Jumping in dressage boots

[Frenchie_in_TX]

Hi everyone,

This is my very first post (I’m a little nervous…), please be kind. I apologise in advance if this topic has already been posted. I did search for it, and couldn’t find much on the subject… But I could very well be utter rubbish at sleuthing! :rolleyes:

A little bit of context first.

I love the look of dressage boots: the relatively straight leg, the very simple stitching at the ankle, the front zipper, and the fact that they look like they’d last forever.

Growing up, I remember vividly a girl a few years older than me, wearing the same pair of what looked like dressage boots for everything: dressage, show-jumping, cross country, course walking, grooming, everything. Granted, those boots looked well broken in, and a few years old.

Without further ado, here is my question.

If I bought the least reinforced model available and diligently broke them in (aka wearing them to walk the dog, cycling, watching TV, riding, pretty much all the time, albeit in the shower and in bed, but then again, I’m motivated!), do you guys think that I might be able to wear them for all three phases?

Looking forward to reading all your ideas, recommendations, and experiences.

[Scribbler]

Really that’s up to how they fit you and whether you like the feeling. You would want to be sure the boots allow you to shorten the stirrups and have a more closed angle at the ankle.

Most of us prefer to push the envelope the other way and wear field boots for everything

That said there is also a category of dress boots for hunting that might look more formal.

[SuzieQNutter]

LOL from your title I thought you were talking about horse boots not rider boots.

[OTTBaddiction]

I chose a more dressage style for my new boots, they were my birthday present and custom. I find them quite comfortable to jump in ( now that they are broken - first time wearing them was another story :lol:). I would say try as many types on and while standing in the store etc stand in a more dressage stance then a more jumping stance, just to give yourself an idea before deciding. I also have an old pair which are considerably shorter that I use everyday for whatever activity I am up to.

[headbrickwall]

Proper dressage boots would be awful to jump in surely - they are cut high and stiffened.

I don’t think you necessarily need field boots but you should be fine with a non-reinforced mid height cut, especially if it’s softer leather.

[2DogsFarm]

I got my custom Vogel dress boots in 1989, while I was still actively competing Hunters.
I never wanted field boots, laces just one more thing to have to futz with. :concern:

When I switched to dressage, so did my boots and I have never had a judge or trainer comment on my non-Spanish Top boots.

Today I still show in those boots. For lessons I prefer my slip-on paddock boots (20yo custom Dehners), no 1/2 chaps.

Sorry @Frenchie in TX , but I am “of an age” where I have to chuckle at your describing dressage boots’ “front zipper” :lol:
Way Back When, no boots - Hunter or Dressage had any zipper anywhere.
You struggled into & out of your boots until sometime in the late 90s (IIRC) when the marvelous back zipper appeared as an option.

Get yourself a boot that feels good the 1st time you put it on.
If you can go the extra mile, get customs.
Take care of them & they can last a lifetime of riding.

[Hilary]

Serious dressage boots will be way too stiff to jump in comfortably but I also prefer the look of dress boots over field and always wear them - I have found not one but 2 pair of Dehners on ebay that I jump in - leaving my own customs for flatwork. After 20 years they have softened/dropped enough to jump in but I prefer to keep them stiffer.

No one will care if you don’t have field boots.

[kmwines]

Get dress boots that are comfortable to do everything in. Most new boots will have a zipper youd probably have to go custom to go without. I dont event but I follow it and in all the pictures I see, I rarely see someone in the stovepipe super tall stiff dressage boots.

[RAyers]

Jumping in dressage boots?! They are called dressage boots for a reason!! Would we ever consider jumping a dressage horse or dressaging a jumping horse?! Our world has walls, people. And we need to make sure disciplined stay separate.

[Janet]

There is a difference between “dressage boots”, which are very stiff, and not intended for a very flexed ankle, and “dress boots”, which have no laces, but ARE intended for jumping.

Both are available with zippers.

[MuskokaLakesConnemaras]

@RAyers

Jumping in dressage boots?! They are called dressage boots for a reason!! Would we ever consider jumping a dressage horse or dressaging a jumping horse?! Our world has walls, people. And we need to make sure disciplined stay separate.

