I’m heading to college at the end of August and I’m planning on riding for my school’s IHSA team. I’m also at the point in the life of my current tall boots where I really need a new pair, so I’m starting to shop around for those. I love, love, love the look of dress boots, but I’m wondering if my future IHSA team would prefer me to wear field boots? Dress boots are definitely becoming more popular, but I’m not sure if they’re quite prevalent enough to be IHSA approved yet. Thanks!
I’m pretty sure dress boots aren’t against IHSA rules, so if that’s what you want, get them. However, you’ll probably get some weird looks, especially if you’re not also a dressage rider.
Should be absolutely fine. Someone needs to get a lot closer to you than any judge will be, to even see if you have laces or not. And should not care, even if they can see.
I had dress boots when I showed IHSA. I never noticed my results suffering.
Totally fine. No one will notice.
Thanks y’all! I didn’t think it would be a big issue, but I wanted to make sure before I spent the money on them.
As has been said on other threads, dress boots are rapidly becoming popular in the hunter/jumper/eq rings. With the advent of zippers, the whole purpose of field boots (getting your instep into the boot and then tightening up the ankle so it looks nice and trim) is really obsolete. Dress boots are sleeker and easier to clean. Laces are like a vestigial organ.
That being said, some IHSA teams have some really frighteningly specific and sometimes obsolete rule of apparel so there is a chance that even though some of the top riders in all three rings in the “real world” are wearing dress boots you might be required to have field boots.
So maybe double check if you’re joining a team with crazy rules.
I personally show in Volant S’s, which are like dress boots on crack and I love love love not having laces. So easy to wipe everything down. I lesson in V Sports, which are also awesome, but less appropriate for the hunter ring and I wouldn’t recommend for IHSA.
[QUOTE=AmmyByNature;8764429]
That being said, some IHSA teams have some really frighteningly specific and sometimes obsolete rule of apparel so there is a chance that even though some of the top riders in all three rings in the “real world” are wearing dress boots you might be required to have field boots.
So maybe double check if you’re joining a team with crazy rules.[/QUOTE]
Agree with this. Dress boots should be perfectly acceptable, but some team coaches want everyone to look exactly alike and are very picky about turn out. I had to buy new breeches, a new coat, and a different helmet for my DD when she joined a team. Better check with your future coach before buying the boots.
Agreed, my old IHSA team had pre-season meeting where everyone showed up in their show clothes for the captains to make sure everyone was appropriate. There definitely were some girls who were taken directly to the tack store.
I would check in before making any large purchase.
Dress boots yes, super stiff DRESSAGE boot no.
I just got a pair of dress boots and I love them more than I ever loved any of my field boots.
Yeah, to clarify:
dress boots =/= (do not equal sign) dressage boots.
As others have said, dress boots really should be fine (they are technically more correct than black field boots, and always have been), but check with your coach, as some are very specific about what they want their riders wearing. Or just plain undereducated.
[QUOTE=Dewey;8764460]
Agree with here. Dress boots should be perfectly acceptable, but some team coaches want everyone to look exactly alike and are very picky about turn out. I had to buy new breeches, a new boat, and a different helmet for my DD when she joined a team. Better check with your future coach before buying the boots.[/QUOTE]
Damn! Now I have heard of some picky coaches, but that’s taking it to an extreme!!! :lol:
[QUOTE=AmmyByNature;8764429]
As has been said on other threads, dress boots are rapidly becoming popular in the hunter/jumper/eq rings. With the advent of zippers, the whole purpose of field boots (getting your instep into the boot and then tightening up the ankle so it looks nice and trim) is really obsolete. Dress boots are sleeker and easier to clean. Laces are like a vestigial organ.
That being said, some IHSA teams have some really frighteningly specific and sometimes obsolete rule of apparel so there is a chance that even though some of the top riders in all three rings in the “real world” are wearing dress boots you might be required to have field boots…[/QUOTE]
AGREED. Definitely check though.
If you should get a crazy coach that demands uniformity, you could look into buying 1) a used pair of field boots or 2) a lower end pair of field boots, and maybe save some more money for the dress boots you’d like.
I had a pair of Ariat tall boots that the zipper busted on as soon as I walked out of a ride off on the first day of a two day IHSA show. I left there and went directly to a tack shop that I was lucky enough to find a pair of Tredstep Donatello’s that fit well enough to show in the following day. I think I paid $250 or so for them. Needless to say, they held up nice and looked great. They became my everyday tall boots. I believe Ovation makes a fairly nice pair also for less than $200.
