Hunt coat questions

[appendix100]

I have 2 questions:

1. Have the mesh coats become acceptable in the hunter ring? I have lots of trouble with heat intolerance, & am miserable long before coats are ever waived. I found one I like, that doesn’t fit like a potato sack, actually has some body to the fabric.

2. Would LOVE a dark green but having a hard time finding one. If they have a green at all, it seems really bright. Are they likely to come out at a certain time of year? Not even really sure how to search for one…

Thank you for any information you can provide!

[GreyDes]

AA Motionlite has a hunter green that’s quite dark - https://www.ridingwarehouse.com/AA_Horseware_Motionlite_Competition_Show_Coat_Jacket/descpage-AAMJ.html

[AmmyHunter]

The mesh coats are common in the hunter ring now, at least in the SE, I saw them everywhere we went this year.

[MHM]

I’ve seen the mesh coats at plenty of major horse shows. It’s pretty much impossible to tell they are mesh if you’re more than a few feet away.

[JenEM]

I’ve shown at rated shows in both mesh and softshell coats. Totally fine–I’d wager that most of the coats these days are one or the other.

[appendix100]

So can you tell if you have a short sleeved shirt on underneath one of the mesh jobs? I get that you can’t see the shirt if it is all one color, but if not?

I tried the motionlite, just didn’t hang right. I liked the RJ classic version better. Has a soft shell front, so a little more structure to the coat. Unfortunately doesn’t come in a green,:(.

The RJ classics are what seem to suit me the best so far, but can’t find anything from them in a green (also don’t want to spend $550 for a coat…).

Any suggestions of other brands that fit like those? Didn’t care for the fit of kerrits or treadstep, & there was one more at dover that I didn’t really like the fit of either, but can’t remember the name.

[greysfordays]

In that case, I would choose whichever coat you liked best, get a size up and have it tailored to fit. I think that will be your best bet.

[OnDeck]

@appendix100

So can you tell if you have a short sleeved shirt on underneath one of the mesh jobs? I get that you can’t see the shirt if it is all one color, but if not?

I tried the motionlite, just didn’t hang right. I liked the RJ classic version better. Has a soft shell front, so a little more structure to the coat. Unfortunately doesn’t come in a green,:(.

The RJ classics are what seem to suit me the best so far, but can’t find anything from them in a green (also don’t want to spend $550 for a coat…).

Any suggestions of other brands that fit like those? Didn’t care for the fit of kerrits or treadstep, & there was one more at dover that I didn’t really like the fit of either, but can’t remember the name.

I know someone with a mesh RJ in green. I have no idea what model it is, but I do know it’s mesh and it’s RJ, so they must exist.

[centralpark]

I have 3 AA MotionLite jackets and my other jackets have pretty much not been of any use since I bought those. I always wear long sleeve shirts but I would have a tendency to say that you could see through the sleeves if you’re wearing a short sleeve show shirt.

[GreyDes]

Found the green RJ Classics! They call it olive and I haven’t seen it in person, so can’t speak to the shade.

https://www.tackroomonline.com/rj-classics-ladies-harmony-mesh-coat.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIl8bHtdX05QIVFqSzCh3NAw9kEAQYAyABEgKULvD_BwE

[appendix100]

Hmm - not the green I was thinking, but would look very nice on my horse, may need to add that to the list of options…
I was hoping to narrow things down… I guess there are worse problems to have!

[theinstigator]

One of my clients has the olive green RJ. I’ll PM a pic to you.

[appendix100]

That’s really pretty. Not nearly as muddy as it looks on the web pages

[Dewey]

@GreyDes

Found the green RJ Classics! They call it olive and I haven’t seen it in person, so can’t speak to the shade.

https://www.tackroomonline.com/rj-classics-ladies-harmony-mesh-coat.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIl8bHtdX05QIVFqSzCh3NAw9kEAQYAyABEgKULvD_BwE

It’s beautiful. I love the olive.

[appendix100]

Thank you all for the help! Now I only have to decide :(.
I was going to allow myself one green & one black coat. RJ has those shades (& I have found them available in my size in one place or another), in both the Devon & the Harmony. Mesh vs classic.
Also liked the RJ Marley in black w/ the grey collar, but haven’t found it in my size yet.

There didn’t used to be so many choices, I don’t show enough to justify 4 or 5 coats. I wasn’t expecting to have this much trouble! Any help?

I am showing mostly AQHA, occ CHJA shows. Not very much rated, although I’d like to get there eventually maybe. Horse is a dark brown w/ mealy mouth.

[BAC]

I have no idea what is acceptable for AQHA, etc. but you can never go wrong with navy or black. Personally, I really love the green though and I think it would be very attractive on a dark brown horse, or really any color horse for that matter. I get sick of seeing navy and black all the time.

[appendix100]

me too, like I said, I was going to allow myself one green & one black (one because I like it & the other just in case I end up someplace really conservative - I hope I die before I ever buy another navy hunt coat).

I would like one mesh & one regular I think, just because I get so warm, but I’m also old enough that I am having trouble wrapping my head around the whole mesh idea & I don’t know if I can quite take that leap of faith to get both in mesh. The devon green is closer to a hunter, the harmony an olive.
Green in standard, black in mesh?
Green in mesh, black in standard?
both in mesh?
both in standard?

I am completely unprepared to make so many choices. I knew I didn’t want navy, so I was expecting to just have to find one that fit in black & wasn’t a dressage coat.
Then I saw the green…
then the mesh…
the rabbit hole is getting deeper!!!

I know it will come down to personal preference in the end, but I would appreciate as many opinions as I can get.
Thank you all for the help

[wannabedvm]

Follow up question: if I’m only going to have one coat and show both outdoors and at indoor fall shows, is it weird to have a mesh coat?

[AliCat]

@wannabedvm

Follow up question: if I’m only going to have one coat and show both outdoors and at indoor fall shows, is it weird to have a mesh coat?

I was really, really concerned about how the mesh would look under fluorescent indoor lights, and was shocked by how my pictures turned out. I posted a few responses up a photo from the large arena at Harrisburg.

I was so stressed about it and even bought and older style of RJ (non mesh) that is much longer than current trends. It stayed in my garment bag when decisions had to be made.

I completely understand the dilemma you and OP are facing.