Cognac colored tack & tall boot question

[Tjkobol]

I have a black horse… I’m in need of new boots and a new bridle, and I’ve always loved the look of that light brown (cognac) color on dark horses. I know this is not traditional, especially in dressage (and I don’t think legal to show in at the upper levels?), and probably not everybody’s cup of tea. I was considering getting boots and bridle in this color for schooling, and then getting the traditional black for shows.

Even just for schooling, would this color combo look weird and out of place if our saddle is black? No way am I going on a saddle hunt when I have one that fits both my horse and I. Just testing the waters for peoples opinions. Feel free to call me crazy lol.

Color aside. Tall boots are expensive! Does anybody have a more affordable brand that they like? Why are field boots so much cheaper usually? Can you show in field boots, or only dress boots? I’ll probably be showing just 1st level, possibly 2nd this year. I have a pair of black dress boots, but I currently don’t fit in them, they’re my weight loss motivation…

[mmeqcenter]

Personally, I find any mismatched tack color combos to look weird. The saddle, bridle, girth, etc. should all be the same leather color.
I don’t match tall boots to tack, go with cognac for those for schooling. I’d stick with black for show, though. I think technically any color is permitted until 4th level, as the rules just say “boots,” but black is certainly most common. After fourth level black boots are required.
Nowhere in the rules does it specify dress boots vs field boots. Field boots are permitted. Sorry, I don’t know why dress boots are more expensive.

[GraceLikeRain]

I have a pair of the square toed ariats that I adore but they are much closer to an oxblood. I don’t know if there’s a stock cognac boot that I’ve seen under $700. Alex’s boots (now renamed/absorbed by another group whose name escapes me) has gorgeous cognac stock boots. My sisters snagged a pair at nationals for $500 but they are super nontraditional with full laces and were on sale.

I think a light bridle with dark saddle would like mismatched but that cognac boots look gorgeous against a black horse. However, as long as it is safe and well fitting I believe in schooling in whatever makes you happy!

[Peggy]

@GraceLikeRain

I have a pair of the square toed ariats that I adore but they are much closer to an oxblood. I don’t know if there’s a stock cognac boot that I’ve seen under $700. Alex’s boots (now renamed/absorbed by another group whose name escapes me) has gorgeous cognac stock boots. My sisters snagged a pair at nationals for $500 but they are super nontraditional with full laces and were on sale.

I think a light bridle with dark saddle would like mismatched but that cognac boots look gorgeous against a black horse. However, as long as it is safe and well fitting I believe in schooling in whatever makes you happy!

Alex’s Boots is now Romitelli.

If you’re on Facebook go to Romitelli Boots and scroll down to see a pair of the cognac boots.

A woman at my barn is repping for them in California.

[netg]

@mmeqcenter

Personally, I find any mismatched tack color combos to look weird. The saddle, bridle, girth, etc. should all be the same leather color.
I don’t match tall boots to tack, go with cognac for those for schooling. I’d stick with black for show, though. I think technically any color is permitted until 4th level, as the rules just say “boots,” but black is certainly most common. After fourth level black boots are required.
Nowhere in the rules does it specify dress boots vs field boots. Field boots are permitted. Sorry, I don’t know why dress boots are more expensive.

I don’t feel like going to the rule book right now, but if you’re in the US this is definitely incorrect.

Google and include “USEF rules” or something as you do it, and you’ll get answers. But there are most definitely FEI riders competing in boots which are not black.

[atlatl]

The rule is, as best I can remember, that at the FEI levels, the boots must be black OR be the same color as the coat of the rider.

[mmeqcenter]

@netg

I don’t feel like going to the rule book right now, but if you’re in the US this is definitely incorrect.

Google and include “USEF rules” or something as you do it, and you’ll get answers. But there are most definitely FEI riders competing in boots which are not black.

Thanks, I was reading the rulebook as I wrote this.

DR120 “Dress”
2. For all tests above Fourth Level, the dress code is: a dark tailcoat or a dark jacket with protective headgear, as defined in DR120.6 and in compliance with GR801, and white or light colored breeches, stock or tie or integrated stand-up collar, gloves, and black riding boots. Spurs are mandatory for FEI tests (except as noted above under DR120.1). (See DR120.8)

However, after I found this I did not scroll further, and @atlatl is correct:

3. At all test levels, riders may wear jackets in other colors within the international HSV color scale, as described in FEI Dressage Regulations, Art. 427.1. Contrast coloring and piping is allowed. Protective headgear, stocks, ties, gloves and riding boots may be the same color as the coat. For Grand Prix Freestyle only: any single color tailcoat will be allowed; striped or multi-colored coats are not permitted, and tasteful and discreet accents, such as a collar of a different hue or modest piping or crystal decorations, are acceptable.

