Um, emp, think you are in the wrong forum. We are the “look at the cheapo polo I found at Walmart” crowd, not the 200 bucks for a show shirt crowd.:eek:
[QUOTE=AmarachAcres;7570531]
None of that is “minimalistic”.
Eventually shows will have to choose between tradition and having people attend.
Prices on all the fancy stuff continues to soar. Athletic gear hits all price points, and is athletic.
We don’t have to dress like marathon runners but as others have said… if we want people to take interest in English riding as a SPORT, that is the part we should look.[/QUOTE]
I don’t want my thoughts to be viewed as snarky so I’m putting this up front for I’m not 100% clear on your point.
Let’s turn this around for a moment, when I go to a rodeo I see a bunch of riders wearing cowboy hats, jeans, cowboy boots et al. They “look to part” of what they are doing which is basically western style riding in competition. Western Pleasure also has a “guideline” as to how to dress for competition. Does what they wear change how they ride or what they do? Doubtful, but it does identify the rider with the activity. I don’t think I’d want to see calf roping done in english breechs and a jacket and I surely would not want to see dressage done in a cowboy outfit.
If people want to ride English, if they want to participate in dressage then part of the process is understanding that what we wear, at least in competition, identifies us with that sport. They same applies to cross country and to stadium jumping. It’s a PITA, but when we signed up to be Eventers, it came with the territory.
Wearing polo/sport shirts and off color pants wont attract people to our sport or to riding. That comes from the basic desire to do something with a horse. Eventing is not for everyone mainly because it asks more of the rider. We have to be proficient in three disciplines, we have to change outfits, and change how are horse looks and we have to care even more for our horse. The reward is that cross country go along with the intensity of stadium and the dance in dressage all rolled up into one event.
Dressing up, looking classy is part of who we are just as looking all buff and athletic for cross country. Let’s not make cowboys wear stock ties while bull wrangling and lets not have Eventers look like casual sport riders. One can look good on a low budget, I know I try too 
(As an aside, I’d even put up with the braiding aspect as a concession to my point though a very short mane can be just as classy. But if braiding was “required”, I’d do it for I love Eventing as a whole, not just in parts)
You didn’t come across as snarky at all, and here I’ll reply…
[QUOTE=JP60;7570581]
I don’t want my thoughts to be viewed as snarky so I’m putting this up front for I’m not 100% clear on your point.
Let’s turn this around for a moment, when I go to a rodeo I see a bunch of riders wearing cowboy hats, jeans, cowboy boots et al. They “look to part” of what they are doing which is basically western style riding in competition. Western Pleasure also has a “guideline” as to how to dress for competition. Does what they wear change how they ride or what they do? Doubtful, but it does identify the rider with the activity. I don’t think I’d want to see calf roping done in english breechs and a jacket and I surely would not want to see dressage done in a cowboy outfit.[/QUOTE]
For rodeos I’d agree they wear what they should. Let’s switch over to western pleasure. I’ve met some seriously talented riders who can’t stand what that has turned into. The saddles and the out fits… a western pleasure out fit was on craigslist for $1,000.00.
I know I wouldn’t even consider going there and she finally gave up and stopped. I’ve met plenty of people who consider it a joke now. Some of those were making comments about how next they’d wear coat tails like the dressage people.
If people want to ride English, if they want to participate in dressage then part of the process is understanding that what we wear, at least in competition, identifies us with that sport. They same applies to cross country and to stadium jumping. It’s a PITA, but when we signed up to be Eventers, it came with the territory.
Again, things change. If it’s a PITA, and even dedicated competitors complain about it, then changes should be considered. It is one thing to look classy, it’s another to look like your going to a dance. The coats are not comfortable for riding, and in summer they are honestly stupid. Yes, many shows waive them for that, but if you have to waive riding gear for safety, it’s not riding gear.
Wearing polo/sport shirts and off color pants wont attract people to our sport or to riding. That comes from the basic desire to do something with a horse.
I refused to show for years because of it. It wasn’t until my dreams of showing at high levels were way passed impossible and I decided schooling shows would be fun and stress free and I could wear simpler outfits that I decided to try and show again.
There are talented riders out there that love riding and want to show and are turned off by the outfits. You could say that shouldn’t matter, but the same goes for people who are sticking to wearing them.
I want to look like an athlete, but classy. Polos do that.
Eventing is not for everyone mainly because it asks more of the rider. We have to be proficient in three disciplines, we have to change outfits, and change how are horse looks and we have to care even more for our horse. The reward is that cross country go along with the intensity of stadium and the dance in dressage all rolled up into one event.
Not really sure what that has to do with anything being discussed here. Stadium jumping can be just as dangerous as eventing and should be able to wear the same gear. Dressage may not have the jumping dangers, but it’s the sport the most avoided by outsiders due to the very thing we are discussing. It comes across as stuffy and boring. And this part is probably JUST ME, but when I watch a great dressage rider in polo work their horse, vs when they are in full show gear, I swear they look like they are having more fun and doing something when out of all that “stuff”.
