Quick stupid boot question

[JSwan]

Huh?

Are you not aware of what is going on in eventing???

What I write about other sports isn’t unique. Many people are concerned about the fact that today’s riders seem to be overly interested in wearing the “stuff” instead of spending their money on lessons. Focusing on competing all the time, buying the most fashionable items with no knowledge of what the items represent. And their riding is scary.

As I wrote before - to some extent there is going to be variety among hunts. A fellow hunter from out West wears sunglasses and a square pad and boots on her horse.

In my hunt that would be an anathema.

In her hunt it makes sense. She rides through cactus and lives in a desert type environment. The square pads hold a canteen with water and the sunglasses protect her eyes.

In my hunt there is no need for such things and the splint boots are forbidden - because our territory is so muddy and grimey the horse’s legs would be bloody within an hour.

Another hunt might permit Western riders. Another hunt might permit stallions - another would not. One might permit mules - another wouldn’t.

One hunt might turnout in ratcatcher during the week and formal only on weekends. (during the formal season) Another hunt might decide formal attire for every hunt day during the formal season.

Again - as I wrote before there is a standard - which hunts can deviate from if local conditions warrant. But there is a standard.

And the standard is that those boot tops are not worn except by certain people.

The fact that other horse sports are aping the look is just plain unfortunate. It speaks poorly of those riders to be so ignorant.

I’d not show up to a jumper show with a scarlet coat or a flag emblem on my saddle pad. That would be disrespectful, rude, not to mention pretentious.

The fact that other sports are marketing the “foxhunter” look, and riders are buying this stuff to make them look cool - just makes them look foolish. And the saddest part is that many of these people don’t even know the significance - and other don’t give a crap.

And that’s poor horsemanship. Period.

[WilfredLeblanc]

[QUOTE=JSwan;3910345]
Huh?

Are you not aware of what is going on in eventing???[/QUOTE]

Well . . . I think so, although I’m just a guy who does all his riding at an eventing barn and takes all his lessons from an eventing coach and follows the news, not a competitor, and I’m just asking what you’re referring to–safety issues, the newer format, shifts in attire, all of it?

What I write about other sports isn’t unique. Many people are concerned about the fact that today’s riders seem to be overly interested in wearing the “stuff” instead of spending their money on lessons. Focusing on competing all the time, buying the most fashionable items with no knowledge of what the items represent.

Definitely not me! I aim to buy only what is strictly necessary and to buy it once. Ironically, there’s a big icon from SmartPak flashing at the top of my screen reading “Custom breeches fit you and your personal style. Shop now.”

. . . And that’s poor horsemanship. Period.

I hear you about all that, JSwan.

[JSwan]

Pretty much all of it. Loosening of standards, focus on money… the standards were there for a reason. Loosen the standards and bring up a crop of riders with a “anything goes” attitude… and you get modern eventing. Complete with rotational falls, lack of personal responsibility, dumbing down the sport so people who have no business competing can just sign up, hop on, and race around xc on the forehand - but they look smashing in their colorful garb.

Actually - the same could be said of hunting. People who show up with all the geegaws but have no business being out there because they can’t ride well enough.

The difference is that generally those riders don’t stick around for long in the hunt field.

I’ll let you in on the grand secret about turnout. There is no mystery about turnout for any discipline.

You will never go wrong if you are plain, neat and tidy. Plain boots, plain shirt, plain britches, plain jacket.

You might look a little boring - but you won’t be wrong. Plain simple traditional attire is proper and correct for the lower levels of all English disciplines.

If you’re currently eventing but are eager to try hunting - come on out. Wear plain tan britches, plain boots, plain stock tie, plain black helmet. Plain brown or black gloves.

Show up on a clean well behaved horse with good quality tack - properly fitted and adjusted. Be able to walk trot canter gallop safely and securely in an open area.

Check with the Hunt Secretary and check in with the Field Secretary first thing upon arriving. Pay your cap and introduce yourself to the Master.

Smile, be polite, ride in the back of the field since you are new.

Smile some more.

Afterwards, thank the Master for a wonderful day and say good night.

That’s it.

Plain and simple. Good manners. Good sportsmanship and good horsemanship. Plain simple turnout. Smile and be friendly. Control your horse.

You will be most welcome at any hunt. If you take up the sport you have many years of learning ahead of you - but all of it will be fun and enjoyable.

[QUOTE=WilfredLeblanc;3910374]
safety issues, the newer format, shifts in attire, all of it?
Definitely not me! I aim to buy only what is strictly necessary and to buy it once. Ironically, there’s a big icon from SmartPak flashing at the top of my screen reading “Custom breeches fit you and your personal style. Shop now.”
I hear you about all that, JSwan.[/QUOTE]

[cnvh]

@JSwan;3910345

In my hunt there is no need for such things and the splint boots are forbidden - because our territory is so muddy and grimey the horse’s legs would be bloody within an hour.

Okay, another teeny question from the OP again… Splint boots are a no-no? I was going to ask about that anyway, re: acceptable colors-- I didn’t realize boots themselves might be forbidden. My horse toes out in front and I always keep him in boots (SMB Elites) in front so he doesn’t knock himself. (His boots are purple, and I was pretty sure purple boots wouldn’t go over well in the hunt field, haha…)

Any suggestions for a workable solution to this? Because I’m not comfortable riding my guy without some sort of leg protection in front… I’m not sure I understand how grimy/muddy territory would translate to a horse’s legs becoming bloody because of splint boots?

[ArtilleryHill]

Ask the hunt secretary about boots! If allowed, and they are in many hunts, in my experience, then I’d go with black.

[Romany]

Also, about the horse wearing boots; even if they do get the OK from the hunt secretary, you might find the SMB just too much of a PITA to keep clean; you may find it easier to get a set of leather or plastic boots; smooth exterior, no fluffy interior, just because they’re easier to clean afterwards!

[ArtilleryHill]

I’ve used Woof boots on occasion for horses that need them and found they worked well, but in general I find most boots a pain out hunting.

[altjaeger]

What does a flag emblem on a saddle pad indicate?

[ArtilleryHill]

It could indicate that you are riding as a team representative of that nation.

[wateryglen]

and then there’s…

And we could ALL order up some of them fine, fine, fine custom breeches from Smartpak that I keep seeing popping up over the threads worn by the woman with the perfect figure whom I hate intensely!!! :winkgrin::lol::lol::lol:
It’s GOTTA be a mannequin…or touched up. She can’t be real…:mad:
I hate her and I hope she falls off… “Fit you and your personal style”??? yeah…right…