Questions on Jumper Attire

[equinekacy]

So, in VT I tried a couple jumper classes and really liked them, so now I’m planning to take my used-to-be-1.30m jumper-turned 3’-3’6” hunter/eq-animal back into the jumpers. I’ve never shown in the jumpers before besides two .65m classes in VT to try it out, and I had some questions about the attire.

I would love to get the white breeches but I read somewhere that it’s sort of like garters-to-tall boots for the hunters - you don’t get white breeches until you’re doing at least the 1.20m/junior jumpers. Is that true? Am I going to look stupid wearing white breeches in a .80 or .90m jumper class, just like it looks weird for a pony rider to wear tall boots?

I’m also big on colored show jackets but never have been able to wear one in the hunters. What’s the usual color for the lower-level jumpers? I know the big riders wear bright red, etc. Again, will I look dumb wearing red or blue in the 2’6”-3’ jumpers? And I know all the articles say any color is accepted, but is any color REALLY accepted? Can I wear a purple jacket or something without being the mockery of the show?

And then I was wondering about my horse’s attire. I know a lot of jumper riders wear boots, and I know they’re not required, but do I want to put them on him? Are they necessary or more of a fashion statement? And same thing for polos. What do polos even do? They seem to be more of a fashion statement, but again, I’m new to the jumpers, so please correct me if I’m wrong.

Thanks so much!!

[Cocorona]

@equinekacy

So, in VT I tried a couple jumper classes and really liked them, so now I’m planning to take my used-to-be-1.30m jumper-turned 3’-3’6” hunter/eq-animal back into the jumpers. I’ve never shown in the jumpers before besides two .65m classes in VT to try it out, and I had some questions about the attire.

I would love to get the white breeches but I read somewhere that it’s sort of like garters-to-tall boots for the hunters - you don’t get white breeches until you’re doing at least the 1.20m/junior jumpers. Is that true? Am I going to look stupid wearing white breeches in a .80 or .90m jumper class, just like it looks weird for a pony rider to wear tall boots?

Whites are reserved for classics and other money classes like a Grand Prix, Mini Prix, Etc. You will show in regular tan breeches most of the time

I’m also big on colored show jackets but never have been able to wear one in the hunters. What’s the usual color for the lower-level jumpers? I know the big riders wear bright red, etc. Again, will I look dumb wearing red or blue in the 2’6”-3’ jumpers? And I know all the articles say any color is accepted, but is any color REALLY accepted? Can I wear a purple jacket or something without being the mockery of the show?

Yes! you can wear any color- however red jackets are really only wore by team members showing on behalf of their country so I would shy away from that color. All you need to have for most classes is have a collar and a belt on

And then I was wondering about my horse’s attire. I know a lot of jumper riders wear boots, and I know they’re not required, but do I want to put them on him? Are they necessary or more of a fashion statement? And same thing for polos. What do polos even do? They seem to be more of a fashion statement, but again, I’m new to the jumpers, so please correct me if I’m wrong.

[B]Not fashion- function… i would discuss with your trainer what is appropriate but at a minimum tendon boots to protect your horses legs and back boots are smart. Because the track is much more technical in the jumpers and you are potentially moving at speed- the horse can whack themselves pretty quickly.

Polo’s are used to stabilize the leg much like how an athlete tapes an ankle. However they can come undone so its usually better to show in boots over polos to be safe. [/B]

Thanks so much!!

Enjoy the jumpers- its a very fun ring and you’ll use a lot of what you learned in the hunter ring in there.

[Kal1]

I wouldn’t wear white breeches unless it is a classic or other big class. Not against the rules but not common.

As for show coat, red usually signifies you competed for the US, in the olympics or Pan ams or something like that, so also not common. Blue is totally normal as far as I’ve seen, both navy and bright blue, or go without (except for most classics, they are required). I’ve never seen purple, but if you could find one I’m sure it would be really cool! I’d say the most common is coats that could also cross over to hunters (black, navy, grey) or no coat at all.