Dressing up, looking classy is part of who we are just as looking all buff and athletic for cross country. Let’s not make cowboys wear stock ties while bull wrangling and lets not have Eventers look like casual sport riders. One can look good on a low budget, I know I try too
I see where you are coming from, but no one is saying to not look classy and switch to jeans and a t-shirt. We are saying that the jackets are overkill and wearing a blouse that wraps my neck in clothe while DOING A SPORT is just … out dated.
Sure, maybe you can do it on a budget. I have a daughter growing a mile a minute, I see these junior riders out there… how many coats do they go through?
I’m an adult with weight issues. I’m slowly going down but a coat that fits me this week may not fit me next week. For most athletes who change sizes it’s not a big deal. Shirts stretch or shrink or are easy to replace. I can’t afford to buy dressage jackets in varying sizes.
Especially to spend that kind of money on something that I would (should I be showing at that level ) hope got waived that day. Like my friends who showed and I tagged along with. Yes, a few of them loved the look, but even they would happily toss the jackets in the weeds on hot days that they weren’t allowed to ride without them.
Most sports have adapted to what works best for that sport. Why is Dressage so stuck on gear that does Nothing for the rider?
(As an aside, I’d even put up with the braiding aspect as a concession to my point though a very short mane can be just as classy. But if braiding was “required”, I’d do it for I love Eventing as a whole, not just in parts)
Braiding is so personal as well. I love the look of braided horses and au natural.
I hope this is okay, but he just posted this photo in the orphan foal thread and all I could think of is THIS is how I picture riders going in all phases… He looks like an athlete up there: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150900068747400&set=pb.119405697399.-2207520000.1399721435.&type=3&theater
[QUOTE=AmarachAcres;7570881]
but if you have to waive riding gear for safety, it’s not riding gear.[/QUOTE]
I’m actually on the skinny end of the spectrum and I’ve had issues getting coats since I was a kid showing in hunters. I was really lucky to have a step mother who was a costumer and so could adjust hand me downs.
That aside ultimately the point above is what matters. I love eventing for its practicality/functional application over many other english sports (and several western ones) and it just seems ridiculous (as much as I love dressage, because I do) that something with such a practical basis would lack that point. Gloves? For protecting hands from rein burns and calluses. Helmets? protecting our heads. Breeches? Easier to ride in and as with boots protect from chafing. And so on… Jackets? They can only serve for temperature… and in the summer that’s so backwards!
Also, they aren’t THAT warm when you have a winter show. I still would wear jackets over my jackets but I’m also originally from So. California and a bit of a lizard.
I would like getting dressed up for dressage more if it weren’t so trying. All my memories of getting ‘dressed proper’ for hunt shows and dressage consist of crying over my hair hurting when under my helmet or getting prepped for my helmet (I have a lot of thick long hair. Cut it off once, was mistaken for a boy by someone, so I grew it back out.) and the despairing feeling of looking like I’m a white or tan stick in a fancy sack when I wore my coats before they were adjusted.
[QUOTE=AmarachAcres;7570891]
I hope this is okay, but he just posted this photo in the orphan foal thread and all I could think of is THIS is how I picture riders going in all phases… He looks like an athlete up there: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150900068747400&set=pb.119405697399.-2207520000.1399721435.&type=3&theater[/QUOTE]
Love the photo, he wears my colors (for xc) so hard not to like. I’ll leave it with this thought then slide back into obscurity where I feel happy.
What attracted me, in part, to riding and riding English was the look. I wanted to be that person riding all decked out in dressage, looking (in my view) classy in stadium. Later when I saw xc I gravitated even more into this idea of “looking the part” so I could eventually feel I was a part of something special. Though I’ve only been in this equestrian world for less then 10 years, I’ve never complained about what I had to wear for I just accepted it as both part of the sport and that part that made me feel special.
For years I went to wok in a suit and tie. At the time I hated it for my profession had me sitting in a back office, never seeing customers, but it was our “uniform” as software developers. When Business Casual came out I thought “Finally, I’m free”, but after awhile I discovered that maybe that “uniform” was not such a bad thing. When I changed jobs I started back to wearing a suit and tie, even though BC was the norm. Why? Because it made me feel just that little more professional. I fought against the tide and eventually peer pressure changed me to blend in.
So, for me, seeing this sport go “Business Casual” would take away just a little of that … style … that made me feel riding (competing) was special. I guess I’m the minority which is okay. I’m happier being quiet, but until they tell me I cannot wear my coat and tie and white pants…I will, for it will help me to feel better and maybe that will translate into me riding just that little bit better (again, only talking about me). In an interesting twist, I’ve actually am thinking of learning how to braid…best I walk the walk as it were.
cheers.
(snipped)
I agree with everything you say. I personally HATE wearing the vest for XC. But I can see why they were added to the sport, see the value, so I would never suggest they be eliminated as they obviously are important piece of equipment. Jackets? Nope. I am uncomfortable, heat sensitive and it just adds an element to the experience that is very unpleasant for me. It is one of the reasons why I am not currently showing, not the only reason, but it is one of the things I just prefer not having to deal with.
