The judge is looking at your horse, not your tack.
[QUOTE=Mondo;8600456]
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.[/QUOTE]
Wonderful, thank you! All of you!
I guess that’s it decided, we’ll go for it!!
There are two schooling series in the area and there are about a dozen shows total that would work for her over the summer. I’d like to take her to as many of those as possible. They also have classes that would be good for my other mare so that works perfect.
I would have no problem with the older brown saddle and black bridle - even at a recognized show. You need to use tack that works for your horse, and with the prices of saddles and bridles, if it is a choice between essentials and new tack, most people will not fault you for going with old or mismatched tack. As for the saddle pad, your own clothes, mane tail, etc. there is really no excuse for being mis-matched or messy. If he doesn’t have a great tail, or there are bald spots, etc. There isn’t much you can do about that. But you can have it groomed, brushed out, trimmed properly etc. I am sure that there is something you can do with the mane to make it neat: pulling, trimming, possibly braids or running braid, whatever. Some manes take considerable work to make them neat, but there is always a way.
[QUOTE=rjr;8600648]
I would have no problem with the older brown saddle and black bridle - even at a recognized show. You need to use tack that works for your horse, and with the prices of saddles and bridles, if it is a choice between essentials and new tack, most people will not fault you for going with old or mismatched tack. As for the saddle pad, your own clothes, mane tail, etc. there is really no excuse for being mis-matched or messy. If he doesn’t have a great tail, or there are bald spots, etc. There isn’t much you can do about that. But you can have it groomed, brushed out, trimmed properly etc. I am sure that there is something you can do with the mane to make it neat: pulling, trimming, possibly braids or running braid, whatever. Some manes take considerable work to make them neat, but there is always a way.[/QUOTE]
Yes, I agree. If I buy a white pad I could wear white breechies and a white shirt. A running braid is doable and the tail I can tidy up.
Just don’t want to buy new tack right now because she has a little growing and lot of filling out and muscling up to do. Would rather use this saddle for as long as possible, and it’s a good fit just now, rather than spending a lot of money on something that won’t be needed for too long.
I was thinking about buying my young horse a black bridle before his next schooling show. Then when I was watching my trainer ride him I noticed you couldn’t even tell that the bridle was brown. So I’m not going to bother (unless I find a really great deal :)).
[QUOTE=4THEHORSES;8600291]
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![/QUOTE]
Unmatched tack is not sloppy. If you, your tack, and your horse are neat and clean, you’re fine.
[QUOTE=4THEHORSES;8600962]
Yes, I agree. If I buy a white pad I could wear white breechies and a white shirt. A running braid is doable and the tail I can tidy up.
.[/QUOTE]
I would not do the white/white look. You’ll look washed out and you will be a dirt magnet - guaranteed :).
I often ring steward to get in my volunteer hours and I can still remember one rider who had an old stained saddle pad. If you’re spending that much $$ on entry/stall/etc, why not splurge for something new and clean?
I think a white pad (or color that matches your polo), tan breeches and polo shirt would look very polished. Have fun!
[QUOTE=Drsgqn;8601677]
I would not do the white/white look. You’ll look washed out and you will be a dirt magnet - guaranteed :).
I often ring steward to get in my volunteer hours and I can still remember one rider who had an old stained saddle pad. If you’re spending that much $$ on entry/stall/etc, why not splurge for something new and clean?
I think a white pad (or color that matches your polo), tan breeches and polo shirt would look very polished. Have fun![/QUOTE]
Well yeah, the diet magnet thing is a good point and if I’m there with two horses I might not have to to change before classes.
I can either buy a new pad or use the burgundy one. I have an impressive collection of polis but wouldn’t object to adding a new one 
No matter what you wear or what pad you use, good luck and have fun!
I would do a nice white pad, white or tan breeches, belt and navy or polo or long sleeve shirt. I never bother braiding for schooling shows but some people do.
Think pony club attire
Just keep in mind if you do a running braid you’ll likely need to keep her head UP once she’s braided or the braid will start coming loose.
Pretty sure I’ve shown in recognized shows with mismatched tack. As long as it is clean and in good working order, who cares?
Have fun and good luck!
[QUOTE=cnm161;8600259]
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.[/QUOTE]
So awesome! If I miss-match my tack will I look like this? Dreaming on…
OP just go, as is, but clean and tidy.
Will the judge care? No.
Will the ‘smartly attired’ snicker? Only until you beat them!!!
[QUOTE=csaper58;8602437]
So awesome! If I miss-match my tack will I look like this? Dreaming on…
OP just go, as is, but clean and tidy.
Will the judge care? No.
Will the ‘smartly attired’ snicker? Only until you beat them!!![/QUOTE]
Ohhhhh,I like that way of thinking!
Don’t think this horse will ever make he upper levels but she had lovely movement and I think she’ll do great LL.
I never really notice mismatched tack unless it’s dirty. Dirty gear is a total fail no matter how much it may have initially cost. What always looks great is a well groomed horse, clean gear, and a tidy rider with polished boots.
George Morris blasts riders that look better than their horses. I agree with him.
Michelle Gibson rode in the Olympics with a brown Stubben saddle and a black bridle. After that, I no longer worried about it.
I would say you are a perfectionist.
The problem with perfectionists is they get to the point where if something is not perfect then they do not try at all.
Imperfection is fine. A bit each day is fine. Go ahead and enjoy life and think of things as unique instead of perfect.