I would definitely wear some kind of boot. I’ve seen very few jumper rounds in which the horse wasn’t wearing boots, but they were all hunters (didn’t have a class for their height that day, so rode the jumper course like a hunter round), and never above 0.80/2’6". Don’t have to be open front jumper boots, I’ve seen polos, brush boots, eq boots, pretty much anything and no one batted an eye. Also don’t need back boots, but a lot of people use them.

Overall, as long as everything is legal, chances are people will judge you more on riding than what you are wearing. I say wear what makes you feel the most confident and have fun!

[BITSA]

White is for classics, even at the low levels people wear white on classic day!

Red is only for people who’ve been selected to ride for a US team. I see mostly blues, grays, blacks, greens and some burgandy in jumpers.

Open front and hind boots for sure. They don’t need to be a fancy brand.

Enjoy!

[mmeqcenter]

Just want to add, the “red” color that is reserved for team riders is the bright scarlet red. Burgundy, berry, wine colors are certainly permitted and have gained some traction as of late. I got a burgundy coat and I loooooooooooooooooove it. Plum coats are also seen, so yes, purple would be just fine. So would turquoise, brown, hot pink, etc.
https://www.horsenation.com/2014/10/06/insert-your-favorite-color-here-is-the-new-black-your-guide-to-the-riding-jacket-revolution/

White breeches are perfectly legal, and IMO no it doesn’t look stupid in small classes. If you want to wear white breeches, wear white breeches.

Boots are for function, not fashion. If you horse tends to knock themselves, or knock poles, use boots. Can’t say I’ve personally ever seen polos on in the jumper ring.

[hunterrider33]

White breeches are for classics, most shows have a low ch/aa classic, so yes you can white for those! Tan on other days.

You can wear colored jackets, just not bright USA red as others have mentioned.

Your horses boots are to protect his legs, same with polos. They can also wear bonnets etc.
I love being able to match my horses saddle pad and ear bonnet! He has more clothes than I do LOL.

Have fun in the jumper ring!

[paintedpony]

Welcome to the dark side……….

Have fun! Pretty much any color goes, but know you are expected to earn red. Wearing red without earning it, will get you trash talked around the circuit. Unless you want that chatter, pick a different color.

If you are working with a coach, they may wish to have input in your clothing choices, and will assist you in choosing the tack your horse needs.

[dannyboy]

Unless you’re VERY good at wrapping them, I wouldn’t use polos. If they slip, it’s a disaster. Boots are much better. If your horse has studs in, they’re much more functional also.

I wouldn’t wear white breeches unless you look very good in them (here’s a hint - most people don’t) in lower level classes. Take a hard look in the mirror before you decide. Tan breeches are fine unless you’re in a classic.
Don’t wear a pink (red) coat unless you’re on a Nations Cup team. I don’t like floppy pony tails either, but that’s just me.

When you’re uncertain, it’s always best to go for conservative.

[mh97]

@equinekacy

So, in VT I tried a couple jumper classes and really liked them, so now I’m planning to take my used-to-be-1.30m jumper-turned 3’-3’6” hunter/eq-animal back into the jumpers. I’ve never shown in the jumpers before besides two .65m classes in VT to try it out, and I had some questions about the attire.

I would love to get the white breeches but I read somewhere that it’s sort of like garters-to-tall boots for the hunters - you don’t get white breeches until you’re doing at least the 1.20m/junior jumpers. Is that true? Am I going to look stupid wearing white breeches in a .80 or .90m jumper class, just like it looks weird for a pony rider to wear tall boots?

I’m also big on colored show jackets but never have been able to wear one in the hunters. What’s the usual color for the lower-level jumpers? I know the big riders wear bright red, etc. Again, will I look dumb wearing red or blue in the 2’6”-3’ jumpers? And I know all the articles say any color is accepted, but is any color REALLY accepted? Can I wear a purple jacket or something without being the mockery of the show?

And then I was wondering about my horse’s attire. I know a lot of jumper riders wear boots, and I know they’re not required, but do I want to put them on him? Are they necessary or more of a fashion statement? And same thing for polos. What do polos even do? They seem to be more of a fashion statement, but again, I’m new to the jumpers, so please correct me if I’m wrong.

