Aha!
When I was showing hunters (local circuit) I’d pin my ponytail to the back of my head, bend forward to put hairnet over it, then put helmet on back-to-front while bent over. Probably gave some bun effect. My hair has always been between chin and shoulder length, so like yours.
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Oh, good idea! I’ll practice that. I’m going to guess you used a bobby pin, right? (I don’t mean to joke, I’ve actually had people suggest using safety pins for hair-related things and…um…well, the answer was clearly a firm “No”)
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White breeches with brown boots seem like a bit of an odd combo to me, but depending on how “relaxed” the rules are, who knows what you’ll see. It might not be a terrible idea to invest in an inexpensive pair of tan breeches if you plan to show hunters a couple times. You could wear them for schooling too and you can pick up a pair that aren’t fancy schmancy but that fit well and look professional. These are $50 https://www.doversaddlery.com/dover-kp-breech/p/Z1-350566A/ but if you shop around or buy used you can find basic acceptable breeches for closer to $30.
I also think the square saddle pad will stand out a fair amount. You can look for a white fleece shaped one that isn’t too expensive (nobody says it has to be the PERFECT fit) or if you have a white half pad you already own (like a Mattes or similar) that is also acceptable. Something like this is fully acceptable (in white) https://www.statelinetack.com/item/shires-high-wither-fleece-half-pad/E025269%20WHT/?srccode=GPSLT&gclid=CjwKCAjwq_D7BRADEiwAVMDdHrlNrfQHqEQ42KlHXlVhsIDFSlTZhL9wyt3m-gykWETai4pw9MzPnhoCRygQAvD_BwE and it’s $30 Half pads aren’t as “in style” as they used to be but no one should blink at you in a half pad. You may get some looks in a full square pad.
If I was in your shoes I would find tan breeches and a suitable non square pad and otherwise go with what you have. Yes you’ll stick out a little but no one should be getting the vapors over brown boots or your loose ring bit (also acceptable and kind of old school but less common in the hunters nowadays). Of course if you’re just going for experience and you truly don’t care-- you can do what you want. But if your goal is to fit in a little without breaking the bank, I’d do the tan breeches and find a pad that isn’t a square pad.
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Also Toklat makes inexpensive (under $50) white faux fleece shaped saddle pads in all sorts of flap configurations including for forward flap saddles.
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This is the exact reason I suggested the OP talk to the people running the show.
I have been to open shows that the majority of the participants do breed show type showing so they all have the fleece pads with the number pockets on both sides. Almost no fitted pads in the joint.
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Some good points have been made.
Hair- up and under the helmet in a hairnet for the hunters (I did a quick google search for how to do hunter hair and found a few videos and also links to COTH threads)
Saddle pad- You would be better off with just a half pad if you are so against using a white fitted saddle pad. No square pads in the hunters/eq
Breeches- No white
Bit- Don’t use a loose ring in the hunters
Horse Boots- only in eq over fences, not in the flat class (also no martingales in flat classes)
Human Boots- Brown is ok
Gloves- it presents a polished look in the ring
Courtesy circles- unless the 1st jump is being ridden facing the ingate, do the circle- it will provide the opportunity to establish pace. Always do one prior to exiting the ring and ensure you WALK out of the ring do not trot
Flat/US classes- You will probably have to do a walk to canter transition so PRACTICE!!!
and last- Have fun 
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That’s true. But the way the language of the prize list reads, with reference to the USEF, my best guess is that this is not an APHA/AQHA type community. Even in APHA or AQHA communities (my former peeps) you would not typically see shaped non-fleece pads in the hunters. You’d see those square fleece pads with the space for the number to be pinned on. It is good to ask though!
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I never knew about the half pads being available; that makes it a lot easier, actually. I have one in my tack box that luckily fits my saddle.
As to breeches, I decided to be safe and drove fast enough yesterday evening that I was able to make it to Dover before they closed and bought a pair of tan breeches. I’ll use them as a backup pair for my backup pair of breeches at events, so it’s not $70 out the window 
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If you don’t mind me asking, why? I’m not going to transition into the H/J world and this is only one little schooling show. Plus, it’s listed as legal and not unconventional, so I think I should be safe.
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If you need any of those things on a budget, eBay is a great place to look for used items. I’ve found $20 white shaped fleece pads on there that were still passable for a schooling show (and most sellers will measure for you if needed), EXTREMELY cheap breeches (I scored a pair for $4 once!), and you may be able to find a pair of used boots as well. There are also several online consignment shops. If you have a local consignment shop, that may be a good place to check as well.
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I would, except that the show is on Saturday :ambivalence: I’ve scored some nice things on eBay too, never seen a pair of $4 breeches though :eek:!! I do remember seeing someone selling a “refurbished” troxel helmet :mad: I really hope they got no offers.
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It is pure fashion.
When I started (in the 60s) the loose ring was the most common bit in the hunter ring. In those days a D-ring was frowned on as a “race horse bit” that indicated that the horse did not steer well.
Nowadays the D-ring is fashionable and the loose ring is passee.
But the loose ring is still perfectly acceptable (see the cover of the Sept 7,14 COTH).
In the last decade I have attended a seminar given by a group of (well respected) hunter judges, and they all said that they only pay attention to the bit if it is blatantly illegal, or if the horse is resisting it.
One of my horses went in a loose ring KK-Ultra. Our primary disciplines were eventing/dressage/jumpers, but we did a fair amount of hunter shows for practice (mostly schooling, but some recognized) . Nobody said anything about changing my bit, including the hunter-specific trainer i was working with at the time. And my show results reflected our performance, not my choice of bit.
I wouldn’t change your bit for a hunter schooling show.
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Oh, well in that case, could you perhaps borrow from anyone if needed?
Yes, I got lucky on those breeches! To be fair, they were an older pair of faded funky-colored Miller’s, but I was looking for something temporary for schooling that was inexpensive while I lost weight (didn’t want to spend $$$ on breeches I might fit in for only a few months), so I didn’t care much about what they looked like! They served their purpose well and I still have them as spares, although they’re a bit big now!
I hope they didn’t get any bids on that helmet, either. Yikes!
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I posted above, but I made it to Dover in time to get a pair of tan breeches.
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I think you’ve gotten lots of good advice, so I’ll just wish you good luck!! ðŸ€ðŸ€
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Thank you We’ve been practicing some light course work because the air has been so clear. Who knows, I might end up with a hunter prospect :eek::lol:
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Stranger things have happened😊. My friend bought a jumper prospect, but because the horse is young and green, entered her in some hunter classes and won the division.
Please update us on how things go! And remember to have fun😊
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Awe, thank you! And that sounds like a nice, albeit unexpected, surprise. I’ll try to update Sunday after the show!
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