I have received so many explanations as to white breeches in jumpers I am now officially confused. I finally came to the conclusion that anyone can wear them, and even in full-seat, but then I was told that you have to earn white breeches, and that only professionals should wear them. So what is true, can anyone wear them, are they so special only a few should wear them, or should only professionals wear them? I’m not talking rules such as for Classics and a Grand Prix and such, I am talking about protocol.
It’s a very regional thing. Where I’m from it’s usually for the 1.20m and up that they’re worn for the mini prix or other special class (jr/am included) but they’re being seen more and more in the 1.10m now, too. If bigger money classes are offered at the lower levels, that would likely also play into it, too.
I’m a bit puzzled by the way the question is phrased.
There’s nothing special about white breeches, other than they’re awful to keep clean. It’s not like only certain people get to wear them, it’s not level-dependent…if the class calls for formal attire, you wear whites (if you feel like it - buff is also acceptable). Protocol? Follow the prize list.
Or I’m completely misunderstanding what you’re getting at.
[QUOTE=supershorty628;8403300]
I’m a bit puzzled by the way the question is phrased.
There’s nothing special about white breeches, other than they’re awful to keep clean. It’s not like only certain people get to wear them, it’s not level-dependent…if the class calls for formal attire, you wear whites (if you feel like it - buff is also acceptable). Protocol? Follow the prize list.
Or I’m completely misunderstanding what you’re getting at.[/QUOTE]
This is how I’ve always understood.
However, I have been told that you have to “earn your whites” by qualifying for a classic. I’m from the Fox Hunting world mainly, where whites are only worn if you have your scarlet coat. I’ve never been good enough to even think about wearing them in the show ring. :lol:
I can relate to the question, I always thought whites were for “big” money classes. When I started showing many years ago, they were for GPs pretty much only. Then I saw them trickling down to the Jr/AOs for Classic Day, and then on down to the Ch/Ad for Classics. Yesterday I saw whites in a 1.0m classic class at a AA show…what kills me is wearing white breeches and then NOT wearing a jacket!!!
I drew the line with my trainer and said she could shoot me if she ever caught me wearing white breeches for a 1.0m class at a C show…
That being said, I bought a pair of white Ariat Olympias on Zulily a little while ago, and I’ve been saving them as my goal breeches - I “may” pull them out when I get to show in the 1.10m classic, but even then only if I’m sure I won’t embarrass myself.
I’m currently doing the High Adult Jumpers (1.10-1.15m) and I’ve been seeing them in everything down to .9m “classics.” My impression was that they were for 1.2m and up classics and so I haven’t yet worn mine, but no one else seems to feel that way so I guess things have changed!
Thanks foursocks, I too have noticed some change, it now seems that the height doesn’t matter just that you are doing Jumpers, so you are supposed to wear white.
You think it’s getting crazy seeing white in the lower levels in jumpers, you should come over to eventing land… EVERYONE wears them at all levels, even in beginner novice 
My last trainer wouldn’t let anyone wear white breeches until they were competing 1.10m. My current trainer showed the 1.20m this summer in beige.
I’m doing hunters with my current trainer so I’m in beige all the time now and whites aren’t an issue.
That said, over the summer I did see the odd kid down in the little jumper ring doing 0.75 or 0.85 in their whites. I just don’t think that’s appropriate and it makes them stand out in a bad way. At least with jumpers its not going to affect their placing for being “off trend”.
The rules of whites (which I thought was straightforward until I started typing :lol:)
- Wear whites for a classic. Low child/adult classic can be tan or white depending on the show. High child/adult can get away with tan at smaller shows.
- Wear whites for a grand prix, mini prix, money class, special classes, or indoors
- Do not wear whites just for a regular division class, schooling, or non-money class, regardless of the height or venue (see below for exception)
- If you need whites for a class is during the day, you don’t need to change before you hop on another horse for any class (including hunters, tiny jumpers, etc)
- If you need whites for an evening class, wear tan during the day and change
[QUOTE=kbrethauer;8403675]
You think it’s getting crazy seeing white in the lower levels in jumpers, you should come over to eventing land… EVERYONE wears them at all levels, even in beginner novice :([/QUOTE]
I always assumed that’s because most people were wearing the same breeches all day, and started with whites on for their dressage in the morning, and just didn’t bother changing. But the idea of white breeches XC seemed crazy to me, so I always wore tan for everything. I’ll only put on white for recognized straight dressage shows.
White is for the classics- at any level-formal attire for the jumpers-I’ve never heard of any “qualifications” or “heights” to wear them- It is nice when people take the time to turn out for the classic.
Wore white breeches for a jumper Classic at a show series just a step lower than a rated horse show. I definitely am glad I did because it made the class much more special !
[QUOTE=OnDeck;8403729]
The rules of whites (which I thought was straightforward until I started typing :lol:)
- Wear whites for a classic. Low child/adult classic can be tan or white depending on the show. High child/adult can get away with tan at smaller shows.[/QUOTE]
According to the USEF rules, tan is always correct for formal attire.
JP 111.9 Attire
A. Formal Jumper Attire. Dark, muted or similar colored, or red (scarlet) coats are required; team or sponsored coats of different colors are also permitted; white or fawn breeches; a white tie, choker (unless the shirt, by design, has the chocker built in for its intended use) or hunting stock, and a white or lightly colored shirt must be worn. Shirts must have a white collar and white cuffs.
[QUOTE=kbrethauer;8403675]
You think it’s getting crazy seeing white in the lower levels in jumpers, you should come over to eventing land… EVERYONE wears them at all levels, even in beginner novice :([/QUOTE]
I don’t mind it, just thought it was interesting.
[QUOTE=MHM;8403805]
According to the USEF rules, tan is always correct for formal attire.
JP 111.9 Attire
A. Formal Jumper Attire. Dark, muted or similar colored, or red (scarlet) coats are required; team or sponsored coats of different colors are also permitted; white or fawn breeches; a white tie, choker (unless the shirt, by design, has the chocker built in for its intended use) or hunting stock, and a white or lightly colored shirt must be worn. Shirts must have a white collar and white cuffs.[/QUOTE]
Sorry, I should have clarified. You are correct and tan is always rulebook allowed. I was speaking more of the “unspoken” rules.
It’s funny, I’ve spent half the morning trying to figure out where I got the idea that it is sort of tacky to see whites in classics below 1.2m, and I honestly can’t remember. Obviously it is more of the norm than it used to be, so I guess I’ll try to let go of my old ideas. I was saving my whites for when we move up to the Low A/Os, but now…
On the other hand, does anyone look good/stay clean in whites? My classic-day Pikeurs are a very light tan and they usually look an utter mess by the time I get into the ring. 
[QUOTE=foursocks;8404117]
On the other hand, does anyone look good/stay clean in whites? My classic-day Pikeurs are a very light tan and they usually look an utter mess by the time I get into the ring. [/QUOTE]
You should see all the stained bums on the pros walking around at Spruce Meadows in the summer. They only look clean when seated in their saddle and from a distance :lol:
Not jumpers, but a couple weeks ago, I witnessed someone wearing whites in a hunter derby. At 2’6". Unbraided. In the pouring rain. Worst part was that the horse was grey, and although it was very clean, the stark white breeches made him look dingy. I didn’t get it at all- maybe I missed something!
On the other hand, does anyone look good/stay clean in whites?
No.
The one time I wore them was for a formal attire class that was a big deal to us. I scrubbed the absolute daylight out of my saddle, wore a pair of overpants until I got on, and removed them as quickly as I could. They’re up there with least practical items of all time.
