Schooling show with mismatched tack ... Would you?

[4THEHORSES]

I’d like to take baby mare to her first booking show at the beginning of May.

Just a couple of Intro level classes to get her exposed to the environment.

Trouble is her tack doesn’t look good, not even close! Brown dressage saddle that was my older mare’s saddle. Couple of nicks and scratches and rubbing on the flaps. Bridle is brand new but black and I removed the flash strap so it has that little annoying keeper on the noseband. I only have one half decent pad that works for her. Light burgundy with white/baby blue trimming. Also, the top of her tail currently looks like a toilet brush.

Mailed the organizers and they said turnout isn’t important provided the rider wears boots and a helmet.

But even so, I usually have them looking pretty sharp, even for a schooling show.

What do you think, just go? Maybe in disguise to avoid be recognized in future (jk).

[Mallard]

I’d buy a new white pad, make sure pony was super clean, neatly braided and go.

[GoForAGallop]

The tack is fine. Gel the tail hairs down, and clip any other trouble areas. Cut the flash keeper off if you’re never going to use it again, otherwise no one cares.

I’m confused about the one pad that “works for her”. What about a new $20 white pad or a borrow pad isn’t going to “work” for her?

[NoSuchPerson]

Yes. Just go. It’s a schooling show. With respect to appearance, what matters is that you, your tack, and your horse are clean and well groomed.

And you probably won’t be the only person there whose horse has a toilet brush tail. I’ve got one of them standing in the pasture right now, because it’s spring and he’s shedding, and he itches all over.

[Eclectic_Horseman]

:eek: mismatched tack at a schooling show— THE HORROR.

[SendenHorse]

just go, really.

Agree with mallard to get a pad if you can.

I’ve seen every sort of thing at a schooling show- pink helmets, jeans, etc.

I prefer to cut off the tab on the noseband, or just put the flash on for the show.

You can always braid to dress her up a bit.

If you focus on wearing nice clothes and boots that can really help present a polished picture.

[cnm161]

All you non-matchy heretics.

But seriously, I’ve shown in a brown saddle and black bridle at a rated show. And at the championships that year. Nobody noticed or cared enough to tell me about it.

If it helps, though, tell people you’re rocking the Heather Blitz look.

[Kimchi]

Just go, The important thing is mileage.

[4THEHORSES]

[QUOTE=GoForAGallop;8600246]
The tack is fine. Gel the tail hairs down, and clip any other trouble areas. Cut the flash keeper off if you’re never going to use it again, otherwise no one cares.

I’m confused about the one pad that “works for her”. What about a new $20 white pad or a borrow pad isn’t going to “work” for her?[/QUOTE]

GoFor, it’s the only dressage pad I have that isn’tsun bleached and looks good with a brown saddle and bay horse but you guys are correct, I could just buy a white pad for the show and that’ll help spruce up her turnout.

Her mane is very thick (draft horse) and difficult to braid so I was thinking of just tidying it up. Could definitely gel the top of her tail, that’s easy.

The show is at a lively facility and I k ow the regulars there turn out very smart, even for schooling classes. I guess I just do t want to be the sloppy one but your correct again, other people might not even notice!

For me I was thinking of beige or white breeches, black boots and a nice shirt or polo. Coats aren’t required and it’ll likely be hot so I’d like to pass on wearing a coat if possible.

She’s only just recently started under saddle and she been dojng great so can’t wait to see how she does in a show environment. She’s stands about 17hh 2" at the moment and I have a tune butt so her saddle looks miniature on her and the bridle is on the chunky side, which adds to the mismatched look, but that’s ok.

[4THEHORSES]

[QUOTE=Kimchi;8600275]
Just go, The important thing is mileage.[/QUOTE]

Very true and I’m keen to get her out there as much as possible this summer.

[4THEHORSES]

[QUOTE=Eclectic Horseman;8600248]
:eek: mismatched tack at a schooling show— THE HORROR.[/QUOTE]

Lol, I think show turnout is the one and only thing I’ve become a little OCD with.

[RedmondDressage]

You’re overthinking this. I guarantee if you show up and you’re neat and tidy no one will even notice.

[Velvet]

Nobody cares what the tack looks like. Especially at a schooling show. Not an issue at all.

[rockonxox]

We have used close contact saddles at the school combined training stuff and some people just enter the dressage portion like that (no jumping). I think you should be fine, especially if the show organizers said you would. It will be a good experience for your horse and she surely doesn’t care what she looks like

[LarkspurCO]

Heather Blitz shows Paragon in all sorts of mismatched tack.

[belgianWBLuver]

[QUOTE=Eclectic Horseman;8600248]
:eek: mismatched tack at a schooling show— THE HORROR.[/QUOTE]

I know, I’m clutching my pearls. Oh wait, that’s the Hunter princess reaction. What evs :lol:

OP just go and have fun!!

[SomedaySoon]

Don’t worry about it–I see lots of non-dressage saddles at our schooling shows. Nobody who matters cares! Have a great time

[exploding_pony]

Buy yourself a nice new pad, clean your boots and your horse, oil your tack and you’re good to go.

It’s a schooling show, just be neat and clean. I actually think judges at schooling shows are much happier to see a nice, well trained rider in neat and clean turnout than a sloppy ride with fancy gear.

[exploding_pony]

Buy yourself a nice new pad, clean your boots and your horse, oil your tack and you’re good to go.

It’s a schooling show, just be neat and clean. I actually think judges at schooling shows are much happier to see a nice, well trained rider in neat and clean turnout than a sloppy ride with fancy gear.

[Mondo]

Take it from someone who is very familiar with the view from C: it’s a schooling show. If the judge (who’s opinion is the only one that counts) makes mention, or even notices your tack/turnout - then you can rest assured that you must be doing everything else right! Seriously - a white pad and braids for a schooling show? No law against it, but it’s sure not necessary. I’m taking a few students to a large schooling show here in a few weeks and two of them are first-timers. For them I said if they want to dress up in their rated-show clothes, go for it. It makes for nice pictures for their first-show memories. But I certainly don’t require it or even care as long as they are clean and do their best.