Well they are impractical but they are supposed to show how clean you and your horse are. You are supposed to be so presentable that there is no dirt present, not that this idea is very practical in application…but it sounds nice.
White/light color breeches are one of those rules that I think should have gone out with the dinosaurs. It’s a conspiracy between the federations and breech manufacturers to keep sales up, I swear
My trainer grew up in Germany, where everyone shows in white. She will not let me in a show ring with breeches other than white (and the horse is ALWAYS braided lol). Personally, I think it looks much cleaner 
[QUOTE=ponyjumps;8404843]
My trainer grew up in Germany, where everyone shows in white. She will not let me in a show ring with breeches other than white (and the horse is ALWAYS braided lol). Personally, I think it looks much cleaner :)[/QUOTE]
Agreed! Here we also always wear white, from pony riders 60’s all the way. If you are graded (ie, affiliated), you wear white.
If you are ungraded (training shows ect), you can wear white but are not required to at most shows. Some of the bigger, more professional yards will put on training “graded” shows, where full turn-out as if at a proper graded show is required and the entire show is run as if a graded, but with no points ect.
As for the cleanliness - you’ll hear riders here refer to specific stains from specific arenas! “Yes, I got my XXX yard stain the other day when he put in a nasty stop!” or “The only thing that works on YYY stains is bleach and bi-carb.”
That would make sense if it was a 1-day, but I see this at 3-days too!
Agreed! Just thought it was strange when you’re only jumping 2’6" and WTC in dressage. Just doesn’t seem special to me… maybe at a 1* or higher.
[QUOTE=JenEM;8403753]
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.[/QUOTE]
I totally understand for a 1-day, but I mostly go to 3-days with dressage the first day. Again, odd for something like beginner novice when you’re basically WTC and throw in a few 20M circles.
[QUOTE=HP’sblueskyenterprise;8403853]
I don’t mind it, just thought it was interesting.[/QUOTE]
Agreed… I just think it is strange. I guess that’s what I get for moving to the darkside. Just seems odd to wear whites when you’re only jumping 2’6".
so, I don’t care if I never have to wear whites. You all should be thankful too. Tan is bad enough…just ask my thighs.
I, too, figured it was only for classics at certain heights. I can’t imagine wearing whites in a 2’6" class.
I hate white breeches and avoid them like the plague (even in my FEI dressage classes!). I wear light tan up through 4th level and then switch to dove grey with my shadbelly in FEI classes. I have gotten a few looks, but my mare is a dark bay pinto and my gelding a bay-based leopard spot–white breeches make them both look dirty (and my a$$ look HUGE).
[QUOTE=lecoeurtriste;8407488]
I hate white breeches and avoid them like the plague (even in my FEI dressage classes!). I wear light tan up through 4th level and then switch to dove grey with my shadbelly in FEI classes. I have gotten a few looks, but my mare is a dark bay pinto and my gelding a bay-based leopard spot–white breeches make them both look dirty (and my a$$ look HUGE).
:-)[/QUOTE]
I personally have a pair of whites and love them, but have not had an occasion to wear them. Your outfit actually sounds quite lovely in my opinion.
I think it’s similar to what has happened with shadbellies. Those were only worn by adults and only for the most formal or formal classes, now everyone wears them including pony kids still in jods.
I thought everyone could wear whites on a day when there is a Grand Prix?
[QUOTE=dia916;8412059]
I thought everyone could wear whites on a day when there is a Grand Prix?[/QUOTE]
There are frequently other classics on the same day as the prix.
To wear whites when not doing the prix and if there were no other classics would be … odd, to say the least.
[QUOTE=kbrethauer;8405788]
I totally understand for a 1-day, but I mostly go to 3-days with dressage the first day. Again, odd for something like beginner novice when you’re basically WTC and throw in a few 20M circles.[/QUOTE]
You’re going to 3 day events that do BN divisions? 
Up here a lot of the shows have “classics” as low as 2’6" and many say in the prizebook that whites are to be worn on Sunday for the jumper rings regardless of what height you’re competing at. This is the first time I’ve ever heard of any rules about height (no whites under 1.20m, for example) in regards to whites!
[QUOTE=2LaZ2race;8412079]
You’re going to 3 day events that do BN divisions? [/QUOTE]
I’m a hunter rider that has done 2 BN horse trials. They were run in typical three day format: dressage - Day 1, XC - Day 2, Stadium - Day 3. Still not sure the what the difference in nomenclature is. Dressage was my one and only time wearing white…and I appreciate that I got to take them off almost immediately. (they were also leather full seats. Ugh. It was like wearing a very stiff diaper. Gross. I had borrowed them and said, never again.)
[QUOTE=RugBug;8412808]
I’m a hunter rider that has done 2 BN horse trials. They were run in typical three day format: dressage - Day 1, XC - Day 2, Stadium - Day 3. Still not sure the what the difference in nomenclature is. Dressage was my one and only time wearing white…and I appreciate that I got to take them off almost immediately. (they were also leather full seats. Ugh. It was like wearing a very stiff diaper. Gross. I had borrowed them and said, never again.)[/QUOTE]
There are no traditional 3 day events offered over here at less than Prelim level. That’s why I was wondering. Every now and then they’ll be a special “Novice 3 day” but they’re almost more like a clinic/ camp set up.
[QUOTE=2LaZ2race;8412079]
You’re going to 3 day events that do BN divisions? [/QUOTE]
Yes, an event that happens over three days (as Rugbug pointed out). I think the only place around here that does a lower level traditional 3-day is Rebecca Farm, they have novice.
[QUOTE=2LaZ2race;8414729]
There are no traditional 3 day events offered over here at less than Prelim level. That’s why I was wondering. Every now and then they’ll be a special “Novice 3 day” but they’re almost more like a clinic/ camp set up.[/QUOTE]
Exactly what Rugbug said… Not your old-school 3-day, but Rebecca does have “special” 3-day Novice. Just an event that is over 3 days
