Hello all,
Can anyone advise me on what’s acceptable to wear when showing a horse on the line and what is not? I’m female and I don’t want to make any faux pas my first time out. Are white pants acceptable? I see a lot of women wearing khakis but I was wondering if other light colors were acceptable.
Thanks for your help!
For? Hunter breeding? Inspections?
It makes a difference. I would look for pictures from specific classes you plan on competing in.
But a good sports bra (or two crappy ones haha) and comfortable but conservative shoes you can run in is important.
1 Like
Just curious: are you handling because you want to or because you are unsure as to how to find a handler?
After a few years of watching inspections, hunter breeding classes, and volunteering at DAD, I would never be my own handler LOL! There are people who do that for a fairly reasonable fee, and it really is worth it IMO!
But, if you ARE doing it yourself, I agree with ladyj79 - get thyself a superior sports bra! And if thy ta-tas are grand in size, have a friend help you wrap those things TIGHT!
1 Like
I have handled at inspections, and I would never hire me to handle at inspections. I also wouldn’t handle my own. I’m comical enough dragging my nags through the trot ups.
It absolutely can change the placings in a class. You want an experienced professional to show your horse off.
I seriously think for the cost of a cute outfit to handle in, you can hire a pro handler.
1 Like
Oh yea! Some of those cuties from the Netherlands that flew in to handle at DAD only charged $50-$75 - and they would handle ANYTHING!
1 Like
And that’s probably five times what they make in Holland hahaha the Dutch are the cheapest people in the world.
What for? Hunter Breeding? USDF Breed shows? Inspections?
I wouldn’t handle for myself and I’m actually not that bad at it. But, you need an assistant handler/whip person, say for walking in a championship class where the pro has multiple horses. It’s nice to dress decently for that. At a breed show, khakis and a polo shirt are good. And if it’s USDF you need a helmet to be in the ring at all, so that’s worth mentioning.
At least for KWPN keurings, you have to be wearing all white…don’t remember what I’ve worn at AHS/GOV inspections.
Thank you for the responses. I didn’t realize I didn’t clarify that it is for breeding classes. I’ve been looking at pictures and I’m not a newbie to the show world but I was looking for some insight. What I’ve seen some handlers where may not be appropriate i.e. Black pants, colorful shirts, but the pictures aren’t going to tell me that. I’ll just stick to my gut and go ultra conservative. It is the hunters of course!
I’d still get a pro handler for hunter breeding classes. Depending on what level, and where you are showing, those can be highly competitive. 
1 Like
Are you in the hunter ring or sport horse ring/inspection? If you are in the hunter ring it depends on the level of show. I’ve seen khakis, rider wear, and dresses with open toed shoes at places like Upperville. However, if it is more relaxed, wear a nice pair of khaki’s and a button up long sleeve with paddock boots. If you showing at a sport horse show, you can where a polo with a pair of running shoes as you will need to sprint more as opposed to the hunter jog.
Everyone has to start somewhere. Depending on how seriously you want to take handling, it may be something you can do yourself. Will your horse score better with someone that’s been doing it as a job for the last decade? Probably not.
See if you can hook yourself up with a mentor in the area. Ask questions. The handlers I’m comfortable with using practice daily. They work with individuals several times a week, not including their feeding/grooming/topline building routines.
I don’t like to handle myself, because I like to watch. I like to grade each entry myself and see where the judge ranks them in comparison. I get more out of the experience from the stands. But it’s not like that for everyone. Some people prefer to be the ones with their hand on the line.
In my opinion, lady handlers should not wear dresses or skirts (mini or long). They need to wear pants, preferably khakis and a blazer or at least a button up shirt. This is not a fashion show, it is horse showing. Men and women are dressed the same when they are riding in a horse show, why wouldn’t they dress the same when showing in hand? JMO
My hubby (who handles young horses on the line professionally) has a famous line he often uses when asked what people should wear. And I quote “I always like to be dressed at least as well as the Judge”. So tie and nice sports jacket with dark pants, suitable shoes for running (NOT running shoes however) and a smart hat to top off the look. It looks professional and shows that you are out there and are serious about winning! Sorry white pants and top might be fine for an inspection of warmblood horses but for showing conformation hunter line classes in North America classic and elegant for the ladies is always a winner. Dark coloured pants, a nice conservative blouse, a GOOD bra as already stated (Vet wrap works well too) and comfortable shoes to jog. Black leather well fitting gloves always for both men and women handlers. Completes the look.
2 Likes
In the Amateur Handler classes I judge, I share the following information:
Make is CONSERVATIVE. Do not draw attention to yourself…all the attention should be on the animal you are there to show. White pants aren’t really appropriate; not only do they get dirty easily, it’s hard not to see through them and underwear lines aren’t cool in the ring. Make sure your hair is pulled back. Subtle colors are best (i.e. no loud prints, flowers, etc.) Good sturdy shoes in the even you get stepped on and to keep ring footing out of your shoes. And as suggested already, a good sports bra, please!!! Nothing more distasteful or distracting than bouncing all over the place at the jog.
1 Like
