
A picture? Just one? 
Yes, pictures please!
I don’t have any really good pictures from day 1. 
My camera didn’t like the low light of the indoor.
Here is day 2: https://imgur.com/a/ohYHY
And I wrote a recap of day 1 on my blog: https://draftmare.wordpress.com/
Will post day 2 tomorrow which includes a bunch of videos.
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Looks great!
