Halter attire small open show

[Minxitbabe]

I am so lucky to live in an area that has an abundance of English and Western shows. But the venues that are closest to me hold mostly Western shows. I have been toying with the idea of taking my mare to a show and doing a halter class with her. I don’t really care a about doing well I just want to get her on and off the trailer once a month and exposed to more show venues. I have been reading up like crazy on halter class attire and know it can be very simple. Biggest issue for me is that I am busty and the whole button up shirt has never worked well unless I wear a tent that fits terrible everywhere else.

I have been looking at the Goodwill auctions as I sometimes do and found this cute blazer.

https://www.shopgoodwill.com/auctions/Ninety-Teal-Paisley-Tapestry-Fitted-Blazer-Sz-4P-39884004.html

Would that work for a small open halter class? Could I do a showmanship class in it as well? For 6 bucks a class I might as well have some fun if I go to the show. Thanks!

[cayuse]

I would think it would work. The colors and pattern are pretty. It looks like either black or beige pants would go with it. I used to wear a blazer similarly cut to that but in a solid color for halter and showmanship and did fine. I would just make sure everything you wear is conservative. I have the same problem as you and I found that Roper has women’s western shirts that fit me really well. They have seaming in the back and front to take up all that extra material. They are real western shirts though, with pearl snaps and such. Not the popular showmanship or rail shirts.
Have fun!

[RoughOut]

That will work! Many people go monochromatic for showmanship but I think that blazer would look sharp with black pants.

it’s all about feeling confident!Have fun!

[sabinomare]

I showed my solid Paint filly in January at halter and I just wore my breeches, tall boots, and helmet with a vest and shirt (too hot for that now). Since it’s an open show, I would say just find something that will flatter your horse but be comfortable for you and still look nice. I’d say definitely wear a hat or helmet.

[Minxitbabe]

Would a straw hat work? Or is felt a must? Especially if trying to do halter and showmanship?

[saddleup]

Straw is perfectly acceptable after Memorial Day. Especially since this is a small open show. I’ve seen plenty of people in straw hats, starched and pressed jeans and a blazer.

[Luseride]

@Minxitbabe

Would a straw hat work? Or is felt a must? Especially if trying to do halter and showmanship?

Straw is fine after Easter. Blazer is fine or a tunic top. The main thing is to be neat. When I am judging what someone wears is really not that important as long as it fits well. Women put to much thought into what to wear from my point of view.

[meaty_ogre]

At our local western circuit, you’ll see a mix of attire. Many wear their showmanship outfits because they do showmanship classes after halter so it saves a wardrobe change. Lots of folks in jeans and button-down shirts, several in blazers. http://www.marciryanphotography.com/p264640881 Hopefully that link works (its to a photo gallery for a recent show).

Straw or felt is fine. Usually in showmanship you see felt hats coordinated with the color of the outfit, but you will be fine in straw, especially if you opt to just wear jeans and a shirt, or a blazer and pants. I was always told, when in doubt, wear whatever the judge is wearing (straw vs. felt). I have one of each and I keep both in the trailer. Just make sure it is shaped.

Fit is almost as important, if not more important than what you actually wear. Pant legs and sleeves need to be a little longer than what you would wear normally. When you jog your pant hem will inevitably creep up so make sure there’s a few extra inches, even though it may seem a bit long just standing. Same with shirt sleeves–as you’re setting your horse up and holding your arms out you want to have freedom of movement, and not have your sleeve riding halfway up your forearm. There was an article last year where several judges were asked their pet peeves and almost all of them said that pants that were too short were at the top of their list, with unshaped or poorly shaped hats running a close 2nd. Basically you don’t want the fit of anything to be a distraction.

Our local show circuit follows AQHA rules which require a long-sleeved shirt with a collar (blazer counts), a hat and boots. As long as you have that covered you’ll be fine.

[Palm_Beach]

It’s really cute, have fun!

[outerbanks77]

@sabinomare

I showed my solid Paint filly in January at halter and I just wore my breeches, tall boots, and helmet with a vest and shirt (too hot for that now). Since it’s an open show, I would say just find something that will flatter your horse but be comfortable for you and still look nice. I’d say definitely wear a hat or helmet.

Yep, I showed my Oldenburg mare at halter at an open show last year and just wore nice jeans with a belt, my paddock boots, a polo shirt, and a matching Buff around my neck (no hat). Her halter is black raised leather with fancy stitching, so it’s more of an English style. We won the class, so the attire must have been fine.

If I get a western show halter for my new QH mare, I’ll wear a similar outfit when I show her.

The jacket looks great, you’ll be more than fine with that.

[beau159]

For a small open local show, a straw hat is fine. The jacket in question should be just fine for both halter and showmanship.

I think it is more important that your clothes FIT properly and you look neat and pressed … rather than WHAT you are wearing. Same goes for the halter on your horse. I’d rather see a properly fitted nylon halter than a loose-bad-fit silver show halter.

Have fun!