Dress Boots

[Dressage.For.Life]

I don’t show my current horse (he has, issues, which is sad, as it’d be awesome to see him beat some warmbloods in 2nd and 3rd level) but I do dressage clinics once a month and I thought it’d be nice to have some dress boots (I can’t stand riding in my field boots :().

So, what is your favorite brand(s) for boots? I like Ariat, but I’m not liking their dress boots very much. I like boots with a high Spanish top. Am not wanting to go custom, but I may consider saving up over the winter to do so.

And, who here schools in tall boots?

[TheHorseProblem]

I school in my tall boots. My leg feels heavier and more stable with them on. Some days I’ll wear my half chaps if I’m just goofing off. But I always wear boots for lessons. I have the Ariats I bought four years ago and they have held up well. Before that I had some Cavallos that I bought in Germany and those were great, they just eventually shrank from storing them in my hot tack trunk.

[kealea31]

I love schooling in dress boots, but sometimes they are uncomfortable to walk around in between rides. I have found they are much better if I put the ariat insoles in them. Right now I have Konigs.

[Ambrey]

I’m dying for some Mountain Horse dress boots for every day. Just a hint, $59 Dublins are not high end

For show, I covet Petries.

[albigears]

Have you seen the new Ariat Westchester tall dress boots? They have an elongated Spanish topline. I got some for my birthday and love them.

http://www.bitofbritain.com/Ariat_Westchester_Tall_Dress_Boot_p/53063.htm

[HollysHobbies]

I have the Ariat Westchesters also–they aren’t a typical dressage boot with the boxy-bottom though. More flexibility in the ankle, which means less leg stabilization in the dressage saddle. VERY comfortable, however, around the barn and in the saddle. I wore mine for the first time Saturday and there’s no break in time required on those (I have a show in 2 weeks and wanted to make sure they weren’t going to rub, etc.)

[scubed]

I school in my ariat field boots and show in Dehner’s that I got off of the internet for under $200.

[mbarrett]

Save your money and buy customs. Believe me, it is TOTALLY WORTH IT!

I saved for 3 years to purchase a pair of Dehners. They are the most beautiful, well fitting boot I’ve ever had. It was worth the wait. I had them made with all the features I wanted - Spanish top, gussets, fully lined, ridged sole.

You’ll never regret getting customs. You’ll look great in the show ring and they’ll last forever if you take care of them.

I wasted my money on ariats and other brands of tall boots for years. They never really fit, or were tall enough, or the leather was subpar. Save and go for customs.

[Fire_fly]

I agree with mbarret. I am just now replacing my custom Konigs from 22 years ago with…new custom konigs !!! While the price may make you feel a little ill, you wont be sorry if you get them, and they will outlast many other boots.

[dwblover]

I had the Petrie Anky boots. They are super nice. They are really stiff though, so if you don’t want them as stiff you could go for the 3000s.

[mypaintwattie]

I school in Devon-Aire field boots- they are very supple and easy to get in and out of, or paddock boots and half chaps. For shows I have a pair of Konigs- easily 10 years old but still look brand new. Well worth the initial investment.

[mp]

Dehner boots here, too. Only I lucked out and got mine on eBay.

[NJRider]

I love my Mtn. Horse Classic High Rider w/ the Spanish tops. With shipping was only $250 with a VTO sale coupon!
http://www.vtosaddlery.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=VTO&Product_Code=MHCHR&Category_Code=BOOTS

[ace]

[QUOTE=mbarrett;4360559]
Save your money and buy customs. Believe me, it is TOTALLY WORTH IT!

I wasted my money on ariats and other brands of tall boots for years. They never really fit, or were tall enough, or the leather was subpar. Save and go for customs.[/QUOTE]

Agreed! I have a pair of semi-custom Cavallos I bought in Germany for approx. $800 that are 10 years old, and they are still going strong, despite heavy use for the first few years I owned them (they went on my feet at 8am and didn’t come off until 6pm - while grooming and riding 6-7 horses per day). When I first got to Germany I had a pair of $250 tall boots (can’t remember the brand now), that fell apart in less than 2 months with the kind of use I described above.

When I’m ready for a new pair of tall boots, I will definately be getting Cavallos again ( I have no experience with Konig, Petrie or Dehner).

Think of it this way, you can spend $800 - $1000 on gorgeous, well fitting boots that will last you 10-20 years, or spend $250 every couple of years to replace the cheapies that keep falling apart.

[FancyFree]

I have a pair of Effingham’s that I school in. I’ve had them for almost twenty years and they are still going strong. I heartily recommend them.

I’m going to get new show boots one day. I’m thinking of Dehner’s or Konigs. I have to do more research.

[dressagedevon]

I have a pair Konigs now, and they are eight years old been wore almost everyday and chewed by a dog and messed up on the inside by a shoe guy who didn’t know what he was doing and low and behold they still look great, wear them every time I ride. I just ordered another paid of konigs that should be here in a couple of weeks, full customs for around 500 dollars. I stepped down a model, but I am not showing as much as I use too, nor am I doing alot of recognized shows. These are the best boots, save up and get them or another pair of custom boots you won’t regret it.

[camohn]

I just got the Ariat Westchesters which at “under 400.” was not horridly priced but better than the super el cheapos with a decent Ariat footbed on it. They do have the back zip and Spanish tops. The first 3 times I wore them I did get minor bisters (location varied with each wearing as the ankles broke in) but after 3 wearings they are already better…so pretty short on the break in period. I got these because you can pick from 3 boot heights and 4 calf sizes. As a person with long legs but indelicate calves I can get a tall boot with a fuller calf cut that way at a non custom price.

[camohn]

[QUOTE=FancyFree;4361653]
I have a pair of Effingham’s that I school in. I’ve had them for almost twenty years and they are still going strong. I heartily recommend them.

.[/QUOTE]
Effingham went out of business a couple years ago though

[joiedevie99]

My trainer prefers that we wear stiffened boots for ankle support. Make sure you decide if you want that, since some of these brands don’t come stiff- like Mountain Horse (as far as I know) and Effingham (assuming you find some old stock or used).

[Valentina_32926]

@Ambrey;4360233

I’m dying for some Mountain Horse dress boots for every day. Just a hint, $59 Dublins are not high end

For show, I covet Petries.

I have Petries for show and whatever inexpensive brand for schooling. Petries seem more comfortable to walk in than Konigs yet are stiff enough to work well on the horse.