[tulachard]

I have light brown boots and have shown in them with black tack. I think combined with a navy or other softer color jacket / shirt and helmet (grey, etc.), it looks great. I have a navy helmet and navy jacket with the light brown boots that match my chestnut horse. I got them from Eiki Boots in Mexico and love them.

[Mondo]

I don’t like to combine a brown bridle/boots with a black saddle. I totally get you not wanting to replace your saddle, too. But I am not sure of brown tack on a black horse. Personally I like brown tack on a Chestnut or even light colored horse, but I’m having trouble picturing it on a black. YMMV

[Twigster]

Life’s too short to ride in tack that’s a color you don’t like. If it’s otherwise legal, rock on!

[atr]

How about a black bridle with cognac padding? I know I’ve seen that somewhere!

[Scribbler]

I went Googling the boots mentioned above, and if cognac is the warm palomino golden leather, they are stunning!

[Peggy]

[ATTACH=JSON]{“data-align”:“none”,“data-attachmentid”:“9717611”,“data-size”:“small”}[/ATTACH][ATTACH=JSON]{“alt”:“Click image for larger version Name: 72037_1567942352467_5277993_n.jpg Views: 1 Size: 24.1 KB ID: 9717612”,“data-align”:“none”,“data-attachmentid”:“9717612”,“data-size”:“small”}[/ATTACH][ATTACH=JSON]{“alt”:“Click image for larger version Name: 68986_1567943992508_6583243_n.jpg Views: 1 Size: 20.0 KB ID: 9717610”,“data-align”:“none”,“data-attachmentid”:“9717610”,“data-size”:“small”}[/ATTACH] If you want evidence of some pretty high-level riders wearing light brown boots with dark horses, scroll through to the last part of this album from the 2010 WEG. I took them during the run-through for the dressage freestyles. The link should work for all.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?..1&l=b7cb46db27

Just in case, I added two brown boot photos and one gratuitous photo of Totillas.

[Forte]

I love boots of a different color! I have brown De Niros dress boots and dark brown Petrie polo boots with cognac straps that I use for schooling. For showing, I would stick with black, or navy if your coat is navy. Personally I find boots that are the lighter yellow/Cognac color all over a little unattractive. There are many shades of brown that are much more attractive I think. The best prices I’ve found for colorful or blingy boots are Petries from Van Huet boots. You can design your own boot on the Petrie website and then order them through Van Huet. I measured myself and my Petries fit much better than the custom boots I had professionally measured at a local tack store.

[The_Blonde_amp_The_Bay]

I’m SO into the light browns, like London tan brown. Loveee it. For boots as well as tack! I’m not totally sold on mismatching the bridle and saddle, but that’s up to you! Go for it if you’re super into it. I have my horse in a light halter and it’s so cute and different, so maybe you can do boots and halter to compromise? The boots are amazing. I just ordered a pair of DeNiros in the Nuv Nuciolla color from Centerline. I have a grey pair that I’m equally obsessed with so I’m excited to finally have one in the brown family! Yay fun colors!

Color similar to this: http://www.centerlinestyle.com/deniro-soft-caprice-leather-riding-boots-s008/
But this boot without laces: http://www.centerlinestyle.com/deniro-ottaviano-field-boot-s3601/

[Archer]

Check out the cognac Harry’s Horse tall boots: https://www.harryshorse.com/en/catalogus/view/riding-boot-elite-cognac-normal/itemcode.30000100/. They were super affordable at the Connected Rider, so definitely worth checking out.

Personally, I LOVE the combo of black, tan, and white, and think that could work really well on a black horse. I do agree though that the bridle should match the saddle.

[Ong]

I had the Cavallo Varius, don’t know why the price difference compared to Koenigs or Petrie but the Cavallos are super comfy.

[Cowgirl]

I have cognac petrie olympics and dark brown petrie Anky’s with a croco print patent leather shaft. I love them and these are my work boots. I have a brown helmet, but I don’t bother to match the tack. The boots look great with my liver chestnut. A rider here will show at the lower levels in her cognac petries. She wears a blue jacket with a cognac velvet collar with it.

[js]

For schooling a cognac boot might be very helpful for your instructor to “see” your leg better against a dark horse; conversely a judge is going to see your leg more easily showing, that could be good or bad. For showing I would go with black.

I still find Ariat boots to be the best fitting for me and affordable. Not without issues sometimes (i.e. zippers) but best combination of sizes that work for me.