Thanks so much!!

Whether or not you wear whites depends more of the type of class and prize money offered than fence height. If you’re entered in a classic with prize money offered at an A or AA rated show, it would definitely be appropriate to wear white, regardless of fence height. For open classes without prize money, tan breeches are typically worn.

You can wear a colored show jacket, I would stay away from red because that color is generally reserved for those who have represented the country on a international level. To wear it without having “earned the color” is a bit of a fashion faux pas. Other than that, you could wear pretty much any color, just keep in mind that if you’re entered in an open jumper class (say just a 1.10m open class), a lot of people won’t even be wearing jackets—polos, sun shirts, or just a show shirt is acceptable since formal attire wouldn’t be required.

As far as boots go, it’s completely dependent on the horse for me. A lot of people throw boots on all fours on every horse by default—nothing wrong with this, as it won’t hurt and will certainly provide protection. But, if I have a horse that doesn’t interfere and otherwise doesn’t seem to need them, I let them go bare because boots can sometimes make them a bit less careful.

Good luck and have fun! The jumper ring is a blast

[Puffergrrl]

I’d also advise that larger competitions and bigger money classes may ask for “formal attire,” which requires you to wear a black, navy, dark grey, or dark green hunt coat with your whites (“pinks” allowed for those who’ve earned it). So sometimes best to start with a boring coat 1st depending on your goals.

Simple boots on all 4 are common for support and protection and there’s new technology coming out all the time. I adore my eQuick front & back boots. Zandona is another very popular high-tech brand you’ll see a lot on top GP horses. I’ve also had great luck using Eskadron elastic wraps for extra support when rehabbing horses back from injuries. I’m sure your trainer will have thoughts.

[blondewithchrome]

I would add a few other unique distinctions I picked up on as a hunter rider gone jumper rider - for unrated schooling jumper classes (like the table 2s in Vermont) you don’t even have to wear a coat! I wore just a show shirt tucked in with my collar folded down in VT in the 0.8s. You can even wear a tasteful polo, but you don’t really see a ton of that. Hair can also be down in a ponytail or tasteful braid, if your trainer OKs it.

I also subscribe to if you if you want to wear white, wear white. Typically yes, they’re only required for classics, but white breeches are HARLDY going to be the largest fashion faux pas one will see in the jumper ring when classes are under 1.05m. Note that they are a b*tch to keep clean and will get stained from your saddle so they require a bit of love in the wash. Similar to the whites is my philosophy on the colored jacket - wear that burgundy (not red) coat!!! It’s the jumpers!!! As long as it’s tasteful and within the rules, it’s fair game. Note again that your trainer may want to OK it first.

One other thing you see a lot is ear bonnets. These DO have a function besides just looking the part. Mine has the fabric to cancel noise so they help my horse stay focused plus it’s fun to color coordinate as well!

Have fun and enjoy jumper land! It’s a blast.

[greysfordays]

I think it’s a “pinque” coat, not a pink coat…

https://www.phelpsmediagroup.com/content/uploads/2018/10/The-Legend-And-Lore-Of-The-Team-Jacket-UnTacked-SeptemberOctober-2018.pdf

I would avoid that, but otherwise, most anything goes. Try to keep a balance between time spent worrying about your outfit and time spent worrying about your riding!

[ecileh]

Actually, “pinque” as a spelling is somewhat apocryphal. Look at page 45 of the article quoted above.

There is a story that the original scarlet coats (for fox hunters) were made by a tailor named Pinque, but there is no actual proof of this. Some of us fox hunters call them pinks, some call them pinques, some call them scarlet…many of us just call them red.

Regardless…the color is reserved in jumpers for members of the national team and in hunting for masters and gentlemen with colors (sometimes professional hunt staff). A huge faux paas to show up in it in either discipline unless you fit the bill.

[lynne]

@Cocorona

All you need to have for most classes is have a collar and a belt on .

And sleeves! They can be short sleeves. But I do know of someone who was dq’d for wearing a sleeveless show shirt.