God I hope this is a joke

[2DogsFarm]

”‹”‹”‹[MuskokaLakesConnemara];n10554870]

God I hope this is a joke [/QUOTE]

Me too!
But if it’s not…
Do Eventers have to get Eventing boots?

FWIW @ RAyers:
I did, in fact, jump my (schooling 3rd) dressage horse.
&
“Dressaged” not only my former GP Jumper, but my gaited Walking Horse as well.
Oh! The Horsemanity!" :grief:

[RAyers]

@"2DogsFarm

”‹”‹”‹[MuskokaLakesConnemara],post:11,topic:464975"]

God I hope this is a joke

For as long as you’ve been on COTH, don’t you know me?

[mg]

So long as they’re comfortable and you feel you can use and position your leg properly in them for all three phases, that’s all that matters. I wear the Ariat Volant S Zips which are technically dress boots because they don’t have laces, but they’re very soft and pliable. There’s definitely a difference between “dress boots” (no laces) and “dressage boots” (stiff shaft). The former is pretty common, the latter sounds very uncomfortable to wear for jumping.

[Frenchie_in_TX]

@SuzieQNutter

LOL from your title I thought you were talking about horse boots not rider boots.

You’re totally right! It’s confusing…:lol: I was actually thinking very the same thing that night in the shower. (I do my best thinking there!)

[Frenchie_in_TX]

@Scribbler

Really that’s up to how they fit you and whether you like the feeling. You would want to be sure the boots allow you to shorten the stirrups and have a more closed angle at the ankle.

Most of us prefer to push the envelope the other way and wear field boots for everything

That said there is also a category of dress boots for hunting that might look more formal.

Fair enough! Trying them on is definitely the best thing.

I’m optimistic because I bought a pair of field boots 15 years ago that I wore four times a week and they were super stiff. I still wear them and they have only dropped a little at the ankle. The shaft is rather rigid too, so much so that they stand on their own. But I remember how painful they where to break in. :eek: :dead:

Trying to attach a photo, but I keep getting “invalid file”, even though they are .png format…

[Frenchie_in_TX]

@OTTBaddiction

I chose a more dressage style for my new boots, they were my birthday present and custom. I find them quite comfortable to jump in ( now that they are broken - first time wearing them was another story :lol:). I would say try as many types on and while standing in the store etc stand in a more dressage stance then a more jumping stance, just to give yourself an idea before deciding. I also have an old pair which are considerably shorter that I use everyday for whatever activity I am up to.

Yes, you are absolutely right. Trying is the best thing! And I’ll definitely be keeping my old faithful, who were absolute torture to break in which are now comfy slippers. Time and patience do wonders!

[Frenchie_in_TX]

@2DogsFarm

I got my custom Vogel dress boots in 1989, while I was still actively competing Hunters.
I never wanted field boots, laces just one more thing to have to futz with. :concern:

When I switched to dressage, so did my boots and I have never had a judge or trainer comment on my non-Spanish Top boots.

Today I still show in those boots. For lessons I prefer my slip-on paddock boots (20yo custom Dehners), no 1/2 chaps.

Sorry @Frenchie in TX , but I am “of an age” where I have to chuckle at your describing dressage boots’ “front zipper” :lol:
Way Back When, no boots - Hunter or Dressage had any zipper anywhere.
You struggled into & out of your boots until sometime in the late 90s (IIRC) when the marvelous back zipper appeared as an option.

Get yourself a boot that feels good the 1st time you put it on.
If you can go the extra mile, get customs.
Take care of them & they can last a lifetime of riding.

I hear you! My current 15 year-old field boots don’t have a zipper either. But I’m done with that nonsense now! :lol:

Customs are definitely on the cards.

[Frenchie_in_TX]

@RAyers

Jumping in dressage boots?! They are called dressage boots for a reason!! Would we ever consider jumping a dressage horse or dressaging a jumping horse?! Our world has walls, people. And we need to make sure disciplined stay separate.

Haha I wouldn’t dream of becoming a DQ!

How I wish I could attach a photo of the boots I’m coveting.

[Frenchie_in_TX]

@Janet

There is a difference between “dressage boots”, which are very stiff, and not intended for a very flexed ankle, and “dress boots”, which have no laces, but ARE intended for jumping.

Both are available with zippers.

True, Janet. I just need to see if I can get the look I want with a non-concrete-like leather. :lol: