First clinic - what do I wear?

[whitewolfe001]

I agree that breeches ideally should be light colored. No one is going to call you out for wearing black breeches, of course, but… It does make your leg easier to see, in my opinion. I make sure to wear lighter colored breeches if I’ve asked someone to video me.

Obviously an instructor will have a good “eye”, but, it just makes it easier on the eye. Just like white polos help see the legs. There’s a reason why we are supposed to wear white gloves and breeches in the show ring…same idea.

But don’t rush out and buy new stuff for a clinic. Like everyone else said, clean and neat is all you need. Have fun!

Edited to add: Just clicked on the pics, LadyNeon01. Very impressive color coordinated turnout! :yes:

[rothmpp]

Against my better judgement (please no critiques about the horse or the riding…)

These are from my ride with George Williams this week. I know they are not the best angle and are slightly blurry, but should demonstrate my point about dark breeches not hiding your leg.

http://s1049.photobucket.com/user/emaroth/media/GW%20November%202015/20151111_094051-1.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0

http://s1049.photobucket.com/user/emaroth/media/GW%20November%202015/12241406_10208369505582234_4054998994115670814_n.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1

http://s1049.photobucket.com/user/emaroth/media/GW%20November%202015/12227553_10208369505782239_8124925816402524885_n.jpg.html?sort=3&o=2

Even on the shoulder-in, you can still see the top of my thigh against the black saddle.

[netg]

[QUOTE=DownYonder;8400284]
WTF on this one. The question was what to wear at a clinic. It has nothing to do with what people wear while warming up at shows. Interesting that you can’t see the difference.[/QUOTE]

Interesting that you can’t see how ludicrous your “show respect for the sport” BS is. All answers given were respectful to the clinician offers, but yours was just nasty and inflammatory toward anyone who doesn’t fit your exact ideal of how to dress.

No jean breeches because it’s somehow disrespectful - yet when they had an audience paying large amounts of money to watch them, some of the best riders in the world were in jean breeches. And one was in a logo t-shirt. A clinician you are paying to critique you is either going to be happy to help even if you’re not dressed in professional attire, or shouldn’t be there. The clinician should respect YOU, your efforts and your work. Not your attire. I say that as someone who chooses to wear polo shirts or collared long sleeved sun protective shirts in clinics. I just don’t judge anyone who does otherwise as you made it clear you so obviously do. I also don’t judge the people I was paying to ride in the “warmup” that was a scheduled, detailed, demonstration for an audience - not a purely schooling ride in a warmup ring - for some having casual attire. They were dressed to ride well, and ultimately THAT is what matters most in picking clothing.

If you ride in a symposium you need to take into account contrast for the sake of your audience. In that case, the audience is paying to learn from your ride, and so you should make it as easy for them to tell what you are doing as possible as they are there to educate untrained or less trained eyes than the individual teaching the symposium. You’re essentially there as a training aid, rather than to learn and your learning is just an additional bonus.

[DownYonder]

[QUOTE=netg;8400553]
Interesting that you can’t see how ludicrous your “show respect for the sport” BS is. All answers given were respectful to the clinician offers, but yours was just nasty and inflammatory toward anyone who doesn’t fit your exact ideal of how to dress.

No jean breeches because it’s somehow disrespectful - yet when they had an audience paying large amounts of money to watch them, some of the best riders in the world were in jean breeches. And one was in a logo t-shirt. A clinician you are paying to critique you is either going to be happy to help even if you’re not dressed in professional attire, or shouldn’t be there. The clinician should respect YOU, your efforts and your work. Not your attire. I say that as someone who chooses to wear polo shirts or collared long sleeved sun protective shirts in clinics. I just don’t judge anyone who does otherwise as you made it clear you so obviously do. I also don’t judge the people I was paying to ride in the “warmup” that was a scheduled, detailed, demonstration for an audience - not a purely schooling ride in a warmup ring - for some having casual attire. They were dressed to ride well, and ultimately THAT is what matters most in picking clothing.

If you ride in a symposium you need to take into account contrast for the sake of your audience. In that case, the audience is paying to learn from your ride, and so you should make it as easy for them to tell what you are doing as possible as they are there to educate untrained or less trained eyes than the individual teaching the symposium. You’re essentially there as a training aid, rather than to learn and your learning is just an additional bonus.[/QUOTE]

Well bless your heart.

I still can’t believe you don’t see the difference. but whatever. If you think it is okay for folks to dress like slobs or Miss Fashionista at clinics, just because some BNTs dressed that way while warming up at a show, then so be it.

It is always far better and far classier to over dress for an occasion, than to under dress. And “over dress” doesn’t mean bling the clinician’s eyes out.

[Kimchi]

So the moral of the story is dress tidy.

I almost wore white breeches to a clinic earlier this week and I am so glad I didn’t. They would not have stayed clean and I was much more comfortable in brown.

I wore light blue sweater and navy vest (it was snowing all day) and my horse wore light blue polo’s and saddle pad with Navy trim. I always like bling too so I had a bling browband and whip.

Clinician did not comment on my turn out so I assume it was fine. Be neat be tidy and you will be good to go. I don’t think you have to fuss to much about the minutia.

[Megaladon]

[QUOTE=sascha;8398971]
Never, ever, ever black breeches for clinics or lessons. Black blends too well with the saddle and disguises your leg and lower back. You’re not there to look good, you’re there to learn.

Dress and turnout should be clean, neat, workmanlike, and if you’re into colour in your breeches and can pull it off, go for it.[/QUOTE]

I agree, black breeches don’t show up in video very well.

[The_Hobbit]

As most everyone has suggested, go for tidy and somewhat conservative. If you know anyone who has ridden with this clinician before you might ask them what this particular clinician wants regarding braiding (or not) and leg protection preferences.

I actually just did an article on clinics for Horse Nation that might be helpful too.
http://www.horsenation.com/2015/11/09/5-tips-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-clinic-experience/

[Magicboy]

Very well done article, thanks for sharing.

[CrittersMom]

I agree, the article was really well written

[The_Hobbit]

[QUOTE=Magicboy;8403925]
Very well done article, thanks for sharing.[/QUOTE]

@sammicat;8404000

I agree, the article was really well written

Thank you both! It was inspired by some of the shenanigans on this board regarding ‘free clinics’ and such. It seemed like there may be people who could use the information.

[DownYonder]

Lovely article, Hobbit!

[MysticOakRanch]

[QUOTE=The Hobbit;8404747]
Thank you both! It was inspired by some of the shenanigans on this board regarding ‘free clinics’ and such. It seemed like there may be people who could use the information. :)[/QUOTE]

Hahaha, I agree - I think anyone who wants a “free” clinic (auditing or otherwise) should have to organize one themselves. As someone who regularly organizes clinics (and L Programs and other crazy stuff), I can tell you it is more complicated than anyone might guess! And more expensive then anyone might guess!

As for dress - if you know the clinician, you probably have an idea what is acceptable. I work with a few clinicians regularly, and have been known to show up in my “purple outfit” (purple breeches, purple saddle pad, boots, browband, etc), or my “pink outfit” (bright pink breeches and matching gloves). And I don’t actually think bright colors are really an issue as long as it isn’t overwhelming, but do get an idea of what the clinician expects. Talk to people who have ridden with him/her before. Talk to the organizer!

But it is OK to have a little fun - don’t go overboard, of course, but a little bling is a great thing Now I have another emoticon request - one with bling! To go with the pinned ears emoticon that has never shown up;)