Show Jacket Reccomendation

[Toaster]

Hi All!

I recently got back into showing (ie. previously showed in super ridged unforgiving jackets) and I got one of the trendy mesh show jackets this summer and I love how it feels like I’m wearing hardly anything and have total freedom (I hate feeling like my arms/shoulders are restricted). Does anyone have an equivalent technical fabric type that would be appropriate for showing in the winter (a bit warmer than mesh!)? I don’t mind paying for the quality. I can’t go and try different jackets since I am in a tack shop desert, buying/returning online orders is a PITA lol - so here I am asking for suggestions and tell me what ya love.

Probably other threads on this topic but my searches failed me. Appreciate any insight.

[lynne]

The stretchiest coat I’ve tried is the Charles Ancona, but their sizing isn’t typical and I don’t know of anywhere to try them on other than their booth at shows. But maybe you can figure out your size and stalk used ones on eBay etc?

[adultammylife]

I have an Equiline (the 3-button hunter coat) that I LOVE. It’s stretchy and light enough to wear in the summer but I also wore it recently in cooler temps and it was great. Machine washable and super easy to take care of. Also comes in a 4-button.

[monalisa]

You can order from Charles Ancona via mail. I ordered a coat, they sent me several sizes, and I mailed back the ones that did not fit. I love my CA coat - it is like a custom fitted coat for me. They run very small but the fabric is fabulous.

[atl_hunter]

Charles Ancona are the best, but if that is out of budget then the Grand Prix Tech Madelyn is really nice. It’s a thicker jersey knit fabric that is extremely stretchy and is perfect for winter.

[hairystockings]

The Grand Prix tech jackets are great and the higher end RJ Classics are also great. The less expensive RJ jackets are not as stretchy as one would want. Cavalleria Toscana also makes great jackets, also on the pricey end but findable second hand.

[PNWjumper]

I love my Horse Pilot coats more than any other coats I own. They are a heavier fabric than many, but super flexible, and by far the most comfortable I have (and I think I have at least one of every brand out there at this point!). Also, you can customize your own here and they’re a lot less expensive than the one I bought in person at a show:
https://custom.mon-cheval.com/configurator-show-coat-Horse-Pilot-customize-59-p.htm

I have a dark green one with a beige collar and a navy one with a purple collar and I would own at least a few more if this whole show season hadn’t been effectively wiped out!

[mychestnutvalentine]

The following brands I have had in my consignment:
-Animo: Lightweight, stylish cut, can be shorter cut. New Evo material is great but not as stretchy as former seasons.
-Equiline: Features x-cool system aka lightweight with ventilation. Lasts forever. Can be a boxier cut.
-Cavalleria Toscana: Mixed bag. Has nice fabrics but the actual fabric styling can be hit or miss (can be bunchy or boxy and other not at all).
-Sarm Hippique: LOVE the material on these. Most stretchy, lightweight fabric on the market IMO.

• RJ Classics Orange Label: Nice material, more affordable option. Not as stretchy as it could be
  -Grand Prix Quinn or any new versions out this year: Lightweight, hidden zipper, nice style. Another affordable option. Their older Techlites have shoulder pads, yuck.
  -AA Motion Lite: I have mixed feelings about this jacket based on the actual cut to be lacking (weird bunching or stretching if you are in between sizes) but it’s mesh so it gets a mention.
  -Horse Pilot: Fun colors, nice design, softshell material.
  -Pikeur: I love the Pikeur jackets. Their Sarissa II is worth the money and feels like wearing a comfortable hoody. I’ve shown in it in 90 weather!

The cheaper you go the less features you get… I totally suggest buying second hand as well but any of these jackets are worth the retail expense! I personally show in an Equiline from 2016 line (looks new still) and an Animo. I have the Pikeur Sarissa II as a back up.

[puzzle]

I actually really, really love the Kerrits show coats, as well as the Smartpak Piper. I’ve worn both at BIG shows and not looked out of place, they are comfortable, forgiving in size, very stretchy - and they aren’t mesh, which is a big one for me (my trainer wouldn’t approve of mesh).
Both of those go on sale and are not terribly expensive - that is where I would start. Shout-out also to the Monterrey model of RJ Classics, which I also have and love, but that’s a MUCH more expensive coat and probably overkill for just wearing in the winters. Mine is 6 years old and still going strong.

[173north]

I think the Sarm Hippique coats are amazing, I’ve never ever seen their Antea style look bad on ANYONE. (I ran a tack shop for 5 years and stocked a lot of brands so I’ve seen it on a lot of folks).

Equiline are nice if they fit but I find the fit hit or miss, definitely a bit boxy. Ego7 is the same - look amazing if they fit but don’t fit everyone.

Frankly I think the Anconas are massively overprices and look flimsy when you’re on the horse, though beautiful on the rack.

I have had a couple of the $500ish RJ Classics and they’re fabulous. I also quite like the Samshields.

[Tha_Ridge]

On the very inexpensive end of the spectrum, my Tredstep Symphony coat is beautiful. It’s more traditionally-styled (I believe a lot of Beacon Hill’s big eq kids wear them, in fact), but fits beautifully and still has modern touches like stretch, washability, and a mesh lining. https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/tredstep-symphony-style-show-coat-14891

[lcw579]

@PNWjumper do those coats work with the inflatable HP vest?

[hairystockings]

Which ones? Second hand your best bet is ebay or the tried equestrian. Otherwise, Dover sells both the Grand Prix tech jackets and the RJ Classics. Along with many other tack shops. Smartpak has many choices too.